Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 61 Sweeping Through the Three Prefectures
This new creation, named "The Chronicles of Knights" by Chen Qing, primarily follows the popular fiction and martial arts novel genre.

As for the word "xia" (侠), it is quite significant. Those who speak out against injustice can be called xia.

This thing is now simply used to record vernacular novels, but in the future, it seems that it can also be used to publish some "injustices".

Its effect will be much greater immediately.

Moreover, the original intention behind the creation of Jin Yong's novels like The Legend of the Condor Heroes was mostly to establish Ming Pao newspaper. Chen Qing's use of it now can be considered a return to the original purpose.

In the blink of an eye, a month passed.

With the full support of the Gu family, three issues of "Xia Ji" have been printed and distributed quickly through various channels within the past month.

These novel and almost free items spread rapidly throughout Deqing and Huzhou.

During this month, Chen Qing himself did not participate excessively in these things. He remained in his residence in Niluo Lane, spending most of his time reading historical books, biographies, and official records of the current dynasty, except for occasionally rushing to finish his manuscript.

He needs to gain a deep understanding of the imperial court and officialdom before he can make any contributions when he arrives in the capital.

Early that morning, Chen Qing was practicing martial arts with Mr. Yang in the courtyard. After more than half an hour, Mr. Yang gave an order, and Chen Qing wiped the sweat from his forehead and stopped.

Mr. Yang handed Chen Qing a towel to wipe his sweat. After Chen Qing finished wiping his sweat, Mr. Yang shook his head and said, "Practicing martial arts is a tough job. A person as talented as you, young master, can enjoy wealth and honor no matter what you do. Why suffer like this?"

Chen Qing had just finished wiping away his sweat when he heard this. He shook his head and said, "I told you this morning that I practice martial arts because I am physically weak and I want to try my best to get back in shape."

"It would be best if you could also learn some self-defense skills, otherwise you'll still get beaten up if you run into trouble again."

The ridiculous thing he was referring to was, of course, the incident where he was beaten up as soon as he arrived in Deqing.

At that time, he really had no ability to fight back; otherwise, he would have definitely fought them.

He has been learning martial arts from Mr. Yang for about two months now. Although he dares not say that there has been any earth-shattering change, he is quite confident that he can fight an ordinary adult at this point.

As the two were talking, Yang Xiaohuan, the daughter of the Yang family, carrying breakfast in her hand, skipped and hopped into Chen Qing's courtyard. She placed the breakfast under the pavilion and waved to Chen Qing and her father.

After Chen Qing and Mr. Yang sat down under the pavilion, the young girl looked at Chen Qing and asked, "Young Master Chen, is it true that practicing martial arts can develop internal strength?"

Chen Qing looked up at her and said with a smile, "I learned this from Mr. Yang. You should ask him about this."

Mr. Yang took a sip of his noodle soup and smiled as well: "I've also read the storybook you just wrote, young master. It's quite well-written. I plan to organize it and take it to the teahouse to tell stories, but..."

He paused, then shook his head and said, "I have never heard of anyone being able to cultivate internal energy through martial arts, let alone anyone being able to leap and fly."

At this point, Mr. Yang looked at Chen Qing, thought for a moment, and continued, "But there are probably really masters who can fly over rooftops, kill by striking acupoints, and even unleash internal energy with their palms."

Hearing his words, Chen Qing became interested and asked, "Have you met him before, sir?"

Mr. Yang nodded and said, "I have personally witnessed my master gently slap a vicious dog, and the dog died instantly."

"There's not a single external injury visible."

Mr. Yang took another bite of food and continued, "As for the ability to leap over walls and rooftops, that's a skill often practiced by those who are thin and small in stature in the martial arts world. Some of them can run through houses and alleys as if walking on flat ground."

Chen Qing had already eaten most of his food. He wiped his mouth and asked with a smile, "Did you learn this skill from your teacher, sir?"

Mr. Yang shook his head: "My master said that this can only be understood by oneself. It cannot be taught. When you reach a certain level, you will naturally understand it."

As the two were chatting, there was a knock on the door. Chen Qing got up, went to the door, opened it, and saw a yamen runner standing at his door.

Chen Qing was stunned for a moment, and before he could speak, the constable had already bowed and saluted him.

"Is this Young Master Chen Qing?"

Chen Qing nodded: "I am Chen Qing. What can I do for you, officer?"

"It's not me looking for Young Master Chen." The yamen runner said solemnly, "It's my master who wants to catch up with you, and he sent me to invite you over."

Chen Qing was taken aback for a moment, then turned around to look at Mr. Yang and his daughter, and said with a smile, "Sir, I'm going to the county government office. We'll talk again when I get back."

Mr. Yang knew that Chen Qing was reporting his whereabouts, so he said in a deep voice, "Understood, young master."

Chen Qing then followed the constable all the way to the Deqing County Government Office, and soon saw Magistrate Hong Jing teaching his son to read in the backyard of the government office.

Hong Jing stepped forward and said with a smile, "Young Master Chen has arrived."

He reached out and patted his son's head, frowning as he said, "You don't know manners? Why don't you bow to Young Master Chen?"

The county magistrate's son, who was about ten years old, immediately stood up obediently, cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Qing, and addressed him as "Young Master Chen."

Chen Qing returned the greeting, then smiled at Magistrate Hong and said, "The magistrate was about to arrest me a few days ago, but now he is treating me with such courtesy, which makes me feel a little apprehensive."

The last time Chen Qing came to the county government office, Magistrate Hong did not allow his son to stand up and bow, a fact Chen Qing remembered very clearly.

Magistrate Hong led Chen Qing to sit down, personally poured him tea, and then said with a smile, "Your father was here earlier. A higher official can crush a lower one, so I had to go along with him and put on a show. If we really wanted to arrest the young master, who wouldn't know that he was hiding in the Gu family?"

"If we search the entire Gu family, we might find some illicit gains."

Chen Qing smiled but didn't reply.

As Magistrate Hong spoke, he looked at his son and sighed, "As a father myself, I naturally understand the bond between father and son. Don't worry, Young Master Chen, your father is only angry for a moment. After some time, you and your son will surely reconcile."

Chen Qing lowered his head and drank his tea, not replying, but simply asked with a smile, "What brings the county magistrate here?"

"It's not a summons."

Magistrate Hong said solemnly, "Please do."

Chen Qing smiled and said, "They're all the same."

Magistrate Hong personally poured Chen Qing a cup of tea, then looked at Chen Qing, shook his head and smiled bitterly, "In the end, it was your signature, Young Master Chen, that caused this whole mess."

Magistrate Hong sighed, "The martial arts novels printed by Deqing Bookstore have become popular in several nearby prefectures and counties. Why does Young Master Chen have to sign his name as 'Deqing Xiaoxiaosheng'?"

He looked at Chen Qing and said with a wry smile, "Now it's all good. The book is published in Deqing and written by people from Deqing. All my classmates and fellow students are writing to me to ask about the sequel."

At this point, Magistrate Hong looked at Chen Qing and coughed, "Yesterday, I asked Brother Gu, and he said he wouldn't get involved in this matter. It's all up to you, Young Master Chen. Could you print about ten copies of the sequel to The Legend of the Condor Heroes for me first, so I can use them to do him a favor?"

Chen Qing put down his teacup and asked with a smile, "What favor do you have that makes the county magistrate so nervous?"

"Those from neighboring prefectures and counties are fine."

Magistrate Hong looked at Chen Qing and said with a wry smile, "Yesterday, a letter from Huzhou Prefecture also arrived. That is our superior government office in Deqing. I dare not offend them in the slightest."

Magistrate Hong sighed and said, "If all else fails, I'll pay for a few portions for you, young master. Would that be alright?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing did not reply immediately, but instead remarked with emotion, "It was just a piece I made in my spare time, I never expected it to cause such a commotion."

Magistrate Hong said helplessly, "It's just that Young Master Chen's idea of ​​disassembling and printing a book is really too tempting."

Chen Qing thought for a moment, looked at Magistrate Hong, and said with a smile, "If Your Excellency speaks up, I will naturally do my best, but Your Excellency will have to do your part in the future."

"And don't forget me."

Magistrate Hong, with a serious expression, stood up and bowed to Chen Qing.

"sure."

　I've been so busy these past few days, I overslept... Sorry~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)