[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-198":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1896972,2531,"Chapter 198: Sharp Tongue","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-198",198,"\u003Cp>\"Hall Master!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Changxi had finally returned to the Qihuang Hall, the other seven medicine apprentices simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering Hall Number Thirteen of Qihuang, they each carried missions: first, to learn the art of pill refining; second, to uncover the secrets of the Qihuang Hall; and third, to gather information on Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have expected that Hua Changxi was no ordinary person? After meeting them once, she never visited the Qihuang Hall again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at the seven medicine apprentices following Physician Xu into the main hall: \"Do you have some matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seven apprentices sensed the impatience in Hua Changxi's tone. They exchanged glances until Hua Shuran, relying on her shared clan name with Hua Changxi and her status as the legitimate daughter of a Count's mansion, spoke first: \"Hall Master, we are here to await your orders.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi gazed at the seven: \"I did not select any of you to enter this hall. I have no orders for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Hua Shuran and the other six wore expressions of shock. Even Physician Xu had not expected Hua Changxi to speak so bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent, the atmosphere growing stifling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither Hua Shuran nor Hua Wanyue had expected Hua Changxi to show such disregard for face. Both felt that while Hua Changxi might not treat others as insiders, they, being of the same Hua clan, should naturally be on the same side. Yet, judging by Hua Changxi's conduct, she clearly gave no thought to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong and He Siqi exchanged helpless glances. When they learned their families had arranged their entry into Hall Number Thirteen of Qihuang without notifying Hua Changxi, they had anticipated her displeasure. However, they had not expected such outright rejection, where she could not even be bothered to perform the superficial courtesies of false cordiality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yu, Zhou Bin, and Wan Feng all kept their heads bowed, looking at the ground, their expressions relatively calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi observed the reactions of all seven: \"If there is nothing else, you may leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Shuran and the others glanced at one another but remained standing, unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong took a deep breath and stepped forward: \"Hall Master, the masters of other Qihuang Halls all teach their medicine apprentices pill refining.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi turned to look at Physician Xu: \"When medicine apprentices refine pills, are the spiritual herbs required also distributed by the Medical Bureau?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu shook his head: \"No. Each month, the Medical Bureau distributes only sixty portions of spiritual herbs sufficient for refining first-grade spirit pills to each Qihuang Hall.\" Spiritual herbs were precious; naturally, they could not be supplied for apprentices to practice with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi smiled: \"Then does this mean the Medical Bureau has no intention of cultivating medicine apprentices? Are the apprentices in every Qihuang Hall merely laborers hired to perform menial tasks?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu offered an embarrassed smile and did not respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, the others experienced Hua Changxi's sharp tongue. Mere laborers? They were not lowly individuals. Anyone capable of entering a Qihuang Hall possessed deep backgrounds; they were only humbling themselves to stay in Hall Number Thirteen because they sought something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi asked again: \"Has this month's allocation of spiritual herbs been issued?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu nodded: \"Yes. On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, I went and retrieved the spiritual herbs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said: \"Go fetch thirty portions of the spiritual herbs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu wanted to ask what the herbs were for, but remembering that he and Hua Changxi were now in a superior-subordinate relationship, he swallowed the words before they left his lips. He simply stood up and went to retrieve thirty portions of spiritual herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi inspected the quality of the spiritual herbs. Their processing and storage were merely average; more than thirty percent showed signs of leaking spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the Miscellaneous Duties Hall lacked people who truly knew how to handle spiritual herbs!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, regarding the various spiritual herbs constantly emerging, unless one had inherited knowledge concerning spiritual herbs, one would likely not even know their names, let alone how to process and prepare them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[28] \"The eight of you, divide these thirty portions of spiritual herbs among yourselves. Those who receive less this month will be compensated next month. Henceforth, this shall be the arrangement every month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You eight, divide these thirty portions of spiritual medicine among yourselves; those who receive less this month will be compensated next month, and it will be this way every month from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Physician Xu seemed hesitant to speak, but seeing Hua Changxi's unquestionable demeanor, he quickly distributed the spiritual herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he finished distributing them, Hua Changxi said: \"Very well. You have received your spiritual herbs; you may leave now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Wanyue could not hold back: \"Hall Master, none of us knows how to refine pills. Will you not teach us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi chuckled lightly. Looking at the eight medicine apprentices, she said: \"I know you all come from extraordinary backgrounds. However, within Hall Number Thirteen of Qihuang, your status is that of medicine apprentices. If you cannot recognize this fact, you had best return immediately to wherever you came from.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must remember: I did not demand that you come to Hall Number Thirteen of Qihuang. Before you entered, you should have prepared yourselves to be medicine apprentices. Now you turn around and make demands of me; are you certain that I owe you responsibility?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yu spoke up: \"But it is indeed the Hall Master's duty to teach the medicine apprentices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied: \"That applies to other hall masters, not to me. This is simply how I am. If you have objections, the main gate is right there; you may leave at any time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, everyone fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold smile curved Hua Changxi's lips: \"Do not compare other Qihuang Halls with ours. They are like grasshoppers tied to the same string. But what about you and me? If you do not stab me in the back, I will consider myself fortunate. Yet you still fantasize about me teaching you pill refining? Do you truly take me for a fool?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu and the other seven: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Hua Changxi had spoken so plainly, Hua Shuran and the others had no choice but to withdraw from the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Physician Xu and the others had left, he looked at Hua Changxi helplessly: \"Ninth Lady, a hall master does not conduct themselves as you do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi dismissed the concern with a wave of her hand and shrugged: \"I am simply this unique.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physician Xu felt a surge of frustration: \"...If you continue like this, you will have no subordinates left to use.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at him and laughed ironically: \"To use subordinates with divided loyalties, how much of a failure would I have to be?\" Seeing Physician Xu about to speak again, she cut him off directly: \"Uncle Xu, just help me manage the miscellaneous affairs of the Qihuang Hall. As for other matters, I have my own plans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her attitude, Physician Xu could only shake his head and sigh deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he withdrew, Hua Changxi swept her divine consciousness over the four pill refining rooms in the west wing. Discovering that three of them had already activated their protective formations, she felt utterly speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To openly 'conspire' right under her nose—just how much did they look down on her? Did they fear she wouldn't detect the formations, or did they believe that even if she did, she would be powerless to act?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Pill Refining Room Number One, Hua Wanyue was complaining to Hua Shuran: \"Is there something wrong with Hua Changxi's brain? Not giving us face is one thing, but are the words she spoke suitable to be said in front of outsiders? Is this person an idiot?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shuran did not respond immediately. After a moment of silence, she said: \"But what I see is that Hua Changxi is extremely confident.\" Turning to look at the furious Hua Wanyue, she added, \"She does not care about our reactions at all, nor does she fear us spreading her words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We entered Hall Number Thirteen of Qihuang without her consent. Now, she simply intends to make us unhappy and to slap our faces publicly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Wanyue's anger subsided slightly. She said resentfully: \"She shows too little reverence for the clan. Has she not considered that without the Hua clan, where would she be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Shuran did not respond to this. Her father had told her that aside from Hua Bin, whose parents had died and who had received some care from the clan, the rest of Hua Bin's family had not only received no support but had even been suppressed. Attempting to coerce them using clan ties was nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Pill Refining Room Number Two, He Sirong and He Siqi were also discussing Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong said: \"The Hua family's social standing is ultimately too low. Hua Changxi's conduct clearly reflects a mindset of fighting alone. Her lack of scruples shows she never intended to make use of us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Siqi asked: \"What do we do now? With Hua Changxi rejecting us so strongly, I fear we cannot achieve our goals, whether in pill refining or anything else.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong replied: \"The mansion expended great effort to arrange our entry into Hall Number Thirteen of Qihuang; naturally, we must continue staying here. The authorities distributed sixty portions of medicinal ingredients, and Hua Changxi gave thirty portions to us. What does this signify?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It signifies her great confidence. She is confident that with the remaining thirty portions of ingredients, she can refine the thirty bottles of pills required for submission to the Medical Bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this analysis, He Siqi widened her eyes: \"In that case, wouldn't Hua Changxi's success rate in refining spirit pills be as high as one hundred percent?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Sirong said: \"This will be verified soon enough. If it is truly so, then Hua Changxi's pill refining technique far exceeds anything you or I could imagine. Although there is no shortage of pill refiners in the entire Medical Bureau, who dares to claim they succeed with every single refinement?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if Hua Changxi is unwilling to teach us, when the Qihuang Hall rotates its lectures after the New Year, you and I can go to Shuilouyue to listen in; surely we will learn quite a bit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Alchemy Room No. 3, Zhou Bin and Wan Feng were also speaking in low voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Bin shook his head: \"Before entering the Qihuang Hall, I had already heard that our Hall Master has a difficult temperament and very strained relations with her family; today, we have truly experienced it firsthand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Feng also wore an expression of complete disapproval: \"It is still a lack of proper upbringing in the Hua family; the Hall Master speaks without thinking, acting entirely on whim. Though her words may feel satisfying to utter, she gives no thought to the consequences. Mark my words, someday the Hall Master will have to eat her own words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Alchemy Room No. 4, Zhu Yu sat alone by the window, holding the Complete Compendium of Mortal Flora compiled under Hua Changxi's supervision; though she appeared to be reading intently, in truth she was pondering the words Hua Changxi had just spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grasshoppers tied to the same string...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this nonsense born of insufficient learning, or did she simply not regard the other seventeen Qihuang Halls with any seriousness? Did she believe the Imperial Court's arrangements and allocations for the Qihuang Hall would ultimately come to nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>",1973,"2026-06-12T02:51:22.172Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","b132b6660c05aae542f1f7e52e85e1c0b79618857a13ae6010b45559d3abf1cf","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-199","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-197",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]