The Current State of Yan Country
As a city built on a mountain, Shangshu has many overpasses and stairs to balance the difference in elevation. Feng Xue easily found an overpass close to the square, spread out her small blanket, and took out Stone Pier to place under her elbow for support.
Taking out her phone, Feng Xue made minor adjustments to the IP address and connected to the Yan Kingdom's network. A wealth of interesting information began to appear before her eyes.
The top Hot Search List was criticism of the reality show "Approaching Science".
Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the "Approaching Science" program, which was already preparing to be discontinued, had exposed the "national physical fitness enhancement" campaign that began in mid-December. While suppressing comments about a "Spiritual Energy Revival," they also used various arguments to explain to the public why this was happening.
"A decrease in Earth's gravity caused by a special celestial phenomenon creates the illusion of increased physical strength..."
"Special Cosmic Rays from a supernova that exploded in the distant universe some time ago swept across East Asia, specifically killing certain microorganisms and causing some diseases to heal without medication..."
"Abnormal sunspot activity leads to subtle changes in the Solar Spectrum, which affects sensory organs, including the Biological Clock, creating a collective illusion..."
"Tsk, it's amazing they can come up with so many seemingly plausible reasons." Feng Xue grinned, knowing this was to avoid Weird Tale like "Spiritual Energy Revival."
However, Feng Xue, who personally experienced the formation of the Weird Tale that "Yan Country People Know Martial Arts," understands that unless someone creates Phantom Object related to "spiritual energy" and successfully defines the concept of spiritual energy through recognition by a certain number of people, the Weird Tale the Spiritual Energy Revival will always remain just a rumor.
Skipping over the news about "Approaching Science," Feng Xue began surfing the internet intensively, with all sorts of news and old stories flashing before his eyes, viral memes, popular celebrities, and policy changes all within his observation range.
Then he discovered something interesting--
The authorities have issued a series of regulations requiring the standardization of various martial arts schools and venues. Regardless of whether you are Taekwondo, a karate practitioner, Sanda, a boxer, or a practitioner of traditional martial arts, you must first obtain a Martial Arts License if you want to work in related industries.
The specific rules are roughly the same as those for taking a driver's license test:
The Subject One covers theory, and the content is basically Combat Knowledge, including details of various joint techniques, paper-based endgame simulations, and some combat taboos. There are multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions. The content is not too difficult, and even if you don't know it before, it shouldn't be too difficult if you study it carefully.
The Subject Two of the driving test is a basic physical test, which is basically a physical test. It includes things like boxing, kicking, and explosive power. You are graded according to your physical fitness level (height, weight, body fat percentage, etc.), and you can pass if you meet the corresponding standard.
The Subject Three of the driving test involves a one-on-one battle with an officially assigned Coach. Victory is not required, but demonstrating sufficient Combat Power is essential to pass. The entire battle is recorded and archived, and the Coach will be held accountable if any problems arise.
The Subject Four tests Martial Ethics. It's also a competition. If you can pass the first three rounds, you can basically pass this one unless someone is deliberately trying to cause trouble.
That's what they say, but online discussions about this exam are overwhelmingly about failing.
It's not that there are no people who can obtain a legitimate Martial Arts License, but these people are either long-established martial arts schools that rarely move around and often appear in clusters; or they are not martial arts school owners but work as martial arts school Coach, actors, martial arts choreographers, or even national athletes. In fact, quite a few stuntmen have increased their salaries significantly thanks to this license.
However, these people are still few in number compared to the national martial arts market, and most of them are concentrated in specific cities and regions. This has led to the closure of a large number of martial arts schools across the country, and has even provoked diplomatic protests from Korea.
Of course, this involved the livelihoods of many people, so the authorities later made some concessions, adding a performance-type "Routine License" in addition to the "Martial Arts License". With this license, one can open a routine-type martial arts school, but it must be clearly stated in the school's signboard, enrollment forms, and contracts.
Looking at these contents, Feng Xue finally gained a clearer understanding of the young man's complaints from before.
Although many martial arts schools closed down, a wave of kung fu fever swept through the public, and kung fu seemed to have become a code for popularity.
On video websites, some kung fu masters who "disdain certification" have begun to appear, and various forums have started to explore the intricacies of martial arts. Even the elderly people who used to dance in public squares have started practicing Tai Chi again.
Of course, things have both good and bad aspects. The most obvious change is that public security has deteriorated slightly.
It's a good thing that ordinary people are in better health, but those who are already restless will become even more so.
Moreover, these petty thieves and robbers are inherently brave and ruthless, and have more experience in fighting. If the physical improvement of ordinary people adds 1 to their Combat Power, then theirs adds 1.5 or even more.
A quick scroll through Feng Xue's Weibo account reveals numerous posts about fights, robberies, and thefts, as well as police reports on cases.
"No matter what, change always brings growing pains," Feng Xue sighed. Feeling uncomfortable sitting so upright for too long, she adjusted the Orca Pillow, sitting on the orca's tail and leaning against it. She immediately felt much more comfortable.
"Click!" Not long after Feng Xue adjusted her posture, the sound of a camera shutter reached her ears. Feng Xue looked up in surprise and saw a young woman riding by on a bicycle pointing her phone at her.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean any harm..." When the woman saw Feng Xue look up, her face immediately turned a little red. She quickly got off the Electric Bike, rummaged in her pocket, but only managed to pull out a few coins. Although she was a little embarrassed, she still put the money next to Feng Xue.
Without giving Feng Xue a chance to speak, he ran away as fast as he could.
Feng Xue simply smiled at this, casually flicked a wisp of Internal Force onto the woman, and then picked up the money from the ground. Although he didn't need the meager sum, he considered it a way to make a good connection.
Liu Qi finished his hour-long horse stance, feeling only soreness in his waist and legs, but he didn't complain at all. Normally, after standing for an hour like that, he should have been sitting on the ground by now, but he could still walk normally.
"A master! That beggar... oops! That uncle was definitely a legendary Martial Arts Master! Damn it, why didn't I ask him to be my apprentice on the spot!"
As Liu Qi rubbed his aching back and walked into the house, he regretted not seizing the opportunity.
He poured himself a bowl of slightly cold congee, then went to his computer to browse Weibo and Bilibili. As a writer, keeping up with the news is part of his job; otherwise, how can you expect to get "current affairs" comments if you don't even know what new memes are circulating?
However, not long after he opened Weibo, a photo immediately caught his attention. The melancholy eyes, the stubble, and the striking red orca all confirmed to him that it was the same uncle from before!
He quickly turned his gaze to the headline, which read:
"A snapshot I took on my way to work today, he's just so handsome..."
The book is set in early 2013, while mobile payment only became widespread in mid-2013, so people still had money in their pockets at that time.