Chapter 513: Sworn Brotherhood, Witness
On the second day, Ma Fang brought the latest news about martial arts.
“After listening to the teacher’s class, those students debated privately for a long time. They all said they benefited a lot, to the point that…” Ma Fang looked at the teacher who was petting the cat.
"To what extent?" Jiang Qingzhi asked.
"Some people even said that it was worth coming to the martial arts school just for this class." Seeing the teacher's calm expression, Ma Fang couldn't help but feel ashamed of his excitement. "Many of those students wanted to become your disciples. They privately approached the disciples to ask about this matter."
Jiang Qingzhi held a cigarette in his mouth, "What do you think?"
Ma Fang hesitated for a moment, and Jiang Qingzhi slapped him. He didn't dare to dodge and was hit hard.
"Are you trying to play tricks on me?" Jiang Qingzhi scolded with a smile, "You look listless, but you are as bad as Sun Bu Tong."
“No more, no less.” It was Mo Zhan outside the door. It was rare for this man of few words to take the initiative to comment on someone.
Ma Fang covered the back of his head in embarrassment. "My disciple said that I have a lot to do. Most of it is with the Mohist School, and the rest is with the court affairs. I am busy all day long. I don't have the heart to accept disciples anymore."
"That's good to know." Jiang Qingzhi blew out a breath and blew away the ash from his cigarette butt. "Martial arts is a place to cultivate talents for the country. Whoever buys people's hearts in it... will die! I will kill him with my own hands! Do you understand?"
Ma Fang didn't expect Jiang Qingzhi to take this matter so seriously, "Yes."
"There can't be any generals in the Ming Dynasty. This is an iron rule and also the original intention of rebuilding martial arts." Jiang Qingzhi stared at Ma Fang. "If I find out who is stirring up trouble..."
Ma Fang was shocked when she learned of Jiang Qingzhi's attitude.
"Tell me!" Jiang Qingzhi leaned back in his chair, squinting his eyes and touching Duoduo's back, "Who is causing trouble?"
"Two students are forming a clique inside, and there is someone behind them." Ma Fang said, "They are hinting that if the students are willing to surrender, promotion in the army will be a piece of cake!"
Jiang Qingzhi chuckled, "You're quite arrogant."
He didn't ask if anyone was attracted to him, and Ma Fang didn't say anything either.
Human beings are selfish animals. Those who only love others and not themselves are either sick or are almost saints with sacred goals.
There are so few such people that occasionally discovering one can shock the whole world.
"When do they meet?"
"There will be a party today."
Jiang Qingzhi touched Duoduo and said, "The weather is good today. Go and tell the two princes not to hide in the palace and get moldy. Come with me to the martial arts school."
The news was first delivered to the Taoist priest.
"Martial arts?" Dao Ye asked, "Is there anything wrong with martial arts recently?"
Huang Jin said, "Yesterday, Chang Wei Bo went to teach martial arts, and I heard that there were a lot of people listening."
"Is this his first time giving martial arts lessons?"
"Yes."
"lazy!"
"Yes."
"Let the third and fourth sons go with him."
"Yes."
"Stupid kid." There was a bit more satisfaction in the Taoist's eyes.
Martial arts is a place to train military commanders, but the army should be controlled by the emperor. Anyone who uses martial arts to win people's hearts is almost committing treason.
Jiang Qingzhi asked his two nephews to go with him, and his intention was self-evident.
——Martial arts can only be the domain of emperors!
Jiang Qingzhi's attitude was consistent, and he used this action to tell Daoye...
"The Ming Dynasty cannot have military families!" Emperor Jiajing said quietly, "A military family is a disaster!"
……
The two princes had been very busy with their studies recently. They were overjoyed to learn that they could take a half-day break.
"Third brother, fourth brother!"
Changle came to bring snacks to her two brothers. Seeing the food box in her hand, Prince Yu winked at Prince Jing, who coughed dryly and said, "Father asked us to go out and do something. We will bring you a gift later. Just ask for whatever you want. I will never refuse."
"I want the clay figurines that my cousin gave me last time, the kind that have a whole family, complete with pots, pans, and utensils..."
"Small things."
"Third and fourth brothers, take this snack with you on the road!"
Faced with their enthusiastic sister, the two princes calmly took the food boxes, thanked their sister, and then left the palace.
After leaving the palace, King Jing handed the food box to Huang Jian.
“Don’t waste it!”
Huang Jian had a bitter face, but he didn't dare to refuse. He ate a piece of dessert and saw Yang Xi eating with his eyes bulging, as if he was holding his breath.
The two looked at each other and couldn't help feeling sad.
When we arrived at Xin'an Lane, Jiang Qingzhi was explaining things.
"What those people can do is limited. They don't dare to forcibly stop the construction of the biogas pool, so they can only use some shady tricks. Shady tricks can only be used against the common people who don't have much experience. Think in this direction."
Jiang Qingzhi had completely figured it out at this moment. He just needed to be prepared for many things before they happened, do his best, and then let it go. He should do what he should do. Continuing to dwell on this matter would not only be of no help, but would only increase his anxiety.
He felt that his life had reached a higher level, and he was happier to see his two nephews. "The third one looks fatter, and who took advantage of the fourth one? He has become much thinner."
Prince Yu touched his bulging belly and said, "I've been eating a lot better lately."
King Jing touched his cheek and said, "Recently, my mother made some tonic soup, saying that it can build a strong foundation and make you strong after eating it."
"Then what?" Jiang Qingzhi asked.
"I had diarrhea after eating it. My mother said it was a way to detoxify." Who is bewitching Concubine Lu?
King Jing smiled bitterly, "Mother is also drinking. I have tried to persuade her in vain, and I cannot refuse. Uncle..."
There’s nothing I can do!
Jiang Qingzhi sighed, "Just pull it! You'll understand after you've pulled it until you're exhausted."
"Know what?"
"All medicines are poisonous, and food supplements are worse than medicine supplements."
……
There is a break for martial arts today.
A group of students went shopping, some went drinking, and some went to a brothel.
The name Lanxianglou is a bit cliché, but it has a high price-performance ratio!
The girls inside are said to be of average looks, but the fees are medium to low.
Unless they were involved in corruption, martial arts students could not afford to go to high-end places, so Wang Shen and Qin Ying held the dinner here.
More than ten students were each hugging a female prostitute and were having a great time. Wang Shen and Qin Ying were sitting diagonally opposite them. They raised their glasses frequently and soon the atmosphere became lively.
Wang Shen pushed the prostitute in his arms away, and the prostitute tactfully continued to dance. The same thing happened to Qin Ying.
Wang Shen glanced at the students and whispered, "These people have eaten and drunk with us more than ten times. Now it seems that the time has come."
Qin Ying nodded, "These people have good qualifications, and are valued by His Majesty. With our help, they will surely stand out in the army in time."
Wang Shen said with some regret: "There are more than 300 students, but it's a pity that we only recruited these ten or so people."
Qin Ying said: "Don't be greedy. If you pull too many people, it will definitely arouse Jiang Qingzhi's vigilance, and then the gain will outweigh the loss."
"These people are the seeds. They will blossom and spread in the army, slowly take root, and become closely connected..." Wang Shen shook his head in disdain when he saw a student hugging a female prostitute for sex.
"Who are those people...?" Qin Ying couldn't help but ask.
"I thought you would hold it in." Wang Shen smiled, then whispered, "It's not just one person, nor a group of people. They... are everywhere."
"Aren't they the same group of people?" Qin Ying frowned. "I know that the one who can poach martial arts students must be your Majesty's enemy, that is, the scholar-officials..."
"The war between Confucianism and Mohism has begun. Now, not only the scholars, but all the educated people in the world have been involved. So, what are you worried about?" Wang Shen said with a smile.
"Yes, those people are everywhere." Qin Ying's eyes were filled with fear. "We should use culture to control force. As long as those people are here, we have to bow our heads."
"First, we must gain a firm foothold. Sooner or later, we will be able to turn the tables!" Wang Shen lowered his voice even more. "The Beijing Guards were purged, and many people suffered heavy losses. This time, they are reorganizing their plans. By the way, they said that if there is a chance to kill Jiang Qingzhi in the future, do not hesitate, just do it. Even if we are discovered, they have a way to keep us rich and powerful."
"Hiss!" Qin Ying gasped, "That's Jiang Qingzhi. Others may not know him, but don't you know how powerful he is? Altan Khan's men were defeated by him several times. This record is unique in the Ming Dynasty."
"What are you afraid of?" Wang Shen chuckled and said, "Those people don't even take the emperor seriously, let alone Jiang Qingzhi!"
"Yes, those people are everywhere, like gods!" Qin Ying shuddered.
Those people have a name: Confucianism!
"Everyone." Wang Shen clapped his hands, and after everyone turned their attention away from the prostitute, he smiled and said, "Today we are drinking and having fun here, but when I think about going our separate ways in the future, I feel heartbroken."
Qin Ying smiled and said, "But I do have a solution."
"What method?" Wang Shen asked.
When the generals knew that the main part of the play was about to begin, they all smiled and said nothing.
Qin Ying said, "Why don't we become sworn brothers and help each other from now on... What do you think?"
This is almost blatant clique formation.
Do not!
More than ten generals had strange lights flashing in their eyes.
This is forming a clique!
What is the purpose of forming a clique in the military?
There are no fools among those who are selected to study martial arts, otherwise the Ministry of War would be derelict in its duty.
Wang Shen smiled and said, "Why join the army? Isn't it for wealth and glory? More helpers... that means more paths!"
Qin Ying said: "If you don't want to, we won't force you. Please stay away for a while."
For a long time, no one moved.
This is consistent with Qin Ying and Wang Shen's judgment: this group of people can all be won over.
The two were overjoyed. Wang Shen raised his glass and said, "So, today, all the brothers... Oh, come here, bring some incense and candles!"
When brothers become sworn brothers, they naturally have to report to the gods for record.
The door opens.
When Wang Shen saw the general looking towards the gate, his face turned pale instantly.
He turned his head slowly...
Outside the door, Jiang Qingzhi smiled and said, "The Three Heroes of Peach Garden? How about I be a witness?"
Pfft!
A general stood up, then his legs went weak and he knelt down, "My Lord, your subordinate, your subordinate..."
One by one, the generals pushed away the prostitutes beside them and quickly stood up.
Jiang Qingzhi walked in.
He picked up a plate of food with a smile, and without any warning, smashed it on a general's head.
"Is this the purpose of your coming to learn martial arts?"
The general fell to the ground and twitched.
Pfft!
Pfft!
More than a dozen generals knelt down heavily, trembling all over.
In an instant, there was no one standing in the room except the frightened prostitute.
(End of this chapter)
