A person's energy was limited, and to grasp at too much was to get a firm grip on nothing. For some, earning a distinguished title in just one field was already difficult. Yet Fang Zichen had been accomplished in both literary and martial arts, he had likely been meticulously trained by a prominent family.
"Mm," Fang Zichen replied. "I studied with my grandfather for a few years, and I also attended martial arts classes for several years." He recalled the past and sighed wistfully. "When I was a child, I was kidnapped and locked up for two days. Those kidnappers were inhuman—they didn't give me food or water, and I nearly starved to death. After my parents rescued me, my grandfather sent me to his army unit. He said it was to teach me a few moves for self-defense. But army life was tough, we had to get up before dawn, and I couldn't handle it. I cried to my grandmother a few times, and she brought me back home and sent me to martial arts classes instead."
Master Wu genuinely cared for Yang Mingyi. In his eyes, Yang Mutao was a worthless father, so he naturally distrusted the 'tutor' Yang Mutao had hired. Master Wu had sent someone to investigate Fang Zichen and learned that this man had come from overseas, married a ger, and become a stepfather.
Nothing else could be found out.
He hadn't had contact with Fang Zichen before, but when he examined Yang Mingyi's progress in arithmetic, he was quite surprised.
Coupled with the previous game of Go, even though this man's words were utterly infuriating, Master Wu had to admit he possessed genuine talent.
Commoners wouldn't know these things. Merchant families typically studied trade and business. Master Wu had originally guessed that Fang Zichen might come from a minor official's family. But upon hearing this, his previous speculation was overturned.
The military?
Could he be from a family of military generals?
"What else can you do?" Master Wu asked again.
"I can do plenty of things. I could talk all night and still not finish listing them," Fang Zichen said.
How arrogant!
Looking at the young man's clearly boyish face, Master Wu tried to calm his temper. "Your martial skills are quite good. Have you ever considered joining the army? With your ability, you could probably become a Battalion Commander in a few years. The country is currently unstable, with foreign enemies running rampant. We need talents like you."
Rising through military service was fast.
For the civil path, there was the academy exam held every three years and the provincial exam held every two years. If one unfortunately failed, it was three years after three years. Many did not pass until middle age.
Fang Zichen widened his eyes and said gloomily, "Old man, you have no principles! I just saved you, and instead of being grateful, you're trying to persuade me to die. Is that any way to behave?"
Fang Zichen was displeased.
What kind of place is this Daxia? Trying to get me to join the army? If I were still in modern time, I'd sign up in a heartbeat. Serving in the military to protect your country - what could be more honorable? Not to mention the preferential treatment and benefits. So many advantages. If I died, there'd be a pension, and my son would be the descendant of a martyr. But here in Daxia... forget it!
This place will chew you up and not even spit out the bones. How difficult is for a widow to survive alone here? If I kicked the bucket, I might as well close my eyes knowing full well my little fulang and son would probably be joining me down below before the next year was out.
Yang Mingyi saw his grandfather coughing again and looked at Fang Zichen, wanting to speak but hesitating, then hesitating but wanting to speak.
He wanted to beg Fang Zichen to stop talking, to spare his grandfather's life. Lest he not be killed by the bandits but end up being angered to death.
The old man was coughing violently, his face flushed a deep red as he struggled to catch his breath. Fang Zichen felt his earlier anger dissipate. Why was he even arguing with an old man? His tone softened as he suggested, "Why don't you go lie down inside the carriage for a while?"
"I can't rest," Master Wu said somewhat awkwardly. "I'm afraid those people will come back."
The Yang family's inner courtyard had a foul atmosphere; where there were many women, there was inevitably much gossip. If those men had been purely mountain bandits, they should have left earlier when he gave his name and offered silver.
Although his official authority wasn't great—and if the title of a mere Juren wasn't enough to intimidate them—then his position as Dean of Qinghe Academy should have sufficed.
Qinghe Academy was the top academy in Yuanzhou. The Prefect of Yuanzhou was his old classmate.
With these two statuses, he had always been respected.
Moreover, he had traveled this road countless times, and this was not his first encounter with mountain bandits.
The court valued literary arts, and scholars were rare and precious. Anyone who harmed them without cause faced severe punishment—confiscation of family property and a three-year ban on imperial examinations for their descendants.
The penalties were so harsh that few dared to knowingly break the law.
His carriage bore clear markings. From a distance, bandits who recognized it would usually step aside to let him pass.
But this time…
Master Wu sighed deeply.
Yi Ger must have gotten in someone's way.
The bandits had fled just now, unsuccessful in their aim. He feared they might soon return.
With the guards unlikely to be back for at least two shichen (4 hours), how could he possibly rest easy?
Fang Zichen went over to support him. "Don't worry. If they come back, so be it. With me guarding you, what are you afraid of?"
In the end, he couldn't hold out. Master Wu lay down in the carriage.
Yang Mingyi leaned against the carriage and saw Fang Zichen open his bundle, rummaging around, then pull out a small puppy from inside.
Disturbed from its slumber, the puppy let out a few soft whimpers. It nuzzled against Fang Zichen's hand, licking his palm, before curling up and going back to sleep.
It's alive.
It's actually alive!!
Yang Mingyi stared, utterly speechless.
Keeping a dog inside his travel bundle—wasn't he worried the poor thing would suffocate in there?
Fang Zichen handed the puppy to Yang Mingyi. "You can pet it."
The puppy was furry, soft, and warm, its little body swelling and subsiding with each breath.
It was so tiny.
Yang Mingyi took the puppy, held it in his arms, and gently stroked it. "Brother Fang, did you buy this?"
"Of course! Otherwise, do you think someone gave it to me?" Fang Zichen said. "So, is it cute?"
Yang Mingyi looked down, gazing quietly at the puppy lying in his arms, and nodded. "Mm!"
Fang Zichen laughed. "Then my son will definitely like it."
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