Linxia

Chapter 246, Different Path

"Brother Dong, do you really have to wade into this muddy water?"

Dong Zugao remained silent upon hearing this, and just drank bowl after bowl of wine. After a while, he said, "Brother Fang, you know that my speaking of this means that I have made a decision."

"Brother Dong, you must know what will happen if you go to the capital. For example, Chang Gong (Zhang Ruian's pen name) and the tortured Zhou can be considered as an example. The one sitting in the capital facing south is really mean and ungrateful. How can he have a good ending if he goes there?"

Fang Lin grabbed Dong Zugao's wrist and said, "Brother Dong, listen to my advice. It's not worth it for that person! If you insist on going, it's like a moth flying into a flame. It may look heroic, but it will do nothing."

"Brother Fang, in the 13th year of Hongtai, Emperor Shizong promoted me to the top scholar. After that, he treated me with great favors... I have been receiving salary from the emperor and sharing his worries. I have been receiving salary from Daxia for many years! Of course, I am not a blindly loyal person. What the current emperor has done is really chilling. I am not going here just for the emperor, but also for the people of the world... To establish a heart for the world and a destiny for the people. Brother Fang, I am reading the books of sages, how can I not go?"

Dong Zugao paused at this point and said, "There is one more thing. Brother Fang and I have discussed this and got some inspiration. After the end of the Sui Dynasty, Li Tang received the Mandate of Heaven. Li Tang had Hu blood, not pure Han. And because of the prosperity of Li Tang, it was reasonable for the Hu people to rule China. Since the Tang Dynasty, Song, Yuan, and Xia were a series of regimes, one Han and one Hu. Based on this, I infer that this time the Mandate of Heaven may be with the Jurchens in Liaodong!"

"Since ancient times, the Hu regime has been particularly harsh and oppressive to the people of our Shenzhou. If the Liaodong Jurchens are allowed to steal the sacred artifact, then..."

Fang Lin listened and nodded slightly. It was indeed true.

In the past life, some Qing Dynasty fans boasted about the Kangxi and Qianlong prosperous eras. Haha, if we use the standards of the Kangxi and Qianlong prosperous eras, then 250 years out of the 276 years of the Ming Dynasty can be considered prosperous!

"Brother Fang, if this change of dynasty was like the Qin and Han dynasties, it would be fine, and I could convince myself not to think about it and not to interfere. But now we have the Liaodong Tartars!"

Dong Zugao's face turned red. "Brother Fang, when I was young, I read Yue Wumu's "Man Jiang Hong", which said, 'I would eat the meat of the barbarians when I was hungry and drink the blood of the Xiongnu when I was laughing'. I was so inspired that I secretly vowed that if I were to rule the country one day, I would make it so that 'the Hu people are gone and the Han Dynasty flourishes'! Now, the Great Xia is declining, and the Jurchens in Liaodong are becoming more rampant. How can I let the barbarians steal the sacred artifacts of this divine land?"

"Brother Dong, so this is what you think!" Fang Lin closed his eyes and understood Dong Zugao's mind.

He knew that this kind of "rescue from collapse and save the building from collapse" was a kind of romance of literati, such as Zhuge Liang; and the dispute between the Hu and Han forced Dong Zugao to join the fight, such as Wen Tianxiang.

Even so, Fang Lin still tried to persuade him: "I know what Brother Dong is determined to do. I admire him. I also hate the Liaodong Tartars. But how difficult is it to stop the destiny? Especially with His Majesty, there is really no chance."

"Besides, even if it succeeds, what will happen? In this land, Confucianism has already degenerated, decayed, and distorted. Even if a Han regime is established again, with a strong founding monarch who establishes a good system, it will be distorted and corrupted in less than two generations and return to the old path."

"The feudal system is being eliminated and there is no hope. If we want to break the dynasty and the alternation of the Hu and Han regimes, we must break it down and then rebuild it!"

Fang Lin said solemnly: "Brother Dong, you may not know that the Western Land is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. It is different from the feudal monarchy. It is another path, which is called science, democracy, and freedom."

"I am doing business overseas not just to leave a way out and escape to the sea in times of emergency, but also to try a new path for my Chinese nation there... There, I will truly abandon the influence of Confucian feudal forces on this land, absorb the essence of Chinese civilization, and then introduce Western science and democracy to see what kind of sparks will bloom when they collide... When a group of people with progressive ideas are cultivated, when science and technology advance, and we have epoch-making ships and guns, then we can fight back..."

He waved his hand vigorously and said in an impassioned voice: "Perhaps we won't be able to see that scene, but by that time, our descendants will see it and complete it for us. It will completely end the dynasty cycle that has plagued this land for thousands of years and bring China into an era where everyone is like a dragon and the world is in harmony."

This was also the first time that Fang Lin truly revealed his true intentions. Yes, he hated the Jurchens and the Qing Dynasty equally, but he knew that his real opponent was not the Qing Dynasty, but the countless feudal landlords on this land, the distorted and corrupt Confucianism, and the corrupt and distorted imperial examination system. Under these feudal stubborn forces, without a vigorous ideological movement to cultivate sufficiently progressive and awakened people, it would be impossible to fight against them!

Even if Taizu of Daxia really took up a three-foot sword and established a new regime, after a generation, the feudal forces would make a comeback, and the descendants would probably be fooled. After two or three hundred years, the country's gates would be opened by powerful ships and cannons again...

"I don't know which path is the right one, but based on my memories from my previous life, this is the most correct path I can imagine..." Fang Lin said secretly.

"Brother Fang actually has such a plan!"

Dong Zugao was deeply shocked when he heard this. He also suddenly realized that based on his understanding of Fang Lin, he also hated and detested the Liaodong Jurchens. How could he have been relatively passive in recent years? It turned out that he had these plans.

He suddenly thought that Fang Lin had started running factories, fleets, and managing overseas many years ago. Could it be that he had already started planning at that time?
Thinking so, I asked this question.

"Yes, Brother Dong's guess is correct."

Fang Lin stretched out his hand: "So, Brother Dong, come on, join me, and join this great cause!"

Dong Zugao hesitated, thought for a moment, and finally shook his head: "I believe in Brother Fang, you have extraordinary talent. Many years ago, Brother Fang wanted to take the imperial examination and asked me to prepare the test paper. I read Brother Fang's answer and said that Brother Fang's thoughts were too unorthodox... Brother Fang, I said this to say that I am different from Brother Fang and have already been shaped. I don't understand what Brother Fang said and can't help you."

"So, Brother Fang, you can follow your path, and I should follow mine. Besides, when I go to the capital, I may be able to help you even more. If you need me, please ask me. I will do my best without hesitation..."

He was originally shocked and confused by Fang Lin's "shocking plan", and his words were a bit disorganized at first, but the more he spoke, the clearer he understood, and the clearer his mind became: "You and I are sworn brothers, but we have different paths to take. Fortunately, we are both for China, so we can seek common ground while reserving differences. Brother Fang has gone so far on his own path, and it is time for me to practice mine. This must be what Brother Fang said about the unity of knowledge and action. I hope Brother Fang can help me."

Having said this, Fang Lin knew that he could no longer convince Dong Zugao and could only smile bitterly.

In fact, from the perspective of people of this era, what Dong Zugao wanted to do was far more promising than Fang Lin's path.

After all, from the Shang Dynasty to the Zhou Dynasty, from the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Tang, Song, Yuan and Xia Dynasties, this place has always been the center of the world, and overseas has been a barren land since ancient times. Can we really fight back if we flee overseas?
If it were any other era, Fang Lin would not have any confidence at all. It was because this node was special. The West was undergoing changes, the Renaissance, and the emergence of science... But people at that time did not know these memories of past lives, so it was naturally difficult for them to believe them.

Just as he had said to Emperor Hongtai at the beginning, 'Hundreds of years later, there will be giant steel ships that can carry tens of thousands of pounds, iron birds that can carry hundreds of people and soar in the sky, and bridges that can span rivers and seas. The people will be able to eat and dress warmly, and there will be surplus food every year. Everyone will read, everyone will be literate, and everyone will be as strong as a dragon.' Wei Zhongxian found it ridiculous. If he had told any person in the late Ming Dynasty in the previous life that America, which was still a barren land at the time, would become the world hegemon two or three hundred years later, he would have thought it was a fantasy.

It was good that Dong Zugao could understand and believe it. If it were someone else, after hearing Fang Lin’s plan, their reaction would probably be the same as the people in the previous life who heard “I am Qin Shi Huang, give me money”.

"So, I have been doing things quietly all this time, and never told anyone about this plan that people thought was crazy!" Fang Lin sighed.

"I say the same thing, Brother Fang. Our paths are very different, but we all end up in the same place, for China. I also think that Brother Fang's choice is more promising than mine. I can't join, so let my children stay. We are the present, and their generation is the future, the hope of the future... At the same time, this can also relieve me of my worries."

Dong Zugao said this, and suddenly thought of something, and smiled: "Now that Brother Fang has made his mind clear, I am completely relieved. There was a time when I was worried that Brother Fang's overseas preparations were for starting a rebellion..."

He had been the prefect of Huai'an for so many years, and he was not blind. He knew how many people Fang Lin had relocated, and he also vaguely knew that Fang Lin had purchased weapons overseas. He also knew how terrifying a force these combined forces would be. He was even worried that Fang Lin would use these forces for rebellion... In that case, on one side was the brotherhood, and on the other side were the country and the people. It was really a dilemma.

"Brother Dong, you worry too much."

Fang Lin shook his head and said, "At the beginning, His Majesty Emperor Shizong was very kind to me. How could I be such a heartless person to do such a thing?"

"To take a step back, Brother Dong, you know that the Jianghuai area doesn't have the conditions for that either."

The people in the north were forced into a dead end. If they didn't rebel, they would die. However, the Jianghuai region was relatively wealthy and better off. Most people had not yet reached the point of "rebellion or death." In addition, the Jianghuai region had a developed economy and the people had relatively broad horizons. If they really couldn't survive, they would also think of going overseas to try their luck. To put it more bluntly, the people in the Jianghuai region had seen more of the world and were relatively easier to fool. Unlike many places in the north, there was a leader who incited and many people rebelled in a fit of rage.

"In the past history, the Jianghuai area was relatively stable. It was precisely because of this stability that after the war in the north, when the Qing Dynasty marched south, most places shaved their pigtails without resistance." Fang Lin sighed.

"Yes, what Brother Fang said makes sense. If you think about it carefully, the Jianghuai area does not quite meet the conditions. I didn't think of this at the time, but I wasn't worried about it later. Brother Fang, do you know the reason?" Dong Zugao looked at me.

"Oh, why?"

"Because of Brother Fang's personality. You must know that starting a rebellion will result in the death of many people. One general's success is the result of the sacrifice of thousands of people. What's more, fighting for destiny? Brother Fang is not a gambler. He will take out all his chips and take his family to gamble."

"Haha, Brother Dong knows me."

Fang Lin said frankly, "To be honest with you, Brother Dong, I plan to go overseas. In addition to avoiding the influence of Confucian feudal forces, I will try to combine with Western science to find a new way and wait to cultivate talents with progressive ideas so that future generations can fight back and save the country in a roundabout way... I also have another idea, which is to trust the wisdom of future generations and be lazy myself."

"Some things in this world are indeed difficult, but if you divide them into several steps and stretch out the time, such as the guiding ideology of 'build high walls, store up food, and slowly become king', it will be much simpler."

"Haha, Brother Fang, you, you want to be lazy and yet you find an excuse for yourself!" Dong Zugao pointed at Fang Lin with a smile, an expression of 'as expected of you'.

After the two laughed, Fang Lin stood up and took a letter: "Brother Dong may need this."

"This is?"

"At the beginning, Wei Zhongxian took the initiative to give up and went to Yingtian Ancestral Mausoleum to guard the mausoleum for the late emperor and His Majesty Emperor Shizong. When he arrived at Fucheng in Jidi, His Majesty sent the Jinyiwei to pursue him. My people wanted to take Wei Zhongxian away, but he was unwilling and handed over this letter... This letter records many capable generals, some of whom were promoted by Wei Zhongxian, some of whom I poached, and a few of whom I did not poach and still survived after the liquidation... There are also some who were unwilling to join Wei Zhongxian and were excluded by him and left at home unemployed."

Fang Lin sighed: "To say that Wei Zhongxian showed mercy to these people, he did not kill all the generals who had bad tempers and offended him like he did the civil servants. At most, he just let them stay at home and left some seeds for Daxia. By the way, I heard that Wei Zhongxian wrote a letter to His Majesty before he hanged himself. I think these people were also mentioned in it, but I heard that His Majesty did not read the letter and burned it directly..."

Dong Zugao listened to this story with a complicated expression, and sighed: "Mr. Wei did many wrong things, but he also made great contributions to Daxia. If Mr. Wei were still alive, Daxia would not be in this situation today... I'll take this thing, thank you, Brother Fang!"

"You don't have to thank me. If you are interested, just do one of my requests."

"Brother Fang, please speak." Dong Zugao sat upright.

“In the future, if it really doesn’t work out, Brother Dong should not be pedantic, but should preserve his usefulness and retreat overseas with me.” Fang Lin stared into Dong Zugao’s eyes and said.

Dong Zugao agreed seriously: "Okay."

……

The next day, Dong Zugao set off for the capital, and with his departure, Huai'an also welcomed the new prefect Liang Yingcan.

Government office.

The prefect Liang was fat, his belly bulging his official robes. He squinted his eyes and said, "I heard that there is a Mr. Fang in the city who is running a soap business in partnership with the Ma, Shao, and Duan families. He is very rich... This kind of good business is really enviable!"

Master Bai said, "Sir, Mr. Fang, as well as the Ma, Shao, and Duan families, have sent gifts, including..."

After hearing the gift list, Governor Liang snorted coldly: "How ridiculous! What are you trying to do? Bribing me? Am I someone who lacks money and beauty?"

"Sir!" Master Bai whispered for a while.

After hearing this, Prefect Liang's eyes sparkled, and he immediately changed his words: "As expected of Lord Fang, you are so accurate. Take them all. I will make sure the Japanese officials come to visit and get close to us!"

……

Fang family.

Xu Xianwen came back with the gift and told the reaction of the prefect Liang, commenting: "Brother Fang, I think the prefect Liang is a corrupt official, but he is also a smart man!"

"Meng De (Xu Xianwen's courtesy name, Meng means big, the eldest in the family, and De means virtue, a person with virtue, a supplement to the name 'Xianwen'), sometimes, being a corrupt official requires more ability... However, no matter whether they are honest officials or corrupt officials, they are basically not fools or good-for-nothings who can sit in that position. Even if what they do sometimes seems very ridiculous and absurd, there are probably other reasons behind it."

Fang Lin asked, "Do you know why the prefect Liang changed?"

"Brother Fang controls the government office from top to bottom. If we fall out, he can immediately sideline him and treat him like a clay sculpture. That guy will have no choice but to compromise." Xu Xianwen thought for a while and said.

In fact, it was true. Fang Lin's people were everywhere in the government office, and they took his money. Especially in recent years, with the development of the industry, the money they got from here was much higher than the government salary.

It can be said that Fang Linsheng has established his own system in the Huai'an officialdom. If the prefect Liang is sensible and embeds himself into this system, he can get his own share; if he has other ideas and wants to make trouble, everyone in the prefecture will be his enemy, and he will be backlashed by the entire system!

What are the consequences? Even the emperor could fall into the water, let alone a prefect? ​​Of course, it hasn't come to that point yet, so there's no need to be so rude, we need to be civilized.

"The power of that prefect Liang comes from the Daxia system, and the system is made up of people. As long as he controls the officials of the Huai'an government office, he can prevent his decrees from leaving the government office. It's great that you can see this, but we also have to consider the current situation."

Fang Lin pointed out: "If it was a peaceful time, the prestige of the court would be at its peak, and the prefect Liang could have the power of life and death by relying on the power of the system. Even his descendants could make me hand over many things with just a "Grandpa, I want it". But now the situation is turbulent, and the prestige of the court has dropped to a critical point. His tiger skin has little deterrent power."

"What's more, I also control the strongest armed force in the city, which is my only one. This is the most advantageous guarantee." He thought to himself.

……

The incident involving Liang Zhifu in Huai'an was just a minor incident. What is more worth mentioning is that Dong Zugao is going to the capital and is about to shine in this era.

……

(End of this chapter)