My Cultivation Starting from Archery

No one caused trouble, and Chen Sansi was living a peaceful life.

For five consecutive days, his life was a simple cycle: hunting in the mountains, selling game at the restaurant, and then going home to sleep.

As for Qin Xiong...

His body was gnawed to nothing but bones by wolves the day after he died, and Chen even took the opportunity to shoot a few of them.

"A wild rabbit of six pounds, two pheasants weighing five pounds and three ounces, plus a fifty-pound roe deer..."

Eight Treasures Restaurant.

Chen Sansi, like a mission turn-in point in a game, habitually came here to sell game.

Shopkeeper Liu Hongda clicked his abacus: "Exactly one tael of silver, keep it up!"

A single tael of silver, if not for the expensive prices due to chaos and war, would be enough to sustain an ordinary family for a month.

But he appeared very calm, considering he had recently earned a sum of seven taels at one time.

Unfortunately, wild boars were not that easy to find.

"If only I could go to North Mountain!"

"Uncle Zhao and the others said that in the real deep mountains there's a chance to find 'Exotic Beasts', one could sell for upwards of ten taels or even an astronomical price!"

"It's a pity, without the backing of a powerful force..."

North of Second Layer Mountain was completely dominated by martial artists; if a country hunter dared to venture there, they might be beaten and robbed of their game at best, or even lose their lives at worst—it was very oppressive!

"I still need to inquire about joining a Martial Arts Hall."

Thinking so, Chen Sansi didn't rush to leave.

After waiting about half an hour, he saw Zhang Shun coming to sell fish, carrying his basket.

When the topic of Martial Arts Halls came up, Shun began to curse: "Brother, don't even bring it up! Those two had no intention of helping me, they just freeloaded food and drink, consuming a whole two taels of my silver, however..."

He lowered his voice: "I didn't let them off cheap either. Yesterday, with a trap, I splashed them both with golden juice, it was at least a bit satisfying!"

"Do they know it was you who did it?"

Chen Sansi was a bit worried.

In recent times, commuting back and forth to the county town, he had also encountered many Martial Arts Academy Disciples who were arrogant and unreasonable, even those who beat up ordinary people on the street without cause.

Shun's way of getting back at them might bring trouble upon himself.

In some matters, you either don't do them at all or you must be ruthless in execution.

"Don't worry, they didn't see me."

Zhang Shun changed the subject: "By the way, Brother, aren't you also planning to learn Martial Arts? Got any plans?"

Chen Sansi shook his head: "What about you?"

"Sigh, I'm worried too."

Zhang Shun lamented: "Apart from the Four Great Martial Arts Schools, the rest of the Martial Arts Halls in the county town are not that cheaper either, and the worst part is having to do strenuous labor for two years before you even start learning the real skills. Without three or five years, it's impossible to learn anything substantial.

"But what can we do? I'm going to try out at a Martial Arts Hall with a better reputation after all."

It was consistent with what Chen Sansi had learned.

In this world, it's not easy to change one's fate through scholarship, and it's even harder through Martial Arts.

In a nutshell, ordinary folks, don't expect to live a good life!

Working his hands to the bone in a lousy Martial Arts Hall for three to five years was out of the question.

Apart from the Martial Arts Halls, there was actually another place to learn Martial Arts...

The garrison!

But as a military household, he would have to go to battle and face the enemy, especially now with the current state of turmoil and war.

Let's go ask around first.

After saying goodbye to Shun, Chen Sansi went to the market to seek out Old Xu.

When Old Xu heard his question, he couldn't help but chuckle: "How much silver does it take to become a military household?

"Little Stone, have you lost your mind? You don't need a single coin to become a military household; instead, they'd have to pay you!

"The garrison does want to recruit people, but how many are willing to go?"

The Great Sheng Dynasty had a history of over three hundred and fifty years.

After the Grand Ancestor founded the nation, he implemented the garrison and commandery system.

In essence, it was a system of military colony farming.

Seven parts farming, three parts military readiness.

At the beginning of the dynasty, Great Sheng had as many as three million military households, and they could be self-sufficient.

The Grand Ancestor once said, "The soldiers of Great Sheng need not consume a single grain of rice from the people.".

"Such an astonishing coincidence?"

Chen Sansi couldn't help but recall a figure from his past life who started his empire with nothing but a bowl and carved out his own territory through sheer ruthlessness.

Like the Great Ming, the garrison system of Great Sheng deteriorated over time and was on the verge of collapse.

Fifty years ago, the Chief Minister had implemented reforms, which just barely extended the life of the regime until now.

But listening to Old Xu's tone, it seemed that the reforms were not very thorough, only managing to maintain appearances while the reality was still on the verge of collapse.

"Three hundred and fifty years is actually quite a feat."

"After all, the Great Ming only lasted for less than three hundred years."

"Why could the Great Sheng Dynasty outlast the Great Ming by seventy years, was it because there were no foreign-educated Emperors?"

"Or was it because this world had martial artists who relied on military force to suppress and extend their lifespan?"

"..."

Old Xu said, "Little Shanshi, do you want to practice martial arts?"

Chen Sansi nodded in agreement.

"If you just want to strengthen your body, the Martial Arts Halls in Po Yang County town can satisfy you, but if you truly want to achieve mastery in martial arts, they are not enough.

"Either join a major school at the state level;

"Or enlist in the military."

"But in all the land under heaven, is there a school bigger and stronger than the court?"

Old Xu said earnestly, "Child, think it over carefully, if you really want to enlist, your uncle can get you in.

"But why join the military in these chaotic times?

"I'm speaking the sincere truth as an old man, just living a stable life as a commoner is quite good.

"Like that silly son of mine, always dreaming of making a name for himself, not realizing if he has the fate for it, sigh~"

"Thank you for the advice, uncle."

Chen Sansi bowed his hands in thanks and took his leave.

This matter, indeed, required serious thought.

His mind heavy with thoughts, he walked home.

Before he even reached the entrance of the village, he heard loud and noisy arguments coming from inside.

A young man in a dark cyan robe with a sword at his waist was leading four or five people in the village, stopping everyone they met and asking questions, as if they were looking for someone.

With Chen Sansi's hearing, he could make out the conversation from a distance, but he didn't hide, walking openly past them and, as expected, was stopped.

"Brother, please wait."

The leading young man, dignified and polite in his speech, but his gaze bearing a hint of disdain, asked, "Have you seen my elder brother Qin Xiong?"

"Brother Qin?"

Chen Sansi responded naturally, "I saw him a few days ago, what about him?"

Qin Feng said coldly, "Five days ago, my elder brother disappeared without a trace, and there has been no word of him since."

"Disappeared? Impossible!"

Chen Sansi was quite surprised, "Brother Qin was fine, how could he disappear?"

Qin Feng shook his head, "If there is any news, please inform us."

"Hiss..."

Chen Sansi stroked his chin, "A few days ago, barbarians infiltrated Po Yang County and killed the County Magistrate, I wonder if it has anything to do with this?"

Qin Feng paid him no further attention and turned to question the next person.

'I wonder how well this younger brother of Qin Xiong has learned martial arts.'

'The few disciples around him are calling him 'Senior Brother'; seems like he holds a high status.'

'If I attacked by surprise, could I kill him with one arrow?'

'I really need to learn martial arts!'

As Chen Sansi pushed open the door to his home, he did not smell the familiar fragrance of cooking.

"Sister Lan hasn't come back yet?"

"That's not right."

It wasn't until half an hour later that hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.

"Brother Shi!"

"What's happened?" Chen Sansi asked.

"Tax officials, collecting taxes..."

Gu Xinlan leaned against the door frame, panting for breath, barely able to speak.

Chen Sansi remembered that today was the last deadline for tax payment.

In previous years at this time, the tax officials would bring government office workers to tally up, and those who couldn't pay the taxes would be taken away for hard labor.

"Don't panic, speak slowly."

Gu Xinlan said haltingly, "Aunt Li... Brother Shi, you should go and see, Aunt Li's family can't pay the taxes and are about to be taken away!"