Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 147 The human heart is sinister
Zhao Yifu was walking back from his trip touring the mountains and rivers when he felt a strange movement of spiritual power on the "Thousand Miles of Smoke and Cloud Painting" in his sleeve.

He took it out unexpectedly and saw that someone had already written three words on it: Is there anyone there?

Zhao Yifu answered with one word: Yes.

It seemed like the other party didn't expect him to answer, and there was no response after waiting for a while.

He didn't think much about it for the time being, but just walked slowly along the mountain water vein with his green bamboo stick in his hand.

This is not really about sightseeing, but about exploring the water veins in the mountains.

Most of the irrigation water in the southern part of Fenglin County comes from this Prisoner Mountain, so if there is a problem with the water here, the land in the southern part of Fenglin County will naturally be affected.

He had seen before that the water was full of poisonous miasma and was very turbid. He wanted to find the source and solve it before leaving the mountain.

At this moment, he felt the spiritual power of the scroll inside his sleeve changing.

He simply found a big rock on the riverbank and sat down, saying to Wu Zhong, "Uncle Wu, let's rest here today."

Wu Zhong laughed heartily and said, "Okay, I'll set up camp."

As soon as he finished speaking, he chopped down a big tree with a single blow of his hand...

Wu Zhong had obtained part of the cultivation of Zhao Yifu and Monk Wumei, and it was Zhao Yifu's cultivation that helped him digest Wumei's cultivation into his own, which meant that he could increase his strength even while lying down.

Zhao Yifu sat cross-legged and unfolded the scroll, only to see three more words appear on it: [Who are you?]

He replied without thinking: [Who are you? ]

The other party probably didn't expect him to have such an 'impolite' response, and was stunned again.

Zhao Yifu waited patiently with a smile on his face, because he knew that the other party would be the first to lose control.

Sure enough, a moment later, another response came: [I am a wealthy businessman in Beijing. It's your turn.]

Zhao Yifu answered without hesitation: "I am a small Taoist in the mountains."

The other party responded: [I don’t believe it.]

Zhao Yifu smiled, then waved his hand to crush a piece of ink, and then splashed the ink to make a painting, directly splashing the ink onto the "Thousand Miles of Smoke and Clouds Painting".

He painted whatever he saw in front of him.

In the distance are misty mountains, covered by layers of dense forests, while nearby is a winding stream, and several cats are "on camera" fishing and playing on the river bank.

This is a very interesting picture.

This picture fell directly on the scroll, and I don’t know if it can be synchronized?
……

Ying Cong felt so nauseous that he almost dropped the scroll.

Originally, he just happened to think of this while reviewing memorials and decided to give it a try, just for fun.

Unexpectedly, the opponent used a big move on him.

Generating a painting in an instant was an ability he had never imagined.

He suddenly remembered some of the stories he had read about Jin Hui, the last prime minister of Northern Xu... There seemed to be some vague text saying that he could paint in an instant?
He thought of something and asked excitedly: [What is your relationship with Jin Hui?]

The other side responded quickly: [Who is Jin Hui? ]

[But it sounds familiar...]

Ying Cong saw this and didn't think much about it. He immediately wrote: [Jin Hui, courtesy name Yuanxiu, was the last prime minister before the Great Xu Dynasty moved south. He was known as a treacherous prime minister.]

The other side immediately responded: "Oh, so it's Grandmaster Yuanxiu. I know him, but I've never met him. After all, I'm just a young Taoist who has just started practicing."

"That's quite a coincidence! I didn't expect to include this great-grandmaster in my painting. You must have noticed that, which is why you asked this."

Ying Cong originally wanted to ask something else, but at this moment, he was distracted by a sense of art. He asked: "Oh? Why do you say that?"

"Look, rich man, my great-uncle's name, 'Hui,' means a winding stream, and his character 'Yuanxiu,' means distant mountains. Together, don't they form the background of my painting?"

Ying Cong suddenly realized that the name of the last prime minister of Northern Xu actually formed a landscape painting.

With such a poetic name, he really doesn't seem like the treacherous person rumored by the outside world...

He asked: [What do you think of this treacherous prime minister... Sorry, your great-grandmaster?]

The other side replied without hesitation: [That person is a fool who easily interferes in an area he is not familiar with.]

Ying Cong was surprised and said, "How dare you be so disrespectful to the ancient sages?"

The other side asked back: [Aren’t we talking about a treacherous prime minister? ]

Ying Cong suddenly felt that it made a lot of sense and was speechless.

He decided to change the subject and asked, "What about you? If you were in your great-grandmaster's position, what would you do?"

[If it were me, I would have mixed some aphrodisiac with that disciple of the emperor, so that he could have more princes sooner rather than later. Then I would have raised them well and helped that unfortunate disciple, who had no talent for becoming an emperor, escape his misery sooner rather than later.]

Ying Cong thought about it and suddenly felt that from the perspective of future generations, doing so might be the right choice.

Instead of tearing the country apart, it would be better to cultivate the next generation...

Even as an emperor, he felt very uncomfortable when he heard the "little Taoist priest" say this.

He decided not to talk about these things anymore and asked, "Little Taoist, where are you painting?"

Young Taoist: [Prisoner Mountain, southwest of Daxu.]

Ying Cong praised: [It is a beautiful place.]

Young Taoist Priest: [It's not good at all. There's miasma everywhere, and the water isn't clean. It's even causing problems with the irrigation water supply in Fenglin County.]

Ying Cong said: [I didn't expect you to be so compassionate.]

Young Taoist Priest: [Of course not. After all, this is related to my performance evaluation in two years. If the grain production is low, won't there be no hope of promotion?]

???

A row of question marks suddenly appeared on Ying Cong's forehead.

He felt very surprised. He originally wanted to chat with the young Taoist priest about the customs of the outside world, but why did he suddenly return to the topic of officialdom?

He asked: [Are you still an official?]

Young Taoist Priest: [Can't I be an official? I practice both Confucianism and Taoism.]

Ying Cong was a little dazed.

He had heard the term "dual cultivation of Confucianism and Taoism" many times, because many ministers in the court called themselves that.

But it was the first time that he had such a concrete understanding of the "dual cultivation of Confucianism and Taoism".

As they chatted, he found that he had developed a sense of intimacy with the young Taoist priest sitting opposite him.

Because the young Taoist priest was very sincere and gave very sincere answers to whatever he asked.

He couldn't help but say to his left and right: "Bring me a map!"

The eunuchs who served him were a little confused, because when did the emperor call himself "I" in front of them?

Ying Cong also realized the problem and immediately changed his words: "Do you want me to say it again?"

The eunuch nodded and bowed hurriedly and gave the order.

A moment later, the map was brought, and Emperor Xu spread it out and began to search carefully.

Prison Mountain is not difficult to find. After all, Zhao Yifu has already told us the location, and it is considered a big mountain on the southwestern border of Daxu.

"It's this, it's Fenglin County!"

"Wait, it seems like there was a special imperial examination candidate who was sent to Fenglin County..."

The old eunuch serving nearby immediately reminded him, "Your Majesty, that man's name is Zhao Yifu, courtesy name Junxin. I remember he was a successful candidate in the imperial examination in Mozhou. He was initially appointed as a county magistrate, and several months ago he submitted the Yellow Book of Fish Scales to the Ministry of Revenue. As a result, Your Majesty made an exception and promoted him to the position of Fenglin County Magistrate."

Ying Cong slapped his head and said, "Yes, that's the case."

"Zhongnu, you still have a good memory."

This eunuch is none other than Hong Zhongnu, the senior eunuch who has served Ying Cong for many years... How should I put it, a person who can serve the emperor and still enjoy his unfailing favor must have extraordinary qualities.

Ying Cong said, "By the way, where is the Yellow Book of Fish Scales that Zhao Junxin sent me? Where did I put it?"

Eunuch Hong said, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Revenue, Lu Zhan, raised this matter at the time, but because the Fish Scale Atlas contained too much information, he only presented the Yellow Book."

"After the emperor reviewed the Yellow Book, he was greatly pleased and returned it to Minister Lu to be filed with the Ministry of Revenue."

Ying Cong said, "Immediately have Lu Zhan bring over all the yellow books of fish scales that County Magistrate Zhao made. I want to take a good look at them this time."

It turned out that he had just glanced at the Yellow Book in a hurry. After all, he was the emperor, and he was busy with all kinds of affairs. How could he have the time to carefully read this boring thing?

Zhao Yifu was the first one to do the job so well, and he was just happy about it.

Eunuch Hong immediately took the order and left.

Ying Cong couldn't help but send another message to Zhao Yifu: [I just looked through the official documents in the palace newspaper. Your name is Zhao Yifu?]

Zhao Yifu replied: [Yes, so you are the emperor?]

Ying Cong: ...

He was really getting a little nervous and didn't pay much attention to Zhao Yifu's disrespect. Instead, he asked, "How did you find out that I'm the Emperor of Daxu?"

Zhao Yifu: [Because this "Thousand Miles of Smoke and Clouds" painting only has two volumes. I just looted this volume after defeating an evil demon, and the other volume was either lost in the war in the north or is still in the collection of the Great Xu court.]

[Since you can immediately find my secular name, then you must be from the Great Xu Palace.]

[Right, a rich man?] Ying Cong was rather surprised by this and asked, "Now that you know I'm the emperor, aren't you afraid? You actually call me a 'rich man.'"

Zhao Yifu: [Really? I thought this was the pen name you gave yourself... If you don't like it, I'll just call you Your Majesty.]

Ying Cong couldn't see a trace of awe in Zhao Yifu's response, and he couldn't help but ask: "Aren't you afraid of my punishment?"

Zhao Yifu replied: [Not afraid.]

Ying Cong: [……]

He didn't even know what to say.

I really met someone who was not afraid.

In fact, not to mention that Zhao Yifu was a cultivator, even if he was a scholar in the Great Xu Dynasty, after he gained fame and entered the scholar-official class, he could just ignore the emperor.

Because the Great Xu Dynasty was a system in which the royal family and the literati shared the world, it was true that "literati were not subject to punishment."

Zhao Yifu then explained, "After all, my primary duty is cultivation. Serving as an official in the court is simply for the sake of worldly experience. The most you can do is exile me..."

[I can go deep into the barren land and maybe even find some rare treasures.]

If you allow me to resign and return home, then it would be a good opportunity for me to return to the mountains and cultivate myself with my master.

[If you put me in jail...well, I'll run away.]

For some reason, the last sentence "I'll run away" made Ying Cong laugh.

"Hahaha……"

He started to laugh alone.

This made Eunuch Hong next to him feel confused, but he didn't dare to go over to see what the official was doing.

Ying Cong was rarely happy, and then said: [Then I let you lead the troops stationed at the border and fight the enemy? ]

Zhao Yifu: ...

Good man, how can this be possible?!
He responded seriously: "Although I have studied some military books, I am not proficient in military strategy. I am afraid that if this happens, it will cause the soldiers of our Great Xu to die in vain on the battlefield."

"This kid is quite self-aware."

Ying Cong felt excited. He just wanted to make things difficult for this brat who dared not to give him face on this issue... It felt like a naughty child who was addicted to keyboard politics.

He said: "What if I insist on doing this?"

Zhao Yifu was completely stunned. In his previous life, he had indeed met the kind of idiotic netizen who would say things like "If I were the emperor, I would make you do this and that." But he never expected that he would actually meet such an "online user" who was an emperor now. This was really annoying.

He paused for a long moment, calmed down, and then reluctantly replied, "Then I can only close the city gates first, and then study military books diligently to learn how to march and deploy troops."

Ying Cong asked: [And then?]

Zhao Yifu: [Then it depends on the results of my study. Anyway, let's make sure the city gates are not lost first.]

When Ying Cong saw this, he suddenly felt a little guilty. He thought that Zhao Yifu practiced Taoism and Confucianism and was the first to respond to his spirit and redraw the Fish Scale Yellow Book under his jurisdiction. It didn't seem right for him to be so difficult for him.
He said: "Don't worry, I was just joking. I won't really send you to the border."

Unexpectedly, although he thought so, Zhao Yifu did not think so.

Zhao Yifu said: [No, if the border is truly in danger, please let me go.]

Ying Cong: "Why is that?"

Zhao Yifu: [I'm reminded by you that I'm not entirely confident in letting anyone other than Master Zhou be stationed at the border.]

[After all, Daxu is my home. If my home is in trouble, I will not have the heart to practice Taoism.]

[If you choose me, at least I will help you keep the city gate safe.]

Ying Cong was stunned, because he carefully pondered the meaning of Zhao Yifu's words and tasted the implication of being willing to "sacrifice himself for the country".

Thinking of this, he was truly moved.

[Okay, okay, I'm glad you have this intention.]

Zhao Yifu: [By the way, you are the emperor, don’t you have to review memorials?]

Ying Cong: [I’m reviewing.]

Zhao Yifu: [Then be serious. I have to start working now.]

Ying Cong: ...

He was speechless again. No one had ever urged him to review memorials since he became emperor.

He was a little angry and decided to ignore the guy.

but……

People who have just come into contact with "chat tools" are addicted, especially those who are "online users who can send high-definition pictures."

As a result, Ying Cong started to become distracted after reviewing only two memorials.

He picked up the "Thousand Miles of Smoke and Clouds" painting several times and put it down again, but he still couldn't help wanting to "chat with netizens."

As they were tugging at each other, Hong Zhongnu whispered beside them, "Your Majesty, Minister Lu is already waiting outside with his things."

Ying Cong was startled awake upon hearing this, and then casually threw down the memorial in his hand and said, "Announce it!"

Now I feel very energetic.

Lu Zhan walked in with some confusion. He had no idea why the emperor suddenly asked him for Zhao Yifu's "homework".

But there was no other way. The emperor had given the order, so he had to take it.

Originally, he only took the Yellow Book and hid the Fish Scale Atlas because he had his own little thoughts. After all, the Fish Scale Atlas was a little too exquisite. What if the emperor saw it and asked all officials in the world to do the same?
There was no way to hide it now. The emperor had already specifically asked for the fish scale atlas, so he had no choice but to take it.

"Lord Lu, what do you think of Zhao Junxin?"

Ying Cong asked as he flipped through the book.

Lu Zhan was extremely surprised. He didn't expect that the emperor would directly ask Zhao Yifu?
He thought for a moment, then said, "I don't know who he is, but judging by his actions, he must be a flatterer."

He decided to give his nephew some good advice. At worst, he could just give his nephew some good things when he was exiled!

Lu Zhan thought very 'open-mindedly'.

"boom!"

Suddenly, Ying Cong slammed the dragon table.

Lu Zhan curled his lips calmly, then acted terrified and asked, "Your Majesty, why is this happening?"

Ying Cong said excitedly, "Great, great! I thought his Yellow Book was good enough, but I didn't expect the Fish Scale Atlas to be so exquisite!"

Lu Zhan rolled his eyes inwardly and said quickly, "This is the man's sinister intention. He acts like this to curry favor. If he makes others tired..."

Ying Cong waved his hand and said, "I understand what you said. After all, Zhao Junxin is different."

Lu Zhan had a thousand words to say, but in the end he was choking back and couldn't utter a single word.

No, when did the emperor come into contact with that nephew of the King of Juan?

And with these ambiguous words, it feels like something big has happened between them.

Lu Zhan was still pondering it carefully, but Ying Cong had already waved him away: "Alright, leave the things here. I want to study them carefully..."

"This fish scale atlas is beautifully drawn. It depicts the entire Fenglin County so clearly, as if my people are right before my eyes."

"It's a pity that there's only one place in Fenglin County..."

Lu Zhan's scalp went numb after hearing this. He had hoped that he could be promoted to the Minister of Revenue as soon as possible. If he retired now, wouldn't he leave a bad impression in the emperor's mind that he was jealous of talented people?
He gritted his teeth and could only vent his anger, "Your Majesty, I understand the benefits of doing this, but a hasty, complete overhaul would be costly and potentially disastrous, so I've already chosen a few locations for pilot programs."

"It's just that I didn't tell Your Majesty because I was worried something might go wrong before the matter was completed. I will only announce the good news to Your Majesty after it is completed."

Ying Cong looked up in surprise after hearing this. He was quite interested in this.

Said: "Very good, I will wait and see."

Only then did Lu Zhan say goodbye in confusion.

He felt so sad when he left. He always felt that if his nephew Juan Wang was allowed to enter the court, he might be the one to be exiled thousands of miles away.

No, he absolutely couldn't let anyone know that he had once backstabbed Zhao Yifu in front of the emperor...

Although they are from the same school, it is normal for them to stab each other in the back in the court. Anyway, this kind of "stabbing" will not kill anyone, so just treat it as going out for a trip.

He didn't know that while he was still thinking about how to hide it, Ying Cong couldn't help but take out "A Thousand Miles of Smoke and Cloud Painting" and wrote a sentence: "Little Taoist, I just read your Fish Scale Yellow Book. It is so exquisite."

[But do you know what my Minister of Revenue said about you?]

[Saying that you're a flatterer... Hahaha, that's really funny.]

……

"Click~"

Zhao Yifu crushed a pebble on the ground and even rubbed it into crumbs.

Wu Zhong asked in confusion, "Master, could this stone be some kind of evil spirit?"

Wu Zhong, who had just come into contact with the world of cultivation, now saw everything as if it were a spirit.

Zhao Yifu forced a smile and said, "No, it's not true. I just think the roundness of this stone is a bit annoying."

People's hearts are evil!
This was the first time he understood what it meant to be a sinister human heart. And that guy was actually his elder? How infuriating!
(End of this chapter)