[The hexagram has been updated!]
[Today's hexagram·Calm]: Rain begins at the start of the Chou hour, stops at the Mao hour, accumulates to one foot of water.
After glancing at the hexagram, seeing nothing significant, Shen Yuan fell into a deep sleep.
Early the next morning, the rain ceased, and the sky cleared. The crops in the fields had just been sown, and this rain came at the perfect time.
In just a couple of days, those crops will begin to sprout. If all goes well, next year will be another bountiful year.
After breakfast during the Mao hour, Shen Yuan personally escorted Ah Nu to Master Lu's home.
Recalling last night's events, he cupped his hands and said, "Master, I have a question and would like to seek your guidance."
Lu Zhiyuan nodded slightly.
Shen Yuan continued, "My wife recently confirmed she is with child. I also plan to send Shi Tou to learn martial arts at the town's Martial Arts Hall, and Ah Nu will soon need writing materials."
"Thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, our family owns some farmland, but our expenses are significant, and our income is insufficient. I wish to convert the mountain forest into an orchard, but unfortunately, I'm not knowledgeable in this area..."
Lu Zhiyuan understood his meaning and cheerfully stroked his beard, saying, "Diligence without complacency, learning to progress; if the common people were all like Younger Brother Shen, what is there to worry about?"
"For this matter, you should seek Uncle Ya's guidance."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan quickly cupped his hands in thanks.
Lu Zhiyuan simply waved his hand and looked at Shen Wenyan, "Let's begin our lesson."
Shen Wenyan obediently spread out his book and began to read with Lu Zhiyuan.
Knowing it was time to leave, Shen Yuan found Uncle Ya, who was tending to the vegetable garden in the courtyard, and shared his thoughts.
Uncle Ya hesitated briefly, glanced at Lu Zhiyuan who was teaching, then smiled broadly and patted his chest.
The gesture likely meant, "Leave it to me."
Shen Yuan inquired further about seed selection and planting.
Uncle Ya gestured for a while, but Shen Yuan couldn't comprehend it. As he was struggling with the communication barrier, Uncle Ya set down his hoe, went to a nearby room, and retrieved an ancient book.
Shen Yuan accepted the book and saw the four large characters on the cover: "Agricultural Miscellaneous Skills."
He flipped through it briefly and found that it contained texts related to farming, planting, and livestock raising.
Uncle Ya flipped directly to the middle section, which specifically addressed fruit cultivation.
Shen Yuan was overjoyed, cupping his hands in gratitude.
Uncle Ya simply waved his hand, then resumed tending to the vegetable garden with his hoe.
"Uncle Ya, I'll copy a part of this and return it to you."
After thanking him, Shen Yuan took the book home.
"Yufen, when you have some free time, copy this book for me. I'm taking Shi Tou to the town."
Yesterday, when selling grains, he had already inquired at the town's Martial Arts Hall.
The Martial Arts Hall's master indicated you could register anytime.
With nothing else pressing at home, he planned to have his eldest start martial arts training as soon as possible.
"Shi Tou, listen to your masters at the Martial Arts Hall and study diligently."
Hu Yufen knelt down, straightening her son's clothes with concern in her eyes.
From Jinliu Village to the town is quite a distance, and Shen Wenxing will only be able to return every ten days.
Although her younger son Shen Wenyan stays in the village, she still worries her eldest might suffer at the Martial Arts Hall.
A fledgling bird must learn to fly eventually; she understood that over-protecting her children could do them more harm than good.
"Mother, rest assured, I will study hard."
Compared to reading, Shen Wenxing clearly preferred martial arts.
A mother worries when her son travels far. Holding back tears, Hu Yufen handed Shen Yuan a packed bundle and said, "Husband, make sure Shi Tou is settled properly and speak to the Martial Arts Hall instructors to take good care of him."
Shen Yuan took the bundle and reassured her, "The town isn't very far. I'll try to visit him often, so don't worry too much, my dear."
After comforting his wife, he called Shi Tou to get on the ox cart, and father and son left Jinliu Village, heading towards Yunshui Town.
The Martial Arts Hall master in Yunshui Town is named Huang Qingzhou.
The Huang family's patriarch once shared a camaraderie with Shen Yuan's great-grandfather, and the families interacted when Shen Yuan's grandfather was alive.
However, by Shen Yuan's father's generation, the Shen family's title was revoked while Huang Qingzhou's father consistently earned military merits, securing his title.
When his father died in battle, the title was passed to Huang Qingzhou's older brother, Huang Yunxiao.
Years ago, Emperor Yu ordered the establishment of a Mountain Patrol Captain Camp along Hidden Dragon Mountain, and the Huang family spent money to have Huang Yunxiao moved from the frontier to become a Mountain Patrol Captain.
The families drifted apart due to their growing differences and have had little contact since.
The ox cart slowly stopped at the Martial Arts Hall's entrance, and the father and son got off the cart.
"Excuse me, we're here to see Master Huang."
Shen Yuan cupped his hands at a disciple at the Martial Arts Hall entrance.
The disciple glanced at them and directly said, "Master is inside, you may enter."
As they walked into the Martial Arts Hall, they saw dozens of children ranging from a few years old to teenagers practicing posture in the front Martial Arts Arena.
Huang Qingzhou, whom they were looking for, stood silently in a shaded area, observing the children.
Upon noticing Shen Yuan and his son, Huang Qingzhou approached and politely cupped his hands.
"Younger Brother Shen, you've come?"
Shen Yuan returned the gesture, "Master Huang, I've come today to enroll Shi Tou."
With that, he took out silver coins from his pocket.
"Altogether thirty taels: twenty for the enrollment fee and ten for the first month's medicinal dietary expenses. Please check, Master Huang."
Shen Yuan was very courteous.
Though their families had a connection in the past, they no longer belonged to the same social circle, and he didn't want to cling onto old ties.
"Younger Brother Shen intends to give this child medicinal diets?" Huang Qingzhou took the silver coins, weighed them briefly without examining them closely.
"Our families are old friends, so I want to remind you that if you start with the medicinal diet, you should continue for three to five years, or else previous expenses would be wasted."
Shen Yuan responded with a smile, "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Huang. Since we've chosen this path for the child, we must provide him the best resources, or else he might as well stay home farming."
Although he initially refrained from emphasizing their past connection, since Huang Qingzhou mentioned it and took the elder brother role, Shen Yuan naturally adjusted his address.
Impressed by the response, Huang Qingzhou nodded approvingly.
Despite having over a hundred students in his Martial Arts Hall, only about a handful truly aspired to become martial artists; the rest were merely there to learn some basic skills without much future in it.
"Very well, I'll accept the payment then."
"Leave the child in my care, rest assured."
Shen Yuan cupped his hands and looked at his son beside him, "Shi Tou, quickly greet your uncle."
Shen Wenxing hurriedly cupped his hands, "Greetings, Uncle."
"Haha... Good." Huang Qingzhou chuckled, pinched Shi Tou's arm, "You've got a solid foundation. After adjusting with medicinal diets, there may indeed be hope for you to become a Postnatal Martial Artist."
"Younger Brother Shen, you should get settled first. Tomorrow have Shi Tou join the other students in practicing posture."
Huang Qingzhou signaled for a disciple to guide the father and son to the students' living quarters.
Shen Yuan busily set up his son's bed.
"Shi Tou, from today onwards, you must learn to be independent."
"Father has a few things to tell you. Remember them well."
Shen Wenxing nodded earnestly.
"First, in dealing with people, be modest and low-key; don't seek the limelight."
"Second, avoid arrogance and impatience. Learn to think and be patient in difficult situations. Staying calm is key to resolving issues."
"Third, don't provoke trouble, but also don't shy away from it. Have your principles."
"Got it?"
After pondering for a moment, Shen Wenxing nodded firmly, "Rest assured, Ah Die, Shi Tou remembers."
Shen Yuan nodded slightly.
His eldest son's steady nature gave him confidence.
"Let's go, Father will take you out for a good meal. Afterwards, I'll return to the village and pick you up in ten days."
The father and son left their belongings behind and headed to a restaurant in town.