Confucian and Taoist Cultivation Starting from the Equipment Slot

"Waiter, a private room, please."

The old man started shouting as soon as he entered the door.

A waiter came over, looking troubled.

"Esteemed guests, I'm sorry, all the private rooms in the restaurant are booked. Would you please do me a favor in the main dining area?"

Upon hearing this, the old man let out a heavy snort.

An invisible aura spread out.

"Are there any private rooms left...?"

This action immediately caught the shopkeeper's attention.

Upon seeing the old man's appearance, the shopkeeper put on a fawning smile.

"Lord Wang, it's all because the younger generation is ignorant. Please don't take it to heart."

He then turned to the waiter, "You blind fool! Quickly lead Lord Wang to the top-tier private room!"

"Yes...yes, gentlemen, this way."

Wang Kuang glanced back at Chen Zhuo, the meaning in his eyes quite clear.

Chen Zhuo understood perfectly; this was a demonstration of his strength!

However, Chen Zhuo fell into deep thought about the Wang family.

Could it be the Wang family he knows?

Ten years ago, this was the Wang family's territory?

Chen Zhuo thought of the rumors outside the city, the magistrate Wang he visited, and the instructor Wang in the academy.

It seems that the entire Qingshan County is now under the control of the Wang family.

Several people sat down in the private room of Jujiu Restaurant.

Wang Kuang picked up his wine glass, a smile plastered on his face, but his eyes held no warmth.

"Fellow Daoist Chen has already reached the level of a Xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations) at such a young age, and has also gained the appreciation of Dean Song. He is truly a promising young man. May I ask which great Confucian scholar Fellow Daoist Chen studied under? Perhaps he has some connection with us."

Chen Zhu sneered inwardly.

They started trying to get information out of me as soon as I sat down.

However, this was precisely the opportunity for him to try and extract information from her.

He picked up his teacup and took a slow, deliberate sip.

"My master is a free spirit who dislikes worldly troubles. Before he left, he specifically instructed me not to mention his name outside. Please forgive me, Instructor Wang."

Wang Kuang's smile faltered slightly, then he chuckled awkwardly.

"It's alright, it's alright. A master has his own rules."

A thin coach next to him chimed in:

"Fellow Daoist Chen just said that the purpose of this trip is to 'discuss the Way of Literature with scholars from all over the world.' If that's the case, why not exchange ideas with us and broaden our horizons?"

It seems the other side wants to test their strength.

Chen Zhuo put down his teacup and looked at the man:

"I wonder how this instructor plans to exchange ideas?"

"There are only two kinds of literary exchanges."

The thin instructor held up two fingers and continued, "A contest of words or a contest of martial arts. A contest of words involves comparing poems, essays, and philosophical arguments."

"Martial arts practitioners use their spiritual energy to manifest their forms, each relying on their own abilities. Fellow Daoist Chen has come from afar, so please make your choice."

Chen Zhuo glanced around and saw that several people were staring intently at him, and he understood what was going on.

If we don't show our skills today, these local bullies probably won't stop causing trouble.

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the lobby.

In the main hall of Jujiu Restaurant, a group of merchants were having a lively discussion about the newly appointed Dean of the Faculty of Arts.

His words were full of disdain, and even contained disrespectful remarks about the College of Arts.

Chen Zhuo's heart stirred, and he turned to look at Wang Kuang and the others:

"Both intellectual and physical battles are boring; let's try something new."

"Oh?" Wang Kuang raised an eyebrow. "What insightful opinion does Fellow Daoist Chen have?"

Chen Zhuo pointed downstairs:

"Just now, when I went upstairs, I saw an old man selling charcoal coming downstairs. His face was covered in dust, and his ten fingers were black. I wanted to write a poem about this old man, but this poem..."

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping over the people present.

"What do you think of this poem?" the thin instructor pressed.

"After I finish writing this poem, I want it to spread throughout the streets and alleys of Qingshan County within a month, so that every peddler and laborer can recite it from memory."

If I can do it, then I win; if I can't, then I will resign from my teaching position and leave Qingshan County.

These words shocked everyone present.

Wang Kuang never expected Chen Zhuo to take such a big gamble.

This is clearly a case of a newborn calf not being afraid of a tiger.

Chen Zhuo could be so carefree, but he couldn't; the Wang family stood behind him.

It's understandable that he wants to proceed cautiously and test the waters. If it really leads to Chen Zhuo resigning from his teaching position, it would be equivalent to directly breaking ties with the new county magistrate.

This could indirectly affect the family's business strategy.

Wang Kuang chuckled twice:

"Fellow Daoist Chen, do you know what you're saying? Letting a poem spread throughout the streets and alleys?"

This isn't something you can achieve simply by being a good poet. Even if you write a masterpiece that will be passed down through generations, how many ordinary people are literate?

not to mention……"

His tone grew colder: "In Qingshan County, whether a poem can be passed down or spread widely is not determined by the quality of the poem itself."

He intended to scare Chen Zhuo with those words, but that was exactly what Chen Zhuo was waiting for.

"Oh? Then what decides that?"

Wang Kuang realized he had said too much, but he didn't care. This kind of thing wasn't exactly a secret in Qingshan County.

But it must never come out of his mouth.

He then snorted coldly and said nothing more.

Chen Zhuo, however, persisted relentlessly:

"What Instructor Wang just said reminded me of some gossip I overheard when I entered the city, about Qingshan County..."

"Fellow Daoist Chen," Wang Kuang interrupted him, his eyes turning sharp, "It's good that young people are talented, but they also need to know their limits. Qingshan County is different from other places; once some words are spoken, they can't be taken back."

The air was thick with the smell of gunpowder.

The other instructors also put down their glasses, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out downstairs.

"Make way! Make way! This is a business of the Wang family; all bystanders, please leave!"

Chen Zhuo walked to the window and looked down. He saw a group of burly men dressed in black rushing into the lobby of the restaurant. The leader had a token hanging from his waist with the character "王" (king) engraved on it.

The merchants immediately fell silent, and the one who had been talking loudly earlier turned pale, lowering his head as if he wanted to crawl under the table.

The shopkeeper greeted him with a broad smile:

"I was unaware of Steward Wang's arrival. I have failed to greet you properly. I have failed to welcome you properly."

"Enough with the nonsense, who was discussing the Academy just now?"

Manager Wang looked around, his gaze settling on the group of merchants.

The lobby was completely silent.

Manager Wang sneered, "Not going to talk? Fine, take them all away."

The burly men in black immediately stepped forward and surrounded the group of merchants at the table.

The merchants who had been so arrogant just moments before were now trembling like leaves.

"Wait a minute."

Chen Zhuo's voice came down from upstairs.

Everyone looked up and saw a young scholar standing by the railing, his body exuding a subtle air of refinement.

Steward Wang narrowed his eyes: "Who are you?"

"Chen Zhuo, the new instructor at Qingshan Academy of Literature."

Manager Wang sized him up, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:

"So it's Instructor Chen. My apologies for not recognizing you. However, Instructor Chen is new here and may not be familiar with the rules of Qingshan County. The affairs of this county are not for an instructor like you to meddle in."

"I don't care what rules Qingshan County has."

Chen Zhuo's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

"All I know is that this is a matter for the Faculty of Arts, and naturally, the Faculty of Arts should handle its own affairs. It's not the place for outsiders!"

"Whether what these people said was right or wrong, the Academy of Arts will judge for itself."