Martial Arts Crossover: My Wife is the Top Scholar

Chapter 17 Young Bao Zheng, Tianhong Academy is in for trouble

Lu Xiaofeng grew up among the common people, and his martial arts skills were learned haphazardly, from here to there.

Among martial artists, swordsmen are the most numerous, and Lu Xiaofeng naturally knows the most about swordsmanship, not to mention that there is a top-notch swordsman in Lu Xiaofeng's core circle of friends.

Besides light footwork and finger techniques, Lu Xiaofeng's best martial art is swordsmanship. Previously, when Li Zhaoting and Feng Suzhen practiced sword dancing in the morning, they only received the evaluation of "not bad".

Looking at the wound on Luo Ma's chest, Lu Xiaofeng's face flashed with shock. Such effortless and graceful swordsmanship was no less than that of the leaders of the seven major sword sects.

He glanced at Shen Liang out of the corner of his eye.

Shen Liang was comforting Xiao Ai.

His face wasn't red, he wasn't out of breath, and his breathing was even.

This shows that this sword strike was neither a desperate gamble nor a fatal move, but a conventional technique. Using this technique to defend against an enemy demonstrates Shen Liang's absolute confidence.

Lockheed Martin's "Broken Spurs" are unpredictable and have defeated countless notorious bandits and underworld bosses. Even Lu Xiaofeng would have to use his Lingxi Finger to defend against them.

Shen Liang effortlessly and easily killed Luo Ma with a single sword strike, clearly demonstrating that his true strength was far superior.

Are the constables of Luzhou really that strong?

Lu Xiaofeng closed his eyes and pondered, mentally rehearsing Shen Liang's attack posture. He then confidently launched his attack, displaying a light and graceful swordsmanship and unparalleled sword intent.

In a daze, Lu Xiaofeng even felt that Shen Liang's swordsmanship was comparable to Ximen Chuixue's!

Ximen Chuixue of Wanmei Manor, Ye Gucheng of Feixian Island in the South China Sea, and Xie Xiaofeng, the mysteriously disappeared third young master, are all the most powerful contenders for the title of "Sword Master" in the contemporary era.

How could Shen Liang's swordsmanship be so strong?

Who is his master?

Furthermore, the current Sword Master is exceptionally talented, only in his forties, in the prime of his life, and possesses superb swordsmanship. It will be no easy task for him to seize the Sword Master's throne.

The older generation of swordsmen, such as the Purple-Clad Marquis of the East Sea, Xue Yiren, the master of the Xue Family Manor, and Mu Daoren, the elder of Wudang, have exhausted their potential and have long lost their eligibility to compete.

If Li Zhaoting heard Lu Xiaofeng's thoughts, he would only say that there was nothing strange about it; Shen Liang's handsome face alone was enough to earn him the title of Sword God and Sword Saint.

Nobody would believe he's not a sword saint!
Compared to Shen Liang, Li Zhaoting's gaze secretly drifted towards Madam Tang. Just now, as his feet touched the ground, Li Zhaoting sensed a deadly, soul-snatching intent.

This murderous intent is directed at everyone at the same time.

Shen Liang, Luo Ma, Li Zhaoting, Lu Xiaofeng.

All four of them were on Madam Tang's kill list.

In other words, Madam Tang had a method that could pose a fatal danger to four people at the same time, but the sense of danger disappeared after Li Zhaoting landed.

This suggests that Madam Tang's means of threatening everyone was not powerful martial arts, but rather some kind of weapon capable of killing multiple targets.

hidden weapon?

So he really is a disciple of the Tang Clan!

The Tang Clan has been passed down for hundreds of years, with at least eighty or a hundred branches. Even Tang Zhuquan doesn't know how many relatives he has or which lady has been disfigured!

Li Zhaoting suppressed his chaotic thoughts and bowed slightly to Madam Tang: "I came to help with the investigation. Now that the ringleader has been executed, the case can be closed."

Shen Liang asked, "Case? What case? Did Officer Luo commit a crime? Don't misunderstand! I just drew my sword to stop him because I thought he was trying to bully the old and weak."

Li Zhaoting made up a story: "Luo Ma colluded with Boss Qian to steal money from Datong Money Shop. Officer Shen, don't tell anyone about this, or it will cause chaos."

Shen Liang nodded: "Young hero, Datong Money Shop is a case involving the Hua family. Where are the Hua family members? You should go to the yamen, otherwise I won't be able to explain it to them."

"can!"

Li Zhaoting opened his folding fan and shook it twice.

Lu Xiaofeng spat softly.

What’s so great about being handsome?
So what if you can use a fan?

When autumn comes and the wild geese fly south, watch this young master perform for you, shooting two eagles with a single bow!
Shen Liang carried the corpse to the yamen to close the case.

Prefect Gongsun Zhen accepted a bribe from the Hua family, and the muddle-headed monk solved the muddle-headed case, covering it up.

According to Li Zhaoting, Luo Ma colluded with Qian Laoda to steal money, and the so-called Paradise Tower and fake banknotes did not exist. Yue Qing died seven years ago.

The warrior monks of Yunjian Temple were all wiped out, and the members of Jilelou were either killed or captured. Huamanlou reported the matter to the Liao Kingdom through Tianhong Academy, requesting the Imperial City Guard to investigate and confiscate Jilelou.

Does the academy have the authority to report these matters?
Really!
Many academies had great Confucian scholars as their principals, whose formal title was "Shanzhang" (山长). Fan Zhongyan served as the Shanzhang of Yingtian Academy, and Zhu Xi presided over Bailudong Academy.

Tianhong Academy is not a prestigious university like Tsinghua or Peking University, and its headmaster, Yingming, is not a renowned scholar, but he has extensive connections and has just hired a scholar as an adjunct professor.

Hua Manlou was not good at handling things from beginning to end, so the Hua family sent four or five children to handle complicated matters. The three most important managers of Jilelou were imprisoned in Luzhou prison.

Which three people are in charge?
Qian Laoda, Fake Boss, Wu Yan;
Boss Qian is a major shareholder of Paradise Tower and the most "naive" person in the whole case. Boss Qian's goal was to make money. Who knew he would run into this kind of thing?
The fake poster is a gambling expert hired by Lockheed Martin, comparable to a general manager. He is Lockheed Martin's confidant and knows about 50-60% of the shady dealings Lockheed Martin is involved in.

Wu Yan was the top courtesan of the Paradise Pavilion and also a spy planted by the Liao Kingdom. She was skilled at using her beauty to seduce people, and the Liao Kingdom's honey trap tactics are historically documented.

These three people were of great importance, and Gongsun Zhen did not want to cause trouble, so he simply ordered the yamen runners to keep a close watch on them.

Interrogation?

What a load of rubbish!
Knowing too much is no good!

Gongsun Zhen had no great ambitions, nor did he expect to achieve merit or be promoted. His only wish was for Gongsun Ce to pass the imperial examination with flying colors. As for other matters, he preferred to remain ignorant.

Lu Xiaofeng was fishing with great enthusiasm, hoping to use these three important figures to lure out more clues. Would Liao spies come to silence him?
Could we use the threat of "murder to silence him" to scare the terrified Boss Qian into confessing?

If spies from the Manchu, Mongol, and Western Xia dynasties learned that an important figure was imprisoned in Luzhou prison, would they try to sneak in and take advantage of the chaos?

These are all possible!

Unfortunately, Lu Xiaofeng was good at investigating cases but not at meticulous planning. These fleeting ideas could only serve as inspirations, with no chance of being put into practice.

Lu Xiaofeng is guarding prisoners in the jail cell.

Hua Manlou comforted the monks at Yunjian Temple.

Li Zhaoting visited Tianhong Academy.

As a time traveler from the 21st century, if asked to name a great upright official, Li Zhaoting would unhesitatingly say... Bao Qingtian!

What Bao Zheng was like in history is no longer important; Bao Zheng is a cultural symbol.

This is similar to Guan Yu.

The Demon-Subduing Emperor, the Dharma Protector, the Martial Saint, and the God of Wealth—these symbols have long since faded from history.

……

Tianhong Academy is the best academy in Luzhou.

The headmaster, Yingming, was a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations and served as a military officer. He was both learned and skilled in martial arts, and the academy's education reflected this. When Li Zhaoting arrived at the academy, the students were playing football.

The Song Dynasty valued literature over military affairs, but the scholars and literati of this period were by no means the pedantic and pedantic students of later generations. The subjects offered by the academies were much more diverse than those of senior high school students.

Feihong Academy primarily teaches Confucian classics, horseback riding and archery, playing the zither, and calligraphy.

Elective courses: Landscape design, map drawing, I Ching (Book of Changes), Mongolian, Manchu, swimming...

Students are assessed once a month. The main subjects are rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics, totaling six subjects. Elective courses are given extra points at the discretion of the examiner, with foreign languages ​​receiving relatively more extra points.

Today happens to be the day Feihong Academy releases its results.

Three students received excellent evaluations.

Zhan Jun, Gongsun Ce, and Bao Zheng.

The students discussed this extensively, with the most debated topic being Bao Zheng's academic record, which many found unsatisfactory.

Zhan Jun and Gongsun Ce both achieved top marks in all six subjects, earning them the title of "excellent" without any objection. Bao Zheng's grades were three excellent, one poor, one average, and one ordinary, with one major subject being particularly bad.

The subject is... music!
Unfortunately, Bao Zheng had an excellent relationship with the music teacher. They often drank and chatted, discussing the local customs and culture of Luzhou. The students thought that Bao Zheng's ability to be awarded honors was mostly due to connections.

Li Zhaoting almost burst out laughing.

Bao Zheng, who is famous in history for his impartiality, actually got his academic excellence in school by using connections!

This is a hundred times more interesting than shaving Lu Xiaofeng's beard, watching Tang Zhuquan run to lose weight, and having Ximen Chuixue steam rice cakes. He truly deserves to be called the young Bao Qingtian!
Li Zhaoting recognized Bao Zheng at a glance.

Dark face, crescent moon, and an aura of righteousness.

The physical characteristics are too obvious.

It would be abnormal if you couldn't recognize it.

How could any Chinese person not know Bao Zheng?
Gongsun Ce recognized it at a glance.

He had a face like jade, was handsome and dashing, and was in the prime of his life.

Zhan Jun, who had the best grades, was relatively plain-looking. Fortunately, he had a good younger brother who was a high-ranking monk of the "Jie" generation at Daxiangguo Temple.

"Some people need to get all six A's to be eligible for an award, while others only need three A's. People are just different. I just don't have that kind of luck."

"Tch! Bao Zheng's grades in his main subjects weren't outstanding, but he had high bonus points! He got full marks in every elective course. If you had that ability, you could also get top marks in three subjects."

"I don't believe Bao Zheng is that miraculous!"

"Gongsun Ce, Bao Zheng is definitely better than you!"

"Then let's have a competition!"

Gongsun Ce grabbed Bao Zheng.

The two men, one black and one white, were clearly distinguished by their contrasting colors. Both were outstanding students and were often compared by busybodies. Bao Zheng remained relatively calm, while Gongsun Ce was often unconvinced.

Being young and energetic means never giving up!
If you're not hot-blooded, are you even a young person?
Li Zhaoting stepped forward and separated the two. Bao Zheng was delighted, thinking someone had come to mediate the fight, but then he heard Li Zhaoting say, "I'll be your witness!"

"May I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

"My name is Li Zhaoting, courtesy name Buyi."

When Li Zhaoting was studying in Jinling, he was a well-known child prodigy in the surrounding villages. If he hadn't been exiled to Lingnan, he would have already been competing with his second cousin, Li Xunhuan, in the imperial examinations.

It was quite a coincidence that the abbot of Jinling Academy, who had recently retired to his hometown of Luzhou, was rehired by Tianhong Academy to serve as its abbot.

The supervisor was the second-in-command of the academy, and his authority over the students was even greater than that of the headmaster. The supervisor was more powerful than the local official, and was roughly equivalent to the dean of studies in a modern school.

If it weren't for the abbot's guarantee, even with the Hua family's connections, the academy might not have allowed outsiders to visit!

The dean stroked his beard and said, "You just said that some students used connections to get in. Now we'll find an outsider to act as a witness. The loser shouldn't be a sore loser!"

(End of this chapter)