165: Chapter 162 The Treatment of a Boss: Free Gym and Money

The pre-Qin era and even the Han Dynasty were periods not too far removed from the barbaric age.

Because the preceding Zhou, Shang, and Xia dynasties were all slave societies, and there were even occasional instances of cannibalism.

Furthermore, in that era, wild beasts were everywhere, and encountering a fierce tiger on the road was a common occurrence.

For instance, the "Records of the Grand Historian" frequently mentions that Xiang Yu had the "strength to lift a cauldron." It doesn't specify exactly how heavy this cauldron was, but through archaeological excavation, the largest and heaviest existing bronze cauldron, the "Houmuwu Ding," weighs 875 kilograms.

The bronze cauldron unearthed from the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor weighs 212 kilograms. Even if Xiang Yu lifted a smaller one, it would still be over 400 jin.

It is said that the Martial King of Qin also attempted to lift a cauldron, but he ended up injured at the competition site and died from the trauma of being crushed by the cauldron.

Although he was crushed to death, he certainly managed to lift it. If a monarch could possess such strength, it suggests that the professional generals of that era would only be even more exaggerated.

In the "Records of the Three Kingdoms," it is recorded that Xu Chu once "traded a cow with bandits for food. When the bandits came to take the cow, it kept running back. Xu then stepped out in front of the formation, grabbed the cow's tail with one hand, and dragged it backwards for over a hundred paces. The bandits were terrified and did not dare to take the cow, fleeing instead."

Dragging a cow backwards for over a hundred paces shows that Xu Chu's strength was far greater than that of the cow.

During the Five Dynasties period, there was a man named Wang Yanzhang. The "Zizhi Tongjian" records his strength: "Wang Yanzhang was exceptionally brave and fierce. In every battle, he used two iron spears, each weighing a hundred jin. He kept one in the saddle and held one in his hand, advancing with nothing to stop him. People of the time called him 'Wang the Iron Spear'." A hundred-jin iron spear—two of them would be two hundred jin.

The "Zizhi Tongjian" was edited by Sima Guang; this is not a fictional romance but a reliable historical record.

Therefore, this is basically an indisputable fact. And what is the concept of two iron spears weighing over a hundred kilograms combined? This isn't just about training for a couple of reps while working out; it's about being on horseback and constantly fighting enemies.

In the midst of a battle, even swinging a heavy blade weighing over ten jin for a long time would make one feel as if their arms were about to be ruined, let alone these two-hundred-jin things.

And holding one in each hand, there was no concept of switching hands or taking a rest.

This shows that his actual strength was exaggerated to an explosive degree. It is estimated that holding these two hundred jin in his hands was no different from holding an ordinary combat blade, which is why he dared to be so confident.

Yang Kan in the "History of the Southern Dynasties: Biography of Yang Kan" had even greater strength: "Yang Kan was brave and fierce in his youth, with strength that surpassed others. The bow he used reached twenty shi, and he used a six-shi bow while on horseback." Converting this twenty shi to modern weight, it would be 2400 jin.

Comparing it like this, Li Changsheng instantly lost any thoughts of being complacent.

"What is there to be complacent about with my meager strength? Compared to the ancients, I still fall far short."

Li Changsheng thought to himself.

His own strength was indeed not small, but if he were asked to carry two large spears weighing a hundred jin each into battle to kill enemies, he estimated that within a few minutes, his hands would be ruined from exhaustion.

After all, when charging into a formation, the force required to withstand the impact would be even more terrifying.

"Yes, that's right, Mr. Li. Next is the squat. However, wouldn't you like to take a break?" Coach Bob was still somewhat terrified. Didn't this fierce man ever get tired?

"No need. I'll just drink some water after finishing the tests."

Li Changsheng waved his hand.

Soon, the crowd moved back to the squat area, and this time, they all gathered around to watch again.

It was simply because Li Changsheng had already established the image of a top-tier fitness big shot, so everyone refused to miss this moment of observation. Some were even already filming, preparing to post it on YouTube.

This time, Li Changsheng did not perform too exaggeratedly, stopping at a 250kg squat.

"I feel like I could probably add another 50kg or so, but this is harder than the bench press. If the technique isn't right, it's easy to strain your lower back. If I used unloading techniques, I could probably handle even more weight."

Li Changsheng was not prepared to continue showing off. Having experienced the earlier situation, he began to intentionally control himself. It would be the same if he secretly increased the weight in a corner during future training.

Soon, the subsequent tests for deadlifts, push-ups, pull-ups, planks, and standing toe touches were all completed.

Although Li Changsheng intentionally held back, his performance was still enough to crush everyone here. Of course, compared to the whole world, it was nothing.

But Coach Bob and the other coaches felt immense pressure.

Can this really be a trainee?

This trainee's physical condition was more exaggerated than theirs, the coaches. Teach him fitness? It would be more like him teaching them fitness.

Indeed, they really wanted to know how this Mr. Li managed to achieve such exaggerated weights with his smaller physique.

"Um... Mr. Li, would you like to collaborate with our gym?"

After some discussion among themselves and a phone call with their boss, Coach Bob finally pulled Li Changsheng into the office to discuss it.

Hearing this, Li Changsheng was a bit confused and couldn't help but ask back: "Collaborate? How do we collaborate?"

"It's like this." As he spoke, Coach Bob took a freshly printed contract out of the drawer and said with a smile: "Mr. Li, I have already sent your data to our boss. After our deliberation, we really hope that Mr. Li can join us."

"Of course, this won't take up too much of your time. You can occasionally guide the trainees. Of course, if you are unwilling, we will not force you, but we do ask that Mr. Li please train at our gym."

"As long as you continue to train at our gym, we can provide you with lifetime access to our brand's fitness services, and we will pay you a salary of ten thousand US dollars per month."

Listening to this, Li Changsheng was a bit suspicious. Just by training here for free, he could also get paid? Could there be some kind of trap in this?

Seeming to notice Li Changsheng's doubts, Coach Bob hurriedly said: "Mr. Li, please don't think this is abnormal. In fact, gyms often invite fitness influencers to train."

"You don't need to guide others; just training here makes you a living signboard. This is also a form of advertising. As for the ten thousand US dollars, that is just the initial offer we are giving you."

"If you are willing to become a coach later on, or cooperate with the gym to participate in some events or competitions, the salary and bonuses will continue to rise accordingly."

Hearing this, Li Changsheng finally understood.

This was actually the norm in the fitness circle. Some poorly managed gyms would invite big shots from the fitness circle to train, and after a few visits, the foot traffic would suddenly skyrocket.

But this place belonged to a well-known brand, so they didn't need to invite celebrities from the fitness circle; they just needed to invite some truly fierce people.

Because those who knew the ropes would recognize a big shot when they saw one. People would think, "The big shot is training here, so I should get a membership here too; maybe I can even learn from the big shot."

Furthermore, there was a thing in the fitness circle called a "mental pre-workout," which was essentially psychological stimulation.

Some people just liked watching others lift heavy weights, commonly known as stimulating themselves.

This was also the reason why the men in the gym didn't have women in their eyes, only muscles.

Only exaggerated muscles and terrifying weights could stimulate them to train.

After a moment of thought, Li Changsheng agreed to the contract to train here, but he did not agree to become a coach or participate in competitions.

Ten thousand US dollars could greatly alleviate his financial pressure, and since he could collect it monthly, it counted as a steady job.

As for the time in the contract, it was also very relaxed: come at least three times a week, with each session lasting no less than an hour.

It was definitely a sweet job position, but it required one to possess formidable capital.

Furthermore, this contract had no time limit, meaning if Li Changsheng didn't come, he didn't come, and they wouldn't continue to pay him. They didn't use a fixed term to restrict Li Changsheng, which was quite free.