Di Ming

Chapter 50 Going South
In the afternoon, Zhu Yin, who had been bruised and battered, finally won twice.

Despite being beaten multiple times, Zhu Yin's efforts paid off; he now knew how to play tricks and could even see through Qi Jin's schemes.

Qi Jiguang was very satisfied with Zhu Yin's talent. He said that after two more days of sparring, he would be able to hold his own against Qi Jin.

After the drill ended at 1-3 AM, Zhu Yin returned to Biyun Courtyard, took the medicine, and then went to find Qi Jiguang.

"Godfather, this is the medicine that Taoist priest gave me. If you believe me, take it as instructed, and you'll also need two injections..."

Looking at the exquisite syringes and pills, Qi Jiguang couldn't help but exclaim in surprise:

"I never thought such a thing existed in the world. I've traveled all over the country and this is the first time I've ever seen it."

"The craftsmanship of this item is truly exceptional. Hmm, give it a try, even if it seems hopeless."

His health suddenly deteriorated in the last two years. He knew his days were numbered, but if there was any hope of a cure, that would be the best outcome.

Zhu Yin immediately gave Qi Jiguang an injection and, following Ning Qingchen's medical advice, had the old general take medicine.

"Whether it works or not, we'll know tonight," Zhu Yin said with a smile. "It's very possible that Godfather will be fully recovered and full of energy again."

A gentle smile graced Qi Jiguang's sharply defined, rugged face as he spoke:

"I don't know if this medicine and treatment will work, but you are a filial and good child."

"Well, this afternoon you will study military books in Hengshuo Hall, starting with the Six Secret Teachings."

Zhu Yin was quite surprised and asked in surprise, "I thought we would read 'The Art of War' first."

Qi Jiguang shook his head: "That's wrong. Sun Tzu's Art of War seems simple, but it is actually the most difficult. It seems easy to understand, but it is actually the most profound."

“Sun Tzu’s Art of War was written for military generals, not for laymen. Without a foundation, reading Sun Tzu’s Art of War will only lead to a superficial and general understanding.”

"Only after you have read a bunch of military books can you read 'The Art of War' and truly grasp its subtleties."

“Starting with reading Sun Tzu’s Art of War is actually a detour; it makes you think you understand it.”

Zhu Yin clasped his hands and said, "Your son will humbly accept your instruction."

Then, Qi Jiguang took out a thread-bound book, which was the "Six Secret Teachings".

"This is the Jiajing edition, with my annotations, all of which are my lifelong insights. After reading the Six Secret Teachings, you can be considered to have entered the field. Then you can read the Tiger Seal Classic and the Wu Zi."

He did not mention his own "New Book of Military Efficiency" and "Records of Military Training".

But Zhu Yin knew that he would definitely focus on teaching these two courses.

Two of the ten great military treatises of ancient China were written by Qi Jiguang.

"Jixiao Xinshu" and "Lianbing Shiji" are not only the most professional and pure ancient military books, but also have milestone significance in integrating the theory of firearms warfare.

It represents the pinnacle of ancient military achievements since the Han Dynasty.

Zhu Yin sat on a bamboo chair, opened the "Six Secret Teachings," and quickly became engrossed in it.

Before we knew it, it was already dusk.

Qi Jiguang looked at Zhu Yin, who was reading diligently, and couldn't help but nod in approval.

This child is very resilient and has a talent for learning; he's probably no ordinary prodigy.

Thinking of this, Qi Jiguang suddenly realized that his breathing was much smoother than before.

The discomfort in my lungs has also lessened considerably.

I also have a lot more strength now.

Did the medicine given to the baby tiger really work?
Overjoyed, Qi Jiguang was speechless.

Chikuru is truly my lucky star.

With the arrival of this child, the child had food, improved health, and a better mood.

I hope to live a few more years so I can raise him well and have him serve the country in the future.

In this way, I can say that I have balanced my public and private interests.

Qi Jiguang looked at Zhu Yin, who was completely absorbed in his work, and became more and more pleased.

Unexpectedly, the one who will inherit my mantle is this adopted son.

……

Zhu Yin returned to Biyun Courtyard, and Ning Caiwei had just returned from shopping.

Meh, Niman, and Lancha, who also served as bodyguards and henchmen, each carried two burlap sacks filled with things they had bought on the street.

They were all covered in sweat.

"I went shopping at the temple fair street and Taoist temple street in the afternoon and spent eighteen taels and five mace."

Ning Caiwei said with a flushed face.

"What did you buy?" Zhu Yin asked.

"Too much." Ning Caiwei took a big gulp of water.

"Clothes, shoes, socks, saddle, iron, snacks, dry food, steelyard, scissors, kettle, fan... You are a young master, busy with your studies, I am a maid, what else am I busy with if not these things?"

"Once we get to the South, we'll need to hire a few maids. I need to be freed from these trivial matters and do more important things."

"Some money can't be saved."

“Lancha and the others came from the Jurchens with us, so we can’t treat them like servants; that’s not how you manage people.”

Zhu Yin nodded in agreement, "Then let's hire a few then."

Ning Caiwei handed over a folding fan made of Xiangfei bamboo, her starry eyes glancing sideways. "I bought this fan for you. It can cool you down and also hold a cup—a standard accessory for ancient scholars." She herself then fanned herself with an exquisite round fan, half-concealing her face and smiling pretentiously.
"This is also a great tool for showing off, a must-have for rich young ladies, but I'm afraid it will be discarded by the autumn wind."

Since arriving in the Ming Dynasty, her personality has changed drastically, becoming increasingly clever and mischievous.

I don't know if it's because of the childlike rebirth, or because President Ning's personality is fake.

Zhu Yin took the fan, snapped it open, and a fragrance of ink mixed with the fresh scent of bamboo wafted out.

The fan features a light and elegant landscape painting, along with four large characters: "A cool breeze brings tidings."

Zhu Yin couldn't help but smile, recalling a famous poem, and recited:
"A cool breeze carries tidings, the autumn moon shines endlessly, and my longing for you makes each day feel like a year."

"Who are you missing?" Ning Caiwei asked, showing half of her face.

Zhu Yin sat down in the hall. "My godfather has taken the medicine and seems to be in much better spirits. He's also coughing less. This means it's the right medicine for him, and there's a good chance he'll recover."

"That's good." Ning Caiwei's expression also relaxed.

She took off her embroidered shoes and put on a pair of wooden clogs, revealing her snow-white, frosty feet.

"Embroidered shoes are too stuffy and not breathable in the summer. Wooden clogs are much cooler."

"I also bought bamboo shoes, which are for summer wear."

As she spoke, she wiggled her toes.

Zhu Yin looked at her feet and frowned slightly, saying:
"Why are you wearing wooden clogs too? Did you see any women wearing wooden clogs barefoot with their toes showing when you went out today?"

Ning Caiwei shook her head: "No. What do you mean? Do you think I'm indecent?"

"By the Ming Dynasty, you couldn't show your feet anymore, right? Even in the sweltering heat, you had to keep them covered up, to prevent athlete's foot?"

There was a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.

Ning Qingchen, standing to the side, couldn't help but smile.

Your true nature is getting more and more apparent, isn't it? Heh, you're not President Ning anymore, let's see how long you can keep up the act.

One day, Zhu Yin will find out that you are a fiery woman, not some virtuous lady.

Hahaha.

Zhu Yin didn't know what Ning Qingchen was suddenly laughing about, so he pointed to Ning Caiwei's feet and said:

"It's not that I care, it's that you're the one who's at a disadvantage. This is the Ming Dynasty, ruled by traditional Confucian ethics. What are women's feet? They're practically the same as their buttocks, don't you understand?"

“Showing your feet in public is like showing your butt in front of others. When men see it, they feel like they’ve gotten the better deal and think you’re cheap. When women see it, they also think you’re shameless.”

"Even prostitutes wouldn't dare show their feet on the street. You dare?"

"There is even a possibility that the defendant could be arrested on charges of indecent assault, have his pants pulled down in the county government office, and be spanked."

"Also, you didn't bind your feet, making you one of the few exceptions. If you showed your 'big feet,' you would become a laughing stock and be gossiped about behind your back. How would that feel?"

"Of course, if you don't care about these things, you can be as carefree as women before the Song Dynasty."

Ning Caiwei was completely taken aback. "Is it that serious? I was just wearing wooden clogs."

Zhu Yin sneered: "The social atmosphere in the late Ming Dynasty was relatively more open; at least women could go out freely. It was even worse in the Qing Dynasty."

"You can wear whatever you want indoors, even a bikini. But once you're out and about, you can't do whatever you want."

"Unless we have the ability to change these things in the future."

"It's better to wear embroidered shoes when you're out. People in ancient times hardly ever had athlete's foot, so you don't have to worry about getting it."

Ning Caiwei sighed and couldn't help but shake her head, saying, "Being a woman in ancient times was really tough."

“That’s not entirely true,” Zhu Yin said. “In ancient times, women only managed the household and didn’t have the pressure of earning money, performing labor, or serving in the military. It was the men at the bottom of society who suffered the most.”

"Oh, I just asked my godfather. The teacher he wants to find for me in Zhejiang is Shen Yiguan, the future Grand Secretary."

"Is it really him?" Ning Caiwei immediately smiled. "We need to make the most of this opportunity. What's Shen Yiguan's reputation in history?"

Zhu Yin waved his folding fan with a half-smile, "His reputation isn't good. He protects his own people and ostracizes dissidents. He's a master of political infighting. Some people call him a treacherous minister."

"Among the chief ministers after Zhang Juzheng, Shen Yiguan was the most capable and had the most power, and he also served for a relatively long time."

Ning Caiwei smiled and said, "He's a good backer. Not only in terms of official position and power, but also in terms of protecting his own people, he's very suitable."

Zhu Yin snapped his folding fan shut. “My godfather said that Old Shen might not be in his hometown in Zhejiang. He has been unemployed for many years and may be traveling around in various places.”

“We might go to Yin County in Ningbo, but we might find nothing. He is most likely in Nanjing. Only in Nanjing is he closest to the imperial court, so that the court won't forget him.”

Ning Caiwei laughed and said, "Nanjing is better. Isn't Xu Xiaobai a native of Nanjing? Nanjing is a metropolis after all, and it's also a riverside city. It's not far from the sea, which is very conducive to business development."

Zhu Yin revealed a strange look, "Hai Rui is in Nanjing now, he should be the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief, a second-rank official!"

……

June 24th.

Qi Jiguang sent a letter to the prefect of Dengzhou, stating that he was heading south to avoid his debts and could no longer stay in Dengzhou.

Unless the government can repay the money he spent on supporting the army.

The prefect of Dengzhou had no choice but to issue him an official document and promise to forward it to the imperial court.

June 25th.

Having recovered, Qi Jiguang left his nephews and nieces to look after the house, and then secretly left Dengzhou with Zhu Yin and others.

Go south...to hide from debt!
(End of this chapter)