Chapter 797: 484 chapters, Zhuangzi was originally a fencing expert

484 chapters, Zhuangzi was originally a fencing expert.

484 chapters, Zhuangzi was originally a fencing expert work operation.

――――a red apricot branch extending over the wall

Just now I, in one breath, said a lot again, and left that Old Zhuang, who had been made angry by the Marquis of the River Supervisor, to the side..

Old Zhuang said to the Marquis of the River Supervisor: 'Let me tell you a story, okay?'

When the Marquis of the River Supervisor heard that Old Zhuang wanted to tell him a story, he became energetic.

When it comes to telling stories, that Old Zhuang is an old hand. He can talk for three days and three nights without repeating himself. Moreover, he can recite punctuation marks accurately. Old Zhuang is both a story expert and a fencing expert, but I don't know if he is also a punctuation expert.

Zhuangzi is a storytelling expert, which everyone knows; to say Zhuangzi is a fencing expert, friends would surely think I'm boasting wildly, that I'm writing a fantasy novel. 'Boasting'—how could I dare to boast? Writing 'fantasy', I am currently conceiving it; once I write it, you will see my unusual clever technique.

However, Zhuangzi knows fencing—that is a fact, really, cannot be casually 'mysterious'. He, Zhuangzi, not only knows fencing, but was also a fencing expert of his time, and was the number one fencing expert in the world. Although he was a farmer, a true farmer. What about farmers? Farmers also study the affairs of the ivory tower. And can become the top expert. Like Zhuangzi, like my friend Weiyun who studies punctuation.

Now I will just tell the story of Zhuangzi's fencing. Friend, after hearing it you will surely be secretly amused and laugh out loud――――

Speaking of the mid-Warring States period, the world was in turmoil. At that time, the Zhou Son of Heaven's authority had been completely lost, and the various petty feudal states carved out territories and proclaimed themselves kings and hegemons. During the Spring and Autumn period, there were over a hundred feudal lords big and small; by the mid-Warring States period, only seven major states remained: Qin, Qi, Chu, Zhao, Wei, Han, and Yan.

One day, the wandering Zhuangzi arrived at the capital of Zhao State, Handan. Handan was then a famous metropolis, bustling marketplaces, numerous population. At that time, King Wen of Zhao was an ambitious and aspiring person. He exerted himself to govern, intending to take advantage of the chaotic situation of feudal strife to expand his territory, strengthen his power, and consolidate his position.

The King of Zhao mistakenly believed that, to make his state strong, he must have martial swordsmen to defend it, and he wanted to use military force to conquer the world.

Under this mistaken idea, Zhao State placed great importance on fencing. The King of Zhao summoned fencing experts from all over the world to give fencing performances in the palace, and he ordered all the people of the country to practice fencing techniques. The standard for selecting officials, big or small, was to look at one's fencing skill, with a veto vote.

Once the King of Zhao's order was issued, everyone throughout the country—men and women, old and young—set aside their work to practice swords. Because only if sword practice was good could one gain office and wealth.

Fencing experts from all over the world, hearing that the King of Zhao valued fencing so much, came from various places to Zhao State's capital Handan. They all wanted to display their talents before the King of Zhao and realize the dream of gaining office and wealth.

When Zhuangzi came to Handan, he saw the streets full of bustling swordsmen. These swordsmen were arrogant and awaited an audience with the King of Zhao. In the court trials they would demonstrate their skills for the King of Zhao.

The King of Zhao watched sword matches day and night in rotation. And each time a match took place, there were many casualties.

The King of Zhao's son, Crown Prince Ping, deeply worried about his father's approach: 'How can this work? The father spends all day neglecting state affairs, focusing his energy on watching swordsmen duel, putting the state's foundations aside—wouldn't Zhao State soon perish?'

The worried Crown Prince Ping gathered advisors and said: 'Whoever can persuade the father to stop the fencing matches and change his mind, I will reward him with a thousand gold.'

All the advisors remained silent; none could think of a way to persuade the King of Zhao.

At that moment, only one person stood up from among the advisors and said to the Crown Prince: 'I nominate someone who can certainly make the King of Zhao stop the fencing matches and change his mind?'

'Who?' everyone asked in unison.

'Zhuangzi!'

'Ah, Zhuangzi? Who is Zhuangzi?'

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(Heart with the disaster area, affection for the disaster area: wishing peace, courage, confidence, strength, and to be with the people of the disaster area, accompanying them!)