The recruitment notice was posted, and Kang He gave a few instructions to the shop assistants.
Their family business dealt in meat and vegetables—everyday necessities for common folk’s meals—so they had plenty of contact with various townspeople, making it easy for news to spread. Thus, it wasn’t difficult to stir up a bit of interest with a small matter like this.
Within three to five days, news truly arrived, and more and more people came to respond to the recruitment.
Originally, they hadn’t expected many to come, but to their surprise, four showed up on the very first day.
Fan Jing had already arranged with the recruits on a time to meet—naturally at the martial arts school for an interview.
That morning, after breakfast, Da Fu went off to school and even reported ahead that he would visit the county school after classes.
Little Fu was clamoring to go play with siblings at the Luo household, complaining that staying home all day was boring. They eventually agreed to let him go.
“I’m going to the martial arts school to teach today as well.”
The two assistants saw Da Fu off, and after the child climbed into the carriage and left, Fan Jing spoke.
He looked at Kang He, opened his mouth as if to say something, but hesitated and didn’t voice the second half: “Will you come with me?”
Fan Jing was most troubled by this sort of discussion. Since he had been taciturn from childhood, and also worried about missing something, naturally he wanted Kang He to accompany him.
But then he reconsidered. Kang He had previously said that everything about the martial arts school was his responsibility. Asking Kang He again might be asking too much.
“I know.”
Kang He replied briefly, waiting for Fan Jing to continue, but the other did not.
Fan Jing raised his eyebrows, excitedly hoping to hear an invitation to join, but seeing no words, he wondered if Fan Jing wanted to handle it alone and didn’t want to involve him anymore.
Kang He let out a low hiss: “I don’t really have any urgent matters today… then I’ll send Little Fu to the Luo family?”
“Mm.”
Fan Jing responded and buried his head, returning indoors.
Kang He changed into a set of clothing with tied sleeves, slowly tidied himself up indoors, and when Kang He entered, he cast a dark glance at the recruits, then loosened his fastened belt.
“Let me see, the belt won’t fasten.”
Kang He stepped forward to help.
Kang He lowered his head slightly, his arms wrapping around Fan Jing’s lean waist as he fastened a leather belt.
After fastening it, he was reluctant to let go and continued adjusting the clothes compressed by the belt on Fan Jing’s back.
“The recruits who come to learn should be capable individuals; they need to be presentable and focused.”
Fan Jing gave a grunt of agreement.
Kang He lifted his eyes to look at Fan Jing. “Have you decided how to conduct the instruction?”
Looking into Kang He’s gentle eyes, Fan Jing’s own gaze flickered but he didn’t answer directly, instead turning the subject: “Better to have Sheng Han send Little Fu to the Luo family.”
Kang He blinked: “And me?”
Fan Jing hesitated but finally said, “You come with me to teach.”
Kang He then smiled brazenly and hugged Fan Jing, planting a kiss.
“You should have said that sooner.”
Fan Jing said, “You can’t always depend on me for everything.”
Kang He pinched Fan Jing’s ear: “I’m your husband. If you don’t depend on me, who else would you?”
Fan Jing said nothing but the corner of his mouth curved upward slightly. He grasped Kang He’s hand and the two left together.
At the martial arts school, before long, the recruits arrived—four in total, including both brothers and sisters.
Seeing them all gathered, Fan Jing glanced at Kang He. Kang He took on the role of Fan Jing’s assistant: “Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin. First, state your name and age—that basic introduction is for Instructor Fan. Then describe your strengths. Don’t be shy—just give a demonstration.”
The first was a brother who stated his name and age. His strength lay in his physical power: in the courtyard, he lifted a stone block weighing several dozen jin and spun it around a few times.
Fan Jing took brief notes, recording the recruits’ strengths and weaknesses.
Next was a sister who spoke with a touch of swagger: “I’m Cao Qiang. I don’t have many strengths except that I’m good with a whip.”
She didn’t wait for an invitation and immediately leapt into the courtyard. Swiftly drawing a leather whip from her waist, two sharp cracks rang out, stinging the recruit’s skin.
Her eyes hardened, and with a bang, the whip’s tail split a water bucket in two.
She continued to whip with skill, almost like a performance, each strike carrying a gust of wind, impressive and fierce.
Both Kang He and Fan Jing brightened at the sight, imagining the whip landing on a recruit or living creature—surely it would tear the flesh open.
After she finished, Fan Jing asked, “Can you read?”
Cao Qiang gathered her whip: “I know the basics, but I don’t understand the classics or deep texts.”
Fan Jing made a couple more notes. Literacy was rare, and although they were recruiting martial arts instructors, being literate was a definite advantage, making it easier to teach students.
He continued asking questions and answered a few doubts before moving on to the next recruit.
They spent half the day this way.
If accepted, the recruit would receive a letter later.
In the following three or four days, more recruits came to apply. Kang He accompanied Fan Jing twice, but once Fan Jing was familiar with the process, he could attend on his own.
It took seven days to conclude, as many came, and several suitable candidates had been found.
Fan Jing organized the information and selected three.
One was Cao Qiang, whom Kang He helped to recruit. She was literate, skilled with the whip, physically strong, and outstanding.
Another knew some fist and kick techniques. Though not very skilled, she was knowledgeable in bone-setting medicine, which was quite valuable.
The last was a brother named Zhao Yansheng, extraordinary indeed. He came from a martial family and had mastered many skills. However, because he was young and inexperienced, he had few opportunities outside, so when the martial arts school began recruiting instructors, he was willing to join.
Actually, the other recruits were not bad either, but these three stood out.
Many strong brothers and sisters came from poor families, struggling with hardship. They had no choice but to shoulder the family’s burdens—something Fan Jing was quite familiar with from the past.
The martial arts school limited recruitment to brothers and sisters and mainly sought those with good physical ability or some legwork skill.
Outside the school, suitable jobs for sisters and brothers were scarce, so many willing candidates came to try their luck.
For a time, they had gathered many talented recruits.
Though regrettable they couldn’t offer all a chance, Fan Jing politely sent assistants to decline those not accepted and assured them the school would keep their information on file for future openings.
Fan Jing then reviewed the final few recruits with Kang He.
“You’ve got a good eye. I think all these recruits are pretty good instructors. But this is more than one too many. Want me to help you decide?”
Fan Jing shook his head: “I intend to keep them all.”
Kang He smiled: “If they’re this suitable, it really makes sense to keep them all.”
Then, more seriously, he set the files down, pulled Fan Jing close, and said:
“Da Jing, congratulations on finding these fine brothers and sisters as instructors. They have a foundation, will quickly pick up the school’s martial techniques, and each has special skills. When the specialty classes start, they’ll be exceptional.”
“Having reached this point, next up is recruiting students. But I want to warn you early—the students will be hard to find. You should be prepared.”
Earlier, Kang He had inquired about Fan Jing’s thoughts on being an instructor.
Fan Jing suggested recruiting young brothers and sisters as students.
Kang He agreed that if the siblings learned a skill, they’d have better prospects.
He encouraged Fan Jing to proceed. Firstly, it was rare for Fan Jing to have something he was interested in. Secondly, pioneering a path for young brothers and sisters was very meaningful.
Though initially not motivated by money, Kang He cared more because he liked it.
But he also worried that after all the effort and overcoming challenges, failing to recruit enough students might disappoint Fan Jing.
Carefully, Kang He analyzed the situation: “Nowadays, common folks live better than ten years ago. Their outlook is no longer limited to mere food and drink. Many have started planning and managing, even willing to invest in their children learning a craft, but mostly they prefer to invest in their sons.”
“Recruiting male students is probably easier; female and younger siblings are more difficult. Poor families can’t afford tuition, while rich ones don’t want daughters or siblings to wield swords and weapons. In such circumstances, recruiting students won’t be easy.”
Fan Jing listened seriously, then said: “I’ve thought all this through.”
“I know you asked me to teach at the martial arts school to keep busy and not let my skills waste, not to depend on it for income.”
“But the school was established by Yao Yuan with the intent to profit. He supports a band of brothers. The school isn’t solely run by you and me—it can’t afford to be unprofitable.”
Therefore, Kang He had been pondering the recruitment difficulty early on and had already formulated some plans during a recent market survey.
First, they could cooperate with the slave traders.
Among them were many poor brothers and sisters sold into servitude, most unskilled and illiterate—these were unfortunate people sold because their families were destitute.
Those without skills and with average looks rarely got picked by wealthy slave buyers.
If left idle for years in the slave market, they would receive little kindness, often enduring hunger, cold, fatigue, and suffering.
Fan Jing’s idea was to have the slave traders send these brothers and sisters to the martial arts school to learn a skill. Once trained, they would be more attractive to buyers, have a foundation for life, and gain respect.
Of course, this business needed negotiation. The slave traders would have to invest upfront to send them for training. Afterward, these brothers and sisters’ value would increase, so the traders would not lose out.
But if the traders only sought quick profit, ignoring long-term gains, they wouldn’t invest in such training.
Second, as Kang He said, poor families want their children to learn skills but cannot afford tuition, while wealthy families won’t let their children go out waving swords.
But for those truly eager to learn, poor families could be offered half tuition, half work arrangements.
When students begin, they could do chores at the school to offset tuition and later earn money from side jobs once partially skilled.
“Wealthy families are easier; they just register, and instructors go to teach at home.”
Kang He listened quietly, his eyes brightening more and more. After Fan Jing finished, he clapped his hands.
“I never said you couldn’t manage things. You really thought it through! While I was worried, you stayed calm. Why didn’t you say this earlier?”
Fan Jing, seeing Kang He’s approval and praise, lowered his eyes awkwardly and tried to compose himself.
“Since I agreed to run the classes, I can’t just act rashly. There need to be practical methods.”
Many of these business ideas came from years spent around Kang He. Fan Jing felt he hadn’t learned intentionally but had absorbed it subconsciously, and now that he was leading the martial arts school, things were clearer.
Especially when he was unsure how to start, Kang He helped organize and sort out the approach.
Fan Jing said, “These are just some initial proposals; whether they work depends on reality.”
Fan Jing cleared his throat: “You go and talk to the slave traders.”
Kang He smiled: “I’m not just at the mercy of Instructor Fan’s orders.”
Fan Jing first contacted the three accepted recruits, arranging for them to report to the martial arts school in two days and begin basic training before the school’s official opening.
With the instructors arranged, Fan Jing accompanied Kang He to negotiate with the slave traders.
The first slave trader they visited was one they had become familiar with when they first moved to the county—a trader who had rented out seven brothers, Sister Xue, and Sheng Han’s mother for labor.
They had done several deals with this trader, so they were well acquainted.
The trader’s leader received them politely.
Before meeting, Kang He helped Fan Jing prepare what to say. Since they were in a familiar place, Fan Jing spoke straightforwardly about their school’s business.
“Mr. Fan means to recruit only female siblings as students?”
Fan Jing nodded.
The trader’s manager, named Lü Rui, clicked his tongue: “That’s rare. There are three or five martial schools in town, but none recruit female siblings as students.”
Kang He observed Lü Rui’s expression silently. Seeing no immediate approval or disapproval, he prompted, “Mr. Lü, you’re knowledgeable. What do you think of our martial arts classes?”
Lü Rui fell silent, his face serious. Kang He braced himself, expecting refusal, but then Lü Rui smiled.
“In my humble opinion, this martial arts class is quite a clever idea! Good instructors, a large school.”
Kang He smiled: “Mr. Lü is too kind.”
“Only one school like this in the county, it’s no flattery to say it’s rare.”
Lü Rui said, “Just have me consider carefully before sending students. How much is the tuition?”
Kang He answered, “There are more than one or two schools in town. Tuition has a general standard—no one can set it arbitrarily. Students pay once per term, five guan.”
“Although we recruit female siblings, tuition is standard. We won’t raise fees because of gender, but the quality is better, so it won’t be cheap.”
“Mr. Fan and Brother Kang are honest people; I trust you.”
Lü Rui reviewed the details and promised to consider carefully, sending a reply later.
Kang He and Fan Jing did not press for an immediate answer and left politely.
“Without a clear reply, I don’t have much hope,” Fan Jing said on the way out.
Kang He patted his back comfortingly.
“Don’t worry. Our business is new; no one has had much experience. We’ll visit more places and not pin all hopes on one.”
“If we can persuade one or two to send three to five students, that would be good. We don’t expect to recruit many at first; everything has to be done step by step. Reputation builds slowly.”
Fan Jing felt relieved and nodded, then gathered strength to visit another slave trader in the eastern part of town.
After Lü Rui left them, a trader stepped out and said, “Didn’t expect you’d come to our market—must be hard to recruit students.”
“Really strange idea, recruiting female siblings to learn martial arts. Just recruit male students and be done with it—steady and sure. Why bother with this fuss?”
Lü Rui said nothing.
The trader looked sideways: “Could it be the manager is really serious?”
Lü Rui said, “Remember a few days ago when the Hu officials came to the slave market looking for two skilled people? They specifically wanted female siblings.”
The trader recalled: “That Hu official was very picky. Skilled people in the slave market are hard to find, especially female siblings. If there were any, everyone would fight for them. Where else would they go to find female siblings?”
“Not just the Hu official. The Lu family’s stewardess invited me for tea recently and asked if I had any female siblings with skills. Their mistress wanted to hire one, even willing to pay me a good sum to keep an eye out.”
The trader paused, then glanced at Lü Rui: “This business with the Fan family is actually interesting! If we send a few to learn some martial arts, once skilled, it matches what the buyers want.”
Lü Rui clasped his hands behind his back.
“You think clearly. Otherwise, how could this business work? At first, I doubted it, but after thinking, it’s truly useful.”
“But the tuition is expensive—five guan per term. After they graduate, that’s a lot of money.”
The trader thought Kang He was smart and had figured it out early.
Kang He said, “Other skills have lower fees since they’re for livelihood. But if they learn our trade well, their value will rise.”
“Wealthy families cherish their children, with guards and protectors, but few skilled close attendants, especially among women. Having a talented female sibling attendant is ideal. We don’t mind spending on them, and we won’t lose out.”
Lü Rui understood this but naturally wanted to maximize profits.
He was silent for a moment then said, “For now, I’ll keep students waiting, and when we’re desperate, we’ll sharply cut tuition.”
“Choose a few suitable ones for me to observe first. When tuition is agreed, send them over.”
The trader laughed and praised Lü Rui, then went to handle arrangements.
Kang He and Fan Jing spent three days visiting all the slave traders in town.
They only secured one willing to send two students, but it was something; at least the effort wasn’t wasted.
Only that this trader sent male students for better management.
Fan Jing wiped his face and consoled himself—business was business. Regardless of gender, students were recruited.
Kang He said, “These slave traders are cunning. They sound very interested during talks but hesitate over tuition. Don’t worry, I have a trick to see if they’re really uninterested or just waiting for a better chance.”
Fan Jing asked, “What will you do?”
Kang He just smiled, went to see Brother Bao.
Within two days, word quietly spread that the eastern slave trader sent three brothers to the martial arts school and the western trader sent four sisters.
Upon hearing this, the traders Kang He and Fan Jing had visited were skeptical, whispering among themselves.
Competition among traders led to disbelief—who knew if anyone was lying to cheat others and reap benefits secretly?
At this moment, Kang He stirred the pot, spreading word that the enrollment spots for the school were almost full.
Within two days, those hesitant could no longer hold out and sent slaves, saying they wanted to negotiate sending students.
Fan Jing stepped forward. Usually taciturn and not overly enthusiastic, he didn’t put on airs but was taken in by the apparent reality of the nearly full classes.
“A while ago, I went on a trip. When I returned, I heard the classes were nearly full, even received some inquiries. Instructor Fan, you and Brother Kang have known me long. You wouldn’t have forgotten to reserve places for me, right?”
Fan Jing noticed Lü Rui’s sudden friendliness, very different from before.
He replied lightly, “Hopefully understanding. Our specialty classes only recruit female siblings, and such good instructors are hard to find. That’s why we don’t enroll too many students at first, afraid of poor teaching.”
Lü Rui quickly responded, “That’s my subordinates’ fault for being slow. Before I left, I told them many times this was important. They carefully selected suitable students but ignored registration times.”
“Instructor Fan, you have to increase my quota! I’ve already picked them!”
Fan Jing furrowed his brow. “How many spots, Mr. Lü?”
“Eight. Only eight!”
Fan Jing was silent.
He raised his stance and after a moment answered, “Eight is definitely too many. Your slave market already sent a lot—based on our relationship, at most five.”
Seeing Fan Jing’s firm expression, Lü Rui wanted to negotiate with Kang He but no one was around.
Afraid that waiting would lose even those five spots, he gritted his teeth.
“Fine. Five! When these students graduate, we’ll send more.”
With that, he no longer pressed tuition discounts and was grateful that Fan Jing didn’t exploit the situation to increase fees.
Fan Jing’s eyes narrowed slightly, and the corner of his mouth lifted faintly.
Thanks to Kang He’s cunning move, they signed contracts with several slave traders, recruiting sixteen students at once.
Fan Jing didn’t publicize that so many had been recruited.
In mid-July, Yao Yuan said the school’s renovations were nearly finished and they could begin posting notices to recruit students.
Fan Jing agreed, put up the notices, and quietly began seeking recruits among the good families.
They already had a fair number of students, so if not many more joined, they wouldn’t panic.
He felt steady, watching with quiet amusement as onlookers waited with no recruits showing up, smirking secretly.