Chapter Five: Second Master of Anyuan Hall (Part One) Revised Edition

Zheng Yanqing was unsure whether Duoduo had sought him out at Madam Xu’s behest or if she had acted on her own initiative. Yet, he surmised the latter was more likely. His observations over the years had shown Madam Xu to be a cautious, prudent woman, never one to act rashly. She had been in the Zheng household for three years, always keeping a low profile and never causing trouble.

There were, of course, factors relating to Zheng Shian, but the greater part of it stemmed from Madam Xu’s own nature. She rarely left Zheng Shian’s residence; her dealings with others were measured and she never sought attention or competed for favor. Truth be told, Madam Xu possessed delicate features, yet she never adorned herself—instead, she seemed to deliberately conceal her appearance.

After Miss Cui from the Cui family married into the household, she brought two personal maids with her. Over time, Zheng Renji almost forgot Madam Xu’s existence, and whatever fleeting thoughts he once harbored simply vanished.

Thus, Zheng Yanqing felt sure that Duoduo had come to him today in secrecy, without Madam Xu’s knowledge. According to Duoduo, she had completed her foundational training and required certain conditions to break through her bottleneck and enter the next stage of cultivation. Although Zheng Yanqing was unclear about the precise age Duoduo referred to, he sensed it was drawing near.

Otherwise, why would Duoduo seek him out?

Zheng Shian was the chief steward of Anyuan Hall, holding the reins of its finances. In principle, all income and expenditure of Anyuan Hall should have been overseen by Master Zheng and Zheng Renji, or possibly handed over to Miss Cui. Yet Master Zheng trusted Zheng Shian implicitly, and after marrying Miss Cui, Zheng Renji’s career flourished; he became closely associated with Yang Su, the Director of Internal Affairs, rising to the rank of Assistant Legal Officer—an official position of the sixth grade.

As a result, Zheng Renji was even less involved in household matters. Miss Cui was gentle by nature and could not control the unruly members within the household. Master Zheng, preferring a life of scholarly leisure, entrusted all matters to Zheng Shian, intervening only when absolutely necessary.

Zheng Yanqing speculated that Duoduo was drawn to the power Zheng Shian wielded. She used the excuse of teaching him martial arts as a pretext to gain benefits that would help her rapidly overcome her current bottleneck. For a seven- or eight-year-old girl to devise such a scheme was truly astonishing to Zheng Yanqing.

Nevertheless, he agreed, as it was mutually beneficial—why refuse?

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“You wish to learn martial arts?”

That night, Zheng Yanqing approached Zheng Shian with his request to train. If he were to embark on this path, to build his foundation, he would need Zheng Shian’s support—otherwise, how could he afford the considerable expenses involved?

Yanqing said, “Grandfather, I saw Sister Duoduo practicing martial arts. It seemed fascinating, so I wish to learn from her.”

Zheng Shian was not ignorant of Duoduo’s martial practice. Master Zheng’s ancestor, Zheng Lianshan, was renowned for his martial prowess. At the entrance of Anyuan Hall stood a stone tablet, said to have been erected by Zheng Lianshan, inscribed with: “The Seven Virtues of the Martial Way—restraining violence, curbing arms, protecting the great, establishing merit, harmonizing the masses, enriching wealth.”

This phrase, originating from the Twelfth Year of Duke Xuan in the Zuo Commentary, encompassed not merely martial arts, but also the art of war and strategy. In the Sui and Tang dynasties, “martial” referred both to combat techniques and military matters.

Master Zheng himself was skilled in riding and archery, adept with bow and horse.

Zheng Shian, though not a master, possessed considerable strength; in his youth, he fought in wars and had taken lives, so his judgment was keen. Since the reign of Emperor Wen of Sui, though peace reigned, the martial spirit persisted. Even common families taught their children martial skills, and the martial ethos handed down from the era of the Jin and the Northern and Southern Dynasties remained strong.

Yet, the martial training of commoners differed from that of the noble families; it required a systematic discipline, which ordinary folk could scarcely attain. Though Zheng Shian held a significant position in Anyuan Hall, he was, after all, of servile birth, and the Zheng family’s secret arts would never be passed on to him.

Therefore, while Zheng Shian knew of Duoduo's martial practice, he was unaware of its intricacies.

His grey brows knitted slightly as he sank into thought.

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“Yanqing, did Duoduo tell you which technique she intends to teach you?”

“I think it’s the Dragon Subduing Technique.”

Zheng Shian had never heard of such a method, but one thing was clear—Duoduo’s origin could not be ordinary!

Since the conquest of Qi by Northern Zhou and the southern campaigns of Emperor Wen of Sui, many noble families had fallen into decline; it was hardly unusual. If Duoduo hailed from a prominent family, her knowledge of martial arts was only natural.

In truth, Master Zheng had already discerned the distinguished origins of Madam Xu and her daughter; placing them under Zheng Shian’s care was also a measure of surveillance. He had hoped to uncover clues through their martial arts, but it now seemed unlikely.

Yet, there was nothing remarkable about it.

Zheng Shian sneered inwardly: As long as you remain in Anyuan Hall, let’s see what tricks you can play.

At the same time, he genuinely hoped that Zheng Yanqing would acquire skills for self-defense; perhaps, with martial prowess, his grandson could win a place in the Zheng family. Zheng Shian was a servant, but that did not mean he wished his descendants to serve others forever. Five generations had served the Zhengs; deep down, his loyalty was profound, but he earnestly hoped that one day, his family might stand as equals. It was difficult, but not impossible. Even great clans required fresh blood.

Zheng Shian’s mother was from a collateral branch of the Zheng family.

Had he not lost the ability to father children, he might already be listed in the Zheng genealogy. What he failed to achieve, he now pinned his hopes on Zheng Yanqing. Perhaps one day, Yanqing would fulfill this wish.

After careful consideration, Zheng Shian said in a grave voice, “Yanqing, if you truly wish to learn martial arts, you must train diligently and never give up halfway.

There is no need to worry about other matters, but there is one thing you must remember: whatever prescriptions Duoduo gives you, you must let me see them first. These things may prove invaluable someday… Don’t ask why, just remember.”

Zheng Shian was planning ahead.

Yanqing did not understand his intentions, but nodded firmly.

Thus, Zheng Yanqing’s days became busier; besides his previous writing and drawing, he now had another pursuit.

In his previous life, he had been fond of calligraphy and had copied many masterpieces. Though reborn in a new body, his foundation remained.

But paper and brushes were expensive, beyond the reach of ordinary families.

Even though Zheng Shian managed the finances of Anyuan Hall, he could not embezzle funds openly.

So Yanqing imitated the ancients, practicing characters in the sand with tree branches. Once his foundation was solid, he would write with pen and paper, and the transition would be seamless. However, with his martial training, his time for calligraphy diminished—morning and evening for martial arts, midday for writing.

Days passed, winter gave way to spring, and two years flew by.

Zheng Yanqing, without realizing it, had lived through five cycles of seasons…

By the old reckoning, he was now seven years old.

Compared to his peers, Yanqing did not stand out in any obvious way. Yet, to the adults, he was peculiar: he did not play with other children, rarely caused trouble, and his temperament was so calm that he seemed a little adult, remarkably sensible. Many remarked that Zheng Shian had a fine grandson.

But for Yanqing, these two years had deepened his understanding of this era.

For example, the art of combat: ancient people devised fighting techniques as a means to survive between heaven and earth. Their environment was perilous; to fill their bellies, they had to fight wild beasts. Over time, these evolved into martial arts, later enriched by various philosophies and health practices, resulting in unique forms of combat.

Compared to the so-called “routine-based” martial arts of his previous life, the difference was like night and day.

In the Jin period, Lu Jingxiu integrated energy cultivation techniques, eventually forming a complete system that survives to this day.

The Dragon Subduing Technique taught to Yanqing by Duoduo was a method of strengthening one’s vital energy and blood.

Nourishing the mind and storing essence through vital energy and blood was its foundation. According to ancient health teachings, at seven or eight years old, a child’s teeth and hair grow anew, and their vital energy is just forming. The Dragon Subduing Technique aims to unleash potential, invigorate the circulation, and strengthen the bloodline.

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By the age of seven or eight, the vital energy surpasses that of ordinary children, and the three treasures—essence, energy, and spirit—are abundant.

A year earlier, Duoduo had used medicinal aid to successfully stimulate her vital energy, condensing her energy and strengthening her bones, her progress advancing swiftly.

Yanqing, meanwhile, was still laying his foundation.

According to Duoduo, Yanqing was still too young; premature stimulation of his vital energy could cause adverse effects. Thus, although Yanqing had mastered the Dragon Subduing Technique, he had not yet broken through.

Yanqing was not impatient; his interest in martial arts was genuine, and any achievement would be welcome. If not, strengthening his body was enough. Since Yanqing was unconcerned, Duoduo had no reason to pressure him. After all, teaching Yanqing the Dragon Subduing Technique was intended to exchange for supplementary medicines. The less Yanqing cared, the happier Duoduo was, as most of the prescriptions benefited her. Why worry about Yanqing’s progress for nothing?

“Duoduo, last time you said only scholars may wield the lance. What did you mean by that?”

Outside of training, Yanqing liked to chat with Duoduo to broaden his knowledge.

Duoduo explained, “The term ‘scholar’ has two meanings. The lance is a cavalry weapon, powerful but extremely difficult to master. The Preface to the Cavalry Lance Manual says: ‘Though not an ancient method, it has been passed down in recent times and has become an art.’ To wield the lance well, there are many requirements. First, one must attain the level of transforming spirit and refining tendons to properly use the lance.

Secondly, there are secret techniques for wielding and evading the lance, passed down by various families and unknown to outsiders.

Therefore, one’s background matters… In short, the cavalry lance is powerful, but difficult to master. If you wish to learn it, unless you have extraordinary opportunity, you will not excel. Little scholar, I advise you to abandon the idea and focus on your training.”

The Cavalry Lance Manual was written by Xiao Gang, Emperor Jianwen of Liang, detailing methods for wielding the lance.

But this book was mostly controlled by the noble clans, beyond the reach of ordinary people. Could Anyuan Hall possess such a work?

Yanqing knew that Master Zheng might have the Cavalry Lance Manual, but it would not be easy to find.

He did not insist on learning the lance; it was Duoduo’s tone—tinged with contempt and mockery—that unsettled him.

Duoduo’s implication was clear: she was mocking him, a servant-born fellow, for daring to aspire to the lance.

Fortunately, Zheng Yanqing’s cultivation of composure was quite advanced. Though Duoduo had mocked him, he did not let it show. After all, he was a man in his forties; was it necessary to quarrel with a little girl? Still, a different resolve stirred within him.

“Servant-born” was another term for lowly birth.

Zheng Yanqing knew this was an era obsessed with pedigree; so long as he carried the stigma of servant birth, he would be looked down upon. To catch Li Shimin’s attention, he would need to accomplish something, at the very least to shed the label of servile origin.

But changing one’s household registration was no easy task.

Not only were the bureaucratic procedures complex, but if anyone learned of his intention to elevate his status, the Zheng family would not take it well.

He would need the right opportunity and the right event!

Thinking of these things, Zheng Yanqing felt a bit dispirited.

Duoduo stood up, “I’m off to do the laundry… Little scholar, don’t overthink it, just keep your feet on the ground.”

For all her usual aloofness and sharp words, Duoduo’s heart was kind.

Perhaps sensing she had spoken too harshly earlier, she offered comfort.

Zheng Yanqing smiled and rose as well, saying, “Then I’ll go brew tea. Grandfather will be home soon, and it will help him relax.”

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