Chapter 13 Martial Arts Warrior

Chapter 13 Martial Arts Warrior

Chapter 13 Martial Arts Warrior
Xiao Xia returned to the dormitory and happened to meet Xiao Zhurong.

"What a coincidence. I knocked on your door just now and you weren't in. It's just in time for you to come back. Let's have dinner together?"

Xiao Xia nodded, "Let's eat first!"

The two of them came to the food store, got their food, and found a seat to sit down. There were many people eating in the shed, but they were all outsiders. There were basically no warriors, and it seemed that there were only the two of them.

Xiao Xia asked in confusion: "What's going on? The warriors didn't come back for dinner?"

Xiao Zhurong smiled and said, "Today is the martial arts exam. After the exam, we will definitely go to the restaurant for a party, and then have some fun in the evening. I guess we won't be back until midnight."

"What is the difference between a samurai and a martial art? You haven't told me yet?"

Xiao Zhurong smiled and explained to Xiao Xia: "The martial arts grade is a unified standard of the court, certified by government offices at all levels, and is divided into nine grades in total. It is just a qualification recognized by the court. With this qualification, you can find a good job in the government, or serve as a general in the army.

But the imperial court did not recognize the samurai rank, because samurai was not an official or a military position, it was just a civilian profession, which is very subtle, do you understand what I mean?"

"Military unit!" Xiao Xia blurted out.

"Smart indeed!"

Xiao Zhurong gave a thumbs up and praised: "You are absolutely right. The warrior level is actually the level of the private army. Although people don't mention private armies now, it is still the same thing."

"Is the martial arts exam easy?"

"The first three levels are relatively easy. I passed the second level of martial arts last year. The fourth level starts to involve internal strength, which is very difficult."

"Can I become a samurai directly after passing the first level of martial arts?"

“Of course you can. Each family has different requirements. For example, the Chen family in Jiangdu, once they obtain the first-grade martial arts qualification, they can directly become a second-grade warrior without taking any exams.

But the Xiao family can't do that, because the warrior's level is directly linked to the treatment, so the level must be determined through strict examinations. There was once a warrior who got the third level of martial arts, which sounds great, but when the family actually took the exam, he didn't even meet the standard of a third-level warrior. You actually know this person."

"Who?"

Xiao Zhurong pointed behind Xiao Xia, and Xiao Xia looked back.
I saw Xiao Jiangu, the guy from before, walking in with a few of his men, talking and laughing, and Liu Erhu following beside them with a fawning smile on his face.

Xiao Xia was stunned, "Isn't he a level 2 warrior leader?"

Xiao Zhurong said coldly: "His becoming a leader has nothing to do with martial arts, it has everything to do with his father!"

"Liu Erhu seems to be trying to please him?"

Xiao Zhurong snorted, "Because the third-level warriors are still lacking a deputy leader, I guess he is seeking this position. Although Liu Erhu's character is not very good, he has real skills. He is a first-level warrior and is said to be a fourth-level martial artist!"

"It's actually a fourth-grade one?"

Xiao Xia was a little shocked. He had come into contact with so many people, but it seemed that only Liu Erhu was a fourth-rank official, and the others were at most a third-rank official.

Xiao Zhurong smiled and said, "In fact, whether it's martial arts or warriors, they are all for making a living. The real masters disdain these certifications, such as Zhang, the general manager of the martial arts hall!"

Xiao Xia pricked up his ears and asked quickly, "What's wrong with him?"

"He is the best among the best. Qiu Hailiang is the highest-ranking warrior among our warriors. He is a first-class warrior and a fourth-rank warrior. When Manager Zhang first came last year, he went to challenge him, but he came back in disgrace. It is said that he could not even block a single blow.

But Zhang Zongguan is neither a warrior nor has he taken any martial arts exams. We estimate that he is at least at the seventh level of martial arts, but he simply disdains to participate in martial arts certification. To put it bluntly, he just doesn't want to contribute to the court!"

Xiao Xia listened with longing, the seventh level of martial arts, what kind of martial arts is that?
"What is the origin of Manager Zhang?" Xiao Xia asked curiously again.

Xiao Zhurong looked around and saw no one around, so he lowered his voice and said, "There is a rumor, I don't know if it's true or not, it says that he was originally a general in the Chen Dynasty army, and had a close relationship with the Jinling Xiao family. It was the Jinling Xiao family who recommended him to be the general manager."

Xiao Xia suddenly realized that he was a general in the army, no wonder his martial arts were so high.

Xiao Zhurong smiled and asked again, "Xiao Qilang, are you interested in trying the first grade this afternoon? The first grade is very easy to pass."

Even though Xiao Xia was thick-skinned, his face suddenly turned red, even his ankles were red. Xiao Xia couldn't put on a good face, and said awkwardly: "Actually, I don't know any martial arts at all, I just used connections to get in here to make a living."

Xiao Zhurong was startled, then immediately understood, and quickly apologized, "I can't speak, please don't mind, Qilang!"

"fine!"

Xiao Xia waved her hands, "I don't know why, I was assigned here without knowing why."

"That also requires the special approval of the head of the family, Qilang, your connections are very strong!"

Xiao Xia sighed, "Actually, I don't want to either. I have nothing to do all day and just lie there after eating. Life is so boring!"

Xiao Zhurong thought for a moment and said, "Actually, you can go to a martial arts school to learn martial arts. I went to a martial arts school when I was eight years old and practiced for eight years."

"I started practicing martial arts when I was eight years old!"

Xiao Xia was a little surprised, "You don't study?"

Xiao Xia made a big turn, and Xiao Zhurong almost couldn't keep up. He scratched his head and said, "I studied for a few years! But I still mainly practiced martial arts."

Xiao Xia suddenly thought of something and asked, "Is the county government far from here?"

"What are you going to do at the county government office?"

"I just want to thank a benefactor. Without him, I would have died in prison."

Three black lines appeared on Xiao Zhurong's forehead. When had this kid ever been in jail?
But Xiao Zhurong still patiently used chopsticks to draw a route for him on the table.

"Go out of the gate of the Warrior Camp where we live and walk south. After about two miles, you will see a three-story building with red and yellow stripes. It is very magnificent. That is the Guanyun Restaurant, one of the three largest restaurants in Jiangdu City. The county government office is diagonally opposite."

After a conversation with Xiao Zhurong, Xiao Xia finally understood that the starting point for all martial artists is a martial arts gym, just like a school.

After completing his studies at the martial arts school, one will be faced with a choice: to serve the government or the imperial court, or to serve a wealthy family.

This is the same as in later generations when graduating from university, one has to take the civil service exam or have an interview to get a job at a big company.

If you want to work for the government, you have to take the martial arts exam. For example, Lao Liu’s biggest dream is to become a constable, so he has to pass the martial arts exam and pass the first level.

If you want to work for a wealthy family, you have to take the warrior exams in each family. For example, Xiao Zhurong studied martial arts for eight years and passed the exam to become a third-level warrior in the Xiao family, getting a good job to support his family.

But most people are free. They can take the martial arts exam or the samurai exam. Today they can serve a wealthy family as a samurai, and if they have the opportunity tomorrow, they can join the army and become a general.

However, some people are special, such as Liu Ergou, Wu San and others. They are family warriors, and are actually family slaves. They have no choice but to serve as warriors for wealthy families for generations.

Although the Sui Dynasty entered a period of great unification, the influence of the aristocratic families of the Jin and Southern and Northern Dynasties was far from being eliminated.

To a certain extent, the Sui Dynasty was still a situation where the imperial court and the wealthy and powerful families ruled the country together. Especially in the local prefectures and counties, the power of the wealthy and powerful families was no less than that of the government.

This is the fundamental reason why samurai became popular.

Of course, most people are like Lao Liu, who are neither good at literature nor martial arts, and have no father's support, so they have to work at the bottom of society all their lives.

Xiao Xia also has his own goal. He wants to at least become a person like Zhang Zongguan, not relying on anyone and being a true free warrior.

Although he is a time traveler and has knowledge that is difficult to achieve in this era, if he does not have the ability to protect himself, he will eventually become a charlatan manipulated by the powerful.

　To celebrate National Day, I will add another chapter at noon.

　　I would like to ask for monthly tickets, recommendation tickets and rewards from everyone!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)