I trade in both worlds

After hearing this, Liu Shenzhi frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, with some consideration in his voice: "This is not difficult. My Yue family does have some old servants. They are very skilled, and most of them are retired and have nothing to do at home."

"How about I write a letter and ask them if they are willing to come out?"

Hearing this, the clan leader was overjoyed and a bright smile appeared on his face: "Shenzhi, you really helped a lot. On behalf of the entire clan, I am grateful."

"Why should we be so polite?" Liu Shenzhi waved his hand and asked, "Would you like to have a drink together at noon?"

"Okay." Lin Kaiyun agreed readily, relaxed his body, and leaned casually against the back of the chair.

With a relaxed and happy smile on his face, he said, "Just do your thing. I'll sit and wait for you. I have to take a good look at the books in this study."

After saying that, he reached out and picked up a book on the table. The cover was a little old, but the faint scent of ink emanating from the pages made him feel relaxed and happy.

Liu Shenzhi smiled and shook his head, picked up the pen and continued to bury himself in official documents.

As Liu Shenzhi returned to reviewing official documents, the clan leader also immersed himself in the world of books, and the study room returned to peace again.

But this calmness contains infinite longing and hope for the future.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye it was the end of November. A reply letter from the Yue family was delivered to Liu Shenzhi.

In the letter, Liu Shenzhi's father-in-law first asked about Liu Shenzhi's recent situation with concern, and then mentioned what he requested.

Liu Shenzhi's father-in-law wrote: "I have a close friend named Chen Zeyun, who was once a brave general in the army. He was proficient in swords, spears, swords and halberds. He was highly skilled in martial arts and a loyal person, and was deeply respected by the soldiers."

"However, fate was unfortunate. I was injured on the battlefield and became disabled. My right leg was disabled, so I had to return to my hometown in Youzhou to recuperate."

"Although this person is disabled, he is very skilled in martial arts. If he can become the martial arts master of the Xu family, it would be a waste of his talent. However, I know that he has a heart for martial arts, and I am willing to teach him everything I know."

The letter went on to say: "After Ze Yun left the military camp, his life was quite difficult. His parents were old, his wife and children were weak, and they all needed his support."

"Because of his disability, many people in the clan look down on him, and his life is quite difficult. If he can take this opportunity to stay away from the troubles in the clan and settle down in Xu Village, it will be a blessing."

"I know that the Xu clan leader is kind and benevolent. I hope you can give him a piece of land so that he can build his own house and live and work in peace and contentment."

After reading the letter, Liu Shenzhi was filled with emotion.

He seemed to see the figure of the former brave general, fighting bravely on the battlefield, and he also seemed to see the hardships of him dragging his broken body and struggling for a living.

He knew very well that this was not only about finding a martial arts master for the Xu clan, but also about finding a new way of life for Chen Zeyun's family.

The next morning, Liu Shenzhi sent a servant to Xu Zhuang with a reply from his father-in-law.

The patriarch opened the letter and read it carefully word by word. His brows gradually furrowed and his fingers tapped the table unconsciously.

After hesitating for a while, he shouted outside the house: "Jianli, Jianli."

"Okay, here I come." Xu Jianli brushed off the sawdust on his body, went to the kitchen to scoop some hot water to wash his hands and face before walking towards the main room.

Lifting the door curtain, Xu Jianli stood beside the clan leader and asked, "Grandpa, what did you call me for?"

The patriarch handed him the letter in his hand and said, "Take a look."

Xu Jianli took the letter and read it carefully, frowning again and again.

After reading it, he looked up at Mr. Xu with a complicated look in his eyes.

"I think we should accept Chen Zeyun." Xu Jianli's voice was soft but firm. "Although he is disabled, he is a martial arts expert."

"Moreover, judging from the letter, he is also a loyal and honest person. Our Xu clan has always been known for its benevolence and righteousness. How can we reject someone just because of a minor disability?"

Upon hearing this, the patriarch nodded secretly, with a hint of relief in his eyes.

Xu Jianli's opinion coincides with his own, but this matter concerns the future of the clan's studies, and he needs to discuss it with several clan elders before making a decision.

The next morning, the patriarch summoned five respected elders of the tribe.

These five elders are Xu Dali, Xu Gaoliang, Xu Erzhu, Xu Mantun and Xu Liangcang. They are all among the older generations in the clan.

"My fellow elders, I have called you all here today to discuss important matters." The clan leader spoke slowly, revealing the contents of the letter and his own thoughts.

The ancestral hall fell silent for a moment. The elders had their own opinions, but most of them were cautious.

"Patriarch," Xu Dali spoke first. He was a burly man with a voice as loud as a bell. "Chen Zeyun is disabled. Even if he is skilled in martial arts, that was only when he was healthy."

"Now that his right leg is disabled, can he still be a martial arts master? We in the Xu family cannot treat learning as a joke!"

As soon as this was said, other elders nodded in agreement.

Xu Gaoliang touched his chin and said, "Yes, Master Wu is different from Master Wen, and his physical requirements are extremely high."

"We have to choose this martial arts master carefully. What if he doesn't teach well or his disability affects his teaching?"

Xu Erzhu also expressed his concerns: "Besides, the children in the clan school should concentrate on studying and passing the imperial examinations. Why should they spend their time on martial arts?"

Xu Mantun seemed a little hesitant: "Chief, I think we should still focus on studying. Although learning martial arts can also make a difference, it is not the right path after all."

"What if all the children start learning martial arts and neglect their studies?"

Xu Liangcang had been silent the whole time. Now he slowly spoke: "Patriarch, I think whether one's skills are high or low is not the most important thing. The most important thing is virtue."

Hearing this, he smiled slightly, with wisdom flashing in his eyes.

"You all have a point." He said slowly, "But have you ever thought that not every child is suitable for studying?"

"Some people have no talent for studying. Should we let them live a life of mediocrity? Learning martial arts may be a way out."

He paused and continued, "Besides, learning martial arts can not only strengthen your body, but also allow you to take the martial arts examination and serve the court."

Having said that, Mr. Xu looked at Xu Jianli, his eyes full of expectation and trust.

"Jianli, what do you think?" he asked.

Xu Jianli was moved when he heard this. He understood that his grandfather was testing him on purpose and wanted him to establish his prestige in front of the elders.

After hesitating for a moment, he said confidently, "I think Grandpa is right. Although Chen Zeyun is disabled, since County Magistrate Liu strongly recommended him, I believe he must have something extraordinary."

"A person's physical disability does not mean that his spirit or skills are also disabled. Moreover, from the letter from County Magistrate Liu, it can be seen that this person's life is quite difficult."

"If we can lend a helping hand, we can not only solve his predicament, but also add strength to the ethnic studies. Why not do it?"