Chapter 3

This sentence completely baffled Zhao Jin. He didn’t rashly ask about it but followed Zhao Zhenxing home. Zhao Zhenxing had very large knuckles, and the calluses on his hands were thick and hard.

Each military household had limited land, which was passed down through generations. With several children in each generation, the land was never enough to divide. Therefore, in military households, only the eldest son could inherit the military status, while the younger sons had to find their own way to make a living. However, the Zhao family, being a hereditary hundred-household, could find ways to secure a military position for the younger sons. According to Zhao Jin’s memory, his uncle had practiced martial arts since childhood and was unwilling to live a peaceful life in the military camp. He left home at sixteen and returned to Xuzhou nine years ago. No one knew what had happened to Zhao Zhenxing outside, but when he returned, he was penniless and already had old injuries.

External injuries were easy to treat, but internal injuries were hard to heal. Zhao Zhenxing’s injuries made it impossible for him to have children, and his body was weak, requiring regular medication. He was almost incapacitated, but thanks to Zhao Zhentang’s job as an executioner, which provided a good income, he could often support his younger brother. Otherwise, his life would have been very miserable.

Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua often talked about this. He Cuihua always complained that her younger brother-in-law spent too much of their money, and the couple often argued over this. The former Zhao Jin didn’t understand, but the current Zhao Jin knew that his mother had a soft heart despite her harsh words. She never shortchanged her brother a single coin and always invited him to eat with them.

“Is your father at home today?” Zhao Zhenxing asked as they walked.

“He was called out this morning and said he would be back for lunch,” Zhao Jin replied. Executioners were considered unlucky, but there were many occasions both inside and outside the city where Zhao Zhentang was needed. He rarely had free time at home except when he was on duty.

Just as they passed a crossroads, two children ran towards them. One was about ten years old, a bit taller than Zhao Jin, plump, and carrying a wooden stick. Behind him was a sturdy boy, about six or seven years old. The two looked similar, probably brothers.

The two children were out of breath from running. When they saw Zhao Jin, the plump one paused and panted, “Zhao Jin, are you feeling better?”

Zhao Jin nodded, and the plump one raised his wooden stick, grinning, “I’ll come find you to play this afternoon.”

Before Zhao Jin could respond, the plump one turned to his younger brother, “Erhong, let’s run faster, or we’ll be late for lunch and get scolded by Mother!”

Erhong nodded vigorously, and the two brothers hurried away.

After watching the two brothers leave, Uncle Zhao Zhenxing smiled and said, “Xiao Jin, you’re the only one in our branch of the Zhao family. When you grow up, you won’t have anyone to rely on, so you should make more friends.”

Zhao Jin subconsciously responded with a “hmm.” It was only then that he realized the names of the two children: they were the brothers from the Chen family on the neighboring street. The plump one was Chen Sheng, and his younger brother was Chen Hong.

Chen Sheng and Zhao Jin used to play together often, but in retrospect, they weren’t really friends. Zhao Jin was often bullied by Chen Sheng.

************

After lunch, Zhao Jin scratched his head and walked out of the house, recalling the conversation during the meal with a troubled expression.

When he and Uncle Zhao Zhenxing returned home, Father Zhao Zhentang was already back, having bought a pot of wine and some cooked meat, indicating a good morning’s work.

Everyone sat down to eat. In a small household, there were no formalities, and He Cuihua also joined them at the table. Somehow, the topic turned to Zhao Jin’s future.

Father Zhao Zhentang, after a couple of drinks, became talkative: “Once Xiao Jin recovers, he should follow me on a few red duties and learn the art of beheading. Then he won’t have to worry about food and expenses.”

At this, He Cuihua immediately objected, shouting at the table, “Is Xiao Jin really your son? Last time he almost died from fright, and you still want to put him through that?”

Before Zhao Zhentang could respond, He Cuihua continued, “Military households have no future, and beheading is too unlucky. Xiao Jin should study and achieve a title to bring glory to the family. Maybe he could even become a prime minister!”

Hearing this, Zhao Zhentang slammed his wine cup on the table and pointed at Zhao Jin, “Your family is a butcher’s, mine is a military household. Not only can he not take the exams, but even if we bribed officials, do you think this boy has the aptitude for study? He’s been in private school for two years, and he can’t even recite the Thousand Character Classic. You’re always daydreaming about titles and glory, but we need to see if we have the fortune for it!”

Zhao Jin just kept his head down and ate, not daring to speak. The former Zhao Jin, being an only child, was pampered and had a weak personality. Because there was no scholarly atmosphere at home, his studies in private school were a mess, which is why Zhao Zhentang considered making him an executioner.

Just as the argument was about to escalate, Uncle Zhao Zhenxing, who had been listening with a smile, spoke up in a soft, slow voice, “Brother and Sister, in this world, having a strong body and learning martial arts is most important. But for now, Xiao Jin has just recovered. Let him go out and play for a few days.”

“Learn martial arts? You learned a lot of martial arts, but look at you...” Zhao Zhentang’s words were cut off by He Cuihua’s fierce glare.

Zhao Zhenxing’s smile remained, and he patted Zhao Jin’s head, saying, “Xiao Jin, go out and play more, make more good friends. It will benefit you in the future, understand?”

Zhao Jin’s distress wasn’t because of his parents’ argument. In fact, he found it warm and familiar to have someone care about his future. The former Zhao Jin had never experienced such concern.

What troubled Zhao Jin was what he would do in the future. A ten-year-old child wouldn’t worry about this, but Zhao Jin was different. He had a clear understanding.

He had a chance to start over, and he must cherish this opportunity. In his previous life, he started from a much lower point and worked hard to prove himself, achieve success, and gain glory, but he gave up halfway, and everything ended.

His knowledge of history was vague. Zhao Jin knew about the Ming Dynasty and had heard of the Wanli era, but he was unclear about what happened before and after this period and what had happened in Xuzhou during this time.

What would he do in this life? Zhao Jin didn’t know yet, but he didn’t want to live an ordinary life like in his previous one. Since he had come to this era, he was determined to prove that he had been here and leave his name in the annals of history!

With this thought, a determined look appeared on Zhao Jin’s face, and he clenched his small fist. At that moment, he heard someone shout from behind, “Zhao Jin, you’re out!”

Turning around, he saw the plump Chen Sheng from the morning, with his younger brother Chen Hong following. The two brothers quickly approached, and Chen Sheng, full of curiosity, asked, “Zhao Jin, my grandfather said you were scared to death. How did you come back to life?”

“I didn’t die, I just fainted!” Zhao Jin replied irritably.

Chen Sheng still held the three-foot-long short stick in his hand. He didn’t care about Zhao Jin’s answer and enthusiastically continued, “Come on, let’s go play at Wuan Gate.”

Wuan Gate? Zhao Jin was momentarily confused before realizing it was the west gate of Xuzhou. There used to be several shops and warehouses there, but now that the shops were closed, the empty grounds had become a playground for children.

Before Zhao Jin could respond, Chen Sheng pulled him along, walking quickly. Chen Sheng was a bit taller and much stronger, and Zhao Jin had no choice but to follow. Chen Hong, grinning, followed behind, and Zhao Jin couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Looking at the situation, achieving success and fame seemed very difficult.