Chapter 20: Cai's Sword Pavilion

  The Han Dynasty's emphasis on martial arts originated from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. Almost every man in the Han Dynasty wore a sword or carried a knife, especially swords, which have been known as "gentleman's martial arts" since ancient times.

  The fashion of wearing swords is becoming increasingly popular, and specialized places for learning swordsmanship are bound to emerge. After the Eastern Han dynasty, the flourishing schools of swordsmanship that originated in the Spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period have revived once again.

  Named Jian Guan, naturally it is mainly about learning swordsmanship, learning swordsmanship to cultivate one's character, and learning swordsmanship to strengthen the body. However, that was just the beginning. From ancient times to the present, any rules, no matter how long they have been around, will change in flavor over time, just like wine that has not been stored properly, which becomes more acidic with age rather than mellowing out.

  At the beginning, the imperial court was very strict and not everyone could go to the sword pavilion to learn swordsmanship. Only the sons of high-ranking officials and famous scholars had this qualification. The imperial court also wanted to prevent martial heroes from violating the law with their military power and prevent ordinary civilians from practicing martial arts and rebelling.

  However, at the end of the Han Dynasty, the world was in great chaos, and warlords were vying for power. In order to recruit brave warriors, various regions gradually relaxed their restrictions on sword schools recruiting students. Ordinary civilians could also enter sword schools to learn martial arts, which no longer focused solely on sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat, or mastering all eighteen types of weapons.

  Especially in troubled times, learning martial arts can be self-protective. Even scholars who read books also study both literature and martial arts. Ordinary commoners with some property would send their sons to sword schools to learn skills for survival. This led to the prosperity of civilian sword schools, with nearly thirty such schools in Xiangyang and Fancheng.

  However, although there are many martial arts schools, most of them have good and bad mixed together. Some have hundreds of students, while others only have four or five. There are also some swindlers who use the name of teaching martial arts to open a school and cheat people out of their money.

  In the Baihuai Alley in the east of the city, there is the largest swordsmanship school in Xiangyang City, covering an area of more than 20 mu, named Shijian Hall. In fact, it is a private swordsmanship school opened by the Cai family, specializing in cultivating brave warriors.

  The disciples of Jianjian Hall are about two hundred people, except for more than 40 Cai family children, the rest are all brave young men selected by the Cai family from various places. After ten years of hard training, these young men will become the backbone of the Cai family's military power when they grow up.

  In the afternoon, Liu Zong walked quickly into the trial sword hall. As the son of the lord of Jingzhou, Liu Zong's status was high, and as he passed through the corridor, he attracted a respectful attitude from the disciples along the way.

  Liu Zhuang also learned swordsmanship in the Trial Sword Hall and had been learning for nearly eight years, and he had indeed learned some sword techniques.

  This time his mother forced him to retrieve the Xuanlin Sword, he didn't dare to take it by force, fearing punishment from his father, so he could only ask someone for help.

  "Second Brother, how did you come?"

  A loud and hoarse voice came from beside him, the sound was dull and resonant, like thunder, Liu Zhu's eyebrows furrowed, and a look of disgust appeared in his eyes.

  He turned back and dryly laughed twice, "Lao Hu, why are you also at the Sword Pavilion today?"

  A tall and stout young man rushed over from the side, with a stature of at least eight feet four inches, his physique was enormous, like half a black tower.

  This person is also a nephew of Liu Biao, but he is from the younger generation, and being from the younger generation means that he is the grandson of Liu Biao's uncle. Compared to Liu Jue's bloodline, his is slightly more distant by one degree.

  His name is Liu Hu, eighteen years old this year. Since childhood, he has been relying on his uncle in Jingzhou with his elder brother Liu Ke. Liu Ke studied literature, and he practiced martial arts. Although he had the strength of a thousand pounds in both arms, his brain was extremely stupid, and he didn't understand human feelings or worldly affairs. From morning to night, there was always a foolish smile on his face.

  Liu Hu jumped over like a big green frog, hugged Liu Zhuang, held him in the air like a child, and laughed loudly: "Second brother, let's go practice sword!"

  Liu Zhuang's most hated thing was that every time Liu Hu picked him up and ran all the way to the Sword Pavilion, he was so strong that he couldn't break free, and all along the way, people laughed at him, losing face, and he had warned him countless times, but he just couldn't remember.

  Today Liu Zhuang had an urgent matter, he was anxious in his heart and shouted: "Lao Hu, I have good news to tell you."

  "Really?"

  Liu Hu's mouth opened wide, and his hand relaxed, Liu Zhuang suddenly fell from the air, almost falling on his head. Liu Hu grabbed his arm and said, "Quickly, what good news?"

  Liu Zhuang's arm was almost pinched off, and he endured the pain to say: "Your cousin has arrived, have you seen him?"

  Liu Hu scratched his head, he seemed to have heard his brother mention that a cousin had come, but he couldn't remember the name, only remembering a well.

  "Are you saying Liu Jing has arrived?"

  "That's right, it's him! He's been looking for someone to have a martial arts match with everywhere, hurry up and go!"

  Liu Hu's favorite thing was to engage in martial arts competitions with others, but he had no control over his strength, so nobody was willing to compete with him anymore, leaving him feeling a bit like an unsatisfied master.

  He heard that his newly arrived cousin was looking for someone to engage in a martial arts contest, and he suddenly became excited, shouting "Ha!" as he turned around and ran towards the gate.

  Liu Zhuang saw him walk far away, disdainfully curled his lip and turned around towards the main hall.

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  In the main hall of the Sword Testing Hall, dozens of students were competing in swordsmanship, a loud shouting sound, dozens of people sat in a circle, with two students in the middle holding blunt swords and competing.

  Liu Zhuang's gaze fell on a tall and handsome young man, whose name was Cai Jin, the nephew of Cai Mao, also sixteen years old this year, and one of the best among the younger generation of the Cai family.

  Cai Jin was seven feet six inches tall, with a large build and a round waist. He could wield a thirty-jin long knife. Although he studied at the Sword Pavilion, in reality he was a disciple of Wen Ping. Last year, he had participated in the battle against Cao's army at Nanyang, barely qualifying as a young war general.

  More importantly, Cai Jin is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also has a good head on his shoulders. He is well-read and educated, making him a true embodiment of the phrase "scholar-warrior". He is deeply respected by his master, Cai Mao.

  Cai Jin was also half-master and half-disciple in the Trial Sword Hall. On one hand, he practiced martial arts and learned skills with his fellow disciples. On the other hand, he was also responsible for teaching the younger children of the Cai family.

  Two blunt swords collided in mid-air, sparks flying everywhere. Cai Jin let out a loud cry and with a swift swing of his long sword, the other youth's sword flew out of his hand. The group of young onlookers watching from the sidelines shrieked in unison and scrambled to dodge the falling sword.

  "How can I tell you, to be as fierce as Meng Pi, as swift as Qing Xi? Look at you, one by one so soft and weak, where is even half the demeanor of Meng Pi and Qing Xi?"

  Cai Jin glared at everyone in a circle, his long sword swung out, and he shouted loudly: "Next one!"

  No one dared to come forward for half a day. At this time, Cai Jin saw Liu Zhuang at the door and let out a heavy hum, "Practice by yourself, I'll be back in an hour to inspect, anyone who dares to slack off will be severely punished!"

  He dropped his sword and walked quickly towards Liu Zong, his expression also changed into a smiling face. "Second brother, has the good thing been done?"

  He was referring to the Xuanlin Sword incident, he had a very good relationship with Liu Zhuang and was very clear about Liu Zhuang's thoughts.

  Liu Cong sighed and said fiercely: "He won't exchange with a knife, he won't come to the sword pavilion either. It seems that only force will do..."

  Before Liu Zhuang could finish speaking, Cai Jin waved his hand to interrupt him, "This is not a place for conversation, Second Brother, come with me."

  Cai Jin led Liu Zhuang to a room in the backyard, which was his fencing room. He had received Wen Ping's true transmission and also knew that the profundity of martial arts lay in using one's heart to experience it. Cai Jin was precisely experiencing the subtleties of swordsmanship in this very room.

  The two sat down and Cai Jin asked: "Why didn't he want to come to the Sword Pavilion?"

  Cai Jin actually did not agree with Liu Xuan's idea of exchanging the sword for a knife, after all it was the sword bestowed by the provincial governor, how could Liu Xuan possibly exchange it easily with Liu Xuan.

  It was Cai Jin's idea to let Liu Xuan come to the Sword Pavilion, because from a hundred years ago, there has been an unwritten rule of comparison between swords. Both sides compare swords, and the loser needs to present his own sword as a defeated gift to the winner.

  As long as Liu Xuan comes to the sword pavilion, his sword will definitely be left behind, but he refuses to come, and Cai Jin has no way out, after all, can't deliver the sword book to his doorstep!

  Inviting someone is more important than a sword, delivering books to their doorstep has been the traditional way since the beginning of the Han dynasty. Cai Jin had done it before, but... giving a book to a newcomer who hasn't practiced martial arts much, is that suitable?

  It's not that he's afraid of bullying the weak, nor is it because Liu Xuan is Liu Bei's nephew. Rather, it's because he fears tarnishing his own reputation. Cai Jin has been hailed as the number one young master of Jingzhou since he was twelve years old. As a master, how could he casually engage in a duel with someone?

  It's like being a leader in later generations, and the first priority of being a leader is not to understand business, but to learn how to put on airs.

  Cai Jin attaches great importance to his reputation. He has become disdainful of engaging in a sword fight with a young man, and having him engage in a duel with Liu Xuan over a single sword would tarnish his reputation.

  Liu Zhuang couldn't afford to offend him either, so he thought for a moment and said: "Alright, I'll let Cai Hong compete with him in swordsmanship. Cai Hong is also an expert from the Sword Hall and can replace you to obtain the Xuan Lin Sword. What do you think?"

  Liu Zhuang shook his head, "Liu Xuan's martial arts skills are not low either. I personally saw him chop off a tree trunk as thick as a large bowl with just one knife, and that was just an ordinary knife. Think about it!"

  Cai Jin furrowed his brow, does Liu Xuan have such great power? The slight disdain in his heart instantly dissipated a bit, and he pondered for a moment before saying: "Alright! Let me reconsider this matter."

  Cai Jin was being cautious because this duel involved the ownership of the Xuanlin Sword and also implicated Liu Bei's nephew, so he didn't dare to act rashly and had to ask for instructions from his master.

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  In the study, Cai Man heard Cai Jin's report and couldn't help but sneer. This Liu Zhen, for the sake of a Xuanlin sword, was willing to let outsiders deal with his own cousin. If such a person were to be the master of Jingzhou, he would surely be isolated and friendless.

  "Master of the house, I don't know if I should agree or not, please enlighten me."

  Cai Man thought for a moment, then stood up and said: "You come with me!"

  He led Cai Jin to the backyard, all the way to the courtyard where Old Master Cai Xun was practicing, and outside the wall of the courtyard, he could see Cai Xun turning over the soil in a patch of vegetables at the corner of the yard.

  Cai Man ordered Cai Jin to wait outside the yard. He entered the yard, went forward and knelt down to pay his respects, "Second Uncle, nephew has something to trouble grandfather."

  Cai Xun looked at him and asked slowly: "What's up?"

  Cai Mao then recounted what his sister had said, and added: "My nephew has also considered it. If the Cai family were to bet on Liu Xuan, it would be more in line with the interests of our family. I too think that Shaoyou should be married off to Liu Xuan."

  After a while, Cai Yun slowly said: "I've said it before, as long as you're Liu Biao's son, regardless of age, since you're the master of the house, whether it's Liu Qi or Liu Cong, you decide for yourself! However, you must also respect the opinion of the provincial governor's wife, she is a key figure in our Cai family."

  "Yes! Nephew understands."

  Cai Mao understood his uncle's meaning, and his uncle meant that he could choose to support Liu Zuan. He stopped for a moment and then said: "There is also another matter, I would like to ask my uncle for instructions."

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