Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 59 First Day of School

At five o'clock in the morning, Zhao Yifu, who had slept for less than three hours, reluctantly packed his clothes and went out.

He was still carrying a bookcase, but this time there was a large bronze sword slanted across his back, as if he was going on a long journey.

It wasn't that he did so intentionally, but Zhou Su asked him to bring it with him so that he could take action at any time if something happened.

It was obvious that Zhou Su, the true guardian of Moyang City, had handed the responsibility of protection to his academic disciples...

Zhao Yifu, carrying his sword and Yiyi, arrived at the door of Zhou Mansion early in the morning and knocked on it gently.

After a moment, an old servant opened the door and welcomed him in.

"You're just in time. You haven't had breakfast yet, right? Let's eat together."

Zhou Su greeted Zhao Yifu.

Zhao Yifu looked at the sky and didn't expect that the free-spirited Mr. Zhou would get up so early.

Although he had already eaten, he rubbed his stomach and felt that he could still eat more, so he sat down and started eating.

Zhou Su's face was filled with black lines. He was just being polite, so why did this person actually eat it?

It’s okay to eat, but he eats a lot.

However, Zhou Su considered himself a gentleman. Since he had already invited him before, he had no choice but to accept it now.

Zhao Yifu, however, stuffed two pancakes into his mouth, twitched his ears, and asked, "Are my junior sister and elder sister practicing martial arts in the yard?"

He can now call Zhou Qingzhao his junior sister.

Zhou Su nodded and said, "Yes, they all start their morning exercises before the hour of Mao now, and don't come to eat until three quarters past the hour of Mao."

Zhao Yifu nodded.

Then he looked at the breakfast in front of him, which consisted of only pancakes and porridge, and asked, "Do they eat these for breakfast too?"

Zhou Su replied, "Of course not. Their pancakes are all filled with minced meat. Xiangyu instructed us how to eat them during martial arts training when she arrived."

After hearing this, Zhao Yifu nodded with relief, thinking that his sister was still reliable.

The master and the disciple ate and chatted, and the topic gradually shifted from Zhao Yifu's studies to Miss Qingzhao's recent schoolwork.

Zhou Su said, "Alas, I didn't expect this kid to be so talented in military strategy. He's just a little weak in logistics coordination, but that's already quite valuable."

Zhao Yifu said, "Compared to Junior Sister Qingzhao's progress, I am even more impressed by your talent. I didn't expect you to have such extraordinary attainments in military strategy..."

Zhou Su shook his head and said, "These are all things from books. They look simple, naturally. But things in books are ultimately divorced from reality. I'm already just talking about war on paper. I'm afraid my daughter, raised by someone like me who only talks about war on paper, won't be much better."

"This is what I'm worried about. If she continues like this, she'll probably hit a wall eventually."

Zhao Yifu smiled and said, "With my sister accompanying me in martial arts training, I believe my junior sister's martial arts skills will improve rapidly. Once she has acquired a certain level of martial arts skills, she can gain experience in the army and accumulate more experience."

Unexpectedly, when he said this, Zhou Su's face darkened and he said, "How could my daughter really be hanging around in the military camp like a soldier?"

"After all, it's better to debut as a counselor."

It seems that Zhou Su really listened to the paths designed by Zhao Yifu.

He hesitated for a moment and asked, "Sir, if I join the army as a counselor, I'm afraid I will have some innate deficiencies."

He had already said it tactfully enough, but the bottom line was, it was still the same question: Which general would be so foolish as to let a young lady from a noble family be his advisor?

Zhou Su twirled his beard and hesitated, "I'm going to risk my reputation, I'm sure there will be someone willing to take it..."

Zhao Yifu listened to the fighting outside the courtyard and looked at Zhou Su who was ready to risk his reputation for his daughter. He pondered for a moment and said, "Sir, there is actually another way." Zhou Su looked at him in surprise.

Zhao Yifu said, "Although our dynasty was founded on military power, we have long prioritized civil governance."

"Even with the exception of border defense and naval forces, which are still managed by military commanders, local defense has long been effectively supervised by county magistrates..."

Who is Zhou Su?

He immediately understood what Zhao Yifu meant and asked, "Do you mean that you want me, a civil servant, to lead the troops?"

Zhao Yifu nodded and said, "Yes, since you are willing to do anything for your junior sister, why not escort her personally?"

Zhou Su listened and then fell into silence.

It has to be said that Zhao Yifu has opened up his mind this time.

Yes, there is another way to take care of his daughter, that is, he, as a father, should stand up first.

Anyway, I've already learned so much about marching and fighting for my daughter, so I should first find a way to become proficient in military affairs, and then...

Since he was able to command troops, he could naturally let Zhou Qingzhao be his advisor.

When he becomes a commander in chief, he can promote his daughter to be a general.

A brand new track appeared in front of Zhou Su, which made him hesitate for a moment.

The reason for his hesitation was that this was different from the career path he had originally planned for himself.

Zhao Yifu quickly added, "Sir, I'm just offering a suggestion. Whether you adopt it or not depends on your own opinion."

Zhou Su, however, made up his mind and said, "You're right. My personal career has actually been of no concern to me for a long time. Right now, being in this prestigious position as a scholar is the most leisurely I can be. If I move up, I'll inevitably have to deal with those petty and despicable things."

"I don't want to be a scholar for the rest of my life, nor do I want to be a mediocre person. I'd rather join the army."

"Yes, the current emperor is working hard to govern the country and is determined to counterattack the north, but my dynasty has always valued civil officials over military officials. If I were to command the troops with a civilian official, I would be able to reconcile the conflict between the two sides."

Zhao Yifu was also astonished when he heard this. He didn't expect that he was just offering a suggestion, but the old man had already come up with a whole set of plans that seemed very feasible.

After all, he is the reincarnation of Emperor Wenchang, which is different from anyone else.

Zhou Su then thought for a moment before saying, "But this matter is not urgent. I need to think about it carefully."

Zhao Yi Fu nodded and said no more.

After they finished their breakfast, Zhou Su took Zhao Yifu to the study to start teaching.

He was also serious about teaching this disciple.

However, Zhou Su's study faces the backyard, and from here one can vaguely see Zhou Qingzhao and his tall and strong sister Zhao Xiangyu practicing sword skills in a corner of the backyard, sweating profusely.

"Don't be distracted!"

Zhou Su snorted coldly.

Zhao Yifu quickly retracted his gaze, then scratched his head helplessly at a "composition topic".

This eight-part essay is really not written by a human.

And this exam question is obviously for the Juren or even Jinshi level, right?
"Do your best. Don't give up if you think the questions are difficult. Solving more difficult questions like these will help you feel comfortable on the real exam."

Zhao Yifu looked at Zhou Su, who had suddenly transformed into a 'famous teacher in Huanggang', in bewilderment.

(End of this chapter)