Troubled times: Start practicing spiritual practice by taking care of your sister-in-law.

Chapter 525: All scholars in the world must regard Chen Mo as their benefactor

Although Xiaoqing spiritual energy is the most common innate spiritual energy, it is what all warriors in the world dream of swallowing.

Because ninety-nine percent of the warriors in this world are stuck at the level of low-grade warriors for their entire lives, unable to make any progress. The middle-grade warrior is a gap that they will find difficult to cross in their lifetime.

For them, if they could become a mid-level warrior, they would be satisfied even if they could only comprehend the little pure spiritual energy they absorbed.

Even Sun Meng has been stuck at the seventh level of organ refining for nearly a decade, and has seen no hope of a breakthrough.

If he had not followed Chen Mo and was not rewarded with blood ginseng and innate spiritual objects by Chen Mo, and then with the Qi-gathering technique, he would probably have stopped at the seventh level in his life.

"That's good. It's good that you can break through. Don't be discouraged. At least you are now the envy of many lower-grade warriors." Chen Mo patted his shoulder and said with a smile.

Sun Meng nodded.

"So, you are late because of the breakthrough." Chen Mo said.

"Ah."

"Okay, it's okay. I'll give you a day off. Go back and consolidate your realm. You don't have to stay with me today."

"Yes, thank you, Lord."

"Go."

……

On the first day after returning to Xiangyang, Chen Mo had a lot of things to do.

In the afternoon, Wei Linchun introduced some celebrities from prominent families to Chen Mo.

Ever since Chen Mo drove the Jinxia barbarians in the north out of the Song Dynasty and recovered the lost territories in the north, more and more celebrities, wealthy businessmen, and literati have flocked to Linzhou.

These people came from all over the Song Dynasty. They admired Chen Mo very much and regarded him as their idol.

It can be said that Chen Mo's expulsion of foreign enemies and recovery of the north brought about an extremely huge influence.

For example, some officials who were quite prestigious, capable and upright impeached Xu Guozhong in the early days when Xu Guozhong controlled the government. However, they ended up being thrown into prison or demoted and dismissed from office. Later, corruption became rampant, the world became more and more chaotic, and they became increasingly disappointed with the court.

Later on, he simply resigned from his official position, returned to his hometown, and stopped caring about worldly affairs.

Even when some ambitious princes such as the King of Huai and the King of Chong asked them to serve in the government, they ignored them.

Because they can all see that these people are not working for the people or for world stability, they have their own ambitions.

In fact, after Chen Mo took over Lin and Huai states and issued a notice to recruit talents, Zuo Lianglun and Geng Songfu also invited these people to serve as officials, but were still rejected.

But now, these people came to me on their own initiative.

Among them was Chen Xiu, Chen Ming’s grandfather who had long since surrendered to Chen Mo and served as a military secretary.

During the previous emperor's period, Chen Xiu was a famous Confucian scholar in the court. He served as a scholar in the Hanlin Academy and the Left Censor-in-Chief. He also taught the emperor and had many disciples. Later, he became dissatisfied with Xu Guozhong's monopoly on government affairs, so he retired and returned to his hometown, where he has lived ever since in the south of the Yangtze River.

Chen Xiu had gray hair and was dressed like an old scholar. He was leaning on a peach wood cane. He looked kind and energetic.

Those upright officials were surprised to see Chen Xiu there, and secretly thought that they had made the right choice.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting for so long." Under the guidance of Wei Linchun, Chen Mo came to the reception hall of the yamen and met Chen Xiu and others.

"Duke Anguo." Everyone bowed respectfully to Chen Mo. Even Chen Xiu did not put on airs and showed respect to Chen Mo.

Chen Xiu's behavior surprised the other upright officials.

You know, when Chen Xiu was the Left Censor-in-Chief, he was a ruthless man who even dared to report to the Emperor.

The reason why Chen Xiu reported to the emperor was not because he was disloyal or unfilial.

Instead, the officials at that time were accumulating wealth, buying and selling official positions, and plundering the people's wealth. The people were living in misery, but the emperor turned a blind eye. Chen Xiu, who did not know that the emperor was a puppet at the time, angrily reported to the emperor.

The reason why he respected Chen Mo was not because he was afraid of the other party's power.

Instead, he came all the way from the south of the Yangtze River, first went to Huaizhou and then to Linzhou. He saw that the people in the two states lived and worked in peace and contentment with happy smiles on their faces. He also saw the bustling market with people coming and going, wearing all kinds of costumes, giving people a feeling of liveliness and bustle.

We did not see officials or bullies oppressing the people and running rampant in the streets, and we did not see heavy taxes.

The people have fields to farm, clothes to wear and food to eat.

When Chen Mo was mentioned in front of the people, they did not avoid him like the plague, but said that Chen Mo was a good man, a fairy master, and a great ruler.

After arriving in Xiangyang City, he even saw a school that provided free education for children.

In all these ways, Chen Mo deserves his respect.

"I'm Chen Xiu, a commoner. Nice to meet the Duke of Anguo." Chen Xiu said.

"Mr. Chen, I have long heard of your great name." Before coming, Wei Linchun had mentioned Chen Xiu to Chen Mo. He quickly helped Chen Xiu up and said, "This is unacceptable, Mr. Chen, please get up quickly."

Chen Xiu’s martial arts skills are not very high. He is over seventy years old and is still only a fifth-rank warrior.

But his knowledge made him a master in the literary world of the Song Dynasty.

"I heard that Duke Anguo drove out foreign enemies, beheaded enemy generals, recovered lost territories, and marched through Haiyan Pass to spread the prestige of our Song Dynasty. The words 'If the enemy can go, I can go too' made me excited. It is a blessing for the country and the court that Duke Anguo can stand up and turn the tide when the country is in such danger." Chen Xiu bowed to Chen Mo again.

"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Chen. This is what I should do. How can we allow foreign races to wreak havoc on the territory of our Great Song?" After Chen Mo invited Chen Xiu to take a seat, he walked to the upper seat and sat down.

After he finished speaking, everyone praised Chen Mo's vision and righteousness.

"Although the north has been recovered, everything needs to be rebuilt and restored. The country is in danger and corruption is rampant. You were all pillars of the court and outstanding talents. Therefore, I beg you to help me, the court, your Majesty, and the millions of people. Use what you have learned in your life to restore the glory of the Song Dynasty."

After saying that, Chen Mo stood up and clasped his fists to the left and right.

Hearing Chen Mo's heartfelt words, everyone was extremely excited and agreed one after another.

Chen Xiu said, "I heard from Ming'er that Duke Anguo has petitioned the court to restore the imperial examination system?"

"That's right. There are vacancies for officials in various parts of the north, and many people hope that we can solve their injustices and grievances. It is urgent to restore the imperial examination." Chen Mo bowed to Chen Xiu and said, "If the imperial examination is restored, I, Chen Mo, implore Mr. Chen to be the chief examiner and lead all matters concerning the imperial examination."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone sensed something was wrong. If the imperial examination was really restored, shouldn't it be held by the court? Now from what you said, it seems that you want to take charge of it yourself.

In this way, all the scholars in the world will regard you as their benefactor.

However, given the current situation, if the imperial examination is really restored, it seems that only Chen Mo can organize it.

Chen Xiu bowed to Chen Mo and said, "Duke Anguo thinks highly of me, I am willing to give it a try."

(End of this chapter)