Chapter 16: Whatever I Know, I'll Teach Brother to Master Too

Page 1/3

Upon hearing this, Su Wu was momentarily stunned. He glanced at Meng Yulou, who kept her head lowered to avoid his gaze. Su Wu then looked at his younger brother-in-law, stepped forward, and smiled as he gently patted the boy’s head. “What’s your name, boy?”

“My name is Yang Zongtie,” the child answered confidently, showing no trace of shyness.

This family perhaps had little education, naming one “Xi” and the other “Tie.” Or maybe fate had been unkind to them, with many descendants dying young or prematurely. They chose such strong names hoping for good omens—yet, Xi still died early.

“You’re a good lad. Listen well to your sister-in-law, study hard, and learn the ways of managing a household. You are the last hope of the Yang family,” Su Wu advised solemnly.

He looked at Meng Yulou again and said, “You don’t seem like a simple woman. Although the family estate is large and sustaining it is difficult, you must endure shame and bear burdens. Though the world is harsh and hearts are wicked, there is still some justice in this county. If you ever face troubles, come to the county office for help…”

At these words, Meng Yulou’s eyes reddened. No longer avoiding his gaze, she looked up at Su Wu and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Captain, for your great kindness.”

She then turned to her younger brother-in-law. “Zongtie, quickly kneel and bow to Captain Su.”

The child obediently dropped to his knees and bowed.

Su Wu looked at Meng Yulou once more, seeing her pitiful expression, and sighed softly. “I won’t drink tea. Let’s go.”

Turning away, Su Wu departed. Meng Yulou held her younger brother-in-law’s hand and escorted him to the doorway. They stood there, watching the captain’s figure disappear into the distance.

“Sister-in-law, Captain Su has already gone far. Why do you keep watching?” Yang Zongtie asked.

“Zongtie, there are still good people in this world. Captain Su has done us a great favor. You must remember it well in your heart and repay it when you have the chance,” Meng Yulou said, turning back to guide the boy inside. She noticed a few onlookers at the door but bowed her head slightly and entered with her brother-in-law.

“Oh, I understand…” the boy nodded obediently.

Far ahead, Su Wu walked on. Behind him, Wu Song remarked, “So this is how it feels to help others. Seeing you assist them makes me feel joyful inside. But…”

“But what?” Su Wu asked with a smile, knowing Wu Song's nature was kind-hearted and not one to kill innocents without cause. Truly, the harshness of the world often forces men to evil.

“If it were me, I wouldn’t have given that Zhang Si the fifty coins. Why should I?” Wu Song’s temper flared somewhat.

“There are two reasons. First, Zhang Si’s sister really was the lawful wife of the Yang family. With Yang Zongxi dead, the Zhang family has no support. It’s only natural to give them some inheritance as a common courtesy. The Yangs don’t need that little bit. Second, a rowdy like Zhang Si doesn’t matter much to us, but for a woman and a child, it’s impossible to guard against him every day. Consider it money spent to ward off disaster,” Su Wu explained.

“Oh…” Wu Song thought for a moment, then said, “I understand the reasoning, but it still feels wrong. That scoundrel extorted money from us—that’s what bothers me…”

“That’s how things are in this world,” Su Wu sighed. Wu Song, with his clear sense of right and wrong, could not tolerate any injustice.

“If I became a villain, I’d just take my knife and end him. That would settle everything. Helping others, I’d help wholeheartedly,” Wu Song blurted out.

Page 2/3

Su Wu smiled wryly. He had just thought Wu Song was innately kind… but it turned out there was a wild beast living inside him.

“Brother, I was just joking…” Wu Song laughed at himself.

“What you said isn’t wrong. If there’s truly no other way, sometimes one must end things with a single stroke. One knife, and it’s over,” Su Wu said. He was not a rigid man; if Zhang Si took the money and still caused trouble, openly or covertly, then a knife might truly be the solution.

“Heh heh… Brother, those words please me. They suit my temper. Let’s see if Zhang Si wants to bring about his own death,” Wu Song chuckled, patting the long knife at his waist.

Nearby, Dong Jian was secretly stunned. What had happened to their captain? He had never acted like this before—talking casually about killing someone?

Could it be that the tiger fight had left some mark on him? Or perhaps the captain, after enduring life-and-death struggles, had come to see many things more clearly?

Most likely, after battling that fierce tiger, the captain had become bolder and more insightful, yearning for a freer, more unrestrained life.

In truth… it was quite enviable.

Dong Jian glanced at Su Wu’s tall, imposing figure and felt that at this very moment, their captain was truly extraordinary.

Back at the county office, the regular shift resumed. They handled a few street fights and then things quieted down.

The big tiger in the office was gone—clearly, Ximen Qing had sent men to take it away, to strip off its bones and whip. Removing bones and whips was a skilled craft.

After roll call, there were barely thirty men inside and outside the office, including some temporary assistants.

The office was indeed small, but Yanggu County had grown prosperous in recent years thanks to the canal traffic. Personnel were already insufficient, but the county magistrate, Meng Yi, was a miserly old man…

That old fellow was hard to judge as good or bad, but he was certainly very real. His love of money was his nature, perhaps because he saw no hope of advancement in life.

After roll call, everyone dispersed to their duties. Dong Jian was the busiest. He was Su Wu’s most capable subordinate and was literate.

In the Song Dynasty, literacy rates were not low—they were actually among the highest in history, much higher than during the Qing Dynasty centuries later.

Su Wu and Wu Song sat idly inside the office, chatting.

Su Wu intentionally said, “I have practiced some hand-to-hand combat, though I don’t know if it’s good or bad.”

“That’s easy! Brother, let’s have a sparring match,” Wu Song said eagerly, already reaching for his helmet and waist knife, rolling up his sleeves.

The two began to spar in the courtyard, holding back their full strength.

Su Wu jumped and danced, his punches and kicks fierce and precise.

Page 3/3

After a few exchanges, Wu Song began to feel the strain. He stopped holding back and started throwing heavy punches and wide, sweeping kicks.

The two fought fiercely—sometimes exchanging blows, sometimes rolling on the ground grappling.

Wu Song commented, “Brother, your style is indeed unusual—your punches and kicks are accurate and forceful, and your skill is excellent. But you seem to think too much, are somewhat cautious and hesitant, and don’t go all out.”

Su Wu nodded. “I have learned much and practiced a lot, but I have had little street fighting experience.”

“Yes, yes. I saw you coming at me with one hand over the other, flipping and entangling the legs—surely a secret technique. I was ready to see it, but you moved too cautiously, and I easily countered. You lack some real ferocity and determination.”

Su Wu knew he had tried to execute a cross lock but failed, and Wu Song had already figured it all out.

Wu Song was truly a supreme expert, able to see through subtle techniques.

“Yes, I am a bit restrained because I lack confidence,” Su Wu admitted.

“No matter. Your skills are certainly top-notch. You just need more experience. After a few more fights, your combat power will be extraordinary. I will spar with you daily,” Wu Song said excitedly.

Su Wu then said, “I also want to learn various weapons…”

“No problem. Whatever I know, I’ll teach you,” Wu Song said proudly.

Just waiting for that offer—one must have skills in this era to survive.

Wu Song turned back and drew his long knife on the steps, swinging it left and right. “Brother, take this waist knife. See, when used like this, it’s like wrapping your head with a bandage—a defensive method. Watch closely…”

Su Wu watched carefully and took a waist knife himself, ready to learn.

They trained for nearly an hour before a county officer came to the door. “Captain, the hunter Li Cheng is here. He says he has settled his sister-in-law, nephew, and mother at home, and has come to repay your great kindness.”

“Let him in,” Su Wu replied.

A young man burst inside—a mountain man of sixteen or seventeen, broad-shouldered and sturdy.

Li Cheng was moved upon seeing Su Wu and was about to bow deeply.

Su Wu waved his hand, “Fetch a knife and train with me.”

Li Cheng was not surprised and nodded. “Yes, sir.”