Chapter 32: The Current Situation

Recovery was slow and gradual. A month had passed since arriving in this world, and for a long time, he had been confined to his room, only recently able to step outside for brief activity.

Early spring brought bright, warm sunlight that gently warmed his body. During this time, Li Jie learned that it was the seventeenth year of the Chenghua reign. The body he now inhabited was that of a five-year-old child. The current emperor was Zhu Jianshen. Although Zhu Jianshen had a somewhat feeble and indecisive character, he was not cruel. The court during the Chenghua era was rife with chaos and corruption. Due to his upbringing, Zhu Jianshen’s weak personality allowed various sinister forces to stir trouble under his rule.

Historically, the notorious Western Depot was established during his reign. At this time, the Grand Eunuch Wang Zhi was ruthlessly persecuting loyal officials, acting with impunity, and amassing wealth on a grand scale. Meanwhile, the Eastern Depot, led by Shang Ming, was engaged in a fierce rivalry with Wang Zhi's faction. It was expected that by the following year, Shang Ming would join forces with Li Zisheng, leading to Wang Zhi’s decline.

Li Jie’s current residence in Fuzhou Prefecture still maintained relatively good public order. Aside from occasional rogue martial artists causing trouble, most martial practitioners dared not gather to create disturbances here. The imperial army and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were not mere decorations; high-ranking martial artists ultimately had to face consequences. The martial world and the court coexisted peacefully, each minding their own affairs.

To avoid total ruin, relying on the martial world was unwise. The rivers and lakes were in disarray, with constant clashes between righteous sects and demonic cults. Even among the righteous, there was no unity: Shaolin and Wudang remained aloof, while the Five Mountain Sword Sects vied for supremacy with underhanded tactics. The other factions were mere echoers of the major powers.

One must be strong to shape their own destiny.

“Young master, it’s about time. Though the weather has warmed, be careful not to let evil qi enter your body again. It’s best to head back soon,” the maid Xiaocui softly advised.

Since recovering from his illness, Xiaocui had noticed that Li Jie was different—quieter and more reserved, unlike his previously lively and restless self. He no longer clamored to play outside daily; instead, he could sit still for hours, like a little adult, methodical and serious, resembling a scholar.

“All right, let’s go back. Did father say when he would return this time?” Li Jie asked as he rose and headed home, planning to discuss his studies with Lin Zhennan once he returned. In an era where everything was deemed inferior except scholarly achievement, martial artists held little status. To gain influence in court, the imperial examination was an unavoidable hurdle, and he needed a reputable teacher’s guidance.

“Madam said he should be back in two or three days,” Xiaocui replied.

Around them, buildings stood densely packed, and the streets bustled with life. Though seemingly chaotic, everything was orderly. Vendors called out continuously, selling snacks, daily necessities, and wild goods brought by farmers and fishermen from nearby markets. Shops lining the streets saw steady streams of customers. This was Fuzhou’s West Market, the city’s commercial hub.

The crowd was a mix of affluent youths dressed in fine silks, surrounded by attendants and guards, and poor commoners in patched coarse cloth, hawking wild produce. Li Jie had yet to see anyone destitute to the point of unclothed poverty. Though treacherous officials ruled the capital, Fuzhou, far from the capital, remained relatively stable. It was not like the chaotic, doomed days at the dynasty’s end, when society was in turmoil and people suffered greatly.

Li Jie admired the ancient market scene with keen interest, frequently asking Xiaocui questions to better understand the current state of affairs.

Spotting a mountain villager selling firewood, Li Jie inquired, “Xiaocui, how much does a load of firewood cost nowadays?”

Having come from a poor background, Xiaocui knew the answer well. “Young master, a load of firewood sells for about thirty-three wen.”

Li Jie quietly began calculating. His family ran a grain store, so he knew rice prices. One dou of rice—equivalent to about 18.88 jin, with ten dou making a shi (roughly 94.4 kilograms)—costs around a hundred wen. The mountain villager could exchange 100 jin of firewood for just over six jin of rice. Assuming a family of five consumes three jin of rice daily, this firewood provided nearly two days’ worth of food. Cutting a load took half a day’s hard work. Adding other income sources, the overall cost of living was stable, and the people’s standard of living was passable.

...

Upon arriving home, Li Jie first informed Madam Wang of his return. Since his serious illness, she had been especially attentive, and after learning from Lin Zhennan that Li Jie’s vital energy was impaired, she often wept. Unaware that Li Jie already knew the truth, she always forced a smile when seeing him.

After paying his respects, Li Jie returned to his small courtyard, changed into light training clothes, and began horse stance exercises. Since his recovery, Lin Zhennan had started teaching him basic stance training. At only five years old, Li Jie could only learn foundational postures to build strength and health, with formal family martial arts instruction to come in a couple of years.

Li Jie was practicing the widely known basic horse stance, as the Lin family’s martial arts, aside from their renowned Exorcism Sword Technique, were otherwise ordinary. Fortunately, he could learn the family’s legacy skills and did not face the barriers many others did when trying to enter a sect.

Martial arts transmission was cautious; new disciples spent the first three years strengthening their bodies and learning basic techniques before progressing to advanced skills. Sect acceptance was usually limited to young children, fostering a strong sense of belonging. Older aspirants rarely gained entry. For instance, the second disciple of Mount Hua Sect, Lao Denuo, would not have been accepted without Yue Buqun’s ulterior motives.

Li Jie’s feet were slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, knees bent, body steady as if riding a horse. Since beginning his training, he had improved from holding the stance two minutes to ten—a significant leap for his age and physique. After straightening up and taking a deep breath, he rested briefly before resuming. He understood well that great journeys begin with small steps.

After training, sweat soaked his clothes. He headed to the bathhouse, where Xiaocui had prepared warm water ever since he started martial training. She waited for him to finish so he could freshen up.

“Young master, would you like me to help today?” Xiaocui cheerfully asked.

“No, I’ll wash myself. I don’t need your help,” Li Jie replied. The first time he bathed in this world, Xiaocui had followed into the bathhouse, which felt strange to Li Jie, accustomed to modern privacy.

This was the first time he declined her assistance. Xiaocui pouted, worried that he was displeased with her. After much explanation, Li Jie managed to soothe her concerns, though she would ask each time he bathed. She did not know that Li Jie’s soul was no longer the original’s, and it was not personal. Still, he could not explain this to her.

Clean and refreshed, Li Jie went to the dining hall for dinner. The table was laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat. Though the Lin family held little martial prestige, they were wealthy and reputable locally. Their farm outside the city boasted 300 acres of fertile land, and they charged tenants only half the usual rent, earning a good reputation. Within the city, they operated cloth and grain shops. The escort agency, founded by his great-grandfather Lin Yantu, was a legacy business, not their main enterprise, but one they maintained out of respect.

Thus, life in this era, though fraught with hidden dangers and political strife, had moments of peace and stability, especially for those who sought strength and wisdom to navigate its complexities.