As long as he can grow tall, that's all he asks. He doesn't have high requirements; as long as he is over 1.8 meters tall, it will be fine. In these chaotic times, the stronger and more robust one's body is, the easier it is to survive.
After his excitement subsided, Zhu Ci asked, "How has teaching been going these past few days, Teacher Qiu? Are there any particularly disobedient troublemakers? Just say it, I will deal with them myself."
Qiu Jingfu fell into a long silence after hearing this before saying, "Disobedient troublemakers.. not really, it's just.."
Zhu Ci understood Qiu Jingfu's meaning immediately upon hearing it and asked at once, "Is it because some of them can't seem to take in the learning?"
Qiu Jingfu sighed and said, "That is exactly the case. Zhenliu is quite intelligent and learns quickly; besides him, there are a few others who learn well, but there are also some who are older and whose minds are elsewhere, some who try hard but still cannot learn. Sigh.."
Qiu Jingfu actually didn't want to complain; the children were all good children.
Regardless of how things were before, at least after experiencing such massive life changes, they cherish every opportunity.
Even if they didn't know what the benefits of studying were, they would still study hard just to be able to stay here and eat their fill.
Unfortunately, not everyone is suited for studying.
Zhu Ci pondered for a long while after hearing this before saying, "I wonder if Teacher has any knowledge of mathematics?"
Qiu Jingfu shook his head. "This old man has tried mathematics before, but.. sigh.."
Zhu Ci immediately perked up and said, "Since Teacher has studied it, that's good. Why not teach some mathematics as well? Perhaps someone has a talent for it?"
Having a specialized focus is only natural.
If it weren't for the lack of time, he would want to teach physics and chemistry as well, but now.. forget it, he doesn't have that foundation.
It takes ten years to grow a tree and a hundred years to cultivate a person; if one wants these children to be useful, ten or twenty years might not even be enough.
He was merely making preparations for the future; otherwise, he couldn't truly send them to work in the coal factory, could he? He really couldn't bring himself to do something like employing child labor.
Qiu Jingfu thought for a moment. It seemed this young master's method of cultivating people wasn't aimed at the imperial examinations; if it was purely for practical use, then it would be quite simple.
He hadn't spent these years merely rote learning; he had, at the very least, acquired a great deal of knowledge.
It was just a pity that some of these children were truly simple-minded, especially those who were already older; they really couldn't learn anything.
Qiu Jingfu did not hide anything in order to protect his reputation as a teacher.
Zhu Ci took a look, it was better than he had expected; besides Xi Zhenliu, there were twenty-five children in total, only six of them showed no progress regardless of what they studied.
If they can't do it, then so be it; not everyone is suited for studying.
Zhu Ci glanced at the list and found that none of these people were young; the youngest was fourteen, only one year younger than him.
He looked at the list for a long while before saying to Fu Qiulu, "Qiulu, go and ask them if there is anything they want to do; this Young Master does not support idlers."
If they have hobbies that are useful to him, he can let them do them; if not, Zhu Ci will have to step in and make arrangements for them.
Fu Qiulu clearly had some understanding of these young masters, pointed at the list, saying, "These two can cook, are very clever, can learn anything quickly; they come to help me from time to time. The others seem very interested in martial arts and even asked Xia Lei if he accepts disciples, but Xia Lei refused, saying he would follow the Young Master's arrangements."
Zhu Ci nodded and said, "If they like cooking, let them follow you for a while. It will be good if they can help lighten your burden."
Although he didn't want to employ child labor, cooking.. didn't require studying. Following Fu Qiulu could be considered a form of learning, if there were an opportunity in the future, it wouldn't be impossible to hire a chef to teach them.
As for the remaining three.. Zhu Ci stood up and headed to the backyard.
At this time, Xia Lei was practicing martial arts. According to Fu Qiulu, once Xia Lei's wounds had nearly healed, he practiced martial arts every day at a fixed time; he was extremely self-disciplined and never missed a single session.
Besides practicing martial arts, he would also do whatever tasks were within his capability, such as chopping wood, fetching water, conducting night patrols.
Noticing Zhu Ci approaching, Xia Lei immediately sheathed his blade and bowed with his hands clasped. "Young Master."
Zhu Ci was dressed in tight-fitting martial arts attire. He drew his Yanling Blade and said, "Your saber techniques are quite good. Come, let's spar."
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Come on, let me give you a good thrashing! Evil kitty brandishing a blade. jpg
Next update at 6:00 PM~
Chapter 49
Xia Lei was somewhat surprised, but he still took a fighting stance: "Please, Young Master."
Zhu Ci didn't waste any words and swung his blade directly at him.
Xia Lei initially thought that he must be careful and hold back where necessary, lest he accidentally strike this young master.
But as soon as they clashed, he sensed something was wrong.
The young master looked elegant and refined, not like someone who practiced martial arts, but why was his opening strike so ferocious?
It was neither mere showy martial arts nor superficial movements; from the very first strike, he was aiming for a lethal blow.
He didn't just aim for vital points; most importantly, his movements were extremely flexible, his combat judgment was incredibly sharp.
After five moves, Xia Lei set aside his contempt and fought Zhu Ci with absolute seriousness.
Just as he noticed Zhu Ci's strength waning and was contemplating whether to go easy on him, Zhu Ci proactively pulled back and said, "You win."
Xia Lei was stunned. "This.. Young Master.."
Zhu Ci sheathed his Yanling Blade, showing no signs of dissatisfaction or frustration on his face; instead, he looked at Xia Lei with great appreciation and said, "Your saber technique is quite good."
Xia Lei felt relieved and sheathed his blade, saying, "You flatter me, Young Master. Had you not still been growing, I might not have won."
Zhu Ci waved his hand. "Your injuries haven't even healed yet; even with my great strength, I wouldn't be able to defeat you."
He took the cloth handed over by Fu Qiulu and said while wiping his sweat, "Among the children we adopted previously, some want to learn martial arts from you. Once your injuries are completely healed, teach them. It's not just those three; arrange martial arts lessons for the others as well. You will be their martial arts teacher."
After hearing this, Xia Lei solemnly cupped his hands in respect. "I will do exactly as the Young Master commands."
After Zhu Ci left, Xia Lei breathed a massive sigh of relief.
Xi Ya rushed over and gestured wildly. "How is he? Is he injured?"
Xia Lei's expression turned slightly solemn as he shook his head and said, "No, it's just.."
Xi Ya looked puzzled.
Xia Lei said with some confusion, "Where on earth did this person learn this kind of saber technique?"
Although Xi Ya knew some martial arts, he had not studied them as deeply as Xia Lei.
He was somewhat puzzled. "Is something wrong?"
Xia Lei thought about it and decided to use sign language instead. This was indeed useful when one didn't want others to hear them speaking, as long as they made sure no one else was around.
“The Young Master's saber techniques are not those routine forms, but battle array techniques meant for killing. Given this person's background, who would teach him this? Most importantly, I have never even seen this set of techniques before, but I can say for certain that the person who created them must be someone who has experienced life and death many times over.”
Xi Ya rubbed his chin. "So this saber technique is also very formidable?"
Xia Lei nodded. "That's right. If I'm not mistaken, the Young Master didn't use all of his saber techniques just now. His use of the saber is extremely flexible; he isn't bound by fixed patterns and adapts to any situation. It's as if he is someone who has experienced many battles. Strange.. how old is he even.."
Xia Lei only felt that this Young Master was shrouded in all sorts of mysteries.
Xi Ya nodded as if understanding but not quite, then thought for a moment and "said," "If you like it, go ask the Young Master if he wants to teach you this saber technique."
Xia Lei lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, said, "Teach those brats martial arts first. If one or two stand out, perhaps I can have the audacity to go and ask them."
He had already committed himself to the Young Master's service and owed him his life; wanting to learn his secret saber techniques without having done anything in return was, in a sense, quite shameless.
Zhu Ci's mood improved significantly after some exercise.
He looked at Fu Qiulu and asked, "How are things at the West Ladies' Courtyard?"
The young girls he had adopted previously were all sent to the West, later, for some unknown reason, the West came to be called the West Ladies' Courtyard, so Zhu Ci simply started calling it that along with them.
Fu Qiulu said, "They have all been settled in. I also asked the ladies from the village to make some clothes for them. Young Master, how do you wish to arrange for them?"
Zhu Ci said, "They've already been settled? Then make some adjustments. In the future, let them be just like those brats—studying and practicing martial arts."
Ah?" Fu Qiulu asked in surprise, "Studying.. studying and practicing martial arts? But they are women.
Zhu Ci glanced at her. "You are also a woman, haven't you also studied?"
Fu Qiulu shook her head and said, "I only have a superficial understanding of a few characters, I haven't read much."
As for martial arts.. she had learned a bit, but she wasn't particularly proficient.
The most important thing was that her role was different from those young girls.
Young Master.. doesn't look like he wants these young ladies to become spies in the future.
Zhu Ci said casually, "Oh, then you should learn as much as you can in the future. Even young girls need to study so they can understand the principles of the world."
Fu Qiulu was stunned, not expecting that she would have a part in it. She asked curiously, "Why has the Young Master arranged for them to study and practice martial arts? What does he want them to do in the future?"
Zhu Ci thought for a moment and said, "I haven't thought that far. It depends on their own fate. Those who are capable can go to the factory; guarding the house is also fine. Either way, they will always have something to do."
“Go to the factory, protect the household..” Fu Qiulu fell silent for a long time. She always felt that in this Young Master's eyes, men and women seemed to be no different.
He treated the young men and young women exactly the same.
However, she still reminded him, "Young Master, men and women should not have intimate contact. Some of them are old enough to marry; if they are placed together.. I fear it might cause scandal."
Zhu Ci clicked his tongue in annoyance after hearing that; what a load of feudal dross.
However, before he had the ability to overthrow the existing order, he would always have to consider these young girls.
After thinking for a moment, Zhu Ci said, "I'll have a word with the Teacher later and ask him to stagger the classes."
The so-called staggered schedule meant the young girls would study in the morning and practice martial arts in the afternoon, while the boys would practice martial arts in the morning and study in the afternoon.
In any case, as long as these two groups of people were not kept in the same room together, it would be fine.
Although Qiu Jingfu and Xia Lei did not quite understand why the young girl had to learn these things, they were prepared to do as the master commanded.
Xia Lei accepted it quite quickly, but Qiu Jingfu initially felt it was somewhat undignified. He thought that for a woman, knowing a few words was enough; how could she study the Four Books and Five Classics like a man?
Unfortunately, reality was harsher than people, since he had to make a living under the Young Master, he had no choice but to bow his head.
Zhu Ci didn't care whether they were willing or not; in any case, if they weren't willing, he could always find someone who was.
What he was worrying about now was that since the Xinghuo Firearms Factory began operations, the money had been flowing out like water, it was simply not enough.
Among the raw materials used for gunpowder, bamboo is probably the cheapest. The more than a thousand taels of silver in his hands, plus the money earned from beehive coal, were basically poured into it, leaving him with only about a hundred taels of cash.
As expected, no matter when, manufacturing military equipment is always the most expensive.
Where can I get some money.
Zhu Ci thought about the land deeds for Songjiang Prefecture still in his hands, estimating that those properties should be able to fetch over a hundred taels, but it would still only be a drop in the bucket.