Chapter 30: Past and Future, Martial Arts and Civilization When Gaoliu City was first established, it needed powerful warriors to take charge, as well as a large number of soldiers to defend the city and martial artists to maintain order. To this day, warriors guarding the city are still crucial! But all the chores in the city, including calculation, record-keeping, registration, communication, organization, etc., require people who can read and write. It is said that there are nearly three hundred literate people in the Guantian Tower in the inner city, but most of them are from the inner city. For the people in the outer city, studying and learning to read is a waste of time. It is better to work more, earn money and have enough food to eat than sitting idle at home. Those with better financial conditions believe that practicing martial arts to strengthen their bodies and protect their homes and businesses are the most practical skills to have in these troubled times. This is the idea that has been passed down through many generations over a long period of time. "But my eldest brother broke this inherent concept at an early age. Before he was transferred to Qifeng Prefecture, he paid an old clerk from the Outer South Yamen to teach me and my second brother how to read and write." Lin Yan thought to himself, "In fact, throughout history, those who have achieved success in martial arts are not completely illiterate."

The first level of martial arts is skin, flesh, tendons and bones. Or one can rely on one's own physique, work hard, hone oneself, and supplement with medicinal baths and elixirs to achieve success. But when you reach the second level of martial arts, you start refining blood and washing marrow. This step requires learning real skills and understanding the mysteries behind them. It cannot be accomplished simply by tempering oneself. As for the third level of martial arts, which involves the training of the internal organs, one must be extremely cautious. The techniques involved are profound, complex, and difficult to understand. They require careful study before one can begin to practice them. Otherwise, one will damage the internal organs and the consequences will be disastrous. "Ayan, you're here?" At this moment, a voice came from behind, full of surprise. The second brother, Lin Lei, was holding a big fat baby and quickly put the child aside. He strode forward, looked Lin Yan over for a moment, then heaved a sigh of relief. "My second brother slept late yesterday. When I woke up, I heard that the whole city was under martial law. Your sister-in-law has already hung up willow branches to illuminate the night." "I heard the sound of bells and drums in the middle of the night, indicating that the situation was critical. I was very worried." "I just went to the old house and you were not at home. If I hadn't seen that your bath water was still warm, I would have been worried that something had happened to you." "Huh? What are you buying refined salt for? We can't afford this stuff. Let's go back to the salt shop and see if they will give us a replacement..." He kept on talking, but after seeing Lin Yan, he felt relieved and reached out to touch the little girl's head. Turning around again, the little cub who had just been put down was laughing loudly, crawling all over the ground with his hands like paddling water, chasing the ants. Lin Yan stepped forward, grabbed the little boy, held him in his arms, and said with a smile: "It's a gift from someone else. If you think it's extravagant, you can exchange it for it." "Well, it's a small matter. I'm glad that everyone is OK." Lin Lei said this with a hint of fear on his face, "Last night, more than a dozen people died in the outer street, including two families whose entire families were wiped out. This city hasn't seen such a disaster in many years."

"Your sister-in-law's eldest brother was favored by our Linjiangfang's Fangzheng master at the beginning of the year and was promoted to the head of the sixth street in the west." "I was transferred there this morning to help deal with the aftermath, clean up the broken bricks and rubble, and collect the bodies. I will send someone to the inner city to eliminate the resentment in the temple to prevent it from becoming an evil ghost." "By the way, I heard that there are still some evil spirits in the city, and no one knows where they are hiding. I'm afraid it won't be peaceful these days. You are alone in the old house, and I always feel uneasy and scared. How about moving in?" The second brother said, "Besides, since the second brother built this house, you haven't come to live here. The neighbors in the neighborhood think that we brothers are not getting along. How bad is that?" Of these three small tiled houses, the innermost one is where my brother and sister-in-law live, and it also serves as the kitchen. There is a stove and a water tank inside. In the center room, there is a bed in the corner and a dining table and chairs in the middle. The outermost room is divided into two halves, one half is for beds and the other half is for sundries. There is also a small yard outside, divided into two parts, where a pig and two chickens are raised, and the other part is used to grow vegetables. Compared with the old house, it is already extremely spacious, and placed in Linjiangfang, it is also considered a "luxury house" that the surrounding neighbors envy. "We'll stay here today and move tomorrow. Go pick some vegetables in the back and I'll cook for you. Let's have lunch together, brothers." After Lin Lei said this, he went to the stove to light a fire. Lin Yan did not refuse, and went to the backyard, asking casually: "By the way, why don't you see my second sister-in-law?" Hearing this, Lin Lei smiled and said, "Today, everyone in the city is cleaning up after what happened last night. The government has mobilized a lot of people, and they have to eat! That brother-in-law has always taken care of our family. Let your sister-in-law go over to help with the cooking. The government will pay her a hundred copper coins..." Hearing this, Lin Yan smiled and said, "My second brother works as a steward in the pharmacy, earning less than three taels of silver a month. If you calculate the daily wages, my sister-in-law earns more than you today." "Hey, you still underestimate your brother. Look at the tools in the yard. Every time I come home from the pharmacy, I make some tables, chairs and benches in my spare time. I earn a lot of money." Lin Lei said this with great pride: "When you get married, I will make you a wedding bed myself." Just saying this, his expression gradually became strange. Most likely he was thinking of what happened the night before, but his expression was strange, but it only flashed for a moment, and he said no more. When Lin Yan saw this, he understood. In his impression, his brother has always been down-to-earth and hardworking, but in fact he is also a very intelligent person with a very calm temperament. After learning to read and write, he went to a pharmacy and asked for a job as an accountant. Later he was promoted to manager. The second brother must have felt that what happened the night before was too mysterious and strange, and that it would be useless to tell his family, and would only add to their worries, so he did not mention the matter. "It's good intention to report good news but not bad news, but after being deceived by the evil spirit, your spirit is still a little weak. If you don't deal with it sooner or later, you will suffer from a serious illness." "Mr. Lu will give this evil-repelling talisman to you later. Wear it overnight and you will be fine tomorrow." Lin Yan was thinking this in his heart, but at this moment, he heard a noise coming from outside, which was quite noisy. Although he was not close, his voice was agitated and it was obvious that he was in intense emotions. The second brother, who was about to light a fire, suddenly sighed and put down the firewood. "That's Uncle Zhou's house." "Two years ago, his kid got a job at the Outer South District City Defense Office. It was a great honor for the family, and Uncle Zhou was also very proud."

"His family also set up three tables of wine and food, and I also went to give a gift." "Later, he was transferred back to Linjiangfang and became a night watchman. I have seen him a few times. He is a polite and considerate person." "In the past two years, the neighbors have shown great respect to Uncle Zhou, and the Zhou family members have also often shown concern for him." "I heard that he was transferred to guard the city last night and died on the city wall." Lin Lei looked a little sad, and said: "It looked so glorious and promising, but who would have thought that it would be gone overnight." Lin Yan remained silent. Last night on the city wall, he saw Zhou Ji's body. Then he looked outside and said in a low voice, "What's going on?" "Eat the whole family." Lin Lei sighed, walked out, and said, "Uncle Zhou has treated me well since I moved here. You wait at home, I'll go take a look." Lin Yan did not stop him and nodded slightly. Then he heard the little girl behind him say in a baby voice: "Little pig, what does it mean to eat up the whole family?" (End of this chapter)