Chapter 174: The Martial Master's Demise (Two chapters in one)
Since Pingyang Town was changed to Pingyang County, and it is likely to replace Huaiyin Prefecture in the future, the whole atmosphere is completely different.
Except for the eldest senior brother who had never been seen in the Western Army, several senior brothers who did not live nearby had moved to Pingyang County one after another.
Liang Qu visited all the places along the way, and it didn't take him even an hour.
After bidding farewell to his last senior brother Yu, Liang Qu walked along the street into a shop, where the shelves were filled with a dazzling array of lacquerware.
"Shopkeeper Wang, has the big item I wanted been delivered?"
"Hey, Lord Liang!"
The shopkeeper walked out from behind the counter, told the servants, and personally served tea and greeted, "Master Liang, you have come at the right time. The Huanghuali Lanqi I told you about last night was just delivered this morning. Please take a look at it. Are you satisfied?"
As they were talking, two servants came in from the backyard carrying a vermilion wooden frame and placed it on the ground.
A wooden square carved board with a double-sided frame underneath. Both sides of the board are painted, with a black background and red edges, outlining dark red cloud and dragon patterns.
The front of the square board has three rows of curved wooden hooks, with one in the center of the top row and two in each of the middle and lower rows.
Yang Dongxiong was a great tiger hunter, so Liang Qu couldn't give him anything really useful and he could only choose big items from the small categories.
The so-called Lanqi is a horizontal weapon rack. A sword, a knife or even a spear will do, and it can be placed horizontally or vertically on it.
Ordinary warriors have vertical display racks at home, made of mediocre wood, and it is impossible to paint them. Only nobles would use lacquerware.
There is an endless stream of nobles and illustrious families, and Lanqi is a term for a prominent family.
The last time he went to Yang's house, he saw that Yang Dongxiong's orchid was a little old, and he kept it in mind.
It was glossy in color, and looked elegant and beautiful. Liang Qu touched Lan Qi and nodded continuously. It was much better than the one he had at home.
"how much is it?"
The shopkeeper laughed and said, "If it were someone else, this Lanqi would cost at least a hundred taels, but a good horse needs a good saddle, and a good boat needs a good sail. Since it's Lord Liang who wants it, I'll reduce the price to eighty-eight taels! How do you think?"
Eighty-eight taels of silver could buy nearly 100 dan of grain in normal times, and not counting other things, it would be enough for a family of six to eat for three years.
Liang Qu bared his teeth.
Lacquerware is expensive. A good lacquer plate is worth several taels of silver. If the patterns and carvings are good, the price can easily exceed double digits.
The materials used in the Lanqi in front of me are excellent, the paint is also good, the patterns are exquisite, and the piece is large, weighing eighty-eight taels.
The shopkeeper was right, he really gave him a cheap price.
"Okay, I want it!"
"Okay, I'll pack it up and send it to your house?"
The shopkeeper took the banknote without even looking at it and put it in his arms.
"Shopkeeper, don't you want to check whether it's real or not?"
"No need! Sir Liang is a famous young hero in Pingyang County. He was famous in Pingyang County when he challenged the enemy in March. I went to see him the other day. He was clean, neat, and handsome. I don't know how many girls he charmed."
The shopkeeper tied up Lan Qi with a red rope and pulled out an end of the rope that could be lifted up.
"My son has also studied martial arts under Master Yang for two or three years, and is now a second-level martial artist.
Although I can't compare to the adults, compared to the neighbors around me, I have achieved something, and I can gain some face when I go out...
Take it, come often in the future, leave a message for what you want, and I'll keep the good ones for you. If you don't like them, it's okay, we know a lot of people in business, and I'll go find them for you somewhere else."
"Manager Wang is too polite."
Liang Qu bowed.
Yang Mansion.
When the doorman saw that it was Mr. Jiu, he opened the door and let Liang Qu in. After hearing the purpose of the visit, he ran forward to report.
Two servants came up and took Lan Qi, following Liang Qu.
When Liang Qu walked to the hall, Yang Dongxiong and Xu were already sitting on his left and right.
He stepped over the threshold and bowed.
"Disciple Liang Qu greets Master and Master's Wife!"
"sit."
Yang Dongxiong stretched out his hand and a maid came forward to make tea.
"Why did you think of coming here today? What difficulties did you encounter?"
"I only have one happy event to share with Master and his wife."
Liang Qu looked back and saw two servants carrying Lan Qi into the hall.
"Lanqi?" Yang Dongxiong stood up, knocked and picked up the wood, "Huanghuali wood?"
"Master, you have a keen eye!" Liang Qu said with a smile, "I noticed that Master's Lanqi looked a little old a few days ago, so I took the initiative to bring you a new one."
Mrs. Xu smiled and said, "What kind of happy event is this expensive gift for? Why are you being so attentive? Are you attracted to a girl and want us to be your matchmaker?"
Liang Qu blushed slightly: "Master's wife said that it is only natural for a disciple to respect his master."
Haven’t you seen that there is a rule in the carpentry trade that after becoming an apprentice, you have to serve your master and his wife in eating, drinking, defecating and urinating. It takes five years to learn how to make benches, and ten years to learn how to make tables.
How many decades are there in life?
After carrying shit and urine for ten years, you only learned how to make a table?
Yang Dongxiong truly regarded him as his disciple, and he sincerely respected his master.
If Yang Dongxiong had not given him a platform, Liang Qu would still be hanging around in Yixing City, singing only lotus flower opera everywhere. Oh, to sing lotus flower opera one has to find a master.
Yang Dongxiong felt very relieved and sat back in his armchair.
"What's the happy event?"
"Master, I know that I am working at the Hebo Office. At the beginning of this month, I was ordered to go to Fengbu County to solve the problem of a water monster injuring people. Unexpectedly, there was another story. It turned out that the monster was not a real monster, but a person pretending to be one."
Liang Qu briefly introduced the history of the rise of the two brothers Liu Jie and Liu Yi.
These included sending people to disguise as monsters to kill people, sink ships, and using fishing pens to control the livelihoods of tens of thousands of fishermen in the entire county.
“My disciples have killed all the Liu brothers, and the entire Fengbu County is being thoroughly investigated by the three judicial departments.
Big Brother Xu took good care of me, and counted the investigation of the case and the suppression of the bandits separately, rewarding me with two great merits, as well as a chance of promotion, some silver, and a black iron bow.
There is one more thing, my disciple has broken through the blood barrier and has been certified as a martial arts master!"
Martial arts master, martial arts master, can be a teacher.
Being able to reach the fourth level of martial arts master is definitely a great joy.
"According to what you said, this Whale Gang has committed many evil things, so it is not unjust to kill them!"
Yang Dongxiong is not a person who can't tolerate any sand in his eyes, but the Whale Gang is no longer sand, but stones!
"To be able to become this big, most of the people in the county government are just a bunch of snakes and rats."
"I think so too."
Yang Dongxiong looked at Liang Qu and said with a smile: "The fate was indeed measured correctly that day. It is like a dragon in the water. If it travels to another county, it will definitely cause chaos!"
Liang Qu chuckled.
"I have gained a lot from this trip. Not only Master, but also my brothers and sisters have prepared gifts."
After saying that, he took out a wooden box the size of his palm from his arms.
The small wooden box is unremarkable, made of the most common poplar wood, which is completely different from huanghuali.
Xu took the box and joked, "You gave your master a huge piece of Huanghuali lacquerware, but gave me only a small wooden box? Did you buy some jewelry on the way to get rid of me?"
Liang Qu cried out: "Master's wife has wronged me. If I sell this item, it will be more expensive than Master's Lanqi!"
After hearing this, Yang Dongxiong was quite curious: "What's inside?"
"Master's wife, just open it and you will know."
Xu opened the wooden box.
Inside the square wooden box, there was a round pearl the size of a fist!
No wonder it's so heavy.
Xu looked at Liang Qu in surprise, and then observed it carefully.
The surface of the pearl is covered with a layer of dazzling silver luster. If you look closely, you can see the delicate texture hidden under the luster, and the flame-like texture can be seen in the sunlight.
This pearl is an excellent treasure in terms of both quality and color.
Nan Di, who was serving at the side, was so happy that her eyes lit up.
Yang Dongxiong stood up and said, "Such a big pearl? No, it's not iridescent, it's an ivory ball?"
Xu obviously knows more about jewelry than Yang Dongxiong: "It is a giant clam pearl. It does not have the iridescence of pearls but has fire. Only a small number of high-quality giant clam pearls can form flame patterns.
Moreover, it is so round and smooth, just like a carved one, which is even more precious than the fire. Did you buy it?"
"I can't afford it." Liang Qu shook his head. "I found it by chance in the water. It was free. I didn't spend a penny."
Ordinary giant clams have no intelligence and the pearls they produce are all strange in shape.
Old giant clams are different. Intelligent creatures have their own aesthetics, just like toads like big ships.
The old giant clam was unhappy because the bead plate was not round. Every pearl looked like it was carved, with perfect proportions.
Yang Dongxiong was amazed: "How strange! Can ordinary giant clams really produce such round beads? Could it be a spiritual monster?" Liang Qu smiled and said nothing.
Yang Dongxiong understood that everyone has their own opportunities and there is no need to ask more questions.
"What do you think, Master's wife? Is it better than Master's Lanqi?"
Xu couldn't let go of the pearl. She held it in her hands and waved to Liang Qu to come over.
Liang Qu moved forward and was poked on the forehead by a finger. He cooperated by covering his forehead and fell backwards.
"Why did Master's Wife poke my forehead? It hurts so much."
"I didn't realize you were such a good pleasing person. You put such a precious treasure in a broken wooden box and gave it to an old woman like me?
If you get married in the future, this bead will be the best betrothal gift. Who wouldn’t be fooled? Look at Nan Di, her eyes are fixed on him.”
Nan Di, who was standing by, covered her red face and poked Xu's shoulder with her finger.
"lady……"
"You really are giving it away carelessly. I will keep it for you first, and I will return it to you when you get married."
"No need to do that, no need to do that, I have more than..."
Xu narrowed her eyes slightly: "Is there something better?"
Liang Qu coughed but did not deny it.
There are several beads of similar size from old giant clams. Once you get more familiar with them, it won’t be a problem to get two more.
Yang Dongxiong was stunned.
"You kid, are you really born and raised in water? All the treasures fall into your hands?"
"Master, you are so kind. Thank you so much."
Yang Dongxiong shook his head. He could no longer see clearly the ninth disciple he had accepted by chance.
He turned around and gave a few instructions to the maid, then looked at Liang Qu.
"I killed a sturgeon before and asked someone to refine the bones into pills. In total, I made 142 pills.
Excluding the cost of refining the elixir, the auxiliary medicines in the main, secondary, and assistant elixirs will make 78 pills. I will give you 18 pills in proportion. I will make the decision myself and make it a total of 20 pills for you."
The maid came forward carrying a tray, on which were two palm-sized pot-bellied medicine bottles, each containing ten pills.
Liang Qu took it with both hands and bowed again.
"Thank you, Master."
"No need to say more, this is what you deserve."
"Master, I actually have one more thing to say."
Liang Qu looked around, the meaning was self-evident.
"Come on, let's go to the yard and talk."
In April, the courtyard is full of lush vegetation, with tender green buds sprouting everywhere. There is a fresh scent of vegetation, mixed with the faint fragrance of plums. I'm afraid they will be ripe in a few days.
"What do you have to avoid talking about?"
Yang Dongxiong walked in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, picking off an old branch from the top so that new buds could grow more luxuriantly.
I don't know why, but if the old branches at the top are not pinched off, the new buds will not grow out.
Liang Qu knew what was going on, but he didn't explain: "Disciple learned a new technique yesterday."
"A new technique?" Yang Dongxiong turned around. "Is it better than the Wansheng Baoyuan technique?"
"Yes and no. The technique is rather unique and more in line with my martial arts. It can also complement the 'Wansheng Baoyuan'."
"What's there to say? This is a good thing. You don't have to tell me specifically. It's your own ability to go far."
Yang Dongxiong didn't take it seriously. He believed that Liang Qu was not the kind of person who would turn around and become someone else's disciple. It was just a set of skills.
"That's not what I meant. It's just that the person who taught me the technique was a little special. It happened at the beginning of the month. Due to that person's strength and status, he didn't tell me yet..."
Liang Qu briefly explained the old monk's origins.
He didn't know whether the old monk was the Grandmaster Zhenxiang, but he was definitely very strong.
Regardless of whether it was true or not, it was irrational to provoke a powerful person by leaking other people's information without permission, so he never said anything.
To this day, Liang Qu feels that the two of them get along well. This morning he asked the old monk if he could tell others about his story. The old monk just said not to publicize it.
"Zhen Xiang? Evil monk?"
Yang Dongxiong didn't expect that a master-level figure had come to Pingyang County without his knowledge.
"I have been with him for half a month and I feel that he is not a bad person. What he said must be true. Master, you must be careful of the evil monk hiding in the dark."
Yang Dongxiong nodded: "You have suffered a lot since childhood, so you are very brave and should have your own way of judging. I believe in your judgment.
Since the other party is a master, I'd better not contact him rashly, otherwise it will only cause unpleasantness. It's just a matter of martial arts, I can't help you with it.
If the Grandmaster really favors you, it is your chance, so don't ruin this friendship. Whether it is good or evil, you should be more careful and not be too greedy and lose your mind."
"Disciple, please remember this."
"Have you changed your military status?"
"I came back in a hurry."
"Then change it immediately. You are an official now, so you don't care about the benefits, but you have to abide by the rules."
Martial artists at the fourth level can go to the county government to change their household registration, have a certain tax-free share, and receive a small amount of silver subsidy every month.
Liang Qu is now an official and does not have a large amount of land under his name, so he does not care whether he pays taxes or not, but this kind of registration itself is a management method.
The impact of evil deeds committed by a fourth-level martial artist is much greater than that of an ordinary person, and requires a certain degree of control.
"Yes, Master, I will take my leave now."
"Go."
Not even a moment.
Liang Qu stood in front of the county government office. Several strong men pushed the door open and stood in two rows and bowed.
"My lord, please come in."
If ordinary people come here, they would be lucky if they are not beaten and driven away.
But Liang Qu had a badge hanging around his waist. Although it was not an official uniform, the clothes he wore were not something that ordinary people could afford.
Having been an official for generations, no one would be so shortsighted.
Liang Qu stepped in. The front and back buildings of the county government were all newly built, and a slight smell of paint could still be smelled in the air.
Walking around the screen wall with a greedy beast carved on it, there is a group of pavilions and towers. In the distance, there is a three-story wooden house with upturned eaves. On the walls on both sides, there are all kinds of patterns.
The setting sun shines on the wall, casting a half yellow light.
Although it is said to be newly built, it also has the county magistrate's office, the chief clerk's office, the registrar's office, the east and west flower halls, the Yin Hotel, and the restaurant.
It faces south, with the civil department on the left and the military department on the right, the court in front and the bedroom in the back, and the prison room in the south.
Liang Qushu’s reading was not in vain. Following the “formula”, he easily found the main room called “Hufang” in the east.
There was only a minor clerk in a black robe in the main room, leaning over the desk, writing official documents with a wolf-hair brush. When he saw Liang Qu coming, he hurriedly stood up to greet him.
"I wonder why this gentleman is here?"
"Fourth-level martial artist, come and register."
"Can you leave your name?"
"Liang Qu was originally from Yixing City and was a fisherman by birth."
The clerk hurriedly took out a large volume of "Civil Register" and found the corresponding file according to what Liang Qu said.
"sixteen?"
The clerk looked up in surprise.
Liang Qu was over five feet five centimeters tall, with a handsome appearance. In addition, his official position was eighth grade, so he was thought to be a young man. He never expected him to be so young.
Sixteen years old, from the eighth rank, fourth level martial artist...
"Your Excellency may sit aside and rest for a while."
The clerk dared not delay any longer, so he brought a chair, drew a red circle behind Liang Qu's column with a cinnabar pen, took out another thinner booklet, and copied Liang Qu's information into it.
Nothing to prove.
With just one word from Liang Qu, he became a martial arts master at the fourth level and was registered as a military officer.
Although he never concealed his own aura, aura can be faked.
By taking some special pills, it is easy to create an aura that exceeds one's own strength.
Just because of the eighth-rank He Bo waist badge on Liang Qu, all the checks and proofreading were tacitly skipped by the clerks.
By the time Liang Qu had finished his work and left, it was already three quarters past 5 .
(End of this chapter)
