[{"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-81":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},1896855,2531,"Chapter 81: Promotion","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-81",81,"\u003Cp>Refining and absorbing the Fortune Pill took an entire night; as soon as dawn broke the next day, Hua Changxi went to her parents' room, and not long after she arrived, her parents and two elder brothers woke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled and asked, \"How do you feel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang's face lit up with delight as he said, \"I feel incredibly light; my entire body feels unblocked and harmonious. Before, I thought practicing martial arts was impressive enough, but I never expected there to be an even better path of cultivation in this world.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe and the other two also wore expressions of joy on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled and said, \"Spiritual meridians are bridges connecting heaven and earth; with these bridges, one can draw upon the power of heaven and earth for one's own use.\" Saying this, she handed the *Burning Flame Technique* to Hua Liulang and Lady Yao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother, you and Sixth Brother possess fire spiritual meridians, so you must cultivate fire-attribute techniques; this manual is very suitable for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, turning to look at Hua Minghe and Hua Sanlang, she added, \"The *Green Wood Technique* that Tenth Sister gave is an excellent cultivation manual; you just need to practice according to that technique.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang carefully tucked away the *Burning Flame Technique*, then looked at Hua Changxi with curiosity: \"Ninth Sister, it's no surprise that Tenth Sister could produce Daoist pills and techniques, but you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi glanced at him sideways: \"What about me? Can't I have my own fortuitous encounters?\" She snorted, \"The family treats me like worthless grass, but out there, I am considered a treasure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Lady Yao glared at her daughter: \"Who in our family treats you like grass?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi pursed her lips and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Minghe seemed hesitant to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hua Changxi spoke directly: \"Father, whether you keep your ability to cultivate secret or make it public is up to you; I won't interfere either way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have no more pills; if anyone in the family becomes envious because of this or tries to coerce you using filial piety, do not come to me for help.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As Sixth Brother said, I am just a powerless little laborer; producing such pills will surely attract unwanted attention, so please do not stab me in the back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yao glanced at her husband, then lightly tapped Hua Changxi's forehead: \"Do you think we are people who cannot distinguish between what is important and what is trivial? Rest assured, we will not mention this matter to the rest of the family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Sanlang said, \"But we cannot keep hiding it forever, can we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yao replied, \"Then before the family discovers it, we must think of a good excuse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi did not dwell on the matter; instead, she took out a fire spirit stone and asked, \"Did Tenth Sister leave any of these stones behind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang quickly took it to examine, saying, \"Yes, she left a thousand of them, along with a pouch. Ninth Sister, you wouldn't believe it; that pouch looks tiny, yet it can hold so many things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi asked, \"What about those spirit stones?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang replied, \"Eldest Brother took most of them; Fourth Brother and Eleventh Sister shared a hundred, while Seventh Sister and Twelfth Sister shared fifty. The pouch is also with Eldest Brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi fell silent for a moment, then stood up and arranged a wood-attribute Spirit Gathering Array in an empty spot within the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang asked curiously, \"Ninth Sister, what are you doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Hua Minghe and said, \"Father, from now on, when you cultivate, do so within this Spirit Gathering Array; it will speed up your cultivation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, turning to Lady Yao, she added, \"Mother, you should cultivate in my room; I have arranged a fire-attribute Spirit Gathering Array there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Liulang hurriedly said, \"Then what about Third Brother and me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied, \"In a little while, I will go to your rooms and set them up for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without storage bags, spirit stones were difficult to store, making Spirit Gathering Arrays more suitable for her family's cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi handed the *Introduction to the Four Arts* to Hua Sanlang, saying, \"Third Brother, this contains some basic knowledge about cultivation; take it and copy it down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, she looked earnestly at her four relatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cultivation, like martial arts, requires consuming vast amounts of resources. In the early stages, Tenth Sister and I can provide some for you, but how far you can ultimately go depends entirely on yourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must keep this clearly in mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these words, Hua Minghe and the other three realized that their two daughters (sister) had granted them a tremendous fortuitous opportunity, and their faces showed a hint of bitterness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said no more: \"Father, Mother, it is getting late; I must head to the Medical Bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yao held her back, asking, \"Ninth Sister, do you still intend to remain as a laborer at the Medical Bureau?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi nodded: \"I have no plans to leave the Medical Bureau for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yao quickly said, \"Before Tenth Sister left, she mentioned that being a laborer is too hard and told you not to go; she asked you to wait for her return, promising to arrange a better position for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi laughed helplessly: \"Mother, I know Tenth Sister means well, but I have my own path to walk, something no one else can assist me with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, do not worry about me; if I truly become unhappy working at the Medical Bureau, I know how to make choices. I'm leaving now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the room, Hua Changxi saw that Grandfather Hua and the others were already seated in the main hall, so she announced, \"Grandfather, Grandmother, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, I am heading to the Medical Bureau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her walk out of the courtyard, Grandmother Hua remarked, \"It is just as well that Ninth Sister wishes to stay at the Medical Bureau; although Tenth Sister has some connections, they should not be wasted recklessly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grandfather Hua said nothing, which counted as tacit approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members of the second and fourth branches also said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Tenth Sister had become successful, everyone was counting on her patronage; if she gave her resources to Ninth Sister, there would be less for them to share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Hua Changxi arrived at the Medical Bureau, it was already Si hour (9:00 AM); as soon as she entered the Laborers' Hall, she sensed something was amiss in the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, although the laborers performed heavy tasks daily, since their wages were higher than those outside, most of them wore smiles on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, upon returning this time, as she walked along, she noticed that the laborers' spirits were low, with most wearing gloomy, worried expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Changxi, you're back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the Sixth Bureau, Wang Yunchu was the first to spot Hua Changxi; others, hearing her voice, looked toward the sound and were greatly surprised to see she had indeed returned from the Medicine Estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Ruo sized up Hua Changxi; seeing that she had not become timid or cowed from her time at the Medicine Estate, but rather that her bold spirit seemed even more pronounced than before, she felt both surprised and relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed this girl had not suffered any hardship during her stay at the Medicine Estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eunuch Jia gave instructions that as soon as you returned, you were to go see him immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi said, \"I will put down my bundle and then go see Eunuch Jia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yunchu set aside her work and followed Hua Changxi back to the dormitory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Hua Changxi asked puzzledly, \"Is something the matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yunchu lowered her voice: \"Eunuch Jia has been having a difficult time lately; he has been scolded several times by Eunuch Jia [Note: Context implies a different Jia or typo in source, translated as per text 'Jia Eunuch']. When you go to see him, please keep your temper in check.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that she had come specifically to warn her, Hua Changxi smiled and said, \"Thank you; I will be careful. By the way, I noticed the atmosphere in the Laborers' Hall seems off; has something happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yunchu looked left and right; seeing no one around, she whispered, \"Last month, Eunuch Sun, who managed the First Office, passed away, and a new Eunuch Zhou has taken over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As soon as that Eunuch Zhou took power, the first thing he did was replace all the original supervisors of the First Office.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some of Eunuch Sun's former inner circle were beaten to death after being caught embezzling medicinal herbs, while others were driven out of the Labor Service Hall on fabricated charges.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi's expression grew slightly graver; was the strife within the Labor Service Hall truly this intense?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yun continued, \"It isn't just the First Bureau; the Second and our Third Bureau are also unsettled. It seems someone is causing trouble for Eunuch Jia as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi frowned. Someone was causing trouble for Eunuch Jia, and he had happened to summon her back at this exact moment. Was there a connection between the two?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yunchu, thank you for telling me this. I will go see Eunuch Lu first; we can talk again when I return.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi placed her bundle on her bed and went directly to Eunuch Lu's courtyard to find him, but instead of finding Eunuch Lu, she encountered Steward Leng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have returned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steward Leng smiled at Hua Changxi, showing no surprise at her return; clearly, Eunuch Lu had informed her of this matter long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Steward Leng, her eyes flickering with a sudden realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fluctuation of spiritual energy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was actually a fluctuation of spiritual energy emanating from Steward Leng!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This person was a cultivator!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cultivator currying favor with a eunuch?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was Steward Leng's background exactly? What was she hiding in the Labor Service Hall to accomplish?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Steward Leng, I am looking for Eunuch Lu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eunuch Lu is over at Eunuch Jia's place. He instructed that as soon as you returned, I was to bring you to him. Come with me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steward Leng personally led Hua Changxi to the courtyard where Eunuch Jia conducted his office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the two entered the courtyard, they saw someone in the center being beaten with planks; their waist and buttocks were beaten into a bloody mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person being beaten was none other than Eunuch Lu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia sat high upon the steps. Upon seeing Steward Leng arrive with Hua Changxi, he raised his hand to signal the beaters to stop and ordered someone to carry Eunuch Lu away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steward Leng had clearly not expected Eunuch Lu to be beaten, let alone so severely. Since she had been counting on him to shield her, she cast a glance at Hua Changxi, signaling her to pay respects to Eunuch Jia, while she quietly withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia knew Steward Leng was Eunuch Lu's lover; seeing her leave, he said nothing, his gaze fixed firmly on Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So alike!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too alike!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some time ago, he had seen the Fifth Imperial Prince and the direct disciple of the Taosu Palace Sect Master within the palace; that direct disciple looked exactly like Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had sent people to investigate the Hua family, and what they discovered was shocking: Hua Changxi actually had a twin sister who had been sent to Taosu Palace at a very young age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That direct disciple was Hua Changxi's twin sister, Hua Shinian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the respectful attitude the Chief Eunuch of the Qianqing Palace had shown toward Hua Shinian, Eunuch Jia's estimation of Hua Changxi rose several notches. Seeing her stand still without approaching to pay respects, he did not reprimand her but spoke first: \"I am already aware of the circumstances regarding Little Lu punishing you by sending you to the Medicine Manor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's eyes shifted slightly. She had been punished by Eunuch Lu and sent to the Medicine Manor because of their collaboration in pill refining; they had fallen out over the division of profits. What did Eunuch Jia mean by this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he implying that he held leverage over her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her remain silent, Eunuch Jia continued, \"I truly never expected your attainment in pill refining to be so high. I can mobilize a batch of medicinal herbs myself. If we collaborate according to the profit-sharing ratio you mentioned before, how would that be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at Eunuch Jia in surprise; this demeanor did not seem like someone intending to exploit her mistakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eunuch Jia, I no longer wish to collaborate with anyone to refine pills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia's brows knitted slightly, a surge of displeasure at being rejected rising in his heart: \"The medicinal herbs I provide are certainly not discarded waste.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied, \"Eunuch, it is not a matter of the herbs. Previously, I was too ignorant of my own limitations. I have now learned my lesson and dare not act recklessly again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Mount Wuzhi in her possession, how could she possibly lack medicinal herbs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, she no longer wished to refine ordinary pills; she needed to hurry and refine spiritual pills for cultivators, as her rank as a pill refiner had not yet been promoted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about how she still needed to refine several thousand batches of pills to advance from a First-Rank Pill Refiner to a Second-Rank Pill Refiner, she felt time was insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia did not believe that this girl had been frightened into cowardice merely by being punished at the Medicine Manor for a few months, but since she was unwilling, he could not force her: \"I have heard that you got along quite well in the San Cha Medicine Valley and even gained the favor of Elder You.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled and said, \"It is simply that Elder You is kind and takes care of the younger generation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia looked deeply at Hua Changxi. Was this girl so fearless in her attitude because she knew her sister was highly valued within the palace?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Lu mentioned that after you entered the Labor Service Hall, you worked diligently and efficiently. With such high attainment in medicine, serving as a laborer is truly a waste of your talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here is the arrangement: you shall first serve as a Third Steward to test your capabilities. If you perform well, henceforth I will entrust the management of all female laborers in the Third Bureau to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was somewhat confused; she had rejected Eunuch Jia, yet he was promoting her instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this magnanimity, or was there some other scheme afoot?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering that becoming a Third Steward would free up much of her time and grant her a certain degree of autonomy, Hua Changxi did not refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for what scheme Eunuch Jia was actually plotting, she would inevitably find out sooner or later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eunuch Jia paid no heed to Hua Changxi's thoughts and directly ordered the young eunuch beside him, Little Shou, to go to the Sixth Bureau to announce the appointment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Hua Changxi returned to the Sixth Bureau, everyone already knew she had become the Third Steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Third Steward no longer had to sleep in the communal barracks but was assigned a room for two. When Hua Changxi returned to her former quarters to retrieve her bundle, she saw Du Ruo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Ruo looked at Hua Changxi, hesitating as if wanting to speak but holding back: \"The person you are replacing is Sister Zhou. Sister Zhou was a good person; all the female laborers under her were quite obedient to her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi paused in surprise: \"Replacing? Wasn't there a vacant position for a Third Steward?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing her ask this, Du Ruo was also astonished: \"No, Sister Zhou merely fell ill and requested leave to return home; she will be coming back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi frowned, feeling that Eunuch Jia was deliberately making things difficult for her, forcing her to offend someone the moment she took office: \"Thank you for the reminder, Steward Du. I am aware of the situation now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Hua Changxi still intended to assume the role of Third Steward, Du Ruo's face showed difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing this, Hua Changxi raised an eyebrow and said, \"What, does Steward Du think I should refuse this position as Third Steward? But the one making the decision is not me; it is Eunuch Jia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if I refuse, Eunuch Jia might simply arrange for someone else to take the post.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Steward Du wishes to seek justice for that Sister Zhou, you ought to go to Eunuch Jia yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi understood workplace rules well enough; she could be a thorn in the side, but she would never actively offend the direct supervisor who held the power to determine her retention. She did not wish to leave the Medical Bureau just yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firstly, she had not yet figured out the matter concerning the stone cauldron in the center of the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, cultivation cannot be pursued by merely burying one's head in bitter practice; the Medical Bureau brings contact with many people, serving as a small-scale trial ground for interpersonal relations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering the Golden Core realm, her cultivation stagnated twice, and both times it was resolved through contact with others; although she has not yet fathomed the reason behind this, interacting with more people is ultimately beneficial to her cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third, the Medical Bureau is the medical office with the highest medical expertise in Great Jin; by staying here, she can learn about the latest developments in medical arts and pill refining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, although Mount Wuzhi boasts abundant medicinal herbs, it cannot encompass all spiritual plants and elixirs; medicinal ingredients from all over the country are sent to the Medical Bureau, so by remaining here, she can also gather information on herbs not found on Mount Wuzhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fourth, Gu Jinfan is here; she feels there is something strange about this person, and by secretly observing her, she might unexpectedly gain something.\u003C\u002Fp>",3038,"2026-06-12T02:51:22.172Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","324d77ef682651e52d792d0c6762db744de81f11e91821093381bb1cd9dc919a","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-82","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-80",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]