Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law-Chapter 524: Every Scholar in the Realm Must Revere Chen Mo as Their Benefactor
Although the Little Qing Spirit Qi is the most common Innate Spiritual Qi, it is something that every Martial Artist in the world dreams of absorbing.
Because for the Martial Artists in this world, ninety-nine percent are stuck at the Lower-Grade Martial Artist Realm for life, finding it difficult to advance, and the Middle-Grade Martial Artist is a chasm they can never cross in their lifetime.
For them, if they could step into the realm of the Middle-Grade Martial Artist, even if they just sense and absorb the Little Qing Spirit Qi, they would be satisfied.
Even Sun Meng, who has been stuck at the Seventh Grade Refining Organ Realm for almost ten years, has never seen any hope of breaking through.
If it weren’t for following Chen Mo, first being rewarded with Blood Ginseng and Innate Spiritual Object by Chen Mo, and then given a Qi Absorption Technique, he would probably remain stagnant at the Seventh Grade for life.
"That’s right, just being able to break through is enough, don’t be discouraged, at least now you are someone many Lower-Grade Martial Artists envy," Chen Mo patted his shoulder and said with a smile.
Sun Meng nodded.
"So, you were late because of your breakthrough." Chen Mo said.
"Yes."
"Alright, no worries, I grant you a day off to go back and stabilize your Realm, you don’t need to follow me today."
"...Understood, thank you, Marquis."
"Go ahead."
...
On the first day back in Xiangyang, Chen Mo had many matters to attend to.
In the afternoon, Wei Linchun introduced some noble family elites to Chen Mo.
Since Chen Mo drove the Jin Xia Barbarians from the North out of the Great Song and recovered the lost territories in the North, more and more noble family elites, wealthy merchants, and literary figures flooded into Linzhou.
These people, from all over the Great Song, hold deep admiration for Chen Mo, treating him as their idol.
It can be said that Chen Mo’s expulsion of foreign enemies and recovery of the North had an incredibly massive influence.
For instance, some renowned, capable, and Pure Stream officials, during Xu Guozhong’s early control over the court, had submitted petitions against Xu Guozhong, but their fate was either imprisonment or demotion. Corruption ran rampant, the world became increasingly chaotic, which led to their growing disappointment with the court. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
Later on, they simply resigned and returned to their hometowns, no longer concerning themselves with worldly affairs.
Even when ambitious Dukes like Prince Huai and King Chong invited them into service, they ignored them.
Because they could see that these people did not work for the people’s welfare nor for societal stability, they had their own ambitions.
In fact, after Chen Mo took Lin and Huai States, and released a public recruitment notice, Zuo Lianglun and Geng Songfu also invited these people into service, but still faced rejection.
But now, these people have approached him proactively.
Among them was Chen Ming’s grandfather — Chen Cultivator, who had long pledged allegiance to Chen Mo and served as Assistant Military Secretary.
In the period of the previous emperor, Chen Cultivator was a renowned Great Scholar in the court, successively served as a Hanlin Academy Scholar and Left Imperial Censor, even taught the Emperor, with disciples everywhere, later discontented with Xu Guozhong’s sole control over the court, retired to his hometown, residing in Jiangnan since then.
Chen Cultivator, with hair streaked white, dressed as an old scholar, leaned on a Peach Wood cane, looking benevolent yet full of energy.
Those Pure Stream officials felt astonished seeing Chen Cultivator too and secretly assured of their choice.
"I apologize for keeping everyone waiting," Chen Mo, led by Wei Linchun, arrived at the government office’s meeting hall and met Chen Cultivator and others.
"Duke An." Everyone saluted Chen Mo respectfully.
Even Chen Cultivator did not stand on ceremony, showing respect to Chen Mo.
This conduct of Chen Cultivator deeply surprised the cohort of Pure Stream officials.
It is known that when Chen Cultivator was serving as the Left Imperial Censor, he was a person who even dared to impeach the Emperor.
Chen Cultivator’s impeachment of the Emperor was not due to disloyalty or disrespect.
But because at that time, officials were accumulating wealth in huge amounts, buying and selling official positions, extorting the fat and marrow of the people, leaving them in abject poverty, while the Emperor turned a blind eye. At that moment, unaware that the Emperor was merely a puppet, Chen Cultivator angrily submitted an impeachment essay against the Emperor.
His respect towards Chen Mo is not out of fear of the other’s power.
But because on his journey from Jiangnan, first to Huai State, then to Lin State, he saw the residents living peacefully and contentedly, their faces adorned with happy smiles, bustling marketplaces filled with people clad in various outfits, creating a lively and prosperous atmosphere.
He witnessed no officials or goons harassing and oppressing the people on the streets, nor were there heavy taxes imposed.
The people had fields to farm, clothes to wear, and food to eat.
Mentioning Chen Mo before the people, they didn’t shun like he was a venomous snake, but spoke highly of him as a good person, an Immortal Master, a Justice.
Upon arriving in Xiangyang City, he even saw free schools for children’s education.
For such reasons, Chen Mo deserves his respect.
"Commoner Chen Cultivator, paying respects to Duke An," Chen Cultivator said.
"Chen Cultivator, I’ve heard of your esteemed name for long," Before coming, Wei Linchun had mentioned Chen Cultivator to Chen Mo. He hurriedly supported Chen Cultivator and said, "I don’t deserve this, please stand up quickly, Chen Cultivator."
Chen Cultivator’s Martial Arts Cultivation is not high, having passed his seventies, he is merely a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist.
But his knowledge is a pinnacle in the literary circles of Great Song.
"It is said that Duke An expelled foreign enemies, defeated enemy generals, recovered lost territories, and galloped across Haiyan Pass, thus glorifying the Great Song’s name, and the phrase ’If the bandits can come, so can I,’ even more inspired us commoners. Duke An standing up in such national crisis to turn the tide is truly a blessing to the country, a good fortune to the court," Chen Cultivator folded his hands once more to Chen Mo.
"Chen Cultivator, you praise me too much. It’s what I should do; the territories of our Great Song must not be ravished by others," Chen Mo invited Chen Cultivator to sit and then proceeded to the seat at the head of the hall.
Upon saying this, everyone praised Chen Mo for his vision and integrity.
"Although we’ve reclaimed the North, everything needs rehabilitation and rebuilding. While the nation is in distress, corruption runs rampant. You all have once been the pillars and Pure Stream of the court, your talents are outstanding. So I earnestly request all of you to assist me, the court, Your Majesty, and millions of people, to apply all your life’s learning, and restore the Great Song to its past glory."
After finishing speaking, Chen Mo clasped his hands together towards those around him.
Listening to Chen Mo’s heartfelt words stirred everyone deeply, making them all agree.
Chen Cultivator spoke: "Ming’er told me that Duke An has submitted a petition to the court to restore the civil service examination (科举)?"
"That’s right. Currently, there are vacancies for officials all over the northern regions, and numerous commoners hope we can address their grievances and injustices. Restoring the civil service exam is urgent," as he said, Chen Mo folded his hands towards Chen Cultivator and said: "If the civil service exam is restored, I, Chen Mo, earnestly request Chen Cultivator to be the chief examiner, overseeing all affairs related to the examination."
Upon this remark, those present sensed something amiss, for should the exam indeed be restored, isn’t it supposed to be hosted by the court? But from your words, it seems like you intend to handle it all by yourself.
If so, wouldn’t all the scholars across the land revere you as their benefactor?
Yet under the current situation, if the examination were to be restored, it seems only Chen Mo could carry it through.
Chen Cultivator respectfully bowed to Chen Mo: "Duke An shows regard for this commoner, I am willing to give it a try."
