Sword from the Immortal Mountain

Chapter 86: So Horrible (86k votes required)

The ancestral gods worshipped in the Chenze Township ancestral hall are nominally called "gods", but in fact they are just respectful titles and are far from being real gods.

Due to the lack of foundation and the fact that the village has never produced any outstanding figures, the village can only rely on the incense and prayers of the villagers on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month.

Over time, it is not easy to nurture a thin layer of divine light.

But now, one eulogy from Chen Jin is enough to equal ten years of nurturing effort. How can these "ancestor gods" not cheer and be encouraged?
This effect is certainly not because Chen Jin passed the examination and became a scholar.

With the title of scholar, his incense and vows are certainly more concentrated than those of ordinary villagers, but it is impossible for him to write a sacrificial text to the point of shocking ghosts and gods.

It is mainly between the lines that Chen Jin attached his legal thoughts and will.

The official explanation of the ritual is: command the gods.

From then on, Chenze Township had the Old Wolf Mountain God in the back mountain and the ancestor gods in the village. Even though other community gods and river gods had long been ruined, they were not afraid of those lonely ghosts, mountain monsters and evil spirits causing trouble.

At this time, the bystanders did not know what was going on, but they saw the cold wind blowing in the ancestral hall, and the incense and paper money flying like butterflies, which was very magical. They believed that the ancestor had appeared, and they knelt down and kowtowed, showing great piety.

In fact, this is indeed the "appearance of ancestors."

After the ceremony, Chen Jin walked out and saw two groups of people standing in the yard outside the ancestral hall.

A group of police officers and constables surrounded the county magistrate Song Wencheng, who was wearing an official robe and a black hat.
The other group all wore Taoist robes, led by Taoist Yun Cheng, and of course, the two girls Yun Ning and Yun Min were also there.

The two groups came here at the same time and kept quiet, as if they were here to watch a ceremony.

They were not invited in advance, which meant they came uninvited.

In fact, opening the door to worship ancestors and inviting the ancestral tablets of the father generation to enter the ancestral hall is a major etiquette event. The ceremony should be solemn and grand, and the bigger the scene, the better.

Chen Jin, on the other hand, neither performed a ritual nor invited outsiders to watch the ceremony. He just wrote an obituary and was done with it.

No matter how you look at it, the scene seems a bit shabby.

The township head Chen Jiande and the village elders were quite dissatisfied with this. They also found Chen Abu and put forward their opinions, hoping that Chen Abu could persuade Chen Jin in his capacity as an uncle.

However, Chen Abu had already advised him privately, but it was useless.

Before he passed the imperial examination, Chen Jin was a man who could make decisions; after he passed the imperial examination, it goes without saying that Chen Abu had no say in front of him.

It's not that Chen Jin didn't let him speak, but the honest Chen Abu thought that he shouldn't point fingers at his nephew and say so much.

After all, every decision Chen Jin made in the past six months was correct.

Well this time, it will be no exception.

In this case, everyone was at a loss and had to let Chen Jin do it.

Unexpectedly, the Taoist priest from Yunshan Temple and the county magistrate actually came here on their own initiative.

Without thinking, Chen Jiande quickly ordered the villagers to line up and salute the two groups in a chaotic manner.

There was no rehearsal and the names were all messed up.

Moreover, the two groups stood on each side, with clear camps. For a moment, Chen Jiande was confused and didn't know which group he should salute first.

In the rules of etiquette, the order of precedence is very important and if you get it wrong, you can easily offend people.

But if you react slowly or neglectfully, you will offend both sides.

Chen Jiande quickly made a decision and took his son Chen Liang to visit Song Wencheng first.

This is the real parent official. Taxes and corvee labor are of great importance and cannot be allowed to make any mistakes.

Song Wencheng held out his hand to support him, with a smile on his face: "Old village chief, there is no need to be polite. I came to the village today to inspect the area under my jurisdiction. I heard that there was a new scholar in the village offering sacrifices to his ancestors, so I came to watch."

Chen Jiande was flattered by his politeness.

This was not the first time the two met, they had dealt with each other before. However, the county magistrate at that time looked polite, but in fact he was arrogant and seemed like he might turn hostile at any time.

When getting along with him, I always worry about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing.

Although the saying goes "the king's law does not extend to the countryside", that is only the case when there is no official trouble. If the matter really reaches the government office, the county magistrate who exterminates the whole family is just saying it for fun.
Now, Lord Song gives people the feeling of being bathed in a spring breeze.

It's really rare.

Chen Jiande was self-aware and understood that the change in the adults' attitude had nothing to do with his family, but was directed at Chen Jin.

The so-called "inspection of the jurisdiction" is an excuse as soon as you hear it.

Thinking about it this way, Chen Jin's connections and reputation are simply extraordinary.

There was a rumor in the village before that Chen Jin had made the acquaintance of a nobleman in the city and received a lot of rewards, so he had money to eat meat and renovate his house.

At that time, I thought that the so-called noble person was probably a wealthy family in the county.

Now it seems, those wealthy families in the county are nothing.
The noble person who has the connections that can make the county magistrate come over and show his goodwill is most likely from the provincial capital or even the state capital.

It's so terrifying that I can't understand it.

Fortunately, his son Chen Liang was on good terms with him. Maybe he was able to pass the imperial examination this time because of Chen Jin's help...

After meeting the adult, Chen Jiande hurried to Yunshan Temple to salute.

The Taoists also returned the gifts politely.

The old village chief had an illusion that "the world has changed" and did not dare to disturb them. He immediately took his people downstairs and started preparing for the banquet.

Taoist Yun Cheng saw that Chen Jin was free, so he stepped forward and said with a sigh, "Mr. Chen's offering to the gods is truly a magical act. Our visit today has broadened our horizons and is well worth it."

He sighed in his heart, no wonder Chen Jin didn't ask them to perform the ritual, it was totally unnecessary.

No matter how rich and splendid the rituals, the altar and the chanting of incantations are, they are just formalities.

The core is a competition of law, thought and will.

How can this compare?
Chen Jin smiled and said, "Why are you here?"

Taoist Yun Cheng replied respectfully: "Master said that although the young master did not invite us, we should come as representatives."

Chen Jin nodded: "That's thoughtful."

Song Wencheng and others were watching closely and saw that it was not Chen Jin who walked towards Yunshan Temple. On the contrary, it was Yun Cheng and others who came to meet him.

What this means is self-evident.

It is by no means a question of closeness between the two, but can be seen as a relationship of primary and secondary.

So, who exactly is Chen Jin?

Before this, County Magistrate Song had actually met Chen Jin, but he did not leave any impression on him.

Song Wencheng was the chief examiner of the first stage of the boy's exam, the county exam. He reviewed Chen Jin's essay and thought it was just OK, just above the passing line, so he passed him at that time.

Later, Chen Jin was selected by Zhou Xuezheng as the top candidate for the academy examination. Song Wencheng even went to the document warehouse to find the essay Chen Jin wrote during the county examination and read it carefully again word by word.

I still feel that it is just a mediocre and passable work, with nothing outstanding about it.

As for Chen Jin, he had a clean background, came from a poor family, and looked weak and frail...

Compared to now, it's like he's a different person.

But the facial features and appearance are exactly the same.

County Magistrate Song was very puzzled and intuitively felt that something incredible must have happened to the other party to cause such a complete transformation.

I came here today under the pretext of "inspecting the countryside" with the intention of finding out what's going on.

When I saw the person, I became even more confused.

Zhu, the lawyer beside him, said with some dissatisfaction: "This boy didn't even know how to come over and greet you when he saw you coming. He is really arrogant and aloof. We shouldn't have given him a gift last time. It was supposed to express the meaning of 'respecting the wise and humble', but he actually put it up." County Magistrate Song glanced at him and said: "Master Zhu, do you think he is arrogant and aloof?"

Master Zhu said hurriedly: "Maybe I am shortsighted."

Song Wencheng then asked Captain Ma on the other side: "Ma Ben, what do you think?"

Ma Ben's eyes were sharp. He hesitated for a moment and replied, "Your Excellency, I cannot see through him and cannot tell you."

Master Zhu snorted, "Captain Ma, you are an iron-clad detective in the government office. You have handled countless cases and seen countless people. Is there anyone you can't see through? Explain it to the adults."

Ma Ben thought for a moment before saying, "I see this boy walking calmly and with a calm demeanor, showing great confidence. So he is not arrogant or aloof, but he has a natural sense of looking down from a high position, or even indifference."

"Indifferent?"

Master Zhu was stunned: "Where are you talking about?"

Ma Ben said slowly, "He is indeed indifferent. I just noticed one thing: whether he is looking at the villagers, the Taoist priests, or the people in the government, his eyes are always the same, without any emotion, so indifferent... a little scary."

At this point, he paused and said, "With his current status, it is impossible for him to behave like this. As the saying goes: When something is abnormal, there must be something wrong. But I can't see any other flaws, so I dare not jump to conclusions, so I can't see through it."

"Indifferent."

Song Wencheng narrowed his eyes: "This word is very appropriate. The sage said: treat everyone equally. However, if you can really do this, wouldn't it be 'indifferent'?"

Ma Ben's eyes flashed.

In fact, he had some bolder guesses that he hadn't said yet, which were related to last year's death row case and the destruction of the Ghost Spirit Cult branch a while ago...

However, we cannot just talk about things that have no basis in fact.

Even if it is true, the matter has passed. There is no need to reopen the old case and get yourself into trouble.

My master is already in trouble and may be transferred soon.

At this critical juncture, why bother checking?

Not to mention those jailers, prison bosses, evildoers and sorcerers, all of whom deserve to be put to death.

In addition, ever since the Evil Tiger Valley was burned down by a fire and Zhan Chun and others were killed, the public security in the entire Genshui County has improved a lot. Those wealthy families have kept their tails between their legs, even the Zhao family...

Oh yes.

The master of the Zhao family has moved his family to the capital.

Although there had been rumors before that Concubine Zhao was favored and her family was rising to prominence, she wanted to move to the capital to live and work in peace.

But this sudden departure was probably influenced by other factors.

Some said that it was because the young master of the Zhao family once worshipped Taoist Yun Cheng as his master, and later became friends with the Ghost Spirit Sect, and took the initiative to break away from the relationship of registered disciple.

Unexpectedly, the situation changed overnight. The Zhao family was caught in a dilemma and felt it was difficult to stay in Genshui County, so they decided to move to the capital.

As for the real inside story, we have to ask the parties involved.

But now that everyone has left, who would care about those trivial matters?

Perhaps Yunshan Temple will feel proud.

At this time, Chen Jin and Taoist Yun Cheng were still talking over there. County Magistrate Song decided not to wait any longer and took the initiative to walk over and join in. There was no need to feel embarrassed. In a general sense, it was called "respecting the wise and humble, and being approachable."

Besides, there is a Taoist priest present.

The identity of the abbot of Yunshan Temple is not necessarily worse than that of a county magistrate.

Song Wencheng and Taoist Yuncheng are old friends who are very familiar with each other.

"Sir Song, you came here today because you have something to talk to me about, right?"

Chen Jin was too lazy to exchange pleasantries and asked directly.

Even if Song Wencheng did not participate in the scapegoat incident in the death row, as the chief officer, he could not escape responsibility.

Therefore, the viewing experience is not good.

Hearing that he did not call himself a "student", County Magistrate Song felt a little unhappy, but he suppressed it and said with a smile: "Indeed, there is something wrong."

When Taoist Yun Cheng heard this, he immediately took his leave and left, letting the two of them talk.

"What's the matter?"

Chen Jin's tone was stiff.

County Magistrate Song felt even more unhappy and thought to himself, "Are you the official or am I the official?"

It's just a scoundrel...

That's not right. Chen Jin passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, no longer a commoner. He was exempt from corvée service and did not have to kneel when meeting officials.

But the problem is, even if you are a scholar, you shouldn't use this tone to talk to a county magistrate.

Song Wencheng finally endured it: "Some time ago, before the academician left, he asked me to have a talk. It was about you."

Seeing Chen Jin's calm demeanor, as if even the academician Zhou didn't care much, Song Wencheng had no choice but to continue: "The academician commented that you have quick thinking and great talent, and you are a rare talent."

Zhou Xuezheng was a double-examination Jinshi and a Hanlin graduate. Before he became the Xuezheng, he was the Minister of Rites, a true second-rank official.

Even though he was not Magistrate Song's direct superior, his official rank was there, so Song Wencheng had to carefully consider every word he said.

Such a person, who went out of his way to speak well of a new scholar, would never believe, even if Song Wencheng was beaten to death, that it was only because Zhou Xuezheng appreciated Chen Jin's articles and poems.

As for the real underlying reasons, outsiders have no way of knowing, and they dare not investigate or inquire about them for fear of getting into trouble.

It is precisely because of this ambiguous situation that County Magistrate Song is unsure of the identity of his relationship with Chen Jin.

They are neither teacher and student, nor superior and subordinate, nor official and civilian, elders and friends, etc.

I think too much and don’t know what it means.

After all, I don’t even know the other party’s true identity.

Song Wencheng felt very uncomfortable, as if there were ants crawling on his body. He just wanted to finish his talk quickly and leave. "The academician has spoken, and I agree, so I decided to recommend you. You don't need to go to school to take the annual examination. You can directly apply for the provincial examination in August this year. Well, are you willing?"

Chen Jin bowed and said, "Thank you very much, my Lords."

County Magistrate Song breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "You're welcome. It is my duty to recommend talents for the country. I have no choice but to do so... By the way, you have passed the imperial examination and are about to reach adulthood. Can you give me a courtesy name?"

In social occasions among scholars, it is not convenient to address people by their names. Instead, they often address them by their courtesy names to show respect and closeness.

So he asked Chen Jin if he had chosen a name. If not, maybe he could help him choose one, which would greatly bring them closer.

Chen Jin replied: "Yes."

"Oh, what word?"

County Magistrate Song was a little disappointed.

“There are birds.”

"what?"

Even though he had great skills in cultivating qi, County Magistrate Song could not help but feel surprised and even suspected that he was hallucinating and had heard it wrong.

Are there birds?

Which bird?
Among the homophonic characters, it seems that there is no one suitable to be used as a courtesy name.

But he quickly reacted, wiped off his surprised expression, and praised seriously: "Chen Jin, the calligraphy is 'You Niao', good calligraphy!"

(End of this chapter)