In the early morning, the sky was pale as a fish belly. The cold dew of early winter was mixed in the wind, and the damp and cold chill seemed to penetrate into the bone marrow.

In the academy, in the martial arts arena.

The young man was shirtless, running in circles against the cold wind. Large beads of sweat condensed on his bronze skin, and his lean chest muscles rose and fell regularly.

A ray of morning light shone on his face, the lines were hard and firm, the youthfulness and childishness of the past faded away, and his eyes were bright and more dazzling than the first day.

I don't know how many laps he ran until the sun rose. The boy's speed became slower and slower, and his whole body was shaking violently. It was obvious that he had reached the limit of the human body.

However, the young man gritted his teeth and persisted. The cold wind filled his heavy breathing, his throat felt like it was torn apart, and his vision went dark, but he still did not stop.

"Han Xin, you can do it..."

"Are you really going to admit defeat like this? Are you willing to do that?"

"You're going to be a great general, how can you be defeated by a mere setback?"

Those beliefs seemed to have turned into inexhaustible motivation. Han Xin clenched his teeth tightly, salty sweat dripped into his eyes, and his steps were slow and firm.

When you reach the finish line, your body seems to have broken free from heavy shackles, and endless vitality surges into your limbs and bones, as if you have been reborn.

Han Xin collapsed on the ground in a spread-eagle position, panting, with soreness and fatigue spreading through his body, but his soul felt unprecedentedly refreshed and satisfied.

He covered his face with his hands weakly, looked at the dazzling sunrise through his fingers, and with a slight curve at the corners of his lips, he muttered to himself.

"I... I, Han Xin, did it..."

In the empty and cold training ground, golden sunlight poured down wantonly. A thin young man lay motionless, like an ancient statue.

The other students who came to practice martial arts were startled at once, but fortunately they noticed the ups and downs of the chest, and then they breathed a sigh of relief and secretly complained in their hearts.

Where did this reckless boy come from? It looked like he wasn't practicing martial arts, he was clearly risking his life.

At noon, in the cafeteria.

Aunt Lin looked at the familiar boy, then lowered her head to look at the sparkling new dinner plate, and fell into deep self-doubt.

Did I just eat?

"Aunt? Aunt!"

"Hey, hey! What's wrong?"

"Auntie, please make me some food."

Facing the dazed cafeteria aunt, Han Xin still smiled brightly and reminded her very politely.

Aunt Lin suddenly woke up, shook her head, and stopped thinking about it. She took the plate and skillfully served the food, even scooping a few more spoonfuls.

Han Xin picked up the full plate, thanked him very sincerely, then sat back at the table and began to eat voraciously.

Although the boy ate in a bold manner, he did not waste a single drop of juice. He wiped the last big white steamed bun on the plate clean and finished it in no time.

After eating countless plates of rice, Han Xin left the cafeteria contentedly under Aunt Lin's dazed gaze.

While digesting his food, he went to the supply and marketing cooperative and started chatting enthusiastically with the salesperson.

"Sister, can you save five pounds of pork for me tomorrow morning?"

"Ah! Are you the scholar who rode through the streets a few days ago?"

"Hehe, yes, sister has a really good memory!"

"Oh, what sister? I already have two children."

The salesperson looked at the handsome scholar who had won the imperial examination, and completely lost herself in the sweet calls of "sister". Finally, she agreed to the commission in a daze.

After paying the deposit, Han Xin looked at the little money left in his bag and sighed dejectedly.

To strengthen your physique, you need not only exercise, but also a lot of meat to maintain your body's consumption and enhance your Qi and blood.

But this also means spending a lot of money. With his penniless fortune, he cannot survive for long relying only on the school subsidies and some rewards.

The next day, Han Xin came to get the pork, but met two unexpected people.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhang? How did you two get together?"

"Haha, what a coincidence, Han brother!"

Zhou Bo saw the boy's inquiring eyes and felt inexplicably guilty. He blocked the pork behind him and replied with a silly smile.

Zhang Liang was calm and composed. He picked up the pork in his hand, a smile between his delicate eyebrows and eyes, and spoke in a steady tone.

"Liang has been craving meat lately, so I plan to buy some to satisfy my craving."

"Hey, what a coincidence! I ordered pork too."

"Why don't we enjoy some delicious food together?"

After returning to the academy, the three asked the canteen chef to cook the pork and also prepared some vegetables and steamed buns.

When the fragrant braised pork was served, everyone in the cafeteria swallowed their saliva at the same time.

The meat was fat and lean with bright colors. After the three of them called for it, they couldn't wait to dig in and eat it.

For several days in a row, the three of them gathered in the cafeteria to eat meat. Sometimes, even if Han Xin didn't buy pork, he was still kindly invited by the two.

No matter how stupid Han Xin was, he gradually realized that the two were helping him secretly in a way that would not hurt his self-esteem.

Instead of exposing the truth, he silently accepted the kindness and kept this sincere friendship in his heart, intending to repay it in the future.

Three days later, Xiang Yu and Wang Li finally returned.

Their expressions were extremely complicated, with shock, suspicion, excitement...

After hearing about Han Xin's efforts, they donated generously. Xiang Yu took out several packets of medicinal herbs from his bag and gave instructions in a deep voice.

"Han Xin, this is a medicine bag passed down from my family. Soak it in the bath for an hour at night to strengthen your physical fitness."

"This is too valuable. Brother Yu thanks you for your kindness, but I can't accept it."

"Take it. If you feel you owe me something, you can return it to me later."

Xiang Yu forcefully stuffed the medicine bag into Han Xin's arms, his face as arrogant as ever, but his tone was serious.

Han Xin was moved. He knew that the most precious thing was not the medicinal materials, but the prescription.

"Thank you, Brother Yu."

"Seize this opportunity well, you will never regret it."

As if he thought of something, a hint of fanaticism flashed in Xiang Yuhu's eyes. He patted the boy's shoulder and warned him meaningfully.

Wang Li crossed his arms and looked at the scene of deep brotherly love, curling his lips, but when his eyes fell on the thin young man, his heart softened a little.

He took out a jar of dusty medicinal wine from under the bed, dusted it off, and handed it to Han Xin.

"Here, this is my grandfather's treasured tonic wine. Don't be reluctant to drink it. I'll steal it after you finish it... ahem, here you go."

"No...Okay, thank you Brother Li."

Han Xin found the look of pretending to be angry both funny and heartwarming. Although it was winter, it felt like a spring breeze.

On the other hand, Xiao He in the palace also received news from Han Xin. With his intelligence, it was not difficult for him to guess the general reason.

Although I don't know what Your Majesty intends to do, but I think it is extraordinary that Brother Han is willing to make a bet at such a high price.

He had a close friendship with Han Xin and was certain that Han Xin would achieve something in the future, so he naturally wanted to do his best to help him now.

After lunch, Qinian Palace.

Chu Yuening sat upright on the sofa, holding a chubby baby in her arms, but her dignity and aura were not diminished at all.

"Why does Xiao Qing suddenly want to exchange for meat?"