Wang Mochuan

Biodata

Background / History

Wang Mochuan had already attained the Xiucai title but remained in Jichuan County rather than continuing his studies in the Prefectural City. Among the County School students, he held considerable prestige and was older than Chen Xu by seven or eight years. 15 36

When Chen Xu arrived at Mr. Zhou's Star Array, Wang Mochuan publicly welcomed him and framed his arrival as Jichuan County's opportunity to rival the Prefectural City's talents, preempting possible mockery from their classmates. 15 Following the trial, he supported Chen Xu's decision to knock Lin Yuan unconscious to stop him from harming himself and helped return Lin Yuan to the Lin residence. 24

Wang later acknowledged that he had kept his distance from Chen Xu because of unfounded rumors and sincerely apologized. Chen Xu's cooking and philosophy of learning through cuisine substantially changed his opinion of him. 36

Personality

Wang Mochuan is socially perceptive and measured. At the Star Array, he used his standing among the County School students to receive Chen Xu courteously despite the hostility surrounding him. 15

He is also practical and opportunistic in a constructive sense. He offers Chen Xu lodging, medical assistance, examination advice, access to family resources, and a potential trip to the Prefectural City, while openly seeking Chen Xu's help tutoring his cousin in numerology. 37 38

Despite his status, he can admit fault. He repeatedly apologizes for his prejudice toward Chen Xu and develops a warm, humorous rapport with him. 36 47

Abilities & Skills

Righteous Qi Cultivation

Wang Mochuan possesses introductory Qi cultivation as a scholar. He demonstrates this by carving a cloud pattern into a table with his bare fingers through controlled Qi. 37

• Scholars naturally cultivate Righteous Qi through studying the sages' teachings. 37
• Ordinary scholars generally cannot retain or actively use their Qi without a secret method, court-granted teachings, or an inherited family tradition. 37
• Wang describes his own control as unrefined; after dispersing his Qi, he considers himself physically weak. 37
• His family can potentially provide a method for storing Qi, which he offers Chen Xu in exchange for tutoring his cousin. 38

Relationships

• Chen Xu — County School junior whom Wang initially misunderstood because of rumors. He later apologizes, admires Chen's culinary and scholarly ability, offers him support for the examinations, and seeks his assistance teaching numerology to a cousin. 15 36 37 38
• Xu Wenyuan — Fellow scholar who travels with Wang and Chen Xu to the Lin residence. 47
• Lin Yuan — Fellow student in distress over Lin Qi's illness; Wang endorses protecting him from further self-harm and helps ensure his return home. 24
• Lin Qi — Fellow County School student whose death and funeral bring Wang, Chen Xu, and Xu Wenyuan together. 36 47 48
• Wang Mochuan's cousin — A frail member of the Wang clan's Prefectural City branch who is preparing for the Xiucai examination; Wang hopes Chen Xu can tutor him in numerology. 37 38

Story Role / Major Arcs

Star Array Gathering

Wang Mochuan acts as a senior representative of Jichuan County School when Chen Xu reaches Mr. Zhou's Star Array. He publicly treats Chen as a valuable participant and later assists in handling Lin Yuan's collapse and despair. 15 24

Reconciliation with Chen Xu

Before Lin Qi's wake, Wang visits Chen Xu, asks about his examination plans, and apologizes for his former prejudice. Chen serves him five-grain congee; Wang's enthusiastic praise contributes substantially to Chen's accumulated Likes. 36

Cultivation Exchange and Examination Plans

Wang explains the basics and limitations of scholarly Qi cultivation to Chen Xu, demonstrates his own Qi, and proposes a mutually beneficial arrangement: Chen would help tutor Wang's cousin in numerology, while Wang would seek a Qi-storage method for him. 37 38

Lin Qi's Funeral

Wang shares a carriage with Chen Xu and Xu Wenyuan on the way to the Lin residence. He jokes about learning cooking from Chen, but becomes concerned when the Lin family's funeral arrangements collapse amid the fox spirit incident and Lin Yuan's disappearance. 47 48

Notable Quotes

“I'm ashamed, my skills are not refined, I can only do this much. If I disperse this energy, I'm just a weak scholar with no strength to even lift a chicken.” 37