Learning Martial Arts Is Difficult

With no one bothering him, Chen Sanshi lived a peaceful life.

For five consecutive days, he followed a routine: hunt in the mountains, sell to the restaurant, and sleep at home.

As for Qin Xiong...

His corpse was gnawed down to a skeleton by wolves the very next day. Qin Xiong even managed to shoot and kill a few of them in the process.

"One rabbit, six catties; two pheasants, five catties and three taels; plus a 50-catty roe deer..."

Eight Treasures Restaurant.

Chen Sanshi, like a quest NPC in a game, habitually came here to sell his game.

The shopkeeper, Liu Hongda, clacked his abacus. "Exactly one tael of silver. Next!"

One tael of silver, if it weren't for the inflated prices during these chaotic times, would be enough to support an ordinary family for a month.

But he remained calm, having earned seven taels of silver at once not long ago.

It was just a shame that wild boars weren't easy to find.

"If only I could go to North Mountain!"

"Uncle Zhao and the others say that in the real deep mountains, there's still a chance to find 'exotic beasts.' One can fetch over ten taels, or even sky-high prices!"

"It's a pity I don't have any connections..."

North of Second Mountain was completely dominated by martial artists. If country hunters dared to go there, at best they'd be beaten, scolded, and have their prey stolen. At worst, they could lose their lives. They were incredibly overbearing!

"I still need to inquire about the martial arts schools."

With that thought, Chen Sanshi didn't rush off.

After waiting for about half an hour, he saw Zhang Shun arrive with a fish basket to make his delivery.

As soon as martial arts schools were mentioned, Shunzi started cursing. "Brother, don't even bring it up! Those two never intended to help me. They just scammed me for free food and drinks, costing me a full two taels of silver. But..."

He lowered his voice. "I didn't let them off easy either. Yesterday, I used a trap to douse them both in night soil. It was a small way to vent my anger!"

"Did they know it was you?"

Chen Sanshi was a little worried.

During his trips to the county town, he had encountered many disciples from martial arts schools. They were all arrogant and unreasonable, with some even beating up ordinary people on the street for no reason.

Shunzi's method of disgusting them might bring trouble upon himself.

Some things, you either don't do them at all, or you do them completely.

"Don't worry, they didn't see me."

Zhang Shun changed the subject. "By the way, Brother, aren't you also planning to learn martial arts? Do you have any plans?"

Chen Sanshi shook his head. "What about you?"

"Sigh, I'm worried too," Zhang Shun said with a sigh. "Besides the four major martial arts schools, the rest in the county town aren't much better. The most crucial part is that you have to work as a laborer for two years just to get in. Without three to five years, don't even think about learning real skills."

"But what can we do? I'm still planning to find a martial arts school with a better reputation to try."

This was basically the same situation Chen Sanshi had learned about.

In this world, it was difficult to get ahead through studying, and even harder through martial arts.

In short, the common people were not meant to have good lives!

It was absolutely impossible for him to spend three to five years in a garbage martial arts school.

Besides martial arts schools, there was actually one other place to learn martial arts...

The Garrison!

But becoming a military men meant going to the battlefield to fight enemies, especially with the current chaos.

He'd go ask first.

Chen Sanshi said goodbye to Shunzi and went to the market to find Old Xu.

Upon hearing his question, the old man couldn't help but chuckle. "How much silver does it cost to become a military men?

"Little Stone, are you silly? It doesn't cost a single cent to become a military men. They even pay you!

"The Garrison wants to recruit people, but how many are willing to go?"

The Great Sheng Dynasty had a history of over 350 years.

After Emperor Taizu founded the nation, he implemented the Garrison and Commandery system.

Simply put, it was a system of military farming.

Seven parts farming, three parts defense.

At the beginning of the dynasty, Great Sheng had three million military mens, and they were self-sufficient.

Emperor Taizu once said, "The soldiers of our Great Sheng need not eat a single grain from the common people."

"It can be so similar?"

Chen Sanshi couldn't help but recall a ruthless figure from his past life who, with just a bowl in hand at the start, managed to conquer the empire.

Just like the Great Ming, the Great Sheng's garrison system had gradually become corrupt over time, teetering on the brink of collapse.

Fifty years ago, the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet had pushed for reforms, which forcibly extended its lifespan to the present day.

But judging by Old Xu's tone, the reforms hadn't been thorough. They were merely maintaining appearances, while in reality, the system was still on the verge of collapse.

'Three hundred and fifty years is already quite a long time.'

'After all, the Great Ming didn't even last three hundred years.'

'Why did the Great Sheng Dynasty last seventy years longer than the Great Ming? Was it because they didn't have exchange students as emperors?'

'Or is it because this world has martial artists who suppress things with force, extending its lifespan?'

'...'

Old Xu said, "Little Stone, do you want to learn martial arts?"

Chen Sanshi remained silent, implying assent.

"If you just want to strengthen your body, the martial arts schools in Poyang County can satisfy you. But if you truly want to enter the hall of martial arts, they won't be enough."

"You either join a major sect at the prefectural level;"

"Or you join the army."

"But in all the world, is there any sect larger and stronger than the imperial court?"

Old Xu said earnestly, "Child, think it over carefully. If you really want to join the army, your uncle can get you in."

"But with all this chaos and war, why join the army?"

"Let me tell you honestly, old man, it's best to just live a peaceful life as a commoner."

"Like my foolish son, always thinking of achieving fame and success, without even considering if he has the destiny for it. Sigh~"

"Thank you for your guidance, Uncle."

Chen Sanshi cupped his hands and took his leave.

This was indeed something he needed to think about carefully.

He walked home, his mind heavy with thoughts.

Before he even reached the village entrance, he heard noisy arguments coming from within.

A young man in a dark blue robe, with a sword at his waist, was leading four or five people, stopping villagers and questioning everyone they met, as if searching for someone.

With Chen Sanshi's hearing, he could clearly make out their conversation from a distance. However, he didn't hide and walked over openly, only to be stopped as expected.

"Brother, please wait a moment."

The young man leading them was dignified and spoke politely, but his eyes held a hint of disdain. "Have you seen my elder brother, Qin Xiong?"

"Brother Qin?"

Chen Sanshi's expression was natural. "I saw him a few days ago. What's wrong?"

Qin Feng said coldly, "My elder brother has been missing for five days, and there's been no news since."

"Missing? That's impossible!"

Chen Sanshi looked genuinely surprised. "How could Brother Qin go missing when he was fine?"

Qin Feng shook his head. "If you hear anything, please let me know."

"Hiss..."

Chen Sanshi stroked his chin. "A few days ago, some barbarians infiltrated Poyang County and killed the County Magistrate. I don't know if this is related."

Qin Feng ignored him and turned to question the next person.

'I wonder how Qin Xiong's younger brother is doing with his martial arts.'

'The disciples beside him are all calling him 'Senior Brother,' so he seems to hold a high position.'

'If I were to ambush him, could I kill him with a single arrow?'

'I really need to learn martial arts!'

Chen Sanshi pushed open the door to his home, but he didn't smell the familiar aroma of cooking food.

"Lan Jie'er isn't back yet?"

"That's strange."

It wasn't until half an hour later that hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

"Shi Ge'er!"

"What happened?" Chen Sanshi asked.

"Tax collectors... collecting taxes..."

Gu Xinlan leaned against the doorframe, panting, struggling to speak.

Chen Sanshi remembered that today was the last day for tax payment.

Around this time every year, the tax collectors would come with people from the yamen to inventory everything. Those who couldn't pay their taxes would be taken away to do hard labor.

"Don't rush, speak slowly."

Gu Xinlan said intermittently, "Aunt Li... Shi Ge'er, hurry and take a look. Aunt Li's family can't afford the taxes and they're going to be arrested!"