53: Knighthood

The central hall of Cui Residence was silent.

When Qin Chuan admitted that the four lines were his own, everyone in the room looked at him as if he were a ghost.

None of the people present were ignorant.

Aunt Yun came from a family with a deep scholarly background.

Commandant Cui had personally experienced the power of those four lines on the front lines.

As for Wang Zhongshu and Chen Honglin, there was even less need to mention them.

They were both figures standing at the pinnacle of Great Zhou's literary world.

And it was precisely because of this that it was even more unbelievable.

"You—"

Chen Honglin wanted to say something but couldn't organize his words.

He had previously wanted to have an all-night talk with 'that great sage'.

But now, knowing that the 'great sage' was actually a grandson of his own clan.

This strange feeling truly required him to take a moment to compose himself.

In the entire central hall, only one person didn't know what was happening—

Cui Xiaobao scratched his stick, glanced at his parents, and then at the two old men in the room.

—Although he didn't understand, he seemed to know that his cousin had done something big!

"Hehe, Cousin is amazing!"

After saying that, he twirled the wooden stick in his hand, seemingly using it to cheer for Qin Chuan.

"Cui, Xiao, Bao!!"

Aunt Yun, on the other side, was furious at his behavior; she looked at Qin Chuan, then at her own son.

She apologized to the others and then dragged Cui Xiaobao away by his ear.

Not long after, Cui Xiaobao's wails could be heard from outside.

"Your esteemed son is quite energetic; that's good."

Wang Zhongshu said to the mummified Commandant Cui, then his gaze fell on Qin Chuan.

"You are Chen Wenyuan? Not bad! Very good. Those Four Sayings of the Sage..."

Before he could continue, Chen Honglin became displeased.

He glared at Wang Zhongshu and then said, "This is a disciple of my Chen clan; don't harbor any ill intentions. Wen Yuan, could you let us briefly admire that manuscript?"

Manuscript?

Observing the reactions of these two, Qin Chuan pondered for a moment.

"The manuscript might have been eaten by Fu Xi."

"Hm??"

"Ah!!"

Ignoring their reactions, Qin Chuan turned to look at Wang Zhongshu.

For some reason, this person's appearance always gave him a feeling of 'elderly version - Wang Xuan'.

"This Lord is—"

"Cough!" Wang Zhongshu lightly coughed, just about to say something.

But Chen Honglin spoke before him:

"Ah, he's known as a rebellious official and traitor, given the elegant nickname 'Thief Wang', Wang Zhongshu. Don't be fooled by him."

Wang Zhongshu lightly chided, "Hold your tongue!"

Then, Chen Honglin opened his mouth but no sound came out, and Wang Zhongshu slowly said,

"I am the current Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, in charge of court affairs and overseeing all officials. I heard Wen Yuan still has no teacher? You see..."

As he spoke, Chen Honglin also broke free from his restraint and said anxiously,

"You, surnamed Wang, have no martial virtue! A sneak attack!"

Wang Zhongshu turned and squinted at him, "I am a scholar; what martial virtue are you talking about?"

Seeing the fat old man's face turn red with anger (Qin Chuan felt it was already red), Qin Chuan quickly said,

"So it is Lord Wang in person. This junior pays his respects."

Wang Zhongshu nodded, knowing that there wouldn't be much progress today, and turned to say,

"Today, knowing that Wen Yuan is the author of the Four Sayings of the Sage is enough. That manuscript must have been imprinted into heaven and earth by Fu Xi; it cannot be forced. I shall leave first. When Wen Yuan goes to the capital for the imperial examination, he can come to find me. I will go now and request a reward for you before the Emperor!"

After saying that, he turned and said,

"I am not here; I should be before the Ziwei Ming Hall!"

With that, his figure gradually faded away.

Chen Honglin seized the opportunity to interject, "What's there to show off? I hope you can still stand firm before the Emperor."

After saying that, he turned back to Qin Chuan and continued.

"Wen Yuan, we cannot learn from him, taking big steps before our footing is firm, seeking momentary pleasure."

Qin Chuan nodded and asked,

"Minister Wang... does he already possess the abilities of a sage?"

Chen Honglin looked at him in surprise, then seemed to think of something and said,

"You should also be able to do so in Qiao City. However, this cannot be considered a sage's ability; it can only be said that he used a trick, replacing the will of heaven with his own heart. The cost is very high, and it was unwise just to show off in front of you!"

Qin Chuan expressed full understanding, "Oh, so you mean you can't use tricks, right?"

Chen Honglin:

At this moment, Commandant Cui, who was acting as a mummy on the side, couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

Clearly, he had not received professional training.

Seeing Chen Honglin's dangerous gaze, Commandant Cui quickly shouted,

"You two are from the same clan chatting; it's inconvenient for me, a person surnamed Cui, to participate. Who will help me out? Xiaobao? Madam? Where are the servants?"

Unfortunately, Aunt Yun was currently giving Cui Xiaobao a 'benevolent mother's education'.

As for the servants in the residence, they had already been dismissed by him when Wang Zhongshu and Chen Honglin arrived.

So he could shout himself hoarse, but...

"Cough, Elder Clan Head Chen, I..."

He was just about to offer a few excuses when he heard Chen Honglin say,

"When I arrived, I heard that Commandant Cui was brave, leading the charge against enemies and suffering severe injuries. Now it seems he's still lively."

Commandant Cui chuckled dryly, "Hehe, you flatter me, you flatter me..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Chen Honglin, catching him off guard, slap him on the head.

Commandant Cui was anxious, "You are an elder; you can't treat me like a..."

Chen Honglin: "Myriad Woods Return to Spring!"

"Eh?"

Commandant Cui murmured in confusion, suddenly feeling that the wounds on his body no longer hurt.

At this moment, he finally understood what had happened.

He praised with exaggerated flair, "Elder Clan Head Chen truly lives up to his reputation as a medical sage! If all doctors in the world knew this technique of yours..."

Chen Honglin paid no mind to his exaggeration and casually pointed to the door.

"If there's nothing else, you may withdraw."

"Yes, sir!"

Commandant Cui didn't say another word, directly springing up from his seat and bouncing out the door.

After seeing him off, only Qin Chuan and Chen Honglin remained in the central hall.

At this point, Chen Honglin's expression finally became a little more serious:

"Wen Yuan, what you did in Qiao City this time was very good, or rather, it exceeded expectations."

Qin Chuan looked at his serious expression and wondered, "Could it be... doing well isn't a good thing?"

Chen Honglin: "It is a good thing, but it's too good. Those are sacred words imprinted on heaven and earth. This matter cannot be hidden. Since ancient times, scholars have belittled each other. You will inevitably face some difficulties in the future, or even—'overpraise to kill'."

Qin Chuan nodded. He had anticipated this point ever since he decided to openly admit it.

Now, seeing Chen Honglin mention this, it seemed even more serious than he had imagined.

Looking at the other party's expression, Qin Chuan's heart stirred, and he performed the junior's bow, saying, "What instructions does Elder Clan Head have for me?"

Chen Honglin smiled slightly:

"Judging by how that fellow surnamed Wang acted just now, he thinks extremely highly of you, which makes things easier to handle. So, this is what we'll do..."

Qin Chuan was dumbfounded after hearing him finish.

—This felt like trying to break Wang Zhongshu's leg by clinging to him!

Qin Chuan felt a bit embarrassed, "Isn't this a bit improper?"

Chen Honglin didn't care at all, "What's improper about it? The Four Sayings of the Sage are still your creation; all praise and rewards belong to Chen Wenyuan. As for open attacks, hidden arrows, and rumors, throw them all to that Wang Zhongshu; he's used to it anyway."

"But Lord Wang..."

Chen Honglin stated with certainty, "He will agree!"

Several days later, an official government document was released—

Demons caused chaos, and foreign lands invaded!

Commandant Cui, with the Qiao City garrison, bravely resisted.

Fortunately, Chen Chuan, a disciple of Minister Wang, comprehended the principles of the ancient sages and composed the Four Sayings of the Sage:

To establish the heart for Heaven and Earth,

To establish the destiny for the living people,

To continue the lost teachings for past sages,

To open up an era of great peace for myriad generations.

The Empress Dowager, a sage, said: He is a model for all scholars under heaven; may all strive to emulate him!

Chen Chuan was granted the title of 'Qiao County Son', with an enfeoffment of five hundred households, ranking as a Senior Fifth Rank Official!

Additionally, Cui Tao was granted the title of 'County Male', with an enfeoffment of three hundred households, as a commendation!