Scumbag Chapter 146 The Reformed White-Eyed Wolf General (12)

Twenty days after Mingting's departure, Emperor Chang received the first letter from Count of Dingyuan. "Is this really written by Count of

Twenty days after Mingting's departure, Emperor Chang received the first letter from Count of Dingyuan.

"Is this really written by Count of Dingyuan?" Emperor Chang was very surprised.

He certainly knew Mingting.

The man was a formidable warrior. He’s bold, physically robust, and particularly fond of charging into battle to slash heads. But when it came to handling military logistics or calculating provisions, he’d get a headache.

Who would’ve thought that just a few days after leaving, he’d already written a letter?

When Emperor Chang unfolded the thick stack of paper, the crooked, scribbled characters looked like ghostly doodles. He couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"Respected Yaur Mahesty, this subject wilhes you boaadless langavaty from Chzngthu Coatty."

Just this opening sentence alone had seven wrong words, forcing Emperor Chang to piece together the meaning through guesswork.

When Emperor Chang read that Mingting mentioned he wanted to study and find scholars to teach him how to read and write, so he could report on the situation in Yaozhou to the Emperor himself in the future, avoiding the need for others to draft memorials that might not fully convey his thoughts, Emperor Chang couldn’t hold back his laughter.

This wasn’t the first time he’d urged Mingting to do this.

Emperor Chang had once advised Mingting to take advantage of his youth and sharp mind to learn more characters. After all, it wouldn’t do for a Count to remain illiterate.

But how had Mingting responded back then?

"This subject has no love for those scholars who wave their writing brushes, they reek of pedantic arrogance! I’d rather conquer a city than recognize ten characters!"

‘And now, this very same man was actually starting to learn how to read and write?’

‘Had the sun risen from the west?’

That evening, when Emperor Chang visited Empress Zhou’s Kunde Palace, he even brought up the matter and showed her Mingting’s letter.

"I bet this kid won’t last more than two days."

Emperor Chang joked.

"Your Majesty, the Count of Dingyuan is eager to improve himself, you shouldn’t discourage his enthusiasm. I believes he will persist this time. If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, how about a wager?"

After reading the letter, Empress Zhou didn’t mock Mingting. Instead, she admired his determination to learn.

After three days apart, one should look at a man with new eyes. Having such drive was a good thing! (T/N: It’s an idiom which means people can change and improve.)

"Oh? Fine then! I bet he won’t last!"

Emperor Chang was also interested and made a bet with Emperor Zhou, and even took out a fist-sized night pearl as a bet.

Empress Zhou’s wager was a prized painting from a renowned artist of the previous dynasty, ‘Galloping Horses’.

"My Empress is even willing to stake her beloved treasure? It seems you truly have great faith in that boy!" Emperor Chang remained confident.

"Let’s be clear, if Mingting can't hold on, A-Yu mustn’t go back on her word."

"Er-Lang mustn’t regret it either!"

‘A-Yu’ and ‘Er-Lang’ were affectionate nicknames they used for each other in private. It had been a long time since they’d addressed each other so intimately, and the moment transported them back to their earlier days.

Emperor Chang was reminded of Empress Zhou’s ever-graceful virtue.

Back when he was leading troops in battle, she managed their household, comforted the families of soldiers, and ensured stability on the home front… her efforts were both laborious and meritorious.

Usually, Empress Zhou also took care of young generals like Mingting, who had often freeloaded meals at their home in the past.

But after their statuses changed, becoming the Emperor and Empress, the formality of their titles had created distance between them.

Since ascending the throne, the dazzle of power and temptation had distracted Emperor Chang, and it had been a long time since he’d truly opened his heart to Empress Zhou.

Seeing Empress Zhou's gentle face illuminated by candlelight, Emperor Chang was moved. He took her hand and said emotionally, “Er-Lang’s heart for A-Yu will never change."

…

Setting aside how the Emperor and Empress spent their passionate night, Mingting woke up early the next morning and practiced a set of Mountain-Suppressing Fist.

"Lord Count is amazing!"

"Boss is mighty!"

"General is domineering!"

The soldiers watching on the side whistled and cheered as Mingting’s punches roared through the air, strong enough to snap a young tree in half.

"What kind of fist technique is this?" A brother who is a former mountain bandit asked.

"Mountain-Suppressing Fist." Mingting wiped the sweat from his brow, and seeing their eager looks, he grinned, "Do you all want to learn it?"

"We do!" A chorus of rough voices howled.

The fist technique looked fierce and powerful… who wouldn’t want to master it? If they learned it, they’d have another life-saving skill when facing ruthless pirates and raiders.

"Fine, I’ll teach you. But let’s be clear, no quitting halfway because it’s too hard. Anyone who backs out will face military punishment."

Mingting had demonstrated this skill with the intention of passing it on.

Besides the Mountain-Suppressing Fist, he also planned to teach them the agile Dragon-Subduing Palm and even some easy-to-learn assassination techniques.

After all, they’d be facing vicious Eastern Sea pirates and sea bandits.

Since these men had followed him to Yaozhou, he’d do his best to ensure they trained hard, learned real combat skills, and returned home safely.

Mingting even dragged along his brother-in-law, Liu Cheng, forcing him to train and practice martial arts with the others.

"Brother-in-law, you overestimate me! I just want to make money and become a tycoon… this stuff isn’t for me."

Liu Cheng cried. After all, he doesn't want to sleep early in the morning.

The days of traveling were exhausting enough, who wouldn’t want to sleep in?

Lately, he’d been yanked out of bed by Mingting before sunrise to run five li, which felt like torture to Liu Cheng! (T/N: One Li is 0.5 km.)

Now, Mingting even wanted him to learn martial arts? Liu Cheng felt like his life had lost all joy, plunging into darkness.

Someone like him had no intention of fighting on the battlefield. If he could walk without tripping over his own feet, that was already an achievement. Why did he have to learn fist techniques?

"If you master the Mountain-Suppressing Fist, I’ll tell you a way to make a fortune."

Mingting whispered to Liu Cheng.

"Only because you’re my brother-in-law, I won't tell anyone else."

"Really?" At the mention of money, Liu Cheng’s small eyes lit up. "Dear brother-in-law, you’re not tricking me, are you?"

"A real man keeps his word… once spoken, even four horses can’t take it back!" (T/N: Another idiom which means a promise is unbreakable.)

Mingting thumped his chest.

Liu Cheng believed it and lured onto Mingting’s pirate ship. He then began horse-stance training with the others.

By the time they reached Ning’an, the capital of Yaozhou, Liu Cheng had lost nearly 20 pounds. He was now full of energy, looking much more handsome, solidly built, and even his eyes seemed bigger.

Liu Yongshan was baffled by this, ‘How had my son, just from running and practicing martial arts, transformed into such a dashing young man?’