Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

After bathing, Chen Mo changed into a white robe.

This white robe was made of top-quality brocade, personally crafted by his sister-in-law Han Anniang, and he was wearing it for the first time.

As nightfall approached, Chen Mo initially intended to go to the banquet with Zhang River, Lu Yuan, and a few others, but suddenly thought of something and said, "Shui, have Gao Yuming bring a few of his Qingzhou Army brothers, and dispatch a team of Divine Brave Guards to accompany me to Wanhe Building for the banquet. Remember, make sure to suit me in armor."

"As you command." Zhang River went down to make the arrangements.

But Lu Yuan, who was well-traveled and understood social etiquette best, reminded, "Immortal Master Chen, is it appropriate to bring troops to a banquet?"

"It's appropriate; there's nothing more fitting," Chen Mo waved his hand and said.

Seeing this, Lu Yuan closed his mouth and went to armor himself.

...

As Pingting County became gradually shrouded in the evening darkness.

Wanhe Building, however, was brilliantly illuminated, with almost all the upper-class people of the county gathering there tonight.

Although this banquet was hosted by the Wang and Yi Families, other rich families and gentry in the city were also invited. However, these people had only become wealthy in the past decade or so, not as established as the Wang and Yi noble clans.

The patriarchs of each family all waited outside the building.

Wang Cultivator, along with his two sons, was engaging in small talk with the patriarchs nearby when suddenly the sound of carriage wheels was heard. They turned to see two horse carriages arriving in tandem.

When the carriages stopped, Patriarch Yi Qianchi and his only daughter Yi Shiyin got off.

The gazes of Wang Cultivator and the others were drawn to Yi Shiyin.

It wasn't her beauty that attracted them, but because she was an unmarried woman. Though she could be out of her boudoir, she was generally supposed to stay within her courtyard's chambers, not easily showing her face to outsiders.

If it were rural girls, the rules were not so strict, plus both men and women needed to work outside, so it wasn't a concern. However, the higher the status of the household, the stricter the rules.

Hence the saying that women do not step beyond the threshold, not even past the second gate.

And now Yi Qianchi bringing his only unmarried daughter to the banquet had an unmistakable meaning.

"Nephew Qianchi truly has good tactics, bringing Shiyin along too," Wang Cultivator walked over, glanced at Yi Qianchi, and then turned his gaze to Yi Shiyin, smiling, "Xiaolu, long time no see. You've grown into a tall and graceful young lady."

"Grandpa Wang." Yi Shiyin called sweetly and then greeted the people nearby, politely.

But Yi Qianchi, having become the Yi Family patriarch, was quite clever and could easily hear the underlying implication in Wang Cultivator's words. With a broad smile, he said, "I don't have the guts of you, Uncle; placing your bets early, I admire your courage."

"Now, the world is in chaos, and life is as fragile as the wild grass on the outskirts, one never knows when it might be trampled. When you meet a wise ruler, it's natural to seize the opportunity."

Wang Cultivator, a whole generation older than Yi Qianchi, was an old fox, not easily stirred by Yi Qianchi's words. He continued, "I heard that the Qinghe Gang is deeply entangled with Chang Yuan, and recently quite a few righteous peasants outside the city were harmed by the Qinghe Gang's schemes. Now that you've taken over the Qinghe Gang, you must have your hands full."

Upon hearing this, Yi Qianchi's expression slightly darkened. With Yang Wei's previous demise and Chang Yuan handing the Qinghe Gang over to the Yi Family, he initially thought he could strengthen the Yi Family, but in such a short time, things took such a turn.

The Qinghe Gang committed so many vile acts outside the city; if pursued legally, the Yi Family could face a lot of trouble.

The rich and the gentry around didn't dare to speak.

Clippity-clop!

The crisp sound of hooves came from afar, drawing the attention of the crowd, quickly leaving them with a sense of solemnity.

At the end of the street, a tall figure rode towards them on horseback; clad in white on a white horse, he appeared dashing even from afar, with several riders behind him, followed by a troop of armored soldiers.

Noticing that the person in front wasn't wearing armor while the others were, both Wang Cultivator and Yi Qianchi exchanged a glance, seeing the weight of the situation in each other's eyes.

Especially Yi Qianchi, whose eyes showed an even greater sense of seriousness.

It seems tonight's banquet may not be as easy to enjoy as expected.

"Is he Chen Mo?"

Yi Shiyin knew that tonight's banquet was likely about finding a husband, so her gaze involuntarily fixated on the man on the white horse, her big eyes glistening.

That figure is indeed tall...

Arriving in front of Wanhe Building, Chen Mo dismounted, Zhang River raised his arm in a grasp, the soldiers behind him halted in succession, producing a rustling sound of armor.

Gao Yuming and the others also dismounted, tall figures standing beside Chen Mo, conveying a strong sense of pressure.

"County Magistrate."

Wang Cultivator, Wang Chong, Wang Ran, Yi Qianchi, and others all saluted in greeting, their gazes subtilely measuring Chen Mo.

The young man's face was handsome, his stature tall, his actions of last night evoking an aura of heroic and formidable presence in their minds, while the white robe and his smile gave an impression of humility.

Chen Mo nodded slightly, saluting, "Thank you all for waiting. Today's official duties were demanding; if I have offended, please forgive me."

"No concerns."

"The Magistrate cares for the people, an admirable quality."

"..."

Wang Cultivator and Yi Qianchi began with flattering words.

Introductions followed, one after another.

"Captain Zhang."

"Instructor Gao."

"Leader Lu."

Under Lu Yuan's indication, Chen Mo identified the current Wang Family patriarch.

Suddenly, Chen Mo felt a gaze secretly fixated on him, hence he swept his eyes over.

Once Yi Shiyin confirmed the young man was indeed Chen Mo, she began secretly sizing him up. With handsome features and a strong heroic presence, she considered herself likely only reaching his shoulder.

Watching her father and the Wang Family patriarch greet the young man with such respect, Yi Shiyin felt a strange emotion growing in her heart.

People naturally admire strength, and having seen few men and with a mindset anticipating finding a spouse, her heart naturally wavered in choice.

While she was evaluating, unexpectedly, an arresting gaze swept over her. Realizing she was caught peeping, her face instantly turned crimson, hands twisting together, softly saying, "This girl Yi... Shiyin, greets the County Magistrate."

"County Magistrate, this is my daughter, her nickname is Xiaolu, you may call her Xiaolu," Yi Qianchi said from the side.

Chen Mo intended to glance briefly and then look away, but the girl's pure aura made him take a few more glances.

Her black, clear eyes, soft and full red lips, and a delicate, adorable little nose were elegantly set on her beautiful, innocent, and refined face, with a complexion as delicate as petals.

The only flaw might be her petite stature, saving some fabric at the granary.

Yi Shiyin had never been scrutinized by a stranger like this; she suddenly felt a bit weak in her limbs and quickly hid behind Yi Qianchi.

Yi Qianchi's eyes, however, brightened slightly.

Chen Mo nodded and then shifted his gaze, smiling, "Please, everyone."

"County Magistrate, please first."

Wang Cultivator and Yi Qianchi said.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo did not decline, leading Zhang River, Gao Yuming, and Lu Yuan into the Wanhe Building, with the other soldiers standing guard outside.

Wang Cultivator and others followed behind.

Wanhe Building was the most upscale restaurant in the city, but to someone with modern tastes like Chen Mo, it seemed average; in terms of decor, it was better than the Purple Gold Tower he visited before.

Under Wang Cultivator's guidance, they arrived at a private room on the third floor.

After more pleasantries, they sat down one by one.

Yi Shiyin did not come in but went to the adjoining elegant room.

Such was the custom of the Great Song Dynasty: when men discussed matters, women could not take a seat, even if Yi Shiyin was a noblewoman.

Wang Cultivator clapped his hands, and the prepared fine wine and dishes were brought to the table plate by plate.

After setting up the food and pouring wine for everyone, the staff of Wanhe Building exited the room and closed the door.

Once the door was shut, Wang Cultivator, as the "host," raised his glass and said, "The County Magistrate is a young hero, achieving such great accomplishments at a young age, most admirable. I toast to the County Magistrate."

"Landlord Wang, you are too kind," Chen Mo replied.

Then others, including Yi Qianchi, came to toast to Chen Mo, followed by toasts to Zhang River, Gao Yuming, and others.

Zhang River, a simple guy, had never seen such grand occasions, having only reached this point by following Chen Mo, and suddenly became restrained and uneasy.

Gao Yuming was similar; he was just an ordinary soldier before.

However, Lu Yuan was sociable, exchanging toasts and chatting happily.

Knowing they were not good at socializing, Zhang River and Gao Yuming mostly kept their heads down, quietly eating without saying a word.

After simple socializing, Wang Cultivator finally got to the point and said, "The County Magistrate is a young hero, and I truly admire him. Seeing the Magistrate diligent and loving toward the people, with everything in the city needing recovery, I'm willing to donate ten thousand stones of grain and one hundred thousand coins to aid the Magistrate in relieving refugees and calming people's hearts."

At this remark, everyone in the room fell silent, secretly acknowledging the Wang Family's wealth.

Note that in the Great Song Dynasty, one stone of grain was about one hundred pounds.

Ten thousand stones meant one million pounds.

Such a gesture was indeed generous.

Yi Qianchi inwardly cursed the old fox.

Chen Mo raised his head, toasted with a glass of wine, and smiled, "Tonight, I was also planning to talk about this. Now that I have just assumed duty in Pingting County, with people's minds unsettled, you are all highly respected figures in the city. If you can help me calm people's hearts, I would be fortunate indeed, Landlord Wang, you truly understand me."

Hearing Chen Mo's words, everyone was taken aback.

The phrase "calming people's hearts" was just a polite way to put it.

But in essence, it was about asking them for money and grain, as well as leveraging their prestige to gather talents and provide any available resources; they surely understood.

"I'm willing to donate thirty thousand stones of grain and two hundred thousand coins to assist the County Magistrate in stabilizing people's hearts, and the Qinghe Gang members are at the County Magistrate's disposal for mobilization and recruitment." Seeing Wang Cultivator being so generous even after being plundered, Yi Qianchi, who originally planned to donate only twenty thousand stones of grain, gritted his teeth and offered more.

This amounted to giving away most of the Yi Family's assets.

"Oh, Landlord Yi, how can I accept this? Last time you explained the Innate Spiritual Qi to me, helping me break through to a Middle-Grade Martial Artist; I haven't even thanked you yet. How can I take this..." Chen Mo said with a smile.

Yi Qianchi: "..."

If it was gratitude, why didn't you mention it before? It was just like when we first met earlier.

Now, after receiving the money and grain, you say it's a favor.

However, knowing the other party was indeed a Middle-Grade Martial Artist, Yi Qianchi was still deeply shocked and said, "The County Magistrate need not be polite, it is what I should do."

"Since it is Landlord Yi's sincere intention, I will accept it," Chen Mo said.

With the Wang and Yi Families taking the lead, others also expressed willingness to help Chen Mo.

Some offered three thousand stones, others five hundred stones.

In short, those who had money gave money, and those who had strength offered strength.

Chen Mo felt somewhat disappointed; he originally planned to perform a display of power to make an example of one.

He even specifically brought a team of Divine Brave Guards.

But no one was willing to be that example.

What he didn't know was that if he was an official appointed by the upper authority, these noble families would definitely unite to give him a hard time.

But he was a rebel.

What is a rebel? Someone who kills without hesitation.

There were so many examples up north; would they dare to do the same?

As the saying goes, good people are the ones having guns pointed at them.

But Chen Mo soon realized this point as well.

Take the Ming Dynasty for example; before the Qing Army entered the border, the noble families were unwilling to spend, saying they had no money.

But after the Qing Army entered?

That was hundreds of millions of silver, indeed.