Chapter 40: Reversing the Natural Order

Chapter 40: Reversing the Natural Order

[Encyclopedia of Processing (Perfection): Processed Medicinal Herbs 6543/10000]

Hua Changxi glanced at the data, then at the more than thirty baskets of ironwood roots piled in the courtyard. She looked at Manager Qin, who was still telling her, "The task is heavy; you must finish processing all these ironwood roots today," and said, "I'm going to work."

It was obvious that she had returned to the Sixth Bureau to rest at the third quarter of the Hour of the Rooster yesterday and had not worked overtime. This made Eunuch Bao feel that she hadn't been squeezed dry yet, so he had increased her workload today.

The apprentices from the Apprentice Hall in the same group looked at the ironwood roots in the courtyard, which were even more numerous than yesterday, with solemn expressions. However, remembering that most of the ironwood roots yesterday had been processed by Hua Changxi, they did not immediately show any emotion.

On this day, Hua Changxi once again accelerated her speed in processing the ironwood roots. Yesterday, she had thought about leaving some for the apprentices to process and had intentionally controlled her speed, but today was unnecessary.

At the third quarter of the Hour of the Rooster, the ironwood roots in the courtyard were once again completely processed.

Under Manager Qin's somewhat stunned gaze, Hua Changxi clocked out on time and returned to the Sixth Bureau to eat and rest.

The expressions of the Apprentice Hall apprentices were also somewhat stiff, but they still followed behind her sheepishly, quickly leaving the First Bureau.

"What? Hua Changxi's group left early again?"

Eunuch Bao looked at Manager Qin with a face full of astonishment. Even if it wasn't the year-end period, during normal times, the working hours for the First Bureau usually ended around the Hour of the Pig (21:00).

This Hua Changxi made being a handyman look far too easy.

"Over thirty baskets of ironwood roots, more than fifteen hundred stalks, all processed?"

"Hua Changxi and the others didn't just do a half-hearted job, did they?"

Manager Qin shook his head. "They are all finished, and every single stalk processed meets the standard."

Eunuch Bao fell silent, then sighed. "Little Lu has such good luck, getting such a capable handyman."

Manager Qin added, "Eunuch, the ironwood roots Hua Changxi has processed over the past two days amount to nearly two thousand stalks. Combined with what we processed previously, it is enough to be delivered to the Heaven Department."

Eunuch Bao thought for a moment and asked, "How many ironwood roots are left in the warehouse?"

Manager Qin thought about it. "About two thousand five hundred stalks."

Eunuch Bao smiled. "Send them all to Hua Changxi tomorrow. Tell her the same thing: she isn't allowed to leave until the work is done."

"I want to see if she can increase her processing speed even further."

"If she really finishes all the ironwood roots tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, give her all those difficult-to-process medicinal herbs stored in the warehouse."

Manager Qin took a quick glance at Eunuch Bao, understanding that the Eunuch intended to 'use' Hua Changxi to her maximum potential, ensuring every bit of her utility was extracted.

The next day, Hua Changxi arrived at the First Bureau at the end of the Hour of the Rabbit, as usual.

As soon as she stepped into the courtyard and saw the baskets of ironwood roots stacked so high there was almost no room to walk, she understood a bit more about Eunuch Bao's tendency to push his luck and his exploitative nature.

[Encyclopedia of Processing (Perfection): Processed Medicinal Herbs 7892/10000]

After a quick glance at the data, Hua Changxi said nothing to Manager Qin. She walked straight into the room and began to work.

The apprentices from the Apprentice Hall in the same group watched this scene with extremely complex expressions.

"This is what a handyman is. Once you show your skill, you don't get appreciation; you get squeezed to death."

"Didn't they say Hua Changxi has a bad temper? Whoever dares to provoke her, she dares to hit. Eunuch Bao is clearly exploiting her by ordering her around like this; why doesn't she refuse?"

"Look at who Hua Changxi hit before. Those people were just low-status handymen like her. When facing someone of higher status like Eunuch Bao, of course, she wouldn't dare say a word. Is such a person really that rare?"

Listening to her classmates' idle chatter, Lu Qingling looked at the hardworking Hua Changxi, a flash of disappointment crossing her eyes.

Most people in this world were like this; they only dared to strike those around them, but the moment they faced someone of high status, they immediately became spineless.

She had heard about Hua Changxi teaching people a lesson before. Although she felt Hua Changxi was too impulsive, she had secretly admired her courage. Now it seemed she was just someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong.

[Encyclopedia of Processing (Perfection): Processed Medicinal Herbs 10000/10000]

At the third quarter of the Hour of the Rooster, Hua Changxi placed the last processed ironwood root into a specialized wooden box. Seeing the change in the data before her eyes, the corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably.

She had finally fully inherited the *Encyclopedia of Processing*. Now, she understood all the processing theories and methods for Mortal, Spirit, Divine, and Dao plants.

Next, only these remained

[Encyclopedia of Meridian Mapping (Perfection): Dissecting and Grinding Medicinal Herbs 5511/10000]

[Fusion Technique (Perfection): Formulating and Fusing Medicinal Pills 4672/10000]

[Pill Condensation Technique (Perfection): Condensing Medicinal Pills 4672/10000]

[Preservation Technique (Perfection): Preserving Medicinal Pills 4672/10000]

As long as she upgraded these four to perfection, her alchemy inheritance would be fully inherited.

While Hua Changxi was thinking about the data upgrades, she didn't notice Eunuch Bao approaching.

Seeing all the ironwood roots processed, Eunuch Bao's eyes brightened even more as he looked at Hua Changxi. He said directly, "Hua Changxi, I have some medicinal herbs here that need processing. Follow me."

Since the first day she helped, Hua Changxi had clocked out punctually at the third quarter of the Hour of the Rooster. Now that Eunuch Bao had personally come to ask her to work overtime, the apprentices in the Apprentice Hall were curious about her reaction.

Hua Changxi looked at Eunuch Bao and said directly, "Eunuch Bao, I'm afraid I can't help you." As she spoke, she raised both hands.

"To finish the ironwood roots quickly today, I couldn't help but be a bit rushed during the process. Look, I was pricked by the ironwood roots."

Only then did everyone see that Hua Changxi's hands were bright red, clearly looking like they had been burned by the medicinal herbs due to improper processing.

However, when others were pricked by ironwood roots, they would break into a cold sweat and tremble; why was her "poisoning" just bright red hands?

In contrast to the confusion of the apprentices, Eunuch Bao saw through Hua Changxi's intentionality immediately. She had deliberately made her hands look this way.

Her previous compliance with every order had been a ruse. It wasn't that she wouldn't resist him, but rather that she would strike at his vital points the moment she acted, leaving him with no excuse to command her again.

What shocked Eunuch Bao most was that Hua Changxi's control over the "toxin" of the herbs was so precise that it only made her hands red, leaving everything above her wrists completely unaffected.

Having managed the First Bureau for many years, Eunuch Bao understood pharmacology—even better than the apprentices in the Apprentice Hall. Thus, he could more clearly realize how formidable Hua Changxi was.

"How could you be so careless? You were injured in the First Bureau; I will certainly take responsibility."

Looking at Eunuch Bao, who was watching her with a face full of concern, Hua Changxi looked moved, and then unceremoniously listed several names of medicinal herbs.

"I know you are a busy man, Eunuch, so I won't delay your time. Just have Manager Qin give me the herbs, and I will take them back to decoct for myself."

Eunuch Bao's mouth twitched. The First Bureau had all the herbs she requested, but those specific herbs were quite expensive; buying them at an outside pharmacy would cost at least dozens of taels of silver per stalk.

This Hua Changxi was truly black-hearted!

"Manager Qin, go and get the herbs Hua Changxi requested for her."

Since the words had left his mouth, Eunuch Bao could not backpedal and could only painfully order Manager Qin to fetch the herbs.

Seeing that Hua Changxi actually managed to get herbs from Eunuch Bao, the apprentices were filled with admiration; everyone knew that the Eunuch of the First Bureau was a stingy miser.

Lu Qingling glanced at Hua Changxi, who had just extorted a sum from Eunuch Bao in public, and realized her previous evaluation of her was premature. This person's audacity exceeded her imagination.

Having given Hua Changxi the medicine, Eunuch Bao certainly intended to recoup his losses: "Hua Changxi, after you take the medicine, go back and rest immediately. Come earlier tomorrow morning."

Hua Changxi shook her head again. "Eunuch Bao, my hands are like this; I'm afraid they won't heal for a few days."

Since the *Encyclopedia of Processing* was already perfected, she no longer needed to process medicinal herbs.

Hearing this, Eunuch Bao's expression changed instantly, like a face-changing performance in Sichuan Opera; his face turned grim.

Hua Changxi didn't actually intend to offend Eunuch Bao to the point of death, so she continued, "With my hands like this, it is indeed inconvenient to process herbs. It's not that I am unable, but I am mainly afraid that improper processing might cause trouble for you, Eunuch."

"If you feel I am still useful, perhaps you could assign me to slice herbs or grind them. I can still do those tasks even with my hands bandaged."

Hearing her say this, Eunuch Bao's expression softened slightly. Slicing herbs was a technical skill, while grinding was manual labor. He had intended to discipline her, but after thinking it over, he decided to let her slice herbs.

He thought that since her hands were injured, she would certainly find it inconvenient to move, so he would assign her more tasks tomorrow and make her work through the night.

Seeing her goal achieved, Hua Changxi smiled. "Eunuch Bao, I will definitely come early tomorrow."

After taking the herbs brought by Manager Qin, Hua Changxi went straight back to the Sixth Bureau.

The herbs Hua Changxi requested were all for enhancing blood and qi and replenishing vitality. With the New Year approaching, she wanted to refine some Body Strengthening Pills to give to her family as New Year gifts.

The next day, Hua Changxi arrived at the First Bureau at the end of the Hour of the Rabbit as usual. Manager Qin had already been waiting for her for a while. "Let's go, I'll take you to the Slicing Room." As he spoke, he glanced at Hua Changxi's hands, which were tightly wrapped in cloth.

"Are your hands alright now?"

"Thank you for your concern, Manager Qin. The medicine you gave me yesterday was very effective. My hands should be fine after a few days of rest."

Manager Qin was somewhat worried. "With your hands wrapped like that, can you slice herbs?"

Hua Changxi said confidently, "It won't be a problem."

While they spoke, Manager Qin led Hua Changxi to another courtyard. Upon entering, one could hear the "thud, thud, thud" of herbs being chopped.

Manager Qin led Hua Changxi directly into a side room. Inside, there were only two middle-aged male handymen, and both were slicing herbs very rapidly.

Manager Qin did not immediately assign her a task, but instead let her watch the two middle-aged men's workflow for a while.

As soon as the two finished a basket of sliced herbs, someone would immediately come to take them away, and then another handyman would bring in more herbs that needed slicing. There was not a moment of idle time.

Hua Changxi looked at Manager Qin. "Manager Qin, how many herbs do I need to slice in a day?"

Knowing that Eunuch Bao wanted to discipline her, Manager Qin thought for a moment and said, "3,000 stalks."

As soon as these words were spoken, the two middle-aged handymen, who had been focused on slicing, both looked up simultaneously, their faces filled with undisguised shock.

They were the most skilled handymen in the Slicing Room; depending on the size of the herbs, slicing 1,000 to 2,000 stalks a day was the absolute limit.

Manager Qin was actually asking a young woman to slice 3,000 stalks? This was far too much!

Hua Changxi did not haggle; she simply nodded and agreed.

Her reaction actually made Manager Qin hesitate. There was no helping it; Hua Changxi's speed in processing herbs had completely shattered his previous understanding.

This little girl could not be judged by the standards of ordinary people.

Worried that he might assign her too little work, Manager Qin called for the handyman responsible for delivering herbs to the side room: "Make sure the herbs sent to that girl are large pieces."

Inside the side room, not long after Hua Changxi sat down before the herb-slicing guillotine, the delivery man arrived with a basket of herbs.

The pieces of herbs in the basket were very large, and they were all quite sturdy roots and rhizomes.

The two handymen in the room saw this and gave Hua Changxi a sympathetic look. Seeing her bandaged hands, they simply shook their heads.

They wondered how late this girl would have to work today.

As for Hua Changxi, she had already begun working. Although her hands were bandaged, it did not affect the movement of her fingers.

During the first basket, Hua Changxi's slicing was somewhat stumbling, but starting from the second basket, her speed picked up.

For other handymen, root-type herbs were not easy to slice and required great strength, but for Hua Changxi, whose cultivation points had exceeded 5,000, even hard stones could be crushed into powder with a light squeeze, so root herbs were no problem at all.

Seeing Hua Changxi slicing root herbs as if she were slicing tofu, and seeing her speed increasing, the two middle-aged handymen showed expressions of astonishment.

At noon, Manager Qin secretly made a visit to check on Hua Changxi's progress. When he learned that she had already sliced over a thousand stalks, his jaw nearly dropped.

After repeatedly confirming that the delivery man had followed his instructions perfectly and had sent only the largest and hardest root-type herbs to Hua Changxi, Manager Qin went to see Eunuch Bao with a stiff face.

At the third quarter of the Hour of the Rooster, under the somewhat stunned gazes of the two middle-aged handymen, Hua Changxi clocked out on time and returned to the Sixth Bureau, a smile on her face as she left.

[Encyclopedia of Meridian Mapping (Perfection): Dissecting and Grinding Medicinal Herbs 8511/10000]

Very good. After helping at the First Bureau for a few days, the *Encyclopedia of Meridian Mapping* was also about to reach perfection.

After one more day of slicing herbs tomorrow, the *Encyclopedia of Meridian Mapping* would be perfected.

On the other side, Eunuch Bao, having learned that Hua Changxi had completed her task, was also somewhat stunned. He then sighed again, "Little Lu really has good luck. This Hua Changxi is a natural-born handyman."

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Hua Changxi sliced herbs for one more day, successfully inheriting all the knowledge of the *Encyclopedia of Meridian Mapping*.

At this moment, the meridian pathways of Mortal plants and beasts, Spirit plants and beasts, Divine plants and beasts, and Dao plants and beasts were all etched into her mind.

This year, the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month was New Year's Eve. After waking up early, Hua Changxi went to the First Bureau again. Today, she wasn't there to help, but to collect her silver.

The Apprentice Hall apprentices formed one line, and the handymen formed another.

The apprentices received ten taels of silver, while the handymen received only two.

After receiving her silver, seeing that the person distributing it was Manager Qin, Hua Changxi couldn't help but ask, "We are doing the same work, so why is there such a big difference in the silver we receive?"

Manager Qin didn't want to answer, but thinking that the First Bureau might still borrow Hua Changxi's help in the future, he explained, "Apprentices have a higher status than handymen. Apprentices understand pharmacology and medical skills, and when they come to help, they can also guide the handymen of the First Bureau."

"As for handymen, you are manual laborers. While helping, you can also learn the techniques of processing medicinal herbs for free. The fact that the First Bureau can give handymen an extra two taels of silver is already a grace bestowed by the Eunuchs above."

"One must learn to be content. Don't always think about comparing yourself to others; work steadily and honestly, do you understand?"

Seeing Hua Changxi looking at him expressionlessly, Manager Qin knew her work was no worse than the apprentices—in fact, it was better—so he could only lower his voice and say, "Eunuch Bao wants to see you." He even gave her a meaningful look.

Only after hearing this did Hua Changxi take her two taels of silver to find Eunuch Bao.

Upon seeing Hua Changxi, Eunuch Bao first showered her with excessive praise, and then, as if performing an act of charity, he took out five taels of silver and tossed them directly at her.

The angle of the toss was quite tricky; Eunuch Bao's intention was to make Hua Changxi bend down to pick up the silver from the ground.

Hua Changxi glanced at Eunuch Bao, hooked her foot, and with a light lift of her leg, she kicked the silver up like a shuttlecock and caught it in her hand.

"Thank you, Eunuch. I have things to do, so I'll be going."

Eunuch Bao was unhappy that his goal was not achieved, but what made him even angrier was Hua Changxi's attitude.

Hua Changxi was also unhappy. She knew the status of a handyman was lower than an apprentice, but she hadn't expected the difference to be so vast.

What she didn't expect, however, was that something even more upsetting was yet to come.

As soon as Hua Changxi returned to the Sixth Bureau, Du Ruo told her to go see Manager Leng.

When Manager Leng saw Hua Changxi, he had an expression that said, 'Congratulations on earning some extra money.' "Eunuch Lu recommended you to help at the First Bureau. Since it's the New Year, shouldn't you show some appreciation?"

Hua Changxi was truly speechless at their methods of exploitation. She took a deep breath, thinking that since today was New Year's Eve, she should go home in a good mood to celebrate the New Year, and tried to speak in a gentle tone

"Manager Leng, if there are such 'good' opportunities in the future, please be sure to tell Eunuch Lu that he shouldn't think of me. I am not worth it."

Manager Leng was stunned, looking at Hua Changxi with a face full of disbelief. "Wh... what did you say?"

Hua Changxi smiled. "Manager Leng, I wish you a Happy New Year. I still need to go to the Internal Affairs Bureau to collect my monthly allowance, so I won't disturb you further." With that, she walked away directly.

Manager Leng stared at her departing back for a long time before he could react. Once he snapped out of it, he was furious: "This Hua Changxi... does she want to reverse the natural order?"

The Handyman Hall had a seven-day holiday for the New Year, from New Year's Eve to the sixth day of the first lunar month.

Because Hua Changxi had gone to the First Bureau, by the time she returned from collecting her monthly allowance, most of her roommates had already left, leaving only Wang Yunchu.

"Hua Changxi, Happy New Year. This is a decorative knot I braided myself and some paper-cut window flowers. I'm giving them to you; please don't reject them."

Looking at the knot and the paper-cuts Wang Yunchu handed her, Hua Changxi was silent for a few seconds before reaching out to take them. "Thank you." After a moment of thought, she took a porcelain bottle from her bundle and poured out two Body Strengthening Pills.

She had heard her sister-in-law and others chatting that Wang Yunchu's mother had died during a difficult labor when giving birth to her brother. Her father had remarried, and after the stepmother had children, she treated her and her brother very poorly. The siblings had nearly starved to death as children, and they had lived through years of irregular meals until Wang Yunchu came to work at the Handyman Hall, when things improved slightly.

"Happy New Year."

Hua Changxi wrapped the Body Strengthening Pills in paper and handed them to Wang Yunchu.

Wang Yunchu knew how precious medicinal pills were and didn't want them. She had given things to Hua Changxi purely to express her gratitude for her previous help, but looking into Hua Changxi's calm eyes, she couldn't find the words to refuse and reached out to take the pills.

"These are Body Strengthening Pills; they are good for your health."

As she spoke, Hua Changxi quickly packed her things. "Take good care of your health and your brother's; it can make up for what you lacked in childhood."

Hearing these words, Wang Yunchu felt immense regret. Why had she thought before that Hua Changxi wasn't a good person?

Once Hua Changxi had finished packing, seeing Wang Yunchu looking at her as if she wanted to say something, she had no intention of playing the role of a confidante. She shouldered her bundle and said, "I'm going home. You should head back early too."