Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist-Chapter 173 - 45: Jiang Family’s Past, Calligraphy Bestowed by the County Magistrate
A look of pride and honor!
After being admitted to high school, Zhao Canghe led the villagers with gongs and drums from the county town to the town, and then to the village, placing his Jiang family’s ancestral plaque in the ancestral hall.
If the ancestral plaque was in the Linhu Village ancestral hall, as a descendant, he would naturally have to return to pay respects often. To avoid more dealings with Linhu Village, he and Zhao Canghe tacitly agreed. He secured ten years of free entry into the Martial Arts Hall for Linhu Village, and Zhao Canghe allowed him to take the ancestral plaque from the ancestral hall.
Outwardly, the two portrayed a touching story of a young man achieving in high school and giving back to his hometown, a tale beloved by the villagers and supported by the Military Affairs Department for its positive influence on encouraging parents to send their children to learn martial arts.
"Husband, I don’t think you really hate that Village Chief Zhao. At least the villagers of Linhu Village are genuinely grateful to you, and Village Chief Zhao has also given you an image of loyalty and righteousness."
Zhuang Min understood her husband; he didn’t truly hate Village Chief Zhao. He was just annoyed at being outsmarted.
If he genuinely hated Village Chief Zhao, with his methods and abilities, a mere village chief wouldn’t be able to withstand it.
Jiang Duanchao remained silent, not continuing the topic, but in his heart, he remembered the name "Lin Chen."
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Poyang County.
Su Lingchuan returned to Poyang County with the martial arts hall members, and as soon as they arrived at the Military Affairs Department, He Ruyun appeared.
Poyang County took first place in the county competition, and as the County Magistrate, He Ruyun naturally came to congratulate.
Though this county competition couldn’t compare to the prefecture examination, it wasn’t much different from the annual county trials.
Poyang County held a county trial every two years, open to all martial arts hall students, which was the most elite competition among the students.
The first place in the county trial generally represented the top martial arts hall in the entire county for that year.
Compared to the county trial, although the students’ strength in the county competition might be weaker, as the top ten in each county trial were nearing the Refining Viscera Realm.
But as the saying goes, internal struggles are never as meaningful as external ones.
Winning the county competition brought glory to Poyang County and was just as significant as the county trial.
"Lin Chen, I am aware of what transpired in this county competition. Your crucial role saved Poyang County from dishonor. Lord Su will reward you for this. I am not involved in Martial Arts Education matters and can’t offer you martial arts cultivation rewards, so I’ll give you some honorary acknowledgment instead."
He Ruyun said to Lin Chen with a smile: "I have personally written a piece of calligraphy, which will be sent to Linhu Village tomorrow."
The County Magistrate bestows a writing.
Fu Ang and others showed envious expressions; having the County Magistrate bestow a writing was a great honor.
If it were privately given, fine, just as a Ninth-Grade Powerhouse expressing appreciation for a junior.
But since the County Magistrate announced it publicly and planned to send it to Linhu Village, it would go through the government office route.
The constable would beat the gongs, walk through the four main streets, then go around the town, accompanied by the town’s leaders and many local sages, and finally head to the village.
Traditionally, only the first place in the annual county trial enjoyed such an honor.
No, in previous county trials, the County Magistrate would at most order such celebratory gongs, but this time, it was a bestowed writing, making it even more prestigious.
Su Lingchuan looked at He Ruyun, smiling slightly. Senior Brother He is indeed a wise man.
Lin Chen, having secured first place in the county competition, had already shown promise. Bestowing a writing at this time, if Lin Chen rises to prominence in the future, this event would undoubtedly be celebrated as a fine story.
"All the students contributed significantly to this county competition. I will host a banquet at Lu Pavilion, inviting everyone today," He Ruyun announced.
Fei Hong and others felt slightly embarrassed. They really didn’t contribute much this time; without Senior Brother Lin, Poyang County might have faced ridicule.
However, attending the banquet was a must.
The blood deer at Lu Pavilion was precious meat, excellent for replenishing Qi Blood.
Students like Fei Hong and Song Yu, given their family backgrounds, could only afford to visit a few times a month, any more would be too costly.
With the County Magistrate hosting, it would certainly be an open feast.
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Lu Pavilion.
The entire second floor was closed to outside guests today.
Lin Chen, together with twenty students and eight hall masters, as well as martial artists from the Military Affairs Department and the government office, made up a total of six tables.
Su Lingchuan and He Ruyun sat at the main table, alongside the vice director and a government officer, as well as Zeng Qingyao and Tai Rubai, and two elders.
Zeng Qingyao and Tai Rubai were able to sit at the table thanks to Lin Chen’s reputation, while the other six hall masters sat at a separate table.
With two officials and each hall’s master present, the students ate quietly, with little conversation.
Lin Chen was focused on the gilded copper pot in front of him, the red charcoal flames licking the bottom, with thumb-sized blood deer meatballs swirling in the amber broth.
Charcoal hot pot.
Lin Chen hadn’t expected that Poyang County would even have hot pot. It truly was said that delicious food exists in every era, it’s just a matter of having access to it.
"Senior Brother Lin, I toast to you. Without you..."
Zhao Kang from the Mantis Martial Arts Hall stood up, holding a wine cup, but stopped mid-sentence.
Saying the truth at this time would only hurt everyone’s dignity too much.
"Junior Brother Zhao, you’re too modest. I’m also a student of Poyang County’s martial arts hall; maintaining the dignity of Poyang County’s martial arts is simply my duty."
Lin Chen stood up and shared a drink with Zhao Kang.
