Free Web NovelChapter 1332: Chapter 24: On Officials
Jiang Wang savored the taste for a long time before saying, "Indescribably delightful!"
Jiang Wuhua, with the intention of narrowing the distance between them through their mutual love for cooking, smiled and said, "This century egg is made from the eggs of snow bamboo chickens, the meat is from pearl pigs, and the rice is small magnolia. From thousands of ingredients, I have chosen these three which best complement each other. It must be simmered in an agarwood pot and served in a green jade bowl to retain its original flavor. Using burnt orchid pine and simmering over a gentle fire for six hours is perfect, not a moment more, nor less."
His smile carried a bit of self-pride, showing considerable confidence in his culinary skills.
Jiang Wang was indeed captivated by the delicious porridge, but his first thought was, has the Crown Prince really nothing else to do?
A simple bowl of porridge, from the ingredients to pots and heat, even down to the firewood used, all these require time and effort. Where then does the Crown Prince find the time for cultivation? Where does his time for learning governance go?
It is said that "governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish," but surely not by literally becoming a chef!
But it’s not his place to judge what the Crown Prince does. He naturally responded, "Your Highness is a meticulous person. You’ve inspired me to learn this porridge recipe." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"Gladly. Snow bamboo chicken, pearl pigs, and small magnolia are unique to the Eastern Palace, so Son of Qingyang can take some with him when he returns." Jiang Wuhua smiled heartily and gestured with his hand: "Let’s enjoy the porridge without further conversation."
Thus, they began their breakfast at the Changle Palace.
Jiang Wang did not hold back, drinking two bowls in succession while quietly remembering Jiang Wuhua’s methods, thinking that someday he’d make the same porridge for An’an.
Seeing that Jiang Wang did not ask for another bowl, the Crown Prince also put down his green jade bowl and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.
The accompanying eunuch silently cleared away the dishes, and tea was served.
Amid the gentle drift of tea fragrance, the Crown Prince smiled, "I’ve always known that Jiang Qingyang frequents the brothel..."
Jiang Wang had just taken a sip of tea and nearly spat it out.
Only to hear the Crown Prince continue, "... to appreciate tea. This Smoky Tea of mine is comparable to the Eight-tone Tea."
Such a long wind to speak, was that intentional?
But it must be said, this bit of mischief from the Crown Prince made him more approachable.
"Good tea, good tea," Jiang Wang awkwardly echoed, in truth not really tasting the Smoky Tea.
The Crown Prince restrained his smile a little, and the atmosphere became much more solemn. He looked at Jiang Wang, "How familiar is Son of Qingyang with the Official Way?"
The real discussion begins.
Jiang Wang honestly replied, "Not very."
He had held a seal for Green Sheep Town and indeed it was beneficial for cultivation, but not substantially so. Purely in terms of progress in cultivation, using the time meant for managing the town on cultivation directly would be more effective.
He had also encountered the seal of Jia City, and understood a bit about the relationship between people’s hearts and the city’s seal. Beyond that, he really didn’t know much.
He was born in a small city in Zhuang Country, no secret to the higher echelons of Qi Country.
So the Crown Prince wasn’t surprised, and spoke slowly, "The Official Way combines laws with Confucianism, military with Legalism... a mixture of the Hundred Schools of Thought, the national system. There were initiatives in ancient times, but it only truly flourished and spread widely after the beginning of the New Dao Calendar."
Jiang Wang found these historical details lost in time quite interesting and listened attentively.
"Let’s not discuss these histories."
Perhaps noticing Jiang Wang’s interest, somewhat teasingly, the Crown Prince immediately shifted his tone, looking at him meaningfully: "Now, you hold honorary titles, and I suppose your experience with the Official Way is not profound."
Third-rank Golden Melon Samurai is certainly nothing but honorary.
The position of Fourth Grade Green Badge Constable is indeed actual, but Lord Jiang also has connections within the Imperial City Inspection Mansion, the Inspection Mansion almost never assigns him any duties, and Jiang Someone himself finds investigating cases extremely troublesome, thus he seldom performs his role.
After all, he was originally appointed within the Green Plate System in a nominal role, and never truly engaged in it as his career.
So, it wasn’t wrong when the Crown Prince said that his titles were merely nominal.
However, given the status of the other as the heir of Zhuang Country, Jiang Wang couldn’t avoid the awkwardness of being caught pretending to work. Especially since his salary always arrived in full, never shorted even by a fraction.
"Ahaha, previously focused on competing for supremacy, busy with cultivation..." he quickly explained, signifying that it was also for the glory of the country, and then awkwardly smiled: "Indeed, it wasn’t deeply felt."
Yet, the smile on the Crown Prince’s face was very gentle, "Actually, before coming to the Outer Tower, the Official Way was indeed not of great benefit to cultivation. Especially for someone as exceptional as the Son of Qingyang, he hardly needed the help of the Official Way."
Jiang Wang caught the implication, "You mean it’s different after the Outer Tower?"
"Exploring the Star Vault and establishing Star Tower, the biggest fear is becoming lost. The spirit wanders beyond the heavens, with no return in sight. This is similar to the Ascending Dragon Realm’s entrance into the Inner Mansion. To enter the Ascending Dragon Realm, one must clear the mist of ignorance to find the Inner Mansion. Similarly, while the spirit wanders beyond the heavens, one must penetrate the ignorance of this world to seek one’s true path."
Jiang Wuhua spoke eloquently, clarifying matters of cultivation, "Setting up a tower in the beyond is like placing a probe in the ocean, difficult to find and to return. A cultivator’s single thought, is a line between heaven and earth. And the Official Way utilizes ’human sentiment’ to connect, the thoughts of one person compared to the thoughts of thousands, are certainly different, thus the Official Way helps cultivators anchor in the present world. Of course, you being the foremost of the Inner Mansions, illuminated within by the Divine Power Light, and shining outside across the Star Vault, are indeed not easily lost."
These matters, nobody had ever explained to Jiang Wang before.
At this moment, he truly had a feeling of sudden enlightenment.
In ancient times, without Divine Skills one could not access the Outer Tower, certainly penetrating the ignorance of the world must have been extremely difficult.
Earlier, pioneers had explored the Four Spirits Star Domain, each passing down their doctrines, assisting later generations to establish towers. Later, the establishment of the governmental system with the aid of Official Way, helped overcome the disaster of getting the spirit lost beyond the heavens.
Thus there were more and more Outer Tower Cultivators, and the Human Race grew increasingly strong.
"It can be said that the initial creation of the Official Way was to aid those without natural talents in their cultivation," Jiang Wuhua chuckled self-deprecatingly.
As if to say, he was among those without sufficent natural talent.
Among those without Divine Skills, yet possessing the Outer Tower, this Crown Prince was one.
But Jiang Wang did not dare to underestimate him.
Many people say the Crown Prince only took advantage of his age, but what kind of a mighty sovereign is today’s Emperor Qi, just by being older, can one sit in the Eastern Palace?
Then there would be no need for competitors like the Ninth Prince, the Eleventh Prince. After the Third Imperial Princess, the next would be fourth and fifth siblings.
But in fact, those two, people like Jiang Wang, who were not long in Qi Territory, even did not know their names, whether they were princes or princesses. Born royal, yet obscure and nameless, dimmer even than the Fourteenth Prince, Jiang Wuyong.
Moreover, Jiang Wuyou, Jiang Wuji, Jiang Wuqi, these three, whom Jiang Wang had met, could all be said to be outstanding, each one dazzling.
That Jiang Wuhua could firmly hold his position in the Eastern Palace against their challenge, how could he be lacking?
Just from this moment, being able to talk about cultivation in such clarity, this Crown Prince’s capabilities are indeed not simple!
"The path of cultivation is a long journey; the Outer Tower is but one step along the way," Jiang Wang stated earnestly. "Without reaching the highest point, who can say who is higher?"
Jiang Wuhua was startled for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter: "What a saying ’Without reaching the highest point, who can say who is higher?’! He who knows me, is Jiang Qingyang!"
Jiang Wang: ...
This Crown Prince was excellent in every aspect, except for one—he always had a way of casually, and unwittingly, pulling you to his side. One moment a fellow traveler, the next a bosom friend of life. Just by this scene, who would know that this was Jiang Wang’s first visit?
I was just elaborating my personal cultivation philosophy, what do I know about you? Your Highness!" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Jiang Wang simply chuckled lightly, refusing to engage further.
Jiang Wuhua showed no embarrassment.
Resting his hands on his knees, he leaned slightly forward, "Do you know—"
He asked: "The Holy Emperor’s cultivation reaches to the heavens, his might spans the Six Harmonies, and he possesses a transcendent lifespan, then why is there still a need to establish an heir?"
