Chapter 1319: Prince Guard
"So serious?" Zhang Tuohai asked in surprise.
"What do you think?" Manager Zhang looked around and said, "I only reminded you because you are Lao Qin's nephew. I don't bother to tell others. What is the East Factory? They are the eyes and ears of the emperor, specializing in scouting information. If they knew that you spread rumors about the palace, would they still let you go? Therefore, if you know about things related to the palace, keep it to yourself and don't say a word."
"This is the Prince of Qin's Palace, the residence of the Crown Prince. Could it be that there are also people from the East Factory here?" Zhang Tuohai asked.
"Why not?" Manager Zhang said.
"Why did the previous crown prince die? Wasn't he killed by a bandit..." Manager Zhang stopped talking here, "Forget it, it's no good knowing this, so don't ask about it. If you have nothing to do, go back and practice the Basic Boxing and Basic Swordsmanship. Although the test is simple, you still have to practice."
Manager Zhang warned.
"Uncle Zhang, this is exactly why I came to you."
Zhang Tuohai said.
"What's wrong?"
"I have learned both of them. This time, I came here to ask Uncle Zhang to find a familiar coach to test me."
Zhang Tuohai said.
"Have you learned it? Did Lao Qin teach you privately?" Manager Zhang widened his eyes.
"Yeah." Zhang Tuohai nodded.
"This Old Qin really thinks highly of you." Manager Zhang looked at Zhang Tuohai meaningfully.
"What's wrong? Is there any taboo about this?" Zhang Tuohai asked.
"Not really. After all, it's just Basic Boxing and Basic Swordsmanship. There's nothing secret about it. However, it was obtained from the palace after all. It's definitely not good to teach it privately. The main reason is that no one checks it normally. If you really take it seriously, it will be a tail."
Manager Zhang said.
"Will there be any problem?" Zhang Tuohai was a little worried.
"It's not a big problem. Many people who recommend their sons and nephews to take over actually do this. The palace also knows about it, and usually they turn a blind eye. After all, they are working for their family, so they just treat it as a benefit. If you really have the skills, don't hide it. After all, Kung Fu is directly linked to remuneration in the Qin Palace."
"If you have really made up your mind, come with me. There happens to be an acquaintance on duty today."
Manager Zhang said this and brought Zhang Tuohai to the cross-courtyard.
The yard was paved with yellow sand, with stone pillars, stone locks, and racks of swords and guns placed in the corners.
Several coaches were sitting around a table under the eaves drinking tea and chatting.
"Is Master Lin here?"
Manager Zhang shouted loudly.
A man with a leopard head and round eyes stood up.
"Manager Zhang, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, a nephew of mine has almost finished his basic boxing and kicking training, so I brought him here for Master Lin to take a look."
Manager Zhang said with a smile.
"Oh, I see. This must be my nephew. Let's practice boxing first."
As soon as Coach Lin heard it, he knew what Manager Zhang meant. In fact, this was also the unspoken rule here. After all, the sedan chair was carried by everyone, and everyone was trying to make a living in the Prince Qin's Mansion, so they would naturally help each other within the rules.
If Zhang Tuohai came today, apart from anything else, you would have to pay respect to him before you could enter. Otherwise, you wouldn't even be given a chance to try, and would simply be sent away with a simple message saying you didn't have the skills yet and should go back and practice more.
Moreover, in order to prevent servants from trying every day, the Qin Palace made a special rule that if the test was not passed, they could not be tested again within three months.
The losses on the books here and there are huge.
Therefore, none of the servants who came here dared not to pay respect.
However, Zhang Tuohai had Manager Zhang leading the way, and since he was one of their own, he was naturally exempt from the usual rules.
"Please give me more guidance, Master Lin."
Zhang Tuohai stood still in the field and practiced according to the "Basic Boxing Technique".
The whole set of movements was smooth and flowing, without any unfamiliarity, and the movements were vigorous and powerful, and it was obvious that a lot of hard work had been put in.
Even Master Lin, who was in charge of the assessment, couldn't find any faults.
"Not bad, not bad. It seems that my nephew has practiced hard. I can give him an A in this subject."
Instructor Lin turned to Manager Zhang and said, "Manager Zhang, your nephew is quite talented in boxing and kicking."
"Thank you, Master Lin, for your kindness."
Manager Zhang responded.
In fact, Manager Zhang was also surprised when he saw Zhang Tuohai's boxing skills. He originally thought that Zhang Tuohai was just proficient, but he didn't expect that this set of basic boxing skills was even more solid and skillful than his own, which really made him proud.
"Could it be that Lao Qin's nephew has some talent in martial arts?"
Manager Zhang thought to himself.
"Go pick up a weapon and try out the blade."
Instructor Lin pointed to the rack of swords and guns in the corner.
Zhang Tuohai walked over, picked up a goose-feather knife, and practiced according to the "Basic Sword Techniques".
Although his basic swordsmanship is not as advanced as his basic boxing skills, it has also reached a certain level of success. Not to mention his proficiency, there will be no problem for him to pass the assessment.
“Although it’s not as good as boxing, it can still be given a B grade.” Coach Lin nodded.
"The last item is to test your strength. Physical strength is the most fundamental thing for a martial artist. Go find a stone lock. As long as you can lift it up, walk around the yard."
Zhang Tuohai took a look at the stone locks.
This is much bigger than the yard of Manager Zhang.
This time he wanted to get closer to the King of Qin, so naturally he had to perform well.
Zhang Tuohai picked a stone lock that was two sizes larger than the assessment standard, and with a sudden force, he lifted it up.
This stone lock weighs at least four or five hundred kilograms and is very heavy.
Ordinary people may not be able to lift it, let alone move it.
But Zhang Tuohai actually lifted it up.
"My dear nephew is actually born with supernatural powers. He is a good candidate for martial arts training."
Instructor Lin's eyes lit up as he spoke to Manager Zhang.
Manager Zhang's eyes widened.
He didn't expect Zhang Tuohai to be so strong that he could directly lift the stone lock for the intermediate assessment.
You know, that's the standard for joining the Guard.
With three meals of meat every day, the salary is much better than those of the menial workers.
His status is much higher than those of the men who do menial work.
"Old Qin, there is smoke coming out of your ancestral grave."
Manager Zhang thought to himself.
"If he joins the Crown Prince's Guard, it will be of great benefit to me. Who knows, I can take this opportunity to move up a level."
Zhang Tuohai lifted the stone lock and began to walk around the yard.
Walking while lifting heavy objects is not an easy task. It requires not only strength and stamina, but also body control and balance, none of which can be missing.
Zhang Tuohai has rich experience, so this entry test is certainly not difficult for him.
He walked around steadily and put the stone lock back to its original place.
After going around, his face just turned a little red and his forehead was a little sweaty.
"He really is born with supernatural powers!"
Master Lin laughed and grabbed Zhang Tuohai's hand: "My dear nephew, are you interested in taking the assessment to be the crown prince's guard?"
