Longevity from Liao Zhai

Chapter 129 Banquet
Qinghe County, county government office.

Magistrate Lu was sitting on a stool, and next to him was Chen Chao.

Wang Cheng and Captain Leng stood beside County Magistrate Lu.

"Brother Chen, I heard that you encountered the storage jade yesterday. What happened?" County Magistrate Lu asked someone to serve tea while speaking.

Wang Cheng and Leng the Captain also perked up. Storage jade is a top-grade treasure that cultivators can only encounter by chance.

For example, a warrior can usually only carry a few weapons on his body, but with the storage jade, he can carry a lot of weapons.

Especially those who use hidden weapons can hide a lot of hidden weapons in the storage jade.

With storage jade, a person's combat power can be improved to a higher level.

Chen Chao took a sip of tea, not in a hurry, but drank it slowly. After he finished drinking, he recounted what happened yesterday.

Chen Chao only said that he went to Qinglong Mountain with Fan Shiyi yesterday and happened to come across a secret realm for storing spiritual jade, but the spiritual jade was eventually obtained by the hero Bu Tiao.

"The Cloth Strip Hero." Wang Cheng and Captain Leng looked at each other. Of course they knew this character.

On the day when the Demon Lord fought with several masters of the righteous path, the city was crushed by a mountain, but Fan Shiyi held up the mountain. Wang Cheng and Captain Leng were also present at the time.

But when Fan Shiyi was about to give up, both of them escaped.

So they knew the character of the Cloth Hero, but had never seen him.

Knowing that the storage jade was obtained by the hero Bu Tiao, Wang Cheng and Leng the captain felt better. The hero was worthy of the storage jade.

Compared to the cloth-strip hero, County Magistrate Lu was more interested in the poems he wrote.

"When the sun is at its highest point in the sky, I am hoeing the field, and my sweat drips down to the ground. But who knows that every grain of rice on the table is the result of hard work?" County Magistrate Lu recited this several times with a frown.

He felt that this poem was just like a doggerel and there was nothing special about it.

Chen Chao saw what County Magistrate Lu was thinking, and he said, "Brother Fan said that the previous owner of the storage jade was Li Shen of the Great Zhou. This man was quite talented and came from a low-class family, so his poetry style was more pastoral."

County Magistrate Lu said, "Oh!" and suddenly realized. Nowadays, many poems are full of obscene lyrics and songs, but many years ago, pastoral poems were also popular.

It is not difficult to understand why such a straightforward poem could be recognized by the previous host of the Storage Jade.

"It's a pity if it were another poet, the storage jade might have belonged to Brother Chen." County Magistrate Lu complimented.

Although Chen Chao's mouth corners were almost unable to suppress, he still said modestly: "No, no, Brother Fan is there."

County Magistrate Lu suddenly said, "I heard that Miss Mingyue from the Jiaofangsi has improved her cultivation."

Magistrate Lu had long had feelings for Mingyue, but Mingyue had no feelings for him.

Mingyue wanted to marry someone relying on her virginity, but County Magistrate Lu just wanted to have fun.

Magistrate Lu sent someone to the Music Bureau and decided to increase the price to buy Mingyue's virginity, but he didn't expect the person from the Music Bureau to directly offer 10,000 taels.

Ten thousand taels. This price has been seen in Qianzhou City, but it is simply an exorbitant price in Qinghe County.

Magistrate Lu was very angry, but when the Music Bureau told him that Miss Mingyue was already an eighth-rank Confucian scholar, he knew that the price was normal.

An eighth-grade item is worth ten thousand taels!

Chen Chao's face changed slightly. He didn't want to mention this matter, because Mingyue relied on Zhou Ping's poem to get to the ninth rank: "Well, last night Miss Mingyue relied on a poem to get to the ninth rank. In Qinghe County, we are both ninth rank Confucianists."

In the former Qinghe County, Chen Chao had the highest level of Confucian cultivation, which was the ninth rank of Confucianism.

County Magistrate Lu frowned and looked at Chen Chao: "That's not right, I asked someone. Miss Mingyue is already an eighth-rank official!"

Chen Chao's face changed drastically: "How is it possible? She just reached the ninth rank last night, how come she has reached the eighth rank?"

Chen Chao couldn't believe it. How could Mingyue break through the good products in one night?
"It's not impossible. Some people can break through the second or even third rank in one night." County Magistrate Lu said, "I just don't know what poem Miss Mingyue used to break through the second rank."

Chen Chao looked a little unhappy. He didn't expect Mingyue to be already at the eighth rank. The title of the highest Confucian cultivation in Qinghe County was also taken away from him.

However, Chen Chao felt better when he thought that the person with the highest Confucian accomplishment in Qinghe County was a woman.

Chen Chao entered the tenth rank at the age of thirteen, passed the examination for a student at the age of fourteen, and passed the examination for a scholar at the age of sixteen. He was a well-known talent in Qinghe County.

I didn't expect that Mingyue would surpass me now. Mingyue is actually at the eighth level.

"The reason why the bright moon entered the ninth rank was because of a poem." Chen Chao recited the poem written by Zhou Ping.

Wang Cheng and Captain Leng on the side were both slightly stunned.

"I never thought that my brother could write poetry." Wang Cheng said happily. He took the initiative to make friends with Zhou Ping just to borrow Zhou Ping's cultivation to build momentum for himself. Who made Leng the captain already an eighth-rank?

Captain Leng said indifferently, "It's just a random doggerel poem."

Chen Chao also said: "I didn't expect that a doggerel poem would allow Miss Mingyue to enter the ninth rank. I really didn't expect it."

Wang Cheng was silent. He had no knowledge of poetry writing. Since Chen Chao said it was a doggerel, it was possible that what Zhou Ping wrote was really a doggerel.

“As for Miss Mingyue’s advancement to the eighth rank, it may be that Brother Fan had a conversation with her on the way back and helped her reach the eighth rank.” Chen Chao thought that Mingyue was inspired by Fan Shiyi to reach the eighth rank.

Chen Chao's guess was correct. Mingyue did reach the eighth level with the inspiration of Fan Shiyi, but it was still Zhou Ping's poems that inspired Mingyue.

The bright moon rose two levels overnight, all because of Zhou Ping.

"Brother Chen, I invited you here today because of one more thing." County Magistrate Lu rubbed his hands and said a little embarrassedly.

After arriving in Qinghe County, County Magistrate Lu always wanted to make friends with Fan Shiyi, but Fan Shiyi ignored him.

If he were an ordinary person, if County Magistrate Lu wanted to see him, he would have sent people to capture him and brought him back long ago.

But Fan Shiyi is different.

Fan Shiyi not only has a high level of cultivation, but also saved Qinghe County. More importantly, her father is a first-class Confucian who can directly reach the current emperor.

County Magistrate Lu could only invite Fan Shiyi again and again, but Fan Shiyi refused for various reasons.

After hearing what County Magistrate Lu said, Chen Chao suddenly realized what was going on and immediately agreed confidently, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. I'll ask Brother Fan to come, and he'll still honor me."

County Magistrate Lu immediately smiled and said, "That's great."

"Should we still invite Miss Mingyue?" County Magistrate Lu asked after a moment's hesitation. He was afraid that Chen Chao didn't have enough face.

Chen Chao nodded and said with a smile: "In Qinghe County, the woman that Brother Fan likes the most is Miss Mingyue, and the man that Brother Fan likes the most is naturally me. It will be no problem for the two of us to go out."

County Magistrate Lu nodded with satisfaction and quickly called Wang Cheng: "Wang Cheng, hurry up, serve tea to Brother Chen."

Wang Cheng was somewhat reluctant, but since Magistrate Lu had said so, he had no choice but to serve tea to Chen Chao.

You know, Wang Cheng is the chief constable. In the whole Qinghe County, Wang Cheng is the most powerful one besides County Magistrate Lu. Usually, Wang Cheng would not even look at people like Chen Chao.

Chen Chao and County Magistrate Lu chatted for a while and they decided to hold a poetry meeting in the county government office.

So Chen Chao was responsible for inviting Fan Shiyi, and Lu County Magistrate arranged the venue and summoned the scholars from Qinghe County.

"By the way, should we invite Zhou Ping?" County Magistrate Lu suddenly thought that Zhou Ping was also an eighth-rank official and could be considered a figure in Qinghe County.

Wang Cheng said: "Zhou Ping is an eighth-rank Confucian scholar, so it's okay to invite him."

Chen Chao said, "I think we should not invite him. After all, he is just an escort and it would be a disgrace to your reputation."

Captain Leng also said, "Yes, it would be embarrassing for you to hear that a bodyguard has become your honored guest. Besides, our gathering is about making friends through literature, so it would be inappropriate to invite him."

Magistrate Lu nodded hesitantly and said, "Okay, then we won't invite Zhou Ping, but only Master Fan." After the discussion, Magistrate Lu sent people to invite Mingyue and the scholars from Qinghe County, while Chen Chao went to invite Fan Shiyi.

About an hour.

The county government office had all the necessary food and drinks available. Mingyue and several scholars went there.

County Magistrate Lu and Mingyue were naturally the focus of the dinner, but neither of them sat in the main seat. They left the main seat vacant for Fan Shiyi.

Everything is ready, except Fan Shiyi.

County Magistrate Lu was a little confused: "I don't know if Chen Chao can invite Master Fan."

Magistrate Lu was still somewhat skeptical of Chen Chao; he felt that Chen Chao might not be worthy of such great honor.

"Lord Lu, Brother Chen will definitely be able to invite Master Fan."

"Yes, all the scholars in Qinghe County are here, not to mention Miss Mingyue is also here."

"Lord Lu, Miss Mingyue, Brother Chen, and our group, these are all the people that Brother Fan admires the most in Qinghe County. Why wouldn't he come?"

The scholars said one after another.

"Qinghe County, you haven't invited the person that Fan Shiyi likes the most." Mingyue smiled faintly and thought to herself.

Mingyue had more contact with Fan Shiyi. When Fan Shiyi went to the Jiaofangsi, Mingyue would definitely accompany him.

Fan Shiyi would inadvertently reveal his admiration for Zhou Ping. And in Mingyue's opinion, Zhou Ping's poems were also excellent.

"After the empty mountains and new rains, the weather will come to autumn later."

"While the rich wine and meat smell, the road with frozen bone."

Mingyue recited the two poems in a low voice. These two poems allowed his cultivation to advance by two levels, which she had not expected.

This bright moon that was bursting with wealth caught it.

The eighth rank of Confucianism, such cultivation is enough for her to keep a clean identity in the Jiaofang Bureau, long enough for her to wait for a man of her dreams.

"Miss Mingyue, I wonder which poem your eighth rank was inspired by?" asked Magistrate Lu.

Confucians improve their cultivation by borrowing intentions.

So once someone gets into the rank system with a poem, everyone will come to listen to his experience sharing, hoping that they can break into the rank system with the help of a poem.

As soon as Magistrate Lu finished speaking, the scholars immediately became nervous.

"What? Miss Mingyue has reached the eighth rank?"

"Yeah, she said last night that she was a ninth-rank, so how did she become an eighth-rank?"

The scholars looked at the moon in shock. They couldn't believe that the moon had dropped two levels overnight.

This kind of talent is truly terrifying!
Mingyue smiled faintly: "To answer your question, I was lucky enough to break through two levels last night."

Wang Cheng and Captain Leng on the side couldn't help but sigh that Confucian cultivation made rapid progress.

For a warrior, every time he wants to improve his skills, he has to go through a life-and-death crisis before he can gain some enlightenment.

"Last night I borrowed the two lines from the poem "The rich have wine and meat, while the poor are frozen on the roadside" and succeeded in borrowing the meaning." Mingyue said.

"The rich are feasting and drinking, while the poor are freezing to death on the streets?"

Magistrate Lu and the scholars recited a few lines of these two poems.

"Who wrote these two lines of poetry? I've never heard of them before."

"Yeah, yeah, I haven't heard of that either."

"There are thousands of poems, and some are less popular. This poem seems to be a less popular poem."

"It could also be a poem written by Brother Fan. Yes, these two lines of poetry could also be a poem written by Brother Fan."

Magistrate Lu and the scholars first guessed the source of the poem, and then began to understand the artistic conception behind it.

The literal meaning of the poem is very simple: the wine and meat in the rich people's homes have gone bad, but people are freezing to death on the streets.

Both Magistrate Lu and these scholars had decent family conditions, so they could not feel the pain in the poem, and naturally had no way to use it to break through.

"Miss Mingyue, are there any other lines in this poem?" asked a scholar. He felt that he might have barely grasped the deep meaning of these two lines of poetry, but it seemed that two lines were missing.

This scholar's family background is relatively poor among the group of scholars, so he can still understand the cruelty of these two lines of poetry.

"No." Mingyue shook her head, "Zhou Ping only wrote these two lines of poetry."

The scholar shook his head regretfully.

But Mingyue's words surprised everyone.

"Zhou Ping?"

"These two lines of poetry were also written by Zhou Ping."

The scholars felt incredible.

Zhou Ping wrote "The moon shines brightly before my bed" and "After the rain in the empty mountain". The scholars did not expect that "The rich are feasting and drinking, while the poor are freezing to death on the streets" were also written by Zhou Ping.

Zhou Ping is a crude bodyguard!
The scholars were whispering. They were shocked at first, but then they showed disdain.

The scholars all agreed that the words in these poems were simple, and even ordinary people could recognize a few of them, and they had no depth. County Magistrate Lu had similar ideas to these scholars.

The more popular poems nowadays are obscene lyrics and songs, not these pale and dry words.

The more obscure and romantic the poem is, the better.

Soon, everyone tacitly stopped mentioning Zhou Ping.

Not long after, Chen Chao came back, but Fan Shiyi was not there.

"Where is Master Fan?" County Magistrate Lu asked expectantly. He had been the county magistrate of Qinghe County for half a year, but he had never met Fan Shiyi.

It seemed like Fan Shiyi was deliberately avoiding County Magistrate Lu, which made County Magistrate Lu feel very aggrieved, so he organized this dinner.

Chen Chao was a little embarrassed. He said, "Brother Fan wanted to come, but he heard that there was an ancient tomb in the tunnel, so he went to the tunnel to see the tomb."

Chen Chao said half of what he wanted to say and kept the other half to himself. He went to ask Fan Shiyi, but Fan Shiyi refused immediately.

Fan Shiyi's reason was simple. She did not have any official status, so it was inconvenient for her to have dinner with County Magistrate Lu.

It was just that Zhou Ping was about to go out on a mission at that time, and Fan Shiyi wanted to go with Zhou Ping to join in the fun.

Therefore, Fan Shiyi refused first and then went to the tunnel with Zhou Ping to carry out the mission.

But in order to save the face of County Magistrate Lu and his own face, Chen Chao said that Fan Shiyi did not attend the party because he was interested in the ancient tomb of the previous dynasty.

"Brother Fan wanted to come, but she thought there might be something good in the ancient tomb, so she went." Chen Chao explained again. He focused on the fact that Fan Shiyi wanted to see the ancient tomb, not that Fan Shiyi didn't want to come.

At this time, Fan Shiyi and Zhou Ping were walking in the tunnel.

(End of this chapter)