The news of Xu Luming buying a cow spread through the village like wildfire. At first, seeing the cow's sickly appearance, people thought Xu Luming had been swindled, convinced the animal wouldn't last long. But after the Jiang Family cared for it for a while, the cow grew increasingly vigorous. Unable to contain their curiosity, villagers flocked to see the animal.
*A cow!*
Even the village elder's family might not own one!
Visitors came in droves every day, making the Jiang Family's courtyard more lively than ever before. As Xu Luming himself put it, he felt like the first person in the village to buy a car—and not just any car, but a Rolls-Royce.
Speaking of cars, Xu Luming couldn't resist asking Jiang Xinyi, "Did you used to have a car?" Jiang Xinyi's calm demeanor and patience reeked of corporate life.
Jiang Xinyi didn't mind answering. "Yes."
Hearing Jiang Xinyi mention his life before transmigrating for the first time, Xu Luming's eyes lit up with curiosity. "What kind of car?"
*A college graduate, a white-collar worker, and a car owner—no wonder he's a doctor in this life. He must have been an elite in his previous one.*
Jiang Xinyi looked up. "Too many to count. Which one are you asking about?"
*I really want to compete with you rich people!*
Xu Luming's eyes instantly reddened. He had thought himself lucky to have a Space cheat in this life, but Jiang Xinyi's words made him feel utterly pathetic.
*Two lifetimes of poverty...*
*Even with a cheat, I'm still broke as hell. Haha!*
*I'm so poor, it's almost laughable!*
Rubbing his jealous eyes, Xu Luming made the biggest decision of his life: "I'm going to make money!"
After transmigrating with such a powerful Space cheat, if he still ended up struggling to make ends meet, he'd despise himself.
Jiang Xinyi, who had been scribbling in the pharmacy for the past two days, glanced up at Xu Luming's declaration. "With your Space and the Spirit Spring I gave you, money is nothing but dirt to you."
He stared intently at him and said firmly, "In this world, what you should pursue isn't wealth, but power."
Jiang Xinyi's gaze was so unwavering, so certain, that Xu Luming felt compelled to follow his advice without question.
"Power?" Xu Luming murmured. "Become an official?"
He added dejectedly, "But I'm registered in the military. I can't take the imperial examinations."
Although the Great Chu dynasty hadn't been founded through a military coup, the chaotic era of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms had left its mark. In those turbulent times, anyone with a bit of military power could declare themselves emperor. Consequently, after establishing the Great Chu, the dynasty, like the Song, harbored deep distrust towards military commanders.
The Three Great Camps might appear to wield immense authority, but in reality, they possessed only a fraction of true power. Whenever a major army mobilized, civilian officials or eunuchs appointed as "Pacification Commissioners" or "Military Commissioners" would assume command. Meanwhile, the military generals were relegated to the obscure rank of "Commander-in-Chief," serving only as temporary battlefield commanders.
If the campaign succeeded, the glory belonged to the Pacification Commissioners and Military Commissioners. If it failed, the Commanders-in-Chief bore the blame.
As a result, military officers held low status in the Great Chu, far from wielding any real influence. The saying "Better to die clutching a book than serve in the Great Chu's army" even circulated widely.
"That's because they don't know how to play the game," Jiang Xinyi scoffed. "With your Space, couldn't you bribe a couple of Pacification Commissioners or Military Commissioners?"
The civilian bureaucracy was rife with corruption. Those sent by the emperor to oversee military affairs were likely his trusted confidants. By adopting a humble posture and offering them incentives, you could easily manipulate them. They knew nothing of warfare, so ultimately, military power would still rest in your hands.
Jiang Xinyi spoke with sweeping gestures and unwavering confidence, as if holding the world's power in his hands, his wisdom shining like a polished pearl, his strategies spanning a thousand miles.
The intense self-assurance radiating from him left Xu Luming with no doubt: had Jiang Xinyi been born a man, he would surely have achieved great deeds, leaving his mark on history.
Yet this capable and ambitious individual had been born into the wrong body, destined in this era only to marry.
Xu Luming couldn't help but wonder if the frustration simmering within Jiang Xinyi stemmed from being born a *ge'er*, unable to pursue his ambitions and forced to remain in this remote mountain village as an obscure doctor.
After speaking for some time, Jiang Xinyi noticed Xu Luming's unfocused gaze and asked, "Are you still listening?"
"Of course!" Xu Luming snapped back to attention. How could he dare lose focus when a man who had lived two lifetimes—a true powerhouse—was teaching him how to gain power, influence, and rise above the masses?
Jiang Xinyi poured himself another cup of tea, neither confirming nor denying Xu Luming's statement.
Leaning forward across the table, Xu Luming lowered his voice. "Everything you've said assumes I've already become a commander. But I'm just the lowest-ranking stablehand, unable to even fight on the battlefield and earn merit. How can I possibly gain power?"
The confident smile on Jiang Xinyi's face faltered.
Embarrassed, Xu Luming realized he had a knack for being irritating. Why couldn't he have let Jiang Xinyi indulge in his fantasies a little longer? Why did he have to burst his bubble and bring him crashing back to reality?
Fortunately, Jiang Xinyi was composed. Within the time it took to finish a cup of tea, he had regained his composure. "Then we'll start with the basics. First, clear your name when you return. Identify your enemies and allies, find someone powerful to align with, seize opportunities, and climb the ranks..."
Jiang Xinyi resumed his eloquent planning, leaving Xu Luming deeply impressed. In just a few sentences, he had mapped out his next decade's career trajectory. He even anticipated the enemies he would make upon returning to the military, how to dispel suspicions of desertion after his long absence, and more.
Previously, Xu Luming had believed becoming a fifth-rank general was an impossible dream. But after Jiang Xinyi's explanation, he felt that with enough effort and strategic maneuvering, he could achieve it within a few years.
*He's incredible!*
It was no wonder Jiang Xinyi's family had been so wealthy in his previous life. With his intelligence, it would have been an injustice if they hadn't been.
As Xu Luming listened, he began to sense something amiss. He couldn't help but ask Jiang Xinyi, "Why are you being so kind to me?"
If Jiang Xinyi had initially saved him and taught him how to make money because they were both transmigrators and he could help him cultivate medicinal herbs, that much made sense.
But now, he was analyzing the pros and cons for him and helping him plan his career without asking for anything in return. Why?
Jiang Xinyi paused before answering, "Think of it as an early investment. When you rise to prominence, you can help my family."
"I see."
Xu Luming recalled that the Jiang family had been unable to pass the imperial examinations for three generations, and they lacked connections in the military. Carving out a path in this world would undoubtedly be difficult for them. Investing in a transmigrator like him, who possessed a golden finger, was indeed a shrewd move.
Yet Xu Luming couldn't shake a sense of disappointment. He had hoped Jiang Xinyi would say something different, something like, "We're both from the same hometown. If I don't help you, who will?" A sentiment devoid of ulterior motives, hinting at a special connection between them—something that set him apart from others.
The thought merely flickered through Xu Luming's mind before he dismissed it as shameless. They hadn't even known each other before their transmigration, and even if they had, he couldn't expect Jiang Xinyi to help him selflessly.
After Xu Luming left, Jiang Xinyi sat alone for a long time, still puzzled. Why was he so lenient with Xu Luming, even offering advice without expecting anything in return?
After much deliberation, he settled on a simple reason: Xu Luming was just pleasing to the eye.
"..."
The Jiang family's ten mu of paddy fields were neither large nor small in this mountain-and-water-blessed village. Jiang Danian and his wife would need many days to finish planting.
Xu Luming couldn't bear to watch them struggle, so he helped transplant rice seedlings for several days, secretly storing many seedlings in his Space.
The Space lacked water, and Xu Luming didn't want to make it soggy. He casually planted the seedlings in the ground and sprinkled some Spirit Spring on them, never expecting them to actually grow.
Using this method, Xu Luming cultivated crop after crop of rice. After all, Jiang Xinyi's first piece of career advice had been to secure wealth and food.
As Xu Luming planted more grain, the rice and wheat stalks in his Space multiplied rapidly. These stalks had absorbed excessive amounts of Spirit Spring water, making them highly susceptible to insect infestations. Unable to casually dispose of the stalks outside his Space, he turned to Jiang Xinyi for help.
Without hesitation, Jiang Xinyi provided him with two recipes: one for making paper from the stalks, and another for brewing alcohol. He encouraged him to research them himself.
While studying these methods, Xu Luming didn't forget to bake the honey bread Jiang Xinyi had requested.
The orphanage he lived in was different from others. While most only provided basic necessities, Xu Luming's orphanage, located in the city, received weekly visits from kind citizens. Children without special talents would bake small treats like bread and cookies as tokens of gratitude.
Xu Luming was skilled at baking. He didn't even bother building a traditional clay oven, instead using the kitchen stove to steam a batch of fluffy bread.
The aroma wafting from the pot made Jiang Zifu, who was tending the fire, stand on tiptoe, her eyes glued to the steaming bread. It also drew villagers, idle after the harvest, to the Jiang Family's courtyard to admire their "Rolls-Royce" (a metaphor for their prosperity). Zhao Erniang, the family matriarch, found herself repeatedly asked, "Second Madam, what's Xiao Xu making? It smells heavenly!"
Zhao Erniang shook her head. "I don't know either."
Ever since Xu Luming had come to their household, Zhao Erniang, the family's main cook, had found herself sidelined. Whenever Xu Luming had free time, he would hole himself up in the kitchen, experimenting with new dishes.
Madam Jin, ever the nosy and warm-hearted neighbor, nudged Zhao Erniang. "Sister-in-law Dalian, no offense, but Xiao Xu is truly a remarkable young man. Mulan isn't getting any younger—you two should hurry up and tie the knot!"
Zhao Erniang was about to ask what she meant by "hurry up" when Xu Luming, having just sliced a piece of his freshly baked honey cake for Jiang Xinyi and Jiang Zifu, called out to the women, "Aunties, come and have a taste!"
"Oh, thank you, Xiao Xu!" Madam Jin and the others, their throats aching from swallowing their saliva, eagerly rushed over and each took a small piece of the cake.
"My goodness, this cake is so incredibly soft!" After taking a bite, they were all astonished by the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They showered Xu Luming with praise. "Xiao Xu, you're truly capable! You can work the fields and excel in the kitchen. Dalian and his wife have eyes like pearls—they were wise to betroth Mulan to you so early!"
The aunts showered Xu Luming with compliments, their words making his face flush crimson. Noticing the honey cake in the steamer had barely shrunk, he cut another slice for each of them. "Please, aunts, stop with the praise. Take some home for your families to try."
His words embarrassed the women. The cake, clearly a precious treat made with sugar, oil, and fine flour, was meant for a small taste, not for them to take home.
Xu Luming brushed aside their protests. He had been hiding in this village, and when the authorities came, the entire community had shielded him. A little honey cake was a small price to pay. He insisted on pressing a piece into each woman's hand.
Madam Jin examined the palm-sized, thick slice of cake in her hand. Remembering that Xu Luming had made so much of it to woo Jiang Xinyi, and that despite his long stay in the village, the Jiang family had yet to set a wedding date, she felt obligated to give the matter a nudge.
As she left, she called out loudly to Zhao Erniang, "Sister-in-law Dalian, look at what a fine young man Xiao Xu is! He traveled hundreds of miles to propose and even bought your family a new ox. Shouldn't you and Brother Dalian discuss setting a wedding date for the children?"
The others who had taken cake chimed in, echoing Madam Jin's sentiments. "That's right, Second Madam," they urged. "When a girl grows up, she should marry, and when a boy grows up, he should take a wife. No matter how reluctant you are to part with Mulan, you can't keep him forever. Look at all Xiao Xu has done for him—you can't make him wait any longer!"
The married aunts spoke without restraint, practically blurting out Xu Luming's eagerness for the wedding night. Embarrassed, Xu Luming fled to Jiang Xinyi's pharmacy.
Inside, Jiang Xinyi leisurely enjoyed his cake and tea. Noticing Xu Luming's flustered state, he teased him, "What's wrong? Don't want to 'marry' me?"
"How could you say that!" Xu Luming's face burned even hotter.
When he first moved into the Jiang family home, Jiang Xinyi had explained that they needed to hold a mock wedding ceremony. Having agreed, Xu Luming would never back out now.
But the constant teasing from everyone was overwhelming. *Was it really appropriate to say such things to someone who had never even been in a relationship before?*
Unfortunately, their mock wedding never happened. Just as Zhao Erniang promised the villagers she would choose a date within the next few days, an unexpected guest arrived: a severely wounded hunter.