Chapter 3

After the servant had left, Jia Heng changed into a set of short clothes inside the room, took a precious sword, and came to the courtyard to practice martial arts. In his previous life, he had studied Daoist classics at a temple and learned martial arts from a senior friend of his grandfather. This person taught him boxing, footwork, and weapon skills, including the 108-move Gan Gang Sword and the Six Harmonies Saber. Later, when he joined the army, he also learned some military combat techniques. Even a group of seven or eight people couldn't get close to him.

Jia Heng held the long sword, assumed a stance, and warmed up.

It had to be said that this body was well-trained, saving him a lot of effort.

Swish...

The long sword was drawn, emitting a cold, sharp light. The sword's cry was like the song of a water dragon, clear and stirring, stirring up the wind and causing the leaves in the courtyard to fly.

He moved like a light swallow, turning and thrusting. A bamboo shoot as thick as a baby's arm in the courtyard was pierced by the sword, which sank to the hilt, trembling continuously.

"Excellent swordsmanship!"

He heard applause, a deep and rough voice.

Jia Heng's expression changed, and he looked up to see the person. It was a young man with a square face and a beard, wearing a black hat and a shallow scar on his face. He smiled and said, "It's Brother Cai."

The two visitors were on the left, a young man around sixteen years old, Jia Heng's cousin, Dong Qian, who was a junior officer in the Five City Military Command, and the other was Cai Quan, the nephew of the wet nurse Cai Shi, who was now a junior officer in the Imperial Guard.

At the beginning of the Chen Han Dynasty, the system was modeled after the Tang and Song Dynasties. During the reign of Emperor Taizong, the system was further modeled after the Ming Dynasty, establishing twelve military camps in the capital, each commanded by one of the twelve dukes.

Provincial military commands were also established at the provincial level to manage the military garrisons, which was initially to quickly stabilize the situation after the fall of the Ming Dynasty. To address the issue of inconsistent orders, the role of the military governor from the Tang Dynasty was also incorporated into the military system.

Thus, the local defense and military governor systems coexisted, and the nominal head of the Imperial Guard was also the military governor of the Imperial Guard.

Cai Quan smiled and said, "Big Brother, your martial arts skills are among the best even in the military."

At this moment, Cai Shi said, "Go away, you're always talking nonsense. Big Brother is meant to study and become an official, not a soldier."

"What are you saying, Aunt? What's wrong with being a soldier? They also serve the emperor and the state," Cai Quan laughed and said loudly.

Cai Shi glared at her nephew and said, "Dong Qian said when she left that she wanted her son to become a scholar. If you keep stirring the pot, I won't let you off."

Jia Heng then led Cai Quan and Dong Qian into the house to talk. A maid named Gui Xiang served tea, and Jia Heng smiled and said, "Brothers, why are you so free today to come and see me?"

"It's because your cousin said you were injured, so we came to check on you. Are you feeling better? You look much better now," Cai Quan said with concern.

Jia Heng replied, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Cai. It's just a minor injury. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Dong Qian smiled and said, "Brother, instead of hanging out with Jia Rong every day, why don't you seek a position in the military? It would be a better use of your martial skills."

Cai Quan also agreed, "Yes, Brother, these are tough times. You need to find a way to make a living. The border regions are in need of capable people. With your courage and ability, you could rise to a good position, marry a wife, and have a family. Wouldn't that be great?"

He had a bit of a personal motive for encouraging Jia Heng to join the military. If a Jia family member served under him, it would attract the attention of the remaining Jia family's old military connections. Even a small share of resources would be enough to benefit his career.

Jia Heng sighed and said, "To serve as a soldier and fight with swords and spears, to restore the glory of the former Rong and Ning dukes, is my lifelong wish. However..."

He had read the national history and knew that the border regions were established in the style of the Ming Dynasty. After the efforts of the first two emperors, the nomadic tribes on the grasslands were barely kept at bay by the border towns.

But after a hundred years of peace, the military became lax, and the nomadic tribes on the grasslands gradually recovered their strength. The border regions gradually fell, and a few decades ago, the Jurchens rose in Liaodong, establishing the Jin Dynasty. They would lead troops to raid the borders every autumn.

"I won't hide it from Brother Cai, but I intend to enter the government through the imperial examinations."

The current dynasty has been at peace for a long time, and the civil service has expanded, with a tendency to prioritize civil officials over military ones. The current emperor, although ambitious to resolve the border troubles and the bandit problems, has changed the cabinet twice but still relies heavily on civil officials.

Consider Jia Yucun, who, with the help of the Jia family, eventually became the Minister of War, largely due to his success in the imperial examinations.

Cai Quan was surprised and said, "The imperial examinations are indeed the proper path. I didn't expect Brother Jia to have such aspirations."

Dong Qian also looked moved and said, "Cousin, you always hated studying. What made you change your mind?"

He had noticed that his cousin had changed, becoming more composed and calm.

Jia Heng smiled faintly and said, "It was the stick from Liang Shilang's son that woke me up. A man must read more to stand in the world. Reading enlightens one's mind. Otherwise, in the eyes of those young masters, we martial men are nothing but insignificant."

"Brother Jia, that's a good point. Even Guan Yu always carried the Spring and Autumn Annals. I don't like those pretentious scholars, but I do enjoy listening to stories," Cai Quan nodded and smiled, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.

He thought, "This Jia family's eldest son, I thought he was just strong, but he has such insight?"

As they were talking, Jia Heng said, "Brother Cai, where can I find a good horse?"

Whether he pursued the imperial examinations or not, he couldn't neglect his martial skills.

Cai Quan said, "There's a horse market, but the horses there are all inferior. To find a good horse, you'll need to put in some effort. Why do you want to learn archery and horsemanship?"

Dong Qian smiled and said, "If you want to learn archery and horsemanship, I have a teacher who is an expert. He can teach you."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "I do plan to learn. Where is your teacher now? How much tribute should I prepare if I want to become his student?"

Dong Qian smiled and said, "His name is Xie Zaiyi. He was a hundred-man commander in the military but was demoted to a gate guard after a drunken incident. If you want to learn, bring some wine and meat."

A gate guard was essentially a common soldier, a complete demotion.

Jia Heng nodded and said, "We shouldn't delay. Let's go see him and buy some books on the way."

They all agreed, and Jia Heng informed Cai Shi before leaving with Dong Qian and Cai Quan.

...

...

The capital of the Great Han Dynasty was bustling with people and noisy streets. Jia Heng first bought some wine and food, then crossed Rongning Street to head to the city gate.

At the Anhua Gate of the capital, around noon, Jia Heng finally found Xie Zaiyi in a dilapidated courtyard near the gate.

Xie Zaiyi was squatting on a stone stool in the courtyard, polishing a sword with a rag. His helmet was casually placed nearby. He glanced at Dong Qian and then looked at Cai Quan and Jia Heng, thinking, "A military man and a kid. What's this all about?"

Dong Qian said, "Xie Brother, we came to see you."

"What's there to see? It's not a holiday," Xie Zaiyi coldly snorted, glancing at the gift boxes and food they carried, and said, "When someone brings gifts, they must want something. What is it?"

Dong Qian laughed and said, "There is something we need your help with."

Jia Heng stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I've heard that Brother Xie is skilled in archery and horsemanship. I am Jia Heng, a descendant of the Duke of Ning, and I wish to learn these skills from you."

Xie Zaiyi laughed coldly and said, "A descendant of the Duke of Ning? I can't see it. What kind of martial teacher can't your family find? Why are you teasing me?"

He looked at Jia Heng, noting his simple clothes, and guessed the situation.

He was probably a distant relative of the Ning family.