From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

Today is a leisurely day, with nothing much to do.

When Zhu Hong returned from the yamen, he was wide awake and felt refreshed. However, he was hungry and longed for a hot meal to satisfy his hunger.

He first went to the south of the city and bought a new pot and several sets of bowls and chopsticks.

The yamen had its own monthly allowance of fine rice, so he only weighed out ten catties of white flour, cut five catties of good pork belly from the old butcher, and picked out a few large bones.

Back at the official residence, Zhu Hong neatly arranged the pots, pans, and dishes.

"It's time to enjoy some peace and quiet."

He murmured to himself.

We immediately started a fire, boiled water, and cooked rice.

Before long, wisps of smoke rose from the chimney, and the meat broth in the pot simmered, filling the courtyard with a rich aroma of meat.

"very nice."

Zhu Hong stood by the stove, smelling the aroma of cooking, and suddenly felt a strange sense of disorientation, as if he didn't know what day it was.

Savor the simple pleasures of life.

too long.

Since entering this chaotic world, peaceful days have never been seen again.

"I always feel that things are never-ending and the fireworks are slow."

when,

Leisurely observing all things, time stretches on.

He shook his head slightly, ladled out a bowl of hot soup, placed it on the stone table in the courtyard, and slowly sipped it.

Wait until it's completely eaten and cleaned.

Completely relaxed, Zhu Hong leaned back against the old locust tree in the courtyard, bent one leg, and lazily sprawled out.

It was midday, and the sun was blazing.

The sun shone through the gaps in the locust tree leaves, casting dappled shadows that fell on him, warm and comforting.

He just leaned against the tree trunk, not thinking about anything.

Comfortable.

That felt so damn good.

After lying down for a while, Zhu Hong suddenly raised his hand and patted his forehead. He thought of the boy from Aunt Liu's house and thought to himself, "I forgot. I should take advantage of my free time today to find a martial arts school for Liu Ci." With that thought, he patted his buttocks, got up, and went out towards the muddy alley.

……

"Uncle Liu! Aunt Liu!"

Before long, Zhu Hong arrived at Uncle Liu's door in Lanni Alley.

Liu's light footsteps immediately came from inside the door. With a creak, the wooden door was opened, and Liu's eyes lit up instantly when she saw Hong Wazi: "Hong Wazi? What brings you here at this hour? Come in quickly, don't stand here in the doorway."

"No difference today."

Zhu Hong stepped through the door with a smile, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard, and said in a light tone, "I thought I'd come and see you all."

"Is that Hongwazi?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Uncle Liu, who was chopping wood, immediately stopped. He stood up with a hunched back, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said with a smile, "Have you eaten yet? Tell your Aunt Liu to cook some dishes for you."

Zhu Hong quickly waved his hand:

"Uncle Liu, I just ate. I'm just sitting here for a bit."

"Alright, alright." Uncle Liu put the axe on the wall and called out, "Quick, sit in the yard, it's cool there." Then he called to Aunt Liu:

"The child's mother."

"Quickly, go and pour Hongwa a bowl of cool tea."

"Yes!" Aunt Liu responded readily, turned around and went into the house, brought out a bowl of cold tea and handed it to Zhu Hong, saying with a smile, "Hong boy, come here."

"Aunt Liu, don't bother yourself."

Zhu Hong took the bowl with both hands, tilted his head back and drank a large gulp, then put it down and laughed.

"Brother Hong!"

At this moment, Liu Ci ran out from the inner room.

Upon seeing his "master" arrive, his eyes burned with desire, but he restrained himself and did not pounce on him.

Zhu Hong waved to him:

"come over."

Liu Ci walked quickly to him.

Zhu Hong reached out and patted his shoulder, then squeezed his arm, and nodded slightly: "You've been practicing?"

"I practiced."

Liu Ci's voice was not loud, but very steady: "Every day at dawn, I get up and stand on the Suojiang Stake for an hour, then practice a set of Taizu Changquan (a style of Chinese martial arts), and before going to sleep, I stand for another hour."

Zhu Hong raised an eyebrow slightly:

"Daily without fail?"

Liu Ci puffed out his chest and nodded emphatically, "Yes, not a single day has passed!" His tone was full of pride, as if he wanted to clearly tell Zhu Hong about his diligence over the past few days.

"Then let me see it once."

Zhu Hong looked at him and suddenly smiled.

Liu Ci remained silent, took two steps back, and set up a doorway in the narrow hall. "Open the door to welcome guests..." His movements were all proper and disciplined. Although his strength was still immature and his waist and hips were not yet fully rounded, his earnest and focused spirit was already commendable.

After finishing his punch and standing still, Liu Ci had a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.

"Not bad." Zhu Hong nodded: "It has already taken shape in a short time, which shows that you have worked hard."

Liu Ci pursed his lips, but a hint of joy could not be hidden in his eyes.

"However," Zhu Hong changed the subject, "you're always lacking in skill when you practice alone."

Liu Ci was taken aback.

"Then... how should I practice?"

Zhu Hong didn't answer, but just looked at him: "Have you thought this through? Do you really want to practice martial arts?"

"I've made up my mind."

Liu Ci looked up and met his gaze directly.

"Can you endure hardship without regret?"

No regrets.

Zhu Hong nodded slowly: "Alright, then I'll find you a master, I guarantee he'll teach you real skills, and you won't be wronged." After saying that, he turned to the side and called out: "Uncle Liu, Aunt Liu, I'm taking Liu Ci out for a bit, I'll bring him back later."

"Okay, okay!"

Uncle Liu rubbed the bits of grass off his hands, a simple, honest smile plastered on his face. "We trust Brother Ci and you." Then, suddenly remembering something, he quickly added, "Oh, right, Hongwa, why don't you eat here tonight?"

"Since you've come all this way, try Aunt Liu's cooking."

She's the best at making braised pork belly—it's fatty but not greasy, and the aroma is so enticing it could make the neighbor's kid cry!

Zhu Hong was about to decline.

Uncle Liu spoke first, saying, "Hongwa, you've helped Uncle Liu so much, we can't repay you. Just treat it as a meal to make your aunt feel better."

"Yes, Hongwazi."

Aunt Liu, who was standing nearby, came over, took Zhu Hong's hand, and said with concern, "I'll go buy some scallions, ginger and other seasonings, and make a pot of warm wine. You work outside, braving wind and rain, you must not have eaten well. Today, Aunt Liu will make you something to eat."

As she spoke, she gently patted Zhu Hong's hand.

Like a mother doting on her own son.

Listening to the two of them singing in unison, Zhu Hong couldn't refuse and could only smile helplessly: "Alright, alright, I'll stay for dinner tonight."

"That's more like it!"

Aunt Liu's eyes immediately lit up with a smile, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes smoothing out. She quickly said, "You two are going out on errands, so be sure to come back early and don't linger too long." She paused, then added with a smile:

"Wait for your return."

"I'll make sure you get to eat hot braised pork!"

Zhu Hong nodded with a smile, then patted Liu Ci on the shoulder: "Come on, Brother Ci, I'll take you to meet your future master."

A glint flashed in Liu Ci's eyes, and he quickly replied:

"it is good."