[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin":3,"chapter-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-12":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The First Iron Rice Bowl of Great Jin",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},151698,261,"Chapter 12: New Skill Unlocked","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-12",12,"\u003Cp>Hua Wuniang was taken away by Old Madam Zhou's servant, Mother Zhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, the Hua family fell into profound silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Fourth Aunt Hua still standing at the door in a daze, Hua Changxi approached her again: \"Fourth Aunt, since you don't want Fifth Sister to be a concubine either, go bring her back quickly—it's still not too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth Aunt Hua's eyes were red and her lips trembled; she seemed about to say something but finally held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Madam Hua's displeased voice rang out: \"Hua Jiuniang, who let you out? The affairs of adults are not for a young lady like you to meddle in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fourth Aunt!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi called out to Fourth Aunt Hua again, but the woman only lowered her head and did not respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hua Changxi felt helpless. Aware that Old Madam Hua's anger was about to boil over, and not wanting to be locked in the side room again—which might jeopardize the Medical Office apprentice exam four days later—she obediently returned to her room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in her room, Hua Changxi was lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Hua Wuniang's fate, she couldn't help thinking of herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before this, she had been generally satisfied with being reborn into the Hua family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the elders favored boys over girls, and family resources were tilted toward the males, the young ladies of the household were not mistreated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after what happened to Hua Wuniang, her perspective changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the sake of the family's males, the young ladies could be sacrificed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today it was Hua Wuniang; tomorrow it might be her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had been lucky enough to obtain a chance to cultivate, she knew nothing about cultivation itself, and she had no idea what awaited her in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing she could do now was to pass the Medical Office exam and work hard to improve her medical inheritance level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the following days, the Hua family courtyard remained subdued. Hua Changxi stayed quietly in her room, focusing on cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, the twentieth of the ninth month arrived. Before dawn, Hua Changxi, accompanied by Hua Liulang, left the house and headed straight for the Medical Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Medical Office isn't easy to get into.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yao Shi standing at the door watching the two children's departing figures, Hua Minghe walked over: \"I made some inquiries. There are many people applying for the Medical Office this time; Jiuniang may not get in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao Shi disagreed: \"Xu the Pharmacist has recognized Jiuniang's medical skills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe sighed: \"In official business, skill is important, but connections are even more important.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao Shi frowned: \"Would people with connections look down on a Medical Office apprentice position?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe: \"Every family has several branches of relatives. Nobles may not care, but their relatives certainly do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many people have their eyes on the Medical Office. When Sanlang was fifteen, I thought about getting him into the Medical Office, but unfortunately his medical skills were lacking and he failed the exam. I couldn't pull any strings to get him in either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao Shi gasped in surprise: \"Why didn’t you and Sanlang ever mention that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe: \"What's the point of talking about things that didn't work out? Besides, Sanlang is grown up now and cares about face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao Shi frowned: \"Is the Medical Office really that hard to get into?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe: \"The Medical Office is a government bureau. Even the most powerless and obscure bureau is still sought after, and the Medical Office is far from obscure—it's a place even the Emperor keeps an eye on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao Shi worriedly: \"So according to you, Jiuniang most likely won't get into the Medical Office?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe let out a long sigh: \"Our daughter is proud and ambitious. Deep down, she's somewhat naive and stubborn, refusing to yield to anyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's right to let her take the Medical Office exam. Let her stumble a few times, and she'll learn how cruel the world outside is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yao Shi was about to say something when—\"Splash!\"—a basin of water was thrown from behind them, spilling onto the street in front of the door and raising a cloud of dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe and Yao Shi turned around and saw Old Madam Hua standing behind them holding the wooden basin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You two are getting bolder by the day. Letting Jiuniang, a young lady, apply for the Medical Office without a word to the family—do you even care about this household anymore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Old Madam Hua took the wooden basin and huffily returned to the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe and Yao Shi quickly followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother, it's not that we didn't tell the family. Jiuniang applied for the Medical Office, but we didn't really hold out much hope. We just let her take the exam for fun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn't tell my family because I didn't want them to worry along with me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the sudden appearance of Old Madam Hua, everyone in the Hua family knew that Hua Changxi was taking the apprentice exam for the Medicine Bureau today, even before she entered the examination hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Medicine Bureau was located in the northeast of the capital, covering an extremely large area—enough to span three entire streets, several times the size of an ordinary ward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hua Changxi and Hua Liulang arrived, a large crowd had already gathered at the entrance of the Medicine Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So many people!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the examinees filing into the Medicine Bureau one after another, Hua Liulang was a bit tongue-tied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone nearby immediately chimed in: \"I heard that several thousand people signed up for the Medicine Bureau this time, but it's only taking in two hundred.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang swallowed hard and looked at Hua Changxi: \"Jiu Niang, with so many people, can you get into the Medicine Bureau?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi gazed at the plaque of the Medicine Bureau, a determined glint in her eyes: \"I'm going in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, she took out her admission ticket and joined the queue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Medicine Bureau was a gathering place for the medical masters of the Great Jin Dynasty; even to become an apprentice required a certain level of medical knowledge and skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, recruiting apprentices only required a written exam, but this time, a practical session on processing medicinal herbs had been added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was quite confident in herself. In the past, she might have had serious shortcomings when it came to martial artist medicinal herbs, but the *Baicao Jing Zhu* (Annotated Classic of Herbs) had already made up for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for processing herbs, that was even less of a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her previous life, she had learned how to process traditional Chinese medicine from her grandfather from the time she could walk. In this life, she had also helped out at the Hua family pharmacy for several years, and many of the herbs sold by the Hua family were prepared by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The written exam tested accumulated medical knowledge. After skimming through the questions, Hua Changxi felt confident and began answering calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the competition was so fierce, to make the invigilators notice her as a \"promising talent,\" she deliberately submitted her paper first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the written exam ended, Hua Changxi was given no time to rest. A medical officer directly led her to a square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the square were several rows of wooden tables, each set with a few medicinal herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The medical officer brought Hua Changxi to a table, then waved to someone in a building on the west side of the square. Before long, a middle-aged medical officer came over with paper and a brush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone finished the written exam so quickly? I heard this year's exam wasn't easy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged medical officer gave Hua Changxi a few appraising glances and said with a smile: \"You didn't just skip the answers and come out, did you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The escorting medical officer clasped his hands in greeting: \"Greetings, Medical Officer Sun.\" Then he said with a laugh, \"I was only in charge of guiding her. Whether she answered the questions or not, I don't know. I've brought her here. Medical Officer Sun, please supervise her practical session.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the escorting officer left, Medical Officer Sun turned his gaze to Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi clasped her hands in a bow, following the same greeting etiquette as the escorting officer: \"This young girl, Hua Changxi, greets Lord Sun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the middle-aged medical officer raised an eyebrow, let out a chuckle, and without saying much more, pointed to the herbs on the table and said: \"Process these five herbs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were five herbs on the wooden table. Three were ordinary common herbs, and two were herbs used by martial artists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi had processed ordinary herbs before, but as for the two herbs for martial artists, she had never handled them prior to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the *Baicao Jing Zhu* had detailed explanations of the medicinal properties of those two herbs, so she could process them according to their properties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Hua Changxi began to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first step in handling herbs was washing—removing the dirt and grime from the herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hua Changxi finished washing one herb, a line of text suddenly appeared in her field of vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Cleansing Art (Beginner): Wash herbs 1\u002F10]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's eyelids trembled. She forcefully suppressed her excitement and continued washing the herbs carefully. After cleaning all five herbs, the text in her vision changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Cleansing Art (Beginner): Wash herbs 5\u002F10]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After washing the herbs, the next step was processing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Processing herbs included water methods, fire methods, and methods combining water and fire, among others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five herbs on the table, based on their properties, could be processed using the fire method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi took the washed herbs to the iron furnace set up nearby and began roasting them, determining the degree of drying according to their properties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her skillful and smooth movements, Medical Officer Sun couldn't help but ask: \"Does anyone in your family practice medicine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi quickly replied with a smile: \"In response to your question, Officer Sun, my family runs a pharmacy, and my grandmother's family are medicine merchants.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medical Officer Sun looked as if he had expected as much: \"No wonder you handle medicinal herbs so skillfully.\" With that, he went on to inquire about the Hua family's circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning that although the Hua family had people working in the government offices, they were all low-level officials, he lost interest in asking further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a group of people passed through the square pushing several large carts of medicinal herbs, led by a eunuch with a pale, beardless face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's heart burned with excitement as she looked at the herbs on the carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were herbs she had never seen outside, but they were all recorded in the *Annotated Hundred Herbal Classic*.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing the newcomer, Medical Officer Sun immediately put on a beaming smile and went up to greet him: \"Eunuch Jia, have you just returned from the herb garden?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia waved his hand for the people behind him to continue on, while he stopped and, instead of answering, asked in return: \"Medical Officer Sun, why has this place been set up like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medical Officer Sun smiled and said: \"Eunuch Jia, a nobleman is liable to forget things. Have you forgotten that today is the day for recruiting new apprentices?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia let out a long \"Oh,\" and then said no more, instead turning his gaze to Hua Changxi, who was turning and roasting the herbs: \"Not bad, very skilled technique. It seems the Apprentice Hall is about to gain a talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medical Officer Sun, however, sighed: \"I hope your words prove true. In the past two years, the tasks assigned by the Minister have become increasingly heavy, and the Apprentice Hall can barely keep up. If we can truly recruit capable people, the Apprentice Hall might be able to take it a bit easier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia lifted his chin slightly in Hua Changxi's direction: \"Isn't the talent right before your eyes? If the Apprentice Hall could stand a little taller, why worry about having no one capable to employ?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said that, without waiting for Medical Officer Sun to respond, Eunuch Jia added, \"This servant still has matters to attend to, so I won't keep you chatting, Medical Officer Sun. Farewell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Eunuch Jia stride away, Medical Officer Sun very restrainedly spat a \"Pfft.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn't the Apprentice Hall want to stand a little taller? But did they have a powerful backer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Apprentice Hall, the Miscellany Hall, and the Disciple Hall were all core departments of the Medical Office. The Miscellany Hall had people from the palace backing it, the Disciple Hall was personally overseen by the Director himself, but only the Apprentice Hall was like a stepchild, with anyone free to meddle in its affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medical Officer Sun felt that Eunuch Jia had been sarcastic with him, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he grew. Suddenly, he whipped his head around to look at Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi with her head down, roasting the herbs, showing no sign of spying on him, Sun Zhigang's face displayed a hint of regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only this examinee had been the slightest bit out of line, he would have had someone to vent his anger on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before long, an unfamiliar medical officer arrived with five examinees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi only raised her head to glance at them, and when she saw that three of the five were women, she was slightly surprised, but didn't dwell on it and continued to focus on roasting the herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After she had finished processing one herb, a line of text immediately appeared in her vision: [Complete Herbal Processing Manual (Beginner): Processed herbs 1\u002F10].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's heart leaped with joy—another new skill had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coming to the Medical Office was indeed the right choice; she had unlocked two new skills in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Hua Changxi was lost in thought, Medical Officer Sun walked over and said to her: \"Alright, you can leave now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi snapped back to reality and looked at the herbs still roasting: \"The herbs haven't been fully processed yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Medical Officer Sun: \"That's not your concern. Leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's brows furrowed slightly. Seeing the impatient expression on Medical Officer Sun's face and fearing he might give her a bad evaluation, she didn't dare linger. She placed the processed herbs on the table and slowly walked out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't leave directly. Instead, after turning the corner of the square, she stopped when she saw no one around, and peered around the corner back at the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as she looked, anger immediately surged in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five newly arrived examinees were all slipping notes to Medical Officer Sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Medical Officer Sun looked somewhat reluctant, he accepted all five notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Chang曦 wanted to rush over and catch them in the act, but in the end, she suppressed her impulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By pretending she hadn't seen anything, she still had a chance to enter the Medical Office. If she ran out and made a public scene, she would likely lose any opportunity to enter the Medical Office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But could she really rely on her own medical skills to get into the Medical Office?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn't even finished processing those five herbs yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Getting into the Medical Office was far too important for Hua Changxi; she didn't want to just go back like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her name wasn't on the admission list three days later, she would be at a complete loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi thought of Pharmacist Xu, knowing that she worked on Ninth Street of the Medical Office, so she avoided others and made her way there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her luck was still quite good—Ninth Street was right next to the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Number Twelve, Ninth Street...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi found the pharmacy at Number Twelve, Ninth Street where Pharmacist Xu worked based on the address he had given her. Just then, someone came out from inside, so she quickly stepped forward: \"Greetings, sir. I am looking for Pharmacist Xu. Could you please help deliver a message?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Pharmacist Xu came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jiu Niang, what are you doing here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi, Pharmacist Xu was first surprised, then pulled her quickly into the alley: \"The Medical Bureau doesn't allow outsiders to wander around casually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you here for the exam?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi nodded and quickly recounted what had happened in the square: \"Uncle Xu, that Medical Officer Sun didn't even let me finish processing the herbs before he kicked me out. Does this mean I won't be accepted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu was silent for a moment. Seeing Hua Changxi looking at him imploringly, he sighed: \"Jiu Niang, next time the Medical Bureau recruits apprentices, come and take the exam again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's expression turned anxious: \"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Pharmacist Xu's tone became somewhat harsh: \"What else could it be? The spots have all been taken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"Didn't you tell me earlier that they were recruiting fifty female apprentices this time? Surely all fifty spots haven't been taken?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu said nothing, tacitly admitting it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's eyes widened: \"Really, all fifty have been taken?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu: \"This kind of thing never used to happen, but I don't know what's going on this time. Many noble families are forcing their people into the Medical Bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know? Even the young lady of the Duke's mansion got involved this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's brows knitted: \"How can noble families care about a position as an apprentice in the Medical Bureau? Don't they find it unseemly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu: \"In fact, positions in the Medical Bureau are quite desirable. The noble families all have the custom of training medical women as dowry for their daughters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What place is best for training medical women? The Medical Bureau!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was extremely angry. When her emotions subsided, she immediately looked at Pharmacist Xu imploringly: \"Uncle Xu, I have to get into the Medical Bureau. Help me, and I will repay you handsomely in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu showed a troubled expression: \"I have no say in the recruitment of apprentices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi fell silent. After a moment, her face hardened: \"I'll go back and find that Medical Officer Sun. If he doesn't accept me, I'll tell everyone about him taking bribes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Pharmacist Xu was startled and pulled Hua Changxi: \"Oh my little ancestor, don't you dare do that. Even if you succeed through threats and actually get into the Medical Bureau, a series of retaliations would await you, and in the end you'd still be driven out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused for a moment as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell you what, I'll go find Medical Officer Wang, who is on good terms with me in the Apprentice Hall, and see if I can pull some strings for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi's face suddenly lit up with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu added: \"But don't get your hopes up too high. Although the Medical Bureau is a bit different from other government offices, it is still a government office, and matters inside are all interconnected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just like this time, the Apprentice Hall is increasing its recruitment of apprentices. The Apprentice Hall actually has very little decision-making power over who gets recruited.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi fell silent, lowering her head: \"Uncle Xu, I understand. I've caused you trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu thought for a moment, then advised: \"Jiu Niang, take Uncle Xu's advice. If you can't get into the Medical Bureau this time, we'll try next time. I refuse to believe the nobles can take all the spots every single time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi forced a smile: \"Alright, I'll listen to you, Uncle Xu. You go ahead and get busy. I'll head back now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu was still a bit worried: \"Don't go looking for that Medical Officer Sun, you hear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi nodded: \"I won't. I was just venting earlier.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pharmacist Xu gave a few more instructions before entering the pharmacy, looking back repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing that she most likely couldn't enter the Medical Bureau, Hua Changxi was extremely unwilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If her medical skills were lacking, she would have accepted it, but that wasn't the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she had verbally agreed with Pharmacist Xu not to see Medical Officer Sun, Hua Changxi's feet uncontrollably carried her back to the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, the square was already filled with examinees taking the practical test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The proctoring medical officers were no longer just Medical Officer Sun; there were also a dozen other medical officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi thought that if she hadn't handed in her paper early, she might not have witnessed the scene of Medical Officer Sun taking bribes.\u003C\u002Fp>",3462,"2026-05-29T04:10:26.746Z","2026-06-01T04:29:08.487Z",1,"deepseek-v4-flash","f3f18aebc5d0b2abda619e2c97829f814829eef5b8162b5a7cacef7eee0d1b9b","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-13","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-11",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-cover.jpg"]