The soldiers outside were also quite satisfied with their food. Yesterday they were still eating dry rations. Don’t assume that military pay is plentiful; these cavalrymen have relatively good food. They had one oily meal every seven days, and the rest of the time they ate until they were seven-tenths full. Even with such conditions, they were the envy of everyone.

The lieutenant said, “Thank you for the hospitality.”

He knew what the general meant when he didn’t leave any money. Having worked together for many years, he understood that the general wanted to see what kind of people the Zhou family were.

Third Yang said, “Guests are guests; it’s only right.”

The lieutenant was pleased. They were guests, not there to eat the food of the wealthy. In the past, those landlords always looked miserable when they saw them, like they’d lost their fathers. They weren’t bandits who would rob anyone they saw!

Wu Shan stayed for a meal with his two sons; they were exhausted.

Wu Shan’s arms ached from carrying things, but he was happy. With the Zhou family protecting them, the Wu family would be safe.

Liu Lizheng also came with his son to help and ate with them.

Liu Lizheng thought to himself, the Zhou family was really generous; he was very pleased with his good judgment.

The Zhao father and son ate somewhat absentmindedly. Old Zhao, being quite old, could sense the difference in their attitudes; Zhou Xiaodi was closer to the Wu family and Liu Lizheng, but less so to them.

Old Zhao couldn’t taste the meat’s flavor and regretted it; even Liu Lizheng had arrived before him.

Liu Lizheng asked Zhou Xiaodi, “You’ll need another meal tonight. If you need anything else, just say the word.”

Zhou Xiaodi, having finished eating, put down his chopsticks and said, “There is indeed something I can help with. Bring over some more firewood later; it’s still a bit cold at night.”

Liu Lizheng agreed.

At the Zhou family home, Zhou Yu and Zhong Yan were having dinner with General Bai. Zhong Yan asked, “Aren’t we going to save some food for Young Master Bai?”

General Bai knew his son too well. “He’s either in town or in the county right now; he won’t be back until dark.”

As for whether his son would return that night, he had already instructed them to drag the brat back to stay.

Zhong Yan stroked his beard. “Let’s drink.”

General Bai took a big gulp but didn’t seem to enjoy it. “Strong liquor is hard to find here. I still prefer strong liquor.”

There was plenty of strong liquor in the north, but unfortunately, the court didn’t allow for much brewing. There was not enough grain to eat, so the supply on the market was limited.

Zhou Yu didn’t like strong liquor; he preferred various fruit wines and continued eating.

Zhong Yan said, “Strong liquor is hard to find.”

General Bai knew this too. Not enjoying the liquor, he could only eat more.

After dinner, General Bai went back to rest. Zhong Yan chatted with Zhou Yu. Zhong Yan said, “You mentioned Gu Zhifu and the silver. Do you want General Bai to interfere with the autumn harvest?”

Zhou Yu replied, “Yes, rather than letting Gu Zhifu increase taxes privately, it’s better to let General Bai collect them. General Bai needs grain, which will deter Gu Zhifu’s ambitions. Even if both sides get half in the end, it’s still good news for us.”

Zhong Yan sighed, “You’re quick-witted.”

He hadn’t thought of this at the time. Zhou Yu’s foresight made him feel more at ease.

Zhou Yu returned to the east courtyard and found his wife waiting for him, not having taken a nap.

Yang Xi asked, “What kind of person is General Bai?”

Zhou Yu helped his wife sit down. “He’s cautious, meticulous, principled, and farsighted.”

Yang Xi lowered her voice. “Does he want to compete?”

Zhou Yu replied, “I can’t tell yet. Right now, General Bai just wants to protect his own little territory.”

Yang Xi pondered for a moment. “That’s good. Ruizhou will be peaceful.”

Zhou Yu estimated the time. “You should rest.”

Yang Xi was indeed sleepy, but she had been forcing herself to stay awake. She got up and lay down on the kang. “How’s Young Master Bai?”

Zhou Yu laughed. “I only saw him once, and now he’s disappeared. That kid won’t be content to stay and study. Just wait, things are going to get interesting at home.”

Yang Xi yawned. “With Third Yang around.”

Zhou Yu chuckled. “Hmm.”

He hadn’t even considered personally subduing Young Master Bai!   

Zhou Yu was also a little sleepy, so she lay down to rest for a while.

In the afternoon, General Bai sat in the classroom to listen to the lesson. Zhou Bing had more classes in the afternoon, but General Bai didn’t leave and continued to sit attentively and listen to the lessons.

General Bai’s eyes were fixed on the blackboard and chalk, and he even tried them out himself, thinking of taking some back with him; these things were really convenient.

Night fell, and Young Master Bai was escorted back, looking unwilling. He reluctantly called out, “Father.”

General Bai handed his son the blackboard and chalk. “Take a look at this.”

Young Master Bai picked it up, intrigued. “What is this?”

General Bai wrote on the blackboard with the chalk, then wiped it off with a rag. “How is it?”

Young Master Bai asked. “Who came up with this?”

General Bai chuckled. “Your future teacher came up with it.”

Young Master Bai asked, “Zhong Xiānsheng?”

General Bai shook his head. “I’ve changed your teacher.”

Bai Lang was surprised. “Changed?”

“Yes, from now on, Zhou Xiānsheng will be your teacher. Son, your father has good judgment. This man is quite capable. You should learn from him.”

Bai Lang protested, “Father, I’m your son. You don’t like to study, and I’m like you!”

So don’t force him to study. He gets a headache just looking at books, and the thought of his teacher gives him a headache.

General Bai said, “Today, your father listened to it, so you’re my son—you’ll definitely be able to listen to it too.”

Bai Lang exclaimed, “!!”

He didn’t believe his father would listen!

General Bai saw through his son’s thoughts. “If you don’t believe me, try it tomorrow.”

Bai Lang said, “Am I that stupid?”

He wouldn’t bother to see if his father would listen. Anyway, he didn’t want to learn; he didn’t want to stay.

General Bai was furious, but he had to endure it. This was his own son, his only son!

The next day, Bai Lang tried to run away. He had just slipped into the front yard when he saw Third Yang and Zhou Yu practicing martial arts. Bai Lang ignored them and walked past, but a whip lashed out at him. This was too much!

Bai Lang dodged and glared at Third Yang. “Where did you whip that?”

Third Yang straightened his whip. “I’ve heard that General Bai is highly skilled in martial arts. I imagine Young Master Bai is also a master. I’d like to learn from you today.”

Bai Lang, “…”

His father was skilled in martial arts, but he wasn’t. He had never seriously studied. When he was little, his family was afraid he would get hurt, fearing that their only son wouldn’t grow up well. Whenever he practiced martial arts, his grandmother and mother would cry. He couldn’t stand the hardship and wished he didn’t have to learn. So he only knew some rudimentary skills!

Could Bai Lang say he wasn’t good enough? No, he had his pride too!

Third Yang had extracted a lot of information from his deputy yesterday, though it was deliberately leaked by the deputy. He asked provocatively, “Is the Young Master not up to par?”

Young Master Bai remained silent. Was he capable or not?

Zhou Yu stopped practicing and stood watching from the sidelines.

General Bai had followed his son over and was watching from a corner.

Bai Lang swallowed hard, thinking that Third Yang was young and his martial arts skills probably weren’t high. He gritted his teeth. “Let’s compete then; let’s compete with whips.”

Third Yang flicked his whip. “Don’t cry if you lose.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t cry, and I certainly won’t complain.”

Third Yang said, “A competition should have a prize; shall we add some?”

Bai Lang was speechless.

He knew himself well; only a fool would add a prize!

Bai Lang first swung the whip, aiming for Third Yang’s wrist. Although his skills were rudimentary, his whip handling was still quite impressive.

(End of Chapter)

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