Building a Harmonious Song Dynasty

Chapter 5

Qin Hui said, "His Highness the Crown Prince means to have Zhenzhen serve as a study companion to the Ninth Prince."

Qin Hui had expected Qin Zhen to strongly object, but she simply sat to the side as if she hadn't heard him and didn't say a word of protest. In fact, this was exactly what Qin Zhen had anticipated.

Starting the next day, Zhao Gou indeed came to Qin Hui's residence to study. Qin Hui took this matter very seriously and renovated his study, making it quite suitable for teaching two students.

When Zhao Gouchen arrived at the Qin residence, he saw Qin Zhen already sitting seriously in the study, waiting for class.

Zhao Gou, who was still half-asleep, blushed when he saw the energetic Qin Zhen, realizing he was too late. Not wanting to embarrass himself in front of Qin Zhen, he quickly perked up and sat down to wait for Qin Hui to begin the lesson.

Qin Hui first asked Zhao Gou what books he had studied in the palace, and Zhao Gou proudly replied, "I have dabbled in the Four Books and Five Classics."

"Hehe, I didn't expect that Your Highness has read so many books at such a young age. I wonder how well you have learned them?"

Although Zhao Gou wanted to boast a little, he thought that if he overpraised himself and was stumped by Qin Hui, it would be too embarrassing, so he said, "I am well-versed in the Four Books, and slightly less so in the Five Classics."

Qin Hui nodded and said, "In that case, let us begin today to study the Book of Documents, one of the Five Classics. As a prince, Your Highness should naturally be well-versed in history, so that we can learn about the rise and fall of dynasties by studying the past."

Zhao Gou nodded, finding his words reasonable.

Just as Qin Hui brought the Book of Documents to Zhao Gou and Qin Zhen, Zhao Gou saw Qin Zhen sitting to the side with a half-smile on her face. Displeased, he pointed at Qin Zhen and asked Qin Hui, "I wonder how well she has learned it. Since she is to be my tutor, if she is too stupid, I will not want her."

Qin Zhen said playfully, "I can recite the classics and historical texts by heart. Why don't you test me, Your Highness?"

Zhao Gou looked at Qin Zhen in surprise, his face full of disbelief. The classics and historical texts cover a wide range of topics, how could she recite them all so fluently?

He forcefully suppressed his doubts, thinking, "If she talks such big words, how could I not have opportunities to ridicule her in the future?" Zhao Gou then smiled calmly and signaled to Qin Hui that he could begin the lesson.

Qin Hui originally thought that the princes would be difficult to teach, and that the responsibility would be too great if they were not taught well. He also thought that if they were naughty, he could not be beaten. However, he did not expect that Zhao Gou was quite ambitious and would always try to compete with Qin Zhen, unwilling to fall behind.

It cannot be denied that Zhao Gou was quite intelligent. Although he was not as omniscient as Qin Zhen, he could still make some reasonable points that made Qin Hui smile.

Because Zhao Gou arrived late, the morning classes ended not long afterward. Lady Wang had gone to great lengths to prepare a luncheon, and when they finished class, she invited Zhao Gou to have lunch.

Zhao Yong, the guard who accompanied Zhao Gou, after he sat down, solemnly took out silver needles to test each dish for poison, making Wang Shi's face turn red and white in turns. Qin Zhen was displeased when he saw this, so he said, "I'm afraid His Highness Ninth Prince is not used to simple food. Next time, why don't you bring an imperial chef and start cooking for him?"

Seeing Zhao Yong's cautiousness, Zhao Gou knew that he was not giving the Qin family any face, so he said to Zhao Yong, "No need, Mr. Qin is my teacher, there is no need for this."

The meal was eaten in such a quiet manner that Qin Zhen found it quite unusual. Seeing Zhao Gou eating and picking up food so properly, with every movement being quite refined, she finally couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you tired of eating like this?"

Zhao Gou was secretly delighted and asked with a smug look on his face, "Don't you know that the Analects says, 'One should not speak while eating or sleeping'? You still dare to say that you can recite it fluently?"

Qin Zhen rolled her eyes at Zhao Gou with a dark expression, and muttered under her breath, "Knowing is one thing, doing is another."

Zhao Gou smiled as if he had gotten a good deal, and he enjoyed the meal very much!

Qin Hui gave them an hour for a midday rest. The room specially arranged for Zhao Gou was carefully furnished by Wang Shi, but Zhao Gou was not tired at all. He stayed in the room staring at Zhao Yong, feeling extremely bored.

The Qin family had always had a habit of taking a midday nap. Whenever the Qin couple took their afternoon nap, Qin Zhen would choose to practice her martial arts at this time. She didn't practice any peerless martial arts, but rather the lightness skill that her master taught her for escaping.

As usual, Qin Zhen came to a tree of medium size at the foot of the courtyard during her lunch break. At first, she simply walked slowly around the tree at a certain pace, but then her speed increased until she turned into a white shadow circling the tree trunk.

Unlike usual, a pair of bright black eyes were staring at Qin Zhen in astonishment!

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Thank you all for your support. The number of books in the collection is much better than in the early stages of the first two books. You all have given me a lot of encouragement!

Although I'm quite busy with many courses right now, I will definitely update every day!

Volume 1: Destiny's Fate 009 He said he wanted to learn martial arts

Zhao Gou was completely stunned as he watched Qin Zhen practicing her lightness skill from the side window. He thought to himself: So... she is a martial arts master!

Qin Zhen practiced the secret technique her master taught her once, and slowly stopped, leaning against the tree trunk and breathing slightly.

"I'm so dizzy, a small space really doesn't work." Qin Zhen muttered to herself, still complaining in her heart that her master only taught her lightness skill and not other skills. Does this mean that if she encounters difficulties in the future, all she can do is run away?

She was about to go back to her room to wipe her sweat when she turned around and saw Zhao Gou staring blankly at her through the window. She was slightly surprised, but then laughed. So what if he saw her? It's time to urge him to learn martial arts.

Zhao Gou, quite envious, ran into the courtyard and asked Qin Zhen, "You...you know martial arts?"

Qin Zhen, holding her little hands, said happily, "You saw it all!"

"Who did you learn from?"

"Why are you asking if I'm not going to tell you?" Qin Zhen said deliberately, seeing Zhao Gou's curious expression.

Zhao Gou wanted to press the matter further, but he couldn't bring himself to ask. Just as he was hesitating, Qin Zhen said again, "People generally regard studying as an honor, and think that martial arts are only for uncouth people. Your Highness should not learn it!"

"No, that's not true. Learning martial arts allows one to fight on the battlefield and protect one's country," Zhao Gou argued.

Qin Zhen looked at Zhao Gou with astonishment as if he had discovered a new continent. The Song Dynasty valued civil affairs over military affairs, and this concept was more deeply ingrained in the wealthy and powerful. However, Zhao Gou had his own ideas.

"So Your Highness wants to be a military general? Don't you want to be a wise king whose name will be remembered for all time?"

Zhao Gou, on the contrary, asked: "These two points are not contradictory. Can't a military general become a wise king? I want to be a person who is both civil and military!"

"Heh, that's quite an ambition," Qin Zhen thought happily.

So she said to Zhao Gou, "The martial arts you want to learn are different from the martial arts I learn. My martial arts can only protect myself. Your Highness, you need to learn military strategy and tactics. If you are also proficient in horsemanship and archery, you can protect your country."

Zhao Gou found her words reasonable and nodded, saying, "When I am able to go to the battlefield, I will drive the Liao bandits out of the Great Wall and never let them bully the people of my Great Song again."

"Then go and learn! Ask His Majesty to find you a martial arts tutor, so you can go to the battlefield when you grow up."

Just as the two of them were talking enthusiastically, Qin Hui came out of the room: "It's time for the lesson, come to the study quickly."

Qin Zhen responded and ran towards the study first.

Looking at the two little buns on Qin Zhen's head that were swaying slightly, Zhao Gou suddenly thought that this "spoiled girl" was actually not bad. However, when he thought that Qin Zhen was better than him in every way, he felt unhappy. No, he must surpass her! So he quickly walked towards the study.

Zhao Gou was a man of his word. After returning to the palace that day, he told Wei Wanrong about wanting to hire a martial arts tutor, which surprised Wei Wanrong.

In fact, the palace had already appointed martial arts tutors for the princes, but the emphasis on literature over martial arts was too strong, and many princes were unwilling to learn. Emperor Huizong of Song did not force them, so over time, the tutors became merely nominal.

When Wei Wanrong mentioned this to Emperor Huizong on behalf of Zhao Gou, Huizong didn't take it to heart and instead ordered the Grand Tutor of Martial Arts to return to the palace to teach Zhao Gou military strategy, tactics, and archery. Zhao Gou's decision to abandon his studies and instead learn martial arts drew ridicule from many princes behind his back, who said he had failed in his studies and turned to martial arts. However, only Crown Prince Zhao Huan and the Third Prince Zhao Kai saw through the ruse.

That day, after finishing his lesson in the study, Zhao Kai found Zhao Gou and said, "Ninth Brother, Grand Tutor Zhu taught a new lesson today. Since you didn't go to the study, I'll explain it to you."

Zhao Gou smiled and looked at the Third Prince, saying, "Thank you, Third Brother! Has Father not been to the study these past few days?"

"No, Father recently acquired a famous painting and is busy finding someone to appraise it, so he can't bother with us right now."

Zhao Gou exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful!"

So Zhao Kai opened the book and carefully told Zhao Gou what the Grand Tutor had said.

Zhao Kai was slightly younger than Crown Prince Zhao Huan, but his tanned skin made him appear much older. His mother, Consort Wang, had been a palace maid with Empress Zheng in her early years. Empress Zheng, who had no children, ascended to the throne, which made Consort Wang quite resentful. Therefore, she was always at odds with Empress Zheng and Consort Wei. However, for some reason, Zhao Kai was especially kind to Zhao Gou.

After spending half an hour explaining the textbook, Zhao Kai asked Zhao Gou, "Ninth Brother, why do you want to learn martial arts? You are still young, be careful not to hurt yourself."

"Thank you, Third Brother. I'm just learning for fun. Father has so many princes, he won't miss me. It doesn't matter if I'm not good enough. Anyway, I just want to be a carefree prince in the future. It's enough that you help my brother, the Crown Prince, govern the country."

Seeing his innocent expression, Zhao Kai smiled slightly, patted his head, and said, "You know how to enjoy life. I still need to pay my respects to my mother, so I'll be going now."

As Zhao Gou watched his departing figure, all the innocence in his eyes vanished, replaced by icy coldness! How could he still resemble an eight-year-old child?

Just as Zhao Kai turned to leave, Zhao Huan arrived. Zhao Kai respectfully bowed to Zhao Gou and said, "Greetings, Crown Prince."

Zhao Huan smiled modestly and said, "Third brother, there's no need for such formalities. Come and give your ninth brother a lesson."

"yes."

Zhao Huan and Zhao Kai rarely spoke to each other, so they exchanged greetings and left him to his own devices. Meanwhile, Zhao Gou, sitting behind his desk, quickly composed himself upon seeing Zhao Huan arrive.

After greeting Zhao Huan and Zhao Kai, Zhao Huan entered Zhao Gou's study and asked, "Why did Ninth Brother decide to learn martial arts? Was it your teacher Qin who suggested it?"

"No, I just think that when my brother ascends the throne, someone will have to fight for you on the battlefield to protect the country. Why don't I do it?"

"What a good younger brother," Zhao Huan said with emotion.

Zhao Gou opened his bright eyes and said, "It's because you've been so good to me, my brother. Now that I'm grown up, I'll naturally help you."

Zhao Huan nodded, pondered for a moment, took a few steps in front of him, and finally said, "Ninth Brother, you should... have less contact with Third Brother in the future."

"Why? My third brother is good to me too."

When Zhao Gou asked this question, Zhao Huan hesitated and said, "This... you are still young. You will understand when you grow up. Just remember it now."

"Oh," Zhao Gou replied vaguely.

Summer was approaching, and Zhao Gou, due to his martial arts training, had become quite tanned, but this made him look healthier and less like a baby. The foundation-building stage of martial arts was extremely important; every day he would squat in a horse stance for several hours, repeatedly practicing seemingly simple basic moves. Occasionally, when he took a break, his tutor would teach him military strategy. By the end of the day, even with his excellent health, he would be exhausted and collapse.

Every morning when he was to go to the Qin residence to study, he always wanted to stay in bed, because he was so tired from practicing martial arts the day before! But when he thought of Qin Zhen always sitting in the study early in the morning, Zhao Gou would immediately crawl out of bed and refuse to sleep anymore.

These fulfilling days continued unnoticed until the autumn when the results of the imperial examinations were announced. Qin Hui indeed passed the provincial examination, and the whole family was overjoyed!

In order to prepare for the upcoming imperial examination, Qin Hui had to change the frequency of his daily lessons to twice a week. Fortunately, Zhao Gou was now diligently practicing martial arts and had other things to keep him busy.

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Talking with friends and editors has taught me that the quality and frequency of my writing are paramount; everything else is secondary. I need to focus on writing and believe that with hard work, I'll naturally receive strong support!

Volume One: Fate Destined 010 Qin Hui Holds a Feast After Passing the Imperial Examination

The round setting sun cast a long, long shadow of Zhao Gou's small figure. The scorching sun, like the autumn tiger, finally set behind the mountains. Sweat dripped from his forehead, slowly sliding down his cheeks and then falling drop by drop onto the smooth bluestone bricks.

Seeing his young master squatting in a horse stance for two hours straight, the guard Zhao Yong grew anxious, wondering if he could endure it. Zhao Gou, however, was not as worried. He had been squatting in a horse stance for months; two hours was nothing to him.