"Hehe, isn't that startling Brother Fang? Who asks for a touch upon first meeting? Little brother thought you were into that sort of thing. But honestly, this physique of mine, I've trained it for ten years to achieve. Feel how solid it is?"
Cheng Chumo gradually became more comfortable, he clenched his fist and showed off his biceps.
Fang Er squeezed it hard with his hand. Damn, it was truly built through ten years of training, he couldn't even budge it!
"Brother, teach me, would you? Look, brother is doing business with your father now. Without some self-defense skills, wouldn't that be a disgrace to your father?"
Fang Er indeed wanted to learn. He didn't lack money now, at least not small sums, but his body was always weak. He had to find a way to change it.
"Brother Fang, is what you say true? Can you endure the hardship of training?"
Cheng Chumo looked at Fang Er in surprise.
He came from a wealthy family, yet instead of enjoying life, he wanted to learn martial arts?
He knew his own martial arts were beaten into him by Cheng Yaojin with a staff.
He had cried in secret countless times.
Sometimes, his mother couldn't stand it and argued with Cheng Yaojin about it.
But Cheng Yaojin's reply was always the same: their Cheng family originated from humble beginnings. They shouldn't think of changing their path to become civil officials. Even if they did, it would be something for generations later. Otherwise, those noble families wouldn't just stand by and watch. How could they tolerate the son of a bandit sitting on equal footing with their centuries-old heritage!
But Fang Er was different!
He wasn't an official! He was just a commoner!
His background was very clean. If he were to become an official, based on the few matters Cheng Yaojin had mentioned to him – the unique medical treatment methods, the refinement of salt, and the unverified military intelligence.
If these three matters could truly be implemented, with Cheng Yaojin acting as his patron, getting him a county magistrate position from Li Er would surely be possible! This would be a stepping stone, a way to slowly climb up!
Cheng Chumo couldn't understand why Fang Er wanted to learn martial arts. With that energy, wouldn't it be better to read more books?
"Brother Chumo, has your father mentioned it? A few nights ago, there were intruders. If your father hadn't happened to pass by, perhaps more than a dozen lives in my Fang family would have been lost!"
Fang Er tilted his head back and looked at the sky, saying softly.
Recalling that night, Fang Er still felt lingering fear!
He didn't want such a thing to happen again!
Even if it happened again, he didn't want to be so powerless!
Zhuzi was still lying in bed!
That half-foot-long wound felt as if it had directly struck Fang Er's heart!
"Brother Fang, if you feel your guards are insufficient, how about I find some skilled men from home for you? Learning martial arts truly involves extraordinary hardship, brother is afraid you won't be able to bear it."
Cheng Chumo tried to persuade him again.
"My mind is made up. I can no longer watch my family fall before me! Brother Chumo, teach me, will you?"
Fang Er placed his hands on Cheng Chumo's shoulders and said firmly, slowly.
"Alright! Since Brother Fang is determined to learn, then brother will teach you! Every day after duty, I will come over to teach you."
Cheng Chumo looked into Fang Er's eyes and replied.
"Good! Then thank you, Brother Chumo! Xiao Qing! Bring the wine, and also stir-fry a few dishes. Today, Brother Chumo and I will get thoroughly drunk! Starting tomorrow! Martial arts training!"
Fang Er happily stood up and said to Xiao Qing behind him.
Seeing him so happy and full of fighting spirit, Xiao Qing also felt happy from the bottom of her heart.
"Hey! Young master, please wait a moment, it will be ready soon!"
After saying that, she ran towards the kitchen.
Soon, wisps of smoke rose from the kitchen.
"Brother Fang, take a look at this property deed first. This is the best shop our family and Baolin's family could offer. It was bestowed by the former Emperor two years ago."
While the food and wine were being prepared, Cheng Chumo seized the opportunity to say to Fang Er.
The steward quickly handed the property deed to Fang Er.
Fang Er looked at it. Damn! He couldn't understand it!
They were all in traditional Chinese characters. The evolution of Chinese characters over thousands of years, the Tang Dynasty was separated from later generations by over a thousand years!
Fang Er couldn't understand more than half the characters!
He returned the property deed to the steward, feeling embarrassed to admit he couldn't read it.
"No need. It still needs to be tidied up. I'll go take a look tomorrow and, coincidentally, brainstorm about the renovation."
"Alright, everything will be as Brother Fang wishes."
The two then began to chat idly.
During their conversation, Fang Er learned that Cheng Yaojin was now a Great General of the Right Martial Guard, enjoying a fief of seven hundred households, and Cheng Chumo was serving as a Colonel under Cheng Yaojin.
And Yuchi Gong, not long ago, was also enfeoffed as the Great General of the Right Martial Guard, with the title of Duke of Wu. The two families had a very good relationship, and Yuchi Baolin and Cheng Chumo were also as close as two peas in a pod.
Speaking of this, Fang Er suggested sending someone to invite Yuchi Baolin over to drink and get acquainted.
Cheng Chumo naturally had no reason to refuse, so he assigned a subordinate accompanying him to go and invite him.
Fang Er was very eager to meet this legendary figure who had lived for over three hundred years and even had interactions with Di Qing later on!
Legend had it that Yuchi Baolin became a monk for Li Er and lived until the Qingli reign of the Song Dynasty, where he was coincidentally encountered by Di Qing, which led to the circulation of his legend.
The Fang Er of later generations definitely didn't believe it, but now he couldn't be sure. Transmigration had already become a fact! What else couldn't be accepted?
Just as Xiao Qing brought the food and wine, a dark-faced young man, led by Huzhi, entered the courtyard.
This young man had dark skin, as dark as Yuchi Gong, but his appearance was very handsome. He held a Zhang Ba Snake Spear in his right hand, a steel mace hung at his waist, and he was clad in bright silver armor, looking exceptionally imposing.
"Hahaha, Baolin, come quickly. I'll introduce you. This is Brother Fang. Brother Fang, this is the eldest son of my Uncle Yuchi, Baolin."
When Cheng Chumo saw Yuchi Baolin enter, he quickly stood up to introduce the two.
"Young Master Baolin, I am Fang Er. Greetings. Please sit down quickly. The wine and food are ready, let's eat and chat."
Fang Er stood up, enthusiastically pulled Yuchi Baolin to a chair, and gestured to the wine and dishes on the table.
"Brother Fang, why 'Young Master'? I'm around the same age as Chumo, and he calls you brother. Yet you call me Young Master. Are you looking down on me?"
Yuchi Baolin said with mock anger.
"Hahaha, Brother Baolin, I was being too formal. I'll punish myself with three cups later. Someone, serve Brother Baolin and help him remove his armor. This is like home, it's more convenient to drink without armor."
Fang Er took the spear from Yuchi Baolin's hand and casually threw it to a nearby servant.
Huzhi quickly stepped forward to help Yuchi Baolin remove his armor.
After everything was done, the three sat down.
Fang Er sat in the main seat, Cheng Chumo on his left, and Yuchi Baolin on his right.
Fang Er picked up the wine jug, poured wine into all the cups on the table, then raised his cup and said to the two: "Today, Fang is very pleased to make the acquaintance of two brothers. Without further ado, Fang will drink first as a toast!"
After saying that, he drained the wine in his cup.
"Roar! Wonderful! Brothers, please!"
Fang Er extended his hand to Cheng Chumo and the other, making a gesture to drink.