Chapter 63

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Chapter 63: Leaving Home

     

“I want to go too.” A voice sounded from the corner.

     

Everyone was stunned again.

     

Zhang Xiaohu turned to look and saw it was Zhang Xiaohua, sitting in the corner.

     

Guo Sufei, angry, said; “Xiaohua, stop making trouble. Your second brother is going to find a wife. You’re too young. What are you going to Pingyang City for?”

     

Zhang Xiaohu was not happy and protested: “Mother, I’m not just going to find a wife. Listen to what you’re saying.”

     

Guo Sufei smiled at Zhang Xiaohu, about to say something, but Zhang Xiaohua’s answer was beyond everyone’s expectations.

     

“I want to go to Pingyang City to learn martial arts!”

     

“Learn martial arts? Why?” Everyone was puzzled.

     

At this point, Zhang Xiaohua had stepped out of the corner and was standing at the doorway, he raised his little face and said: “In fact, ever since we met sister-in-law in Lu Town, I’ve been thinking about why we get bullied and can’t fight back. It wasn’t until I was beaten by the bandits during my sister-in-law’s wedding that I found the answer. It’s because we don’t know martial arts. We don’t have enough strength to make others fear us. If I knew martial arts, those people wouldn’t dare to attack us. And just now, didn’t Uncle say that the bandits from West Cui Mountain might come to our door? Always relying on others for protection isn’t reliable. Only when we have the skills ourselves can we truly face the bandits.”

     

He looked outside at the darkening courtyard, where faint starlight was already visible. He continued: “Only by learning martial arts can I protect myself and everyone else.”

     

Everyone had different reactions to Zhang Xiaohua’s words. Mr. Liu and Liu Kai looked at him in surprise. They had already been impressed by his writing during the wedding and now were once again re-evaluating this thirteen-year-old boy.

     

Butcher Liu’s mouth was open as if he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

     

Zhang Xiaolong had an ashamed look on his face as he looked at his younger brother whom he had brought up from a young age, with a faint sense of pride in his heart.

     

Zhang Xiaohu seemed delighted, as if he had found a new direction, and looked happily at his younger brother, who was a head shorter than him.

     

Guo Sufei and Zhang Cai exchanged worried glances. They weren’t thinking about their own safety but their sons’.

     

Only Liu Qian remained calm as if she had anticipated Zhang Xiaohua’s words.

     

It was Mr. Liu who spoke first, saying: “Xiaohua, I think your idea is quite right. However, I haven’t learned martial arts myself, so I can’t give you any advice. I’ve only heard that learning martial arts is very arduous, not something that can be mastered overnight. Moreover, there are many risks involved. A slight misstep could lead to injury or even death. You should really think it over carefully. Besides, you’re a smart child. Why not learn from me in the future? If you pass the imperial examination you can also bring glory to your ancestors.”

     

Liu Kai also advised: “As the saying goes, ‘The poor study literature and the rich learn martial arts’. Learning martial arts isn’t something we poor folks can afford to do. Xiaohua, your calligraphy is so good. If you study well under my father’s guidance, learning literature is also a safe and respectable path.”

     

Guo Sufei and Zhang Cai remained silent, furrowing their brows.

     

Zhang Xiaohu said: “That’s right, Xiaohua. How about you focus on scholarly pursuits at home, while I go to Pingyang City to learn martial arts? I’m grown up now, and our parents can trust me. But you’re still a child, how could we rest assured letting you travel so far?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua looked at everyone and asked: “Can scholarly pursuits protect our family from bandits? Can studying literature eliminate violence and protect the innocent?”

     

No one had an answer.

     

Zhang Cai asked: “How will you learn martial arts in Pingyang City?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua replied: “Great Hero Wen who saved us in Lu Town last time was from the Piaomiao Sect in Pingyang City. I’ll find him and maybe learn martial arts there.”

     

Guo Sufei said: “Xiaohua, you’re still young. Can’t you wait until you’re older?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua smiled at his mother and said: “Mother, ambition doesn’t wait for age. Besides, I’m not that young anymore. I should find my own path, just like Second Brother, or else I won’t find a suitable wife.”

     

Zhang Xiaohua’s words amused Guo Sufei, who chuckled and said: “So young, yet already thinking about finding a wife.”

     

After some thought, Zhang Cai said: “Xiaolong, Qianqian, take Xiaohu and Xiaohua home to rest first. Let me discuss this further with your mother.”

     

Zhang Xiaolong stood up at his words and, together with Liu Qian, took Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua home first.

     

In the main hall, only the five adults remained.

     

Zhang Cai asked Mr. Liu: “In-law, what do you think about their situation?”

     

Mr. Liu smiled and replied: “Regardless of the situation, I must congratulate you for having two promising children. At such a young age, they worry about family matters, face challenges bravely, and come up with their own solutions. It’s truly a blessing for you.”

     

Zhang Cai was pleased but waved his hand, saying: “It’s just childish talk, there’s no need to take it seriously.”

     

Mr. Liu spoke earnestly: “I’m not just flattering you, but how many village children have such insight and can speak like this? However, he is indeed still young and unaware of the dangers outside. It would be good for him to go out and gain some experience. Besides, with Xiaohu accompanying him, you can rest assured. Once he experiences the harshness outside, he will surely miss the warmth of home. He won’t need you to persuade him, he’ll come back on his own. Perhaps by then, Xiaohu will also have found a suitable girl, and they could return together.”

     

Liu Kai interjected: “Uncle, I don’t think it’s a bad idea for Xiaohua to go out. I feel Xiaohua is not an ordinary child. Staying in a small village like ours all day might stifle him. Going out might bring him opportunities to achieve something big.”

     

Zhang Cai smiled wryly and said: “What big things, we don’t expect that much from him. As long as he marries and has children, living a stable life, we’ll be content. Big accomplishments are for people in town. We villagers just need to tend our fields.”

     

Guo Sufei frowned unhappily, saying: “Even kings and generals arise from humble beginnings. I remember when Xiao Hua was born, flying petals filled the whole sky. Maybe my son will achieve something significant.”

     

But then she wondered aloud: “But Pingyang City is so far. What if he learns martial arts in Lu Town instead? It’s closer. If we miss him, we can visit anytime. It’s inconvenient if it’s too far.”

     

Butcher Liu added: “Yes, isn’t there something like the Evil Tiger Gang in Lu Town? He could learn martial arts there.”

     

At the mention of the “Evil Tiger Gang,” Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei’s hearts skipped a beat. The bodyguard of those bullies was from the Evil Tiger Gang last time. Supporting tyrants to do evil was not a good thing. Moreover, they still had so many unclear banknotes at home. How could they let Xiaohua go to the Evil Tiger Gang?

     

Guo Sufei asked Mr. Liu: “Does In-law approve of them going?”

     

Mr. Liu nodded and said: “Yes, there’s a saying among scholars, ‘Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles’. Only by going out and gaining experience can one truly grasp what’s written in books. I believe it’s the same for martial arts. Even the most talented person in this small village may become shortsighted if they stay here. I approve of them going out.”

     

Beside him, Liu Kai also nodded with a smile: “I’ve been to Pingyang City. At worst, I can take them there. However, this seems to go against their original intention. I’ll discuss the details of going out with them later. Xiaohu is grown up now, there shouldn’t be any problem.”

     

Butcher Liu disagreed: “Why go? Staying at home is so peaceful. I don’t approve.”

     

Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei exchanged glances and said: “Let’s think about this some more and come up with a proper solution.”

     

After chatting for a while longer, they realized it was getting late, so they bid farewell and went home.

     

That night, Guo Sufei and Zhang Cai discussed the matter into the early hours of the morning before finally falling asleep.

     

Butcher Liu and Liu Kai couldn’t stay long in Guo Village. After breakfast, they hurriedly took their leave. Before leaving, Liu Kai detailed the route to Pingyang City, things to watch out for, and other considerations to Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua. The two siblings listened attentively and memorized everything. Judging from Liu Kai’s demeanor, their parents were convinced last night, so they couldn’t help but smile.

     

After sending off Butcher Liu and Liu Kai, when Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua were preparing to work in the fields, they suddenly realized, if both of them left, what would happen to the family’s fields?

     

Zhang Xiaolong and Liu Qian, who were walking together, seemed to understand their thoughts. Zhang Xiaolong said: “Both of you should go and explore the outside world. As for the fields at home, I discussed it with your sister-in-law last night. Dad will take care of the original plot, and the plot by the riverbank and Xiaohua’s land on the slope will be tended by me and your sister-in-law together. Plus, with Mom around, can’t the four of us manage these two-and-a-half plots of land?”

     

Zhang Xiaohua and Zhang Xiaohu looked at their eldest brother and sister-in-law. They didn’t say anything, but they felt warm in their hearts.

     

In the following days, Zhang Cai and Guo Sufei didn’t mention the matter again. Zhang Xiaohu and Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help feeling anxious. Could it be that their parents didn’t agree, and the whole plan would fall through? They even thought about secretly running away on their own.

     

One evening after dinner, Zhang Cai called the two of them over. Their hearts couldn’t help but race, it seemed like the moment to reveal the mystery had arrived. Sure enough, Zhang Cai said: “Regarding your trip to Pingyang City, your mother and I have discussed it and decided to go along with your wishes. Your mother has already made some clothes for you. Take them with you.”

     

After speaking, Guo Sufei fetched several new clothes from the inner room. It was clear they had been hastily made in these past few days. Zhang Xiaohua’s nose was a little sour, the elders really worried about the children and thought of everything. He had mistakenly thought they wouldn’t be allowed to go, harboring different thoughts.

     

Seeing Liu Qian’s smiling face beside her, it was evident that his sister-in-law had also put a lot of effort into making the clothes.

     

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said to Liu Qian: “Sister-in-law, you knew all along that Mom and Dad allowed us to go. Why didn’t you tell us earlier? Why make us worry in vain?”

     

Liu Qian replied: “When you go out, you need to be cautious. Whatever happens, you shouldn’t rush or get flustered. You must face it calmly, isn’t this already a test for you?”