Awaken Chapter 89

The Year of Wuchang.

May 2nd.

The autumn breeze is cool.

Outside Ping’an County, a figure slowly appears.

It was the figure of Chen Xinghe.

He had thought about many things at home in the past few days, and planned to go out for a long trip to spread his mind and study hard at the same time, as he was already close to entering the rank, just a little short of it.

Today he came to Ping’an County to say goodbye to his master, and also to say goodbye to him, after all, if he was going on a long trip, he must tell him so that he would not be unable to find his own people.

The county is still bustling with activity, especially with the arrival of Xu Qingnian a few days ago, it is even more glorious, not to mention the eight villages in the ten miles, several surrounding provinces have come, many scholars come here to travel far, the purpose is to get some talent.

The place where Xu Qingnian lived was also turned into his former residence, and the whole Ping’an County was close to changing its name to Qingnian County, or Wangu County.

In fact, County Magistrate Li had thought of this before, but later felt that it was still inappropriate and thought that it would not be too late to change it after Xu Qingnian had gone to the court and really stabilised.

Outside the county.

Chen Xinghe’s pace was light, his face still clear and proud, and he had been thinking about one thing over and over again these days.

That is why he is not like Xu Qingnian?

Chen Xinghe concluded that there were three points….

So he is not like Xu Qingnian. The good thing is that Xu Qingnian is his own senior brother, so Chen Xinghe does not have a hard time, on the contrary, Chen Xinghe thinks even more that Xu Qingnian is sent by God to inspire himself.

He had always been too arrogant and held himself to be too talented, so he really needed someone to suppress him.

Otherwise, it would be too easy to become a saint a little too smoothly.

It was precisely for this reason that Chen Xinghe’s mind was put at ease.

It’s still early, he is still young, now it’s his own brother who is in the limelight, maybe in a few days it will be himself in the limelight.

Life is always up and down.

The first thing you need to do is to get back on your feet and go towards Ping An County.

Only when he was approaching **Peace County, Chen Xinghe paused slightly.

“Will they recognize me by mistake?”

“No, in case they recognise me, won’t it cause a riot?”

“No, no, I’d better keep a low profile.”

Chen Xinghe suddenly thought of one thing, although he was much inferior to Xu Qingnian, but at least he had won this government examination, if not for Xu Qingnian’s presence, if he had come over some years ago, the magistrate would have had to come to greet him personally.

So he had to keep a low profile, lest he cause any commotion, and when a crowd of people came around, it would cause a traffic jam which was not good.

At that moment, Chen Xinghe slightly restrained his temperament and walked towards the entrance of the county.

When he arrived at the county gate, a stone tablet, caught Chen Xinghe’s eyes.

[Place of Xu Qingnian’s hometown]

There were some small words on the stone tablet, roughly writing about some of his own senior’s experiences, and after reading it carefully, there was no mention of himself.

Good! Write it down! In the future, when I become a saint, I will not allow the stone tablet to be placed in Ping’an County.

When I walked into Ping’an County, there were many festive things hanging in the streets, red lanterns and new couplets, as if it was a festival.

All the shops have also changed greatly, previously they were selling some miscellaneous work, but now they are all selling folding fans and scrolls, and there are even shops selling the same type of brush and paper as Xu Qingnian.

The prices are fair, a little more expensive than outside, but not outrageous, so the shops are doing a good business.

His eyes looked slightly envious, but Chen Xinghe quickly withdrew his gaze, he couldn’t look more, in case he was discovered, wouldn’t he get into trouble?

With that, Chen Xinghe continued on his way.

One step.

Ten steps.

Fifty steps.

A hundred steps.

The street was almost at the end, but Chen Xinghe found that no one seemed to be looking at him.

Well ……

Is it because of the low profile that no one is paying attention?

The first thing you need to do is to get a good idea of what you’re doing.

The first thing you need to do is to take a look at the actual clothes you are wearing.

One step.

Ten steps.

Fifty steps.

The next street.

Chen Xinghe continued walking, outwardly calm, but inwardly full of doubts.

Also at this moment, suddenly, a voice suddenly sounded.

“Chen Xinghe!”

“Isn’t this Chen Xinghe?”

The voice rang out, and it was a fan peddler’s stall owner who pointed at Chen Xinghe and looked extremely excited.

The words drew many gazes, but most people were curious, especially some tourists who did not know who Chen Xinghe was.

When he heard the voice, the frown that was tightly furrowed in Chen Xinghe’s heart was finally relaxed.

Finally, someone knew him.

Good, very good, very good.

Chen Xinghe wanted to clench his fist, but still looked very calm for the sake of his instrument.

“Who’s Chen Xinghe?”

“Who is it? Who is Chen Xinghe?”

“I was shocked, I thought it was Xu Qingnian who had come.”

The neighbourhood visitors were a little surprised, they didn’t know who Chen Xinghe was at all.

“Chen Xinghe!”

“It’s senior brother Xu Qingnian.”

“You guys don’t even know this? Mr. Chen, are you free? Can you mention a word for me if you’re free?”

The fan vendor was extremely excited and came to Chen Xinghe with a piece of white paper and a brush, excited beyond measure.

“Cough, I have urgent business to find my master, but writing some words is also a pa*sing task, what is the title?”

Chen Xinghe coughed lightly and asked slowly.

Sure enough, a golden child will always shine, senior brother ah senior brother, although you have great talent, but senior brother is not weaker than you.

Chen Xinghe lamented in his heart, he already regarded Xu Qingnian as a competitor in his own life.

At that moment, Chen Xinghe reached out to take the pen and was ready to start writing.

He had also thought about it, so he would drop a fluffy word, which was considered a more auspicious word, yet the shopkeeper fawned and said.

“Sir Chen, I am illiterate, and thanks to Xu Wangu’s fame, business has been particularly good recently, but there are not enough staff.”

“Please help me to inscribe one, as the shop is busy, I need to recruit a number of staff, those who can bear hardship and work hard are preferred, those who can read and write are preferred, and the wages are paid daily.”

The fan vendor said with a smile, his stall did not look big, but the price was fair and business was very good, so he was too busy these two days and wanted to ask someone to help him, but he did not know how to write, so he asked his neighbours, but everyone was busy doing business and there was a shortage of manpower, so when he suddenly saw Chen Xinghe coming, he must have shouted.

As soon as the fan vendor finished speaking.

The brush in Chen Xinghe’s hand trembled slightly, the ink dripped onto the white paper, and his whole body froze in place.

Nima!

You’re asking me to write this? Isn’t this a job advertis*ment? Even if my words were not worth a thousand dollars, I wouldn’t have to be reduced to such a state, right?

What a great guy, what a great guy, what a great guy! What do you think I am, Chen Xinghe? I’m at least a scholar! This is …… You are …… Insulting a scholar, insulting a saint, so angry.

Chen Xinghe was incomparably depressed inside and almost cried with anger, but for the sake of his meter, he still took a deep, deep breath, then returned the pen to the other party, his face clear and proud, and said.

“Sorry, can’t write.”

After saying this, Chen Xinghe took big steps and left straight away.

When the crowd saw Chen Xinghe leave, they were also a little puzzled, especially the fan peddler, who could not help but lament.

“It’s true, a master leads you to the door, cultivation depends on the individual, both are equally a teacher, Xu Wangu is famous all over the world, his senior brother actually can’t even write a single word, it’s a pity, it’s a pity.”

The fan peddler’s voice rang out, causing Chen Xinghe, who hadn’t gone far, to almost stumble.

I, Chen Xinghe, don’t know how to write? I don’t know how to write, you B*****d!

Fine, fine, you wait for me, wait for me, sooner or later, I will make Ping An County change its name to Xinghe County.

Ahhhhhhhhh!

Chen Xinghe’s pace was faster, he was afraid that he would cry out in anger and lose face.

And so it was, a little over half an hour later.

Chen Xinghe arrived outside Zhou Ling’s house somewhat disoriented.

Seeing his master’s home, Chen Xinghe was then somewhat comforted. Taking a deep breath and straightening his clothes, Chen Xinghe arrived at the door and was about to knock when some voices came in.

“Sang-jun, why is Qingnian here so early, this child Xinghe is not here yet?”

It was Shifu’s voice, speaking from inside the door, asking Zhou Ling.

Hearing this voice, Chen Xinghe’s somewhat wounded heart was slightly warmed, it was still good to have a master and a mistress.

Only the next moment, Zhou Ling’s voice rang out.

“What else can I do?”

“It’s just that you don’t have the face to come and see me.”

“This child Xinghe is just arrogant, now that a clear night has come and crushed him to the bone, what face does he have to be arrogant?”

Zhou Ling’s voice rang out, causing Chen Xinghe’s heart, which had just warmed up, to feel a little harder again.

And then Shifu’s voice rang out again.

“This child Xinghe is quite good, just a little bit stupid, how long has it been since Qingnian, like a month or so, and he’s already in the seventh grade of something.”

“This child Xinghe is too stupid, it’s been more than ten years and he still hasn’t entered the rank.”

The voice of his teacher-mother rang out, the first half of the sentence made Chen Xinghe happy, but the words that followed, made Chen Xinghe fall into silence.

What do you mean by stupid! It’s Shifu who is too strong, okay? Under normal circumstances, I am already very good, who in the ten miles and eight villages is better than me, Chen Xinghe?

“I can’t say I’m stupid, but I’m just a bit brain dead.

“In contrast, this child Xinghe lacks a heart.”

Zhou Ling was a bit emotional, and it was at that moment that the door of the mansion was opened.

It was Shifu who wanted to go shopping in the street, and just when she opened the door, she saw Chen Xinghe standing outside the door.

For an instant.

The three of them looked at each other.

Shifu was carrying a basket of vegetables, and her smile was a little stiff.

Master sat in the courtyard, his hands rubbing his clothes were also a bit stiff.

Chen Xinghe stood outside the door, also inexplicably a little stiff.

A non-still image.

The three of them were silent with each other for a while, and eventually Shifu’s voice rang out.

“I’m going to buy food, Xinghe, you go in and have a good chat with your Master, and later on, Shifu will cook for you.”

A little embarra*sed, Shifu crossed over Chen Xinghe’s body and went out to buy vegetables, so as not to stay and continue to be embarra*sed.

At this moment, Zhou Ling in the hall was wearing relatively plain clothes, his sleeves were rolled up, rubbing his clothes, and there was some H**ny soap foam on his beard, looking a bit odd.

At that moment, Chen Xinghe’s eyes were a bit odd, wasn’t laundry and cooking done by the master’s wife? How come Master is doing the laundry?

The next moment, a voice rang out.

“Xinghe.”

“Master.”

The two spoke in unison and the scene was once again awkward.

“You go first.”

“You speak first.”

Again, they spoke in unison, making the scene even more awkward.

After a while, Zhou Ling got up and washed his hands, rolled his sleeves down, and spoke immediately afterwards.

“Xinghe ah, what did you hear just now?”

Zhou Ling opened his mouth, and instead of continuing to be embarra*sed, he asked directly.

“Master, I heard everything I should have heard, and I heard what I shouldn’t have heard.”

Chen Xinghe was a little depressed.

At these words, Zhou Ling’s face was serious as he said.

“Xinghe, with that look on your face, did you not think that Master was talking about you behind your back?”

“In fact, Master heard your movement long ago and knew that you were coming, and only then did he speak, in fact, in order to mention you and to shout you awake, understand?”

Zhou Ling said in a serious manner.

Unfortunately, Chen Xinghe did not take the bait and looked at Zhou Ling somewhat sorrowfully and said.

“Master, it’s true that I’m not considered a great talent, but I’m not a fool either, do you believe this yourself?”

Chen Xinghe was a bit helpless.

“Aiya, all right, all right, isn’t that just to say a few words about you? Come in, I have just written a couplet, help me read it.”

Zhou Ling dragged Chen Xinghe in, and did not continue to hide it.

He walked into the hall.

Zhou Ling took out a pair of couplets and showed them to Chen Xinghe.

Left couplet: Nurture people before nurturing trees before knowing that trees are difficult to nurture.

Right couplet: Knowing that it is difficult to nurture a tree is even more important.

Banner: The teacher of the clear night.

“How do you say? I still have some level for a teacher, right?”

Zhou Ling said with some confidence.

Chen Xinghe, on the other hand, was a bit helpless, but because the other party was his master, he nodded and said, “Teacher’s literary skills, the student is ashamed of himself.”

“Hey, Xinghe, you’re modest, modest.”

Zhou Ling carefully placed the couplet aside, and then let Chen Xinghe sit down and said.

“What did you come to see my master for today?”

Zhou Ling asked.

“Back to teacher, two things.”

“First, the student has won the government exams and has come to thank his teacher for nurturing him over the years.”

Chen Xinghe said so.

“En, not bad, not bad, my teacher also knows that you have won the provincial examination, although you are in the twentieth place, but it is very good.”

Zhou Ling said with great satisfaction.

However Chen Xinghe spoke indifferently, “Nineteenth place.”

Zhou Ling: “…….”

“What about the second thing?”

Zhou Ling continued to ask, pulling the topic away.

“Master, I intend to travel in the clouds and meditate on my studies, so this time I have come to say goodbye to Master.”

Chen Xinghe said the second thing, that he was going to travel in the four directions and meditate on his studies.

But when this was said, Zhou Ling shook his head.

“Smaller, smaller pattern.”

Zhou Ling spoke, causing Chen Xinghe to be somewhat puzzled.

“Master, what do you mean?”

Chen Xinghe was filled with curiosity, not understanding what his master meant.

“Xinghe, ah, above this point, you are completely inferior to your senior brother Qingnian, you are running away to the clouds at this time, aren’t you committing a foolishness?”

“Let me ask you, now that Qingnian has gone to the capital, he can even get a court official for a while, but your senior brother doesn’t have any roots in the capital at all.”

“No matter what you do, your senior brother is having a hard time getting around, and at this time you are his senior brother, in a while, the imperial examinations will be coming, why don’t you go to the capital first, find this senior brother of yours, and then whether you study or prepare for the imperial examinations, if your senior brother needs your help, you can also help out.”

“On the one hand, your senior brother has been indebted to you, and on the other hand, you have the talent to go to the capital ahead of time and understand what is right and wrong in the capital, so that one day, you will not be ignorant when you step into the court, do you understand?”

Zhou Ling’s words were right on the mark.

In his eyes, Xu Qingnian was now famous all over the world, and now that he had gone to the capital, he would definitely be like a fish in water.

The first thing you need to do is to go to the imperial court, not to say to be an official in the court, at least as a local official, right? If you go to the capital sooner, you can get to know people sooner, help Xu Qingnian or study, which is at least 10,000 times better than travelling around the world.

Otherwise, if you really become an official, without some power or connections behind you, the slightest mistake would be an abyss of ten thousand feet.

Zhou Ling is only a scholar, but his decades of experience are far more than enough for Chen Xinghe.

Indeed, once he said this, Chen Xinghe was a bit silent, he thought carefully, you do not say, it can really ah.

If you go to the capital to prepare for the imperial examinations, to learn about the affairs of the capital, if Xu Qingnian needs his help, he will help, if he does not need to study seriously, and occasionally make some friends in the capital, so that his career, play a very good role.

“Thank you for the teacher’s guidance, the student understands.”

Chen Xinghe revealed a joyful look and said with a sudden realization.

“En, it is good to understand, then what do you plan to do next?”

Zhou Ling asked as he twirled his beard.

“These few days I plan to enter the pins first, the student feels like he is about to break through.”

Chen Xinghe replied.

Also at that moment, the door opened and it was the Master’s wife who had returned.

“Now that the whole county is selling fans, calligraphy and paintings, there are fewer and fewer people selling vegetables, Xinghe, Shifu Niang doesn’t buy many vegetables, so you have to make a commitment today.”

Shifu walked in through the gate, the vegetable basket didn’t contain anything.

“Shifu is very kind, just feel free, just feel free.”

Chen Xinghe didn’t mind, whatever he ate was fine.

“Fine, you kid didn’t say anything before you came.”

Shifu nodded, then after fetching some things in the hall, she walked out and took the unwashed clothes and continued to knead them.

“Where was the party?”

Zhou Ling spoke up, fearing that Chen Xinghe would mention his laundry.

“The student is about to enter the cla*s.”

Chen Xinghe opened his mouth to answer.

“Oh, in fact, Xinghe, don’t look at the fact that your senior brother has been promoted to the seventh rank in just about a month, but this lineage of Confucianism is all about thick and thin.”

“Throughout the ages, it’s not that there have not been cases of people achieving enlightenment in one go, although it’s not seen once in ten thousand ages, but there are still some anyway.”

“You are a late bloomer and so is my master, so don’t be anxious because of your junior, it’s best to wait until the most appropriate time to enter the rank.”

“Look at my master, it has taken so long to enter the grade, you don’t think that I am unable to enter the grade, do you?”

Zhou Ling said in a serious manner.

And Chen Xinghe nodded, although it felt a bit strange, it sounded like it made sense.

“The student understands, thank you for teaching me.”

Chen Xinghe revealed a smile, yes, Xu Qingnian had Xu Qingnian’s own creation, and he also had his own creation, the great weapon is late, the big deal is to wait a bit, it’s not like there’s a rush.

“En, in short, you and I, master and disciple, although not necessarily surpa*sing your senior brother, but definitely not weaker than your senior brother, right, hahahahahaha!”

“En, what Master said is extremely true.”

Chen Xinghe nodded his head and agreed, while also letting out a laugh.

However, just at that moment, the senior mother outside the door, coldly spoke.

“Two people who have not entered the rank, here they are smug, not too ashamed.”

The voice rang out and the hall, inexplicably, went silent.

A non-still image.

After a while, Zhou Ling got up, closed the door of the room behind him, then held out a large stack of books from the back of the hall and looked towards Chen Xinghe.

“Xinghe, this is the nurturing scripture written by my master, please do something.”

Zhou Ling spoke and took out another pen and ink.

“Please instruct your teacher.”

Chen Xinghe nodded his head.

“It’s like this, the other day Qing Ye came for a visit, I asked him to drop his name, after all, in a few days my teacher will be going around to give lectures.”

“This book is to be taken out for sale, part of it is the drop-name edition, Qing Ye dropped a hundred copies, my teacher thought about it and felt that it was still not enough, so I asked you to come.”

Zhou Ling said.

“Oh, I understand, I have nothing to do these few days, so I can help my teacher drop some names, I will go over with my teacher later, and then it will not be too late to go to the capital.”

Chen Xinghe nodded, at the same time, he felt some emotion in his heart, still his teacher is good, let himself drop his name, also considered to promote his own fame, compared to that fan peddler, the difference between clouds and mud ah.

“Good, worthy of being my master’s beloved disciple.”

Zhou Ling was full of smiles as he took out a small booklet and placed it in front of Chen Xinghe, saying.

“You imitate it against Xu Qingnian’s name, I have been imitating it for the past two days, but I can’t imitate this childish feeling, probably because I have an old way of writing.”

“You imitate it, don’t stand still, hurry up, hurry up.”

Zhou Ling pointed at Xu Qingnian’s name and urged.

And Chen Xinghe froze in place.

Hiss! You’re asking me to imitate my senior brother’s name? Master, you are deceiving people too much, right? What part of me, Chen Xinghe, is not like Xu Qingnian?

“Master, you’re asking me to imitate my senior brother’s name, I won’t do it.”

“He Xu Qingnian is a human being, so am I, Chen Xinghe. He Xu Qingnian is your student, I, Chen Xinghe, am also your student ……. But I, Chen Xinghe, respect my teacher!”

“Master, take back the ruler, I’ll write!”

Chen Xinghe was originally full of anger, but after seeing Zhou Ling take out the ruler, he instantly turned his words around and honestly sat down at the table and began to drop his name.

At this moment, Chen Xinghe’s heart was incomparably stifled.

One day, when the dragon gets water, he will make the Yangtze River flow backwards.

After the thought, Chen Xinghe picked up the books and handed them to Zhou Lingdao.

“Master, it’s written, is it okay for you to take a look?”

….

Contrast this with the hustle and bustle at Zhou Ling’s home.

At this moment, on the capital road, it was unusually calm.

The thousand-mile horse was galloping.

Lying in the middle of the carriage, looking at the invitations, Xu Qingnian quietly pondered over some things.

In less than a day’s time, he would be arriving in the capital.

When he went to the capital, the first thing he would do was not to face the saint, after all, he would need to wait for the emperor to summon him, and it would definitely not be possible to go there on his own initiative.

So the first thing that I will do is to go and see the various State Princes.

The Duke of An, the Duke of Qi, the Duke of Xin, the Duke of Li, and the Duke of Xu, there were five of them inviting him to go and have a seat.

After all, the Duke of An had helped him a lot in the imperial court, so he had to go there to thank him for whatever purpose.

The Duke of Qi and the Duke of Xin, who had already invited him some days earlier, had sent invitations again this time, so it was impossible not to go either.

As for State Duke Li and State Duke Xu, Xu Qingnian had not contacted any of them, but only sent an invitation this time.

There are a total of nine State Dukes in the Great Wei Dynasty, leaving aside the six at the beginning and the three at the end, all of whom won their status by following Emperor Wu in his northern expedition.

These three were, respectively, the Duke of Lu, the Duke of Heng and the Duke of Yue.

It was also these three who did not send invitations to themselves. Xu Qingnian did not feel disrespected for not sending invitations, rather this was the norm.

The fact is that if the invitation is really sent, it is not a good thing to be favored by nine state princes at the same time.

The actual fact is that you can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time. What is the reason for this? Is it not for the Northern Expedition?

After all, in times of prosperity, civil officials and military generals in times of chaos, if they can go north, they can also build up more merits for their descendants, and they can also let their descendants build up merits.

Since the founding of Great Wei, only three State Dukes could be hereditary, but now after several hundred years, the descendants of these three State Dukes are all gone.

Since then, the titles of the state dukes have not been hereditary, and the descendants have been declining in succession.

The military titles are based on warfare, but in times of peace and prosperity, it is the world of civil officials, so what do these military generals want when they gather together?

The Northern Expedition was a meritocracy.

Of course, there was also hatred, which is undeniable, but it was more about merit, and once the children and grandchildren had merit, the older generation could go in peace.

This is why the military generals had to advocate the Northern Expedition, as their fundamental interests were at stake, even though they knew it was not suitable.

But whether or not the Northern Expedition can be successful is now becoming a huge question. Naturally, the group of military officials has to be prepared for both sides, with one hand preparing that the Northern Expedition is possible, then they will go on to build up their merits, and with the other hand preparing that the Northern Expedition is not possible, they will have to consider all aspects.

So getting the favor of the nine state princes is not necessarily a good thing. Without the Northern Expedition, the direct battle of interests of this military officials will also be exposed instantly.

As for the civil officials, not to mention the fact that they have been suppressing the strategy of the Northern Expedition, ostensibly for the people of the world, but in reality it is still for the sake of power. Once there is no more war, the Great Wei completely enters a state of recuperation, then all the next big and small things are handled by the civil officials.

The military generals are directly marginalized, those who should retire go to their old age, those who should live in peace go to their old age, and the descendants go to the military camp to mingle casually, and then call you back when there is a need.

It’s as simple as that.

As for yourself, you are now faced with one thing.

The Lord’s army!

Or.

Or… to rest and recuperate?

There is no doubt that I am definitely in favour of rest and recuperation, and that the kingdom’s economy should revive, but these words must not be said.

The Confucian officials have already been offended, but if they are now offended by the Martial Generals as well, there will be no point in playing.

Joining the Dongming Society would not help either. As long as the Northern Expedition is not finalised, there is no great prospect for the Dongming Society.

It would be better for them to rest in peace and wait for the Northern Expedition to be finalised before they jump out of the woodwork.

Moreover, the Dongming Society is not stupid enough to bring in an official who is being targeted by the civil and military authorities, not to mention the last remaining force, which is so transparent that it would be useless to protect itself.

All in all.

In short.

The first thing that you need to do is to take a step-by-step approach to stabilize your footing and then slowly showcase your talent.

Xu Qingnian said to himself.

The battle in the courtroom is obvious, the northern expedition, the military general is strong, the civil official is cool, not the northern expedition, the military general is cool, the civil official is strong.

The future rise and fall of the two major powers is at stake, and it must be extremely intense. Those like yourself who do not have the background of connections must not speak out or take sides in any way.

Even if you really advocate recuperation, you can’t say it, you have to be subtle and subtle again.

The most important thing is to be able to speak directly to people, and to speak to ghosts.

When he thought of this, Xu Qingnian could not help but make up his mind.

One hour later.

When he arrived at a post station, Xu Qingnian got off the train and had a simple meal in the post station. A few pounds of beef was standard, as was a bucket of rice, but a literati should behave like a literati, and Xu Qingnian ate away two sets of guests before finally returning to his car under the stunned gaze of the crowd.

The capital road was relatively safe and the road was extremely well built, and the thousand mile horse galloped without any bumps.

Back inside the car.

Xu Qingnian intended to lie down and take a nap, and once she woke up, she estimated that she would be in the capital.

But just as Xu Qingnian was lying down, an indescribable feeling came over him.

The back of her neck was a little stiff.

Was it an invitation?

After touching the texture differently, Xu Qingnian, who had just laid down, couldn’t help but get up and look at it.

It was a letter.

The envelope was plain, open it and look at it, there were no words in the letter, only two icons.

A piece of clothing and a peach flower.

The White Clothes Sect?

Xu Qingnian’s brow furrowed.

Two days ago he was still pondering about the White Clothes Sect. He had promised Wu Yan that he would meet up in Changping County, but he was famous all over the world and people knew him everywhere he went.

And since the wind was at his back, there was no way he could go to Changping County to meet up with the White-Clothed Sect.

If I were to meet up with the White Clothes Clan, it would be like feeding poison.

It would not even need to be reported, it would probably be a wipeout, and there would be no way to explain it back, the Zhu Sheng lineage would be waiting for something to happen to them.

The company’s main business is to provide a wide range of products and services to the public.

So Xu Qingnian had already decided not to meet up.

But what she didn’t expect was that the White-Clothed Sect would come to her door?

“How did they find me?”

Xu Qingnian was a little curious, not so much about how they found him, but about why they found him?

It was reasonable to say that if he didn’t go to meet with the White-Clothed Sect, they wouldn’t know that Wu Yan had given the item to him.

Oh, no, Sheriff Chen.

Xu Qingnian instantly figured out that Sheriff Chen knew about his situation, plus there was another point, even if Sheriff Chen hadn’t seen himself, it was reasonable to say that a careful investigation would have revealed that there was something wrong with him.

A common servant, in just a month’s time, had become a martial arts practitioner, not to mention a seventh-ranking Confucianist, which was impossible without something fishy.

It was just that Xu Qingnian was even more puzzled.

The only thing is that Xu Qingnian is even more puzzled, whether it was Sheriff Chen who told the people above him about himself, or whether they suspect him.

If it was Sheriff Chen who told them, it meant that they might have mistakenly thought that he was a disciple of the White Cloth Sect, or that they thought that he wanted to join the White Cloth Sect.

If it was simply a suspicion on their own heads, then they didn’t know their own situation.

It was complicated and odd, and the hardest thing in this world was guessing what others thought.

After glancing at the white paper, Xu Qingnian’s gaze fell on the peach blossoms.

The white paper meant the White Clothes Sect, and what did the peach blossom mean?

Does it mean that I am destined to have peach blossoms?

It shouldn’t be possible, what does that mean? Xu Qingnian frowned, thinking and thinking, but could not come up with an explanation.

But no matter what, the fact that the people from the White Cloth Sect didn’t come looking for themselves directly meant that they didn’t want to bring trouble to themselves.

The attitude was quite good, at least there was room for negotiation and exchange, otherwise, Fang would have met up with himself when he was at the post, and if he wanted to plot against him, then he would probably have already made his move.

This is good, the other party is willing to talk to themselves properly, Xu Qingnian also does not mind talking to them properly.

If the talk was good, we could work together and then understand some things.

If the talks are not good, then it’s even better. If the gentleman is angry, 100,000 troops will come and kill them all.

What is this called? This wave is called.

If there’s a way to heaven, you can’t leave, but there’s no way to hell, you can come and join us.

Xu Qingnian knew it was risky to contact the White Clothes Sect, but the reason Xu Qingnian did not refuse was also very simple.

From the very beginning of her contact with Wu Yan, she had already been involved with the White Clothes Clan.

A rebel group cannot be brainless, and if one tries one’s best to clear up the connection, then the White Clothes Clan will not nag.

A person who has contacted the White Clothes Clan but is of no use to the White Clothes Clan will not be killed and kept for the New Year.

To put it bluntly, if the White Clothes Clan has been able to run wild so far, is there no secret agent in the court?

Maybe some imperial relative is a senior member of the White Clothes Sect.

After all, this is a rebellion in the name of Emperor Wu, a female emperor on the throne, the world does not know whether Xu Qingnian is convinced or not, but what is known is that there are definitely people in the imperial family who are not convinced.

The fact that so many men are not emperors and it’s your turn to be a woman, do you think people are comfortable with that?

Since she is in the game, Xu Qingnian is not afraid. Instead of trying to clear her name, she should make use of it, and perhaps it can become her bottom card.

It could be a great help at critical times.

However, when the White Cloth Sect came to the door, Xu Qingnian couldn’t have no worries at all.

“Strength! Power! Status! You can’t have one without the other.”

Inside the carriage, Xu Qingnian muttered in her heart.

The more undercurrents there were, the more important the importance of strength would be.

If there was ever a time when it became unbearable, force would be one’s last guarantee.

What power, what status, what connections, all are not as direct as one’s own two fists, if one can fight, one can fight, if one cannot fight, one can run, at least one’s life is preserved.

At least you can save your life.

Xu Qingnian, you are really a genius.

The first thing you need to do is to go to sleep to make sure you have plenty of energy.

In a short time, Xu Qingnian fell asleep, a deep sleep, to rejuvenate her spirit.

The carriage sped on.

The yellow sand and dust was raised on the capital road.

In the blink of an eye, six hours pa*sed.

Phew! Phew! Phew!

Just as we were about to reach the gates of the capital, the carriage suddenly braked sharply, waking Xu Qingnian.

Xu Qingnian had not slept for a long time, so he had used his Dream Entrance Avatar to fall into a deep sleep, and had spent six hours to rejuvenate his energy and vitality.

He just didn’t expect that the carriage would suddenly brake sharply, waking him up.

“What’s going on?”

Inside the carriage, Xu Qingnian did not get angry, but only asked calmly.

The driver of the carriage was an official sent by the Southern Yu Province, who was extremely skilled in the art of imperial horses, and had never once stopped sharply in the past few days.

“Mr Xu, someone is blocking the road, saying that they want to demand money.”

The official’s voice rang out, causing Xu Qingnian’s brow to furrow.

Blocking the road?

Demanding money?

Nima, this was at the foot of the Imperial City, and there were actually such fierce people? Even a prince wouldn’t dare to block the road and rob at the foot of the Emperor, right?

He wanted to see what kind of fierce man had come out to block the road, this kind of fierce man had to be seen, and when he turned around and was beheaded, he would not be seen.

It was only when Xu Qingnian pushed open the curtain that his whole body froze slightly.

Not far away, was the lofty and magnificent capital city. There were many carriages and horses travelling along the road, but none of them were fast, after all, when they reached the imperial city, they naturally had to limit their speed.

And in front of them, dozens of children, both male and female, the oldest no more than fourteen or fifteen, the youngest perhaps nine or ten years old, dressed in brocade clothes, each carrying a wooden sword and knife, stopped in front of the carriages to demand their belongings.

There was even more than one carriage stopped.

Xu Qingnian froze.

He thought they were some kind of fierce warriors, but he didn’t expect them to be a group of little kids?

“Sir, they are not dressed like ordinary people, what should we do?”

The official spoke up, if this was in South Yufu, he would have already opened his mouth to scold, but this was the imperial city, pulling out a random person might be a fifth rank official.

A group of children dressed in brocade clothes, who knows if there are any big shots at home.

“Don’t hurt them, I’ll do it.”

Xu Qingnian spoke up, and the latter nodded, not daring to act recklessly even if he didn’t say so.

“Young friends, where is your family’s lord?”

Xu Qingnian revealed a kind expression and smiled gently towards them.

“None of your business! Hurry up and pay the money.”

“Yes, yes, pay up quickly.”

“What’s with all the nonsense? Hurry up and hand it over, or else you won’t be able to leave.”

However Xu Qingnian’s gentleness did not have any effect, but instead drew a burst of curses.

Seeing this, Xu Qingnian could not help but frown, but after all, they were a group of children, so there was no need to argue with them about anything.

“Little friends, I have something important to do, and His Majesty is looking for me for something, so, I have some snacks here, so I will give them to you little friends.”

Xu Qingnian was still polite, not for anything else, these bear children were all wearing brocade clothes, definitely not ordinary people, there was no need to offend them.

“Do you think we are three year olds? And snacks? I’ve put my words here, either pay or don’t go in, if you keep nagging, I’ll take you to the jail, believe it or not?”

The man at the head of the group was the most arrogant, carrying a wooden sword, with the aura of a mountain king, fierce and fierce, standing on a rock and showing off his authority.

He was typically a middle-aged boy.

Xu Qingnian was a bit angry.

I’m telling you this because I respect the elders behind you, do you really think I, Xu Mou, wouldn’t dare to beat up a kid?

Xu Qingnian was furious.

However, the next moment, a voice came from the carriage at the side.

“Brother, don’t get angry with them, these are the grandsons of the princes of the country, they can’t afford to mess with them, give some silver and go, they don’t want it everyday, they are just playful.”

As the voice rang out.

The fire in Xu Qingnian’s heart was instantly extinguished.

Oh, the grandson of the prince of the state, ah, that’s okay.

“How much do you want?”

Xu Qingnian asked directly.

“Is there five hundred taels?”

The youth in purple opened his mouth lionishly.

“Five taels, if it’s okay, if not I’ll go back now.”

Xu Qingnian took out a five taels silver ticket.

“Count me unlucky to meet this poor scholar like you, get lost, next time you nag, you can’t settle it without ten taels.”

The young man in purple was a little impatient and waved his hand, and instantly the little brother beside him came over, still sniffling, and took Xu Qingnian’s silver ticket.

Back inside the carriage, Xu Qingnian was calm as the carriage continued to gallop.

And the voice of the young man in purple continued to ring out.

“Brothers, let’s go, this fool has paid, let’s go eat and drink properly, this king is treating us.”

The voice rang out behind him.

Inside the carriage, Xu Qingnian took a deep breath, he wanted to ask the coachman to stop, but thought better of it.

Good!

Is the King of the Mountain?

The son and grandson of the king?

Fine, just wait!

Xu Qingnian exhaled a long breath, this revenge, he took it down!