Chapter 4: Ending up as a third-rate

After Zhao Mu said goodbye to Hua Xinzi, he first went to the judge Liang Xingnan and applied to be transferred to guard the warehouse, and no longer be responsible for the training of the families of the criminals.

Liang Xingnan wanted to persuade him: "Brother Zhao, although our Jiaofangsi officials are looked down upon by outsiders, they can still make connections by welcoming and seeing off people in front, and if they are lucky, they can be transferred to other yamen, but if you go to guard the warehouse..."

"Judge, you should have heard about my story. I am afraid that I will never leave the Jiaofangsi in this life, so it is better to find some leisurely jobs to save the trouble in front."

"Well, it's up to you."

Liang Xingnan sighed.

He also knew a little about what happened at the beginning.

Zhao Mu offended the Imperial Censor Liang Xiaozhong, and it was almost impossible for him to get ahead in this life.

Unless, one day Liang Xiaozhong fell.

"A good Jinshi Ji has to waste his life in this Jiaofangsi. Alas, it's a pity."

Liang Xingnan shook his head.

From that day on, Zhao Mu became an unpopular warehouse manager behind the Jiaofangsi.

With his official position, guarding the warehouse actually didn't require him to do anything. He had everything.

So he had plenty of time every day to practice.

Half a year passed quietly.

Hua Xinzi was very obedient and didn't take out all three masterpieces at once.

Just one "Magpie Bridge Fairy" made her so popular that she had already become a gold medal courtesan with many followers.

She also spent money to buy a lot of poems, which were not top-notch but still pretty good, to maintain her title of gold medal courtesan.

In the past six months, every literary gathering she held attracted countless literati, wealthy businessmen and dignitaries.

There were even many wealthy families from other places who came to the capital specifically to participate in her literary gatherings, which was very popular.

In the past six months, Zhao Mu's martial arts training was finally considered to be a beginner.

He could clearly feel that his body was getting stronger and stronger, and he felt full of strength when he clenched his fists.

There was a faint swell of Qi in the Dantian, as if something was trying to break out of the shell.

That was the condensation of the true Qi of the martial arts. Once the true Qi was successfully condensed and could circulate in the meridians, he would break through the third-rate of martial arts.

…

The golden courtesan had her own independent courtyard.

After lunch that day, Zhao Mu was strolling in the Jiaofangsi and passed by Hua Xinzi's courtyard.

He saw that the huge courtyard was full of literati, wealthy businessmen and dignitaries, and it was obvious that they were holding a literary gathering again.

Zhao Mu had nothing to do, so he went in and found a corner to sit down.

After a while, Hua Xinzi, wearing a light and elegant long skirt, appeared on the stage with the graceful music of the dance and music class.

Compared with half a year ago, Hua Xinzi is now more radiant.

She sat behind the guzheng and played a piece of music, which attracted many fans to cheer.

The scholars and scholars praised generously, and the powerful and wealthy merchants were even more generous, competing with each other in spending money.

"Madam Feihua!"

Suddenly, a middle-aged man with a fair face spoke up: "Your invitation said that there will be excellent works for everyone to appreciate at today's literary gathering. Why don't you show them quickly? We can't wait."

This man is called Wang Daoquan. He is not only the Minister of Personnel, but also the nephew of the Left Prime Minister Wang Zongshi.

The current emperor does not care about the government affairs, and most of the government affairs are handled by the Left Prime Minister Wang Zongshi, so that for many years, the Left Prime Minister has been powerful and powerful, and can even be said to be covering the sky with one hand.

As the nephew of the Left Prime Minister, Wang Daoquan naturally echoed him as soon as he spoke.

"Yes, Madam Feihua, quickly take out your masterpiece so that we can see it."

"Okay, then I will show you my ugly work."

Hua Xinzi's slender fingers gently placed on the strings of the zither.

"This piece of music is called "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix". Please appreciate it."

She plucked the piano with her fingers, and the beautiful sound of the piano, like the sound of fairy music, slowly spread out.

"Phoenix Seeking Phoenix" is a famous song in the Han Dynasty in Zhao Mu's previous life, which depicts a beautiful story between Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun.

With the sound of the piano, it seemed that a gentleman of elegance appeared in front of everyone, pursuing a peerless beauty.

They seemed to be immersed in the scene, and they were all caught up in a wonderful fantasy for a while.

So that the courtyard that was noisy just now was now quiet and peaceful, with only the faint sound of the piano echoing between heaven and earth.

"It is really a unique song."

Liang Xingnan walked into the yard and sat next to Zhao Mu.

"Half a year ago, she wrote "Magpie Bridge Fairy", and now she wrote "Phoenix Seeks Phoenix". After today, Hua Xinzi's position as the top courtesan is completely secure."

"Such a big cash cow, and there are so many powerful people among her admirers. It seems that in the future, even I have to give her some face in this Jiaofang Bureau."

Liang Xingnan praised: "But I am really curious, where do you think she got these two masterpieces from?"

Zhao Mu pretended to be stupid: "Who knows, maybe she wrote them herself?"

"Do you believe this yourself?"

Liang Xingnan curled his lips: "Whether it is "Magpie Bridge Fairy" or "Phoenix Seeks Phoenix", those who can write such masterpieces must be great writers."

"It seems that there is a master behind Hua Xinzi, but I don't know who he is? If I am lucky enough to see him, I would like to become his disciple and ask for advice."

"Haha, in fact, I also want to meet that master." Zhao Mu smiled.

After a while, Hua Xinzi's performance ended.

The courtyard was immediately filled with people admiring the work. The knowledgeable scholars and men of letters were so excited that their faces turned red and they praised "The Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix" to the sky.

"The people who came today are of high status. Why don't you, Brother Zhao, go make some friends?" Liang Xingnan asked.

"Forget it, I still like to go back to sleep."

"You, why are you so idle at such a young age? That's all, I can't let go of such a good opportunity. Brother Zhao, let's have a drink later."

Liang Xingnan arranged his clothes, with a bright flattery on his face, and walked straight towards Wang Daoquan.

"Everyone knows, sir."

A maid approached with a snack and said, "This is a snack that my wife has made for you. Please taste it."

Zhao Mu picked up a piece and put it in his mouth: "Well, it tastes good. I didn't expect Lady Feihua to have such skills. Does she have anything else to say?"

"My wife said, please don't leave after the cultural gathering. She has prepared the best Chunjiang wine and will drink it with you tonight."

"Haha, go back and tell your wife that I have settled the money and goods with her. If there is anything I want in the future, I can come and trade. As for the rest... no need."

Zhao Mu chuckled, turned around and left.

The maid was full of doubts.

Since she served Hua Xinzi, this was the first time she saw Hua Xinzi being so interested in someone.

Not only do you make snacks by yourself, but you also have to host a banquet and entertain yourself?

You know, Hua Xinzi never stays alone in a room with a man. Even the high-rollers in the courtyard who spend a lot of money are not treated like this.

What is so special about this Zhao Douzhi that he can actually make the flying lady, who is surrounded by stars, lower her body like this?

Ignore the maid's doubts.

After Zhao Mu left, he did not go back to the warehouse immediately. Instead, he went to the bookstore to buy a large number of books.

These include Taoist, Buddhist, Confucian, Mohist, Yin-Yang, medical and other classics, which can be said to be all-encompassing.

Although his practice in the past six months has been slow, he realized one thing.

That is, whether you are practicing martial arts or cultivating immortals, when you truly cultivate to a high level, what you compete with is your ideological realm and your state of mind.

Only those who have a sufficient understanding of heaven and earth, all things, and human hearts can become truly powerful.

So he decided that starting from today, he would make time to read every day, understand the thoughts and realms of the sages and saints, and lay a solid foundation for his future.

In this way, Zhao Mu started again, as if he was living in seclusion and practicing hard.

One and a half years passed quickly again.

This year, Zhao Mu was twenty-four years old, and it had been two full years since he traveled through time.

And his cultivation finally succeeded in breaking through to the third level, and the true energy like spring water condensed in his body, flowing continuously at all times.

It took two years to reach the third level. Compared with other warriors, this cultivation speed is very slow.

But again, Zhao Mu was not anxious at all.

He has plenty of time.

In addition to internal skills, Zhao Mu has also become very proficient in the various boxing techniques, palm techniques, sword techniques, light kung fu, etc. taught by Hua Xinzi.

Even after reading a large number of books and combining various classics, Zhao Mu had a deeper understanding of many techniques than Hua Xinzi.

After all, this body is just a poor physique, not stupid, in fact, it is quite smart. Otherwise, how could the predecessor pass the imperial examination?

In the past two years, Jiaofangsi has been as lively and noisy as ever.

The veteran courtesan tried his best to get the high-rollers to redeem her body and go to the deep mansion to become a concubine who was targeted by the wife of the wife at every turn;

The new courtesans are eager to replace the old people, sit in the chief position, and strive for a future with no worries about food and clothing;

The officials of the Jiaofang Division also had no time to spare.

They had long been fed up with being called "Old Madams" by officials from other yamen, so they all tried their best to make connections and wanted to leave the Jiaofang Division and work in other yamen.

Oirans strive for beauty, and officials cling to powerful people.

A small Jiaofangsi is like a microcosm of the world, allowing people to see the world at a glance.