54: The world, accepting disciples

Being bestowed a title!

For the entire Great Zhou, this was an unprecedented and immense honor!

Normally, to achieve such merit, besides those who founded the nation, one could only do so by expanding the Great Zhou's territory.

However, come to think of it, capturing that Abyssal Fiefdom this time could also be considered a disguised form of territorial expansion, couldn't it?

But even so, this reward was a bit too grand.

"This is the result of multiple parties working together. Didn't you see that your uncle was also granted the title of 'County Male'?"

Chen Honglin said, annoyed.

As soon as the Great Zhou government's official document was issued, he immediately found Qin Chuan.

Qin Chuan, following the implication of his words, tentatively asked, "Do you mean Cui? But Cui only needed to promote my uncle, right?"

Chen Honglin said, frustrated, "When promoting Cui Tao, how could they leave you out? Wouldn't that be hitting themselves in the face? Besides, it's not just Cui."

Saying that, he counted on his fingers:

"There's no need to mention those people my Chen Clan is on good terms with. Wang Zhongshu's faction is definitely the main force. They once wished they could fight the prominent families like Cui to the death, but this time they actually reached an agreement."

"Of course, most importantly, there are also those military generals!"

"Generals? I've never met them before, have I?" Qin Chuan truly couldn't understand this time.

Chen Honglin nodded, not surprised by this point, and explained, "The people from the Three Laws Tribunal seem to have dug something out of the brains of those extraterrestrial evil spirits. Now, that group of generals and dukes are clamoring to expand the army, so naturally, they'll exaggerate things as much as possible."

"Dug out what?"

Qin Chuan understood somewhat.

But upon closer examination, he had to give up due to knowing too little.

But no matter what, the benefits received were real!

For example—the fiefdom of a County Son!

Chen Honglin: "Your fiefdom is in Qiao City, that can't be changed. Do you have any plans for the future?"

Qin Chuan: "Plans? What does the clan mean?"

—A territory of five hundred households was not small. Qin Chuan wished the clan would help him manage it.

He didn't have much time to spend on this.

Chen Honglin, however, seemed to have a different idea: "You haven't married yet, and it's truly not easy to earn this foundation. But it's easy to conquer an empire, and difficult to defend it. If you don't manage it well, it might be wasted by your children."

Qin Chuan waited patiently for him to finish, but seeing Chen Honglin looking very emotional, he didn't get to the main point for a long time.

Finally, he couldn't hold back anymore.

He asked, "What exactly should I do? Please just tell me directly."

Chen Honglin: "Are you willing to become the founding ancestor of the Qiao City Chen Clan?"

"Huh? Huh? Huh?"

Qin Chuan was truly caught off guard by his sudden remark.

Founding ancestor?

My goodness! He was still just a teenager, and he was already going to bear such a heavy responsibility?

Then, under Chen Honglin's introduction, Qin Chuan finally understood.

—Since ancient times, land has been the foundation of a clan's existence.

Otherwise, there wouldn wouldn't have been so much land annexation throughout the dynasties.

Chen Honglin's meaning was very clear: let Qin Chuan split off a branch from the Yingchuan Chen Clan, and then add the Qiao City Chen.

However, wasn't this too early!

When Qin Chuan voiced this question—

Chen Honglin: "Haha, not early, not early at all. It's better to plan some things early. I also know that you are in your youth right now. The clan will help you manage things first, just let your parents be responsible for it."

"Alright then." Qin Chuan could only respond like this.

Inside Qiao City.

Since the official government document came out, the panic-stricken Qiao City finally settled down.

The corpses of those demons were paraded through the streets, and they finally understood what had happened.

For a time, the praise for the Qiao City garrison, and even for Chen Chuan, was simply irrepressible.

It was even heard that some families who were more deeply affected were already preparing to erect a living shrine for him.

Upon hearing this news, Qin Chuan was completely stunned!

It was already enough to have the nickname 'Chen Qing Ming', but now even a memorial tablet was going to be erected?

He was still alive!

But no matter what, one thing could be confirmed.

Chen Wenyuan's prestige was unmatched for a time!

At least within the confines of Qiao City, this was the case.

Expanding the scope further, looking at the entire world—

The change in Qiao City shocked the entire Great Zhou.

The more hideous and terrifying the monsters in those official documents and scrolls were,

the more fervent their praise for Chen Chuan became.

However, in the eyes of those scholars, these things took on a different appearance.

"The Sage's words inscribed upon heaven and earth, is it real or fake?!"

"Didn't you see the prefix? Disciple of Minister Wang, hah, it's probably that thief Wang trying to take credit for himself again!"

"I don't think so. Chen Wenyuan indeed has some real talent and learning. His theory of heavenly change benefits the nation and the people!"

"Chen Wenyuan has talent, but what does that have to do with the thief Wang?"

"Precisely! Even if it was guidance, it was the Medical Sage's Credit. This thief Wang!"

"It's not uncommon for treacherous officials and rebels to do such things as stealing fame and reputation!"

It is often said: If there are a hundred scholars in the world, then there are one hundred and twenty people cursing the thief Wang.

As for where the extra people came from?

There were simply too many!

Thus, although some literati questioned the authenticity of whether Chen Wenyuan could write those 'Four Sayings of the Sage',

more people still acknowledged his talent, and then—

Cursed Wang Zhongshu profusely!

Chen Honglin was delighted by this, while Qin Chuan felt a moment of embarrassment.

—Regarding the escalating words of the literati, he also saw clearly.

No matter what Wang Zhongshu did, he would be cursed.

So, it should be fine if he helped block it for himself, right?

"I have something! I have a big problem, I'm very angry!"

Wang Zhongshu, who appeared before the Chen father and son again, threw several denunciations in front of them with an unhappy expression.

Chen Honglin chuckled, "Wang, your reputation is already in the gutter. It's fine if you help block for my Wen Yuan."

Wang Zhongshu looked at him coldly, displeased, "Is that what I care about? What I care about is... what does 'thief Wang seizing his disciple's achievements' mean? When did Wen Yuan become a disciple? Where are the six rituals and the tuition fees? Where are the three kowtows to the patriarch? Did heaven and earth witness it?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Honglin and Qin Chuan also knew what he was playing at.

"That's not simple at all!" Chen Honglin chuckled, nodding at Qin Chuan.

"Wen Yuan, kowtow!"

Qin Chuan was not at all ambiguous: "Master above, please accept your disciple's—"

"Stop!"

Wang Zhongshu quickly stopped him.

After he spoke, Qin Chuan found that he couldn't bow down no matter what.

Chen Honglin: "What, you're unwilling?"

The next moment, Wang Zhongshu was heard saying:

"That's not it. Strictly speaking, I'm the one taking advantage, but how can I, Wang Zhongshu, accept a disciple so casually!"

"On the day I accept a disciple, I will call the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers to congratulate! I will call that old Inspector to dance! I will let everyone in the world know that this is my Wang Zhongshu's disciple!"

Having said that, he stared at Qin Chuan, enunciating each word:

"This way, my disciple won't be bullied when he's outside."

Qin Chuan: ...

PS: Happy Lantern Festival everyone! (One more chapter will probably be late at night)