[{"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-46":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},1896820,2531,"Chapter 46: Retaliation","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-46",46,"\u003Cp>The last time Hua Changxi happened upon the Lu Qingluo sisters exchanging intimate words, to avoid awkwardness, she waited until they had left before going out; this time, Hua Changxi did not wish to wait and walked directly past them from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Changxi...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi, Lu Qingluo was startled, and even Lu Qingling's expression became somewhat unnatural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking ill of others behind their backs only to be overheard by the person in question is indeed quite awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled at Lu Qingluo, then shifted her gaze to Lu Qingling: \"Although your analysis sounds logical and well-reasoned at first hearing, have you ever interacted with me? Have you ever dealt with me personally?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have barely exchanged a few words; are you certain that what you are analyzing is actually Hua Changxi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingling had never expected Hua Changxi to so bluntly expose her gossiping behind someone's back and confront her directly to her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether in the Lu family or at the Apprentice Hall, everyone tried to avoid direct confrontation; someone like Hua Changxi, who immediately brought things into the open, truly caught her off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lu Qingling's reaction, Hua Changxi sneered: \"What you analyzed were merely rumors; would you say a person who takes rumors as truth is clever or foolish?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, disregarding Lu Qingling who glared with eyes wide in anger, she directly stepped forward and entered the Sixth Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who does not speak of others behind their backs, and who is not spoken of behind their back?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi could accept being discussed behind her back, but she could not tolerate encountering it; encountering it once was forgivable, but encountering it twice or thrice with nothing but bad words spoken about her meant she naturally had to step forward to save face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingling pointed at Hua Changxi, her face flushed red, unable to tell whether from anger or shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingluo, however, knew well Hua Changxi's combat prowess and quickly comforted her elder sister: \"Sister, do not be angry; Changxi's mouth is just like that, often leaving people with no way to save face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingling soon calmed her emotions and, after a moment of silence, remarked: \"This Hua Changxi... is indeed a person of true character.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, seeing that her sister not only did not scold Hua Changxi but instead spoke with a tone of appreciation, Lu Qingluo let out a surprised \"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingling looked at her younger sister, feeling somewhat uneasy: \"Hua Changxi was not wrong; my view of her was indeed biased.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone like Hua Changxi, who says whatever is on her mind directly to one's face, is far easier to get along with than those who act one way to your face and another behind your back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although she may leave people with no way to save face, it is still far better than plotting against people behind their backs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingluo nodded in agreement: \"Actually, if one does not provoke Changxi, she is very reasonable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingling did not wish to discuss Hua Changxi further; she took out the notes she had recorded at the Apprentice Hall and was about to instruct Lu Qingluo to study them carefully when she saw a crowd running toward the warehouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What has happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingluo stopped a member of the Sixth Bureau to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A fight has broken out over at the warehouse; it is fierce, and I heard that martial artists are involved.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Lu Qingluo exchanged a glance with Lu Qingling; both sisters were curious about what a scene involving martial artists fighting would look like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sister, shall we go over and take a look?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then let us just watch from a distance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the two sisters arrived at the warehouse, the area was already surrounded by layers of people, three deep on the inside and three deep on the outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who is fighting whom?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is people from the San Cha Pharmacy causing trouble for those at Warehouse Number Five.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly is going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know Mao Wei from Warehouse Number Five? Last year, Mao Wei had several teeth knocked out by someone, so he left Warehouse Number Five; now Mao Wei has returned with his elder brother Mao Yong to seek justice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The incident of Mao Wei being beaten had previously caused a brief sensation in the Laborer Hall, and both Lu Qingluo and Lu Qingling remembered the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who beat Mao Wei?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard it was a female laborer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How would a female laborer dare to lay hands on him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That female laborer is no ordinary person; she is the beloved mistress of Yu Gui, the steward of Warehouse Number Five.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to the crowd's discussion, Lu Qingling's previous change of heart regarding Hua Changxi, thinking her a person of true character with whom her sister might associate more, instantly vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person who is always entangled in scandals, no matter how powerful or good their character may be, is not suitable for friendship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the encircling crowd, Yu Gui, with a grim expression, looked at the arrogant Mao Wei and his group, whispering to Wan Xiaozhou: \"Hurry and tell Godfather that someone is causing a disturbance at the warehouse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Wan Xiaozhou immediately went to find Eunuch Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui looked at Mao Yong standing beside Mao Wei; Mao Yong was the steward of the San Cha Pharmacy, having escorted a batch of medicinal herbs to the Medical Bureau today, never expecting that after unloading the herbs, they would start causing trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Steward Mao, are you certain you wish to cause a scene at the warehouse?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong replied: \"I heard the person who injured my brother is your woman; Yu Gui, out of respect for Eunuch Yu, I will not make things difficult for you; hand her over, and since my brother lost several teeth, she must lose several teeth as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui's face darkened as he looked at Mao Wei: \"Mao Wei, did you not tell your brother why you were beaten in the first place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Mao Wei was about to speak, Mao Yong raised his hand to stop him: \"Er-lang has already told me the details of the incident; but even if he spoke a few joking words, your woman should not have laid hands on him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui frowned tightly: \"So you have no intention of reasoning with me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Wei, filled with resentment, exclaimed: \"My teeth are gone, and I cannot even enjoy eating meat now; what damn reason is there to speak of?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the crowd growing larger, Mao Yong did not wish to escalate the matter further; he walked straight toward Yu Gui, intending to use force to compel Yu Gui to hand over the person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him about to attack, Yu Gui's expression changed drastically; although he had been consuming pills and practicing martial arts for the past two months, his foundation was too poor to begin with, and now he was merely a third-grade martial artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Mao Yong was only a fourth-grade martial artist; although there was a gap, Yu Gui could still withstand a few of his moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Yu Gui and Mao Yong begin fighting at the slightest provocation, the onlookers around them quickly retreated several meters backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, Yu Gui fought somewhat cautiously, anxiously hoping Eunuch Yu would arrive soon, but as the fight progressed, he discovered that Mao Yong could not completely suppress him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Mao Yong, as a fourth-grade martial artist, had already cultivated internal force, Yu Gui's strength was a notch stronger than Mao Yong's; he relied on brute force to withstand the internal force unleashed by Mao Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui was surprised in his heart and soon thought of the pills he had consumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had long discovered that the efficacy of the pills refined by Hua Changxi was much stronger than those sold on the market, but he did not know exactly how much stronger; however, after this spar, he now knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui fought with increasing valor, actually showing a trend of forcing Mao Wei back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers only felt that Yu Gui was formidable, while only the one-armed middle-aged man brought by Mao Yong frowned tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A third-grade suppressing a fourth-grade... the Medical Bureau truly hides dragons and sleeps tigers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui and Mao Yong collided fists; Mao Yong retreated two steps before steadying himself, while Yu Gui was forced back several meters by the internal force before regaining his balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Mao Yong felt a chill in his heart and quickly glanced at Mao Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His younger brother had told him that Yu Gui was merely a second-grade martial artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this a second-grade martial artist? He is clearly third-grade, and on the verge of breaking through to fourth-grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Wei was also dumbfounded; when he left, Yu Gui had been a second-grade martial artist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong looked coldly at Yu Gui: \"Yu Gui, I do not wish to escalate matters. Are you certain you want to shield that female menial?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that he had actually forced Mao Wei to retreat, Yu Gui felt even more confident and yielded not an inch: \"The fault in the previous incident lies with Mao Wei. If you, Mao Yong, truly care about reason, you should not have come here to cause trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong's face darkened: \"It seems there is no reasoning with you.\" Saying this, he glanced at the one-armed man beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man nodded slightly. Instantly, a gravity heavy as Mount Taishan pressed straight down upon Yu Gui. The onlookers surrounding them held their breath, feeling an immense strain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Martial artist's pressure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the pressure struck, Yu Gui's legs began to buckle, yet he struggled to bear it. Within moments, his face turned red, and beads of sweat the size of beans appeared on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching this scene, Lu Qingling tightly gripped Lu Qingluo's hand: \"Hua Changxi causes too much trouble. Moreover, when she provokes people, she may remain unharmed, but those around her will suffer the consequences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just watch. If this Yu Gui does not hand over Hua Changxi, he will surely meet with disaster. Yet if he does hand her over, he will be filled with guilt and become the target of others' criticism.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, to avoid placing himself in such a dilemma, the best course of action is to have no involvement whatsoever with Hua Changxi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingluo, frightened by the martial artist's pressure, nodded repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingling intended to admonish her sister a few more times when suddenly, a clear, cold female voice sounded from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard you are looking for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned toward the sound to see Hua Changxi approaching with a faint smile. The onlookers hastily made way for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi paid no heed to the martial artist's pressure. With a composed expression, she walked up to Yu Gui, pulled him behind her, and the mountain-like weight in the air vanished instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Mao Yong's expression changed, and a look of apprehension appeared on the one-armed man's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Yu Gui: \"Big Brother Yu, are you alright?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui exhaled in relief, smiling as he wiped the sweat from his forehead: \"I am fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Hua Changxi turn to Mao Yong: \"I was the one who beat your brother. If you seek revenge, you should come after me. What is the meaning of causing trouble at the warehouse?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she shifted her gaze to Mao Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems I did not beat enough sense into you last time. Not only have you failed to recognize your fault, but you actually attempted revenge.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Wei trembled and quickly hid behind Mao Yong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong was about to speak when the one-armed man stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man looked at Hua Changxi: \"Today's incident was our presumption. We will leave immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi laughed aloud: \"Come when you wish and leave when you wish?\" She sized up the one-armed man. \"You must be a Jianghu figure. Is this how things are done in the Jianghu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man's expression grew grave: \"What do you want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked toward Yu Gui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice: \"It is best not to escalate matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi also had no desire to make a scene. Looking at Mao Yong, she said: \"You brothers came to the warehouse to cause trouble; surely you owe Big Brother Yu an apology?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Yu Gui immediately wanted to say no apology was necessary, but meeting Hua Changxi's gaze, he realized she was standing up for him and silently swallowed his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a light cough from the one-armed man, Mao Yong, with a grim expression, dragged Mao Wei forward and said to Yu Gui: \"Steward Yu, today we brothers have offended you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui smiled and waved his hand: \"No harm done. A fight leads to friendship. Steward Mao possesses high martial prowess; it is my fortune to have sparred with you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong glanced at Hua Changxi. Seeing she remained silent, he pulled Mao Wei and turned to leave, but just then, Hua Changxi's voice reached them again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does this matter end here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man answered for Mao Yong: \"It ends here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi: \"Good. Since it is over, I will turn the page. Henceforth, let no one bring this up again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man: \"It will not happen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled, looking at the grim-faced brothers Mao Yong and Mao Wei: \"If you still wish to seek revenge, I welcome it. But remember this: my name is Hua Changxi. Do not target the wrong person again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong looked at her: \"Since the matter is settled, we will not dredge up the past.\" With that, he led Mao Wei, the one-armed man, and the other menial workers transporting medicinal herbs away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once outside the back gate of the Medical Bureau, Mao Yong immediately asked the one-armed man: \"What grade of martial artist is that Hua Changxi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man shook his head: \"She broke through my pressure instantly; her martial cultivation must be superior to mine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong was astonished: \"Brother Yu, you are a seventh-grade martial artist.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man looked at him: \"Do not underestimate anyone. At the Capital Martial Academy, martial artists above the seventh grade are becoming younger. Did not a fifteen-year-old eighth-grade martial artist emerge just last year?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the past, practicing martial arts required gradually tempering one's body bit by bit. But nowadays, more and more miraculous medicines are appearing. Some consume such medicines, break their shackles in a single day, and directly become seventh-grade Postnatal martial artists.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong listened with longing: \"Do such miraculous medicines truly exist?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one-armed man shook his head: \"I do not know, but where there are rumors, there is usually some basis for them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong turned to Mao Wei: \"Let the matter concerning Hua Changxi rest here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that even the one-armed man dared not confront Hua Changxi directly, how could Mao Wei dare to say anything? \"Brother, what about my assignment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mao Yong: \"From now on, you will serve under me at the San Cha Medicinal Manor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here at the warehouse, after Mao Yong and the others departed, the rest of the crowd also dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingluo, watching Hua Changxi speaking with Yu Gui, said to Lu Qingling: \"Sister, although Hua Changxi causes trouble, she is also capable of handling it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moreover, she is so formidable. She appeared, did nothing, spoke only a few words, and the people from the Medicinal Manor obediently apologized.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingling had no words to refute this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingluo: \"Sister, some of what you said is correct, but not entirely. Look at Steward Yu; I think he is quite willing to associate with Changxi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingling: \"Enough. That is their affair; we should meddle less. Let us return quickly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qingluo glanced back at Hua Changxi once more, then silently followed Lu Qingling away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, after examining Yu Gui through observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking, Hua Changxi confirmed he was truly fine and prepared to leave the Medical Bureau to inspect the quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Wan Xiaozhou had not yet returned, Yu Gui prepared to visit Eunuch Yu in person to discuss the day's events; the two happened to be heading along the same stretch of road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway there, they encountered Wan Xiaozhou returning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui asked, \"I sent you to fetch Godfather; where did you take him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Xiaozhou shot a quick glance at Hua Changxi, then mumbled vaguely, \"Eunuch Yu is occupied and currently entertaining the great merchant Zhuo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui paused, his expression stiffening. \"The great merchant Zhuo has arrived?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi interjected curiously, \"Who is the great merchant Zhuo?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui whispered, \"Doesn't my Godfather handle a batch of discarded medicinal herbs? In the past, he always handed them over to this great merchant Zhuo for disposal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ever since you, Sister, began refining medicines at the Qihuang Hall, the amount of discarded herbs given to Merchant Zhuo has surely decreased. He probably came to inquire about this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi uttered an \"Oh,\" asked no further, and seeing that Wan Xiaozhou seemed to have more to say, she parted ways with Yu Gui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Hua Changxi walk away, Yu Gui tapped Wang Xiaozhou on the head. \"What were you being so vague about just now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Xiaozhou smiled bitterly. \"Eunuch Yu deliberately avoided going to the warehouse. He said this trouble was caused by Sister Changxi, so she should resolve it herself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui furrowed his brows. \"Godfather still doesn't consider Sister Changxi one of his own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Xiaozhou replied, \"Exactly. Just two days ago, I saw Physician Zhou again; Eunuch Yu is still harboring the idea of having Physician Zhou replace Sister Changxi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Gui sighed, rubbing his temples in distress. \"Godfather has always been uneasy about Sister Changxi taking a forty percent share of the profits. Yet she provides both the formulas and the technique; asking her to take less would be unreasonable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wan Xiaozhou sighed in agreement. \"Indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was simply no solution to the problem between Eunuch Yu and Sister Changxi. They absolutely must not fall out, as many of them still relied on Sister Changxi's pills to practice martial arts.\u003C\u002Fp>",3072,"2026-06-12T02:51:22.172Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","5b070a0190c0ea4466b5eb27be115bd96936c1b20c5d9e0e10ae69c379ea231f","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-47","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-45",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]