For some reason, Xu Yan always felt that Hong Yu's look at him was a little strange.
Hmm... It's just a strange feeling, I can't put it into words...
After thinking for a long time, Xu Yan suddenly realized.
Isn’t this the look a wild animal gives its prey?
"I am...Xu Yan."
Swallowing his saliva, Xu Yan mustered up the courage to speak.
"Xu Yan, courtesy name Yi Shi. Right?"
Hong Yu stared at Xu Yan closely, giving the young man a strong sense of oppression.
Wow, isn’t this aura too strong?
"Hmm... This is the name my mentor gave me."
"So you want to marry my sister?"
After a brief conversation, Xu Yan was able to determine why Hong Yu behaved so strangely.
In short, Hong Xun regarded Hong Miaoyun as his beloved and held her in his hands for fear that she would melt.
Of course, this love is the love between brother and sister.
But the love is so deep that even a brother-in-law cannot steal her away, let alone a future brother-in-law.
It is not difficult to understand why there was some hostility in Hong Yu's eyes when he looked at Xu Yan.
"Xu and your sister have already exchanged engagement letters..."
Before Xu Yan finished speaking, Hong Yu shook his head and said, "You are too thin, even thinner than I imagined."
Xu Yan couldn't help but be stunned.
What does this have to do with that?
When examining your brother-in-law, do you also examine his figure?
Besides, isn’t Xu Yan’s figure the standard figure of a Ming Dynasty scholar?
How many people can grow up to be like Hong Yu?
Although the eldest brother is like a father, Hong Yu has the responsibility to keep an eye on Hong Miaoyun, but it is not necessary to be so difficult.
Xu Yan felt wronged, hurt, and innocent!
But it was obvious that Hong Yu did not have this awareness and was still staring at Xu Yan.
Xu Yan felt uncomfortable being stared at, and said anxiously, "Mr. Hong, you can't judge a person by appearance. There are advantages to being thinner..."
"If my sister is bullied, can you stand up for her with your body?"
Hong Yu directly challenged me, saying, "I know you're eager to refute me, saying something like, 'A scholar should concentrate on studying,' but don't forget that one of the six arts for a gentleman is archery. How many crossbows can you draw?"
Xu Yan was speechless.
Why is this future brother-in-law such a nitpicker? He has a feeling that the days ahead will not be easy.
The Six Arts of a Gentleman originated from the Zhou Li, but by the Ming Dynasty, it had become just an empty shell.
How many scholars have time to practice bow drawing?
But if you are serious about it, what Hong Yu said is indeed correct.
"Brother Hong, you are wrong."
Since that’s the case, Xu Yan doesn’t plan to be polite anymore and prepares to have a debate with Hong Yu.
"Emperor Taizu established the household registration system at the outset of his reign, assigning every citizen a household registration. Those registered as artisans are skilled in craftsmanship, while those registered as soldiers are skilled in wielding swords and spears. And scholars should naturally devote themselves to study. This is what is called specialization. Even if Xu can draw a bow, what good is that? Can he ever compare to a soldier registered as a soldier?"
Xu Yan was actually quite opposed to the household registration system of the Ming Dynasty, but in order to shut Hong Yu up, Xu Yan could only bring up Old Zhu.
After all, even if Hong Yu was dissatisfied, he could not openly deny Emperor Taizu's national policy.
As expected, Hong Yu opened and closed his mouth for a long time but still couldn't think of any words to refute.
"Even so, keeping fit is also something that scholars need."
This is what Xu Yan was waiting for.
"Brother Hong, how do you know I haven't strengthened my body?"
Xu Yan paused and said, "No matter how busy I am every day, I will always find time to practice yoga."
Hong Yu was stunned.
“What is yoga?”
Xu Yan explained: "Yoga is a method of cultivating the body and mind. Regular practice not only strengthens the body, but also strengthens the mind."
In fact, there was a concept of yoga in the Ming Dynasty.
But it is so niche that few people know about it.
Although Hong Yu was knowledgeable, it was impossible for him to know everything.
There are still many differences between yoga in the Ming Dynasty and modern yoga.
Xu Yan felt that he needed to give Hong Yu some basic knowledge about yoga and teach him some basic yoga moves.
“There are eight limbs of yoga practice, namely, observing precepts, respecting conduct, postures, regulating breathing, concentrating the mind, concentrating the mind, entering into samadhi, and samadhi.”
Seeing that Hong Yu was confused, Xu Yan was even more certain that he knew nothing about yoga, and felt very proud.
"Observing precepts is a set of rules that yogis must follow, including not killing, being honest, not stealing, not committing adultery, and not being greedy. Only by doing these can one maintain a calm mind while doing yoga."
Without giving Hong Yu a chance to respond, Xu Yan said, "So-called noble conduct includes purity, contentment, asceticism, reading and reciting, and worshipping the gods."
"Postures include lotus pose, hero pose, auspicious pose, vajra pose, siddhisana, etc..."
“Pranayam means regulating and controlling the breath.”
"Concentration of the mind means suppressing all sensations so that they are completely controlled by the mind."
"Concentration means focusing the mind on an internal or external object. This can be the eyes, mouth, tongue, or nose, or the sun, moon, and stars."
“Entering into samadhi, also known as tranquil contemplation, unifies the mind and the object of concentration.”
"As for Samadhi, it refers to the cessation of all changes and activities of the mind."
After Xu Yan finished speaking in one breath, Hong Yu was obviously even more confused.
This vague statement piqued Chen Zongzhi's interest. He said, "My dear nephew, why don't you mention yoga often?"
Xu Yan quickly winked at his uncle, and Chen Zongzhi kept silent.
"Does yoga really have all the benefits you claim?"
Hong Yu obviously didn't quite believe it.
"Brother Hong, you won't believe it unless you try it."
Xu Yan had already said this much, so he just added fuel to the fire.
"Why don't you learn a few moves from me, Brother Hong, and then make your own judgment."
Hong Yu immediately became interested and nodded slightly.
Xu Yan smiled faintly and said, "Let me start with a simple move. Brother Hong, watch carefully. This move is called the Small Bridge Pose."
Xu Yan then lay on his back, knees bent, feet slightly apart. He took a deep breath and placed his hands at his sides, palms flat on the ground. He lifted his hips and spread his collarbones. His thighs remained parallel, his calves perpendicular to the ground.
"Hold this position for five to ten breaths, then you can let go."
Xu Yan demonstrated it, and Hong Yu followed suit by lying on his back and doing the same.
Seeing this, Chen Zongzhi, unwilling to be left out, also joined in.
Old Master Chen looked at the three young men making such a fool of themselves, his eyes wide as if they were cowbells, but he didn't know what to say.
"Take a deep breath, lift, lower... another set."
Xu Yan started working as a free yoga instructor. Although he felt a little bit cheated, he had to accept it considering that one of the two men was his uncle and the other was his future brother-in-law.
Soon Hong Yu experienced the joy of yoga and did several sets in a row, enjoying it very much.
Chen Zongzhi accidentally sprained his waist, but fortunately it was not too serious and he would probably be fine after lying down for a day or two.
"How about it, Brother Hong? Do you like this yoga?"
Xu Yan said very proudly.
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