Chapter 61: Sun Zhigao of Youyang

Officials of this dynasty are granted one day of rest every ten days.

In Hanlin Lane, at the Zhao Residence.

Zhao Han finally had a moment of leisure. He stood in the courtyard, watching the maidservants and pages bustling about in preparation for the upcoming wedding ceremony.

There were crimson silk bed curtains embroidered with a hundred children, mandarin duck quilts, and joy-blending pillows.
There were gilded double-happiness candlesticks designed to burn continuously for three days, along with auspicious items to be scattered across the bridal bed, such as peanuts, red dates, and longans.
Along the veranda stood several open chests filled with newly tailored formal attire, embroidered shoes, and prepared gifts for the bride's first return home.

In short, everything was provided for, and all preparations were complete.

Just as Zhao Han lifted his foot to head toward the study, he saw Changqing hurrying across the courtyard.
Trailing closely behind him was a solidly built, broad-shouldered man.

"Young Master, didn't you mention a few days ago that you wanted to learn some martial arts?"

Zhao Han raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? Have you found a suitable master for me recently?"

Changqing nodded vigorously, pointing at the man behind him with a beaming smile. "Look, Young Master, this is the martial arts master I've managed to find."

"This humble one, Pei Hu, pays his respects to the master," Pei Hu said in a deep, resonant voice, clasping his fists together with utmost respect.

Zhao Han narrowed his eyes to appraise him. The man was dressed in a dark cyan coarse-cloth short tunic, with a pair of sharp, spirited tiger-like eyes set beneath thick eyebrows. His arms were long and strong, his waist was slender yet powerful, and his build was robust and agile—he clearly looked like someone who had practiced martial arts for years.

Changqing scratched the back of his head with a silly grin, a lingering trace of fear still visible on his face.

"Young Master, he was actually purchased by Mother Hu as a household guard a few days ago. He said he had practiced martial arts with his father since childhood."
"Last year, after having a dispute with someone in his village, he accidentally injured the village chief's son in the heat of the moment. To avoid trouble, he had to leave his hometown and come to Bianjing to make a living."
"I refused to believe it earlier and insisted on testing his skills. As a result, a single blow from him almost broke my ribs."

As he spoke, Changqing lifted the hem of his tunic to reveal a patch of bruising on his ribs.
"Look at this, Young Master. His striking power is almost catching up to yours."

Hearing this, a fleeting flicker of subtle surprise crossed Pei Hu's eyes.
He had spent years toiling day and night in the Imperial City Garrison to acquire the strength to shatter stone monuments. Yet this wet-behind-the-ears little page actually claimed his strength fell short of a young master who spent his days immersed in ink and brush—there had to be a limit to flattery.

"This humble one excels in boxing and swordsmanship. I wonder what the master wishes to learn?" Pei Hu asked respectfully.

Zhao Han gave him an unreadable glance, calmly untied his outer robe, and rolled up his sleeves to reveal his well-defined forearms.

"This young master knows a few clumsy boxing techniques myself. Why don't you let me test you first?"
"If your skills meet my approval, I will personally present you with the tuition gift."

Pei Hu's pupils contracted slightly as he quietly wondered what kind of punishment awaited him if he accidentally injured the young master during the spar.

"What are you standing around for? The Young Master wants to test your skills!"
"If you can become the Young Master's master, you won't have to do odd jobs outside anymore." Changqing nudged him in the arm, unable to hide his urgency.

Recalling his wits, Pei Hu took a deep breath, dropped into a stance, and said, "Please enlighten me, Master."

***

Zhao Han's gaze darkened as he struck out first, aiming straight for the center. His punch was so fierce that it tore through the air with a whistling sound.

Pei Hu thought little of it, intending to show restraint and receive the blow using only thirty percent of his strength.
The moment their fists collided, a loud thud echoed. Pei Hu was forced back four or five steps, and looking down at his numb elbow, his face was filled with astonishment.

In the next round, he no longer held back his strength. In less time than it took to burn half a stick of incense, Zhao Han suffered a crushing defeat.

The two of them sat on the stone steps, wiping the sweat from their brows.

Pei Hu's gaze grew even more respectful as he cupped his fists. "The master's physical strength truly far surpasses that of ordinary men, and your tendons and bones are a natural gift for martial arts."
"If you can practice diligently day and night, in less than five years, you will surely become a master among men."

Zhao Han turned to look at him. "With your abilities, serving merely as a residential guard is truly letting your talents go to waste."

"This humble one has just arrived in Bianjing and knows no one. To have a place to settle down is already a great blessing."
"As for whether my talents are wasted, that depends entirely on whether this humble one has good fortune."
"Every year during the imperial examinations, there are countless scholars whose talents go unrecognized. Let alone a crude and uncouth martial artist like myself."

As Pei Hu spoke, his expression remained completely unchanged.

Zhao Han pondered for a moment, then raised a hand to pat his shoulder.

"Starting tomorrow, I will follow you to learn martial arts. If an opportunity arises in the future, I will definitely recommend you to serve in the military camp."

"Many thanks, Master! This humble one will impart everything I know without holding anything back!" Pei Hu feigned pleasant surprise and respectfully cupped his fists.

After Pei Hu left, Zhao Han looked at Changqing and asked in a low voice, "Is his background completely clean?"

"Rest assured, Young Master, I have checked his household registration contract. It is as clean as can be."
"If the Young Master is still uneasy, I can make a trip to the magistrate's office when I have time, and I guarantee I can dig up the occupations of his ancestors three generations back."

Zhao Han nodded. "Go then, but be careful."

***

In Youyang, at the Sheng Residence.

Unlike the bustling prosperity of Bianjing, this three-courtyard residence with its white walls and black tiles was built against the mountain.
Blue-stone steps wound upward, accompanied by the crisp chirping of occasional mountain birds, giving it a unique and elegant charm.

Early this morning, Sheng Wei was so furious that his beard trembled, and he slammed his teacup heavily onto the stone table in the courtyard.

"Throw him out!"
"Ever since he failed the provincial examination last year, he has come back time and time again to beg for silver!"

The page lowered his head, his voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "Young Master Sun says his mother is ill and he has no money to hire a physician and buy medicine."
"He only begs the master to give him another twenty taels of silver, and he swears he will pass the provincial examination the year after next."

"Ill again?!" Sheng Wei laughed out of sheer fury. "Over the past half year, his mother must have fallen ill more than a dozen times!"

He began counting on his fingers. "In the first month, it was a chill; in the second month, heart palpitations; in the third month, a sprained arm; in the fifth month, a headache... and now it's the seventh month, what ailment is it this time?!"

The page shrank his neck and shook his head repeatedly, indicating he had no idea.

Mistress Li, dressed in a sandalwood-brown outer robe with a gentle expression, stepped forward and said, "It's merely twenty taels of silver. Just give it to him."

***

"For no good reason, why let yourself fly into such a rage?" Mistress Li asked, a hint of bewilderment on her face.

Sheng Wei frowned deeply, took a deep breath, and said through clenched teeth, "We are not giving it!"
"Do you think he still looks anything like a scholar?"
"Yesterday, the shopkeeper of the Thousand-Gold Pavilion told me that Sun Zhigao has already run up a tab of nearly a hundred taels of silver there!"
"How much silver can his mother earn by washing and sewing for others? In the end, this debt is expected to be paid off by my Sheng family."

Mistress Li pressed her lips together and frowned. "Sun Zhigao passed the county examination at the age of twelve. Who in Youyang doesn't call him a prodigy?"
"I reckon he merely failed the provincial examination last year and is feeling a temporary disappointment."
"If he can calm his mind and apply himself diligently, he may well place on the imperial roll in the provincial examination the year after next."

Sheng Wei sneered.
"In my opinion, Sun Zhigao coming to our door time and again to beg for silver is entirely because you have spoiled him!"

Mistress Li's expression changed slightly at his words, and she defended herself, "On the road of the imperial examinations, those who can pass all the way and attain a high degree are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."
"He merely failed the provincial examination once. Didn't you used to be very satisfied with Sun Zhigao?"
"Besides, I am doing this for the future of our family and our Shuer!"

Sheng Wei let out a long sigh toward the sky and reached up to massage his throbbing temples.

"The past is the past, and I will tell you the truth."
"During my recent trip to Bianjing, through a twist of fate, I struck up some rapport with Younger Brother Hong's son-in-law."
"It was only after meeting him that I truly understood what a real scholar looks like. That bearing throughout his entire person was genuinely as warm as jade, and his manner in dealing with people was courteous and full of propriety."
"Unlike Sun Zhigao, who, after failing the examinations, knows nothing of striving to better himself or studying late into the night, but instead spends all day eating, drinking, and making merry."
"He has fed all the teachings of the sages to the dogs!"

Mistress Li twisted her handkerchief in her hands. After a moment of silence, she said softly, "Our family's social standing cannot compare to that of the Second Branch."
"In a small place like Youyang, aside from Sun Zhigao, I haven't found a single young man superior to him."

Passing the county examination at twelve was something one could count on one's fingers even across the entire Jiangnan region.
In Mistress Li's view, as long as Sun Zhigao settled his mind, there was no doubt he would pass the imperial examinations one day.
Once Shulan came of age, she would be married off to the Sun family. The Sun family lacked silver, but her Sheng family had plenty.

With the two families bound together, when Sun Zhigao entered the imperial court as an official in the future, they would also share in the glory, allowing even Pinlan to marry into a good family.
Then she would no longer have to lower her head to Wang Ruofu everywhere.

"Shuer's marriage requires further consideration."
"From now on, if Sun Zhigao comes to the door asking for silver again, simply chase him out."
"Tell him that unless he rids himself of those frivolous distractions and studies diligently, the Sheng family will not give him a single copper coin."

Though Sheng Wei did not raise his voice, every word was as unyielding as iron, leaving no room for negotiation.