[{"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-3":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},1896777,2531,"Chapter 3: Seizing an Opportunity","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-3",3,"\u003Cp>The rear yamen of Jingzhao Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ninth Lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come, drink this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe carefully helped Hua Changxi, whose wounds had already been bandaged, to sit up, holding in his hands a bowl of brownish-red medicinal soup that reeked strongly of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bloody stench of the medicine made Hua Changxi furrow her brows: \"Father, what kind of medicinal soup is this? Why does it smell so terrible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe also found the medicine excessively foul-smelling: \"This was prepared by the Medical Bureau; they say it is a great tonic for generating blood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi did not want to drink it, but for the sake of her health, she still drank the medicine from Hua Minghe's hand; after finishing, her features twisted immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It tasted too awful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like drinking blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi wanted to vomit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in beige official robes walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't waste it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is top-grade blood-replenishing medicine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this case of the demonic Daoist causing chaos hadn't been so massive, with so many victims, you wouldn't be able to get such good stuff.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the newcomer, Hua Minghe immediately stood up to greet him: \"Apothecary Xu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi forced down the nausea in her heart and looked at Apothecary Xu with some surprise: \"Uncle Xu, why are you here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apothecary Xu said: \"Those captured by the demonic Daoist to have their blood drained for sacrifice all fell into deep comas from excessive blood loss; ordinary physicians are simply powerless to treat them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture requested help from the Medical Bureau, so the Bureau sent me and several other apothecaries over to see if we could save more people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking thus, Apothecary Xu sized up Hua Changxi and said with a smile: \"Ninth Lady, your luck is truly good; you actually managed to survive the hands of the demonic Daoist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Minghe's face was filled with lingering fear, and he said to Hua Changxi in a grave voice: \"From now on, you are not allowed to run around recklessly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this kidnapping incident, Hua Changxi also felt deeply that public order in this ancient era was too poor; she obediently nodded: \"I understand.\" Then, she looked toward Apothecary Xu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How are the others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apothecary Xu sighed: \"Twelve people were saved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe's expression turned somewhat ugly: \"Out of eighty-one people, only ten or so survived; those demonic monks and demonic Daoists are becoming increasingly rampant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apothecary Xu was equally indignant: \"Indeed; previously, we only heard of demonic monks and demonic Daoists appearing in other places, but now they dare to come to the capital region to commit crimes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The court really ought to properly restrain those monks and Daoist priests.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe did not respond to these words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many ministers in the court who believed in Buddhism or were versed in Daoism, and the current Emperor believed in both Buddhism and Daoism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such circumstances, who would dare to suppress the rise of Buddhism and Daoism?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apothecary Xu clearly knew this as well; he said no more on the matter and instead turned to look at Hua Changxi: \"How do you feel now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi carefully assessed her physical condition; after drinking the medicine, a warm current flowed within her body, and her head no longer felt dizzy, so she exclaimed in pleasant surprise: \"What exactly was that medicinal soup just now? Its blood-replenishing effect is surprisingly good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apothecary Xu smiled: \"This is a newly discovered medicinal herb by the Medical Bureau, called True Blood Wood; pills refined from True Blood Wood have miraculous effects on martial artists, let alone ordinary people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True Blood Wood...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's eyes flickered slightly; this was yet another medicinal herb she had never heard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, she had already grown accustomed to such situations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The customs and folkways of the Great Jin Dynasty were very similar to the Tang Dynasty she knew, yet there were some differences, the most distinct being the prosperity of the martial path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, martial arts experts of the kind found in wuxia novels truly existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who practiced martial arts were called martial artists, and the medicinal herbs used by martial artists were largely unfamiliar to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Apothecary Xu, another victim has awakened; the Prefect wants you to go and take a look,\" a constable came to call Apothecary Xu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apothecary Xu nodded, and before leaving, he said to Hua Changxi: \"Ninth Lady, the Medical Bureau will be recruiting a new batch of apprentices next month; didn't you previously tell me you wanted to join the Medical Bureau? This is an excellent opportunity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi's expression immediately brightened with joy: \"I will definitely go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Apothecary Xu left, Hua Minghe looked at Hua Changxi with disapproval: \"Why do you want to go to the Medical Bureau? Isn't it good enough to stay at our family's pharmacy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi pursed her lips: \"I would like to continue staying at our family's pharmacy, but will Grandmother agree? Last year, Grandmother already wanted me to make room for Sixth Brother and Eighth Brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the heart of the Old Lady of the Hua family, the Hua family's assets were all meant to be left to sons and grandsons; naturally, the pharmacy business should be handed over to the grandsons to manage, while granddaughters should stay at home embroidering and weaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason she was able to enter the pharmacy to help was because she had demonstrated extraordinary medical talent, shocking the resident physician; the resident physician personally requested her from Old Lady Hua, allowing her to remain and assist at the pharmacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the previous two years, Sixth Brother and Eighth Brother were attending school, so no one competed with her; this year, both have dropped out of school and reached the age where they can help at the pharmacy, so naturally, she must make room for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Minghe fell silent for a moment; he had five children, the first three being sons and the last two daughters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his youngest daughter, Tenth Lady, was eight years old, she was taken away by Daoist Qingyun of the Taisu Palace on Mount Qiyun; now, Ninth Lady was the only daughter remaining by his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ninth Lady loved medical arts; as a father, he very much wanted to satisfy his daughter, but the Hua family did not have much of an estate, and with so many children, if a child wished to develop, they truly had to find another way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a boy in the family wanted to enter the Medical Bureau, Hua Minghe would absolutely agree, but Ninth Lady was a young lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although the Medical Bureau does not participate in court politics, it is ultimately still one of the many government offices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Matters within a government office are intricate and complex; they are not something a young lady like you can fully comprehend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the surface, the Medical Bureau says both men and women may enter, but inside, eight or nine out of ten are men. Do you know how difficult it is for a woman to establish herself among a crowd of men?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you are familiar with Apothecary Xu, go ask him: since the establishment of the Medical Bureau, how many women have managed to rise to prominence within it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi lowered her eyes: \"Where is it not difficult for a woman to rise to prominence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Minghe still wanted to dissuade her, Hua Changxi added: \"Father, I do not intend to rise to prominence by joining the Medical Bureau; I am simply looking for a job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My medical skills have been endorsed by Apothecary Xu; with him looking out for me, I will definitely be able to secure my footing in the Medical Bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her previous life, she was an heir to a family of traditional Chinese medicine specialists and joined the best traditional Chinese medicine hospital in the nation immediately upon graduating with her doctorate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though she did not recognize many of the medicinal herbs in this world, she believed that with her medical knowledge and clinical experience from her previous life, she would absolutely be capable of performing the work at the Medical Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe did not wish to argue with his daughter while she was injured, so he merely said, \"Let us speak of this another time; your disappearance has terrified your mother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest a while longer; shortly, the Prefect and the Chief Constable may summon you. At that time, tell them everything you know. Once registered, you can return home with your father.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After resting for one double-hour, a bailiff indeed arrived to escort Hua Changxi to the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe accompanied Hua Changxi at her side, where they met the Prefect of Jingzhao in the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since a rogue Daoist had caused chaos within the capital's jurisdiction, Hua Minghe, as a constable of the Six Doors, had immediately dispatched messengers to notify the Six Doors after rescuing his daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, seated below the Prefect was the Chief Constable of the Six Doors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To avoid trouble, Hua Changxi concealed the fact that the young lady knew her, but revealed everything else without reservation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After she finished speaking, before the Prefect of Jingzhao could open his mouth, the Chief Constable of the Six Doors spoke first to inquire, \"Can you describe this red stone in more detail?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied, \"It is a red stone, round, about this big,\" gesturing with her hand to indicate the size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chief Constable asked again, \"Regarding the young lady who fought the rogue Daoist, and the middle-aged man who appeared later, were there any distinctive features in their appearances?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi racked her memory but could recall nothing distinctive, so she shook her head at the Chief Constable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the Chief Constable sighed inwardly, realizing that capturing those two would likely be difficult; he asked no further questions, turning instead to the Prefect of Jingzhao: \"Does Your Lordship the Prefect have any questions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prefect of Jingzhao nodded slightly, looking at Hua Changxi: \"Young Lady Hua, are you certain that the red-robed rogue Daoist is dead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi nodded affirmatively: \"He is definitely dead. I threw the red stone into the magma, and the rogue Daoist jumped after it; how could anyone survive falling into magma?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Prefect of Jingzhao smiled: \"This official has no further questions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Chief Constable of the Six Doors also shake his head, the Prefect of Jingzhao said to Hua Minghe, \"You may take your daughter home; however, if there is anything further requiring Young Lady Hua's inquiry in the future, you must return to the Jingzhao Prefecture.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe understood this was standard procedure for handling cases: \"If Your Lordship requires it, this subordinate will certainly bring Ninth Lady to assist with the investigation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Hua Minghe brought Hua Changxi back to the Hua residence, the sky was nearly dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ninth Lady.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hua family gathered around, all looking with concern at Hua Changxi, who had fallen asleep in Hua Minghe's arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe said, \"Ninth Lady is injured; she needs proper rest now. I will take her to her room first; everyone can speak with her again in two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After informing his family, Hua Minghe carried Hua Changxi back to her room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe's wife, Lady Yao, quickly followed behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others remained in the main hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Grandmother Hua was concerned about her ninth granddaughter's injuries, that did not stop her from using Hua Changxi as an example: \"Did you all see? This is the price of running about recklessly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially you three—Fifth Lady, Seventh Lady, and Twelfth Lady—you must stay close to your family members when going out; do you all understand?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Fifth Lady, Hua Seventh Lady, and Hua Twelfth Lady, knowing that Hua Changxi had been captured by a rogue Daoist, were all filled with lingering fear and promptly answered, \"We understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Hua Changxi's room, Lady Yao gently wiped her daughter's body with a cloth and changed her into clean clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fearing her daughter might wake startled, Lady Yao kept watch through the night until midnight; only after confirming that Hua Changxi was sleeping soundly did she return to her own room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Hua Changxi, although she had just undergone a life-and-death crisis, she slept with exceptional sweetness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her deep sleep, she had a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the dream, she transformed into a small bird emitting a red glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little bird's nostrils expanded and contracted, emitting breaths like thunder; with each inhalation and exhalation, surrounding currents of air continuously flowed into the bird's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the air currents entered, the red glow on the little bird became increasingly brilliant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknowingly, Hua Changxi's breathing fell into sync with that of the little bird.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi slept until noon the next day; upon waking, she felt exceptionally refreshed and clear-headed, yet when her eyes fully cleared, her entire body froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Realm: Qi Refining Stage 1\u002F1000]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This line of text appearing in her vision left Hua Changxi stunned; it took quite a while before she regained her senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After recovering her wits, Hua Changxi closed her eyes and shook her head several times; finding the characters still present, her heart suddenly began pounding violently, inevitably bringing to mind the red stone that the red-robed elder and the young lady had fought desperately to seize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this be the opportunity spoken of by the red-robed rogue Daoist and the young lady?\u003C\u002Fp>",2261,"2026-06-12T02:51:22.172Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","8827caa5c24fbff2c643f80feb2129cd661337d88cec29ba9c3c70769357caf1","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-4","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-2",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]