Chapter 538
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Chapter 538: The Young Lord
Qin Kingdom, Martial Arts Academy
Through Lin Jiang’s research, he found out that the class system in the Qin Kingdom is better compared to other feudal states. This is because of the bold nature of the people in the Qin Kingdom and their ongoing expansion. Expansion means war, and war means military achievements. Not rewarding those who merit on the battlefield could lead to issues.
In this situation, Lin Jiang can’t just blindly copy what’s happening at Zhao Kingdom Martial Arts Academy. He needs to make some changes. Lin Jiang’s plan is to start with military achievements, use the lure of military rewards to introduce Legalist ideas.
The core ideas of Legalism are to enrich the country, strengthen the military, and establish a system of laws. By using the promise of a strong nation and military, certain progressive nobles in Qin Kingdom can be encouraged to accept Legalist ideas, thus advancing legal system establishment and providing a path for the common people to advance.
As for the Imperial Examination system, it’s not suitable right now due to reasons of productivity. It’s necessary to wait until productivity reaches a certain level, enough for many commoners to be literate, before implementing the Imperial Examination system.
"When the time comes to use a book, you always regret not reading more. If only I had known, I would have read more books."
After a few days in seclusion, preparing to refine Legalist ideas, Lin Jiang realized he remembered very little. He regretted it; if only he hadn’t been in love too early and had focused on studying instead. Isn’t studying better than being in love? Now Lin Jiang can’t remember much of what he learned.
"What if I just completely copy Shang Yang’s reforms?"
Lin Jiang felt a bit helpless. He remembered some of the reforms Shang Yang had made, but he also knew that Shang Yang’s reforms had many limitations. Following Shang Yang’s path would lead to either continuous expansion or downfall after achieving unity, as military achievements would be the only way to advance. Future generations would continue this policy, leading to downfall if expansion didn’t bring benefits.
"No, it’s not enough, reality doesn’t match history books. Just focusing on martial arts won’t solve everything."
After much hesitation, Lin Jiang decided not to act recklessly. The environment of the Spring and Autumn Period and Warring States era didn’t have the same martial arts as in reality. A Martial Saint could be equal to a thousand on the battlefield, and a group of Martial Arts Masters could change the course of a battle.
"We should consider combining reality with the warrior class. Let me think about it slowly."
Lin Jiang eventually didn’t dare to make decisions hastily. He decided to explore slowly because understanding this kind of thing takes time. He’ll take it step by step.
This is Shennong Chen, the current head of the Shen Nong family, and one of the most treasured treasures of our Qin Kingdom’s Martial Arts Academy. He is a renowned pharmacist around the world.
One day, Lin Jiang followed Qin Wuyang to the side of the Martial Arts Academy. Qin Wuyang pointed to an old man and said, the old man’s martial arts skills are only that of a Martial Arts Master, but his status is extremely high because he is a great pharmacist.
During the time of Lin Jiang being Emperor Xia, pharmacists included regular doctors. But now they are separate. Pharmacists are actually like the Alchemists of the cultivation era. Back then, Alchemists made elixirs, and now they still do, but the elixirs are only for warriors to use.
"Dust has seen Mr. Guigu."
Shennong Chen greeted Lin Jiang with a gesture of respect, but he was very proud and seemed to look at people a bit arrogantly.
Of course, Shennong Chen had his own proud background. His Shen Nong family was ennobled by Emperor Xia personally back then. Many of the nobles ennobled during Emperor Xia’s time have now declined or even become extinct, but the Shen Nong family has thrived and grown even stronger over the years. That’s his pride.
"I heard that Dust, the pharmacist, has been to Northern Land, and the pharmacists there greatly admire Dust?"
"No, Chen did travel to the Northern Land for ten years, visited the Immortal Sect, Wu Sect, Clan Alliance, and exchanged ideas with their pharmacist. Northern Land’s pharmacists are unique and skilled, Chen is not as good as them."
Shennong Chen said he had traveled to the Northern Land, which is very rare in the Xia Kingdom now. It’s called studying abroad.
Lin Jiang chuckled and continued talking about pharmacists. The profession of pharmacist is well developed in Qing State because many cultivators woke up there, including some former Alchemists. Ordinary people like Shennong Chen would find it hard to surpass them without exceptional talent.
Qin Wuyang introduced Lin Jiang to the pharmacist program at the Martial Arts Academy. Many pharmacists were trained at the Martial Arts Academy, and they are famous in various kingdoms because of the assistance of the Shen Nong clan.
The Shen Nong clan was personally appointed by Emperor Xia and should have been nobles of the Xia Kingdom. However, after the decline of Xia Kingdom, they were hired back by the Qin Kingdom with a hefty sum, which was a bit of a betrayal. The Shen Nong clan lived up to expectations and produced a large number of elixirs and trained many warriors in the Qin Kingdom.
"The development of the pharmacist profession will lead to a time where warriors will compete based on their backgrounds and wealth."
Lin Jiang sighed inwardly. The pharmacist profession has developed for over a thousand years and has created many elixirs, especially those that enhance internal strength, which is like helping the rich cheat. It will be even harder for the poor in the future.
"Are you Mr. Guigu from the Zhao Kingdom?"
Just as Shennong Chen was introducing some exclusive elixirs of the Qin Kingdom to Lin Jiang, an untimely voice suddenly sounded. Everyone turned around to see a young man approaching with seven or eight people advising him, but not daring to stop him.
Qin Wuyang and Shennong Chen saw this person and their faces turned serious. They looked coldly at the people around them, wondering why they hadn’t stopped this guy.
"I am Mr. Guigu, and who might you be?"
"I… I am Qin Mo. My father is the King of Qin Kingdom. Who do you think I am?"
"A prince?"
"Haha, well…"
"*Cough cough*"
Suddenly, Qin Wuyang coughed loudly, making Qin Mo’s smile disappear. He said. I am not a prince yet, I am the second son. You can call me Second Young Master, but I prefer being called Second Master.
"Qin Mo, don’t be rude."
Qin Wuyang’s face turned even darker. Second Young Master was a respectful title, but what about Second Master? Treating others like your servants? This person is a Martial Saint, even the King of Qin Kingdom wouldn’t dare to treat a Martial Saint like a servant.
"Second Grandpa, where did I behave rudely?"
"Step back, the medicine garden is closed for today."
"Master Pharmacist is my teacher, may I see him?"
Qin Mo didn’t seem to notice that Qin Wuyang was very angry and didn’t want to leave.
"Sir, I apologize if I made you laugh."
"It’s okay, let’s continue."
Lin Jiang chuckled, finding the young lord from the Qin Kingdom quite amusing. He thought that if he became king, the Qin Kingdom might not face downfall.
Shennong Chen, feeling displeased, glanced at Qin Mo. He was irritated as noble sons from various countries trained at the Martial Arts Academy, but not everyone could endure the hardships. While some could not bear the harsh training even during the summer heat or winter cold, it was especially challenging for pampered Qin Kingdom nobles. This was why Qin Mo purposefully sought him as his mentor.
Even after becoming Shennong Chen’s disciple, Qin Mo remained incompetent, spending his days pursuing pleasure and seducing married women, tarnishing Shennong Chen’s reputation.
Today was what Qin Wuyang had specifically instructed, wanting to completely win Mr. Guigu over to Qin Kingdom. If something goes wrong with this big matter, they will all be in trouble.
Shennong Chen continued explaining things about pharmacists to Lin Jiang, but then Qin Mo spoke up. He lowered his voice and said to Lin Jiang, "Mr. Guigu, how can we win you over? You have great martial arts skills, you are already a Martial Saint. Gold, silver, jewels, even a Martial Saint like you doesn’t lack these. How about we form a marriage alliance? They told me that a marriage alliance is the best solution."
"But a marriage alliance won’t work either. My younger sister is already married. I do have a daughter, but she’s only three or four years old. What can we do about that?"
"So, Mr. Guigu, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll take a loss and consider you as my godfather."
"If you don’t mind, I’m willing to become your godson."
Qin Mo’s voice was not loud, but everyone present was a master in martial arts, with sharp senses. Not to mention hearing such a conversation, they could even hear the sound of a needle dropping on the ground.
When Qin Mo mentioned the word "win over," Shennong Chen immediately shut his mouth. Then he coldly stared at Qin Mo. Qin Wuyang’s face started to take on a fierce expression. Some nobles even silently took two steps back to stay away, so as not to be influenced. Their intelligence might degrade.
Lin Jiang was also trying hard to endure. Darn, this kid is so rebellious. I really want to punch him.
