"In our academy, there are not only students preparing for the civil service exams, but also those preparing for the military exams. There is a special courtyard for those preparing for the military exams. These students have to study both policy essays and martial arts. Every morning, they practice martial arts in the drill ground. I begged the headmaster for several days, and he finally allowed me to practice with him for a while in the mornings. There are also various other training programs in the drill ground, such as strength training and horsemanship training, and I am allowed to learn them all. Whenever I feel tired from studying, I go to the drill ground to practice."
During the Great Gan Dynasty, the military examination was not only based on strength and martial arts skills, but also on policy essays first and then martial arts skills.
Strategy refers to military tactics, while martial arts refer to military techniques.
We must grasp both aspects firmly.
This cultivation method is very comprehensive.
After all, those who pass the military examination are trained to become military officers. While physical fitness and martial arts skills are important, intelligence and wit are even more essential.
He Youyou laughed and said, "The headmaster has opened this door for you, and now it's hard to stop him. If other scholars also want to practice martial arts, how can he have a reason to refuse them?"
Unexpectedly, Han Wenzheng shook his head: "Mother is overthinking it. My classmates either get up early to study or sleep in late. No one is like me, willing to practice martial arts every day."
For ordinary people, persisting in martial arts training is much harder than persisting in studying.
Han Wenzheng is a really determined kid.
He Youyou herself prides herself on being a person with strong self-discipline, but she feels she can't stick to exercising every day.
She can work every day, work overtime, and attend meetings to discuss projects from dawn till dusk.
But exercising every day?
That's too much of a test of willpower.
The two returned to their house in Jizhou City.
This was Han Wenzheng's first time here.
Looking at the "He Residence" plaque hanging at the entrance, everything here felt very new.
He Youyou specially arranged a quiet and secluded room for him to use as his bedroom, and there was also a small study connected to the bedroom for him to read.
The furniture, decorations, and bedding inside were all of the highest quality.
Thick cushions were laid on the chairs and couches.
The colors of the bedding, bed curtains, door curtains, and cushions were personally selected and matched by He Youyou, who chose a simple and fresh style based on her modern aesthetic.
A few sprigs of winter plum blossoms were placed in the vase on the desk, emitting a delicate fragrance.
Two large bookshelves were piled high with all kinds of books.
These books were all found by Steward Qian throughout Jizhou City at He Youyou's request.
As an experienced scholar with exam experience, Butler Qian knew exactly what kind of books his young master needed.
He visited each bookstore and bought any book that he felt would be useful for Korean.
Before going, He Youyou declared: Books can be bought freely, no expense is too much.
After browsing for half a month, the books I brought back filled two bookshelves to the brim.
Han Wenzheng looked both surprised and happy.
His expression shifted several times before finally settling on a wide, silly grin.
Seeing that he was happy, He Youyou felt satisfied herself.
When he got excited, I took him for a walk around the yard so he could get acquainted with his new home.
I looked at every room, even the kitchen, woodshed, and stable.
Finally, they arrived at He Youyou's own bedroom.
As soon as Han Wenzheng entered the room, his knees buckled and he knelt down with a thud.
Tears streamed down her face, soaking half of her clothes.
A pretty little face twisted into a bitter expression: "Mother..."
She uttered just two words before bursting into tears.
He Youyou was startled and quickly squatted down to wipe his tears.
"What are you doing? Why are you kneeling down?"
Han Wenzheng wiped his face with his sleeve, then sobbed, "Mother has decorated my room so comfortably and elegantly, with exquisite details everywhere, but... Mother's own room is so simple... I... I..."
Oh no!
He Youyou had forgotten about this.
When she was decorating the room, she thought that she wouldn't be sleeping there at night, so it didn't need to be too fancy.
They simply set up a small bed and that was it.
The bedding was also very simple in style.
Sigh, she never expected Han Wenzheng to be so sensitive.
It turned into self-sacrificing education by accident.
That won't do, that won't do.
"Oh, so that's why you're here?" He Youyou said casually. "Then there's no need for that. Get up."
Han Wenzheng was taken aback by her words.
He Youyou continued her charade: "Speaking of this, I'm still angry. I went to every furniture shop in the city, but I couldn't find a single one I liked. I finally found one that had new stock—a complete set of carved rosewood bed, plus a daybed, armchairs, and so on. I was about to buy it when the shopkeeper said it had already been reserved by someone else. Sigh, I'm a picky person, and I don't want to settle, so I'm thinking of waiting until they have new stock again before buying it. I'll just sleep on this little bed for a few days now. Once the new bed comes in, I'll just throw this one into the side room."
After hearing her words, Han Wenzheng finally calmed down a bit.
"Then...why don't you sleep in my room for the next few days? My bed is more comfortable."
He Youyou quickly waved her hand: "No need, no need. I went to Zhulin Temple to pray to Buddha today and consulted a master. He said that I have had too smooth a year and need to endure a few hard times to cultivate my mind."
She brought up the master, and Han Wenzheng couldn't say anything more.
But all I could see in my eyes was reluctance.
Startled, He Youyou seized the opportunity to secretly find Butler Qian: "Old Qian, hurry up and get me a rosewood bed. The style doesn't matter, as long as it looks luxurious."
During dinner, Han Wenzheng actually went to the kitchen and cooked a dish.
"Mother, this is a dish I just learned to make. Please try it."
It turns out he hadn't even neglected his cooking skills.
How can there be such a self-disciplined child?
He Youyou felt like she had struck gold.
After dinner, she brought a brocade box to Han Wenzheng's study.
Han Wenzheng put down the book in his hand and stood up to greet him.
He Youyou placed the brocade box on his desk, opened it, and inside was a box of gleaming silver ingots.
Han Wenzheng asked, puzzled, "Mother, what does this mean?"
"This is the hundred taels of silver that Ma Xiuyuan sent last time as a congratulatory gift. It was originally meant to congratulate you on passing the imperial examination. Since you earned it, this money should be yours to keep."
“Mother, the monthly allowance you give me is enough. Since I entered Yun Jing Academy, you have increased my monthly allowance from two taels to ten taels. I don’t spend much on a daily basis, and I can’t spend all of my monthly allowance.”
He Youyou insisted, "Monthly allowance is monthly allowance. This congratulatory gift is something you earned yourself. You can keep it for yourself and spend it as you see fit. You don't need to tell me where you spend it. Spend as much as you need to when you're hanging out with your classmates. Don't be too frugal, or you'll become unsociable."
Seeing her insistence, Han Wenzheng had no choice but to accept the gift and bowed deeply in gratitude.
He never expected that He Youyou would give him the silver.
To put it bluntly, he's still just a minor.
Even if He Youyou took the money for herself and used it for household expenses or personal purposes, he would never complain.
Ordinary families wouldn't give their children so much money.
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