"Xiaoheng is so promising..."
Chen Jinhua's tone was complex, a mixture of envy and bitterness.
'What does he mean, he didn't have time to tell us? It's blatant favoritism.'
'How could my second brother afford to send Chen Heng to learn martial arts? It had to be Elder Chen who paid for it.'
"If Chen Heng can become a Martial Scholar..." Elder Chen's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice filled with anticipation. "Our family's taxes would be reduced by sixty percent."
Chen Heng puffed out his chest and declared with confidence, "Don't worry, Grandpa! I'll study hard. I won't just reduce the family's taxes—in the future, once I've saved up enough silver, I'll bring you to the Inner City to live a life of comfort!"
He tilted his head back, a trace of smugness in his expression.
He was a young man, after all. How could he not be high-spirited after such an achievement?
"Good, good, good!"
Elder Chen's face was filled with gratification, and he was grinning from ear to ear.
The Inner City was the place he had dreamed of his entire life.
At this thought, Elder Chen's gaze toward Chen Heng, already full of affection, now carried the heavy weight of hope.
Ms. Han responded absently a few times before finally getting back to the point. "Father, about Ah Qing's apprenticeship..."
"Sigh!"
Elder Chen let out a long sigh, tapping his pipe against the edge of the table. "Xiaoheng's martial arts training concerns the rise and fall of the Chen Family. As for silver coins... we need to set aside more."
He had struggled for most of his life, getting beaten black and blue by the world. He knew full well that to make a name for oneself, the family needed a skilled martial artist.
And Chen Heng was the Chen Family's only hope.
As for Chen Qing learning a trade, he was truly willing but unable to help.
"Sister-in-law!"
Chen Wen said, his expression one of deep distress, "You have to look at the big picture! If Xiaoheng succeeds in the future, can you imagine what that would be like? Would he forget you, his aunt? You need to be more far-sighted!"
Ms. Han was at a loss for words.
"Xiaoheng."
Chen Jinhua's mind started racing. She quickly said, "If you run into any trouble with your training, just tell your aunt! I'll definitely support you!"
She figured she should get on his good side early.
Chen Heng said bluntly, "Aunt, I don't have any difficulties right now. I just want to eat meat."
Gaolin County was located by the river, so most of its people were fishermen. This made the price of pork extremely high.
At the mention of 'meat', even Chen Wen, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but swallow.
"You silly child, what nonsense are you spouting?"
His second aunt feigned anger and slapped Chen Heng lightly before turning to Chen Jinhua with a forced smile. "Sister, the boy is just greedy and talking nonsense. Don't take him seriously."
Chen Jinhua's heart ached at the expense, but she forced a smile and said, "Wanting to eat meat? That's simple! Come to my house tomorrow, and I'll make sure you have your fill!"
"Thank you, Aunt," Chen Heng replied quickly, as if afraid Chen Jinhua would go back on her word.
Ms. Han looked toward Elder Chen, her last hope in her voice. "Father..."
Elder Chen took a deep drag from his pipe, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, and made his decision. "We'll talk about Ah Qing's apprenticeship some other time."
Ms. Han looked as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she remained silent.
Thinking of the neglect she had endured over the years, she couldn't help but feel wronged.
Chen Qing secretly shook his head.
'Elder Chen has bet the entire family's future on Chen Heng, counting on his martial arts to restore their prestige.'
'Trying to pry even half a copper coin from him right now is just wishful thinking.'
After a moment of silence, he looked up. "Grandpa, I want to practice martial arts, too."
As soon as he spoke, the entire room fell silent.
Chen Wen was stunned for a moment, then sneered, "Ah Qing, martial arts aren't something just anyone can practice."
Chen Jinhua mercilessly twisted the knife. "To learn martial arts, you need the right Root Bone and talent! With your physique and your brains... it's not that I'm trying to put you down, but learning would just be a waste of money! You should just find a steady trade."
She was convinced her nephew was too dull and slow to be material for martial arts.
Chen Qing paid no mind to their attacks and asked, "Grandpa, can I learn from Xiaoheng?"
A thought struck Ms. Han, and she quickly nodded. "That's right, just let Xiaoheng teach Ah Qing a little..."
'If my son could learn martial arts from Chen Heng, that would be wonderful.'
"Absolutely not!"
Hearing this, Chen Heng shook his head vigorously. "The Martial Arts Hall has rules; its techniques can't be taught to outsiders. Besides, I have to train hard every day for the Martial Arts Examination. Where would I find the spare time to teach anyone?"
'I'm busy enough as it is,' he thought. 'I don't have time to be Chen Qing's martial arts tutor.'
'Besides, my cousin isn't cut out for it anyway. It would just be a complete waste of my time.'
His second aunt frowned and chimed in, "We can't let him hold Xiaoheng back."
Elder Chen's face immediately darkened. He snapped, "Ah Qing, you're not suited for martial arts, so stop this nonsense!"
Xiaoheng was all his hope now.
'What if Chen Qing holds him back? That would be a disaster.'
"Father..."
Ms. Han still wanted to say more.
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH!"
Elder Chen suddenly began to cough violently. His second aunt patted his back, then sneered at Ms. Han. "Have you forgotten, Sister-in-law? Father can't get worked up."
Chen Jinhua also shot Ms. Han a glare and said, "Eldest Brother's wife, stop talking."
Ms. Han's face went pale. Chen Qing placed a hand on his mother's trembling one.
He remembered that snowy night, his second uncle wailing as he clung to his grandfather's leg, while his own father silently shouldered his pack.
The bones of the canal laborers could have built a second city wall.
"Being a fisherman on the river isn't a bad choice either."
Elder Chen finally waved his hand dismissively, pointing his pipe toward the dust-covered sculling oar in the corner. "Just like your father..."
At this point, Ms. Han was completely disheartened.
Chen Qing kept his head down and said nothing. He hadn't heard what Elder Chen said at all.
'I have to find a way to learn martial arts, no matter what.'
'It's the only way out.'
* * *
The river's surface shimmered with sparkling light.
Their linked boat swayed gently with the waves, letting out a soft CREAK.
Chen Qing sat on the deck of the boat. On a worn wooden table sat a bowl of rice bran porridge, so thin you could see your reflection in it, along with half a dusty-gray distiller's grain flatbread.
This so-called "distiller's grain flatbread" was made from the dregs discarded by wineries, mixed with rice bran and baked.
Ms. Han looked a little guilty. "Today... I added a bit too much water. Tomorrow, I'll buy some reed seeds to add to it."
"It's fine this way. It'll last longer."
Chen Qing took the bowl. Its rough ceramic rim was already chipped in several places.
GURGLE!
The rice bran became drier the more he chewed, carrying the musty smell of an old granary. The coarse bits scraped his throat, making it raw and sore.
He had to gulp down several mouthfuls of cold water just to swallow it. His stomach felt heavy, as if stuffed with dry hay.
It didn't taste good, but fortunately, he was used to it.
After all, in this world, just having something to eat was a blessing.
According to Uncle Gao, during famines, some people outside the city even ate sod, tree roots, and something called Guanyin clay.
Guanyin clay was even more difficult to swallow than rice bran and made one desperately thirsty. But if you drank too much water, the clay would expand, rupture your stomach and intestines, and you would suffocate to death.
Chen Qing knew that in this world, the poor would die an even more miserable death without enough survival experience.
Compared to Guanyin clay, the rice bran gruel was practically a delicacy.
"...Learning a trade wouldn't be so bad," Ms. Han said in a low voice. "Not long ago, I went to Dew City and heard that Carpenter Li is looking for an apprentice. I'll weave more nets during this time, and after our food expenses, we'll see if we can save up some copper coins..."
'Even though learning a trade might mean a lifetime of toil, at least it's a way to survive.'
Most of the young people in Mute Bay ended up this way nowadays.
"Mom, you don't have to work so hard. I'll figure something out."
Chen Qing agreed verbally, but his mind was already secretly calculating.
'In this world, a strong fist is your foundation, and silver is your shield.'
'Even if I learn a trade, I'll still be exploited.'
'The gangs have mastered a cruel balance: they won't let you starve, but they'll never let you live comfortably either.'
In truth, the most troublesome thing on Chen Qing's mind was not the Incense Money, nor the size of the fish catch, but the recently rampant Water Bandits.
'If we run into them, we'd be lucky to escape with our lives.'
He secretly calculated that if all else failed, he would first rely on his net-weaving skills to secretly save up some capital, then slowly plot a path toward learning martial arts.
But... who knew how long he would have to endure on that path.
Ms. Han's lips trembled slightly, and the gruel in her bowl rippled.
She knew Chen Qing had his own ideas, but their family's situation was just too difficult.
"Auntie, Ah Qing!"
Just then, a clear voice called out from outside the cabin door.