The next day.
Wei Tu woke up early, carrying his luggage and arrived at the county office.
He waited till midday, then the county office gates were finally opened by a few porters.
The front and back areas of the county office were in disrepair, giving it a rather dilapidated appearance.
However, after Wei Tu bypassed the screen wall and passed through the ceremonial gate, he saw a tall, three-story wooden pavilion rising above the inner courtyard through the courtyard wall.
The pavilion was exquisitely built, with eaves arching gracefully and the ridge adorned with dragon and phoenix motifs. The pavilion's structure featured auspicious patterns such as koi transforming into dragons and cranes flying.
Wei Tu was amazed. At this point, he had reached the hall marked "Household Registration." Seeing that no one was around, only a clerk in a black robe engrossed in writing official docunts, Wei Tu boldly stepped onto the platform base and peered inside the courtyard.
Stone slabs paved the ground, with white walls and dark tiles…
Pavilions, terraces, and towers...
The architecture of the inner compound was vastly different from that of the front office.
"A true gentleman should be like this," Wei Tu thought to himself.
Though the Li and Huang families were wealthy, he had been in a humble position and dared not look too closely. Now, having redeed himself, his perspective had changed. He found himself not feeling disdain or aversion towards the ancient and elegant architecture but rather admiration and longing.
In his previous life, despite the differences between high-rise buildings and residential houses, social status did not vary much, so such feelings were not evoked.
In this life, however, with a different status and living in different kinds of houses that conford to the rites and properties, the experience was naturally different.
After taking in the scene, Wei Tu composed himself, took out his release papers and proof letter from his chest, and gently knocked on the door of the Household Registration office.
"What's the matter?" The clerk in the office stopped writing and looked up at Wei Tu and asked.
Wei Tu briefly explained his intention to change his status from a slave to a free citizen.
"Removing the slave registration?" The clerk was surprised, placing his brush at an angle in the pen holder, and took a good look at Wei Tu.
Although the Household Registration office handled the business of freeing slaves, he had never seen anyone co here to remove their status as a slave since he took over his father's position.
"Do you have the release papers? The master's letter?" The clerk's tone beca gentler.
Though he did not know Wei Tu, the fact that he was redeeming himself at such a young age made him worthy of attention.
"Yes!" Wei Tu replied promptly, entering the office, bowing slightly, and presenting his identity docunt and letter with both hands.
"Hmm... you are nineteen?" The clerk raised his eyebrows.
At first glance, he thought Wei Tu was a man in his thirties but was surprised to find he was a youth under twenty.
The clerk noted Wei Tu's na and origin, then opened the identity docunt and letter, carefully comparing them with the office's records for verification.
Once confird, the clerk took out a book with "Commoner Registration" written on the cover and wrote Wei Tu's na on the last page.
"Once registered as a commoner, you will be required to pay a fixed amount of annual head tax. If you have land, you must also pay land tax. Additionally, if you wish to avoid labor service, you will need to pay a substitute labor fee."
The clerk explained.
Hearing this, Wei Tu nodded, indicating his understanding.
Becoming a commoner was only a temporary state.
As long as he succeeded in the martial examination and achieved fa, he could transition from "commoner registration" to "military registration," and even to "official registration."
By then, he would no longer need to pay head taxes or substitute labor fees.
"After three years as a commoner, if you have no outstanding head taxes or substitute labor fees and no land, the office will consider granting you permanent land. Rember this."
The clerk reminded.
"Thank you, sir."
Wei Tu bowed in thanks.
…….
After leaving the County office.
Wei Tu did not linger in the county town. After eating a pancake made from apricots on the previous day, he followed the crowd and left the town.
For safety reasons, Wei Tu did not travel non-stop but instead stopped at an inn halfway through his journey. He continued his trip the next day.
The following day, he traveled for a little more than half a day. After bypassing a mountain ridge, he finally reached a village near a river at the base of the slope, marked by a sign that read "Shan Family Village."
After inquiring with the villagers, Wei Tu arrived at the only residence in Shan Family Village with three horse-tethering posts.
“You were recomnded by Li Yaozu? That’s a surprise.” Shan Wuju, sitting on a stone millstone in front of the house, had a lean and elongated face. He wore a brownish-purple cotton sumr shirt and had a brass water pipe hanging from his waist.
After reading the letter, Shan Wuju shook the ashes from his pipe and told Wei Tu to “co in,” before turning and walking into the house.
The Shan residence was a three-courtyard estate. In the first courtyard, several fine horses were kept, all of which neighed in greeting upon seeing Shan Wuju enter.
In the second courtyard’s main hall, Shan Wuju sat down and said, “I’ll take you on as a long-term worker. As for teaching you martial arts, it depends on my mood and whether you have the aptitude for it.”
“There’s also the matter of showing respect after you gain fa in the martial arts exams. You need to send gifts seasonally. Can you achieve that?” Shan Wuju said.
“If I succeed, Master Shan will be my ntor, and it is only right for a disciple to honor his master,” Wei Tu replied, after so thought, with a sowhat diplomatic response.
“Very good.”
Shan Wuju did not refute and showed a hint of a smile.
“There are stone locks for strength training and a tough bow outside. Try them and see if you have the potential.”
Shan Wuju pointed to the outside.
Wei Tu nodded and walked outside.
Upon entering, he noticed the various weapons displayed in the second courtyard: all the eighteen weapons were present, including bronze and wooden training dummies.
Soon, Wei Tu reached the corner of the courtyard. With his right arm flexed, he lifted a stone lock marked ‘300 pounds.’
After a year of practice, his progress in health cultivation had improved. Although not yet mastered, he had surpassed the small success stage considerably.
His strength had increased from 200 pounds to 300 pounds per arm.
“Good physical foundation,” Shan Wuju nodded slightly, showing a trace of satisfaction.
In martial arts, a good foundation is crucial.
Without a solid foundation, no matter how much one practices, it’s hard to make progress.
Being able to lift a 300-pound stone lock with one arm, in Shan Wuju’s view, ant Wei Tu was exceptionally gifted among ordinary people.
However, when it ca to drawing the hard bow, Wei Tu shook his head and honestly admitted his lack of skill in archery.
“You have no skill in archery?” Shan Wuju frowned. Relying solely on strength is far from enough to gain fa in martial arts exams.
However, Shan Wuju did not seem too concerned, as there would be another chance to test next ti. Archery skills could be improved with practice, and Wei Tu was still young.
“What martial arts have you learned? Any sword techniques?” Shan Wuju pondered and asked.
When he ntioned martial arts, he was referring to genuine martial arts practices, including various stances and foundational techniques, rather than re flashy forms.
These martial arts can be practiced throughout one’s life. Many weapon techniques are derived from these fundantal practices.
“I have practiced only the Turtle Breathing technique,” Wei Tu answered truthfully.
“Turtle Breathing technique? What kind of martial arts practice is that? What nonsense are you spouting?” Shan Wuju’s disdain for this health practice was evident from his reaction.
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