From a tuberculosis patient to a martial arts master

"What is it?"

The old clerk didn't even look up.

"Junior Zhu Hong," Zhu Hong said, bowing slightly, his posture upright, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone to hear clearly.

"Those selected yesterday have come to register and be recorded today."

The old clerk then stopped typing, glanced at the man's face, and slowly said, "Bring me the waist token."

Zhu Hong did as instructed and handed over the black iron waist token.

"Hmm, Zhu Hong..."

The old clerk took it, and could tell its authenticity with just a touch of his fingertip. He paused slightly, opened the drawer, took out a brand-new "Register of Households" and a set of blank household registration forms, picked up a small calligraphy brush, and dipped it in thick ink.

asked:

Which Zhu is it? Which Hong is it?

"Zhu (朱) is the color of red-hearted wood."

Zhu Hong replied, "Hong means 'washing water'."

Upon hearing this, the old clerk visibly paused for a moment, then suddenly looked up at him: "Have you ever studied literature?"

Zhu Hongdao:

"He knows a few characters and has a basic understanding of literature."

"Is that so?" The old clerk nodded, then lowered his head again. "It's rare to find someone who doesn't open their eyes." Having said that, he continued writing:

Place of origin?

"A native of Chengyang County, Jinyang Prefecture."

Zhu Hong pondered for a moment, then spoke.

Chengyang, that's what the original owner's father told him, that's the way they came.

Where do you currently live?

"The official residence at No. 7, Bing, Anping Lane".

Age?

"nineteen."

……

The question-and-answer format was concise and to the point.

The old clerk's iron pen fell, the vermilion ink bright red, the characters sharp and decisive, filling the information into the register and household register one by one. The young clerk beside him took out a more detailed "List of Constables and Soldiers of Jinyang Prefecture" and began to transcribe it as well.

Zhu Hong simply waited quietly to the side.

It was clear that the incense stick inside the westernmost cauldron had already burned down a bit.

"Okay, all done."

As the last stroke of ink settled, the old clerk spoke softly, then picked up the register and household registration certificate with his fingertips, handed them to the young clerk, looked at Zhu Hong, and pushed a copy of "Regulations and Rules for Arresting Officers" to him. "Take this back and read it. It covers when roll call is, what a 'ticket' is, what a 'manager' is, the rules for fighting, and the taboos of arresting officers."

He tapped the cover of the booklet:

"Everything is remembered perfectly."

Zhu Hong accepted the booklet with both hands; it seemed quite heavy. "Thank you, senior."

"And another thing," the old clerk continued, pulling a receipt from a stack of documents on his desk, "is the receipt from the new recruit's official for (official uniforms, salary, equipment, and all other items)."

He sent the receipt:

"You can go and collect it today."

"Yes." Zhu Hong rolled up the "Rules and Regulations for Arresting Officers" and the receipt together, stuffed them into his sleeve, bowed to the official desk, and turned to leave.

……

The sunlight slanted across the corridor, casting a shadow over Lin Jizhi's shoulders. He leaned against a vermilion pillar, and seeing Zhu Hong emerge, he straightened up and asked with a smile:

"Is everything done? Did you get the receipts?"

Zhu Hong nodded slightly. "The proof is here." He took out the cloud-patterned proof from his sleeve and unfolded it with a slight flick of his wrist.

"Um……"

Lin Jizhi glanced at it, saw the vermilion official seal with its bright ink, then put his arm around the man's shoulder and laughed, "Alright, let's go." After saying that, he turned around with the man and said, "Let's go to the Guangchu Treasury first to collect our official robes, and then pick out a suitable weapon. Swords are like companions; they must be compatible, otherwise they will become a burden."

As the conversation shifted.

The two walked one after the other through several courtyards, past several large gardens, several large ponds, and several hills before finally arriving at Guangchu Warehouse.

"This is?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhu Hong's eyes. "Guangchukuo?!"

But we see:

Inside the spacious courtyard stands a red building.

The building is not tall, only two stories.

Above the lintel is a plaque with flowing brushstrokes, bearing the three powerful characters: "Guangchulou".

"Hahaha! How about it?"

Lin Jizhi laughed loudly, clearly having anticipated his reaction: "Did you think that vast warehouse would be a heavily fortified place, full of rotten branches and leaves?"

"Exactly."

Zhu Hong nodded, the surprise still lingering in his eyes: "Guangchu Building and Guangchu Warehouse, the names sound similar, but their regulations are completely different."

He looked around and couldn't help but sigh softly:

"If you only heard the name, you would think it was some kind of confidential department."

"When we go in later," Lin Jizhi patted his shoulder, a hint of amusement in her eyes, "there's probably something even more eye-opening for you."

"More eye-opening?"

Zhu Hong raised an eyebrow, a cloud of doubt stirring in his heart.

……

Arriving in front of Guangchu Building.

Below the steps stood an old soldier who had been guarding the tower, his left sleeve rolled up empty. Seeing the two approach, he moved the old knife from his lap, slowly stood up, and the wrinkles on his face twitched.

"From Lingbao?"

His voice was hoarse, like a dull knife scraping against rough stone.

"Old Han, this is a newly recruited constable."

Lin Jizhi familiarly stepped forward half a step and stepped aside to let Zhu Hong pass: "I've come today to collect his attire."

"credentials".

The veteran stretched out his single hand, covered in thick calluses.

Zhu Hong hurriedly handed over the receipt with the vermilion seal from his bosom.

"Hmm," Han Wu took the form, his single eye scanning the red seal on the paper like a hawk's, his fingertip pausing briefly at a few key points before he nodded:

"Boy, come with me."

"Go, hurry up!" Lin Jizhi hurriedly pushed him from the side, saying, "I can't get in without my credentials, so I'll just wait here."

Zhu Hong was gently pushed forward by him and was already following behind Han Wu.

Upon entering the building, the clouds parted.

"Has this been entered into a blessed land?"

Zhu Hong looked around and found that the interior of Guangchu Building was more than ten times larger than the outside, unlike anything in the mundane world.

A long table made of green jade was placed in the center.

A burner of ambergris incense burned on the table, its smoke curling upwards, transforming into wisps of ethereal beauty that flowed slowly through the building.

Those who hear it feel refreshed and invigorated.

Even more strangely:

There were no swords or spears to be seen, and the objects displayed inside were all shimmering with light. On the east shelf, there were a dozen or so palm-sized jade beasts, their bodies made of green jade and their eyes adorned with red jade. On the west shelf, there were several scrolls of silk woven with ice silkworm silk as the warp and fire-resistant cloth as the weft, the characters of which faintly glowed with golden light.

It's astonishing.

He was still in shock when he saw Han Wu already sitting behind the long jade table.

"Give me the waist tag," he said, looking up.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hong quickly composed himself and presented the black iron waist token.

Han Wu took the jade token, paused briefly on the engraving of the character "捕" (capture), and then placed the token on a jade inkstone on the table.

"what?"

Zhu Hong was still puzzled when he saw:

With a swirling light, the jade inkstone revealed the corresponding official gifts (a brocade pouch, two sets of winter and summer official robes, a pair of thick-soled black boots, a cotton cloak, a Fanyang hat, and a goose-feather knife).

"Take them all and keep them safe."

Han Wu took the waist token off the jade inkstone and handed it back to him, gesturing with his withered chin towards the group of officials: "Especially that brocade pouch, keep it close to your body, never let it out of your sight."

"Yes."

Zhu Hong reached out and took all the items, his gaze falling on the brocade pouch.

The pouch was no bigger than the palm of my hand, dark blue in color, and as light as a feather. The opening was tied tightly with a silk cord of the same color. Touching it lightly with my fingertips, the texture seemed no different from that of an ordinary brocade pouch.

"It can't just be used to hold loose change, can it..." With this thought in mind, he respectfully asked Old Master Han for advice:

"Elder Han, may I ask what mysteries this bag holds?"

"I almost forgot to mention," Han Wu said, raising his head, his tone still cold and hard, "This item is called the Mustard Seed Pouch, and it's one of the essentials for those in the government to use when traveling. It's neither gold nor jade, yet it contains a universe within itself." He paused, as if considering how to make this novice understand:

"You can think of it as a portable cave dwelling, about five square meters in size, enough to hold your personal weapons and important items."

As a second-generation descendant, Zhu Hong understood immediately and simply asked, "Elder Han, how do we use this treasure?"

"Drip blood on it."

Han Wu said calmly, "Then you can deposit and withdraw at will, which is extremely convenient."

Zhu Hong pressed his fingertip against the brocade pouch as instructed. A drop of crimson fell, and as soon as it touched the brocade pattern on the pouch, it quickly seeped in like melting snow.

In an instant.

A sudden flash of inspiration appeared on the bag's surface, as if a premonition had been triggered.

Seeing this, he nodded and reminded him:

"By focusing your mind and looking inward, you can see through the secrets hidden in the bag."

"Truly amazing!" Zhu Hong closed his eyes and focused his mind. After a moment, he suddenly opened them, his eyes filled with astonishment: "Wow! It's such a big place inside!" Immediately, his mind raced, and the official documents he had just received were instantly slipped into his pocket.

"Alright." Han Wu glanced at the brocade pouch at his waist, which was not bulging at all, and waved his hand as if to shoo him away: "You've received what you should have received, and you've learned what you should have learned, so leave quickly." His tone turned serious: "Guangchu Tower is not a place to stay for long."

After saying that, he turned around.

Zhu Hong understood, said no more, and simply bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Elder Han. I'll take my leave now."