Di Ming

Chapter 44 The Confucius Mansion
Zhu Yin solemnly replied, "My godfather hopes that I will be a rising star, a pillar of the nation, and a protector of the Ming Dynasty when I grow up."

"But if we want to do practical things, good things, and great things for our China, we need the support of powerful officials in the court. We must serve them with humility, be willing to serve them like slaves to their masters, and be gentle before we are firm."

"With a strong, high, and secure backer, one can act without any taboos and do things freely."

"Never emulate Hai Rui, who was upright and incorruptible, a loyal minister and a disloyal son, a man of lofty ideals, and who cherished his personal reputation so much that he had no place to use his talents."

“To serve the powerful and influential against one’s will and to associate with the elite, if not for personal gain but for the sake of the nation, then one’s selfishness is no longer a matter of personal gain, and one’s actions are for the public good.”

"The court lacks righteousness, and this move is purely out of necessity."

Zhu Yin finished speaking in one breath with a firm tone, and then bowed deeply.

"Private matters are not private; we bend down for the public good." Qi Jiguang clapped his hands and nodded. "What you say is well, young man. The court lacks righteousness, and this action is purely out of necessity."

"Unexpectedly, my adopted son knows all my thoughts."

He looked pleased and couldn't help but smile as he gazed at the nine-year-old's serious little face.

"I have seen countless people and I am quite good at judging character. Although I do not have the ability to discern people's true nature or the skill to observe their aura, I rarely make a mistake."

"To receive and bestow upon someone of exceptional talent and virtue is the greatest joy in life. If you were not to be able to train and hone your skills, how could I have taken you as my adopted son?"

"You are exceptionally intelligent and precocious, already showing the potential of a child prodigy. Furthermore, you possess a pure heart, a keen mind, a filial heart, a gentle and considerate nature, and a kind and understanding heart."

"A good physique and a constitution stronger than boys of the same age indicate a long and healthy life."

"With these three minds and two intentions as one, as long as one loves and respects oneself and strives for self-improvement, one can become a talent for the imperial court!"

Zhu Yin was stunned; could being half-hearted really be used like this?

Qi Jiguang's words, though ancient and profound, resonated deeply, stirring Qi Jiguang's passion and igniting his fervor.

Qi Shaobao, a man of great talent and ability, actually valued himself so highly.

The advantages of time travelers are simply too great. It's like having an all-powerful cheat code.

But he immediately feigned shame and said shyly, "You flatter me, sir. I am not worthy of such praise."

Qi Jiguang shook his head, stroked his beard, and laughed, "Whether this is an overstatement or not depends on your future fortune. Young Tiger, let me ask you, would you rather take the imperial examination or the military examination?"

Zhu Yin did not answer, but instead asked, "What does my godfather think?"

Qi Jiguang chuckled, pointing at him and shaking his head: "They say children's words are truthful, but you are as cunning as a devil. You already have a plan in mind, yet you ask this old man."

Zhu Yin was ashamed and could only feign naivety, saying, "I want to take the imperial examination."

Qi Jiguang slammed his hand on the table, “Yes, we should take the imperial examination route. Don’t be fooled by the fact that I commanded thousands of troops back then; my military power was always controlled by civil officials.”

"In this Ming Dynasty, the real power still rests with the civil officials."

"I see you carry a bow and sword, have calluses on your hands, and are quite agile; you must love martial arts. But you must never follow the path of a military general."

"To become a great talent, one must be proficient in both literature and martial arts, without neglecting either. However, literature should be the foundation, while martial arts should be the application."

"Although Zhang Juzheng was an unparalleled prime minister, he was unfortunately ignorant of military affairs and had no martial skills. In the end, he was just a weak scholar and was still a step behind."

"If our dynasty relies on those civil officials who only know how to talk about war on paper and sit and discuss theories, but don't understand archery, horsemanship, firearms, or artillery, it will inevitably lead to disaster sooner or later!"

"These southern Japanese pirates and northern barbarians have caused chaos for two hundred years. Isn't it because they lack martial virtue and value literature over military prowess?"

"The southern Japanese pirates and northern barbarians have been suppressed. But if things continue like this, it's hard to guarantee that there won't be eastern barbarians and western barbarians in the future."

"If the people of China, a great and powerful nation, had even a little bit of martial spirit and courage, how could they allow mere Japanese pirates and petty barbarians to dare to bully our country?"

Zhu Yin never expected that Qi Jiguang's idea would coincide with his own.

They all pursued a career in government through the imperial examinations, becoming civil officials while also taking on military and martial arts skills.

He neither a scholar-official nor a pure military general.

"I understand," Zhu Yin said. "The imperial examinations emphasize martial arts!"

Qi Jiguang nodded, "This young man is teachable! He is indeed suited for the imperial examinations and martial arts!"

"Although I have several sons and nephews, they are all of limited talent. I have put in a lot of effort, but they are not capable of great things. This is fate, and I can't blame them."

"Over the years, I have been looking for promising talents, and I have found some with outstanding abilities. It is clear that I am unlucky and have been avoiding them like the plague."

"I have high hopes for you. Are you willing to learn military strategy and martial arts from me so that you can serve the country in the future?"

Zhu Yin had been waiting for these words, and he said happily, "Your son is willing! Your son will definitely study hard!"

Qi Jiguang said, "Alright, I will teach you well. You will learn everything: military formations, troop training, battle strategies, firearms, close combat, and fist fighting."

"You already have a solid foundation in archery and horsemanship. The Jurchen style is very powerful. You don't need to learn riding and archery from me anymore. Your attendants are your best teachers."

"Next, you should first study military strategy books and learn martial arts techniques such as fist and foot techniques."

"If you can learn to defeat ten people with fists and feet, or even ten people with melee weapons, then you have achieved a minor level of martial arts proficiency. But to become someone like Yu Dayou, who can defeat a hundred people, is extremely difficult."

"Personal martial prowess is the foundation of a general's courage. If one's own martial prowess is poor, even if one is knowledgeable in military affairs, one will easily be looked down upon by the soldiers, for he may appear fierce but lack courage."

Zhu Yin nodded repeatedly as he listened. He strongly agreed with the saying, "One's own martial prowess is the foundation of a general's courage."

When he was training with the Secret Service, some instructors, even if they were excellent at intelligence work, did not dare to manage the trainees because they lacked personal combat skills.

He was afraid of being beaten up by the students.

It is clear that if one's personal combat skills are lacking, one's aura will be insufficient, making it difficult to manage subordinates.

Qi Jiguang's statement that Yu Dayou was a match for a hundred men was actually an understatement. He himself was also a match for a hundred men.

Qi Jiguang suddenly sighed:
“But I am plagued by illness and my days are numbered. I don’t know how long I can teach you. Tomorrow, you will come with me to Hengshuo Hall to study.” “Yes!” Zhu Yin gladly accepted the order and comforted him, “My godfather is in good health and in the prime of his life. He will live to at least eighty.”

"Your son will definitely find a way to cure your godfather's illness!"

Qi Jiguang smiled slightly, "You are a filial child. Go now, and come to Hengshuo Hall to see me at 5:45 AM tomorrow morning."

"Also, I am now a disgraced official who has been dismissed from my post and stripped of my salary. Don't let outsiders know that I am your godfather, as it will be detrimental to you."

"I can teach you military skills and martial arts. But I can't teach you the way of the imperial examinations and the eight-legged essay."

“I have an old friend in Zhejiang named Shen, who is currently unemployed and has not yet been reinstated. He is skilled in the art of imperial examinations, is a sensible person, and could be a good teacher.”

"In a while, let's go to Zhejiang together. I'll swallow my pride and make sure he takes you as his apprentice. That way, you'll have a better chance of passing the imperial examinations."

An old friend surnamed Shen from Zhejiang? Who is he? Zhu Yin pondered.

My godfather went to Zhejiang just to take me to become his disciple? He served as an official in Zhejiang for many years and made his fortune there. Could it be that he missed Zhejiang and wanted to revisit the place?

Or... what are you hiding from?
As Zhu Yin was pondering, Qi Jiguang pointed to a set of bronzeware in the corner of the study and said:

"Biyun Garden no longer has a copper water clock, right? Even if you take the copper water clock away, it will still keep accurate time."

He himself was somewhat speechless. The once grand Qi mansion was now bare, with books piled high on the walls, and even the bronze water clock was gone, leaving only one set.

Zhu Yin said, "If I take it, what will my godfather use it for?"

Qi Jiguang shook his head and said, "I already know the time, it's pretty much the same, there's no need to keep track of it."

"It's night. Have your servant take the bronze water clock away, and then go."

"Yes!" Zhu Yin did not refuse his good intentions and immediately called Lan Cha in.

When Qi Jiguang saw Lan Cha, he couldn't help but nod and say, "He is truly a valiant general."

Then, Zhu Yin went to get the copper water clock.

Lancha, carrying the largest and heaviest 'Night Heavenly Pool' and 'Sun Heavenly Pool', and Zhu Yin, carrying the smallest flat pot and ten-thousand-point pot, bid farewell to the old general and returned to Biyun Courtyard.

……

Inside the Xieyi Studio, in the bedroom, red candles burned brightly, and brocade curtains and embroidered screens hung.

Not far from the bed was a clean toilet. On the elaborately decorated canopy bed, a newly bought bamboo mat was laid out.

Seven-month-old Ning Qingchen, wearing ripped pants and with her back bare, rolled around on the bamboo mat.

Maybe this will make it cooler?
Ning Caiwei, dressed in a crepe-like silk robe, sat helplessly in front of the dressing table, fanning herself.

It's hot.

The first half of the night was hot and humid, and Ning Caiwei felt sticky all over. She hadn't showered for several days, and she was starting to feel disgusted with herself.

Zhu Yin, with Lan Cha by his side, set up the copper water clock, added water to the Night Heaven Pool, and then Lan Cha went back to his own room to stay.

Ning Caiwei, unable to bear it any longer, said, "It's only eight o'clock, isn't it? I need to wash my hair and take a shower, otherwise I won't be able to sleep at all."

Zhu Yin nodded and said, "There's no hot water, can you manage washing with cool well water?"

Ning Caiwei smiled bitterly: "That's all we can do. I feel dirty. You don't mind, but I do."

Zhu Yin also felt uncomfortable all over. "I smell bad too, I can't sleep without washing."

"I'll have someone fetch water; you can wash like this for now."

Zhu Yin went out and called Meh and the others to fetch water, and soon the bath tub was filled with well water.

Then, Galo closed the door and started rubbing Ning Caiwei's back.

Zhu Yin took off his clothes by the well, took out soap and a towel, and washed himself directly by the well.

Although the summer night was hot, the well water was quite cold, and it was still a bit too much for the child to handle when it was rinsed on him.

But it’s also very cool.

Men have it much easier than women in this respect.

Ning Caiwei and Galo would never dare to take off their clothes and shower right next to the well.

Zhu Yin was applying scented soap to his body and had just started lathering when he heard a familiar voice.

Then, with a "whoosh," an arrow was stuck in the open ground not far away.

It looks like there's a letter tied to the arrow.

This is an arrow that was shot in from outside the mansion.

Zhu Yin frowned, waited for a while without any movement, then walked over naked and pulled the arrow from the ground.

Sure enough, a letter was tied to it.

Zhu Yin opened the letter and looked at it under the lantern; there was only one line of text:

"General Qi is arrogant and domineering, but he cannot default on his debts."

"Within ten days, we will come to collect the debt. Please raise funds in preparation. Do not say we did not warn you."

The inscription reads: "Confucius Mansion, Qufu".

P.S.: I can only rely on everyone reading the latest chapters every day to help me pass the level. I'm so grateful...

(End of this chapter)