Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

Chapter 304: Chapter 93: Gift to Junior Brothers of the Jiangnan Dao – By Lin Chen

Inside the grand hall of the Military Affairs Hall.

Everyone’s eyes were filled with confusion as they looked at Shao Jingshan.

Logically speaking, Lin Chen winning this student role model title was a matter of course, and Lord Shao had gathered them because of this matter, so why was a request made at this final step?

Shao Jingshan looked towards Qiu Rufeng on one side: ”I heard from Lord Qiu that you once wrote an article, but it seems unfinished. I want you to complete it and send it together with this proclamation throughout Jiangnan Dao.”

Sitting at the end of the right side, Qiu Rufeng immediately understood Lord Shao’s intentions upon hearing this.

Lin Chen’s story is inspiring for the martial arts students of Jiangnan Dao, but that article is equally so.

At the time, he wanted Lin Chen to finish writing the article, but then changes occurred, and he was transferred from the Raozhou Military Affairs Department, while Lin Chen went to the Special Training Ground, so it was left undone.

”Lin Chen, Lord Shao’s intention is for you to finish the article you thought about during the Martial Hall assessment, so our martial arts students in Jiangnan Dao can read it and be inspired. A martial arts role model is not just an honor, but also a responsibility.”

”I understand, Master.”

Hearing Lord Qiu’s words, Lin Chen understood what Lord Shao intended.

Liang values martial arts, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care about literature.

The power of words is sometimes very powerful and full of influence.

”Do you need time to prepare, my lord?”

”No need.”

”Good!”

Shao Jingshan nodded with satisfaction, then ordered: ”Bring the writing materials!”

Soon, someone outside the grand hall carried in a desk with writing materials already placed on it.

”I overstepped, Master.”

Lin Chen bowed, then walked to the desk, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and without hesitation, began to write.

[In my childhood, our family was poor, owning only five mu of thin land over three generations and a fishing boat, with four cousins, and I was the youngest.]

[By the age to tie my hair and practice martial arts, a great cousin of mine had already been learning martial arts in the Martial Hall for several years, leaving the family finances quite strained.]

[Fortunately, there was an Advanced Scholar with the surname Jiang in the village, who managed to obtain exemption from school fees into the Martial Arts Hall for the village, allowing me to enter the Martial Arts Hall for training.]

[In the hall, all my senior brothers wore silk and satin practice clothes, while I alone was in hemp clothes and grass shoes, gathering firewood and practicing martial arts under the moonlight.]

[At meal times, all students feasted on beef, with the fragrance spreading through layers of doors, while I only had pickled vegetables and rice, drinking leftover broth from the dining hall.]

[The meat in the broth was thin, melting in the mouth, a delicacy beyond words for me.]

[My senior brother, Zhang Tao, would pat his belly and laugh, saying, ”How dare this low-class family weed aspire to the doors of the Martial Path?”]

[I laughed and let it go.]

[For five months, fearing my strength was insufficient and unable to pass the sixth-month assessment of the Martial Hall, I gritted my teeth to buy meat, the taste’s deliciousness and my heart’s bitterness beyond words.]

[Lucky to have the Celestial’s blessing, I passed the Martial Hall assessment, and met a good mentor, Instructor Yongnian, who took pity on my family’s poverty, and allowed me to study and work diligently in the Martial Hall.]

[...]

[The dignity before others is extremely fragile, were it not for the relief of lifting stone weights in the night, bringing slight comfort, it would have been hard to persist.]

[...]

[Later, I was admitted to the Martial Arts School, Instructor Yongnian bestowed silver coins and advice, saying: ”A martial artist’s muscles and bones can be forged, but their will cannot be broken...”]

[In the county city martial school, my senior brothers and sisters were all from wealthy families, unlike me.]

[Family background and talent are not for me to choose, it’s fate.]

[Only diligence is within my control.]

[I know well my talent is lacking, so I must make up for it with hard work; I also know the lack of silver coins must be compensated with diligence.]

[By working several times harder than all senior brothers and sisters, I can chase after them in the Martial Path.]

[Fortunately, Heaven had mercy, Heaven Rewards Diligence...]

[...]

[Now receiving the title of Jiangnan Dao’s student role model, I am truly honored, yet feel deeply uneasy, questioning what virtue and ability I possess to earn this title...]

[By Lord Shao’s designation, I write this to encourage all junior brothers as a reminder:]

[Even a humble house with leaking moonlight has its starlight.]

[The determined voice from a low-class family can shake the world.]

[Year 299 of the Liang Calendar, Lin Chen’s note.]

...

Swiftly written!

Though this article borrowed the words of past scholars from another world, it truly reflects the journey of Lin Chen.

Even with the panel and the Life Chart, without his unceasing diligence and daily relentless cultivation, reaching today’s height would have been difficult, let alone standing here in the Military Affairs Hall.

After finishing, someone beside him took the rice paper and started to read aloud.

As the man read, the directors of the various prefectures’ Military Affairs Departments and the lords of the Military Affairs Hall vividly imagined a young boy in their minds.

A young boy who relentlessly trained, setting aside his dignity in front of others, practicing tirelessly day and night.

For a youth from a low-class family, the hardships of martial arts cultivation are even more difficult than what is written on this paper.

For those from noble families, entering the county martial school is an easy task, but for a student like Lin Chen, it took a year of effort.

”Lin Chen, I apologize to you, the title of Jiangnan Dao’s student role model is well-deserved!”

To the left, seated among the directors of the seven prefectures’ Military Affairs Departments of Jiangnan Dao, an elder at the head of the left rose, his eyes shining as he looked at Lin Chen.

For Jiang Zheng, as the director of Hongdu Prefecture’s Military Affairs Department, it is only natural to strive for more cultivation resources for the students of Hongdu Prefecture.

Before Qiu Rufeng reported to the Military Affairs Hall to fight for the title of Jiangnan Dao’s martial arts student role model for Lin Chen, he had the same thought in mind, wanting to push Li Zhe for this title to secure more cultivation resources for Hongdu Prefecture students.

Similarly, he had personal interests in doing so.

Li Zhe’s talent is not bad, and with the Li Family currently prospering, he could also earn favor with the Li Family, forming a bond.

But more importantly, considering the face of Li Zhe’s father, the Military Affairs Hall likely would agree.