I, Kangxi, am here to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!

Spring of the first year of the Kangxi reign.

As the ice and snow melt, all things come back to life.

Hong Xiguan's equestrian and archery practice was moved from the small area of ​​the Imperial Garden to the more spacious Western Garden of the Imperial City.

This is the Zhongnanhai that became famous in later generations. With its beautiful lakes and mountains, lush forests, and open space, it was an excellent place for horseback riding and archery.

The emperors of the Ming Dynasty often practiced riding and archery here, never forgetting military preparedness.

"Damn, this place is so much more comfortable than that pigeon coop in the Forbidden City! No wonder later emperors loved coming here; it's practically a royal resort!"

Hong Xiguan is now twelve years old (although in name he is still a "child" who is nine years old).

After more than half a year of hard training and a scientific diet, Hong Xiguan's body is no longer the thin and weak person he used to be. He has grown taller and his physique has become strong and powerful.

At this moment, he was dressed in a bright yellow outfit, riding a magnificent Mongolian horse, galloping and drawing his bow. Although the arrows still often missed the target, the composure with which he drew the bow on horseback was already beginning to take shape.

A group of young guards, such as Suo'etu and Li Xu, dressed in military uniforms, surrounded the emperor, each one looking spirited and vigilant.

In front of the horse, holding the reins for the emperor and responsible for preparing and feeding the horse, was a burly man with gloomy eyes.

It was Wan Yunlong.

You wouldn't believe it, would you? The leader of the Green Wood Hall of the Heaven and Earth Society... no, I mean the Green Lotus Hall, actually became my groom, the Tartar emperor.

Given Wan Yunlong's status as a "traitor to the Heaven and Earth Society," he naturally couldn't serve as a guard. The fact that he was spared and not sent to the Censorate as a "guinea pig" was already a great favor from the Emperor.

Therefore, he had no choice but to condescend to this position and do the lowest-level menial tasks.

For the past few months, Wan Yunlong has been diligently playing the role of a "corrupted" character, following the instructions of "Young Master" Cao Yin.

I will never refuse delicious food and drinks.

He also "reluctantly" accepted the palace maids bestowed upon him by the emperor.

Wan Yunlong became increasingly compliant and numb, as if he had forgotten his original intention of "overthrowing the Qing and restoring the Ming" and had completely sunk into this gentle and wealthy land.

No one paid much attention to him, because there were quite a few Han Chinese who surrendered to the Qing Dynasty in those days, and many of them became high-ranking officials with generous salaries. Who would care about a groom?

That day, after firing several rounds of arrows, Hong Xiguan reined in his horse and dismounted.

Taking the damp towel Wan Yunlong offered, he wiped the sweat from his brow and asked casually, "Wan Yunlong, which branch of the Heaven and Earth Society are you from?"

Wan Yunlong's hand, which was grooming the horse's mane, suddenly froze. He looked up, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes, but still followed the "frankness" strategy he had previously discussed with Cao Yin, and answered in a low voice:

"Replying to...Master, this servant is...from the Qinglian Hall."

Qinglian Hall? Isn't it Qingmu Hall? It seems we can't completely believe everything in The Deer and the Cauldron. But then again, novels always have some artistic embellishment.

Hong Xiguan nodded, then threw out a startling question: "Then... in your Heaven and Earth Society, is there anyone named Chen Jinnan?"

"boom!"

These words struck Wan Yunlong like a thunderbolt from the heavens!

He froze, and the comb in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud".

He suddenly raised his head, and for the first time, his lifeless eyes revealed an expression of utter horror!

"You...you...how did you know the Grand Master's name?!"

Wan Yunlong cried out in disbelief, forgetting to even say "Your Majesty" and "Master".

The Grand Master?

Is Chen Jinnan really the Grand Master?!

I was just bluffing casually, trying to show off, but I didn't expect to expose the boss's secrets.

Hong Xiguan was also startled, but he sneered disdainfully and slowly walked up to Wan Yunlong, looking down at him with an expression that said, "I have already seen through everything."

"Is there anything in this world that I don't know?"

Hong Xiguan knew that Chen Jinnan, whose real name was Chen Yonghua, was not a martial arts master in real history. Instead, he was the most important chief strategist under Zheng Chenggong, the Lord of the State, and could be called "the Little Crouching Dragon who was both a scholar and a warrior".

He not only advised Zheng Chenggong on how to recover Taiwan, but he was also the actual founder and leader of the huge underground organization, the Heaven and Earth Society, responsible for contacting anti-Qing forces on the mainland and providing a continuous stream of intelligence and support to the Zheng regime.

This name is a top-secret secret within the Heaven and Earth Society! Even many branch leaders have only heard of it but have never heard of it!

And now, this name has been casually uttered by an eight-year-old Tartar emperor!

Wan Yunlong felt a chill run from his tailbone straight up to the top of his head!

How did he know?!

Even His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't know the name of the Grand Master!

Wan Yunlong's mind was instantly in turmoil as he stared intently at Hong Xiguan, his eyes filled with suspicion.

"You...you're bluffing me!"

Hong Xiguan looked at his blustering but cowardly appearance and simply smiled faintly: "Trying to fool you?"

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the sky, and said leisurely, "I not only know Chen Jinnan, but I also know that his original name was Chen Yonghua, and that he was the son of Chen Ding, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the Ming Dynasty. Is that right?"

"boom!!!"

If the previous sentence was a thunderclap, then this sentence is a calamity capable of destroying the heavens and the earth!

Wan Yunlong was completely dumbfounded! He stared at Hong Xiguan, speechless, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg.

Chen Yonghua's father was Chen Ding, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the seventeenth year of the Chongzhen reign. After the Jia Shen Incident, he returned to his hometown to farm. In the second year of the Yongli reign, the Emperor Guoxing captured Tong'an and appointed him as an instructor. In the same year, the Qing army counterattacked, Tong'an fell, and Chen Ding hanged himself in the Minglun Hall to die for his country!

This... this is a top secret known only to a handful of the highest-ranking members of the Heaven and Earth Society!

Because this is related to the background of the Grand Master, and to the irreconcilable blood feud between him and the Qing Dynasty!

Even Wan Yunlong only learned a little about this secret by chance when he overheard the hall master speaking the truth while drunk!

And now, this little Tartar emperor actually... knows everything perfectly well?!

A terrifying, chilling thought surfaced in Wan Yunlong's mind.

Could it be... that Qing Dynasty spies have infiltrated the highest levels of our Heaven and Earth Society?! Perhaps... even right next to the Grand Master?!

Thinking of this, Wan Yunlong felt a chill run down his spine, and cold sweat instantly soaked through his clothes.

Seeing his dazed look, Hong Xiguan knew that he had successfully put on a show.

He didn't press further, but instead changed the subject, his tone tinged with regret, and said with a sigh:

"When the city fell, Chen Dinggong refused to surrender to the enemy and hanged himself in the Minglun Hall to die for his country. Such integrity and moral character are truly admirable!"

These words came from the bottom of his heart.

Wan Yunlong was stunned.

Cao Yin, Li Xu, and even the guards from the Plain Yellow Banner behind them were all stunned.

They couldn't believe that such praise for a "loyal minister who died for the Ming Dynasty" would come from the mouth of the Qing Emperor!

Ignoring their shock, Hong Xiguan continued, "Those whom I admire most in my life are people of integrity."

"Regardless of stance, friend or foe, a person may be defeated, may die, but their backbone must not be broken!"

"Especially those who are willing to die for their country and their nation, sacrificing their lives for their principles, are all heroes!"

These words were powerful and thought-provoking!

Wan Yunlong stared blankly at him, and at this moment, the hatred in his heart actually began to waver slightly.

This little Tartar emperor... seems... seems a bit different from other Tartars?

Cao Yin and Li Xu were so excited that their faces turned completely red!

Your Majesty... Your Majesty actually admires the loyal ministers and martyrs of the Han Dynasty!

Your Majesty, you have not forgotten that we are Han Chinese!

Hong Xiguan took in everyone's expressions and chuckled inwardly.

They keep bluffing and deceiving.

Moral education requires both a firm hand and a sweet treat.

First, we'll use "national righteousness" to shatter your servility, and then we'll use "heroic spirit" to rebuild your soul!

Only in this way will you transform from mere "slaves" into true loyal warriors who would die for me!

Even a piece of iron like Wan Yunlong needs to be refined slowly!