Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 74: Help on the Road
There is less than a month left before the scientific examination, so it is not appropriate for Zhao Yifu to leave at this time.

But anyway, family matters are always more important.

This science test is just a grace exam anyway, so even if you fail, you can still try again next autumn.

However, Zhao Guhe's situation was actually very precarious. Since the other party was already preparing to target the Zhao family, the sooner Zhao Guhe could escape, the better.

So the next day, after Zhao Yifu asked Zhao Xiangyu to bring back a message, he packed his luggage and prepared to go out with Zhao Yehe.

Before leaving, he called Wu Zhong and said earnestly, "Our house may have been exposed. If it is, you must not act rashly. Protecting yourself is the top priority."

Wu Zhong nodded seriously and said, "Don't worry, Master. I've been around the world a lot, so I'm a bit cautious."

"Young Master, please don't delay too long and don't miss your studies!"

Zhao Yifu also felt a sense of urgency and felt a little anxious.

Indeed, this year's Enkeben was the best opportunity. If he missed it, it would be much more difficult for him to pass the imperial examination again.

He nodded carefully and said, "Okay, I'll try to get back as soon as possible."

Then he glanced at the cats at home and said, "You...oh, and Dahei, you have to help Uncle Wu take care of our home."

"Meow~um~"

The cats called out in unison, and although it was loud, it was obviously a cute clip sound.

"Wangwang!"

There is also the barking of a straightforward dog.

Zhao Yifu smiled, squatted down and rubbed the dog's head.

Speaking of which, he quite likes Dahei, but he doesn't know if it can also gradually develop its intelligence like the cats at home.

Then he left home with Zhao Yehe.

"Uncle San, it looks like our house hasn't been exposed yet."

Zhao Yifu walked in front and whispered with Zhao Yehe.

At this time, they had changed their costumes...mainly Zhao Yehe, and became the master and servant of the study tour.

Zhao Yifu was tall, but his muscular body was hidden under his loose Confucian robe.

Zhao Yehe was short and strong, which was just right for him to serve as a servant.

The main thing was to change into a clean set of soapy clothes to get rid of some of the roughness, and then the most important thing was to shave off the beard.

Zhao Yehe said, "That's probably the case. The one chasing us was Mingjiang Crossing, and we didn't even get close to the house after entering the city."

Zhao Yifu said, "Let's go out of the city. I hope the situation over there with my second uncle is okay."

The uncle and nephew went out of the city.

Instead of taking a boat directly in the city, they chose to walk along Xianren Lake and prepare to charter another small boat at the ferry outside the city.

Xianren Lake is not a regular shape, but rather resembles a crescent moon.

But in addition to the large area of ​​lake water, the "string" part of the waxing moon is actually a large area of ​​shallow mudflats.

The area is densely covered with water networks and swamps. Even people who have lived in this area since childhood cannot be sure when a man-eating mud pit will appear under their feet.

This is a natural Tibetan place.

For example, the Midnight Kingdom is located in this area, and the water bandits that are rampant in the Fairy Lake area are also hiding in this place.

Walking through such a place by land is basically the same as seeking death, so the pirates hiding there are actually very concerned about the blockade of the waterway.

"Uncle San, we can actually go there by boat. I don't think anyone among those pirates can beat me, right?"

Zhao Yifu's current thinking is quite reckless.

He felt that anything that could be solved with muscles was not a problem.

Zhao Yehe said, "Fighting with pirates in the water? Even if you are sure of your victory, it is not a wise choice."

He seemed very wise at this moment.

Zhao Yifu looked at his wise uncle and held back from saying anything. He was actually quite good at water battles, which was also beneficial for him in the underwater environment.

He just asked: "But it's really difficult to travel by land..."

Zhao Yehe said, "What are you afraid of? I've traveled overland twice before when I was trying to contact my second brother. Otherwise, why do you think I had to come out with you?"

"Don't worry, Uncle San knows the way well."

"Even if there's a quagmire blocking the way, Third Uncle has the family-inherited 'Heaven-shaking Wind-controlling Leg Technique'. He can ensure he's safe before coming to help you."

When he said this, he thought of something and said, "Yes, this family heirloom light body kung fu hasn't been passed on to you yet, right? Why not take this opportunity to let Third Uncle teach you."

Zhao Yifu shook his head and said, "Let's talk about it later when we have time. Right now, Second Uncle's matter is more important. Besides, I also learned another leg technique from my master that is no less powerful than the 'Heaven-shaking Leg Technique'."

Zhao Yehe shook his head and sighed, "Indeed, how could your mysterious master be so short of good techniques? It seems that you no longer value those things passed down in the family."

Zhao Yifu was silent for a moment, then said, "The family tradition is also very good. I relied on the family tradition of 'Crane Claw Grappling Technique' to accumulate advantages and get to where I am today."

"It's just that we have never been able to truly learn the martial arts passed down from our family, so it's still a little lacking after all."

Zhao Yehe's expression froze for a moment, and then he said helplessly: "You are right, but this is the ancestral precept..."

Zhao Yifu laughed and said, "So why don't we just learn some martial arts that are not inherited from our family?"

"Look at me, I'm pretty good. My sister also learned the Suxin Divine Sword from outside and is now very powerful."

"I think Second Uncle should have some unique skills, but Third Uncle, you are the one who is being honest."

Zhao Yehe was completely speechless because what Zhao Yifu said was all right.

Zhao Yi Fu didn't say anything else. Although his third uncle looked a bit out of tune, he was actually the most honest and obedient one in the family.

Of course, my father should like my third uncle very much.

After leaving the city, they headed south, initially following the official road.

On the way they came across a post station and went in to rest.

It was lunchtime and many people were eating in the post station.

Zhao Yehe's expression changed drastically when he entered the door because he saw an acquaintance.

Zhao Yifu also felt the inquiring gazes focused on him. Looking at the people from the martial arts world in the post station, each holding a sword, he was not afraid.

At worst, we can just take action. It seems everyone knows how to win people over with virtue.

However, everyone just glanced at the two of them and then looked away.

Another person said, "This servant has learned martial arts, but it's normal for a scholar traveling to study to have bodyguards with him. Don't pay any attention to him."

Zhao Yehe blinked.

Zhao Yifu was very happy that his Confucian robe was useful.

He found a table and sat down with a relaxed look on his face, then called out, "Waiter, bring me ten pounds of beef and a fat chicken."

The Jianghu man at the next table immediately laughed and said, "Little scholar, can you eat all this?"

Zhao Yehe's expression became nervous again, because he knew the person who spoke to him this time! Zhao Yifu said disapprovingly: "We are all martial artists, so what if we eat too much?"

The man asked jokingly, "Oh? Martial arts training requires eating more, but why would a scholar like you practice martial arts?"

Zhao Yifu sighed deeply upon hearing this and said, "Because this world is not right!"

The man asked, "What's wrong with the world? ... Really, are you worried about robbers on the road? Don't worry, those bandits usually won't target people like you who are traveling for study."

Zhao Yifu shook his head and said, "No, it's just that the atmosphere in the court is wrong!"

Everyone was surprised and immediately became interested.

What everyone hears too much are the affairs of the martial arts world, and it is rare for someone to talk to them about the imperial court... How can they suppress their desire for political power?

Even Zhao Yehe became curious. He knew that his nephew had broad thinking and great knowledge, and he always had amazing ideas.

Zhao Yifu asked, "Do you know that most of the garrisons in various places are now drawing empty salaries and not fully staffed?"

Everyone nodded, thinking that this kind of thing was commonplace and nothing to worry about.

Zhao Yifu continued, "Do you know that even for border troops, the commanders can only defend and have no right to initiate an attack?"

"No matter how good the opportunity is, we must consult with the local civil officials. A third-rank military officer must at least seek the approval of a seventh-rank civil official before he dares to attack."

"But how could an ordinary civilian dare to take on such a responsibility? Countless opportunities have been missed."

"Look, when the imperial court moved south, were there any military generals who turned the tide? Those who were able to lead the overall situation in that situation were all civil officials... but those were indeed wise officials, so let's not talk about them for now."

"Just talking about the most recent, more than 20 years ago, when our counterattack against the Northern Dynasty was at its peak, many outstanding generals emerged."

"But now look at what happened to them."

"Those who were wrongfully murdered, those who were sold out on the battlefield...those who managed to survive relied on hiding in the capital and begging for mercy from the civil service."

"sad."

Everyone looked at the young scholar who was talking so eloquently in bewilderment. Although they had complained about this before, it was quite surprising that a scholar would suddenly complain about his own group.

"The food is here, please enjoy it, sir."

At this time, the waiter brought the dishes ordered by Zhao Yifu.

He picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth.

Then he said, "Uncle, you should eat something too. We still have a long way to go."

As he said this, he pushed the meat plate towards Zhao Yehe.

The man who was said to know Zhao Yehe glanced at him without any reaction, then urged, "Scholar, stop just eating meat, keep talking."

Everyone likes to listen to people complain about the imperial court, especially when they hear highly educated people like scholars complaining about politics on the keyboard, which they always feel is particularly profound.

Zhao Yifu sighed and said, "Actually, there's not much to say. Judging from the situation in the court, I'm afraid that it will be normal for scholars to lead the troops in the future."

"The status of military commanders has been declining, and the imperial court has become less and less trusting of military men..."

When he said this, the martial artists around him immediately started shouting. There was no doubt that Zhao Yifu had touched their hearts.

One by one, they were cursing things like "corrupt scholars ruining the country", "the court is short-sighted", and "the military personnel are wronged".

After all, those of them in the martial arts world are considered "outside warriors" and can empathize with others.

Someone asked, "You are a sensible scholar. You said you practiced martial arts, so why are you planning to give up your pen and do something like that?"

Zhao Yifu asked, "Will you join the army?"

The man replied: "Yes, that's the word. People who read are cultured."

Zhao Yifu sighed and said, "It would be great if I could save the country by joining the army. I'm just worried that those leading the troops in the future will be those who don't understand military strategy. So I'm training myself to learn the arts of literature and martial arts, just so that if I really need them, I won't take human lives lightly."

Everyone was speechless after hearing this.

Of course, they could not stand the low status of the warriors at that time, but the admiration for scholars in this era was indelible.

Especially when Zhao Yifu expressed such a desire for martial arts as a scholar, he immediately gained the respect of these martial artists present.

They all clasped their fists and said, "Young Master, you are so thoughtful. It would be a blessing if any of the soldiers in the battalion could serve under you in the future..."

"May I know your name, young master? We can help you achieve your ambitions..."

Zhao Yifu acted very modestly: "Meeting is fate, why bother with names?"

"Come on, let's talk about the important officials in the court. Let me tell you, some of them are actually very capable..."

Zhao Yi Fu started gossiping about the gossip he heard from Zhou Su.

Zhao Yehe stared blankly at his nephew, dressed in a Confucian robe, quickly mingling with those martial artists, and then expressed his admiration for Zhao Yifu's amazing social skills.

After a short lunch break, they set off again.

Zhao Yehe looked around and saw that there was no one on the road, so he muttered, "Jun Xin, at least two of those people knew me. Why did they ignore me?"

Zhao Yifu replied, "Uncle San is in disguise, so of course they can't tell."

Zhao Yehe wiped his face and said strangely, "Disguise? I'm not."

Zhao Yifu said, "Beard, Uncle San shaved his beard, and his appearance has changed a lot."

So, the beard is the real thing.

Zhao Yehe couldn't help but feel a little depressed when he heard this. He said, "That's right. When I was traveling around the martial arts world, everyone knew I was the third son of the Zhao family when they saw my steel whiskers..."

He couldn't continue, as if by losing his beard he had also lost the spirit of Zhao Laosan.

Zhao Yifu said helplessly: "The beard can grow again after it is gone. Let's go to Second Uncle's place quickly."

"If we continue south, we probably won't be able to take the official road. We need Uncle San to lead the way..."

Zhao Yehe finally came to his senses and said, "Okay, I'll leave it to your Third Uncle."

"To be honest, if I wasn't afraid that I wouldn't be able to convince my second brother because I'm not good at talking, I could do it alone."

Having said this, Zhao Yifu still felt that if he knew the way, it would be more convenient for him to come by himself.

The uncle and nephew, who inexplicably began to dislike each other, soon entered the wilderness leading to the swamp area.

As we gradually moved away from the official road, the place began to see some wild scenes.

Zhao Yehe said, "Did you know that there used to be a village here with people living there?"

Zhao Yifu looked at the surrounding wasteland and said, "Indeed, we can still vaguely see some signs of farming."

Zhao Yehe sighed again, "The land and people here were once extremely prosperous, but the imperial court's migration south turned this place into a complete wasteland."

Zhao Yifu raised his eyebrows, then said with understanding, "Yes, after losing the old capital of the Northern Kingdom, the imperial court was also extremely impoverished. In order to gather financial resources to support the army and build a new capital, they plundered the local areas to the utmost."

Zhao Yehe said, "So when we get to the bandit camp later, we should try not to mention your plan to have our second brother join the army. The people there don't like to hear about it."

Zhao Yifu suddenly realized: "I see, this is indeed a big problem."

"But the one we want to rescue is only Second Uncle, so we don't need to worry too much about the others."

Zhao Yehe didn't have any ideas, so he just said, "I just thought of this and wanted to remind you. How to do it specifically depends on you, a scholar."

(End of this chapter)