Chapter 58

Zhao Jin already had a good understanding of how Da Ming mobilized troops. Each time they went to war, they would call upon soldiers from various provinces and border garrisons, led by civil officials and commanded by military officers. The two major battles against the Japanese in Korea and the suppression of Yang Yinglong in Bozhou had nothing to do with the Xuzhou Garrison, let alone the battles against the Tartars on the northern frontier, which the Xuzhou Garrison had no connection with at all.

His uncle had left Xuzhou to seek his fortune when he was just a teenager, and Zhao Jin did not know why he had participated in so many battles.

Zhao Zhenxing recounted in great detail his battles against the Japanese pirates, the Miao soldiers in the southwest, and the Tartars, as well as the internal conflicts and suppression of rebellions, even the private feuds. Despite his average eloquence, the stories he told were all from his own experiences, and they were thrilling to hear. At first, Zhao Jin thought his uncle was just reminiscing, but after each story, they would practice martial arts, and Zhao Jin realized his uncle was trying to impart his experience to him.

In the autumn of the 42nd year of the Wanli era, when Zhao Jin was 14, Zhao Zhenxing found a halberd somewhere and taught Zhao Jin for two months. By this time, Zhao Jin had already made some progress in martial arts and noticed that his uncle's skills with the halberd were quite mediocre, and his movements were rather stiff.

In November of that year, Zhao Zhenxing fell ill. Zhao Jin and his parents were prepared for this, as Zhao Zhenxing's health had been declining for years, and this day was inevitable.

Even after falling ill, Zhao Zhenxing remained relatively lucid. He carefully instructed Zhao Jin to lock the doors of the shop to prevent anyone from breaking in. Zhao Jin followed his instructions, but he was extremely worried, thinking that his second uncle must be delirious, wondering if he thought the shop was still being watched by someone else.

Zhao Zhenxing was taken to Zhao Zhentang's house. Zhao Zhentang, who was well-off, was willing to spend money to treat his brother, but it was Zhao Zhenxing himself who dissuaded him, saying from his sickbed, "I've known this day would come, so don't waste money on me, Brother."

Zhao Zhentang scolded his brother harshly and then invited famous doctors from Xuzhou. After diagnosing him, they all agreed: "His physical weakness is due to old injuries, and he can no longer hold on. He can only be sustained for a few more days with medicine."

Zhao Zhenxing took all the prescribed medicines and many tonics and pills brought back from Yangzhou and Nanjing, but his condition did not improve. Everyone finally realized that the doctors were right.

Days passed, and Zhao Zhenxing's coughing worsened, and he slept more and more. However, he still urged Zhao Jin to practice martial arts every day, inquired about his daily sparring, and told him stories from his past.

In the first month of the 43rd year of the Wanli era, Zhao Zhenxing's spirits improved a bit, and the whole family happily celebrated the New Year. In the second month, Zhao Zhenxing passed away.

The memorial hall was set up in Zhao Zhentang's house. As the direct nephew and the only male junior, Zhao Jin wore mourning clothes to see his uncle off.

"Someone has arrived!" The person at the door announced, and Zhao Jin, kneeling, bowed mechanically.

Among the guests who came to pay their respects, only a few knew Zhao Zhenxing; most were there out of respect for Zhao Zhentang.

First, Zhao Zhentang's colleagues from the yamen and the minor officials from the six departments came to offer incense and money. Then, the leading figures from the three teachings and nine streams in Xuzhou also came to pay their respects.

Zhao Jin's friends also came. At 15, they were already of an age to marry and have children, and their interactions with Zhao Jin had become more formal.

"Why can't I go to the execution ground? Why do they say I have a heavy aura that will offend the spirits? I can't even accompany my brother."

During the exchange of courtesies, the sound of Zhao Zhentang's drunken ramblings could be heard from the side room. Because executioners were considered to have a heavy blood aura and were not allowed to enter the memorial hall, this made Zhao Zhentang, who was already in a bad mood, even more depressed, and he called a few friends to drink with him.

The father's complaints, the mother's sobs, the oppressive and eerie atmosphere of the memorial hall, and even the numbness in his knees from kneeling—none of these things mattered to Zhao Jin. He was constantly recalling his uncle's last words.

After falling ill, Zhao Zhenxing clearly knew his end was near. He calmly began to arrange his affairs, and even during this time, he did not stop urging Zhao Jin.

"Brother, Sister-in-law, Xiao Jin is a smart and determined boy. In the future, when you encounter problems, listen to his advice."

"All my possessions will be left to Xiao Jin."

Zhao Zhenxing's instructions to his brother and sister-in-law were brief, and most of his words were directed at Zhao Jin. Zhao Zhentang and He Cuihua were not surprised, as Zhao Zhenxing and Zhao Jin were both uncle and nephew and master and disciple. In Zhao Zhenxing's eyes, who had no wife or children, Zhao Jin was probably already seen as a son.

When only the two of them were left in the room, Zhao Zhenxing, lying weakly, said, "Xiao Jin, let me tell you about my past..."

Although Zhao Zhenxing had not mentioned much, over the years, Zhao Jin had guessed the general outline.

The story was similar to what he had guessed. His father and uncle had a hard life when they were young, but they both believed that martial arts could lead to success.

Both brothers were good at martial arts, but it did not help their lives. To practice martial arts, they could not fully focus on farming, which was a burden to the family. The family worked hard all year but did not gain much, and because of their status as a hundred-household, they were also blamed for exploiting the military households.

After a group fight, the upper echelons of the Xuzhou Garrison thought Zhao Zhenxing was outstanding and wanted him to inherit the position of hundred-household. Zhao Zhenxing did not want to compete with his brother for the position, nor did he want to continue to be a burden to the family. Moreover, Zhao Zhenxing could sense that all positions in the garrison were hereditary, and Xuzhou, being in the heartland, would not see any battles, leaving no chance for advancement.

Since there were no opportunities in the Xuzhou Garrison, Zhao Zhenxing went to other places where the Ming Dynasty was waging wars, such as the Nine Borders. There were many opportunities there because of the frequent battles. Brave and skilled soldiers could be selected as personal guards or household troops of military officers, and they could achieve military glory and be appointed as generals.

Zhao Zhenxing first went to Liaodong to join the army and served under the command of Li Ruzong, a general in the Liaodong Garrison. He participated in the campaign to suppress the Japanese in Korea and achieved many merits, but he found that as an outsider, he had no chance of being promoted to a general.

In Liaodong, all the benefits went to the Li family, and outsiders had no share. Not only Zhao Zhenxing, a common soldier, but even other troops outside the Liaodong system were severely marginalized.

Disappointed, Zhao Zhenxing left Liaodong and went to Datong, but he soon realized that Datong was no different from Liaodong. The system in the Nine Borders had become the same as the inland garrisons. To be appointed as a general, it did not matter how brave or wise you were; what mattered was your background. If you were from a military family or had a hereditary position, you would be promoted quickly. Without these, your merits would only benefit others.

Unwilling to give up, Zhao Zhenxing went to the southwest. The court mobilized over 200,000 troops to suppress the rebellion of Yang Yinglong in Bozhou, but Zhao Zhenxing's experience there was the same as before.

During the battle, Zhao Zhenxing was injured by a poisoned arrow. Although he received timely treatment, he was left with an old injury and had to return to Xuzhou in disappointment.

Recalling the past, Zhao Zhenxing's face showed no emotion, only a deep sadness.

In fact, Zhao Jin had heard many of these stories in bits and pieces while learning martial arts, and this time, they were just connected.

"Xiao Jin, when I was your age, I thought that with a set of skills, I could achieve great things. But look at me now, full of old injuries, and I have accomplished nothing." Zhao Zhenxing's voice was hoarse, and he spoke with great seriousness.

When his second uncle, who was so serious and focused when teaching martial arts, said such things, Zhao Jin remained silent. Zhao Zhenxing turned over with difficulty and looked at Zhao Jin, saying earnestly, "Xiao Jin, you are still young. It's not too late to change. Follow your father as a bailiff. It may not sound good, but it will ensure a comfortable life without worries."

"I will not give up on martial arts!" Zhao Jin replied resolutely.