[{"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-208":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},151894,261,"Chapter 208: Divine Tree's Blessing","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-208",208,"\u003Cp>\"Senior Xia, after we pay our respects, will the Divine Tree of the Alchemy Saint Hall truly appear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Xia Zhen had only mentioned the Divine Tree's name and not answered other questions, Prince Shou also asked anxiously, and the others from the Medical Department watched nervously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen looked a bit speechless and said testily, \"How could the Divine Tree appear so easily?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Gu saw Prince Shou's bad expression and quickly asked, \"Then, Senior Xia, what is the purpose of having us pay our respects...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen looked at the eighteen Qihuang Hall masters, then at the young men and women he had brought, sat back down in the host's seat, and stated the reason for this appearance: \"The Qihuang Hall bears the heavy responsibility of spreading the medical path, and the Dao Guardians have the duty to select suitable talents to preside over the Qihuang Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as these words were spoken, the cultivators from the Dao Guardian families straightened their backs, and the younger generation fixed their burning gazes on the eighteen hall masters, as a silent competition once again filled the entire assembly hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Shou could barely suppress his anger, sat down with a dark face, and sneered, \"Senior Xia has brought so many people; it turns out you want to compete with the Medical Department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal family, wary of the Dao Guardian families' foundations, was willing to tolerate some things, but that didn't mean the other party could do whatever they wanted. The Medical Department was not the Alchemy Saint Hall yet; after all, the imperial court was the most orthodox administrator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen glanced at Prince Shou's gloomy face and, though indifferent inside, gave him some face on the surface and said with a smile, \"Your Highness jokes. I brought people here to join the Medical Department; we are one with the Medical Department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words did not improve Prince Shou's expression: \"Since you're joining the Medical Department, you should obey its arrangements. The eighteen Qihuang Halls already have masters. I can place the people Senior Xia brought to work on Nine Streets.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest assured, Senior Xia, if they work on Nine Streets, their talents will not be wasted. I will certainly give them important positions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xia Zhen was quite dissatisfied. The royal family was still the nominal ruler of Great Jin, but now the general trend of spiritual energy revival had arrived and heroes were rising. If the royal family still wanted to act arbitrarily and have everyone revere them as before, it was absolutely impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should be known that in ancient times, the Central Continent never had a kingdom that lasted over three hundred years. The collapse of the Chu Dynasty was only a matter of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, all parties were still willing to give the royal family some face, only because they didn't want complete chaos in order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen darkened his face and said calmly, \"Your Highness loves to joke. If these people I brought were to go to Nine Streets, why would I have traveled such a long distance for this trip?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Shou felt a faint pressure lingering around him and was startled, knowing that Xia Zhen was warning him, but he was unwilling to agree to replace the Qihuang Hall masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for the nine who had obtained wooden tokens, the families behind the other nine hall masters had made deals with the royal family. If those people were replaced, their deals would naturally cease to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Shou knew that Xia Zhen wouldn't really do anything to him, so he directly countered with silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others present, seeing the tense atmosphere between Prince Shou and Xia Zhen, all looked solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi, relying on standing at the back where no one noticed, quietly spoke to Huo Yunxiao: \"Who do you think will compromise first?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao shook his head. If another prince was in charge of the Medical Department, facing the Dao Guardian family, they would surely choose to back down, but Prince Shou... this was a man of unpredictable temper and reckless lawlessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi, seeing he didn't speak, said to herself, \"I think it's Prince Shou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao looked at her in surprise: \"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was thinking about the stench she had smelled on Prince Shou before; this time she didn't smell it, so he must have covered it up: \"Prince Shou seems like the type who likes to play dirty. On the surface, he won't make things too ugly. Like before, I wasn't very respectful to him, but in the end, he just let it go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this: \"Do you know why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"Of course, because there's something on me that they can use.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao shook his head with a smile: \"That's only one reason. The biggest reason is that, in Prince Shou's eyes, you're still too insignificant. No matter how much you stir up trouble, you can't shake him in the slightest. You're just a monkey in his palm, unable to escape his grasp. He enjoys playing with the monkey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now, Prince Shou is facing the Dao Guardian family, who are as powerful as the royal family and even have deeper foundations. For Prince Shou, the Dao Guardian family can truly take away the power in his hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, can Prince Shou treat you and treat the Dao Guardian family the same?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was very dissatisfied with Huo Yunxiao comparing her to a monkey: \"You're the monkey.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao smiled faintly: \"Under the great trend, everyone is a monkey.\" As he spoke, his smile faded and he studied Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi didn't like his probing gaze: \"What are you looking at?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao: \"I'm already unreliable enough, but I find you're even more so.\" He lowered his voice, \"You're watching Prince Shou make a fool of himself, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was silent for a moment, didn't speak, which was considered tacit acknowledgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao clicked his tongue twice at her: \"Prince Shou and the Dao Guardian family are fighting for control. It seems unrelated to us, but it actually matters a lot. If the Dao Guardian family wants to place people in charge of the Qihuang Halls, then someone on our side has to step down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi naturally knew this: \"I have the wooden token. I'm not afraid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao looked at her naive expression and was very curious about how she had gotten into this room: \"The wooden token is not bound to a person; it can change owners.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi's expression froze. Previously, she really hadn't thought that someone could take the wooden token from her, but now... She dared not probe the white-haired old man's condition, but she could sense that his strength was above hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huo Yunxiao saw her stunned and shook his head: \"If someone has to withdraw from the Qihuang Hall, do you think it will be those with power or those without?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thump, thump, thump~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A rhythmic tapping sound approached from afar, growing louder. The crowd followed the sound and soon saw Gu Xing walking into the council hall with the aid of a crutch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gu Xing's arrival, Director Gu's expression immediately brightened. He quickly stepped forward, reaching out his hand to support Gu Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing waved his hand to refuse, walking straight toward the host's seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Gu quickly introduced him to the Protector Clan people: \"This is Gu Xing, Senior Gu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, everyone from the Protector Clan who was seated immediately stood up, bowing in unison: \"Greetings, Senior Gu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing smiled and nodded, gesturing for them to sit down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Gu Xing reached the host's seat, Xia Zhen also rose to his feet: \"The Gu family has guarded the Dan Saint Hall for generations. I, Xia Zhen of the Central Continent Protector Clan, offer my respects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing returned the greeting with cupped fists: \"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Xia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Gu vacated his own chair and let Gu Xing sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting down, Gu Xing looked at Xia Zhen: \"I have been waiting for the Xia family to appear for a long time. Today, I finally get to see you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen smiled: \"We came late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing chuckled: \"Not late, just in time.\" As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the group of young men and women standing on the right, an expression of satisfaction on his face. \"The Protector's judgment has always been accurate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Shou, seeing Gu Xing leaning toward the Protector Clan, grew even paler and shot several meaningful glances at Director Gu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Gu pretended not to see him; Gu Xing was not someone he could control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After praising the people Xia Zhen had brought, Gu Xing's gaze fell upon the Divine Wood Cauldron and the incense-pills on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Xia Zhen voluntarily brought up the purpose of this appearance: \"The Qihuang Hall is a place for teaching medicine and alchemy; the hall master should be chosen based on ability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing nodded, ignoring Prince Shou, who was frantically signaling him from the side, and turned his head to look at the nine people holding wooden plaques. His gaze swept especially over Hua Changxi: \"The wooden plaque is the token of the Qihuang Hall master. Whoever obtains the plaque becomes the hall master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen did not fully agree with this statement. As things stood, none of the eighteen Qihuang Halls had been activated. It was clear that the plaque holders had not yet bound their plaques. Without binding, the plaques could still change owners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that he remained silent, Gu Xing raised his voice: \"Whoever is able to obtain a wooden plaque has received the recognition of the Dan Saint Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xia Zhen's eyes flickered briefly, then he conceded: \"Fine. Nine people have obtained plaques, meaning nine Qihuang Halls already have masters. Then the remaining nine Qihuang Halls should be assigned based on ability.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On hearing this, Gu Xing quickly glanced at Hua Changxi. Seeing her quickly turn her head away and avoid meeting his eyes, he knew full well that this girl was not acknowledging having taken ten wooden plaques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing himself was not willing to have all ten Qihuang Halls controlled by a single person. He also wanted to see what the people Xia Zhen had brought were truly capable of, so he said nothing in opposition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing did not object, but Prince Shou certainly had his own opinions. Seeing signs that Prince Shou might flare up, Gu Xing spoke first: \"Fellow Daoist Xia comes from the Protector Clan, so the people you have selected are naturally excellent. However, all the Qihuang Halls currently have hall masters. You cannot simply force them to leave just because you have arrived, can you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, his gaze landed on the Divine Wood Cauldron and the incense-pills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen smiled: \"The Protector always convinces people with reason and never shows favoritism.\" As he spoke, he pointed to the eighteen sticks of incense on the table. \"Those who are recognized by the Divine Wood may light the incense-pill. When the incense-pill burns out, the Divine Wood will bestow a Divine Wood Leaf.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those who obtain a Divine Wood Leaf may become hall masters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen looked at Prince Shou: \"Your Highness, shall we let the eighteen current hall masters and the people I have brought come forward in turn to light the incense-pills? Who becomes hall master will be decided entirely by the Divine Wood. Do you have any objection to this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people from the Medical Office did not understand the intricacies of the Divine Wood Cauldron and the incense-pills and turned their gaze to Gu Xing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Gu Xing spoke: \"Those who light the incense-pill and obtain a Divine Wood Leaf will gain access to the Divine Wood Secret Realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1994,"2026-05-29T04:10:48.594Z","2026-06-01T04:29:08.487Z",1,"deepseek-v4-flash","5e7c4349aa69df232db0bfeb5654c0000002772436c5fbeb1642fc6bf9bd5ce7","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-209","the-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-chapter-207",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-first-iron-rice-bowl-of-great-jin-cover.jpg"]