Cyber ​​Daming

Chapter 653: Spring and Autumn Aspirations (Thank you, Master Shengming)
There are countless sea beasts in the Huangliang Sea.

In an eternal dream, the sun is about to set.

A hint of crimson light in the golden color fell into the window, covering the person near the window with a majestic robe.

Yan Dongqing, who is already at the center of controversy in the present world, is now standing with his hands behind his back, looking down calmly at this ideal city that he built with his own hands.

There are no towering skyscrapers in the city, nor are there neon lights that disturb people's minds. At a glance, there are blue brick and gray tile buildings and exquisite courtyards scattered around.

The courtyard is shaded by green trees, and is fully equipped with pavilions and towers. Every household is prosperous and well-off.

The streets in the city are clean and spacious, and the people walking on foot are all Confucian scholars dressed in blue robes. Everyone holds a thick paper book in their hands and recites aloud in the street with ups and downs in their voices. Between their eyebrows and eyes, there is a joy and satisfaction as if they have realized the truth of the world.

Learning is valuable than anything else.

This is the rule of this city. All miscellaneous work other than studying is undertaken by specially trained Yan people.

They are all confined in airtight factory-like buildings, producing food and clothing like water, day and night.

As long as a scholar who was poorly clothed and poorly fed could recite a classic passage written by the sage of the Yan family, he could get whatever he wanted without paying any other price.

Their looks and temperaments are different, but without exception they are all top-notch young beauties. However, here they can only act as reading companions, standing on the street with pens, ink, paper and inkstone, ready to provide charming services to the gentlemen passing by at any time.

Even their private needs such as sexual desires for food and clothing can be satisfied at any time.

A clear river runs through the city, with beautifully decorated pleasure boats wandering in it, drums and music playing, zithers and harps blaring, friends gathering together, and laughter filling the river.

Yan Dongqing's gaze followed the flow of the river into the distance. Outside the city, there were beautiful green mountains everywhere. On the top of the mountains sat a series of magnificent academies. The afterglow of the setting sun made everything in the academy look like a fairyland.

Classmates debate theories, great scholars teach classics, and the sound of reading is heard everywhere.

Beneath the seemingly innocent appearance of seeking knowledge and truth, everyone is actually striving for a hot ambition to be an official and to gain power.

Standing at the end of Yan Dongqing's sight was an extremely steep peak, and on the top of the mountain stood an enormous stone statue.

His face and movements were exactly the same as Yan Dongqing who was standing by the window at this moment.

The holy land of Confucianism and the Confucian country of the Yan family.

This thriving dream world is a reflection of Yan Dongqing's lifelong dream.

Here, his name is in books and in people's hearts. His words are both laws and rules, and also the will of heaven.

He is a saint more noble than the emperor and a guiding teacher for millions of common people.

"Head, everyone is almost here."

Suddenly, a respectful voice sounded behind him.

Yan Dongqing slowly withdrew his gaze, turned around and looked back, only to see a long table surrounded by people of all shapes and sizes.

In addition to Zhou Changji, Zhao Ke, and Wei Sheng, who were once known as the "Four Masters of the Spring and Autumn Period" together with Xu Haichao, there are also young descendants of first-class powerful families such as Yixing Liu, Chenjun Yuan, Lanling Xiao, and Jiangnan Wu.

There were more than thirty people present, all of whom were the backbone of the Spring and Autumn Association.

When Yan Dongqing looked at them, these people did not bow their heads to show respect, but responded directly with fanatical and admiring eyes.

"Everyone, take a seat."

Yan Dongqing nodded and sat down in the main seat that represented his status and position.

"Head, if you summoned us today to tell us that you are ready to abdicate and bear the counterattack from the New Donglin Party and Tianque on your own, then we will not sit down, because we will not agree."

Everyone stood still, and the first person to speak was a young Confucian scholar named Zhao Ke.

Zhao Ke's facial features were not handsome, especially his slightly long and narrow face and pointed jaw, which did not conform to the square appearance that was most respected in Confucianism.

But his pair of sword-like eyebrows were particularly eye-catching, flying into the temples, sharp as swords.

"Zhao Ke, why do you think I would have such an idea?"

Yan Dongqing looked around and took in the tense expressions on everyone's faces.

"Our common ideals and aspirations have not yet been realized. How can I ignore my responsibilities and abandon you?"

The smiling words swept across the room like a spring breeze. The tension and uneasiness on everyone's faces instantly melted away. They all breathed a sigh of relief and sat down one after another.

"I know that you, the leader, will never just show off your bravery for a moment and ignore the great cause of our Spring and Autumn Association."

Wei Sheng, who had a short beard on his lips, glanced at Zhao Ke and said sarcastically, "If you ask me, some people are just worrying about nothing. They make a fuss over the slightest change and lose their composure. How can they accomplish anything great?"

"Wei Sheng, say it again if you can."

"It's the same even if I say it ten times. Your emotions are so obvious on your face that you are only fit to be a clown."

The two people sitting on the left and right were immediately on the verge of a fight, but the other people present had calm expressions, as if they were already accustomed to this kind of scene.

Compared with the New Donglin Party, which had deep roots and dominated the Ming Empire for many years, the Spring and Autumn Society, as a rising star, emphasized unity the most.

But being able to unite against the enemy does not mean that there will be no internal discord.

There are also different factions in the Spring and Autumn Meeting.

The criteria for dividing the mountains are not complicated, it just depends on your birth level.

Zhao Ke, whose eyebrows were as sharp as knives, and Xu Haichao, who had already died, were both from first-class aristocratic families and were of noble status. The average rank of their subordinates was at least five, and they were powerful, but their numbers were small.

Wei Sheng, who had just ridiculed Zhao Ke, belonged to the same camp as Zhou Changji, who was also one of the "Four Scholars of the Spring and Autumn Period". Those who followed them were almost all children of poor families from declining families. Their ranks were generally not high, but they had the advantage of large numbers.

Although both factions have made "rebuilding the Confucian nation" their life's work, there are deep contradictions between them, and verbal sparring is common.

If it weren't for the chairman Yan Dongqing who has been mediating, internal strife and bloodshed would have probably occurred long ago.

"Okay, no one wants to hear your meaningless quarrel today."

Zhou Changji, who had a calm temperament, did not speak for Wei Sheng. Instead, he interrupted the two of them and turned to look at Yan Dongqing who was sitting above him.

"Master, the news of your revenge for the Xu family has spread throughout the entire Confucian Order. All the young people are fascinated by your story and are full of praise for your kindness."

Zhou Changji paused and said in a serious tone, "But this incident has caused quite a stir, especially since you used people planted in Honghu and Liutao this time. I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain to the master."

"What master? He is just a young boy with barely grown hair. How can he be our master?"

Zhao Ke shouted angrily, "A real man was born between heaven and earth. How can he be depressed and inferior to others for long? Zhou Changji, have you been kneeling for too long? Can't you stand up anymore?"

"Zhao Ke, I know that Xu Haichao's death makes you feel very uncomfortable, so I won't bother with you this time. But I still kindly advise you not to bite around like a mad dog."

"Xu Haichao died for the Spring and Autumn Society, and for all of us. He died a worthy death. How could I feel uneasy?"

Zhao Ke sneered repeatedly: "On the contrary, you should be the ones feeling uneasy now, right? If you hadn't advised the leader to let Yang Baize enter Huating County, how could the Xu family be in trouble so soon?!"

"Bullshit! Zhao Ke, stop spitting blood on me here!"

Wei Sheng shouted angrily: "If you want to die, I can help you right now!"

"I'm slandering you? When that old dog Zhu Pingyuan was still in the guild, you were flirting with him and getting particularly close to him. I even suspect that after the Zhu family ordered to abandon the Xu family, some of you secretly tipped off Yang Baize and deliberately persecuted the Xu family!"

"Zhao Ke, some unfounded speculations should not be used against our own people. This will only chill everyone's hearts. Do you understand?"

Just when the conflict between the two groups was about to intensify, Yan Dongqing, the leader of the association, finally spoke up. "Yes, leader."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ke responded in a muffled voice, turned his eyes away in indignation, and no longer looked at Wei Sheng and Zhou Changji opposite him.

"In fact, I know that everyone has different opinions on this matter. But what I want to say is that no matter whether Xu Haichao comes from a wealthy and prominent family or rises from humble beginnings, he is a fellow member of our Chunqiu Association and a brother. So if anything happens to him, we must not turn a blind eye, let alone stand idly by!"

Yan Dongqing's voice suddenly rose, "Even if the person in front of me is the Zhu Ming royal family, Zhang Fengyue of the New Donglin Party, or Li Jun of Tianque, I am not afraid and will avenge this! Even if I lose my life, it's just a matter of cutting off my sword, without any complaints or regrets!"

As soon as the words fell, a sound of heavy breathing followed.

Everyone on both sides of the long table clenched their fists, their eyes red, as if they were eager to fight to the death with the people Yan Dongqing mentioned, and exchange their lives for theirs.

"What Chang Ji said just now is right. I have indeed become a thorn in the eyes and flesh of those people. They can't wait to get rid of me as soon as possible."

"Meet me first"

Zhou Changji was ashamed and was about to explain, but Yan Dongqing interrupted him by raising his hand.

"But don't worry, this is not a dead end for our Spring and Autumn Association, but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

Yan Dongqing said in a deep voice: "We have been hiding in the Confucian Order for many years, pretending to flatter the Zhu Ming royal family and enduring humiliation with the New Donglin Party Committee, all for the sake of one day being able to break free from the shackles and break the heavy shackles on our Spring and Autumn Association!"

"Now the opportunity has come. As long as we work together to overcome the current difficulties, the Spring and Autumn Association will no longer be a tool used by the Zhu family to resist and check the New Donglin Party. The Spring and Autumn Association has a common goal and will face the difficulties together. Today is the day!"

Everyone clasped their hands and said in unison: "We share the same aspirations and will face the difficulties together. Please give us your instructions, Mr.

"The biggest crises we face now are first from the royal family and second from Li Jun."

Yan Dongqing glanced at Zhao Ke and the others on his left and right, and said slowly: "The most urgent task for the three of you now is to ask for an audience with Emperor Jiaqi through Huang Liang, clear yourselves of the responsibility, show that you will not collude with me, Yan Dongqing, and are still willing to be loyal to him, and try to protect the safety of the brothers in the association first."

Wei Sheng hesitated and asked, "Boss, at this point, I'm afraid he won't trust us so easily, right?"

"Idiot, the leader has made it so clear, but you still don't understand? Do you think the little emperor has any other choice now?"

Zhao Ke sneered, "Even if he knows that we are just pretending to please him, he will have to accept it. Unless he is willing to give up the entire Spring and Autumn Association."

"Knowing it's fake, why can't he give up?"

Wei Sheng blurted out, and Zhou Changji next to him wanted to reach out to stop him, but he was still half a step too slow.

"So some things are innate, and no matter how hard you try, you can never reach them. Standing height is one of them."

Zhao Ke smiled proudly and said disdainfully: "Why do you think Zhang Fengyue took the initiative to leave Northern Zhili? Do you think it was really to inspect the empire as he said, or to reunite with Zhang Siyuan, the playboy, in the new year as rumored? This is ridiculous!"

"Let me tell you, this is clearly a stage that he has specially reserved for Emperor Jiaqi to maneuver, and it is also the last test for Emperor Jiaqi. If the young emperor loses the Spring and Autumn Conference like this, it will only make Zhang Fengyue think that he is incompetent, and then he will have a hard time keeping the throne."

Zhao Ke raised his sword-like eyebrows and scolded in a condescending manner: "Don't forget, that old monster only recognizes the entire Ming Dynasty, not Emperor Jiaqi!"

"Head of the Society, even if the young emperor can really swallow this bitter pill, the relationship between us will only be superficial. Next, he will definitely insert a large number of new people into the Spring and Autumn Society and try every means to replace us. Or he may turn against us like Wu Jiang did and become his accomplice."

Zhou Changji tried hard not to look at Zhao Ke's arrogant and proud look, and said to Yan Dongqing: "Since we have expressed our loyalty to him, it may be difficult to stop him."

"What he wants to know most right now is who are our people among the Six Strategies and the Great Swan. As long as he can't figure this out, he won't easily touch you."

Yan Dongqing gave the other person a deep look and said, "As for his plan to slowly undermine you by using a soft knife, it will take quite some time. It is not something to worry about for the time being."

Zhou Changji's heart trembled, and he felt an inexplicable chill. He quickly changed the subject: "Tianque Li Jun?"

"I will deal with him personally."

Yan Dongqing said calmly: "He is just a warrior who is arrogant and domineering. To deal with such a person, we must naturally use more powerful violence to subdue him."

"You want to deal with Li Jun yourself? How can this be possible?!"

Wei Sheng exclaimed in astonishment: "Master, a gentleman should not stand under a dangerous wall. As long as we can stabilize the little emperor, Li Jun will naturally have the royal family to deal with him. Why do you need to do it yourself?"

"If I don't come forward to confront Li Jun, the little emperor will not be at ease to follow our plan. Although the Zhu family is in decline, we must not underestimate them. All the major events that have occurred in the empire over the past few hundred years have always involved the Zhu family."

"Okay, don't worry about my safety. I have my own way with this matter. There's no need to say more."

Yan Dongqing didn't want to explain more about this matter. He nodded to Zhao Ke, then looked at Wei Sheng and Zhou Changji.

"Until the situation becomes clear, the Spring and Autumn Association will be handed over to the three of you. Please remember that a little impatience can ruin a great plan."

"Yes, leader." The three answered in unison.

"Everyone, we share the same aspirations and will face the difficulties together."

Yan Dongqing stood up and bowed to everyone.

“Let’s encourage you together!”

“Let’s encourage you together!”

Amid the uniform and excited voices, Yan Dongqing's figure faded into the dream.

Zhao Ke looked at Zhou Changji and the other man coldly, snorted contemptuously, and left with the members on his side.

"Son of a bitch, I will kill him sooner or later"

Zhou Changji raised his hand and pressed Wei Sheng's shoulder, interrupting the curse he was about to utter.

"Keep a low profile during this period. Although we have the protection of the Zhu family, there is no guarantee that they will do something like abandoning the pawn to save the master, and push some of us out to vent their anger on Li Jun."

He looked at the people around him, "I know what you are thinking. After we pass this level, we will have to fight with many people. There will be plenty of opportunities. When we all become the leaders of the Confucian country, naturally no one will dare to look down on us. Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

The resounding voices were still echoing in this palace-like room, but the figures standing around the long table had disappeared.

I don’t know how long it took until the sunset outside the window was completely replaced by the evening stars.

A violent sound like kicking the door suddenly rang out.

boom!
Zou Sijiu, who broke into the room, looked at the empty hall and frowned immediately.

"Damn it, they all run pretty fast!"

Zou Sijiu, who arrived a step late, cursed in a low voice.

He strode to the window and looked at the statue of Yan Dongqing standing on the top of a distant mountain.

"If I can't catch you, then Master Zou will destroy your lair first!"

As soon as he finished speaking, loud thunder suddenly sounded in this world.

The exploding thunder was like the branches of a dead tree, shattering the high sky. Torrential rain poured down from the mirror-like cracks, like a river from the sky flowing back, as if it would drown the entire world!

hold head high!
In the dream that was about to collapse, strange sounds like the wailing and roaring of a giant beast echoed.

The flood was raging and the mountains and rivers were shaking.

The statue of Yan Dongqing was hit directly by a bolt of lightning and shattered into pieces of rubble that scattered everywhere.

(End of this chapter)