Mang Shusheng's Ink Painting Practice

Chapter 81 Going home for the New Year
After the exam, Zhao Yifu went to Teacher Zhou's class again with a relaxed mood.

However, what he didn't expect was that Zhou Su complained to him as soon as he entered the door.

"What's that essay of yours about?"

"If it weren't for the essay holding you back, that old bastard surnamed Gu wouldn't have had any reason to suppress you even if he wanted to."

Zhao Yifu asked in surprise, "Have you seen my test paper?"

Zhou Su said calmly, "When you were writing that policy paper, I was watching from behind."

Zhao Yifu was speechless. Are you going to give people more space?

Zhou Su is a powerful Yangshen. If such a strong man wants to spy without being discovered, even Zhao Yifu with his current cultivation level will be helpless.

However, Zhao Yifu quickly realized something and said, "But who is that Mr. Gu? Why did he suppress my article?"

Zhou Su said, "Gu Hui is the Nanhu academician. He was impressed by Fan Jin's writings and is planning to guide him in his career."

Zhao Yifu smiled and said, "That's a good thing for Brother Zichang. His talent has actually been delayed."

Zhou Su said: "Don't you feel it's unfair?"

Zhao Yifu said, "It's just an empty reputation, why bother about it?"

Zhou Su said, "Very good. In fact, both of your essays have been selected as model essays for the Imperial College."

During each imperial examination, starting from the prefectural examination, the provincial and prefectural education officials would recommend one or two outstanding articles from their jurisdiction to the Imperial College.

This can also be considered a way for students to become famous through the imperial examination.

At the same time, this can be regarded as an initiative to show the fairness of the imperial examination to scholars. At least by publicly displaying the essays written in the examination, people can know that they are worthy of the name.

Zhao Yifu sighed with regret after hearing this: "If I had known earlier, I would have stamped my seal on the policy paper."

Zhou Su said angrily: "Then you are cheating!"

"Besides, these exam papers need to be copied separately, so your stamp won't be of any use."

Zhao Yifu felt it was a pity.

But then, Zhou Su paused and reminded him, "Since you've chosen this 'stick to the facts' approach to solving the problem, then just stick to it."

Zhao Yifu nodded repeatedly after hearing this and said, "Thank you for the reminder, Master. I understand."

Zhou Su then continued, "Well, now that the imperial examination is over, my duties as the Mozhou academician have come to a temporary end. It just so happens that an imperial decree has come down allowing me to recruit soldiers and suppress bandits myself... What suggestions do you have?"

Zhao Yifu spread his hands and said, "Teacher, you already have an idea. Why should I interfere? If you have any instructions, just give them and I will do my utmost."

Zhou Su immediately thought of Zhao Yifu's exaggerated pectoral muscles... He swallowed hard, thinking that if he sent this guy to suppress the bandits, wouldn't the training effect be lost?

So he said, "Okay, I am preparing to donate some military supplies to the powerful people in Mozhou, and I need someone to manage these logistical supplies."

"I know you have an exam coming up soon, so please take care of these things for me in the days leading up to the exam. I can also help you catch up on your studies in my free time."

Zhao Yifu could only agree after hearing this.

Is there any other way besides this?

No more.

I thought I could relax for a while after the exam, but I didn’t expect that I still have to work.

Helplessly, Zhao Yifu was captured and made a messenger in the following days. He ran around between various wealthy families to help his teacher Zhou build relationships and ask for military supplies.

The imperial court had no money these days, and if it wanted to do anything it had to rely on funding from local tyrants.

But how could anyone be willing to spend so much money on something like this?

So Zhao Yifu followed Zhou Su to visit dozens of powerful families, but in the end they only got about a thousand stones of grain.

This amount of food may not seem like a small amount, but many of them are just empty promises, and it is unknown when they will actually arrive.

This is definitely not enough to support the army.

He was worried about Zhou Su, but Zhou Su was not in a hurry.

Zhou Su scratched his head and said, "Jun Xin, I'm sorry to have troubled you these days. I didn't expect you to have the talent to manage accounts."

Zhao Yifu shook his head helplessly and said, "Sir, these supplies are definitely not enough..."

Zhou Su said: "I know this, of course, but you don't have to worry about it from now on."

"I will ask the prefect for a warehouse to store grain and fodder. For the time being, these servants of the Zhou family will also be suitable for use."

"Originally, the provincial exam would have ended at the end of October, and you've been busy with me for the better part of a month. The New Year is almost here, so go home and have a good New Year."

Zhao Yifu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized what Zhou Su meant.

Isn't this asking: Where are your Zhao family members? Hurry home and urge them to come.

That's what great scholars are like, they like to beat around the bush.

Zhao Yifu nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go back and take a look."

It seems that I have to go back and deal with the matters of Shenhe Villa myself.

He did not mention whether Zhao Xiangyu also wanted to go back, and Zhou Su did not mention it either.

Everyone knew that Zhao Xiangyu was actually the link between the two sides at this time.

Of course, the master-disciple relationship between Zhao Yifu and Zhou Su is actually more reliable, but the current situation at Shenhe Villa is complicated, so just to be on the safe side, we can't put all our eggs in one basket.

So that day Zhao Yifu went to the Zhou family's backyard to say goodbye to Zhao Xiangyu.

Zhao Xiangyu didn't really care about this. She said, "I have lived in the water village with my father for a long time and rarely return home. Now I am just changing the place where I live as a guest."

"Fortunately, Qing Zhao and I get along well. Living in the Zhou Mansion is much more comfortable than in the water fort."

"The only person I'm worried about is my father..."

Zhao Yifu said, "Don't worry, sister. Second Uncle has already left the Water Village and returned to Shenhe Villa. This time, after I go back and discuss it with my father, I should go back to Moyang City with Second Uncle."

"By then, you can be reunited with your second uncle."

Zhao Xiangyu was very perceptive. She asked curiously, "My father just returned to the village like this? How did those old brothers get settled?"

Zhao Yifu thought that she was indeed his own daughter. He said, "I don't know about that. I'll let my uncle tell you in person after you two reunite after the New Year."

He decided to say less, as he didn't want to reveal Zhao Guhe's miserable situation at that time.

Seeing this, although Zhao Xiangyu was confused, she didn't understand what was going on. She could only chat about family matters for a few minutes before saying goodbye.

After all, they are children of the world, and there is no need for all the crying and procrastination.

After leaving Zhou's house, Zhao Yifu went home to give some instructions, and then went out of the city to Moshan in the north.

Since I am going home for the New Year, I have to say hello to the master in the mountain.

Speaking of which, he still felt it was quite subtle. After joining the inner sect, apart from being no longer restricted in learning the martial arts inheritance, there seemed to be no difference from being in the outer sect?
Zhao Yifu went to Moshan and met another Go teacher at Molu Academy.

He quickly stepped forward and greeted, "Teacher Yi Daozi, are you back from your travels?"

This is a lecturer who rarely comes back, and there is no doubt that he is also a guest at the Danqing Temple on the mountain.

Yi Daozi looked at Zhao Yifu and smiled, saying, "A new member of our sect has arrived. Liang Zhengfang is enjoying the scenery halfway up the mountain. You can go find him yourself."

For some reason, his tone seemed a little strange when he mentioned Liang Zhongzhi.

Zhao Yifu didn't notice anything wrong, so he just thanked him and headed up the mountain. His legs were light now, and he could cross some steep mountain roads in just three or two steps, so he moved very quickly.

However, when he reached halfway up the mountain, Zhao Yifu looked around but did not find any trace of Liang Zhongzhi.

However, if you look down the mountain from here, you can see the desolate scene of everything.

Before we knew it, it was already deep winter.

Zhao Yifu felt that this year's winter had come so unnoticed that he was still wearing light clothes.

Just as I was thinking this, frost suddenly fell from above my head.

He stretched out his hand in surprise, thinking, is it snowing?
Speaking of which, given the geographical location of Xianren Lake, it rarely snows in previous years.

He looked up in surprise, only to see a figure walking leisurely on the mountainside, its feet on frost flowers...

"The weather in Jiangnan is beautiful in October, but the winter scenery looks like spring..."

Still chanting.

Zhao Yifu looked at the showy figure and complained in his heart: Okay, okay, I know you are showing me the "Frosty Walk on the Sky".

But on the surface, he still had to say respectfully: "Master, disciple Zhao Yifu greets you."

Liang Zhongzhi seemed to have just seen Zhao Yifu. He said kindly, "Junxin, why are you here? Do you have any doubts about your cultivation?"

Zhao Yifu shook his head and said, "I am still studying the Pure Yang Scripture of Seeking the Tao. Once I have read it thoroughly, I will come to seek Master's guidance."

"I came to see Master today simply because the New Year is approaching and I left home at a young age, so I wanted to go home and visit him."

Liang Zhongzhi nodded and said, "It's time to go back and take a look."

"and many more……"

He remembered something, and suddenly took out something from his arms and threw it from mid-air, but it landed accurately in Zhao Yifu's arms.

Zhao Yifu was frantically trying to take it, but the object had already entered his arms.

He picked it up and saw that it was a jade seal!
He turned over the bottom of the jade seal and saw the word "Fang Zheng".

He immediately knew that this was Liang Zhongzhi's spirit-calming seal: the Fangzheng seal.

"Master, this..."

Liang Zhongzhi laughed and said, "I heard that your family is in trouble. If you encounter an unsolvable dilemma, take out this chapter and hit him with it."

"After this chapter is finished, I guess everything will be fine."

"If it still doesn't work after hitting it once, try hitting it again."

"Do you understand?"

Zhao Yifu swallowed hard, realizing that this was the protective treasure given to him by his master.

But he didn't expect that the Soul-Suppressing Seal, which even outer disciples in the sect had one, could be sacrificed and refined into a magical weapon for protection?
As expected, the Danqing Sect is indeed a sect that believes in "great strength to create miracles".

He held Fang Zhengzhang in his arms, his voice choking as he spoke, "Thank you, Master, for your kindness. Disciple...disciple is grateful."

Liang Zhongzhi said: "Chi'er, you are my apprentice, if I don't help you, who will?"

"I know your family's affairs are difficult to handle, but you can see that most of our sect members are scattered and idle. Not to mention worldly affairs, they are even too lazy to care about the affairs of the cultivation world."

"You have to rely on yourself to deal with your family's affairs. I'm afraid Danqingmen is unable to provide you with protection..."

Zhao Yifu shook his head firmly and said, "No, I am a disciple of Danqing Sect and have received great favors from the sect. How can I trouble the sect again?"

"Master, don't worry. I can definitely handle these minor chores in the mortal world."

Liang Zhongzhi smiled and said, "I believe you, go quickly."

"By the way, don't fall behind in your cultivation. Once all your meridians are open, I will teach you how to make a golden elixir."

Zhao Yi Fu nodded repeatedly after hearing this, his mind already drawn to the practice of Golden Elixir.

……

It was already late when Zhao Yi Fu went down the mountain. He sighed that his master was really capable of handling things.

With such behavior, how could he not be loyal to Danqingmen?

When he returned home, Wu Zhong had already packed his bags.

This loyal servant not only packed the luggage for several people, but also prepared enough food for the cats in the yard to last for a month. He also seriously instructed the clever cats such as Little Mustache to learn how to distribute the food and water...

Speaking of which, the one who actually raised this family of cats and dogs was actually Wu Zhong.

Everyone packed up their things and left the next day.

Zhao Yifu felt at ease letting cats and dogs guard the house. After all, these cats in his house were no ordinary creatures.

Therefore, Zhao Yifu, Zhao Guhe, Zhao Yehe and Wu Zhong, who were staying in the Zhao Mansion, set off together, preparing to return to Shenhe Villa to celebrate the New Year.

Of course, saying I will go home for the New Year is just a statement. The situation at Shenhe Villa is critical now, and I don’t know what situation I will face after I go back.

They rented a carriage, Wu Zhong drove the car while the others took the carriage... Well, it's a bit strange to say, but here Wu Zhong was the only servant who had to serve three masters, which was quite hard.

The family went southeast along the official road. At the junction of Mozhou and Nanhu Prefecture, there was a "Heze" where white cranes lived. This place was nominally under the jurisdiction of Hegui County, but in fact it was in a no-man's land.

There are large tracts of paddy fields next to Heze, all owned by the Zhao clan of Shenhe Villa.

In the past, flocks of white cranes would settle in the paddy fields, and the Zhao clan members did not drive them away. People and cranes lived in harmony, like a paradise on earth.

But now, these large tracts of farmland have been abandoned, and the Zhao family members are hiding in the villa and refusing to come out. The situation looks very bad.

At this time, four people from the Zhao family came here in a horse-drawn carriage. They felt very sad when they saw the abandoned fields.

Zhao Yehe pinched the carriage frame with one hand, making a cracking sound, and a gap was pinched on the thick wooden bar.

He said, "Damn it, damn it!"

Zhao Yifu lifted the curtain of the carriage and asked, "Have we encountered no hindrance along the way?"

Zhao Yehe said, "That's how they are. They never stop people from entering, but anyone who leaves the village will be attacked."

Zhao Yifu came outside and looked around. His sharp eyes focused instantly, and then he pointed in the distance and said, "There's someone watching this way."

Zhao Yehe said, "Let me capture him!"

Before Zhao Yifu could say anything, Zhao Yehe rushed out.

It seems that he has been really depressed during this period.

Zhao Guhe also rubbed his shoulders and walked out of the carriage. He sighed and said, "Originally, we shouldn't make trouble at this time, but if we don't do something, it will seem that our Zhao family is afraid of them."

Zhao Yifu nodded and said, "Second Uncle, how are you recovering now?"

Zhao Guhe said, "I have recovered 70% of my strength. The pills you gave me have even boosted my internal energy. My internal energy has improved even more than before."

Zhao Yifu nodded with satisfaction.

Zhao Guhe already had first-rate cultivation, and now he has made even greater progress. After his body fully recovers, his combat power will be even stronger.

I just wonder what his father’s current level of cultivation is?
Perhaps Shenhe Villa, combined with his top-notch existence, should be able to break the deadlock.

　This chapter was hard-coded after I rejected my wife's invitation to play Malo with me...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)