Chapter 274 Thirteen Years Old
Three years later.
In the 13th year of Zhaoqing, Northwest.
Winter goes and spring comes.
The seeds in the ground sprouted and broke through the soil. The tender shoots nodded in the wind, and the stems were slender but tough.
Deputy General Zhang squatted beside the melon seedlings, his rough, dark fingers stroking the tender leaves of the melon seedlings:
"Ah Che, look, these melon seedlings are growing well. This year's melons will definitely be as sweet and crisp as last year's."
Thinking of the sweet and juicy fruits and vegetables last summer and autumn, Lieutenant General Zhang grinned, with the sweetness still lingering between his teeth.
"This year, the people of Tingzhou have also started growing melons. If they grow enough, they can give it to the caravans to sell south."
The young boy next to him looked into the distance and saw green melon fields everywhere. The boundless yellow earth looked like many green velvet carpets.
He was wearing the armor he had changed into last year, with a sword at his waist, and his eyes were fiery and bright.
It’s Xue Che who is growing up.
He has grown a lot taller than he was three years ago, and his voice has lost its childishness and is now a little hoarse.
The northwest sun tanned his skin tone and made his facial features more distinct. Although his face still looked a bit immature, his eyes and eyebrows hinted at his heroic spirit.
During these three years, he farmed, trained and fought against the enemy with Xue's army on the frontier.
Although he had not participated in any major battles, he had fought against the Hu people in some small battles and had some actual combat experience on the battlefield, so he could be considered a young general.
The sound of galloping horses' hooves could be heard.
"Whoa—" Yun Jin reined in his horse beside the melon field and shouted to Xue Che:
"Ache, come on, the general is calling you over."
"Okay." Xue Che walked to his horse and climbed on it skillfully.
The two men rode into the military camp and entered Xue Yucheng's tent.
Inside the tent, Xue Yucheng and Elder Zixuan were talking.
"General, Master." In the military camp, Xue Che could only call Xue Yucheng "General" like everyone else.
Xue Yucheng: "Ache, Elder Zixuan is leaving the northwest."
Xue Che was surprised: "Why is Master leaving? But what am I not learning well?"
"No, no, you've learned it very well."
Elder Zixuan stroked his long beard. The beard that was burned off a few years ago has grown back, and it is smooth when stroked.
"Because you are a good learner, I have already taught you all the techniques and moves that I should teach you. The rest depends on your own practice and understanding."
Xue Che's swordsmanship had indeed made some progress, and he could even exchange dozens of moves with Xue Yucheng, who had fought for many years.
At the beginning of this year, he was finally able to pick up the sword that Wu Ya had forged for him.
Xue Che wanted to persuade him to stay, but Elder Zixuan shook his head and said:
"You little idiot, it's time for you to let your master rest for a while. After being in the northwest for so long, I'm going back to Lingnan to rest."
Xue Che had no choice but to bow deeply to Elder Zixuan:
"Master, I thank you for your careful guidance over the past few years. I will definitely practice swordsmanship well in the future and live up to your expectations."
Xue Yucheng: "There is one more thing. Yun Jin is expecting a baby and is going back to Chang'an to visit relatives. Che'er, you should go with them."
Yun Jin put his arm around Xue Che's shoulders, his brows beaming with joy: "My wife gave birth to a fat boy, I'm going back to see him."
Yun Jin has been in the Northwest for almost ten years and is no longer a child. He finally got married after returning to Beijing last year. He just received a letter in the past two days saying that his wife has given birth.
"Congratulations, Brother Jin!" Xue Che congratulated Yun Jin first, but then stopped smiling. "Isn't it unsafe for me to return to Chang'an? If someone recognizes me, I'll be in a lot of trouble."
After Xue Che finished speaking, the other three people in the tent laughed.
Xue Yucheng looked at his son:
"In the sixth year of the Zhaoqing reign, you left Chang'an at the age of six, and have been in Lingnan and the northwest ever since. Now you've been away from Chang'an for seven years, and everyone in Chang'an believes you're no longer alive, and—
Look at yourself in the mirror. Do you look like you did when you were six?"
Elder Zixuan waved his hand first: "Don't even mention six years old. When I first arrived at Black Bandit Mountain, you were seven, right? You looked completely different from now!"
What Elder Zixuan said was not an exaggeration.
Xue Che's eye shape is still the same as when he was a child, but his overall appearance and temperament have indeed changed a lot. It is hard to imagine that he is still the weak and sickly child back then.
Xue Yucheng: "Your public identity is that of A Jin's relative, so it's time to go back with A Jin, otherwise others will become suspicious. If you are really worried, you can cover your face on the way, and when you return to the capital, ask Sister Qiu to help you cover up a little."
Xue Che then said, "Okay, I'll go back to Chang'an with Brother Jin to take a look."
Yun Jin smiled in Xue Che's ear: "Tsk, it's just right for you to go back and see your childhood sweetheart, otherwise she wouldn't even remember what you look like."
Xue Che pursed his lips and pushed Yun Jin away a little.
Zhizhi has a good memory, so she won’t forget what he looks like.
"You guys take care of the things you have in the next few days. Once you're done, you can set off."
"Yes, General!"
…
Chang'an.
Heishan Prefecture.
"It's too late!"
"Mom, I'm going out!"
Su Zhizhi rushed out of the yard carrying her small bookcase and snake-skin whip, and jumped into the carriage at the speed of an arrow.
"Zhizhi, you haven't had breakfast yet." Wu Yingniang shouted at the figure that flashed across the yard.
"Mom, it's too late! I need to get to the martial arts school quickly."
The girl's gentle voice came from the carriage.
"No, how can we skip breakfast?" Ni Tianji flew to the side of the carriage and stuffed the pancake wrapped in paper into it through the carriage window.
"This is what your Aunt Qiu fried, and there's also soy milk. I drank it while it was hot on the way."
"I know, Uncle Ni, I will finish it all."
A head popped out of the carriage window, and Su Zhizhi's pair of round almond-shaped eyes looked like two black grapes soaked in morning dew, black and shiny.
The spring glow of March dances on her skin, her cheeks are as rosy as spring peaches, and when she smiles, it's as if the moon emerges from the clouds, and the light flows.
Thirteen-year-old Su Zhizhi's face was a little thinner, and her beautiful face, which had not yet fully grown, had the delicate beauty of a young girl.
But there is still a sense of cleverness and liveliness in his bones.
"Zhizhi, sit tight, let's go." Bai Xun reminded and drove the horse towards the martial arts hall.
Su Zhizhi ate a pancake and drank soy milk in the carriage. The pancake contained vegetables, meat and fried eggs.
The meat is fried pork chop, coated with a thin layer of flour, which makes it crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Su Zhizhi was very satisfied with the meal and felt full of energy.
The martial arts school has not officially opened yet, and today is the first day of enrollment.
As one of the best students in the past three years, Su Zhizhi has to help like Qi Fang did in the past and fight with the students who have registered for the martial arts school.
She always slept well and got up early, but she ate roast lamb at Heishan Mansion too late last night, and she almost overslept this morning. Fortunately, she made it in time.
"Jijiu Zhou, Instructor Lin, and Doctor Xiong, good morning!" Su Zhizhi walked into the martial arts hall.
Zhou Jijiu and the others turned around, their faces full of joy: "Zhizhi is here, everyone is here, let's start right away."
The examination area in the hall has been set up, and the door of the martial arts hall slowly opened.
There was already a long line outside the door.
Dr. Xiong is very optimistic about this year's enrollment:
"The atmosphere and reputation of our martial arts academy have improved significantly in recent years, and we've recruited more and more talented students."
Coach Lin added, "There are fewer gluttons now than before, which is truly gratifying."
Because Zhou Jijiu was determined to reorganize the martial arts school, he took the risk of offending many people and made those playboys obedient.
After returning, those playboys cursed everyone they met, saying that the martial arts school was not a good place and advised people to run as far away as possible.
As the news spread, everyone knew that the martial arts school was no longer the place where one could make a living.
Those in the playboy circle who originally planned to come to the martial arts school either had to be mentally prepared to endure hardships or would rather die than come.
"Our efforts have paid off and are finally paying off."
Zhou Jijiu achieved his three-year goal and was very satisfied with it.
"The admissions examination has begun. Please come in first."
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