activa-t Chapter 25 Practicing Boxing Under the Moon
Chapter 25 Practicing Boxing Under the Moon
Fang Shuwen drank two cups of Shaoxing wine with Lao Fang and Hu Da.
He didn't drink much, just took a few small sips, and spent most of his time keeping the two of them company.
Hu Da was initially reserved, but after a few cups of rice wine, he started talking non-stop.
The conversation started with Mr. Zhao's businesses in Xikou County and then moved on to the newly opened foreign goods factory.
The conversation then shifted from the recently concluded Central Plains War to the newly established Japanese concession at Xikou East Wharf.
Old Fang sat beside him, not saying much, just smiling at Fang Shuwen, his eyes crinkling with wrinkles.
Soon, the two men finished two bottles of Shaoxing wine, and the atmosphere became lively.
Hu Da, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, let out a hiccup and patted Fang Shuwen on the shoulder.
"Xiao Fang, this assessment isn't a big deal."
"If you really don't pass, tell your Uncle Hu, and he'll find your brother Xiao Hu and have him find you a job as an accountant at the East Wharf."
Hu Da was stunned as soon as he said that.
The effects of the alcohol wore off instantly, and his hand, which had been patting Fang Shuwen's shoulder, froze in mid-air, unsure whether to retract it or not.
The firelight from the kitchen shone on his face, making his rugged features appear dark reddish-brown.
"Old Fang, I...I didn't mean that..."
"Xiao Fang has been working so hard lately, he's bound to pass the assessment."
Hu Da awkwardly tried to make amends, but his tongue seemed to be tied in knots.
He had been drinking heartily and, in the heat of the moment, had forgotten all about propriety.
What Lao Fang can't stand the most is people saying that Xiao Fang isn't good enough.
Xiao Fang is Lao Fang's darling, the only thing Lao Fang has left in this world.
If you tell him the sun won't rise tomorrow, he might not even get angry with you.
If you say that Xiao Fang is not good at studying or that Xiao Fang has no future, he will get very angry with you.
"Uncle Hu, thank you. I'd like to offer you a toast."
Fang Shuwen picked up his wine glass and raised it towards Hu Da, the rim of his glass pressing down slightly below the rim of Hu Da's glass.
"I am very grateful to Uncle Hu for taking care of me these days. He has made me chicken noodles at night and rice porridge in the morning. I remember it all."
After he finished speaking, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
The rice wine has a slightly astringent taste, but it slides down the throat and warms the stomach.
Hu Da was stunned for a moment, then quickly downed his drink as well.
The liquor dripped down his chin onto his apron, which he wiped haphazardly with his sleeve, then grinned.
"You silly child, why are you being so polite with your uncle! Your father has been in the Zhao family for so many years, we're all family now, and family doesn't need to stand on ceremony!"
Fang Shuwen put down his wine cup, picked up the wine pot, and poured another cup for Hu Da and Lao Fang.
The pouring motion was very steady, and not a single drop spilled from the spout.
"Uncle Hu, you just said that Brother Hu works at the East District Wharf?" he asked casually, changing the subject.
The awkward atmosphere from before finally dissipated completely when Uncle Hu's son, Xiao Hu, was mentioned.
Hu Da immediately began to speak with great enthusiasm, explaining that his son, Xiao Hu, worked at the Lu family's shipping company at the dock.
He has been diligent these past few years and has been valued by his superiors. A few days ago, he was promoted to a position of charge.
He was in charge of about twenty people, and he could pay them fifteen silver dollars a month, which was quite prestigious.
Hu Dayue became more and more excited as he spoke, and he drank without restraint, one glass after another.
As Fang Shuwen agreed to drink with him, he glanced at Lao Fang.
Old Fang didn't react as he expected; his expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't heard what Hu Da had said.
Only when he drinks occasionally can you see something inexplicable in those cloudy eyes.
........
Before long, Hu Da passed out drunk.
He was slumped over the table, one arm under his chin, the other hand still clutching an empty wine glass.
Xiao Hu hasn't come back to see him in a long time; she must still be angry with him...
The sound grew softer and softer until it turned into a heavy snoring.
Old Fang put down his chopsticks, looked at Hu Da who was asleep on the table, and then looked at Fang Shuwen.
"Shuwen, go back and read your book."
Old Fang stood up and rolled up his sleeves.
"I'll tidy up here. You're destined for great things, you can't do these kinds of rough work."
"Then I'll head back now."
Fang Shuwen didn't offer to do it for him, and stood up from the stone table.
Some things don't need to be said outright.
Old Fang has his own principles, even if some of those principles seem like a joke to others.
Fang Shuwen understands this, so he will definitely argue with Lao Fang on this point.
He got up and left the small courtyard decisively.
He walked without stopping, crossed the covered walkway, and turned into the neighboring courtyard.
By this time, the courtyard was already locked.
But during the day, Butler Chen gave him the key, turned the brass lock, and pushed the door open to go inside.
He took off his outer robe and draped it over the empty weapon rack. Instead of making a move, he first walked around the training ground.
He slowly regulated his breathing, urging his body to expel the alcohol he had just drunk.
Fang Shuwen quickly regained his composure and stood in front of a wooden dummy.
He didn't rush to make a move, but instead recalled the fight he had with the two hooligans that afternoon.
"Jian Ti Quan has no fighting style and the moves are too simple. It's okay to deal with people who have no foundation, but if you really run into a trained fighter, you'll definitely suffer a great loss."
"Furthermore, the level of boxing skill is one thing, but how much power one can unleash in actual combat, based on real combat experience, still depends on one's own diligent study and practice."
In the afternoon, Guo Shao's two guards were each strong enough to crack their bones.
Those two rascals were certainly strong, but they were no match for the two guards.
But with just a bag of lime, the two of them easily took down two guards who were stronger than them.
This section explains the realm of power, not actual combat strength.
Even experts can stumble unexpectedly.
"So, you must practice more often when you have free time in the future."
Fang Shuwen closed his eyes, and the phantom image of the giant snake reappeared in his mind.
This time he "saw" it more clearly.
Snakes have no limbs, yet they can constrict prey several times their own size by twisting their spines and contracting their muscles.
From the coccyx to the skull, each bone can move independently, yet can also work together instantly to concentrate power into one point and explode.
This technique of generating force can unleash several times, even ten times, the instantaneous power.
He opened his eyes and took a half step forward with his left foot.
It's neither a lunge nor a horse stance, but a more natural standing posture.
With my center of gravity slightly to the right, my spine relaxes segment by segment starting from the tailbone, making me feel as if my bones have been removed, and I stand loosely and unsteadily.
But beneath this seemingly relaxed posture, every muscle in the body maintains a subtle tension.
He moved.
Instead of throwing a punch first, twist your waist first.
The spine twists segment by segment, starting from the coccyx, which is a process of constantly accumulating power.
The power accumulated from the feet, waist, and hips winds up the spine, reaching the right shoulder, the right elbow, and the right fist.
The fist pierced through the air.