Promise!

Chapter 161, Scenery

In the morning, Zhuang Jin was promoted to the rank of honorific. This once-in-a-lifetime event caused a huge sensation in the Shen family, like a boulder thrown into a pond. By the afternoon, the news had spread far and wide, and people came to deliver gifts in an endless stream.

As is customary, a grand banquet will be held today to honor all the guests who have given gifts. Zhuang Jin will receive the gifts, and the Shen family will bear all the expenses. This is also a grand event and a platform for communication and exchange among the lower-ranking members.

The grand banquet was held in the small courtyard of the headquarters assigned by Zhuang Jin. The backyard was used to entertain special guests, such as relatives, elders, and confidants. Inside the house, in the courtyard, and outside the courtyard, martial artists of the rank of worshipper, those with seven to twelve classics, and those with less than seven classics were arranged respectively.

This isn't about being snobbish; it's just that the martial arts hierarchy is clearly defined, and forcibly grouping martial artists of different levels together makes people feel uncomfortable.

Yue Song, as a personal attendant assigned by the General Affairs Department, was responsible for entertaining guests.

—Back then, in the Miao Shao case, Zhuang Jin was targeted by Zhao Bin. At that time, he was only a fourth-grade student. He firmly stood by Zhuang Jin's side, introduced Zou Qingfeng, and indirectly helped Zhuang Jin get in touch with Shen Xuchen... Now, in the blink of an eye, Zhuang Jin has been promoted to the rank of Attendant. He was in the General Affairs Department, had a relationship with Zhuang Jin, and gained Zhuang Jin's approval. He rose to become Zhuang Jin's personal attendant in one step.

It can be said that the initial investment yielded huge and substantial returns!

"Yue Changsui, this is my congratulatory gift. Please put in a good word for me with Zhuang Gongfeng..." A garrison commander of the Ten Classics said politely, subtly slipping a large silver note into his hand.

"Governor Ji, you're too kind. But I can't accept this... This way, please!"

Yue Song smiled and led the man into the courtyard. Looking at the man's back, he felt as if he were in a dream.

This is a garrison commander of the Ten Classics! Not only are they being very polite to him, but they're also trying to curry favor with him and offering him benefits. He's just a mere Martial Artist of the Fourth Classic; when has he ever received such treatment?
—Don't let his past position as deputy director of the General Affairs Department fool you. He was just a lowly deputy director, and he had to bow down to those of the Five Classics and Six Classics, let alone the guards of the Seven Classics... But now, not to mention the guards of the Seven, Eight, and Nine Classics, even the guards of the Ten Classics, everyone calls him 'Yue Changsui' with great respect!
'It's not just about prestige; sitting in this position of honored attendant will quickly boost your cultivation... The Meridian-Clearing Pill won't be a problem, the Six Meridians won't be the end goal, and even reaching the Seven Meridians Guardian level is highly likely!'

'Thinking back on my life of being cautious and calculating, it's all for naught than to make this one investment!' Yue Song sighed inwardly, and then devoted himself even more diligently.

Qian Wende, holding a gift, was standing in line in the gift-giving procession of the Black Robe Street garrison commander.

—The news of Zhuang Jin's promotion to the rank of retainer spread extremely quickly. Anyone who was related to Zhuang Jin, even remotely, was informed, which is why he came here at this time.

At this moment, Qian Wende stared blankly at the scene of Yue Song welcoming the guests with his eloquence, feeling a strange urge to cry. He felt a great sorrow in his heart, as if he could only see the new people laughing while the old ones were not crying.
'Mine! This should be mine! If it weren't for what happened in the east of the city, this position could have been mine! Just because of that one or two months of pleasure in the east, how much have I lost?! I... I regret it!'

Qian Wende had once thought that Zhuang Jin might feel uncomfortable without a good dog like him by his side, and that he might call him back someday. But now, seeing this scene, he realized that there were countless people who wanted to be Zhuang Jin's dog! Sure enough, as soon as he was eliminated, someone immediately filled his position.

All I can say is that he overestimated himself; he really is an insignificant figure.

Qu Zhe, who had once been Zhuang Jin's subordinate and had begged Zhuang Jin to take him to the east of the city but to no avail, was also in the town garrison's gift-giving procession. Seeing Qian Wende's unpleasant expression, he asked, "Governor Qian, what's wrong with you?"

"nothing."

Qian Wende shook his head with a complicated expression, suppressing the jealousy and a trace of hostility in his heart. He came to Yue Song and smiled, "Greetings, Yue Changsui. This is a gift for Brother Zhuang!"

"Yes, Commander Qian, please go over here for the banquet!"

Looking at Qian Wende, Yue Song felt smug but also secretly warned himself. He had done his homework and learned about the whole story between Chang Hetong, Qian Wende and others and Zhuang Jin. He made up his mind that he must not make the same mistake.

After seeing Qian Wende off, Yue Song turned to another person, and his smile immediately became much more sincere. He greeted him with the same respect as if he were facing his elderly father at home: "Elder Ping, this way please!"

He knew that Ping Yongfeng held a special place in Zhuang Jin's heart, so he immediately invited him to the backyard, where some special guests were gathered for today's banquet, such as relatives like Chen Honggan, mentors like Ping Yongfeng, and confidants like Lin Hong.

……

Qian Wende was led by a servant to a table outside the courtyard. He was barely able to keep his composure. Even if he had no relationship with Zhuang Jin, he was still the magistrate of the North Street of the city. How could such a person not even be allowed a seat in the courtyard?
I really can't get in!
Let alone a mere garrison commander of the Fourth Scripture Street, even the garrison commanders of the Fifth and Sixth Scripture Streets are outside today, at most positioned a bit further inside compared to the warriors of the First to Third Scriptures.

Qu Zhe was also seated at this table. He looked at Qian Wende with a strange expression and asked, "Governor Qian and Lord Zhuang have a close relationship... so why weren't you allowed in?"

“Zhuang Ge and I… I did some wrong things…” Qian Wende said with difficulty.

At this moment, Bi Kai came over, greeted Qian Wende, and went into the backyard.

Qian Wende stared at Bi Kai's retreating figure with a complex expression.

Back then, he broke through to the fourth level of the classics first, and his ego swelled up. He even looked down on Bi Kai. But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. It was precisely because he broke through to the fourth level first and went to Qing'an Street that... Now Bi Kai has also reached the fourth level, and his future is incredibly bright, while he himself...

'If only I hadn't broken through to the top and become the town magistrate of Qing'an Street, none of this would have happened…' Just as Qian Wende was once again filled with regret and remorse for the past—

"The Chief of the General Affairs Department has arrived!"

At this moment, with this shout, the surrounding martial artists all stood up and looked in the direction from which the sound came.

Zhuang Jin also showed up and personally went to greet them.

Qian Wende also stood up with the others and stood on tiptoe to look into the distance. He saw Zhuang Jin, whom he had not seen for many days, dressed in a blue robe, chatting and laughing with Mu Mingxi, the head of the General Affairs Department, who was also a courtier.

In that instant, he was struck dumb. Never before had he realized so clearly that if it weren't for the bond they shared as roommates, Zhuang Jin, a dragon-like figure, would be someone he could never reach, even if he stood on tiptoe or jumped!
……

Yue Song entertained the martial artists below.

Zhuang Jin personally greeted those of high rank. Officials like Mu Mingxi and Li Ping came in person, while Zhong Yi brought friends. It can be said that today, apart from those who were on duty or had other important matters to attend to, almost all the other honorees of the Shen family came.

Not only did the worshippers themselves come, but many also brought their female relatives, who were entertained by Chen Yun and arranged to stay on the other side.

The women who were serving the emperor looked at Chen Yun with mixed feelings. They were all connected through internal strife and marriage, unlike Chen Yun, who came from a humble background as a maid in the outer courtyard. She had caught up with Zhuang Jin when he was still a nobody, and now she was on equal footing with them!

No matter what they thought, Chen Yun was now on the same level as them. They knew that the head of the family had met Zhuang Jin at the Plum Garden this morning, which clearly showed that he valued Zhuang Jin highly and that he had potential. As a wife, she was elevated by her husband's status. With their upbringing, they naturally did not neglect her and showed a smile and a very kind attitude.

……

Not only Chen Yun's side, but also Zhuang Jin's side received guests with great kindness, creating a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere.

These worshippers possess an indescribable open-mindedness, composure, and a relaxed demeanor, completely unlike the indifferent and isolated attitudes they displayed towards other towns and villages during the Seventh Regiment period.

In a flash, Zhuang Jin understood: 'Opening the meridians completely breaks through a barrier; one's background can no longer hold one back!'

— Just like the ministerial level, one might be judged by one's background and social status, but if one becomes a national leader by one's own efforts, one is an independent entity and one's own source of strength. Just like the saying goes, I have no background or social status, but I am my own background and social status!
It can be said that Zhuang Jin's hard work has directly elevated his family's reputation. If he has descendants or nephews, they will now have a proper lineage and will no longer be treated as outsiders, ostracized, or targeted by the elders of the Shen family!
"Furthermore, reaching the level of a Grand Master of Meridians signifies truly entering the upper echelons of the Shen family, reaching the pinnacle of this prestigious family, where resources are abundant, and one possesses a calm and magnanimous confidence."

Finally, there's the matter of the rank of those offered sacrifices. As top-level beneficiaries of the Shen family, they are considered to be of the same class as those below them. Since there's no conflict of interest, they won't needlessly provoke or become enemies!

Thinking about all this, Zhuang Jin gained a deeper understanding of the value of unblocking meridians.

But the glory today doesn't end there. Subsequently, all the young masters of the Shen family also arrived.

In this world, because of the extraordinary power of martial arts, being born of a legitimate or illegitimate child is just an advantage, not the whole story; martial arts are the most important factor.

Most of the young masters who came were like Shen Xuqing, who were just freeloaders who came with the idea of ​​making good connections. There were four young masters who truly had a chance to become the head of the family: the eldest young master, the fourth young master, and the tenth young master, in addition to the eighth young master, Shen Xuchen.

The eldest son, Shen Xuhong, was quite gentlemanly and magnanimous in his interactions with him.

The fourth young master, Shen Xujing, was taciturn and scheming, and Zhuang Jin couldn't quite see through him.

The tenth young master, Shen Xuqiu, was a man of great ambition and magnanimity. He arrived and asked Zhuang Jin with a smile if he had prepared any good wine for the day, since he hadn't gotten any from him.

All I can say is that Zhuang Jin really didn't know that the Shen family had so many people. Today, they all seem to have suddenly appeared after he entered the upper echelons.

Little did they know, these young masters were also surprised. Zhuang Jin's rise was too rapid, and he had hardly stayed at the headquarters. In the north of the city, the medicinal fields outside the city, the east of the city, the south of the city... while they were still thinking of waiting and observing, he had suddenly reached the point where they had to win him over and win him over.

These young masters, who were considered potential heads of the family, knew that Zhuang Jin and the Eighth Young Master Shen Xuchen had an unusual relationship, but they did not give up. They made many overtures and promises in their words. Zhuang Jin responded by chatting happily with each of them, but did not give them a single definite answer.

After some probing and exchanges, they each formed their first impressions of each other.

These young masters remained cheerful and talkative. They couldn't win them over, but they also didn't want to offend them, especially on such a joyous day as today. They only touched upon the minor issues briefly.

……

(End of this chapter)