RPAGF Chapter 6 Liu Shi Arrives at Rongguo Mansion
Chapter 6 Liu Shi Arrives at Rongguo Mansion
For the next month, Liu Hu trained every day with the Rongguo Duke's personal guards.
Perhaps due to the abundant and oily food at Rongguo Mansion, coupled with the nourishment from lapis lazuli, Liu Hu's height increased significantly within a month, from barely 1.7 meters at the beginning to about 1.8 meters now.
His rapid increase in height is nothing compared to his astonishing talent in martial arts.
From initially only being able to hit a target fifty paces away with a one-stone bow, to now being able to draw a two-stone bow and hit the heart with every arrow eighty paces away.
His archery skills have improved from initially trembling on horseback to now being able to draw his bow while riding at full speed, and he is even more accurate than some of his personal guards who have served in the army for many years.
The most terrifying thing is the visible strength. At the beginning, he could only lift a stone lock with his teeth, but now he can throw a stone lock with a stone weight around as if it were nothing.
During this period, Liu Hu spent all the two taels of silver he had brought from home. He used one tael to buy a revised edition of the "Wujing Zongyao" from Jia Dun, and used the remaining money to have a servant from the Jia family buy some seeds.
Of course, the servants also needed to be given some money for their hard work.
The space in the lapis lazuli shouldn't be wasted. After autumn, Liu Hu will be going to the Western Regions with Jia Daishan. It's unknown how long this trip will take, and the food in the army certainly won't be very good. Liu Hu can treat himself in the space when the time comes.
Although he couldn't fully cultivate the thousand acres of fertile land in the space, he was already quite satisfied. After all, including the hard-earned money for the servant, the total cost was only one tael of silver.
"Kid, want to come over and practice a few moves?"
That day, Zhang Wannian walked over carrying his lance, just like he always did.
It was already March, and the weather was warming up. Seeing Zhang Wannian walking over with his shirt off and chest exposed, carrying a lance, even though Liu Hu had seen it many times before, he was still made a little thirsty by Zhang Wannian's menacing aura.
Ever since Liu Hu arrived, Zhang Wannian has liked to spar with him whenever he has a spare moment. At first, when the two used long sticks and Liu Hu was being poked and screaming, he can now hold his own against Zhang Wannian for a few moves.
But this was the first time Liu Hu had used real weapons.
"Are you really going to fight?!" Liu Hu swallowed hard, asking uncertainly.
Good heavens, if Zhang Wannian were to hit you with this thing, you'd be covered in bruises.
Through observation over this period of time, it has become clear that Zhang Wannian, one of the most formidable generals in the Lantian camp, while possessing superior physical abilities compared to other personal guards, has not yet reached a level that would deter others from taking him down.
Although Zhang Wannian could lift the 400-pound stone lock, Liu Hu could tell that it was already very difficult for him to lift it above his head.
Liu Hu believed that given some time, his strength would definitely surpass Zhang Wannian's, and he could even lift a 500-jin cauldron three times like Xiang Yu.
But now, there is already a gap in strength between the two. What's even more despairing is that what Liu Hu considers an ordinary long stick is like an autopilot in Zhang Wannian's hands. No matter how Liu Hu tries, he can't dodge it.
It's just a simple thrusting and parrying, straightforward and without any skill involved, yet he often ends up with bruises all over his body.
If it weren't for the fact that the Rongguo Mansion's personal guards were treated quite well, with dedicated doctors providing treatment using top-quality medicinal herbs, and special blood-activating and stasis-removing ointments that could be applied frequently, plus the healing water in his spatial storage, Liu Hu doubted whether he could have survived this month.
Seeing Liu Hu's cowardly appearance, Zhang Wannian said confidently, "Of course we'll use the real thing. Waving a long stick around like that will definitely make the spear easier to handle."
"But on the battlefield, what's needed is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, which can't be developed just by swinging a bat."
"Go, grab a weapon that suits you, and I'll let you experience real battlefield combat."
Although Zhang Wannian spoke so confidently, as if he were doing it for his own good.
But Liu Hu had good reason to suspect that this guy must have been upset somewhere and was taking it out on him.
But Liu Hu really wanted to experience the true difference between himself and Zhang Wannian. They had no grudges against each other, so he figured this guy wouldn't take the opportunity to kill him, right?
Although a little timid, Liu Hu still took a long spear and walked to the opposite side of Zhang Wannian, showing off a few spear tricks.
"Please take it easy later!" Liu Hu said hesitantly.
"Tch!" Zhang Wannian glared at Liu Hu. "Cowardly before even fighting, how could someone like that be worthy of the Duke of Rong's favor?"
After saying that, he turned his body slightly to the side, put one hand behind his back, and used his other arm to hold the end of the lance. He pointed the lance tip at Liu Hu from afar and said, "Be careful!" As he spoke, his demeanor suddenly changed.
This moment seemed to awaken the original owner's subconscious, and Liu Hu seemed to return to the moment he encountered the giant insect more than a month ago.
Although his legs were trembling slightly, his eyes were red, as if he was filled with hatred and fear for Zhang Wannian in front of him.
"kill!"
Liu Hu roared, gripped his gun with both hands, and thrust it towards Zhang Wannian's chest.
Central-level spear!
The simplest gun technique for killing, though it is just a simple thrust, has been the most deadly move since ancient times.
The central spear, the king of spears, has one point in the middle that is the hardest to defend against!
"That's interesting!"
Seeing this, Zhang Wannian's expression also turned serious. Facing the spear that Liu Hu thrust at him, Zhang Wannian took half a step forward.
"kill!"
He roared back, but unlike Liu Hu's somewhat immature shout, Zhang Wannian's roar was like a howl in the mountains, filled with an inviolable majesty that made Liu Hu hesitate for a moment.
Immediately, Zhang Wannian stepped forward, deflected Liu Hu's spear with a single hand, and pushed it aside.
Then he took a big step forward, and without turning his spear back, he simply swung it with his backhand.
"Bang!"
Liu Hu suddenly felt as if his waist had broken. He collapsed to the ground, clutching his back and groaning. He kept gasping for breath, feeling pain all over and general discomfort.
If this were in later generations, you wouldn't be able to get Liu Hu started without two or three hundred thousand.
But now, Zhang Wannian still had a cold face, staring intently at Liu Hu lying on the ground: "Get up!"
Liu Hu looked up at Zhang Wannian, who was staring down at him. At that moment, Liu Hu could clearly see extreme contempt and disgust in Zhang Wannian's eyes.
It was as if in his eyes, he was a useless piece of trash who was good for nothing and good for nothing.
"If this were a battlefield, you would already be dead!"
Under Zhang Wannian's gaze, Liu Hu endured the discomfort and pain throughout his body, and struggled to get up from the ground, supporting his waist.
"What's wrong? Lately, do you feel like your strength has increased and your archery and horsemanship have become more proficient, making you feel like you're invincible again?"
"Let me tell you, kid, the battlefield is not child's play. If you're not careful, you can die without a burial place."
"If you still think you have amazing talent and can treat the battlefield like a game, and can't learn to respect war, then I advise you to go back as soon as possible, so as not to harm yourself and others."
After saying that, he put away his lance and left without looking back.
Only now did Liu Hu understand Zhang Wannian's intention.
It seems that ever since I bought the seeds and seedlings and planted them in my space, I feel that I have the confidence to live in this era.
Having space as a safety net is like having a way out. He has even considered that if he can't make it in the military, he can always go back home and farm.
Anyway, there's space, and I believe that I and my family can live well.
With his physique growing stronger under the nourishment of lapis lazuli, and his skills in archery, horsemanship, and weaponry becoming increasingly proficient, he felt that the battlefield was nothing special, and that he would one day be invincible.
So lately I've been taking things a bit too easy.
But I almost forgot that in this era, if you don't have power, you can't always guarantee your own safety.
Especially on the battlefield, a single oversight can cost you your life.
After all, this is no longer the Han and Tang dynasties. With the large-scale application of firearms, even iron could not withstand the impact, let alone ourselves.
"Even Zhang Wannian could see that, so..."
Just as he was wondering if Jadun had also noticed his recent strange behavior, Jadun walked over.
"How are you? Are you alright?" Jia Dun asked with concern as he helped Liu Hu up.
"It should be fine, it'll be alright after a while," Liu Hu said, grimacing.
"Alright, stop showing off. Let me help you back to your room."
While Liu Hu was recovering from his injuries in the house, he was surprised to find that Jia Dun was drinking with Zhang Wannian in a restaurant.
"Don't ask me for this kind of thing again. My wife thought I was possessed because of my acting skills, and she wouldn't let me into the house for several days."
Zhang Wannian picked up the wine bowl, drank the wine in it, wiped his mouth, and said with a depressed look.
"This is the Lord's command. If I don't come to you, am I supposed to go to that scoundrel Sun Yijie?"
Jia Dun nonchalantly picked up a bite of food and stuffed it into his mouth, but when he mentioned Sun Yijie's name, a look of disgust appeared on his face.
"Hey, you know what, if we put someone like that in this job, he'd be perfect!" Zhang Wannian disagreed, instead agreeing wholeheartedly.
Although he looked down on people like Sun Yijie, Zhang Wannian had to admit that such a villain could definitely become the sharpest claws of those in power, and was perfect for playing the bad cop.
"Do you think he can easily defeat Tiger now?" Jadun asked rhetorically.
"Uh..." Zhang Wannian was speechless after hearing this. At present, Liu Hu's personal guards only had three centurions who were confident of defeating him.
Of the three, he was far ahead in martial prowess, followed by Jia Dun and Sun Yijie.
Jia Dun is slightly better than Sun Yijie, but he is currently leading troops under the Rongguo Academy, hoping to become capable of leading independently in the future.
As for Sun Yijie, that guy is a complete scoundrel; he's willing to lower himself to climb the social ladder.
Although Zhang Wannian also looked down on this guy, they were on good terms, and Jia Dun wouldn't cause him trouble for no reason.
After all, a true villain is much more reassuring than a hypocrite who is all talk and no action.
However, if he were to fight Liu Hu in a real fight now, he wouldn't be able to win in less than twenty or thirty rounds.
"Tiger's talent is undeniable, otherwise he wouldn't have been valued by the general. However, he is still just a fifteen-year-old boy, and his temperament is rather impetuous."
"The commander didn't want such a promising talent to die on the battlefield, so he had us give him a warning."
Jadun picked up his wine glass and took a swig, feeling a little jealous of Liu Hu.
He understood what this talent and the Duke of Rong's high regard meant. If nothing unexpected happened, Liu Hu would definitely become a general who could stand on his own in the future.
He himself had followed this path, but after six years of hard work, he was almost overtaken by Liu Hu, who had only been in the army for a month.
The next day, Liu Hu got up early to train at the training ground. Although he had been badly beaten the day before, thanks to the doctor's treatment and the effects of the lapis lazuli, he was able to get up and train.
After greeting the others, Liu Hu began his day's training: horseback archery, staff fighting, Miao sword...
He himself didn't realize that his training today was a little different from before, with a hint of ruthlessness in every move.
"Tiger, someone's looking for you outside. They say it's your mother."
Just as Liu Hu calmed down, the gatekeeper of the Jia family suddenly came over and called out.
To be honest, I've been in the Jia family for a month now, and apart from meeting Jia Daishan once at the beginning, I've only met Jia She a few times, and haven't exchanged a single word with him.
Everyone else only heard his voice but never saw him; they had only exchanged a few words with the gatekeeper.
Later I learned that the Rongguo Mansion's family members lived in the back courtyard when they had nothing to do, and they really never left the inner courtyard. Only those who had official business to attend to would go out to do errands.
No wonder the main characters in the original work always hang out in the mansion; it turns out they can't go out at all, so what else can they do but hang out?
Even when he occasionally had to go out, he would always use the back gate of the Jia family mansion.
"mother!"
Following the gatekeeper out through the small door, I immediately saw Liu Shi carrying her daughter on her back, looking anxious.
Because he inherited the original owner's memories and emotions, Liu Hu's eyes reddened the moment he saw Liu Shi, and he rushed forward to kneel down and kowtow to her.
At this moment, Liu saw her son and hurriedly stepped forward to help Liu Hu, who was about to kneel down: "Cat!"
Although Liu Hu had changed quite a bit, Liu recognized her son at a glance.
Seeing that Liu Hu was alright, she immediately started crying and slapped him hard a few times, sobbing as she said, "You wretched child, how could you go out for a short trip and end up as a soldier? If something happens to you, how are my daughter and I supposed to live?"
Although the Great Zhou Dynasty placed great importance on military merit, the prevailing attitude of looking down on military service, which had existed among the people for hundreds of years since the Song Dynasty, still persisted.
Especially during the early Ming Dynasty, military households were explicitly classified as lowly, on par with entertainers and courtesans. Even ordinary farmers were unwilling to marry into military households.
The idea that "good men don't become soldiers, and good iron isn't used for nails" is not so easy to shake off.
"Ouch! Mom, don't hit me!" Although it didn't hurt much, Liu Hu still begged for mercy loudly, his mouth agape.
"You brat, what am I supposed to say to you!" Seeing that her son seemed to be in pain, Liu stopped hitting him, but still pinched him again, still not satisfied.
"Ouch..." This time it really hurt.
"Mom, don't be angry, I'm perfectly fine!"
Liu Hu quickly grabbed Liu's hand, afraid that she would pinch him again.
"My son has gained the favor of the Duke of Rongguo. He has been eating and living well these days. In the future, he will also earn an official title for you."
"Then you'll be a Lady of Imperial Decree, an ancestor of noble families!"
To reassure Liu Shi, Liu Hu patted his chest and said.
The two-month-old baby girl seemed to hear the noise. With her big, dark eyes wide open, she lay on her mother's back, sucking her fingers and kicking her little legs as she hopped and jumped towards Liu Hu, howling loudly.