111: inheritance

“I was having a Breakthrough at the time, so I went to a courtyard to drink and enjoy the entertainment, and there I met a courtesan who played the pipa… Later, when I realized something was wrong, she had already taken four pages of a booklet from me and fled, selling it to the Black Wind Martial Hall.

Thirty herb gatherers were poached by the Black Wind Martial Hall, who claimed I was disloyal and exposed all their secrets.

I went to apologize, but my reputation was already ruined. Originally, there were 437 people on the roster, but now there are only 310. Another hundred rarely gather herbs. Coupled with the many people living down the mountain, the amount of herbs gathered each month has been decreasing, and business has declined.”

A honey trap reduced the insurmountable gap by thirty percent—a clever scheme.

That courtesan, who played the pipa and whom Lei He hadn't even touched, was an absolute master. She used seduction, feigned pity, and even sold herself as a determined, self-made woman.

How does that saying go?

A sick father, a disabled mother, a brother who dropped out of school, and a sensible her.

Men, they never ask for much; it's simply a woman's adoration and approval, coupled with a gentle demeanor born of tears, and a smile adorned with virtuousness—easily manipulated.

Jiang Hanwen had a hunch that, although the Black Wind Martial Hall seemed to benefit.

The mastermind behind this incident was definitely not the Black Wind Martial Hall, but someone else, deliberately stirring up conflict between the Zhuang family and the Black Wind Martial Hall to profit from their struggle.

Interesting. Jiang Hanwen narrowed his eyes. He hadn't played games with outsiders yet.

He made a mental note, adding it to his little book of excuses for drinking and entertainment.

“Two days ago, the Huang family offered two taels a month, and today three more left. I don’t want to raise the price to two taels; there’s no point.

I want to set up a small academy for the children of these people and invite two teachers to teach them. Chief Steward Jiang, what do you think?”

After listening to Lei He, Jiang Hanwen nodded. Lei He’s thinking was very sound; he was already a mature manager.

One shouldn't solely focus on money just because the other party raises prices.

Price wars incur real costs. The Zhuang family's excessive monopoly is bound to attract envy.

Spending little to achieve great things and winning by unconventional means is the essence of business.

Jiang Hanwen said:

“A fall into the pit, a gain in your wit—it’s not a loss.

Actually, compared to teaching them to read, I personally believe we could send two guards to teach them to Cultivate. We would only need to pay for some medicinal herbs, and we could even make a small profit.

With their family backgrounds, it’s almost impossible for them to support Cultivation beyond Body Tempering Fifth Layer.

Teaching them two or three layers of martial arts would give them hope, and those herb gatherers would work more actively.

If some are reliable, they could even be absorbed into the Medicine Field, knowing their roots and backgrounds. What do you say?”

“Alright, I’ll decide based on the situation then!” Lei He looked at Jiang Hanwen with a puzzled expression.

What did he mean by “I personally believe”?

It meant, 'This is what I think, whether you listen or not is up to you.'

He understood that Jiang Hanwen was delegating authority, letting him take full responsibility without interference.

Lei He eagerly said:

“Chief Steward Jiang, you—”

“Don’t overthink it. You and Old Song, one inside and one outside, have both done so well that I’m too lazy to worry.”

After speaking, Jiang Hanwen paused.

He suddenly remembered popularizing Cultivation among the children of medicine farmers.

His idea was exactly like the expansion of university enrollment in his previous life.

When university enrollment expanded, those who entered all believed their future prospects were bright.

Little did they know, when everyone Cultivates the 《Sunflower Manual》, and everyone is a Martial Forest master, how do you distinguish between high and low?

What good is it to enter university?

University students, believing they were peering over the edge of a well, had a great opportunity to escape and break through the class ceiling.

Yet, they didn't know that countless others were also peering over the edge, but there were only a few spots to get out.

If the college entrance examination was like thousands of soldiers crossing a single-plank bridge, then graduating from university was like a beast-filled forest, flowing with blood.

Just like that assassin from Yanbian said, you were originally just a laborer, you just studied for a few more years.

How difficult is it to carve out a path from such chaos?

But even if we take a step back, this change is still progress.

Without this opportunity, these children might have spent their entire lives like he once did, toiling in the fields.

Body Tempering Second or Third Layer is very weak, but it is definitely stronger than their parents.

If this method of binding interests is implemented, it will give them a chance to strive.

This! This is the turning point for changing one's fate.

Just like some people curse the college entrance examination, saying that one test determines one's life and is extremely unfair, but in reality, this is already the most “fair” competitive opportunity ordinary people can access.

As far as Jiang Hanwen knew, in previous eras, there were many people who leaked answers in advance, arranged proxies for exams, swapped test papers, and directly decided rankings.

Behind-the-scenes manipulation?

No, this was the rule!

In a trance, Jiang Hanwen recalled Zhang Ping's words when he went down the mountain—wanting to become someone like himself.

What kind of person was he?

A native farmer who, with a twist of fate, became the master of the Medicine Field.

Entering a room of orchids, one eventually no longer smells their fragrance.

He didn't feel anything special about his journey, but in the eyes of others, he must have been someone who broke through the limits of his fate.

So, I’m still quite formidable, aren’t I?

Jiang Hanwen couldn't help but want to laugh. He pretended to rummage in his bosom, but actually took out a Jade Slip from his storage ring.

“It’s time for you to have it.”

Lei He looked at the Jade Slip on the table, then at Jiang Hanwen in surprise:

“Chief Steward Jiang, you’ve had a Breakthrough!”

“Breakthrough my ass! This was given to me by Elder Du before. Now, besides me, you are the only Body Tempering Ninth Layer in the Medicine Field who has a chance at Qi Induction.

The Jade Slip, I’m giving it to you!”

Jiang Hanwen feigned a dejected look. Although he had long since had a Breakthrough, he still didn't want to expose his strength—at least, not before leaving the Zhuang family.

“Gulp ~”

Lei He swallowed, extending his hand, then retracting it, forcing himself to look away, suppressing his yearning.

“I don’t want it. This was given to you by Elder Du.”

Lei He wasn't rejecting the Jade Slip; he was rejecting the status it represented, indicating that he absolutely had no intention of being insubordinate or going it alone.

Jiang Hanwen felt a warmth in his heart, but he truly wasn't testing him. He could only feign anger and say:

“If I give it to you, take it! Hurry up and have a Breakthrough to Qi Induction, and bring honor to the Medicine Field, understand?!”

Being reprimanded, Lei He then sheepishly accepted the Jade Slip, clutching it tightly in his large hand, cherishing it immensely.

This torch, carrying Old Du’s earnest hopes, passed from Jiang Hanwen’s hand to Lei He’s. Who knew how many more owners it would pass through in the future?

With courage, knowing when to advance and retreat, and clear strategy, Lei He was qualified to accept this Jade Slip.

It was just a pity that the Medicine Field was now completely separated. The mountain and the foot of the mountain were entirely different Systems. He, Jiang Hanwen, was probably the first, and only, Chief Steward to manage both sides.

The torch had been passed. Now, it remained to be seen how it would burn.

Going down to the stairwell, Jiang Hanwen looked over.

Zhang Ping sat stiffly at a table on the first floor, a pile of paper packets containing Body Tempering medicinal liquid in front of him, looking a bit at a loss.

Jiang Hanwen walked up to him and, feigning sternness, said:

“Watch your words next time. I’m here today, otherwise Elder Lei would have broken your legs!”

“Ah!” Zhang Ping was startled, looking at Jiang Hanwen with a wronged expression:

“But… but Lord Jiang, you told me to investigate.”

“Investigate the accounts, not whether Elder Lei cheated me or not. I told you to investigate if anyone cheated Elder Lei, understand?”

Jiang Hanwen shook his head. This kid didn't even think. How many people in history died from investigating accounts?

He told this kid to investigate, and this foolish kid never considered that he wasn't targeting Lei He.

Otherwise, why would Lei He let him investigate? What right did he have to touch the account books?

“I’ll say whatever I find. Elder Chen said that account books cannot be faked!” Zhang Ping bit his lip, looking wronged.

Jiang Hanwen looked at Zhang Ping, unsure whether to speak or not.

If you say he's wrong, his words aren't wrong. If you say he's not wrong, his way of expressing himself is problematic.

But investigating accounts openly and honestly means there shouldn't be any secret reporting. Confrontation and tracing the source for truth—that's the real meaning of an investigation.

Dumbfounded, a bit dense, and lacking social graces, Jiang Hanwen couldn't tell if this was an advantage or a disadvantage.

After all, his own father was quite fierce back then, living life to the fullest.

If it were a disadvantage, Zhang Ping wouldn't worship him, nor would he foolishly risk his life to remind him of the map's location, seizing an opportunity to stay by his side.

If it were an advantage, it was only because Lei He's temper was more stable now; otherwise, he would have definitely broken his legs before.

Does character determine fate?

Interesting.