The beginning of the story of the Tang Dynasty's Imperial Son-in-Law: A rhinoceros comes knocki

Chapter 104 Adoption and Upbringing

Wang Zhi also knew that what he wanted to say was that if that were the case, he would be at a disadvantage.

But he didn't care about such trivial benefits at all.

"These things aren't important. All I want are a few words: loyalty and obedience. Can you do that?"

Tie Dan immediately responded loudly, his clear voice suddenly ringing out, startling Hui Hui, who was resting on the stone table, into jumping up.

The eldest brother glared helplessly at his impetuous younger brother, then nodded emphatically to Wang Zhihuan, his attitude sincere and solemn: "We are all willing to follow the master's arrangements."

"very good."

Wang Zhihuan put down his teacup and looked back at Dalang. "From today onwards, you are all part of the farm. Dalang, come with me. I have something important to tell you privately."

A gentle breeze blows under the jujube tree, casting dappled shadows.

Dalang stood tall and straight, his back taut, quietly standing in front of Wang Zhihuan, neither humble nor arrogant.

Wang Zhihuan quietly observed him.

The boy was only fourteen years old, and his body had not yet fully developed, but he had a solid frame and broad hands, a foundation honed by years of hard work in the fields.

His eyes and brows showed no trace of the restlessness and impetuosity of his peers, only a composure and calmness far beyond his years.

This maturity is not something that can be deliberately faked, but rather a kind of insight and forbearance that comes from years of hardship and the trials of life.

"Your father said before he died that you learned carpentry?"

"Yes, Master, I know a little bit about it," Dalang answered truthfully. "I studied with my father for two years and can make ordinary furniture such as tables, chairs and benches, but I am still unfamiliar with the fine mortise and tenon techniques."

"Can you endure hardship?"

"able!"

The boy answered crisply and decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

Wang Zhi nodded to himself, already having a clear plan in mind.

Dalang is calm and reserved, like a rock, able to keep his composure, endure loneliness, and is neither ostentatious, rash, nor impetuous.

This kind of mindset is not suitable for charging into battle or being competitive, but it is best suited for lying low, observing in secret, and accomplishing things calmly.

In his previous life, when he was studying medicine, he met a retired special forces soldier. That man was a man of few words, but he had a sharp eye and could see right through people and things.

He learned a lesson from that person: the truly top-notch strongman is never the one with the hardest fist or the most outstanding edge, but the one who knows best how to conceal his strength and lie low.

And Dalang happens to possess this rare potential.

"Starting tomorrow, you will follow Zhou Xia to learn and practice characters every morning for one hour."

Wang Zhihuan slowly instructed, "I don't want you to study and learn to read for the sake of passing the imperial examinations or achieving fame. I only hope that you can understand accounts, write letters, comprehend things, and understand the arrangements I make."

For the remaining half day, he followed me to work in the fields to familiarize himself with farming.

Dalang was suddenly stunned, his eyes filled with astonishment. He had never dared to hope that he would have the opportunity to read and write in his lifetime.

"Don't you want to learn?"

"I'd love to learn! This disciple is more than willing!"

Dalang quickly responded, his eyes suddenly reddening, his voice filled with barely concealed excitement, "Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

Wang Zhihuan waved his hand slightly, signaling him to step back and make arrangements.

Then, he looked at Tie Dan standing to the side.

The twelve-year-old boy was chubby-cheeked and had bright, lively eyes that darted around. He exuded boundless energy and an indomitable spirit.

Standing in front of Wang Zhihuan, he was at a loss, sometimes clutching the hem of his clothes, sometimes fidgeting with his fingertips, sometimes standing with his hands behind his back, his whole body radiating an irrepressible vitality.

"Your father once said that you are strong-willed, stubborn, and prone to impulsiveness," Wang Zhihuan said, looking at him directly.

Tie Dan lowered his head and obediently replied, "My father is right."

"So, do you think this kind of personality is good or bad?"

Tie Dan thought about it seriously and answered honestly, "No, it's easy to get into trouble. It's just my nature, and I've always found it hard to change. But Zhuang..."

"I never asked you to change." Before he could finish speaking, Wang Zhihuan interrupted him.

Tie Dan suddenly looked up, his face blank and his eyes full of confusion.

Wang Zhi gazed into the boy's clear and pure eyes.

His eyes held arrogance, anger, and youthful recklessness, yet his underlying character was upright and honest.

Knowing one's shortcomings, not making excuses or shifting blame, and daring to admit mistakes—this kind of character is truly rare.

"Fierceness need not be smoothed out, and temper need not be restrained."

Wang Zhihuan slowly said, "What I want you to do is to use your passion and strength where they are needed."

You're naturally strong, so from now on you'll come with me to do heavy work: plowing the fields, carrying grain, chopping firewood, feeding the livestock—all kinds of strenuous work on the farm will be yours to use your strength.”

He then changed the subject, setting the rules: "But I have only one commandment—no fighting unless I personally agree. Got it?"

Tie Dan nodded vigorously, his eyes resolute: "This disciple will remember it well!"

Finally, it was Xiaoman's turn, the youngest of the group.

The little girl was only ten years old, with a slender and thin figure, like a frail seedling, but her eyes were big, bright, clear and clean.

She stood there awkwardly, her hands tightly clutching the hem of her clothes, her head hanging low, not daring to look up, revealing a deep sense of timidity.

Wang Zhihuan leaned down slightly, squatted down to look her in the eye, and spoke in an extremely gentle tone.

"Xiaoman, are you afraid of me?"

Xiaoman first shook her head slightly, then nodded timidly, her voice barely audible: "I'm sorry! Master, I—I have a little bit."

"Don't be afraid."

Wang Zhi softened his tone and gently comforted her, "Your father entrusted you to me, so I will protect you and treat you well."

He paused, then continued, "The tasks I'll assign you from now on will be different from those of your two older brothers."

Xiaoman slowly raised her eyes, her clear eyes looking at him timidly, full of curiosity and trepidation.

"You're a girl, you don't need to do heavy farm work."

Wang Zhihuan gently instructed, "From today onwards, you will stay by my side. Your daily tasks include tidying up the yard, taking care of my needs, and serving me tea and water. In addition, I have a skill that I plan to teach you."

"What kind of skill is it?" Xiaoman asked softly, a glimmer of light in her eyes.

"Medical skills".

Seeing the little girl's blank and confused face, Wang Zhi patiently explained: "It is the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses and regulate the body."

Your brother Banxia is the one who studied medicine with me. However, since he is a man, it is inconvenient for many female relatives to handle medical treatment and care.

You are thoughtful, gentle, and considerate. You can help me take care of the female patients in the future, and you can also help me relax when I'm tired from work.

Managing miscellaneous tasks.

Xiaoman seemed to understand, but she firmly remembered the most important point—the manor lord would not abandon her and was willing to teach her how to make a living.

She nodded vigorously, her voice much clearer than before: "I'm willing! I'm willing to learn skills and work under the master!"

Wang Zhihuan stood up, raised his hand and gently rubbed her soft head, his eyes filled with tender expectation.

"Good child. From now on, you will be my personal attendant, not a servant, but my closest person."

Learn your skills diligently and work hard; a bright future awaits you.

Xiaoman felt a lump in her throat, and her eyes instantly reddened, but she held back the tears that were about to fall and nodded vigorously.

After settling the three siblings in, the courtyard returned to tranquility.

Wang Zhihuan sat alone under the old jujube tree, resting with his eyes closed.

Ah Huang lay docilely at his feet, dozing off; Hui Hui curled up lazily on his lap; and a few sparrows perched on the branches of the jujube tree, chirping and taking a carefree nap.

The warm autumn sunlight filters through layers of leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A gentle breeze blows, and life unfolds peacefully.

With a thought, he quietly brought up the merit system panel.

[Merit Points Balance: 3740]

This is all the wealth he has accumulated over the years.

That night, he went out to make a house call and saved a life, and received 1,500 merits.

Taking in Zhou Xia and the three Liu siblings, providing food and medical care daily, these small acts of kindness have accumulated into the savings we have today.

He stared at the panel for a long time, then opened the system's redemption list.

Previously, he had been restraining himself from accumulating merit, all in order to exchange for a complete treatment plan for Madam Li's illness.

The expenditure of 30,000 merits depleted almost all of his savings, but it also saved a life and brought peace to the neighborhood.

He now intends to use all the remaining merits to build a solid foundation for himself.

Having been in this strange world for a long time, he had already seen through a truth: relying solely on farming, brewing wine, practicing medicine and helping the world, one could only live a stable life and it would be difficult to truly establish oneself.

The undercurrents within the Wang family of Taiyuan, the veiled warnings of my second uncle Wang Luo, and the insightful advice of my eldest uncle Wang Huan lingered in my mind.

In addition, there was news from the undercover agents that County Magistrate Yuwen Ren was secretly reviewing local land registers, and a group of outsiders with Taiyuan accents were secretly inquiring about the route to Lantian Township.

All the seemingly disparate clues intertwine and converge, pointing to the same truth.

Someone was spying on him and plotting against him from the shadows.

Cheng Yaojin's protection was an open source of support, but while it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, it's hard to guard against a hidden arrow.

To gain a foothold and safely protect those around him, he must possess the ability to protect himself.

My gaze fell upon the special categories in the exchange list: [Physical Enhancement] and [Martial Arts Techniques].

Clicking on the category reveals a dense array of redemption options. These include basic physical enhancements, various fighting techniques, and internal and external martial arts styles—a wide variety available.

His gaze was calm as he flipped through the pages, quickly calculating and planning in his mind.

Dalang is calm, patient, observant, and insightful. He excels at lying low, patiently observing, and patiently waiting.

This kind of mentality is best suited for the path of covert reconnaissance.

In his previous life, he had read records about reconnaissance soldiers. True reconnaissance masters were never those who were brave and fierce in direct combat, but rather those who were good at hiding, lurking, tracking, and investigating. They could observe the situation from the shadows, predict risks, and move with ease and composure.

The core essence lies in the word "concealment".

Dalang is like a stubborn rock, able to calm his mind and hide himself, which perfectly suits this way.

After a short selection process, Wang Zhi also settled on a mental cultivation technique.

【The Art of Concealing One's Edge】

[Description: A master of concealing one's presence, as still as a virgin, and as swift as a rabbit. Specializing in stealth, tracking, reconnaissance, and swift strikes, this class is suitable for those with a calm temperament, a dislike of ostentation, and a reserved, patient nature.]

[Required Merit Points: 1000]

Wang Zhi didn't hesitate for a second and immediately confirmed the exchange.

A subtle, warm current flowed into my mind from between my brows, instantly filling my thoughts.

It wasn't an increase in physical strength, but rather a complete system of cultivation techniques, training methods, stealth skills, and reconnaissance methods, all of which were imprinted deep in my memory.

From then on, he knew how to teach his eldest son according to his aptitude and help him succeed.

Once you've settled others in, it's time to strengthen yourself.

In his previous life, he was just an ordinary medical student who had never learned any martial arts and had an average physical constitution.

Even though he had worked hard for many years after transmigrating and his physique was far superior to that of an ordinary weak scholar, he was still no match for a true martial arts expert.

In addition, his three fine wines, Songlao, Yunmenchun, and Tianlu, have already made a name for themselves in the elite circles of Chang'an, with orders pouring in and even booked up for two months in advance.

The greater the fame, the more people will covet it.

Cheng Yaojin can defend against open conflicts, but he cannot guard against clandestine schemes. He must possess his own inner strength and combat power so that he can protect himself and others in times of crisis.

My gaze swept across the list again, and a powerful and fierce fist technique came into view.

【The Mountain-Crushing Force】

[Introduction: This style of boxing is characterized by its expansive, powerful, and pure movements, devoid of complicated or flashy techniques. The fist originates from the heart, power arises from the ground, and the force of the entire body's muscles and bones is used to deliver a heavy blow, pursuing ultimate explosive power.]

[Note: This can be combined with physical enhancement training for a significant increase in combat power.]

[Required Merit Points: 1000]

I redeemed it without hesitation.

Another warm current swept over me, but this time the feeling was completely different.

What flooded my mind was no longer theoretical principles, but muscle memory, instinctive power generation techniques, and body balance methods that were deeply ingrained in my bones and etched into my flesh and blood, becoming thoroughly understood.

He slowly stood up, stood under the jujube tree, and casually threw a punch.

The fist struck the tree trunk with a steady, heavy thud.

The old jujube tree trembled slightly, its branches and leaves rustling, and a few autumn leaves drifted down gently.

Ah Huang, standing at my feet, suddenly woke up, got up abruptly, and barked twice at the tree trunk, full of vigilance.

Startled, Gray on her knee jumped up and quickly hid under the stone bench, only its round eyes peeking out.

Wang Zhihuan looked down at his fist; his knuckles were slightly red, but he felt no pain.

Its strength, stability, and explosiveness are all far superior to before.

But this is not enough.

He clicked on the "Physical Enhancement" category again and selected the option that offered the best value for money.

[Comprehensive Basic Physical Enhancement: Enhances strength, speed, endurance, reaction time, and the body's self-healing abilities in all aspects, solidifying the physical foundation and tempering the bones and muscles.]

[Required Merit Points: 1500]

Without hesitation, they redeemed them all.

The feeling of tempering this time far surpassed the previous two.

A warm, mellow energy flowed from the dantian, ascended the spine to the top of the head, and then flowed along the meridians of the limbs to the fingertips.

The toes connect to the meridians and bones of the entire body.

My whole body felt warm and moist, and every inch of my bones and every muscle was quietly transforming, becoming stronger and more solid.

He clenched his fist slightly and clearly felt a significant increase in grip strength, explosive power, and body flexibility.

He bent down and easily lifted the heavy blue brick next to the stone bench with one hand.

What used to require both hands to lift can now be easily lifted with one hand, making lifting heavy objects seem effortless.

His physique visibly improved.

He sighed inwardly, realizing it was ultimately just the tempering of a mortal physique, lacking the mystical internal energy of martial arts novels. It wasn't a martial arts world after all; he had been too greedy.

But progress is better than nothing.

Put down the blue bricks and brush the dust off your palms.

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