[{"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-472":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},1897246,2531,"Chapter 472: Choosing a Master","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-472",472,"\u003Cp>Song Weimin's injuries were so slight that they completely exceeded Hua Changxi's expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, having been imprisoned in the Ghost Tribe's dungeon and subjected to ghost fire burning and ghost qi invasion, his dantian should have suffered some damage, yet it remained intact, with only his spiritual roots slightly injured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, his cultivation level was still very low; he was merely a Five-Element Spiritual Root cultivator at the Qi Sea Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, within the dantian of such a low-realm, impure-rooted rogue cultivator, a golden lotus radiating brilliant light floated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she saw the golden lotus, Hua Changxi thought of the Merit Golden Lotus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, she assumed this golden lotus was a fortuitous encounter Song Weimin had stumbled upon, but upon careful observation, she discovered the lotus seeds were five-colored, corresponding to the colors of his Five-Element spiritual roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The cultivation technique you practice is quite extraordinary.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin was already extremely embarrassed under Hua Changxi's gaze, feeling as though he were being seen through; hearing her words, he immediately looked over in astonishment: \"You can even diagnose what cultivation technique I practice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled: \"Of course, observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking are the most basic qualities of a physician.\" She paused, then added, \"Would you mind telling me the name of the technique you cultivate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone else had asked, Song Weimin certainly would not have said, but Hua Changxi...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had not only discerned that his cultivation technique was extraordinary, but she was also his benefactor who saved his life and had allowed him to resume control of Nanxiang County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Merit Golden Lotus Technique.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, a look of understanding flashed through Hua Changxi's eyes, and she continued: \"Your eager agreement just now to take over the livelihood affairs of Nanxiang County must also be somewhat related to this cultivation technique you practice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Changxi had even deduced this, Song Weimin's thoughts about her—that she was young, lacked background, and became the Hall Master of the Lingguang Hall merely due to good luck—underwent a change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, geniuses are all shrewd individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the human race, the fastest way to accumulate merit is to control a territory, develop its livelihood, and allow the common people to live and work in peace and contentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a mere rogue cultivator with no relatives or friends behind him to offer assistance, it was nearly impossible for him to forcibly seize a territory in this era of great contention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For him, the most convenient method was to choose a worthy master to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi possessed territory and resources but lacked manpower; for him, she was undoubtedly the best candidate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterwards, Hua Changxi did not continue questioning Song Weimin about other matters; she used Southern Bright Separation Fire to clear the ghost qi from his body and then applied acupuncture to repair his spiritual roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here are several bottles of Grade-Two Five-Element Pills; take them and keep them safe. Take one pill daily thereafter; first use the spiritual qi within the pills to nourish your spiritual roots, and only begin cultivating again after half a month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin memorized this carefully; looking at the supreme-grade pills in his hand, even though he strove to remain calm, he could hardly conceal his excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must know that previously, he could only afford lower-grade pills, and even then, it required him to hoard resources for a long time to exchange for a small quantity of medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Supreme-grade pills were, for him, something that existed only in hearsay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well, you may leave the Ghost Fire Well now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have already made arrangements at Lingguang Hall; once you go there, five Battalion Commanders will await your orders and accompany you to Nanxiang County's county seat to take over everything within the city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, after you leave, you must not reveal my identity to anyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking thus, the gaze Hua Changxi directed at Song Weimin gained an element of scrutiny and judgment, while simultaneously, a lotus-shaped Soul-Chasing Seal condensed in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Song Weimin did not know what the Soul-Chasing Seal was, he instinctively perceived the danger and hastily promised: \"Rest assured, a gentleman's promise is worth a thousand gold; I will not leak any information about you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi stared at Song Weimin for a moment before putting away the Soul-Chasing Seal: \"My trust is precious; once lost, it is lost forever, with no possibility of redemption. I hope I have not misjudged you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference between acting voluntarily and being forced to act through coercion or inducement is enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those cultivators mining at the Separation Fire Cliff, she could implant Soul-Chasing Seals, but for 'professionals' like Song Weimin, doing so might prove counterproductive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi put away the Soul-Dropping Seal, Song Weimin immediately breathed a sigh of relief: \"A person without trust cannot stand; even for my own sake, I would never become someone who breaks their word.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow, neither affirming nor denying: \"You may go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin did not move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at him: \"Is there something else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin asked: \"What do you intend to do with those rogue cultivators?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied: \"I haven't reviewed their files yet, so I have no plans for the time being.\" She paused, then added, \"Why, do you have any ideas?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin did not hide anything and quickly stated his thoughts: \"If I am to take over Nanxiang County, I must certainly have capable people at my disposal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said: \"Did I not give you five thousand Zhu Que soldiers? Is that too few?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Song Weimin's face first displayed a look of shock, which then turned to speechlessness, and finally, he said with disdain:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Military administration ensures stability, while livelihood administration ensures prosperity; military administration must not disturb the people, and livelihood administration must not involve the military. The military protects the people, while governance nurtures them; each fulfilling its own duty is the strategy for lasting peace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I assumed the Zhu Que soldiers you assigned to me were solely for guarding the county city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that you actually intend for the Zhu Que soldiers to interfere in the livelihood affairs of Nanxiang County?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was momentarily stunned, then lightly tapped her own head and saved face by saying: \"Look at me; struck by heavenly thunder, my brain isn't even turning. It was my oversight; military administration and livelihood administration must be separated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin looked at her suspiciously; why did he feel she didn't understand the principles of governance at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unwilling to be looked down upon by Song Weimin, Hua Changxi quickly asked: \"Do you think those cultivators are usable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin was indeed distracted: \"The Imperial Court did not wish to attract attention, so the cultivators they captured were all powerless rogue cultivators. Those who are still alive now are all individuals with spirit and ambition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi asked: \"How do you know those people have spirit and ambition?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin glanced at her: \"You have been inside the Ghost Prison; in such an environment, how could those whose mental defenses were not broken and who persisted until the end lack any spirit or ambition?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this point, Hua Changxi agreed: \"But what about their character? Those managing livelihood affairs cannot have poor character.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the corners of Song Weimin's mouth curled up: \"No one is absolutely good, nor absolutely bad; I only need to make good use of their 'good' aspects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Song Weimin, whose face now bore a confident smile, and recalling the high regard the people of Nanxiang County held for him, Hua Changxi waved her hand to summon Fang Zhuyue: \"Include Lord Song when investigating the backgrounds of the rogue cultivators.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhuyue glanced at Song Weimin and quickly responded: \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi fell silent for a moment, then asked: \"How many rogue cultivators are there in total?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Zhuyue replied: \"Three hundred and sixty-six.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Hua Changxi waved her hand to dismiss the two: \"Go attend to your duties.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the two departed, Hua Changxi set up isolation and concealment formations within the prison cell, then took out the Shennong Cauldron and began refining the 'Dust-Forgetting Pill'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the backgrounds of the three hundred-plus rogue cultivators were mostly gathered, her pill refining was also complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Weimin smiled at Hua Changxi and said, \"All rogue cultivators are willing to work for the Zhu Que Army.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, Hua Changxi was not surprised; she handed the freshly refined 'Wangchen Pills' to Fang Zhuyue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are Grade One Wangchen Pills; once ingested, all memories from within the past year will be completely erased.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once the injuries of those rogue cultivators have healed, give them the pills. Remember, not a single person can be missed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1476,"2026-06-12T02:51:24.126Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","d7a60a69aaded9130efce939e883e3192119edd5a8b5331f6d2d1ff5b759b2f8","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-473","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-471",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]