Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 7 The Instructor's Appraisal
That year during the Spring Festival, the firecrackers set off by the Jiang family at the east end of the village were particularly impressive.

A series of loud bangs startled half the village, even causing the roof tiles to shake violently, almost falling down to join the commotion.

The two children stood on either side of each other, their backs ramrod straight and their heads held high.

Like two victorious roosters, they bring their own drumming and gongs wherever they go.

The following year, the family's youngest son, Jiang Liang, turned five years old.

Under Jiang Yi's watchful eye, which was sometimes tight and sometimes loose, he had long since mastered the breathing technique. His exhalation was as soft as silk, and his inhalation as light as drifting clouds, with fresh air coming in slowly and stale air going away quietly.

His small frame grew stronger day by day, and when he ran, he moved with the wind, and with a flick of his arms and legs, he even gained some strength.

The moment he touches a book, his eyelids droop immediately, as if someone has put him to sleep.

But as soon as Jiang Yi started telling strange tales, his eyes lit up, and he jumped up like a monkey, not even touching the kang (heated brick bed).

Liu Xiulian's body was getting weaker day by day.

The fetus is already six or seven months along, and the belly is as round as an old pumpkin in the corner.

He had long since abandoned all household chores; even if the chicken coop behind the house collapsed, he would only give an order and never lift a finger himself.

If he felt unwell, he would stop moving around and instead call for Dr. Li to come and examine him.

Jiang Yi didn't really stop working in the fields, but he sparsely cultivated them.

I no longer dare to leave early in the morning and not return until sunset, just like before.

The spring wheat we're planting now is just a small, sporadic effort, enough to feed us.

He came alone; his parents had passed away early.

These three people in the house are all my precious children; how could I not care for them?

Although there were no relatives to rely on, the villagers were still friendly.

Once the New Year was over, all those older women, as if by prior arrangement, would gather in the Jiang family's courtyard, each carrying their sewing baskets and small stools.

They said that Xiulian was too sick to go out often, and that without her, the place would be less lively.

In reality, it's just helping out, lending a hand, and looking after things.

Strangely, in previous years the school would open its doors to students after the Lantern Festival, but this year it remained closed.

Jiang Yi carried twenty catties of soybeans and led his eldest son, Jiang Mingxing, over excitedly, only to be met with a cold shoulder.

Master Cen's wife poked her head out and said that Master Cen had gone to the city.

As for when she would return, she couldn't say for sure, only vaguely saying, "Perhaps soon."

Jiang Yi didn't really take it to heart, and simply tossed the bag of soybeans inside the door.

They took their son back the way they came and let him run wild on his own.

I know in my heart that my son doesn't necessarily have to sit behind a desk to learn things.

Sure enough, he had just finished tending a patch of wheat seedlings in the field and returned to check on Xiulian to see if she was alright when the boy disappeared from the yard.

On the stove, two of the steamed white buns made early in the morning were missing, and there was still some gravy on the rim of the bowl.

Yesterday, Aunt Yu came to visit Xiulian, and the basket of red cherries she brought has now shriveled up a bit.

Inside the house, Liu Xiulian leaned back in a recliner, surrounded by several aunties who chatted about this and that.

The young boy, Jiang Liang, squatted in the corner of the yard, holding a bowl of water.

He dipped his finger in water and drew circles on the ground, trapping the crawling ants one by one, having a great time.

Jiang Yi watched this scene and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

To be honest, he really hoped that his eldest son could take his younger brother with him when he went up the mountain.

But I haven't seen such a scene in the past six months.

I have no doubt that his brotherly relationship is weak.

I sensed that the young man probably had some concerns, or perhaps some other reasons he didn't want to talk about.

Well, you can't get a clear answer by asking, and you can't force it.

A few days later, Master Cen finally returned to the village in the morning mist, followed by a middle-aged man.

He was around forty years old, with a straight posture like a javelin, wearing an old, faded robe and a wide cloth belt. The cuffs were slightly rolled up, revealing a section of his forearm, the skin and flesh taut, the veins faintly visible.

It's clearly a result of years spent in the military.

The two walked one after the other, their feet never stopping, passing through the village and heading straight for the Jiang family's courtyard at the east end.

In the courtyard, Jiang Yi was demonstrating the Five Animal Frolics with his two sons. Their movements were still a bit clumsy, but they could still fool someone who didn't know anything about it.

All three of them were covered in a light sweat. The little boy, Jiang Liang, complained of being thirsty and rushed into the house on his short legs, about to grab the water vat and gulp it down.

Jiang Yi was about to speak when he was about to tell him not to drink cold water.

Then, from outside the courtyard gate came Master Cen's voice, tinged with a mixture of pride and urgency:
"Young man of the Jiang family, I have found you a great opportunity today!"

The tone was as if they had just chosen the top scholar.

Jiang Yi hurriedly went out to greet him, wiping his sweat and smiling broadly.

Upon seeing the teacher, Jiang Ming immediately straightened his back and all his previous nonchalant attitude disappeared.

Without waiting for pleasantries, Master Cen pulled the middle-aged man aside and spoke in a serious tone:
"This is Instructor Lin from the County Commandant's Office."

After saying that, seeing Jiang Yi's blank expression, he added:
"The County Commandant's Office is the county government's department in charge of military affairs. One of its duties is to find promising young men and bring them to the office for training."

As she spoke, her eyes darted over Jiang Ming, and she nodded repeatedly:

"I came to the city specifically for this matter. I specially invited this old acquaintance to come and take a good look at your eldest son."

Jiang Yi finally realized what was going on, but he wasn't at ease, and an indescribable expression appeared on his face.

It was as if they had a premonition, or as if there was something they couldn't say.

Before he could speak, Instructor Lin had already taken a step forward.

The man stood under the sun, exuding a deep and unassuming aura, like the gnarled roots of an old tree. His eyes, though calm and composed, conveyed a penetrating insight.

"The County Commandant's Office is a crucial military stronghold of the county government."

His gaze, sharp as a knife, swept from Jiang Ming's shoulder to his ankle before slowly withdrawing, and he said in a calm voice:

“Any boy who is selected and trained well will not have difficulty finding a job in the county government in the future.”

"If he is promising, he can be recommended to the government office, or even go to Luoyang to join the capital garrison or the imperial guards. His future is beyond question."

These words were well-reasoned, and it's likely that the instructor already had a very good impression of them.

As for that description of a bright future, he probably felt it was unrealistic even to himself.

Jiang Ming's physique and frame would be considered outstanding even in an ordinary county.

But he was, after all, from the countryside, a child who grew up in the rough soil.

How can they compare to those scions of noble families, who are fed elixirs from a young age, receive medicinal baths, and are stewed and steamed three times a day? They practice martial arts, but what they cultivate is their qi and blood.

Not to mention those nobles who are born with jade and whose cries carry fragrance, having their bones massaged and shaped even before they are born, their foundation being built from the womb.

But then again, even setting aside the possibility of going to the capital or joining the army, as long as one could find a job in the county government and earn a salary to support their family, that would be enough.

For a farmer's son, this was a change of fortune, a change of destiny.

Jiang Yi turned around and glanced at his son.

Jiang Ming was unsure whether he had noticed his father's gaze or if Instructor Lin's eyes were simply too intimidating.

She shrank behind her father, her small head shaking with extraordinary determination.

Coach Lin remained calm; he had seen this kind of scene many times before.

It's normal for little kids to be unaware of right and wrong.

As long as the adults at home agree, once the person is brought back to the company, there are plenty of ways to temper their character and train them to become successful.

He simply looked at Jiang Yi, waiting for a wise person to make a clear decision.

Seeing his son's decisive refusal, Jiang Yi felt a pang of emotion, but was not surprised. He immediately spoke, his words calm and measured:
"Thank you for your kindness, Master and Instructor. However, my son is young and unruly and I am afraid he is not up to the task and may disgrace your company's reputation."

These words sounded prudent, but they were clearly a rejection.

(End of this chapter)