The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 65 Your Han family is really fast!
After leaving the city gate, Du Yuan strolled leisurely through the ancient city of Qingzhou.

It is said that this place used to be called Yidu, and the name Yidu in the Han family of Yidu comes from this.

If we look back over the years, we can go back six hundred years. At that time, not to mention the current dynasty, even the dynasty before that was just establishing its rule and warming the throne.

Du Yuan remembers that in her hometown, no matter how famous the ancient capital was, the streets and alleys were straight and the roof tiles were so new that there was not a trace of moss. Where could she find such an ancient charm?
So strolling through it, one truly finds a unique and beautiful view.

Not to mention, the money I got from Qian Youcai is now actually coming in handy.

The food in Qingzhou is different from the Sichuan cuisine that Du Yuan is used to.

It can also be unique, for example, wrapping chopped pork offal in lotus leaves, placing it on a flatbread, and then pouring hot oil over it to cook it and infuse it with flavor.

This was the first time Du Yuan had ever seen anything like it.

There's also "Honey Three-Cut," a pastry with glossy icing hanging on sesame strips that's so crunchy when you bite into it—that's the name Du Yuan heard the shopkeeper use.

Finally, Du Yuan stood in front of the "Wang Ji Qiu Gao" signboard, lost in thought—the dark brown millet cake was studded with red dates, looking soft, sweet, and exceptionally delicious.

"Guest, here are some pre-cut pieces for you to try for free!"

"Thank you very much, shopkeeper!"

Du Yuan stepped forward, picked up the portion of rice cake from the plate, and put it in her mouth.

Mmm, it tastes just as good as it looks!

This is the kind of life a human being should live!
Thinking back to the hardships of sleeping outdoors, Du Yuan felt as sweet as she could at that moment.

"Shopkeeper, please pack some more for me to eat on the way!"

"Okay, but we'll have to wait a bit, because they need to cool down before we can wrap them. Hope that won't take up too much of your time?"

Du Yuan waved her hand and laughed:

"I don't have anything urgent to do!"
-
Meanwhile, in the Qian family's residence in the north of the city.

Even though Master Qian was almost wrapped up like a dumpling, he still led Qian Youde and many servants to wait at the door for Du Yuan.

Furthermore, the gatekeepers and guards who had seen Du Yuan were dispatched to various street corners well in advance.

All this was so that we could invite the Taoist priest to our residence as soon as possible.

After glancing at the sky, Qian Youde said to Qian Dafu:
"Father, you're not feeling well and shouldn't exert yourself for too long. Why don't you go inside and sit down, and I'll keep watch for you?"

Qian Dafu hurriedly waved his hand and said:
"No, my Qian family has been immoral and disrespectful. This is our only chance to get in touch with such a master. How can I not wait here?"

"But Father, what if you collapse first, and then the Taoist priest arrives?"

That makes a lot of sense, but Qian Dafu shook his head repeatedly, saying:

"It still doesn't work. Perhaps the Taoist priest just wants to test my sincerity? My son, although my Qian family is a prominent family, I made a mistake back then and failed to send you to take the imperial examination. Instead, I wanted you to take over the family business."

“Your brother did get an education, but he still lacks the necessary skills.”

"Therefore, since your uncle's early death, no one in my Qian family has held a proper official position!"

Qian Youde knew what his father was going to say: the prestigious status of his Qian family was actually in jeopardy, and if no one in his generation could obtain a decent official position.

It's likely that if they were to pass down the lineage for another generation or two, they would be removed from the ranks of prominent families by the blunt blade thrown down by the emperor.

The Ninth-Rank Official is indeed still in power, but his uncle is dead, so the Qian family can no longer use him.

Therefore, a Taoist priest who can subdue demons and monsters and has supernatural powers is the greatest opportunity for the Qian family now and for decades to come, or even for generations to come.

They didn't want to worship such a revered figure. The Qian family temple was too small; how could it be qualified to house such a grand deity?
Those from prominent families know perfectly well what kind of work is required for what level of authority!
What they wanted was to cultivate as many good relationships as possible. In this way, they could benefit from having such influential people who would inevitably rise to high positions. All they needed to do was say a few good words for them.

Don't look down on these two good words. Many times, a few kind words are more effective than tens of thousands of taels of silver!

Even if all else fails, having a Taoist priest offer guidance on feng shui and a way out would be better than the current situation where filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, and trustworthiness have all been lost!
As the father and son were talking, they suddenly heard the gatekeeper run in, shouting, "Master, we have a distinguished guest! We have a distinguished guest!"

The Qian family father and son were overjoyed and stepped forward, saying:
"But the Taoist priest has arrived!"

The gatekeeper was taken aback and said:

"Ah, that's not it."

The father and son, who had just been excited, instantly became impatient.
"Then tell him that the Qian family is closed to guests today and ask him to come another day!"

The doorman's expression changed, and he was about to explain, but then he heard a voice behind him:
"Uncle, are you not welcoming me?"

The young man in brocade robes chuckled lightly, a jade belt around his waist, his hand resting on his sword.

She stood gracefully in front of the Qian family mansion.

Upon seeing the newcomers, the Qian father and son hurriedly cupped their hands and smiled obsequiously:
"Not at all, not at all. It is an honor to have Young Master Han here! I just don't know what brings you here today?"

Although they were asking a question, the Qian father and son had already guessed the answer.

The Qian family is indeed a prominent family, but the Han family is an aristocratic family, a powerful clan!

And then came the eldest son of the second branch of the Han family.

He is a true member of the nobility.

No imperial examination is required; as long as one is willing to serve in the government, one can freely choose any official position from the seventh rank or below! And one can start to rise through the ranks in just one year or even half a year.

In this situation, it would be remarkable if such a noble young man personally visited and even addressed him as "Uncle" to establish a closer relationship.

Clearly, only the Taoist priest could be the one!
Han Gongzi Xin, who came alone, stepped into the inner passage:
“My father heard from his students that something bad happened to Uncle Shi last night, so he hurriedly sent me to inquire after Uncle Shi. I also want to hear what the Taoist priest has to say and see if I can help in any way.”

So you're really here for the Taoist priest? But isn't your Han family a bit too fast?

Qian Dafu said with a bitter feeling in his heart:

"Thank you for your kindness, my Qian family is fortunate to be unharmed."

The young man in brocade glanced around, then patted the sword at his waist and said:
"Uncle, you may not know, but I have a great fondness for weapons. I've heard that you have a treasured sword that can subdue demons and monsters. Would you be so kind as to let me see it?"

You want this too?!
Qian Dafu wanted to refuse, but upon thinking of the other party's status as a young master of the Han family, he immediately lowered his head and smiled:
"Naturally."

Soon, the ghost-head knife was brought up.

The moment the young man in brocade robes accepted it, goosebumps rose all over his body.

The Han family had been operating in Qingzhou for many years, and with so many things happening recently, even the Qian family's neighbors were not entirely clear about what had happened last night.

He, Han, knew it all perfectly well!

Even earlier, a ghost-headed knife that had also beheaded many people was delivered to the Han family.

He had seen and touched that knife before; it did indeed give off a strange chill, but it was definitely not as good as the one here.

No, it's far worse than that!
'No wonder it's the sword the Taoist priest used to slay demons!'

After staring blankly for a moment, the young man in brocade presented the knife with both hands, and said to the Qian father and son:

"Uncle, you don't know, but these past few days I've been hearing my father say that he's lacking a worthy student. I've also heard my uncle say that the young men in the clan are not up to any good, to the point that he can't find anyone suitable to serve as an official in He Ren County. Do you have any recommendations?"

Looking at the ghost-headed dagger that was so close yet hadn't actually been returned, and then at the smiling young master in brocade robes.

The Qian father and son were somewhat at a loss for words.

It seems like it was about forceful acquisition and plunder. It also seems like it was about offering help in times of need.

Perhaps this is what it means to strike at the snake's vital point?
(End of this chapter)