Chen Zikun thought to himself, "This is great! These two teachers are really worth recognizing. Whether they're foreigners or celebrities, as soon as they hear the names of these two professors, their attitude changes immediately. It seems that in the future, I'll have to fawn over these two teachers even more."

  As the other party was a famous teacher and student, Xiong Xiling naturally couldn't be as casual as he was with the rickshaw factory owner. After a conversation, he found that Chen Zikun's words were not bad, but there was a hint of rusticity, and he had never heard before that he was a student of Beida, so he asked about the reason.

  Chen Zikun frankly told him that he was just a rickshaw boy, and only because of a coincidence did he become the apprentice of two professors. Xiong Xiling listened to this and couldn't help but admire this young man even more.

  "Zi Kun, in your opinion, how should the fertilizer industry be reformed?" asked Xiong Xiling.

  "It's simple, without rules, there is no square circle. To rectify the reform, we must establish rules and let laws protect residents and restrict husbands. If there are violations, the authorities also have laws to follow, either punish or revoke the husband's operating rights, to ensure Beijing's environmental sanitation." Chen Zikun spoke with reason, Xiong Xiling stroked his beard and nodded continuously.

  "Feces industry rules, do you have a manuscript?" Xiong Xiling asked.

  "No, but they're all in my head."

  "Then let's write it now, follow me." Xiong Xiling stood up and took Chen Zikun to the inner house study.

  This is an ultra-VIP treatment, which stunned all the servants. Only extraordinary people can enter Mr. Xiong's study, such as famous scholars like Liang Qichao, Zhang Jian, and Zhu Qiqian, who can discuss literature with Mr. Xiong. Even someone like Duan Qirui is only qualified to drink tea in the living room.

  Xiong Xiling's study is located on the west side of the inner house, quiet and elegant. As soon as you enter, a strong ink fragrance hits your nose. There is a reclining chair by the window, and bookshelves and ancient furniture are everywhere. Rare and precious treasures abound, and the Song and Ming editions of ancient books are as numerous as the stars in the sky.

  As soon as he entered the door, a precious sword hanging on the wall suddenly emitted a clear and ringing sound. Chen Zikun was somewhat curious, walked forward, took down the sword, drew it out of its scabbard, and the sword let out a long whistle. The cold light filled the room, and seven golden stars on the sword body were arranged in the pattern of the Big Dipper, emitting dazzling golden light under the lamp's illumination, like the cold stars in the night sky.

  "Good sword!" Chen Zikong casually wielded a sword flower, and only then realized that his behavior was too abrupt, hurriedly apologizing: "Old Bear, I got carried away for a moment..."

  Looking at Xiong Xiling again, he had already become stupid, staring blankly at Chen Zikun, his fingers slightly trembling.

  "Y-y-you..." The voice of Director Bear also trembled.

  "Sorry, I was too rude. Here, let me put it back." Chen Zikun was startled and quickly sheathed the treasured sword, intending to hang it on the wall.

  "No, no, no! Do it again like you just did." Xiong Xiling hastily stopped him, her eyes full of anticipation.

  "Alright, I'll show you my ugly moves!" Chen Zikong tucked the hem of his long shirt into his waistband and began to dance with his Seven-Star Treasure Sword. The study was filled with flashes of sword light and cold glints everywhere.

  Chen Zikong's dance rose, and he jumped into the courtyard, displaying the Taiyi Xuanmen sword technique. He hadn't practiced this set of sword techniques for a long time, and at first, it felt a bit awkward. However, his movements became more and more fluid, like floating clouds and flowing water. At this moment, spring snow began to fall from the sky, and Chen Zikong danced rapidly in the snow, one person and one sword, perfectly harmonious, filling the entire courtyard with sword shadows.

  Xiong Xiling stood under the corridor, sighing with emotion, his old tears streaming down. The elegant figure in the snow reminded him of his own youthful days when he was full of vigor and spirit. He couldn't help but recite softly:

  With a book and a sword, I have feelings for my family and country; with a strategy and a plan, I hold ambitions for the rivers and mountains.

  Riding horses and stirring up dust, grinding heroic bones, facing court strategies and sharpening iron shoulders. Discussing rise and fall in laughter.

  Green blood stains the red history, crimson heart illuminates the countryside.

  But if I can awaken countless people and benefit future generations, what regret is there in a life of thirty-three years? My name will be passed down with the stars.

  As the majestic poem came to an end, Chen Zikun's Taiyi Xuanmen swordsmanship 73 roads were also finished, the final move of "Great Earth Revival" brought all the sword shadows in the courtyard back to one body.

  "Good!" Xiong Xiling applauded and praised, Chen Zikun also praised: "Good sword, this sword in hand is like divine assistance. I had already forgotten this set of swordsmanship, but unexpectedly it came out all at once."

  Xiong Xiling's expression changed, and he said: "Do you know who the master of this sword is?"

  "Isn't it Lord Xiong?" Chen Zikong said.

  "No, the former master of this Seven-Star Treasure Sword was Tan Sitong, one of the Six Gentlemen of the Wuxu Year."

  Chen Zikun was shocked: "But it was Tan Sitong who wrote the famous poem 'I laugh at the sky with a horizontal sword, my liver and gallbladder are two Kunluns'."

  Xiong Xiling twirled his mustache and smiled: "Exactly, this Seven Stars Sword has accompanied me for over a decade of spring and autumn since my rebirth. On the day he died heroically, it's said that this sword let out a sorrowful clang, this sword has spirit!"

  "Today, I am fortunate enough to dance with Tan Gong's sword. I'm so lucky that Tan Gong's spirit in heaven, please accept my bow." Chen Zikun held the Qixing Baosword high and bowed towards the direction of Caishi Street outside Xuanwu Gate.

  Xiong Xiling nodded in satisfaction and said, "This sword has a predestined relationship with you. The treasure sword will ring out either when encountering danger or when meeting its former master. Judging from the way you wield your sword, it seems to have a hint of Tan Gong's style from back then. Zi Kong, may I ask for your birth date and time?"

  Chen Zikong said: "I won't deceive you, Master Xiong. I'm an orphan and don't know my own birth eight characters."

  "Oh, I see." Xiong Xiling seemed to be lost in thought. At this time, the snow outside had grown heavier, and the servant brought in a copper brazier and said: "Master, Madam asks what time you'll have dinner?"

  Xiong Xiling said: "Tell them to eat first, you let the kitchen prepare a few small dishes, warm up a good wine and bring it over."

  Then he said to Chen Zikong: "Let's have a small drink, what do you say."

  She spoke in a questioning tone, but actually didn't give Chen Zikun any room for excuses, and pulled him into the house. They sat cross-legged on the warm bed, with a small table between them, and a small brazier beside it crackling with charcoal. Outside the window, the spring snow was falling heavily and melting as soon as it hit the ground. The atmosphere was so enchanting that they were drunk before even drinking any wine.

  Without much ado, the servant brought over a food box and arranged four small dishes on a low table, along with two pairs of ivory chopsticks. A tin wine jug was placed in a thermos filled with warm water. Xiong Xiling chuckled and recited: "Green ants make new wine, red clay is a small fire stove."

  Chen Zikong replied: "Tonight the sky is about to snow, can drink a cup of wine."

  Xiong Xiling was overjoyed and said, "Why don't we play a drinking game instead?"

  "Alright, let's play rock-paper-scissors then. I'm good at this. Eight horses and five tigers, brothers."

  Xiong Xiling shook his head and said, "No, I'm talking about linked verses, using poetry and songs as wine orders."

  Chen Zikong said: "I was born in the green forest of Guandong and am not good at poetry, I'm afraid I've disappointed Master Xiong."

  Xiong Xiling burst out laughing: "A hero doesn't ask about one's origin, you have a broad and open-minded heart, that's what makes a great hero. Come on, let's exchange two blows, we're buddies now, Four Seasons Wealth!"

  The most enjoyable drink, Xiong Xiling talked about the events of 21 years ago. He and Tang Caichang were close friends. Tang Caichang promoted the Wuxu Reform in Beijing, while Xiong Xiling founded the "Xiangbao" newspaper in Hunan to promote reform. One was in the south and one was in the north, both pioneers in enlightening the people.

  Later, the conservative faction in Hunan could not tolerate me, and I was about to be summoned to Beijing to assist Xiang Rong's revival. However, a bout of dysentery delayed my journey for half a month. By the time I recovered, the reform had already failed, and Xiang Rong and others had died heroic deaths. I, on the other hand, managed to survive until today. Alas! Xiong Xiling sighed as he recalled past events.

  "This is the will of heaven. If it were not for my illness, which delayed me, I fear that the names remembered in history would have been those of the seven gentlemen of the Wuxu year. The nation has gained a martyr but lost a premier."

  This flattering praise was not over-the-top, but extremely comfortable to hear. Xiong Xiling was delighted and personally poured wine for Chen Zikun, asking about his well-being as if he were a respected teacher.

  "If there's an insurmountable difficulty, come find me. With this, you can enter the mansion without needing to report." Xiong Xiling took off a jade thumb ring from his thumb and handed it to Chen Zikun.

  "Thank you, Master Xiong." Chen Zikong did not decline and accepted it readily.

  Before he knew it, the clock struck eight in the evening, and the wine was finished. The servant came to deliver a message, saying that his wife had instructed him to rest.

  Chen Zikong stood up to bid farewell, and Xiong Xiling said: "I was so focused on chatting that I forgot about the main thing. You go back and write out the Fertilizer Industry Regulations and send them to me, and I'll submit them to the Municipal Government Office."

  "I'll write it through the night and send it over tomorrow," said Chen Zikun.

  "Alright, you can go now. Let the housekeeper see you out." Xiong Xiling dismissed the servant and sent Chen Zikun away, then walked to the wall, holding the Seven-Star Sword in both hands, caressing it affectionately: "Sword, oh sword, tell me, has Brother Fuxing really reincarnated and returned?"

  The precious sword lay quietly in his hand, motionless.

  ……

  The spring chill was sharp, and the snowflakes that fell from the sky all melted into water on the ground. Chen Zikun returned to the car factory, and Xue Ping Shun had been waiting for him in the gatehouse. Seeing him return, he said, "Ah, I'm so anxious to death, I thought you'd been detained by someone."

  Chen Zikong said: "What is Mr. Xiong detaining me for? He's keeping me here to drink wine."

  Xue Pingshun's face was incredulous: "Dà Kōng Zǐ, you're not feverish, are you? The former Premier is here to drink with us?"

  "It's not, is it? We're still playing rock-paper-scissors. He drank more than me, authentic Chen Nian Yuquan tribute wine, don't believe me, smell it." Chen Zikun said with a serious face, and breathed out a mouthful of alcohol.

  Xue Ping Shun was half-believing and half-doubting, no longer entangled in this matter, said: "The young men who were taken away by the patrol police have all been released, and they don't need to pay fines either. The neighbors say that they want to give us a plaque. Now Yu De Shun is finished, moving rocks to hit his own feet, he deserved it. Big pot, you really surpass Zhuge Liang, you're something else."

  He was beaming with joy, but Chen Zikun just smiled faintly: "Just a small trick, nothing to brag about. Uncle Xue, follow me tomorrow and go to Yu's manure factory."

  Xue Ping Shun was taken aback: "What's going on there?"

  "Meet at De Shun."