A Life of Attributes Starting as a Nobleman in the Republic of China Era

"Young Master, do you think the Cai family will listen to us?" Chen San asked as he walked.

"It's not about paying homage, it's about sending invitations," Chen Che corrected him. "Whether he comes or not is his business, whether we invite him or not is our business. Remember, no matter what their attitude is today, we can't show them any displeasure."

Chen San said "Oh," and nodded as if he understood but not quite.

Cai Family Martial Arts School is located deep in an old alley in Hongkou District. Although it is called a martial arts school, it is actually just a two-story old building. A faded plaque with the words "Cai Family Martial Arts School" hangs at the entrance. Much of the paint has peeled off, showing that it has been around for many years.

The door was open, and shouts of "Hey ha!" came from inside. Chen Che glanced inside and saw seven or eight teenagers practicing horse stance under the guidance of a middle-aged man. The middle-aged man was about forty years old, not tall, but with a strong frame and rounded arms, clearly someone who practiced external martial arts.

Chen Che stood at the door, not rushing in. Only after the middle-aged man called out "Take a rest" did he cup his hands and ask, "Is Master Cai home?"

The middle-aged man turned around, sized Chen Che up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment on the tactical baton in Chen Che's hand, before returning the greeting with clasped hands: "I am Cai Rong. And you are…"

"Chen Che from the Chen family of Zhabei. My master is Sun Congzhou." Chen Che announced his name and added, "I've come to deliver an invitation at the request of Li Jinglin, the director of the Central Martial Arts Academy."

Cai Rong's expression clearly changed. He paused for a moment, then quickly stepped forward, his wariness turning into enthusiasm: "So you're Master Sun's esteemed disciple! I've heard so much about you! Please come in, please come in!"

He ushered Chen Che into the main room and busied himself pouring tea. Chen San handed over the tea leaves and old wine, and Cai Rong declined a couple of times, but accepted them nonetheless.

"Master Cai, you're too kind." Chen Che took out the invitation from his pocket and handed it over with both hands. "The Central Martial Arts Academy will be holding a martial arts competition and recruitment event at the Public Stadium on the fifteenth of next month. Martial arts families from all over Shanghai will be there. Director Li hopes that Master Cai can also grace us with his presence."

Cai Rong took the invitation, examined it twice, and his expression was somewhat complicated. He remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Brother Chen, to be honest with you, my Cai Family Martial Arts School isn't even ranked in Shanghai; we're just scraps by. Why would I go to such a big event hosted by Master Li?"

"Master Cai is too modest," Chen Che said with a smile. "Director Li said that this martial arts competition will not consider the size of the establishment, but only the real skills. The Cai family boxing style has been passed down for three generations and has been able to establish itself in Shanghai. That's real ability."

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Cai Rong's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again: "To be honest, there are more and more martial arts schools in Shanghai these days, and it's really not easy for me. Fewer and fewer students, but the rent goes up every year. If it weren't for a few old neighbors who still bring their kids here, I would have closed down long ago."

He paused, then sighed, "I support Director Li setting up this martial arts academy. But to be honest, we small martial arts schools also have our concerns. Once the academy opens, will we 'country bumpkins' still have anything to eat?"

Chen Che understood the implication in his words and said seriously, "Master Cai, Director Li asked me to pass on a message—the Central Martial Arts Academy isn't here to steal business from Shanghai, but to set up a stage. Once the stage is set, we'll all perform together. Whoever has the skill can go on stage. Those in the audience will also have food to eat."

Cai Rong stared at him blankly for a long time before finally saying, "Did Director Li say that?"

"Yes." Chen Che nodded.

Cai Rong remained silent for a while, then suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Chen Che: "Brother Chen, please thank Director Li for me. I, Cai Rong, will definitely be there on the fifteenth of next month."

As they left the Cai family boxing gym, Chen San couldn't help but say, "Young Master, look at Cai Rong, he acts like we owe him something."

"That's not what he meant," Chen Che said as they walked. "He's afraid. Afraid that if the National Martial Arts Academy comes, small martial arts schools like theirs will have no way to survive. He's not the only one with this concern."

"What should we do then?"

"What should we do?" Chen Che smiled. "Set up the stage and let them see the benefits, then they'll naturally come."

Over the next few days, Chen Che and Chen San traveled almost all over Shanghai.

First, he visited the small martial arts schools in Hongkou and Zhabei districts—Chen Family Boxing, Liu Family Knife, Li Family Spear, Zhao Family Whip… one by one, delivering invitations and conveying Li Jinglin's message. Some were enthusiastic, some were indifferent; some politely invited people in for tea, while others stood at the door, said a few words, and sent them away.

Chen Che remained calm and composed, always maintaining impeccable manners regardless of the other party's attitude.

On the fourth day, they began visiting several prominent families in Shanghai.

Our first stop was the Liu family of Baguazhang.

The Liu family has been operating in Shanghai for three generations and are the direct descendants of Dong Haichuan's Baguazhang lineage. The current head of the family, Liu Yuanding, is in his early fifties and possesses unfathomable martial arts skills, holding a pivotal position in Shanghai's martial arts world. He has a son and a daughter, and his son, Liu Zhenbang, is also a standout among the younger generation.

The Liu family's residence was located in the French Concession; it was a garden villa combining Chinese and Western architectural styles. It had a gatekeeper at the entrance and a gardener in the courtyard, its grandeur far surpassing that of those small martial arts schools.

Chen Che gave his name, and the gatekeeper went in to announce his arrival. After a while, he came out and said, "Master Liu invites you two in."

The living room was large, furnished with mahogany furniture, and several calligraphy and paintings hung on the walls, the central one being a portrait of Dong Haichuan. Liu Yuanding sat in a grand chair, holding a cup of tea, talking to a young man.

The young man was about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, tall and handsome, wearing a dark blue long gown with a cowhide belt around his waist, and had an extraordinary air about him.

"Father, I'll be going now." The young man bowed to Liu Yuanding, turned to leave, glanced at Chen Che, nodded slightly as a greeting, and strode out the door.

"That's my son, Zhenbang." Liu Yuanding put down his teacup and looked Chen Che up and down. "Sun Congzhou's apprentice?"

"Yes." Chen Che clasped his hands in greeting. "This junior, Chen Che, has come to deliver an invitation on behalf of Li Jinglin, the director of the Central Martial Arts Academy."

Liu Yuanding accepted the invitation, placed it on the table without even glancing at it, and said indifferently, "My Liu family will naturally give Director Li face. However..."

He paused, his gaze sharpening: "I heard that this martial arts competition has no restrictions on sect or background. Even those self-taught individuals from the Zhabei shantytowns who haven't studied under a master or entered a school can get on stage?"

Chen Che sensed the barb in his words and replied calmly, "Director Li said that martial arts doesn't discriminate based on family background, only on genuine skill. Anyone with ability will have their doors open to the martial arts academy, regardless of their origins."

Liu Yuanding sneered, "What a fine 'not considering social status' attitude! Do you think the skills passed down through three generations of my Liu family are the same as those haphazard, self-taught techniques from those shantytowns?"

The atmosphere suddenly froze.