usatvline Chapter 65 Zhou Family and Li Family Martial Arts School
Chapter 65 Zhou Family and Li Family Martial Arts School
Behind the bar at the Li Family Martial Arts School was a burly man, who was bored when he saw Song Jiaojiao and the others come in.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Sir, we've come to ask if the martial arts school is still accepting students?" Song Jiaojiao asked.
"Is it the one who wants to learn martial arts?" the man asked loudly.
Song Jiaojiao gestured for Wang Hefan and Xu Sen to come forward and said, "It's the two of them."
The man looked at the two men and said, "My surname is Zhang, and everyone calls me Instructor Zhang. Our Li Family Martial Arts School requires a test before accepting anyone; only those who pass will be accepted."
"I wonder where we can test it?" Song Jiaojiao thought of what the old lady at the wonton stall had said about the Li Family Martial Arts School having even higher requirements.
"You two come with me, the rest of you stay put," Instructor Zhang said, looking at Wang Hefan and the others.
Wang Hefan glanced at Song Jiaojiao, who nodded at him. Wang Hefan then followed Instructor Zhang behind the curtain.
Fifteen minutes later, Wang Hefan emerged relatively easily, but Xu Sen's face was flushed, and upon closer inspection, his hands and feet were trembling slightly.
Instructor Zhang chuckled, "Madam, this lad is quite good, a promising martial arts student. The other one isn't bad either, barely passing. Let me explain the fees to you." Instructor Zhang pointed at Wang Hefan and praised him.
"Our Li Family Martial Arts School currently has 13 disciples, mostly between 12 and 17 years old. The annual tuition is 25 taels, accommodation is 10 taels, and living expenses are 6 taels per month. Don't be fooled by our high fees; the instructors and masters in our school are all brought in from Beijing, so naturally, we are incomparable to other schools."
Song Jiaojiao thought that it was indeed taller than the Zhou family's house, and wondered what it looked like inside. "May I go in and have a look?"
Instructor Zhang stammered, "This...this might not be convenient." Then he looked at Wang Hefan, gritted his teeth, and clapped his hands, saying...
"Alright then, it's really not convenient for women to go in there, so let the men come in with me!"
Wang Hefan glanced at Song Jiaojiao, who thought about it and decided to let them go and take a look. "Then we'll have to trouble Instructor Zhang."
Song Jiaojiao pulled Wang Hefan aside and instructed him, "Go in and observe more, then tell me when you come out."
"I know, Mother, don't worry," Wang Hefan said knowingly.
After watching them go inside, Song Jiaojiao, who had nothing to do, started observing the street from the doorway.
Besides the Zhou Family Martial Arts School across the street, there is also a pharmacy not far from the school. People who want to practice martial arts here are bound to get injured. The pharmacy is closer to the street exit, so it won't affect this area.
Opposite the pharmacy was a security escort agency. Most security escort agencies are located closer to the city gate for easy access, but this one was different. Although it wasn't too far from the city gate, it still took a little over a quarter of an hour to walk there. Looking up, you could see the Sifang Security Escort Agency.
Song Jiaojiao recalled what the old lady at the wonton stall had said: anyone with a square shape on their name could be the same person who owns the wontons. She wondered if it was true.
Looking into the street, you can see a bookstore, but it's not so clear beyond that. The shops are quite far apart, and there aren't many people on the street.
After Song Jiaojiao had looked around, she went inside and sat down to wait. About 15 minutes later, Wang Hefan and his group came out.
"Mother, the layout inside is similar to that of the Zhou family, but the food and living conditions are better. The living quarters are four-person bunks, and the meals consist of four dishes and a soup, three meat dishes and one vegetable dish."
After Wang Hefan finished speaking, Song Jiaojiao had a general understanding of the situation. "Instructor Zhang, I also have a general understanding of the situation. Let's go back and think about it first."
“Alright, I know the expenses are considerable, but this kid is really good. Madam, please make a decision as soon as possible,” Instructor Zhang said appreciatively.
After Song Jiaojiao and her group left, they planned to return to the inn. When they arrived at the entrance of Sifang Escort Agency, they saw a sign that read "Accepting Apprentices".
Since she was already there, Song Jiaojiao decided to go in and take a look.
"Is Madam sending a letter home or going on a delivery mission?" a tall, burly man asked as he approached.
"I saw a sign outside your shop advertising apprenticeships. What are the specific requirements?" Song Jiaojiao asked.
"The apprentices will receive 100 coins a month, including room and board, and will need to sign a three-year contract," the man said loudly, his eyes fixed on Meng An.
"What will you mainly be doing in the next three years? I see you're a security escort agency, will apprentices also have to do escort work?"
"Madam, an apprentice is a complete novice who knows nothing. We wouldn't dare entrust our employer's goods to someone who knows nothing. Only apprentices who have passed the verification process will gradually begin their escort duties," the burly man said with a hint of helplessness. He had become quite adept at explaining this to many people who had come to him with questions recently.
"So what will they mainly teach?" Song Jiaojiao asked again.
The burly man glanced at her speechlessly and slowly said, "The most important thing for a security escort agency is skill. Learning martial arts is a must. Of course, this is not a martial arts school. You will learn some fist and foot techniques, and you will need to know a little about broadswords, swords, and the like. We don't need to be proficient, but at least you should know how to use them."
Those who graduate from martial arts schools still have to complete three years of apprenticeships and pass a rigorous test before they can work as镖师 (bodyguards/escorts). Secondly, knowledge is crucial; being uneducated is a serious disadvantage when traveling, otherwise, one won't even understand a contract. "Which brother is coming?"
Although the big man asked the question, his eyes were fixed on Meng An.
Song Jiaojiao was speechless, feeling as if her servant was about to be taken away.
"I have one last question. Is there any connection between Sifang Escort Agency and Sifang Tower?"
"There's not much of a connection; he's just an employer," the burly man said dismissively.
Song Jiaojiao: ......
“Young lady, you have learned everything you need to know, you can make a decision now.”
Song Jiaojiao looked at Wang Hefan and decided to go back and ask for his opinion. "Thank you for your explanation. Let's go back and discuss it further."
The big man didn't speak, but simply nodded to show his understanding.
After leaving the Sifang Escort Agency, Song Jiaojiao and her group returned to the inn, where they also had dinner. After dinner, Song Jiaojiao called Wang Hefan and Xu Sen to her room.
"He Fan, are you satisfied with any of these restaurants today?"
"Mother, I still want to go to the escort agency." Wang Hefan hesitated for a moment before finally expressing his thoughts.
"Oh, why do you want to go to the escort agency? Is the martial arts school not good enough?" Song Jiaojiao asked, puzzled.
“It’s not that the martial arts school is bad, it’s just… I feel that I can learn more at the escort agency. I’m already 15, and I don’t know how long it would take to learn any skills at the martial arts school. I also want to be able to help my mother as soon as possible.” Wang Hefan thought that although the environment at the martial arts school was better, he didn’t know when he would be able to complete his studies. His mother had already suffered a lot over the years, and he didn’t want her to bear it all alone.
“A security escort agency isn’t a martial arts school; it involves real danger, and you could even lose your life. Escorting goods not only means dealing with changing weather and sleeping outdoors, but also potentially facing ruthless bandits. It’s inevitable that you’ll fight, injure people, or even… kill them.” Song Jiaojiao paused before continuing, “Even so, you still go to a security escort agency?”