From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"One tael of silver, just for one question?"

Zhu Hong picked up his coarse tea, took a sip, and said slowly, "This price is not cheap."

"This price is really not expensive."

Zhang Lu'er smiled and explained tactfully:

"The one tael you just mentioned is already the lowest price offered by Tingfeng Tower. Of course," he paused slightly, a hint of seriousness appearing in his eyes.

"It's expensive for a reason."

"Think about it carefully, young man. Since ancient times, which of these intelligence-gathering professions hasn't been a dangerous business, one that involves walking on the edge of a knife?"

"Besides, the informants at Tingfeng Tower have a well-known reputation, unlike those cowardly cowards who hide their faces. The slightest mistake could bring disaster, and they'd have to bear the consequences themselves. Isn't that kind of connection worth a few taels of silver? Furthermore—" Her tone shifted, her eyes brimming with undisguised pride:

"Every message sent by Tingfenglou is true and accurate."

"Alright, let me ask you two things first." Zhu Hong said no more, reached into his robes, pulled out two taels of silver, placed them on the table, and pushed them towards him:

"The first matter is the rules and regulations for the selection of martial arts students."

"Oh my, so you're a martial arts performer who's about to rise above your station, young man. My apologies, my apologies." Zhang Lu'er's eyes lit up, and a few flattering words flowed out like water. But his hands were quick and efficient; with a flick of his sleeve, the silver was swept into his sleeve.

"The selection process for martial arts students consists of three stages."

He cleared his throat and began to recount the story, counting on his fingers like a storyteller:

"【The first test: test your strength to lift a mountain.】"

The person must steadily lift the designated 100-pound stone lock, one foot off the ground, and remain standing for a full incense stick's time before passing the test.

[Second Stage: Martial Arts Demonstration]

Choose one of the three sets of introductory martial arts manuals approved and printed by the government, and demonstrate it completely in public.

He paused slightly, then uttered the names one by one:

"The Twelve Forms of Taizu Long Fist, the Five-Step Mountain-Crushing Force, and the Hunyuan Stance and Horse Stance." He continued, "..."

"Next comes the final challenge:"

[A contest of wits by drawing lots.]

Those who pass the test are paired up by drawing lots and then compete in the arena.

Although the goal was to stop short of a fight, fists and feet have no eyes, and over the years, many have suffered broken bones, vomited blood, and been defeated.

This stage tests one's adaptability in the face of an enemy, and it is the most dangerous.

After speaking, Zhang Lu'er rolled up his sleeves and said seriously:

"Only by passing all three tests can one be included in the candidate list, and each of the six constables will select one person."

"Wait a minute," Zhu Hong said quietly, his brows furrowing slightly. He placed his teacup on the table and asked the question that had been bothering him:

"So, in the martial arts training stage, must it be those three sets of martial arts?"

Upon hearing his question, Zhang Lu'er's face showed deep surprise: "Young man, you haven't practiced these martial arts before?"

Zhu Hong nodded without saying a word.

"This is considered an unwritten 'ironclad rule' in Jianba."

Seeing him nod in agreement, Zhang Lu'er suddenly realized and lowered his voice to say, "No matter how well you master unorthodox martial arts, even if you can perform a unique skill, once you arrive at this Martial Arts Pass, you must practice the three sets of techniques officially designated by the government."

Why is that?

Zhu Hong pressed for further details.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu'er chuckled to himself, drawing a circle on the greasy table with his fingertip, his eyes gleaming: "Those three sets of martial arts are 'officially designated' by the government and printed into books. Every copy sold..." He suddenly stopped, his eyes darting around, and said:

"If we keep talking, we'll have to pay extra."

"Then there's no need to say more." Zhu Hong's lips curled into a knowing smile, his mind already clear: "Well done, making the most of everything."

Although the words were not fully spoken, they revealed the crux of the matter.

It was nothing more than the government using the name of "selection" to attract martial arts practitioners to flock to it. Furthermore, the martial arts training hurdle forced those who wanted to enter the government to first pay out of their own pockets to purchase introductory martial arts manuals published by the government.

And so, over the years...

The silver snowflakes poured into the public gate like flowing water, circulating endlessly.

"The second thing," Zhu Hong stopped dwelling on the ways to make money in the government office and changed his mind:

"In this Jinyang City, are there any places to buy and sell secondhand martial arts manuals?"

His question was a spur-of-the-moment decision, a result of changing the course halfway through.

My original intention was to ask about the synopsis to find out the background of my backer, so I could weigh the pros and cons of my future actions. But when I got to the point of speaking, I realized that the most important thing right now was the selection process. If it didn't go through, I would have a lot of trouble to deal with in the future.

However, now that he has some loose change in his pocket, he is in a dilemma.

Aunt Liu spent 3 + 2 = 5 taels of silver, the porter paid another 3 coins, and the informant added another 2 taels.

How could anyone afford to buy the official (genuine) martial arts manuals from government bookstores?

"Second-hand music books?"

A knowing glint flashed in Zhang Lu'er's eyes, as if she saw through his predicament: "Young master, are you... a little short of money?"

"That's right," Zhu Hong replied frankly.

"These secondhand martial arts manuals are occasionally sold in the East Market. However..."

Zhang Lu'er stroked his non-existent beard and pondered, "It requires some luck; not everyone makes a move every day, and besides," he paused, a glint of light flashing in his eyes:

"The price is roughly around five taels of silver."

"Five taels?"

Zhu Hong's brows furrowed instantly, and he silently pondered:

"Let alone five taels, the mere fact that it's 'not available every day' is already a huge problem at this critical juncture." He raised his eyes, his gaze fixed on Zhang Lu'er:

"Since you've mentioned the price, I suppose... you have other connections to guide you, right?"

"Hehe, it's so refreshing to talk to smart people." Zhang Lu'er laughed so hard his eyes disappeared, and leaned closer:

"To be honest, esteemed guest, Tingfeng Tower has a copy of this introductory martial arts manual."

"Oh?" Zhu Hong asked, his expression unchanged.

"What are the conditions?"

After all, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

As the saying goes: "Two hundred coins for five kinds of food, the wool will eventually come from the sheep."

"This music book can be handed to you directly from the building. However," Zhang Lu'er rubbed his hands together, a hint of mercenary shrewdness in his smile:

"We need to draw up a simple contract." After saying that, he quickly added, "Don't worry about that, this contract is definitely not a debt contract that cheats the good people."

He cleared his throat and stated his conditions one by one:

"As long as you pass the selection process and enter the government, Tingfeng Tower will not charge you a single penny. This will cancel each other out, and we can consider it as making friends."

"If..." Zhu Hong continued calmly, "...

"Or perhaps you were simply unlucky and never passed the exam?"

"If you haven't passed the exam," Zhang Lu'er said with an unchanged smile, extending a palm with fingers spread wide, "then this score will be sold to you for fifteen taels of silver. Payment is due in three months."

He smiled and asked:

"how?"

"Can this arrangement be considered a fair trade?"

Fifteen taels.

This price is five taels more expensive than the official music score books from the government bookstore, making it far from a good deal.

but……

"While it's not exactly a bargain, it's not unreasonable either."

Zhu Hong thought to himself, "The Listening Wind Pavilion is gambling on whether I can leap over the Dragon Gate."

If they pass the exam, they'll have made a benefactor in the future government. If they fail, they can still reap a substantial profit—either way, they won't lose out.