Gao Wu Da Ming: Starting as a military household and ascending to the rank of Martial Saint

For the next two days, Yu Shaowu did not go up the mountain again, but instead diligently practiced archery at home.

To be honest, he wasn't just afraid of the gray wolves on the mountain; he genuinely loved the feeling of practicing.

With the aid of the equipment, each practice session provides positive feedback in the form of numerical indicators on the panel. The increase in those numbers brings him a continuous source of motivation and satisfaction. Even the most tedious training becomes extremely interesting. Moreover, archery itself is a very enjoyable sport.

In just two days, Yu Shaowu had already mastered the technique, no longer using the rough and clumsy style he had at the beginning.

Yaomaodun was, after all, a fortified village, and all the military households were concentrated in one area. Yu Shaowu's tireless practice, sometimes even going out to practice in the woods, quickly attracted the attention of other military households.

However, they were unaware of the details and therefore did not know Yu Shaowu's training progress.

Everyone knew Yu Shaowu was frail, and the Wan family had previously traded grain with the people of Dunbao several times; everyone knew their family was already struggling financially. With the summer tax approaching, this guy suddenly started cramming, fantasizing that he could become a sharpshooter in a short time. For a moment, everyone found it somewhat laughable.

The news of wolves in Tumen Mountain has been spreading recently. A novice who has only practiced for two and a half days can't even deal with some chicks, birds, and weasels, so how can he deal with a pack of wolves?

However, since the Wan family had a good reputation in the fort, some people advised them to check what valuables they had at home and pawn them for grain as soon as possible. They warned them not to go up the mountain to commit suicide, and not to wait until the deadline, lest Yang Baihu and Li Qianhu use it as a pretext to confiscate their property and arrest them.

Yu Shaowu ignored these words. He knew that these people were also preoccupied with their own summer taxes. The reason they persuaded the Wan family to bring out their goods to exchange for grain was simply because the Wan family was always very generous when exchanging grain, making it profitable for them.

However, Yu Shaowu did not blame them for their thoughts. These people were from the lowest rungs of the Ming Dynasty. Faced with high taxes, ordinary people could at least sell their land to avoid them. But they didn't even have the right to sell their land. They were bound to the fortresses, day after day, exploiting the Ming Dynasty until they were completely drained.

Of course, if he hadn't died, he would be in the same situation as them now.

July 20th arrived, and Yu Shaowu had been practicing at home for three days. That afternoon, as usual, he went to the woods to the north to practice archery.

After practicing for about two hours, as evening approached, several lines of information reappeared in his mind:

Archery skills: Somewhat proficient

Mastering the ultimate skill: Seeing through everything, hitting the bullseye from a hundred paces away.

"Finally advanced!"

In this era, a hundred steps was not a short distance. According to the official standard of five feet per step, a hundred steps was at least 160 meters.

Hitting a leaf from 160 meters away is a remarkable achievement, even in this world.

With such a special skill, he should be able to handle those wolf packs with ease.

He was excited and was about to verify it when suddenly footsteps came from the south.

Looking back, it was Yang Xin, the centurion of Yaomaodun, who came over.

After several desertions, the Baode Prefecture Thousand-Household Garrison now has only four hundred soldiers left, and the number of centurions has also decreased to five, one of whom is Yang Xin.

He simultaneously oversaw the land reclamation and garrisoning of three mounds and one village, spending most of his time at Yangjiashan Mound. The Yaomou Mound area was now largely saline-alkali land, barren and yielding virtually no profit. Therefore, although under his jurisdiction, he rarely moved around.

I've come here today for the first time ever, clearly for my own sake.

After all, he was his superior. According to the rules of the court, Yu Shaowu stepped forward, bowed to Yang Xin, and said, "This humble one greets Commander Yang."

"Shaowu, I heard you've been practicing archery lately. I didn't believe it at first, but it turns out you're really working hard here." Yang Xin looked at Yu Shaowu with a warm smile and said, "Are you working so hard because you're planning to go hunting in the mountains?"

"Yes." Yu Shaowu said frankly, "This summer tax is too high, and I can't afford to pay it. I can only go up the mountain to try my luck."

Yang Xin shook his head and said, "Fight? What are you going to fight with? Your life?"

As he spoke, he approached Yu Shaowu and said in a sincere tone, "Shaowu, your grandfather is a role model for all military generals in the land. Out of respect for him, I must advise you. Archery is not something that is easy to learn; it takes at least two or three years to become a master. Even if you are truly gifted and blessed by your ancestors, and manage to master archery, the Lüliang Mountains are not a place you can come and go as you please. I've heard that a pack of gray wolves has recently emerged from the deep mountains and has already claimed the lives of many hunters. Going up the mountain now would be tantamount to courting death."

Yu Shaowu recalled the traces of gray wolves he had seen on Tumen Mountain and knew that Yang was not exaggerating. He said, "Thank you for the reminder, Commander Yang. However, with Commander Li's summer tax collection imminent, how can we pay such a large amount of grain without risking our lives?"

Yang Xin smiled slightly and said, "Look at what you're saying. Even the law has its limits when it comes to human relationships. If you really couldn't afford it, would the Commander-in-Chief force you to your death? There will always be a solution."

Yu Shaowu, thinking Yang Xin had suddenly become kind-hearted, immediately asked, "Please enlighten me, Commander Yang, is there any solution?"

Yang Xin leaned closer and whispered, "Shaowu, I heard that Master Zhang of Changle Prefecture intends to take Lady Wan as a concubine. You two must have discussed it before. The Zhang family has two members who passed the imperial examinations, and they hold an extraordinary position in Baode Prefecture. If you are willing to part with her, I will act as your intermediary and definitely secure a good price for you. This way, you will not only solve your immediate problem but also facilitate a good marriage. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation for everyone?"

Yu Shaowu never expected that Yang Baihu had come to act as an intermediary for that Zhang Yuanwai. But upon reflection, it made perfect sense. In the Ming Dynasty, civil officials controlled military officers. Although Zhang Yuanwai was a commoner, the two Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) in his family were figures that Yang Xin, a lowly military officer, dared not offend.

Thinking of this, Yu Shaowu went straight to the point: "Commander Yang, you just said it was out of respect for my grandfather. Then let me ask you a question, sir: would my grandfather, Duke Wuxiang, allow me to give my granddaughter-in-law to someone else as a concubine?"

At this point, the words had become quite heavy, as Yu Shaowu had even invoked his ancestors. Yang Baihu, feeling awkward, turned grim from his previously amiable expression.

He sighed softly and said, "Brother, I'm a few years older than you, so let me speak frankly with you. Given the Zhang family's status in Baode Prefecture, if Master Zhang wants a woman, not even a commander could stop him, let alone you. Especially for people like you who have already severed ties with the court, no one will come to your defense. So, you should think it over carefully and not be stubborn."

After saying that, he stopped trying to persuade him and turned to leave.

As Yu Shaowu watched his retreating figure, he was thinking of that old man, Master Zhang, whom he had met once before.

Having already died once, why live a cowardly life in this second life?

If this Master Zhang really goes too far in threatening him, he wouldn't mind sending him to his death with his bow and arrow.

In two years at most, Wei Zhongxian will step down. At that time, a bright future awaits me, and I absolutely cannot let such a nouveau riche ruin it.

However, before that, he needed to resolve the issues of summer taxes and survival. Taxation had always been the foundation of the imperial court, and violating this principle was unacceptable in any government office. Now that his archery skills had improved significantly again, he decided to set off again tomorrow for Tumen Mountain to confront those ferocious gray wolves.

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Yang Xin emerged from the woods, mounted his swift horse, and soon arrived at Yangjiashandun's home. Zhang Qing, the Zhang family's steward, was sitting in the hall, drinking alone and waiting. Seeing Yang Xin return, he immediately asked, "How did it go? Did the lad agree?"

Yang Xin took his seat and, while ordering his family to bring out wine and dishes and rearrange the banquet, shook his head and said, "I don't know what's wrong with this kid. He suddenly changed his mind and flatly rejected the proposal. He's even thinking of making up for this summer's tax by hunting."

He picked up his wine glass, touched it lightly with Zhang Qing's glass, and then drank it all in one gulp.

Zhang Qing drank his wine and said with some worry, "I heard that kid has already gone hunting once and brought back quite a lot of game. We can't let him actually get through this crisis; otherwise, we'll have a hard time explaining ourselves to Master Zhang."

Yang Xin, however, was somewhat unconvinced, saying, "Don't worry, Brother Zhang. As far as I know, those gray wolves on Tumen Mountain are no ordinary gray wolves. They've already killed many people, and even the prefect has been alerted. Let him go. With those gray wolves around, he'll die even faster, which will save us the trouble of taking action."

Zhang Qing stroked his beard and said, "I hope so. If he really died on the mountain, that would be a happy ending for everyone..."

"Why should a man who is destined to die say such things?" Yang Xin waved his hand and said, "I heard that several women from Jiangnan have come to Lan Yue Lou. I have already sent someone to invite them. Brother Zhang does not visit easily. Today, we will not leave until we are drunk."

Upon hearing that a woman had come to keep him company, Zhang Qing grinned and clinked glasses with Yang Xin, saying, "Thank you for your hospitality, brother! Let's drink until we drop!"