The chaotic Warring States period, which lasted for hundreds of years, had finally become history.
The Great Zhou Dynasty rose from humble beginnings, gradually transforming like a dragon emerging from shallow waters, swallowing up the world, destroying the six states, and unifying the Central Plains.
It became the most prosperous dynasty under heaven.
However, after hundreds of years of warfare, the world was riddled with wounds.
The biggest problem was that martial arts forces ruled their territories independently, with sects and factions running rampant, showing complete disregard for Zhou Dynasty's laws.
So right after the mighty Zhou army destroyed the six states, they launched an even bloodier campaign to suppress the martial arts world.
How many innocent people were caught up in the crushing tide of power?
When the empire rises or falls, it's always the common people who suffer.
It was mid-spring of the first year of Great Zhou's Kaiyuan era.
Along both banks of the Dragon Spring River that flowed through the center of Dragon Spring Town, willows were swaying and grass was growing with birds in flight.
However, with the world just stabilized, the population decline caused by hundreds of years of warfare couldn't be recovered quickly.
So even though the snow had melted and spring had returned, there weren't many people visible in the streets and alleys of Dragon Spring Town.
Only occasionally would children run past playing, enjoying their carefree age with innocence and joy.
However, today something new was happening in Dragon Spring Town.
At the last stretch of riverbank where Dragon Spring River flowed through town, someone had built several thatched cottages and a spacious courtyard at some point.
Early this morning, townspeople heading to work in the suburbs noticed a red banner had been erected at the courtyard entrance.
The banner had several large characters written in bold ink.
But no one could recognize what was written.
Almost everyone in town who could read had been captured and killed years ago by the Wu Kingdom that once ruled here.
The few who escaped kept quiet about their literacy for the rest of their lives to stay alive.
So people passing by saw it as merely a novelty, not knowing what was actually going on here.
What made people more curious was the young man sitting steadily under the red banner, maintaining a constant smile.
Some recognized him as the little beggar who had recently fled to Dragon Spring Town and was kindly taken in by Widow Zhao from the wine shop.
But people couldn't understand how that little beggar had suddenly transformed into his current appearance.
An old man who couldn't contain his curiosity walked up and asked:
"Little beggar, what are you doing?"
The young man wasn't annoyed at being called "little beggar" and maintained his warm smile.
"Uncle, I'm recruiting students."
The old man was stunned.
"Recruiting students?"
This was an unfamiliar term.
The young man knew he didn't understand and patiently explained:
"It means accepting students to come study and read books."
The old man understood these words.
But his expression changed dramatically, and the onlookers around couldn't help but look terrified.
Only the children still gazed at the young man with pure innocence in their eyes.
The old man stepped backward several times, pointing at the young man, trembling, and finally managed to speak after hesitating:
"You're a teacher? You can read? You know characters? The sky is falling... Quick, run away, don't get us involved."
As he spoke, the old man ran away as fast as he could, not even stopping to pick up his farming tools that had fallen.
The other onlookers also fled as if they'd seen a ghost.
The young man sighed helplessly and quickly called out to explain:
"Everyone, there's no need to panic. The Wu Kingdom is history now, this is the Great Zhou's world, and Great Zhou doesn't kill scholars..."
But no one was listening to him.
What Wu Kingdom? What Great Zhou? In their memories, these were all masters who treated common people like livestock.
In an instant, the previously lively entrance had become deserted.
The young man sighed helplessly, stood up and collected the fallen farming tools, placing them in the courtyard for their owners to retrieve later.
"Brother Zhixing, I've brought you food..."
A bright, clear voice sounded behind him. The young man turned around and looked ahead across the lush green grass outside the courtyard.
He saw a little girl with two braids, carrying a food box, walking quickly toward him with some effort.
Though the little girl wore only coarse linen clothes, they couldn't hide her lively and innocent disposition.
The young man quickly walked forward, took the food box from the little girl's hands, and patted her head with a smile:
"Little Zhenzhen, thank you for your trouble."
The little girl originally had no name - her mother, Widow Zhao, had always just called her "girl."
Later when the young man arrived and was kindly taken in and cared for by Widow Zhao, to show his gratitude, he gave the little girl the name Zhao Zhen.
Her nickname was Zhenzhen.
Like the peach blossoms in their glory, with leaves flourishing abundantly, full of vitality and energy.
Because of being given a name, the little girl had an excellent impression of the young man.
Most importantly, the young man could always tell her very interesting stories.
Like Chang'e Flying to the Moon, Snow White, and so on.
So in little Zhenzhen's heart, Brother Zhixing was the best person after her mother.
Hearing the young man thank her, little Zhenzhen looked up, smiling more brilliantly than the roadside flower beds.
Her eyes were like two crescent moons, with two deep dimples at the corners of her mouth, making her little face look absolutely adorable.
Walking back to the courtyard with the food box, little Zhenzhen looked at the deserted entrance and asked puzzled:
"Brother Zhixing, why isn't anyone here?"
The young man smiled and said:
"No rush, give everyone some time to adjust. When things change, people always need time to accept it."
Little Zhenzhen couldn't understand what the young man meant, but felt it seemed to make sense somehow.
"If only I could become Brother Zhixing's student..."
The little girl suddenly became a bit downcast, tugging at a corner of her clothes and mumbling.
The young man was startled, then squatted down and gently patted the little girl's shoulder:
"You're still young. Learning too many concepts and principles too early isn't necessarily good."
In terms from the young man's hometown, the little girl would be considered preschool age.
At this age, she should be carefree and innocent, running wild over hills and plains, not be locked up with books.
Although little Zhenzhen had heard such words several times before, she still asked:
"Brother Zhixing, when can I become your student?"
The young man thought for a moment, stood up, reached out his hand to measure at his chest, then lowered it to his waist, and said softly:
"When little Zhenzhen grows to this height of Brother Zhixing's, then you can."
Little Zhenzhen looked up at where the young man's hand was measuring, and said with a giggle:
"That's wonderful, then I must eat lots to grow tall quickly..."
"Haha, good, good, may little Zhenzhen grow up safe and sound, year after year..."
The little girl nodded repeatedly.
"Mm-hmm, I will. Brother Zhixing, you must wait for me, okay?"
"Alright..."
The deserted courtyard gained some vitality with the little girl's arrival.
Although he hadn't recruited any students, the young man didn't seem anxious at all.
He opened the food box, took out a dish of stir-fried fresh bamboo shoots and a bowl of millet rice, and began eating methodically, chewing slowly.
"Brother Zhixing, these bamboo shoots were gathered by mother and me together, they're really tasty, please eat more."
"Mm, okay..."
"Is anyone there?"
Just then, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the courtyard.
The young man and the little girl both turned to look outside, where they saw a boy of about ten years standing at the entrance, hesitating, wanting to come in but somewhat reluctant.
The young man swallowed his food, put down his bowl and chopsticks, stood up, walked out of the thatched cottage, stood in the courtyard, and looked at the boy as he replied:
"Hello, I am Xu Zhixing, the principal of this Zhixing Academy."