[{"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-98":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},1896872,2531,"Chapter 98: Key","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-98",98,"\u003Cp>After Zhou Qiuyu and the others departed, Hua Changxi quickly removed the wooden plaque.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the plaque had changed slightly; the sword pattern on it became even clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lighting the alchemical fire caused the sword pattern to appear; lecturing at the Qihuang Hall deepened the pattern...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi examined the four new diagrams that had appeared on the stone wall; the images were straightforward, clearly depicting the four diagnostic procedures of observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the Qihuang Hall truly is a place for lecturing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi gazed at the sword pattern on the wooden plaque: \"But what use is this sword pattern?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although she remained completely baffled about the plaque's function, confirming that the Qihuang Hall was a place for teaching and transmitting the Dao at least pointed her in the right direction for further exploration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Hall Number Nine was for explaining 'observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking,' then what were the other halls for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi hurried out of the courtyard, and as she passed the stone pillar at the gate, she saw a silver-white sword pattern emerge beneath the character 'Nine'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the sword pattern on the stone pillar, Hua Changxi widened her eyes, paused for a moment in shock, and then her gaze suddenly brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had unlocked the function of Qihuang Hall Number Nine, so was this sword pattern a marker?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since a marker had been made, did that mean Hall Number Nine was now her lecture hall?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Hua Changxi looked at the neighboring Qihuang Halls with an incredibly intense gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Medicine Bureau hid many secrets; although she was currently confused and unclear about many things, it didn't matter—she could claim territory first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn't interfere with the Nine Streets pharmacies, but she could certainly claim these nine Qihuang Halls on the Laborer Hall side first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi walked urgently to Qihuang Hall Number Eight, but as she passed the stone pillar, she noticed the wooden plaque did not flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's wrong now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, when she entered and exited Qihuang Hall Number Eight, the wooden plaque had clearly flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi quickly went to Qihuang Hall Number Seven, yet the plaque still did not flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The sword pattern marked Hall Number Nine, so the plaque is useless for the other halls?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that were the case, then Hua Changxi understood the purpose of the wooden plaque.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was simply a key for entering and exiting the Qihuang Halls!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi thought of the row of wooden plaques hanging on the old courtyard wall in the square, and a sudden impulse rose within her to claim them all for herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment this thought arose, unnoticed by Hua Changxi, the black flame beneath her inner elixir in her dantian sea of qi suddenly grew several times larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware that the black flame had expanded, Hua Changxi felt only one thing: the desire to possess all the wooden plaques grew stronger and stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi always acted according to her heart; since the urge in her mind was so intense, she would simply do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Hua Changxi truly went to the old courtyard in the square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Hua Changxi arrived at the square, dusk was already falling; seeing the open gate of the old courtyard, she still stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing heard the movement and opened his eyes; seeing it was Hua Changxi, he felt somewhat surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing his gaze, Hua Changxi immediately smiled and greeted him: \"Elder, have you eaten dinner?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing paused; to prevent his body from deteriorating further, he hadn't eaten normal food for a long time, subsisting only on grain-avoidance pills, so when suddenly greeted this way, he felt somewhat unaccustomed and laughed softly: \"I have, what about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi glanced around the empty courtyard, seeing no cooking utensils: \"I've eaten too.\" Saying this, she walked to the stone table in the yard, waved her hand, and a pile of spirit fruits appeared on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These fruits taste quite good to me; I specifically brought some for you to try.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at the spirit fruits on the stone table, his eyes flashing slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they were all merely first-grade spirit fruits, the variety was rich; this girl must have already seized some territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smelling the fragrant aroma wafting from the spirit fruits, Gu Xing actually felt a bit hungry; leaning on his cane, he stood up, walked to the stone table, picked one up, and began eating: \"Very delicious, thank you for thinking of this old man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled and waved her hand: \"You're welcome; if you like them, I'll bring you more in the future.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing noticed Hua Changxi's gaze repeatedly drifting toward the wooden plaques; though somewhat puzzled, he did not ask, simply sitting at the stone table eating the fruits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him eating happily, Hua Changxi smiled and probed: \"Senior, what exactly is the use of these wooden plaques?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at her with a smile and shook his head: \"This old man is merely a gatekeeper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he revealed nothing, Hua Changxi continued pressing: \"You have lived so many years; you surely know far more than I do. Just tell me, please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at her: \"Girl, opportunities must be sought by oneself; do not think of taking shortcuts. If this old man truly knew something, would it be your turn to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi still found it hard to believe: \"You have guarded this courtyard all along; how could you possibly know nothing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing repeated: \"This old man is merely a gatekeeper, responsible only for guarding the gate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he would say nothing, Hua Changxi felt helpless: \"Elder, I quite like those wooden plaques hanging on the wall; I'm going to take a few more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without waiting for Gu Xing's response, Hua Changxi walked toward the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Gu Xing was about to say that one person could only obtain one plaque, but before the words left his mouth, he saw Hua Changxi remove another plaque, instantly shocking him into opening his mouth wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi intend to continue taking plaques, he shouted urgently: \"Girl, do not be greedy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Hua Changxi did not remove the plaque.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When taking the first two plaques, Hua Changxi had exerted no effort at all, but when it came to the third, the plaque felt as heavy as a mountain range.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why can't I take it down?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing leaned on his cane and walked to her; looking at the plaque she had just removed in her hand, he fell silent for a moment, then looked at Hua Changxi: \"Show me the plaque you took yesterday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the plaque obtained yesterday now bore a sword pattern, Hua Changxi did not want to take it out: \"I'm not wearing it on my person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing looked at her: \"...Greed leads to choking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at him disapprovingly: \"Aren't these plaques hung here for people to take? I took them by my own ability; how is that greed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words momentarily stunned Gu Xing; after a silence, he said: \"What you say does have some logic, but girl...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing pointed at the plaque in Hua Changxi's hand: \"Though the plaque is light, it still has weight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finding his words vague and confusing, Hua Changxi spoke directly: \"Elder, my mind is dull; could you speak more clearly? What price must I pay for taking this plaque?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing: \"This old man has never possessed a wooden plaque; I know neither the benefits nor the drawbacks of the plaques.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at him. \"Do you think I believe what you just said?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing was slightly surprised by Hua Changxi's bluntness and smiled. \"Girl, there should be more trust between people.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi chuckled. \"Old man, it is getting late. You should rest early. I will head back first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Hua Changxi's figure recede into the distance, Gu Xing looked at the remaining eight wooden plaques on the wall with a puzzled expression. \"Isn't each person limited to taking only one? How could that girl take two?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Xing sighed. With the rise and fall of dynasties, many things from the Gu family had been lost. The ancient texts that survived were incomplete, and by the time they reached his hands, even less remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His understanding of the Alchemy Saint Hall was truly not much greater than anyone else's.\u003C\u002Fp>",1410,"2026-06-12T02:51:22.172Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","b4f468847e5484d34ca123597cce31b997622cb994a6c2e5df17c0c179ab86c0","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-99","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-97",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]