Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

Chapter 59: Chapter 52: Better Not to Meet…

Xiao Mo bowed and presented his visiting card.

The gatekeepers exchanged a glance. One stepped forward and took the card. “Please wait a moment, Young Master. I will go inform the master.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

A little over a quarter of an hour later, a woman in a ruqun dress came out. She curtsied to Xiao Mo and said:

“My name is Zhang Shuqing. Forgive us for not giving you a proper welcome, Young Master Xiao, after you’ve traveled so far. My father is waiting for you in the study. Please, follow me.”

“Pardon the intrusion.”

“You’re too kind, Young Master.”

Miss Zhang led Xiao Mo into the courtyard.

Mr. Zhang’s courtyard was not particularly large, nor were there any rare or expensive flowers. Everything looked simple and unadorned.

On the surface, at least, he seemed to be an upright and incorruptible official.

The steward led Xiao Mo to the study door and then withdrew.

Xiao Mo knocked and entered the study. He saw a hale and hearty-looking old man walking toward him with a laugh. “HAHAHA! I’ve long heard of Young Master Xiao’s talent, but seeing you today, I find you’re quite the dashing young man as well!”

“Lord Zhang, you praise me too highly. Please, just call me by my name.” Xiao Mo opened his parcel and offered two jars of honey. “This honey was gathered and prepared by my lady. It’s a small token of my esteem. I hope Lord Zhang will not find it lacking.”

“Oh?” Zhang Qianzhi said, surprised. “You’re married, Xiao Mo?”

“Not yet.” Xiao Mo shook his head with a smile. “But after I finish the examinations this time, I will return to marry her. She has been waiting for me for a long time.”

“HAHAHA, excellent, excellent! Loyal in love and righteous, talented and virtuous—a man after my own heart!” Zhang Qianzhi clapped Xiao Mo on the shoulder, his disposition seeming very frank and straightforward. “Come, sit.”

“Then I shall not stand on ceremony.”

Xiao Mo sat down across from Zhang Qianzhi, who poured him a cup of tea.

“Thank you, My Lord.” Xiao Mo quickly raised the cup with both hands.

“I’m not one to beat around the bush, so I’ll get straight to the point.” Zhang Qianzhi set down the teapot. “I was very interested in your essay on the Edict of Propagation from the provincial examination. The Edict of Propagation has vast implications, but there are some parts I don’t quite understand. Could you perhaps enlighten me?”

“I will tell you everything I know and hold nothing back,” Xiao Mo said.

“Good.” Zhang Qianzhi nodded.

For the next full hour, Zhang Qianzhi questioned Xiao Mo about the details of the Edict of Propagation and his views on the current state of the Imperial Court.

Xiao Mo’s explanation focused on “breaking the whole into parts to eliminate future troubles,” “acting with legitimate justification to occupy the moral high ground,” “dividing and conquering to reduce resistance,” and several issues concerning taxation.

As for his views on the Imperial Court.

During this period, Xiao Mo had also spoken frequently with Magistrate Sun and learned a great deal about court affairs. Therefore, he was able to base his opinions on practical realities rather than just engaging in empty talk.

The more Zhang Qianzhi listened, the more he felt this young man was extraordinary and capable of great things.

Afterward, Zhang Qianzhi didn’t just ask about the Edict of Propagation. He began to speak of various matters of the Imperial Court, pointedly asking questions after each topic.

This had already become a form of examination.

“With your talent, Xiao Mo, as long as you don’t end up with an impetuous nature like mine, you are sure to achieve great things in the Imperial Court.” Zhang Qianzhi stroked his chin in satisfaction. “For the upcoming palace examination, just be yourself when you face Your Majesty. It’s been a long time since our Qi Kingdom has had a scholar achieve the triple-crown.”

Xiao Mo was slightly startled. “My learning is shallow and my talents are few. You praise me too highly, Lord Zhang.”

“With your talent, it’s absolutely not a problem.” Zhang Qianzhi smiled, growing fonder of the young man the more he looked at him. He felt the boy had some of his own flair from his younger days. “I’ve asked you so much. Is there anything you want to ask me? As long as it’s not something I’m forbidden to say, anything goes.”

Xiao Mo thought for a moment. “Actually, there are some questions I would like to ask you, My Lord.”

“Speak.” Zhang Qianzhi poured himself a cup of tea, then placed the teapot next to Xiao Mo, showing a striking lack of formality. “Pour your own if you want more.”

“I… would like to ask about Official Skill.”

“Hm?”

Zhang Qianzhi was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Xiao Mo to ask about this, but he still answered in detail.

“So-called Official Skill relies on the Mountain and River Fortune of a Dynasty.”

“Mountain and River Fortune?” Xiao Mo pressed.

“That’s right.”

Zhang Qianzhi nodded.

“Mountain and River Fortune comes from two sources. First, the higher your official rank, the more Mountain and River Fortune you possess.

The second is the love and respect of the common people.

The more the people love and respect you, and the greater their numbers, the more astounding your Mountain and River Fortune will be.

In the Imperial Court, there are Cultivators, and there are officials who cannot cultivate.

So how do those officials protect themselves and avoid an untimely death?

They rely on this Mountain and River Fortune.

But if you are dismissed from your post, your Mountain and River Fortune will gradually dissipate within half a year.

By wielding Mountain and River Fortune, you can use Official Skill.

This so-called Official Skill is, in truth, just using Mountain and River Fortune as a substitute for a Cultivator’s Spiritual Power. Nothing more.

If you are a Confucian Scholar, you can use Mountain and River Fortune to cast the Techniques of the Confucian School.

If you are a Cultivator of the Military School, you can use Mountain and River Fortune to cast the Techniques of the Military School.

The upper limit of Mountain and River Fortune is related to the strength of a Dynasty, and also to a person’s innate talent.

Regarding strength, an ordinary Human Race Dynasty has limited Mountain and River Fortune. Even its Prime Minister might only have power equivalent to a Cultivator at the Dragon Gate Realm.

As for talent, it’s because even if someone lacks a Spirit Root, cannot use Spiritual Power, and cannot embark on the Path of Cultivation, it doesn’t mean their ’cultivation talent’ is poor.

Therefore, the more talented a person is, the differently they will be able to wield the same amount of Mountain and River Fortune.

But our Qi Kingdom is one of the ten great Dynasties of the Human Race. If an official rises to the rank of Prime Minister and earns the love of all the people under heaven, their power can reach the Immortal Realm, and they might even achieve Ascension!

However, Official Skill also has certain limitations.

First, Your Majesty cannot use Official Skill. Official Skill is also ineffective against the common people… Official Skill cannot…”

Lord Zhang explained everything, point by point, and Xiao Mo listened intently.

To be honest, after learning about Official Skill, Xiao Mo found it a bit strange.

’The Emperor is the master of the nation, yet he cannot use Official Skill. Isn’t that a bit absurd?’

’I wonder if this Official Skill is a setting unique to the Hundred Generations Book. Does it exist in the real world?’

Xiao Mo thought to himself.

Because in the real world, Xiao Mo had indeed never heard the term “Official Skill.”

The only reason he knew about it was through Lord Sun.

Xiao Mo felt he should look into it after he left the Hundred Generations Book.

“Do you have any other questions?” Zhang Qianzhi asked, taking a sip of tea.

Xiao Mo then asked a few more things about the officialdom.

Hearing Xiao Mo ask about the officialdom, Zhang Qianzhi’s interest was piqued. He explained everything in detail, practically wanting to teach him everything he knew, as if he truly regarded Xiao Mo as his own student.

In reality, from the moment Zhang Qianzhi had selected Xiao Mo as the Provincial Scholar, the two already had a master-student relationship.

Truth be told, Zhang Qianzhi didn’t know why he was so fond of this young man. He just had a feeling that if this youth became an official in the court one day, he would not be disappointed.

“Lord Zhang, there is one more thing I’d like to ask…” Xiao Mo said after some thought, just as he was about to leave.

Lord Zhang said magnanimously, “Speak freely.”

Xiao Mo bowed. “I would like to request a copy of the River and River Map of the Qi Kingdom.”

“A River and River Map?” Lord Zhang was taken aback. Although he didn’t know what the young man wanted with it, Mr. Zhang still took out several scrolls from his bookshelf. “These maps chart the great rivers of our Great Qi. Just take them.”

“Thank you, Lord Zhang.”

Xiao Mo bent at the waist and bowed deeply.

Lord Zhang gave Xiao Mo a few final words of advice, then had his daughter see him out of the residence.

But just as the two of them stepped out of the gate, something cool and as soft as a goose feather drifted down before Xiao Mo’s eyes.

Xiao Mo looked up. A sky full of heavy snow was falling, landing on the eaves, the bricks, the treetops, and on everyone below.

“It’s snowing,” Miss Zhang said joyfully, standing beside Xiao Mo.

“Yes…”

Xiao Mo gathered his sleeves.

“It’s snowing…”