Chapter 97: (Extra update for monthly tickets) May the people of my Daliang all be like dragons

Rao Prefecture, Wuzheng Department!

Covering an area of ten thousand mu, several main halls are scattered in an orderly manner, and in front of the main hall square, a huge statue of a man holding a spear is carved.

As a bell rang, several figures including Su Lingchuan walked into the main hall.

Rao Prefecture has eleven counties under its jurisdiction. Today is the day for the directors of the Wuzheng Office of each county to report their duties.

In the main hall, eleven chairs were placed. Except for two directors of the Wuzheng Office who didn't come, the remaining nine sat in their chairs.

Su Lingchuan sat in the last position.

The seating arrangement arranged by the Wuzheng Department is related to the ranking of students in the Prefecture Examination of each county. Poyang County has been at the bottom for several consecutive years, so it can only sit in the last position.

"Su Qin, I heard that you went to Poyang County and carried out a rectification of the Martial Halls, coming up with a competition for new students once every three months. Now that three months have passed, what is the effect?"

Hearing the words of the man on his left, Su Lingchuan said faintly: "It's okay."

This Lin Lin Shixiong Zhang is the Director of the Wuzheng Office of Yanshan County. In previous competitions, Poyang County was at the bottom, and Yanshan County followed closely behind. It's no wonder this Lin Lin Shixiong Zhang would be curious; this is worrying that Poyang County will rise and it will be Yanshan County's turn to be at the bottom.

"I haven't come up with any competition once every three months here, but prepared to have one once every six months. Three months is too short to see the gap. Since the students of Poyang County are not bad in this session, I wonder if Su Qin is interested in holding a sparring competition between our two counties."

Zhang Wangshan looked at Su Lingchuan with a smile. Su Qin has great ambitions, and he is not bad either.

This session of Yanshan County has produced a few good seedlings, and he has the confidence to overpower Poyang County.

Su Lingchuan's pupils condensed, looking at the smile on Zhang Wangshan's face, he cursed secretly in his heart. This is thinking that he has eaten my Poyang County?

The directors of the Wuzheng Office of the other counties, listening to Zhang Wangshan's words, also had the eyes of watching a play. The competition between the students of the two counties at the bottom of the previous sessions was nothing to watch, but the infighting between Su Qin and Lin Lin Shidi Zhang, they were happy to watch the fun.

"A joint competition between two counties is a grand event of the Martial Way, which is a beautiful story. It makes me feel a bit moved, but is there any Lin Lin Shidi who is willing to have such a competition with my Guangxin County?"

"Lin Lin Shixiong Chen, having a competition with the Wu Tang students of your Guangxin County, isn't this looking for humiliation?"

A middle-aged man sitting in the front row spoke, and the others had helpless expressions.

Guangxin County has won first place in the overall Prefecture Examination for students for ten consecutive years. Even in terms of individual student rankings, Guangxin County has had six students take first place in the past ten years. Its strength is a cut above other counties.

Among the eleven counties under Rao Prefecture, Guangxin County has the widest area and a large population. Other counties have a population of about one million, while Guangxin County has three million people, so it is naturally full of talents.

"Su Qin, have you considered it?"

Zhang Wangshan saw Su Lingchuan's silence and thought Su Lingchuan had no bottom in his heart, so he asked again.

"For a competition between two counties, how are the rewards stipulated?"

Su Lingchuan didn't give an answer, but asked another question instead.

"Regarding the rewards, you and I..."

"Regarding the rewards, they will be set for you by the Wuzheng Department."

A thick voice sounded. Zhang Wangshan and Su Lingchuan hurriedly stopped talking and stood up from their chairs, and the others were the same.

From behind a screen on the side of the hall, an old man with a spirited appearance walked out slowly.

"Director!"

Qiu Rufeng nodded, sat in the main seat, scanned the audience, and finally landed on Su Lingchuan and Zhang Wangshan.

"Since you two mentioned a competition between two counties, this official will announce one thing. This official has decided that except for Guangxin County, the other ten counties will be grouped in pairs, and the new generation of students from the two counties will compete. The Martial Administration Department will pay half of the rewards, and each of your counties will pay the other half."

Qiu Rufeng's words stunned everyone present. Su Lingchuan had a bright light in his eyes. The teacher cared so much about the new generation of students, it seems he really broke through.

In this way, the matter he was about to report was good news for the teacher.

Originally, he was still hesitant about whether to report this matter?

The reply from the Shu family was a lion's mouth, and the conditions proposed made his heart ache, which was why he was hesitant.

But now, after listening to the teacher's words, he had already made a decision.

The directors of the Wuzheng Office present were also shrewd people. From the Director's attention to the Wuzheng Office of each county at the beginning of the year to the Director's decision today, many messages had already been revealed.

The Director, it is highly likely that he broke through to the Seventh Rank and stepped into the Sixth Rank.

Sixth Rank, one can go one step further, but according to the laws of Daliang, the Director is the Director of the Wuzheng Department. To go further, besides the breakthrough in strength, one also needs sufficient political achievements.

"You ten counties will be grouped in pairs according to last year's Prefecture Examination ranking, adjacent rankings as a group,"

Qiu Rufeng set the matters, and Su Lingchuan and others hurriedly agreed. The Director's arrangement was indeed fair, according to the previous session's Prefecture Examination ranking, there would be no situation of a strong county against a weak county.

"Do you have anything else?"

The Wuzheng Department manages the martial arts affairs of Rao Prefecture, which can be said to be full of things, but as the Director, Qiu Rufeng doesn't need to intervene in those trivial matters personally.

Whether it is the Director of the Wuzheng Department, the Director of the Wuzheng Office, or the Kong Kong Guanzhu of each Wu Tang, more time is spent on cultivation, and specific matters are handled by deputies.

"Director, this official has something to report."

Su Lingchuan saw that no one else spoke, and after pondering for a moment, said: "My Poyang County Wuzheng Office has a student and an instructor whose experience can be called a model of martial arts education. The student's name is Lin Chen, and his Wu Tang instructor is Yu Yongnian..."

Work-study, first place in the competition, two letters...

Su Lingchuan narrated slowly, but omitted the fact that Lin Chen had perfected the Clear Wind Palm.

Originally, he didn't intend to hide it, but since the teacher arranged a competition between two counties, he decided to report this matter to the teacher privately.

The directors of the Wuzheng Office present had moved expressions on their faces after listening.

Just from Su Lingchuan's narration, the image of a poor student working tirelessly on the path of the Martial Way, and the care and cultivation of that instructor for the youth—this kind of master-disciple friendship made them deeply moved.

Everyone had walked step by step from Qi Refining, and several of them were able to reach this step, which was inseparable from the cultivation of their teachers.

The only difference was that Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian were just an ordinary youth and an ordinary instructor, while their teachers were all Ranked Tier powerhouses.

But as directors of the Wuzheng Office, their sensitivity was naturally there. Precisely because these students and instructors from ordinary backgrounds could arouse the emotional resonance of the vast number of students, this was the merit of education!

As for why a fisherman's son could take first place in the competition, and whether there was any trickery, they didn't doubt it.

If there was trickery, Su Qin wouldn't dare to say it.

Martial arts in Poyang County had been around for many years, and although there were few examples of poor students rising, they weren't non-existent.

"Good!"

Qiu Rufeng narrowed his old eyes and said in a loud voice: "Back then, the Taizu Emperor ordered the establishment of the Martial Way Department and bestowed calligraphy: 'May the martial arts of my Daliang be prosperous, and the people of Daliang all be like dragons.' This master-disciple pair of Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian is a vivid portrayal of my Rao Prefecture practicing the Taizu's grand wish. Su Lingchuan, if your Poyang County has such a master-disciple pair, you haven't been a director in vain, and you also have the merit of education!"

On the side, Zhang Wangshan and others looked at Su Lingchuan with strange expressions. Su Qin picked up a ready-made bargain.

People have deep master-disciple feelings, and it has nothing to do with Su Qin.

Su Lingchuan hurriedly bowed his hands and said respectfully: "Director's praise is too much. This official is just reporting truthfully. If the deeds of Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian can encourage more students to devote themselves to the Martial Way and let instructors treat students with sincerity, it is this official's honor, and I dare not claim credit."

"Merit is merit. That work-study policy is excellent. The Martial Halls of my Daliang are not the Martial Halls of those nobles; they are the Martial Halls of all the people of Daliang. The Wuzheng Department will post a public notice in the entire prefecture, listing these two as models of martial arts education, and other counties should also promote the work-study policy, so that ambitious youths are not missed."

"Yes!"

Chen Jing and others hurriedly agreed. This work-study is indeed good, and students who can put down their face and work in the Wu Tang and Wu Tang, their heart for the Martial Way must be firm, and such students are indeed worthy of cultivation.

"You all go back if there is nothing else. This official hopes that the competition between the two counties in three months can bring some surprises to this official."

Qiu Rufeng left from behind the screen, and the others surrounded Su Lingchuan.

"Su Qin's merit of education this time is not small, you have to treat us to a meal."

"Su Qin, how does this work-study operate? Can you give Lin Lin Shixiong a copy of the official document so that Lin Lin Shixiong can refer to it."

Su Lingchuan smiled and responded one by one. As for treating them to a meal, impossible!

As the Director of the Wuzheng Office, this time he should be able to get a hundred contribution points. Of course, how much it will be in the end will have to be determined after the Wuzheng Department implements it and confirms that there is no fraud, before giving contribution points according to merit.

It's just that these hundred contribution points will be spent on the things requested in the letter from the Shu family. For these Ranked Tier officials, the power brought by official positions is not the main reason for them to hold office. The real reason they are willing to hold office is the contribution points of the government.

The path of the Martial Way, if you don't advance, you retreat.

After entering the Ranked Tier, more resources are needed to break through again. Unless it is those families with truly deep foundations, the best way for ordinary Ranked Tier martial artists to gather the resources needed for cultivation later is to hold office in the government and exchange contribution points for the things they need from the imperial treasury.

Materials for spirit weapon advancement, martial arts elixirs, and some technique manuals—there is no treasury more complete than the imperial treasury.

Seeing Su Lingchuan's attitude of not pulling out a single hair, Zhang Wangshan and the others didn't continue to pester him. Everyone stood up and left the main hall, but Su Lingchuan didn't leave the Wuzheng Department, but turned and went to the courtyard where the teacher lived.

"Yu Yu Jiaoxi!"

Without outsiders present, and because the teacher had already changed out of his official uniform and was wearing private clothes, Su Lingchuan performed the disciple's ritual.

"Is there anything special about that Lin Chen?" Qiu Rufeng asked faintly.

"Nothing can be hidden from you, Yu Yu Jiaoxi."

"You were vague about Lin Chen's realm and strength in your words, mentioning it in one sentence. How could this teacher not know your thoughts? I'm afraid you want to hide your clumsiness for the county competition."

"Yu Yu Jiaoxi, to tell you the truth, that Lin Chen perfected the Clear Wind Palm in just three months."

Qiu Rufeng, who was originally calm, suddenly condensed his old eyes when he heard this, and his hand stroking his beard paused, nodding slightly, and said in a deep voice: "Perfecting the Clear Wind Palm in three months, this martial arts comprehension is indeed not bad."

"Yu Yu Jiaoxi, that's not all." Su Lingchuan had a trace of excitement in his eyes and continued: "Lin Chen also cultivated the Water Cloud Palm to the stage of great success. This is the news that the Jing Shui Wu Tang urgently reported before I came to the Prefecture City."

"The Water Cloud Palm also reached great success?"

Qiu Rufeng's original leisurely demeanor disappeared instantly. He sat on the rattan chair, his body leaning forward slightly unconsciously, his eyes full of surprise and curiosity.

But in an instant, he frowned: "You said that Lin Chen is a student of the Jing Shui Wu Tang. If this teacher remembers correctly, the Jing Shui Wu Tang only accepts female students, and that Clear Wind Palm should be a technique of the Clear Wind Wu Tang. Is there any inside story?"

"Yu Yu Jiaoxi, there is indeed an inside story. Back then, Lin Chen succeeded in Qi Refining in the Wu Tang..."

Su Lingchuan recounted Lin Chen's experience of being rejected when going to the Clear Wind Wu Tang, finally being accepted as a student by the Clear Wind Wu Tang under Shu Suwan's appearance, but staying in the Jing Shui Wu Tang, and finally why he left the Clear Wind Wu Tang to join the Jing Shui Wu Tang.

If Lin Chen were here right now and heard this Lord Su's words, he would be shocked that this Lord Su knew his affairs so clearly.

"That girl from the Shu family knows how to adapt." Qiu Rufeng first praised, but then his face sank: "That Kong Kong Guanzhu of the Clear Wind Wu Tang, and that Vice Kong Kong Guanzhu..."

"Yu Yu Jiaoxi, the Kong Kong Guanzhu of the Clear Wind Wu Tang, Li Tianqi, is at the critical moment of breaking through to the Ranked Tier, and the affairs of the Wu Tang are all handled by Qihe. I have already removed Qihe from his position as Vice Kong Kong Guanzhu."

"Not enough!"

Qiu Rufeng saw his disciple's puzzled eyes and said in a deep voice: "Lingchuan, I know that many martial artists enter the government as officials for the cultivation resources in the imperial treasury. This teacher knows, and the imperial court knows."

"But you must remember one thing: if you receive this salary, you must bear this responsibility. The position of Wu Tang Master seems to have a small official rank, but it has a huge influence on students. You, the Director of the Wuzheng Office, can govern by doing nothing, but the Wu Tang Master cannot. Since Li Tianqi wants to break through to the Ranked Tier wholeheartedly, let him resign from the position of Kong Kong Guanzhu and concentrate on breaking through."

Su Lingchuan felt a chill in his heart. Although the teacher's tone was very flat, he felt the unquestionable majesty.

"Disciple understands. After returning to Poyang County, I will handle it immediately."

Qiu Rufeng knew his disciple. His ability was okay, but he was a bit too stingy.

"Are you dissatisfied with the requirements proposed in the letter from that girl from the Shu family?"

Facing his own teacher, Su Lingchuan could be said to have no concealment, including the requirements proposed by Shu Suwan in the letter, all of which were recounted.

"Disciple is not dissatisfied, just..."

"Short-sighted!"

Qiu Rufeng roared, sitting up from the chair: "Without Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian, where would you get your merit of education? The Shu girl is seeking benefits for Lin Chen. Lin Chen is a student of Poyang County, and you are the Director of the Wuzheng Office of Poyang County. The further Lin Chen goes on the Martial Way, the higher your achievements as the Director of the Wuzheng Office will be. You should thank this girl from the Shu family."

Seeing his disciple's pale face, Qiu Rufeng said angrily: "If you weren't my disciple, just because of this dissatisfaction, I would remove you from your position as Director, go to the treasury to exchange for resources, and roll back to Poyang County."

"Disciple knows he is wrong."

Su Lingchuan hurriedly lowered his head to admit his mistake.

"Roll!"

"Yes."

Su Lingchuan performed the ritual and bowed to leave, but when his footsteps reached the courtyard gate, a voice came from behind.

"If Lin Chen can truly shock everyone, a child of a poor family can be a model for the Jiangnan Road. Keep your eyes on the long term."

Hearing the teacher's reminder from behind, Su Lingchuan paused, a bright light flashing in his eyes. He understood what the teacher meant.

What he thought of was only Rao Prefecture, but the teacher thought further.

"Yu Yu Jiaoxi's teaching, disciple will keep it in mind."

Turning back and performing the ritual again, Su Lingchuan's eyes were slightly red. Since he entered the Ranked Tier, the teacher hadn't said such "heavy words" to him for a long time. Thinking back, there seemed to be some estrangement between master and disciple.

So, it was the teacher who heard about the master-disciple matter of Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian and was also touched, which was why he pointed him out this time.

He should thank this master-disciple pair of Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian!

PS: Three thousand monthly tickets, just over a hundred short. Brothers, pull Nine Lamps! May the book friends of Nine Lamps all be like dragons!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 98 =====

He really had to thank the master-disciple pair of Lin Chen and Yu Yongnian!

PS: Three thousand votes, just over a hundred short. Brothers, give Jiudeng a hand! May every reader of Jiudeng be like a dragon!

(End of chapter)