[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-the-ming":3,"chapter-overthrowing-the-ming-overthrowing-the-ming-chapter-14":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Overthrowing the Ming",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2289241,4476,"Chapter 14: A Household of Complete Loyalty and Martyrdom","overthrowing-the-ming-chapter-14",14,"\u003Cp>Everything happened too fast; Li Qin was still ruminating on how Li You had opened up his right flank, intentionally baiting Tian Si’s overconfidence, and how he had launched his blade toward Tian Si’s right side only after the momentum of Tian Si’s strike had overextended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Waiting for his blade’s momentum to pass and his strike to grow stale—this timing alone is not something an ordinary person would dare to attempt. What if the strike was too late? What if one failed to deflect the opponent’s blade? What if one’s feet weren’t fast enough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While he was lost in these chaotic thoughts, he regained his focus to find Li You’s blade already across Tian Si’s throat, blood flowing freely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This moment made his body tremble involuntarily, and he couldn't help but say, \"Tsk tsk... terrifying! Fast, so fast!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, near the riverbed, Cao Er and Shi Jiuen, who had been joking around, looked as if they had seen a ghost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were only about thirty meters away from Li You, with a clear line of sight, and they had watched clearly as Tian Si was finished off by Li You in less than two or three exchanges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He absolutely cannot be a scholar; without ten years of practice, one cannot develop such scissor-steps!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Shi Jiuen was not an expert, he had served in the rapid-response squad for a few years, and in his youth, he had studied swordsmanship under Grandmaster Xue Lu at the Sky Eagle Martial Arts Hall in Baoning Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people only looked at the hand techniques in the battle between Li You and Tian Si, but few noticed the footwork; from beginning to end, Li You’s lower stance had a very solid foundation, which was why his accumulation of power, release of power, and dissipation of power all appeared fluid and perfectly paced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This style is clearly the orthodox technique of a prestigious school, yet when he executes it, it looks like the killing techniques of border soldiers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shi Jiuen felt a chill in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial arts in the world are actually divided into two schools: one is the killing techniques of the military, and the other is the flashy techniques of the common folk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Qi Jiguang’s *New Treatise on Military Efficiency* and Wu Shu’s *Record of Arms*, one can see that whether it is Shaolin martial arts, or the folk Yang Family Spear, Ma Family Spear, Shaanxi Small Red Fist, Hunan Yue Family Fist, or Tang Shunzhi’s dual blades, all were derived from battlefield combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, due to different purposes, they eventually developed into different martial arts paths; as for which is superior, Teacher Yu Zhijun provided an objective explanation in his *History of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts*:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single retired veteran generally cannot defeat a folk martial artist, but the various beautiful, flashy poses of a martial artist, if used in a military formation, would lead to being beheaded by the governor’s troops before they could even kill an enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Er didn't care about folk techniques or battlefield arts; at this moment, his face was pale, his soul frightened away by the gruesome scene of Tian Si.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Clap, clap, clap...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a round of applause rang out...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head abruptly to see a dozen people standing on the northern ridge, led by Wu Zhuge, with Da Yun'er standing side-by-side with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Yun'er seemed to have dressed up deliberately today, wearing a large cloak on the outside and a pink floral jacket with a front opening on the inside, with slits under both armpits; the front was left open, not fastened with buttons, but tied together with thin cotton cords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this state, it was impossible to contain those two surging waves, and her round, plump backside was so large and firm that it propped up the hem of her skirt like an umbrella.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When did Big Head Wu get here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Er’s expression was sinister; Wu Zhuge was already walking down toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhuge clapped his hands while shouting as he walked over, \"Motherfucker... good swordsmanship, ah... I really didn't expect Mr. Li to be truly skilled in both literature and martial arts!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhuge’s arrival immediately made everyone stand at attention, except for the old soldiers like Gao Conglong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Great Leader, you must uphold justice for this lowly one... It was truly this Tian Si who deliberately picked a fight and bullied me too much, I...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You was extremely terrified, speaking incoherently as he bowed with hands cupped toward Wu Zhuge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Motherfucker, no need to say more... I arrived early and saw it clearly. You two were engaged in a martial duel; since you were fighting for your lives, if your skills were inferior, then death is just death. Besides, a lowly bastard like Tian Si, how can he be mentioned in the same breath as a scholar?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhuge said with a smile, while Zhang Zhuanggen in the back row scanned Li You’s face with a cold expression, then glanced imperceptibly at the approaching Cao Er, cursing inwardly: \"Your mother’s hair, Cao bastard, daring to pick on my water-carrier!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Da Yun'er looked at Li You with watery, beautiful eyes; originally, Wu Zhuge had long since forgotten his ambition to rebel from yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he was able to come now was because Da Yun'er had begged and urged him to come see this talent, Li You, and Wu Zhuge couldn't resist, so he came over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Li, your martial arts are definitely not half-baked! It looks like you come from a prestigious family, yet it also looks like the style of border soldiers fighting for their lives?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Jinku, standing to the side, couldn't help himself; he had come from the Seven Garrisons of Guanxi under Shi Dayong, and said eagerly, \"How about we spar?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I dare not, I would only be showing off before an expert!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You looked up at his fiery gaze, speechless, and said, \"I am indeed from a military household, and these martial arts were taught to me by my father, so it is a bit of both!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I ask your father’s name? And where did he serve?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Zhao. Border army, Jizhou Garrison, under the command of Guerrilla General Zhang Qigong, a Squad Leader of the Night Scouts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Zhao... Li Zhao... Ah... it is Hundred-Man Commander Li! Is he extremely skilled in mounted archery?\" Niu Jinku exclaimed in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hundred-Man Commander?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You was somewhat speechless; in his memories, Li Zhao had never said he was a Hundred-Man Commander, but Li You still acknowledged that Li Zhao’s mounted archery was indeed outstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he still didn't believe Niu Jinku knew his Li Zhao, because this Niu Jinku was at most twenty-five or twenty-six, only a few years older than himself, and Li Zhao had deserted early, having already gone to Binzhou to farm in the twenty-first year of the Wanli reign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, motherfucker, how could you actually know him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhuge also became interested; after all, he was very curious about this Li You, who not only possessed world-shaking talent but also such good martial arts, which truly made him seem increasingly mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only Wu Zhuge, but Cao Er and Zhang Zhuanggen also turned their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Jinku began to speak...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhao’s ancestral home was Dingyuan, Anhui. In the early years of the Wanli reign, he followed Regional Commander Liu Ting to conquer the West, and followed Assistant General Qi Jin, becoming the first person to scale the walls of Gao-li City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Qi Jin retired due to illness, he followed Vice General Ma Gui. In the twentieth year of the Wanli reign, he joined Li Rusong in a pincer attack against Zhuli Tu at Zhangliang Fortress, pursuing the defeated enemy all the way to Mount Helan, and capturing over one hundred and twenty heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night Scout Flag Leader Li Zhao displayed astonishing mounted archery in this battle, shooting twenty-three enemies by himself, and thus his fame spread far and wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Gui received a promotion in rank due to his military achievements and was granted a hereditary title. Soon after being promoted to Regional Commander, he guarded Yansui. But Li Zhao, who had been promoted to Hundred-Man Commander, chose to retire at the height of his success, leaving the ranks with his good friend Wu Yicheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, his battle under Mount Helan still circulated among the border troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure you didn't recognize the wrong person?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You really didn't remember Li Zhao ever telling him about such glorious achievements, but some things seem like nonsense when written in novels, yet they truly happened in history: Gao Jie led thirty cavalrymen to raid Longzhou; Zhao Lujiao recovered the Qiantun Garrison city with thirty-eight men; Mao Wenlong crossed the river with a hundred men to harass the enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't help but recall Li Zhao’s mounted archery skills; they were indeed truly fluid and hit the mark every time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aiya, motherfucker, I really didn't expect Mr. Li that your old man had such an experience. According to this, your father also gave his all for the Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you, why are you thinking of coming to incite me to rebel? Isn't that wolf-hearted and dog-lunged, splashing dog shit on your family’s ancestral grave? Hahaha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhuge laughed, throwing his head back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, no. My father gave his life for the Great Ming at the time, with a heart of pure loyalty. I am now also loyal to the Great Leader; everything should be judged by intent rather than actions. Our family should be considered a household of complete loyalty and martyrdom!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Complete loyalty and martyrdom?\" Li You’s words left Wu Zhuge stunned; it took a long while before he cursed, \"Damn you scholars, you twist every word to suit yourselves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhuanggen, standing to the side, found Li You’s flattery truly grating, and said with a look of disdain, \"A scholar’s mouth is a deceiving ghost. If you twist it like that, then the talk of conquering the world yesterday—will you eventually accept an imperial amnesty?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Accepting an imperial amnesty for wealth and rank is only natural and right!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhuanggen said this intentionally for Wu Zhuge to hear, which Li You naturally understood. He continued to address Wu Zhuge: \"Great Leader, I see that Second Master has managed this mining area in an orderly fashion. How about I come to work for you, Great Leader? Even being a miscellaneous advisor would do; who knows, I might really be able to offer strategies to plot for the world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Plotting for the world is too far off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhuge smiled and looked at Cao Er: \"Second brother, didn't you say yesterday that you were too busy here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes, yes. It’s just that Mr. Li just arrived, and I was afraid of tiring him, so I didn't disturb him.\" Cao Er was finally able to get a word in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, that’s good! Mr. Li, you just stay here for now. My place is too shabby; wait until I tidy it up before I bring Mr. Li over...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\" Li You felt disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go see how the iron smelting is going; iron materials have been in short supply lately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, he took Cao Er’s hand, and the two walked out in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li You felt quite annoyed, following closely behind Da Yun'er.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Da Yun'er suddenly blushed.\u003C\u002Fp>",1911,"2026-06-20T03:32:06.992Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","1a6829b5e8540e9d57c74c5a8d5da1ce859042adb952f0bd900e7a449ee5760d","overthrowing-the-ming-chapter-15","overthrowing-the-ming-chapter-13",71,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-the-ming-cover.jpg"]