Double penetration, starting from being a trader

The provincial examination was held in Jiayuan City.

It would take Chen Feng half a month to travel from Qingniu Village to reach the destination.

Children from poor families couldn't afford to rent a horse-drawn carriage, so Chen Feng chose to walk.

He spent his days traveling and his nights lodging in dilapidated temples and farmhouses.

After enduring hardships and sleeping in the open for more than half a month, Chen Feng finally arrived at Jiayuan City.

Jiayuan City is the largest city in Nanjun. The preliminary examinations are held in the county, but the provincial examinations are held in Jiayuan City.

Looking at the majestic city gate built of blue bricks, Chen Feng was also extremely excited:
"I must bring my parents to live in the city someday."

For Chen Feng, who had lived in the village for a long time, the prosperity of Jiayuan City was awe-inspiring.

After wandering around the city, Chen Feng took out his remaining money and stayed at an inn.

With only a few days left until the provincial examination, he naturally needed to get plenty of rest.

Over the next few days, besides reading at the inn, Chen Feng also got to know the other students who had come to Jiayuan City.

Scholars of this era would often gather together to exchange ideas, especially during events like the provincial examinations.

Making connections in advance can also help expand your network.

Time passed slowly, and soon it was time for the provincial examination to begin.

Chen Feng and the other students entered the venue for the provincial examination.

The provincial examination lasted for three days, during which time candidates were not allowed to leave the area.

Students need to bring their own food.

Three days later, the provincial examination ended as scheduled, and Chen Feng walked out like the other students.

Some people had happy faces, while others had worried expressions.

"Brother Chen, there's a gathering at Zuixianlou later, would you like to come?"

A man dressed as a scholar extended an invitation to Chen Feng.

Chen Feng smiled and shook his head:

"Thank you for your kind offer, Brother Li, but I'm in a hurry to get home, so I won't go."

Chen Feng actually wanted to join these people, but he was short of money; his parents had given him very little.

"Alright, Brother Chen, if you come to Jiayuan City next time, remember to come and find me."

The scholar surnamed Li did not try to persuade them to stay, but instead continued to invite other people.

Chen Feng did not leave Jiayuan City directly. He used the remaining silver to buy some food and silk in the city.

These are all things he wants to bring to his parents.

After another half-month journey, Chen Feng returned to Qingniu Village that evening.

Mr. and Mrs. Chen were overjoyed to see Chen Feng return, especially Mrs. Chen, who hugged Chen Feng and burst into tears.

This is the first time in so many years that Chen Feng has been so far from home.

Under his parents' questioning, Chen Feng recounted his experiences after leaving home, and then took out the silk and food he had brought back.

Chen's mother scolded Chen Feng for wasting money, but Chen's father was very happy and praised Chen Feng for being filial.

As the peaceful days passed, Chen Feng continued to read every day and occasionally helped his father with farm work.

Although Chen's father objected, Chen Feng still followed along.

He was no longer an innocent child; his parents were getting old, so he naturally had to help them.

Six months passed quickly.

On this day, the sound of gongs and drums could be heard outside the village.

A group of officials from the county arrived at Qingniu Village.

The villagers were naturally alarmed, and one by one they came out of their homes to curiously observe the approaching officials.

After entering the village, the officials asked some questions and then led their men toward the Chen family's house.

At this time, only Chen's mother was at home.

Seeing so many people coming, Chen's mother was also a little nervous.

The leader of the group, a man in official robes, spoke in a loud voice:
"Is this the residence of Chen Feng, Master Chen?"

Chen's mother replied somewhat nervously, "Chen Feng is indeed my son."

The leader immediately smiled and said:

"Congratulations! Mr. Chen Feng has passed the imperial examination and become a scholar. I have come here specifically to deliver the news and a congratulatory invitation."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding villagers were deeply shocked.

"That kid from the Chen family actually passed the high school entrance exam!"

"A scholar has been produced from our Qingniu Village!"

"May our ancestors protect us!"

The villagers were equally excited. If someone in the village passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, it would be of great significance to the people of the village.

Chen's mother was also extremely excited:

"Gentlemen, please come in quickly. My son is still in the field working with his father. I will go and tell him to come back right now."

The officers didn't stand on ceremony and immediately went inside the building.

"We'll go and inform Aunt Chen that you can receive the official at home."

Several village boys ran out immediately.

Seeing this, Chen's mother did not go out, but instead began to boil water and pour tea for the arriving officials.

An hour later, Chen Feng and his father returned home.

Chen's father was overjoyed to learn that Chen Feng had passed the imperial examination.

Becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial examinations) is truly defying fate; even the worst outcome would be becoming a county magistrate.

Chen's father then took out silver to thank the official who came to deliver the good news.

In addition to delivering the news, the official also brought rewards from the imperial court, which would distribute silver rewards after passing the imperial examination.

The next day, Chen's father held a grand banquet to celebrate Chen Feng's success in the imperial examination.

This time, not only villagers came, but also some prominent figures from nearby villages and the county.

It's worth mentioning that the matchmaker who used to come every two days to propose marriage didn't show up.

Chen Feng became a Juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examinations), a status that was not something an ordinary person could attain.

The banquet lasted a full day before it ended.

As midnight approached, the Chen family finished tidying up and gathered in the main house.

Chen's mother is counting the gifts brought to the banquet.

"The wealthy families in the county are really different; they've sent us all sorts of fine silks and satins." Mother Chen was clearly very happy; she had never seen so much silk in her entire life.

Mr. Chen picked up the wine on the table, took a sip, and said with a flushed face:
"That's because they want to curry favor with our Feng'er, otherwise do you think they would send such a gift?"

Chen's father then looked at Chen Feng and said:

"Feng'er, do you plan to continue taking the imperial examinations, or go directly into officialdom?"

There are two paths for those who pass the provincial examination: one is to continue to participate in the metropolitan examination, and the other is to become an official in the local area.

Upon hearing his father's words, Chen Feng immediately replied:
"Father, Mother, let's forget about the provincial examination. I plan to write a letter to the imperial court tomorrow and ask to be appointed as a minor official in our county. You two are getting old and it's time for you to enjoy a better life."

“Alright, with our son’s abilities, even if he doesn’t become the top scholar, he can still rise through the ranks as an official. Let’s do as you say.” Father Chen readily agreed to Chen Feng’s decision.

This is also the first choice for most poor families.

For them, passing the imperial examination at the provincial level was already a stroke of good fortune; they didn't even dare to dream of anything better.

Spring goes and autumn comes, and another five years have passed.

On this day, a wedding procession appeared on the streets of Jiayuan City.

At the very front of the procession was Chen Feng, riding a large red horse.

Pedestrians on both sides of the street were talking about it:
"Whose wedding requires such a grand spectacle?"

"You don't know this person? This is the newly appointed prefect."

"The new prefect? ​​It's him!"

"Let me tell you something you didn't know: this new prefect is marrying the daughter of the Duke of Qin. He has a very promising future ahead of him."

"That's really good luck."

The wedding procession arrived at the Chen residence in the city.

The Chen residence was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and many servants were busy at work.

Chen Feng led his bride into the mansion, where many people were already waiting.

Inside the main hall, Mr. and Mrs. Chen were seated in the main seats.

Compared to a few years ago, the two elderly people have more wrinkles on their faces, but their smiles are still the same as before.

In five years, Chen Feng rose from a county magistrate to the governor of Nanjun.

The reason he was able to be promoted so quickly was twofold: firstly, he was indeed very capable in handling government affairs, and secondly, he became acquainted with the daughter of the Duke of Qin.

With this kind of relationship, it's hard not to get promoted.

After taking office as the prefect, Chen Feng moved to Jiayuan City with his parents, thus escaping their status as farmers.

When the emcee saw Chen Feng bring the bride in, he immediately shouted:
"Worship heaven and earth!"

After paying their respects to Heaven and Earth, the two knelt before Mr. and Mrs. Chen. Servants brought them tea.

The bride, her head covered by a red veil, raised the teacup in her hand and softly said to the two elders:
"Father, Mother, have some tea."

Mr. and Mrs. Chen immediately accepted the tea. Mrs. Chen smiled and said:

"Wan'er, get up quickly. From now on, you two should live a good life together and have a big, healthy son soon."

Qin Wanning blushed immediately upon hearing this.

She was already extremely beautiful, and this red veil gave her an even more unique beauty, but fortunately, it covered her face so that no one else could see it.

After the wedding ceremony, Chen Feng began toasting the guests.

The guests didn't leave until late at night.

Inside the bridal chamber, Chen Feng and Qin Wanning sat facing each other.

Chen Feng removed the red veil, revealing Qin Wanning's stunningly beautiful face.

Upon seeing Chen Feng look over, Qin Wanning lowered her head and softly called out, "Husband."

Time flies, and ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside a residence in the capital city.

Chen Feng stood by the bedside, looking at his father who was lying ill on the bed, his eyes red, and said:

"Father, your illness can definitely be cured."

Beside Chen Feng were Qin Wanning and several children.

Holding Chen Feng's hand, Chen's father said in a hoarse voice:
"Feng'er, don't be sad. Ever since your mother passed away a few years ago, I've become indifferent to life. After I'm gone, you and Wan'er should live a good life together."

"Father, don't give up. I've already gone to the palace to ask the imperial physician for help. He'll definitely be able to cure your illness."

Chen Feng gripped his father's hand tightly.

Father Chen shook his head: "It's no use, Feng'er. The thing I'm most proud of in my life is having you as my son."

After saying this, Mr. Chen closed his eyes, but a smile remained on his face.

"Father!" Chen Feng knelt down immediately.

Qin Wanning and the others behind him also knelt down.

"grandfather!"

That year, Chen's father passed away due to illness, and the entire Chen family wore mourning clothes for three days.

In ten years, Chen Feng rose from prefect to minister.

Chen's mother passed away in the third year after Chen Feng became Minister. During those ten years, Qin Wanning gave birth to a son and a daughter for Chen Feng.

Chen Feng has also transformed from a handsome young man into a calm and resolute middle-aged man.

Time has etched fine lines on his face.

After arranging the funeral for Chen's father, Chen Feng stood alone outside the room, looking up at the sky.

"Husband, it's getting cold, don't stand outside," Qin Wanning said softly to Chen Feng.

Chen Feng held Qin Wanning's hand and said softly:
"Wan'er, I don't know why, but I always feel that everything around me is unreal, especially when Father died."

Qin Wanning asked in confusion:
"Unreal? What's unreal?"

Chen Feng shook his head:

"It's nothing, maybe I'm overthinking it. Let's go back."

Back in his room, Chen Feng got busy. The Minister had a lot to do every day, and once he reached this position, he had to be extra careful.

And so, the days began to pass one by one.

Chen Feng's tenure as Minister lasted only a few years before a change of fortune occurred.

The Duke of Qin, who had been protecting him, was held accountable for his involvement in the struggle for the crown prince, and he was implicated as well.

Fortunately, someone pleaded for him, preventing him from suffering a tragic end.

He was only demoted to prefect and temporarily left the capital.

Six years later, when the new emperor ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty, Chen Feng was summoned back to the capital and reinstated to his original position.

The new emperor advocated reforms, and Chen Feng offered many useful suggestions.

When he was fifty years old, he was promoted to prime minister.

Ten years passed in this way, and at the age of sixty, Chen Feng chose to retire to his hometown.

Despite the emperor's repeated attempts to persuade him to stay, Chen Feng remained unmoved.

He returned to Qingniu Village with Qin Wanning and some servants.

Chen Feng now has three sons and two daughters. His three sons are all officials in the imperial court and cannot leave, and his daughters have long been married.

So only he and Qin Wanning returned to their hometown.

Chen Feng returned to the house where he lived as a child. This house was preserved when he became the prefect.

Looking at everything familiar inside the house, Chen Feng stood there, reminiscing about the past.

Now his hair is gray and his face is covered with wrinkles.

The handsome young man of yesteryear is no more; he is now an elderly man in his seventies.

"Husband, let's go visit our parents' graves," Qin Wanning said from the side, she too was getting old.

But Qin Wanning's gaze towards Chen Feng still held the same tenderness as it had back then.

Chen Feng nodded: "Okay, let's go take a look."

Ten years have passed, and Chen Feng has aged even more. Like other elderly people, he often sits in his courtyard in a daze.

His son and daughter rarely come back to see him because they are busy.

Chen Feng gazed at the falling leaves of the mulberry tree in the distance and said in a hoarse voice:

"It's still not real. Why is it not real?"

Chen Feng muttered to himself, a phrase he had been repeating since he was thirty.

After coughing a few times, Chen Feng went back to his room to sleep.

Qin Wanning passed away two years ago, and now he is all alone.

Lying in bed, Chen Feng inexplicably felt a sense of loneliness.

In this loneliness, he fell into a deep sleep, and never woke up again.
A chill ran through him, and Chen Feng suddenly opened his eyes in the pool!
At this moment, his eyes were filled with the vicissitudes of life and a profound understanding of its meaning.

Although he appeared unchanged at this moment, his aura had changed.

Although I have already awakened from the illusion.

But Chen Feng still hadn't recovered from the shock. In the illusion, he experienced a mortal's life.

Although my life wasn't particularly exciting, it was still quite fulfilling.

Seventy years is but a blink of an eye.

Chen Feng experienced seventy years in the illusion, but he only stayed in the Heavenly Illusion Pool for one day.

These seventy years of experience have greatly elevated Chen Feng's state of mind.

"Not enough," Chen Feng thought, and did not choose to overcome his inner demons with his current state of mind.

A mere mortal life is not enough for him to overcome this inner demon.

Chen Feng closed his eyes again and began to experience a new illusion.

He was no longer worried that the Heavenly Illusion Pool would trap him, because the strength of his primordial spirit within his nascent soul was already equivalent to that of a Nascent Soul cultivator, and he could leave the Heavenly Illusion Pool at any time.

He could sense it from the previous illusion.

He would feel unreal after spending some time in the illusion.

If this continues, he will wake up directly from the illusion.

While Chen Feng was in seclusion experiencing the illusion, Canglan Star was also making a big move.

The Cultivation Alliance began summoning all the array masters within Canglan Star to reinforce the Star-Protecting Array.

At the same time, the first batch of cultivators prepared to be of lower rank than the Void Spirit Clan had already rushed to the Cultivation Alliance.

Throughout Canglan Star, one can see magic ships and cultivators heading towards the Cultivation Alliance.

The ships dispatched by major powers are mostly space carriers purchased from Xingfengmen.

Although none of these motherships were equipped with weapons, many people modified them with attack formations after purchasing them.

In the southern region, streaks of light can be seen from time to time streaking across the sky.

Whenever a streak of light flew over a village of mortals, many mortals would kneel on the ground and kowtow.

Many people also showed fear on their faces.

Mortals had no idea about the invasion of cultivators from beyond the realm; they simply felt that the sudden appearance of so many immortals must mean something bad was about to happen.

Xingfeng Sect also sent people to the Cultivation Alliance.

This time, Xingfeng Sect dispatched one hundred warships, and the person in charge of leading the team was Ge Yunxuan.

On the mothership's deck, Ge Yunxuan stood at the very front, with Zhang Jin and several Golden Core cultivators from the Xingfeng Sect beside him.

"Elder, are we going to the Cultivation Alliance to take orders from them?"

Zhang Jin asked from the side.

Ge Yunxuan said, "Manager Liu means we should obey for now, but if there are any arrangements that are detrimental to us, then there's no need to obey." (End of Chapter)