Sword from the Immortal Mountain

Chapter 21: Developed
The journey from Chenze Township to Genshui County is not short, and the mule cart cannot compare to the horse carriage. After more than an hour, we finally saw the tall and pointed city gate tower.

Returning to the county town, Chen Jin was calm.

Of course, this trip is not just to purchase daily necessities and the four treasures of the study, there are other things to do.

According to Chen Liang, there are no other large Chen families in the city, which is intriguing.

Chen Jin believed that Chen Liang was not lying. After all, if such a powerful family really existed, he would be able to find out by just asking around after entering the city. It could not be hidden from anyone.

So, whose family is this Chen Guiyang from?
Coming from somewhere else, passing through Genshui County and committing evil deeds?
Or maybe the name is fake...

Well, it's time to go talk to Jia Dianli.

As the head of the prison, he has been involved in many unjust imprisonments and scapegoats, so he must know a lot of inside information.

The mule cart entered the city smoothly. Chen Min, who was in the cart, couldn't help but stick his head out and look at both sides of the street. Everything seemed new to him.

Chen Abu was in charge of driving the car. He was very purposeful and had to hurry to buy everything Chen Jin needed and then leave the city and return to the village.

Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar and tea, these seven things, except "firewood" and "rice", all the others need to be purchased.

You also need to buy some pots, pans, and other utensils.

Although his uncle often brought him meals, Chen Jin would cook for himself and have daily necessities ready for any eventuality.

Now that you have money, you should be more particular about your living conditions and not put yourself in a difficult position.

Up to now, the money spent is still the money seized from Liu Laoer and others, and not a penny of the silver bills has been touched.

In this era, the purchasing power of silver is still very strong.

Then go buy the four treasures of the study.

Compared to daily necessities, items like pens and ink are really expensive.

When he heard the price, Chen Abu was amazed.

Isn’t it said that “the poor are good at literature and the rich are good at martial arts”?
How is this poor?
If you are really poor, you would probably use tree branches as pens and sand as paper.

But where did Chen Jin get so much money?

Thinking of this, Chen Abu couldn't help but look suspicious, because the money in his nephew's pocket seemed to never run out, which was really strange.

Is it really that profitable to copy for others?

Did he do something bad?
The key point is, what can a weak scholar like Chen Jin accomplish?

The only thing he has is a good-looking appearance.

Thinking back to the last time he came back from the city, he looked pale, thin, and hollowed out...

Chen Abu couldn't help but look strange, and quickly pulled Chen Jin aside and asked in a low voice: "A Jin, tell me honestly, where did you get so much money? Did you sell your body? Although my family is poor, we are also a decent family, and we can't do such a thing."

Chen Jin laughed when he heard this: "Uncle, where did you go? I told you I made new friends and was appreciated by a noble person."

Chen Abu scratched his head and breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Chen Jin went to pick out another bookcase.

This thing is equivalent to a portable book box. You can carry it on your back, open the stand, and it can also hold up a tarpaulin to provide shade and shelter from the rain. It is very useful.

Chen Jin bought it to store study treasures and books. It was a disguise and was mainly used as a sword case.

"Have you bought it? The car is half full."

Chen Abu said.

Chen Jin said, "No hurry, go buy some more clothes."

We came to a large cloth shop.

Looking at the various styles of cloth, the eyes of Chen Li and her daughter suddenly lit up.

Chen Jin smiled and said, "Auntie, Xiao Min, whatever kind of cloth you like, just pick it up and I'll pay for it."

The two were overjoyed when they heard this, but they did not move. Instead, they looked at Chen Abu in unison.

Without waiting for the uncle to refuse, Chen Jin said, "Auntie, you are skillful and can cut clothes. Please help me pick out some good blue cloth. When you go back, help me make two sets of robes."

After hearing what he said, Chen Abu couldn't refuse and said, "Wife, then you can choose. It's New Year's Day anyway, and my daughter needs new clothes." After getting her consent, Chen Li and Chen Min were overjoyed and started to choose the cloth.

Quarter of an hour later, we returned with a full load.

Chen Abu thought that they could now leave the city and go home, but unexpectedly, Chen Jin took them to a restaurant, ordered several dishes, and had lunch.

Although Chen Abu was not used to his nephew's lavish spending behavior, he couldn't say anything.

After eating and drinking, I went outside and was illuminated by the sunlight in the sky. I felt a little dizzy and filled with a strong sense of unreality.

Chen Jin carried his bookcase on his back and held a bamboo stick in his hand. He said, "Uncle, please take Auntie and Xiao Min out of the city and go home. Leave the things with you first. After unloading, just return the mule cart."

Chen Abu was stunned: "What about you?"

Chen Jin laughed and said, "My money is all gone, I have to go make some money... Haha, actually I made an appointment with a friend to attend a literary gathering, where we discuss poetry and couplets."

Hearing the word "literary gathering", Chen Abu was immediately in awe. Although he didn't understand it, he felt it was very grand, with all the people coming and going being scholars and officials. Could it be that his nephew wrote a good poem and was favored by the nobleman?
This is indeed a good thing and a great way to advance yourself.

Then he asked again: "When will you come back?"

"If everything goes well, tomorrow, or at the latest within three days."

"Oh, okay, we'll go first then."

In Chen Abu's simple concept, as a peasant, he has no right to get involved in the affairs of scholars, so as not to embarrass Chen Jin.

"Brother, thank you for taking me into the city today. I had a lot of fun."

Chen Min said happily, tightly holding a candied haws that Chen Jin had just bought for her.

"Just be happy. It's getting late. Let's go back."

"Ah."

Chen Abu didn't say much, drove the mule cart out of the city.

On the way, Chen Li leaned over the shaft and spoke to her husband: "Master, do you think Jin has made a fortune? He spent at least ten strings of cash going to the city today. It's really scary."

Chen Abu said: "Ah Jin said that he was appreciated by a noble man and has no shortage of money."

"Which nobleman?"

"That's not clear. It could be someone from the government office."

"Does he know anyone who works in the government?"

"What's so strange about this? I heard that when he took the exam, the county magistrate was the chief examiner."

"Oh my God, didn't Ah Jin meet and talk with the county lord?"

"Of course... You saw the banquet held at the village head's house last night. They invited the legal advisor and others to come. What a great honor. If Ah Jin passes the examination to become a scholar, or even an imperial examination, he can be on equal footing with the county magistrate. That would be awesome."

Chen Li opened her eyes wide when she heard this, but she felt confused and unable to understand.

No wonder Chen Jin’s behavior is different from before. He feels like a different person. It turns out that his identity is completely different.

Chen Abu, who was driving the coach, sighed secretly: If I had a son, I would definitely let him go to school.

Only by studying can you succeed.

……

Chen Jin walked forward, turning many corners, and finally arrived at the remote little house.

This place is still sealed and looks desolate.

There was no one around, so Chen Jin climbed over the wall, found a clean place in the house, sat down, and closed his eyes to rest.

Time passed quickly and night fell.

There is no moon tonight, the sky is pitch black, and the wind is howling.

Suddenly, there was a creaking sound of a door opening, and someone came into the room.

Isn’t the man with tattered clothes and disheveled hair the old writer?
(End of this chapter)