In troubled times, people had their own places to go.
After leaving Bazhong, the caravan had emptied most of its goods and lost dozens of accompanying people.
Two of the five scholars also parted ways with Ning Ji and the others here. Lu Wenke, who was "promising", Fan Heng, who respected the gods, and Chen Junsheng, who occasionally expressed his opinions, were left. They agreed to take the long way. After passing through Bazhong, they would enter Dai Mengwei's territory and then head east along the Han River. Ning Ji and them were on the way.
After leaving Bazhong and heading north, the caravan sold all its goods in the next county town. In theory, this was the end of their journey. Ning Ji, Lu Wenke, and the others continued to move forward, either to find the next caravan, or to continue their journey. However, in the evening, the leader of the caravan found them in the inn and said that he had taken a good job at the last minute. Next, he would also go to Dai Mengwei's territory, and they could travel together for a while.
Over the past month, the two sides had become familiar with each other. Lu Wenke and the others naturally accepted this, and Ning Ji was indifferent. So on the fifth day of June, the team of more than 90 people, who had dozens of horses, carried some goods, and pulled some travelers with them. They made up a total of 100 people and headed east along the winding mountain road.
There were also two scholars among the new travelers, and they soon became familiar with Lu Wenke and the others. The team of "rotten scholars" returned to five people, who chatted with Ning Ji every day. As for the father and daughter, Wang Jiang and Wang Xiuniang, who were performing like monkeys, they still followed the team at this time. They became more familiar with each other. When they walked on the mountain road during the day and chatted together by the bonfire at night, Wang Xiuniang, who was ordinary but strong, could also say a few witty words to Lu Wenke and the others.
There were still many mountains near Bazhong. If they went north, they would eventually reach the Han River and enter Hanzhong, which was ruled by the Huaxia army. It wasn't easy to follow the rugged mountain path east, but after crossing Micang Mountain, one would enter the hinterland of Dai Mengwei's territory.
Recently, due to the special situation, there were several times more merchants taking this east-west mountain road than in previous years. However, except for a very small number of locals, most of them were profit-seeking merchants with their own special purposes and demands. Scholars like Lu Wenke, Fan Heng, and Chen Junsheng, who considered "reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles" and thus planned to go behind Dai Mengwei's territory to take a look, were the minority among the minority.
In fact, Lu Wenke, Fan Heng, and the others did not have the intention to wander around aimlessly before they crossed the Han River, passed through Swords Gate Pass, and arrived at the southwest. It was only after a few months of living in the bustling atmosphere of Chengdu that these scholars were prepared to see the world in its harsher and harsher surroundings.
Of course, Ning Ji had no idea what was going on in between. His current plan was still to bear the humiliation under Long Aotian's name. It was just that in the last few days, he could vaguely feel the subtle changes in the tone of the scholars when they talked.
When these scholars were in the Huaxia army's territory, they talked about many things in the world. Most of them were high-spirited and arrogant, and from time to time pointed out the inappropriateness of the Huaxia army's territory. However, after entering Bazhong, the scene of them pointing out the country gradually decreased. Many times, when they compared the scene outside with the Huaxia army, most of them reluctantly admitted that the Huaxia army was indeed powerful. Although they inevitably added a few "however …", these "however …" were after all much quieter than when they were at the Swords Gate Pass.
It was not that the Wu Empire had never seen peace and prosperity, but that dream-like scene was something that had happened more than a decade ago. The arrival of the Lady Zhenren destroyed the dream of the Central Plains. Even though Jiangnan had several years of peace and prosperity, that short period of prosperity could not truly cover up the humiliation of the Central Plains' fall and the fear of the Lady Zhenren. Only ten years of Jianshuo could not create a solid atmosphere of "treating Hangzhou as Bianzhou".
As expected, the Lady Zhenren's fourth expedition to the south brought about a great disaster that caused the entire Wu dynasty to fall apart. But in the later stages of this disaster, the Huaxia army, which had been on the periphery, appeared out of nowhere and defeated the Lady Zhenren's most powerful West Army. This brought them too great a shock.
These scholars plucked up their courage to go to the southwest and saw the development and prosperity of Chengdu. In fact, this kind of prosperity was not what moved them the most. What really made them feel at a loss was that the core of this prosperity had theories and sayings that they could not understand and were incompatible with the flourishing times of the past. These sayings made them feel vain and uneasy. In order to resist this uneasiness, they could only clamor loudly and try hard to prove their own value.
However, after truly leaving the land of the southwest, what they had to face was ultimately a broken land.
What was the use of continuing to speak loudly?
For Ning Ji, these things could only be seen clearly in retrospect after a few years.
…
"… But the biggest problem with the Huaxia army, in my opinion, is that they still can't get any soldiers."
As the caravan passed through the mountains and set up camp on the mountainside to light a fire in the evening, Fan Heng and the others continued this discussion. It was as if they had realized that they had already left the southwest, so they wanted to summarize what they had seen and heard while their memories were still fresh. The discussion over the past two days had gone deeper into some of the areas that they had not previously discussed in detail.
"… After going to the southwest for several months, all kinds of things dazzled the eyes. The luxurious life in the market and the various news on the news papers were also eye-opening. But what is the thing that everyone is most concerned about? To put it bluntly, isn't it the system of selecting soldiers in the southwest? I have been to that so-called civil service examination once. Have any of you been there? "
As the middle-aged Confucian scholar named Fan Heng spoke of this matter, he looked at the people around him. Chen Junsheng's face was cold and he gave an enigmatic smile. Lu Wenke shook his head. One of the other two scholars said, "I got a B grade." Someone else said, "Not bad." Fan Heng also smiled.
"On the day of the examination, not long after entering the field, two examinees tore up their papers and cursed that the papers were bullshit. They had studied the classics all their lives, but had never seen such a vulgar system of selecting soldiers. Then they were asked to leave by the examination hall staff. To be honest, although we were prepared, we did not expect that Mister Ning would do it so thoroughly … The five subjects of the examination, the so-called language, mathematics, logic, and logic, completely overturned everything that the Confucian scholars had learned in the past. No wonder everyone made such a fuss on the news papers afterwards … "
As Fan Heng spoke, he shook his head and sighed. Lu Wenke said, "The two subjects of language and logic are, after all, somewhat related to what we have learned."
"Brother Lu's words are absurd." A scholar to the side also shook his head. "We have been studying and studying for decades. Ever since we became literate, we have learned the Four Books and Five Classics. All we have understood in our lives are the profound words of the Sages. However, the language examination in the southwest is nothing more than the foundation of learning. Look at that so-called language examination … the first half of the paper, 'Xue Er' is translated into the vernacular, requiring correct punctuation. 'Xue Er' is nothing more than the opening chapter of the 'Analects of Confucius'. When we were children, we had to memorize it by heart.
What is the point of this examination if it is written at the top? "The scholar spread out his hands." As for the second half of the paper, there is a matter that happened somewhere, and you are required to write a letter summarizing it … Everyone, just the language examination alone is more than twenty years' worth of learning. What that Mister Ning wants is someone who can write, and who can write fluently. It can be said that we have taken advantage of this paper by scoring 100%, but as long as we are literate, who can't score 80%? Later on, I heard people secretly say that those whose handwriting is neat and beautiful can at most add five points … five points. "
As he spoke of the five points, he was indignant. Everyone naturally nodded.
"This is where our generation has taken advantage of the most," the scholar said hatefully. "And just like language, mathematics is also 100%. What kind of person will be chosen? It's nothing more than a shopkeeper or an accountant! Of course, Mister Ning is pompous and dignified, and in one of the Six Arts of a Gentleman, we can admit that we can't compare to those accountants. The foundation of physics is the private property of our generation, but now, it can't be said that it is without reason. After all, those who have come to the southwest have all read Mister Ning's' A Preliminary Exploration of Physics' … But what is this so-called thinking about investigating things! Most of the examination paper has five pictures, and only one or two of them are different from the others. Why are they different? Afterwards, it was full of controversy. Mister Ning only talks about physics and investigating things, but what does this sort of examination have to do with investigating things! "
"Of the five examinations for selecting scholars, besides language and past studies, mathematics, objects, and cases are all private property. As for Brother Lu's last argument, although it can be written about the state of the world, when discussing the southwest, isn't it still necessary to talk about his investigation of things? The southwest now has guns, hot air balloons, fire arrows, and factories that cover the mountains and plains? If we don't talk about these, how can we talk about the southwest? Once you talk about these things, if you don't understand their principles, how can you discuss their development? So in the end, the things here are all Mister Ning's private property. So in these days, how many scholars who have gone to the southwest have not left in anger? Brother Fan's words about not being able to obtain scholars hit the nail on the head. "
At this point, the crowd nodded. To the side, the grim-faced Chen Junsheng threw a stick of firewood into the fire.
"That's not surprising. A few years ago, there was a rumor that the demon's lifelong ambition was to destroy Confucianism. But later, the southwest did not prohibit the Confucian classics. Even the Four Books annotated by the former Right Minister Qin Siyuan were widely sold in the southwest. All sides in the world thought that he had retreated in the face of difficulties. Who would have thought that in this selection of scholars in the southwest, they would see that he has revealed his true intentions? His mouth doesn't say anything, but his hands are truly merciless. The language exam only tests literacy and literacy. First, it takes decades of hard work, and the next few exams test scheming and calculating methods. If Black Flag really does obtain the world and becomes a superior in the future, I'm afraid he really will become a shopkeeper or an accountant. "
Chen Junsheng hadn't spoken much on the journey, but when he did, he often had a target in mind. Everyone knew that he was talented and had extraordinary experience. At this time, they couldn't help but ask, "Could it be that Brother Chen also didn't pass?"
Chen Junsheng said proudly, "My heart is not in the southwest. After seeing it, I will eventually have to go back."
Everyone was filled with admiration. Long Aotian, who was sitting at the side, shrank his head. At this moment, he also felt that this scholar's domineering aura made him feel slightly inferior. He was skilled in martial arts and would become the number one in the world in the future, but he did not like to study and had no fate with being a top student. Therefore, he always felt that people with profound knowledge were amazing. Of course, the only person who could give him such a feeling was Chen Junsheng.
"My heart is not in the southwest. After seeing it, I will eventually have to go back … I'll remember it …" He thought to himself. In the future, when he met others, he could say the same thing.
At this moment, the sun had already set, and the starlight and night rose in the dark mountains. Wang Jiang, Wang Xiuniang, and the two attendants brought food over. As they ate, they continued to talk.
"That's why in the past, people didn't notice the southwest exterminating Confucianism. In the first half of this year, these things became clear. I have a few good friends who have also left together and are preparing to join Duke Dai's side. They all say that the southwest is going against the grain and that something big is going to happen eventually. People of our generation who study and do learning can't stay out of it in the future. Although the southwest has defeated the Perfected Woman for a while by relying on the way of the shopkeeper and accountant, the Confucian school has been passed down for a thousand years. Can it really not compare to this kind of profit-seeking small path? "
"It's indisputable that empty talk about morality is useless. But if we don't talk about morality at all, will we be able to last for a long time? I think Duke Dai is right. He is unjust and will cause trouble sooner or later. However, this bad thing of his might cause the world to be in chaos for another few decades … "
"I think the essence of the southwest lies in the study of things. The way of physics is indeed broad and profound, but what it lacks is moral writing. The study of things to rule the world can make the world abundant in resources, but Confucianism values the human heart. Between the two, what they pay attention to is a sense of propriety. "
"In truth, it's true that many people in the southwest were caught off guard by the five Geshen test papers, but the sharpest thinkers in the world are still us scholars. In a few more days, those shopkeepers and accountants won't be able to take advantage of us. Once we scholars thoroughly understand the study of things, we will definitely be able to use it better than the vulgar people of the southwest. That Mister Ning is known as the Heart Demon, but what he accepts are all kinds of vulgar things. This is bound to be the greatest mistake of his life. "
"In my opinion, whether one's mind is sharp or not doesn't depend on what they read. It's just that in the past, this was the world of Confucianism. Those who were intelligent in childhood were mostly filtered out in this way, and those who couldn't study became shopkeepers, accountants, craftsmen … In the past, the world didn't know the benefits of things, and this was a great oversight. But even if this oversight was to be made up for, what we needed was someone with a sharp mind to do it. I don't think that Mister Xi Nanning's interest in studying things was wrong. What was wrong was that he was too hasty in his actions. Since all the elites of the world studied Confucianism in the past, today, only the methods of Confucianism can be used to filter out these elites. Then, using these elites as a basis to slowly change things, this is the correct way. Nowadays, these shopkeepers, accountants, craftsmen, and the like are only doing lowly jobs because they have mediocre talent. If he filters out those with mediocre talent and wants to reform things, how could he possibly succeed? "
"Elder Brother's words are wise."
"Reasonable, reasonable …"
As the crowd discussed, they began to talk about how many Confucian scholars in the southwest had chosen their futures. One of the two newly arrived Confucian scholars asked, "Then have you all considered Duke Dai?"
Fan Heng, Lu Wenke, Chen Junsheng, and the others looked at each other. Fan Heng frowned. "On the way here, we discussed among ourselves and did indeed consider him. However, there are still many doubts in our hearts. Honestly speaking, from last year until this year, the situation that Duke Dai encountered really can't be considered to be easy, and his actions to deal with it are admirable from afar … "
As the crowd discussed Dai Mengwei's situation, they all nodded in agreement with Fan Heng.
Last year, at the conclusion of the southwestern war, Dai Mengwei, as a person who had surrendered, had saved millions of people from the hands of Zong Han and Xi Yin. In the blink of an eye, he had become the leader of several of the world's greatest powers. Moreover, he had openly confronted the Huaxia army and even forced the Huaxia army to retreat. Apart from the Huaxia army in the southwest, he was truly the most glorious and influential figure in the world.
From a certain perspective, his ability to summon clouds and rain with a flip of his hand was even more in line with the Confucian scholars' imaginations of influential figures than the bravery of the Huaxia army. It was just like when the Jin Kingdom had risen and Liao had not yet been destroyed. The scholars of the Wu dynasty had also come up with countless strategies and strategies. It was just that the Jin were too barbaric, and in the end, these plans had all failed.
But this time, Dai Mengwei's success had undoubtedly told the world that it was still possible to use the power of a Confucian scholar to control the world with his vast strategic mind, seize the opportunity, and act decisively.
Of course, even with such encouragement, in the following year, everyone more or less knew that Dai Mengwei did not have it easy either.
Previously, the Jin Kingdom's Western Army had slaughtered its way from Jingxiang to Hanzhong, then from Hanzhong to Sword Gate Pass. Along the way, almost all the cities large and small along the way had been burned and looted. After that, a large number of peasants had been stuffed into the city by the Jurchen army along the Han River.
After the Western Army retreated in a sorry state, these people and supplies could not be taken with them. Millions of people, ruined cities, few remaining supplies, and a few large but weak Han army units were all stuffed into Dai Mengwei's hands. Although the Huaxia army had retreated for the time being, Dai Mengwei was still left with an embarrassing mess.
For most bystanders at that time, if Dai Mengwei was really a rotten Confucian scholar who only knew about morality, then the Dai Family's regime, which had been pieced together by special circumstances, might have fallen apart due to various objective factors in the second half of last year.
But things did not develop that way.
In the second half of last year, when the Huaxia people's regime had attracted the attention of the world, Dai Mengwei had also completed his political arrangements along the Han River. In the situation of a lack of clothes and food, he sought help from the outside world, mainly from Liu Guangshi. On the other hand, he selected highly respected elders and virtuous villagers from within the army, and combined with the situation of the army, he divided up the land and residences step by step. Dai Mengwei himself set an example and practiced frugality. He also called on all the people under him to share the hardship and resume production. He even went into the river to fish personally as an example to others.
In the first half of last year, the area under Dai Mengwei's jurisdiction had experienced a difficult famine. Later, Cao Silong's rebellion had split the narrow and long area near the Huaxia army and became a neutral area. But in most of the places under Dai Mengwei's jurisdiction, the system of distributing responsibilities from the army to the middle-level officials, and then to the virtuous villagers and elders had played its role for a certain period of time.
Although some people had starved to death, there were not many traces of turmoil in other places, except for the "just right" rebellion of Cao Silong, who had something fishy inside. So much so that this year, the miscellaneous generals and soldiers who were originally left here by the Female Enlightened Master seemed to be even more convinced and loyal to Dai Mengwei. Everyone in the world had their own guesses about the details of this, but their admiration for Dai Mengwei's methods could still be considered to be a unanimous sentiment.
This old man, who had stood in a high position in the blink of an eye with unconventional means, had not only some unconventional plans in his mind, but also had his own solid skills in the open and aboveboard administration.
As a result, in the first half of this year, the Confucian scholars who had gone to the southwest finally understood Mr. Ning's true intentions, and in turn, they flattered Dai Mengwei more enthusiastically. Many people felt that Dai Mengwei had the attitude of an "ancient sage", just like Tie Yan and Wu Qimei in Lin 'an. Although they had also fought against the Huaxia army, they could not be mentioned in the same breath.
"… When I was in the southwest, I even heard some private gossip, saying that when Mr. Ning talked about Duke Dai, he could not help but make a cross comment, saying that Duke Dai had 'nurtured the righteous energy of heaven and earth, imitating the perfect man of ancient and modern times' … Thinking about it, although the Inner Demon of that generation and Duke Dai were enemies, they could not help but feel admiration for his ability …"
In the light of the bonfire, Fan Heng shook his head and talked about the gossip he had heard from the southwest. Everyone listened with great interest. After saying this, he paused slightly.
"However, there are roughly three reasons why we did not come to Duke Dai's side … First, everyone has their own destination. Second, we can't help but worry that even though Duke Dai's virtue is outstanding and his methods are brilliant, the area he is in is still the first part of the Huaxia army's journey out of Sichuan. In the future, if the Huaxia army really wants to do something, it is hard to say whether the world can withstand it, but those who bear the brunt of it will most likely not be lucky. Duke Dai is the enemy of the Huaxia army, and his will is firm. As the head of the world, there is absolutely no room for change.
In the end, this position is still too close … "" As for the third concern, it is the recent news that Duke Dai's subordinates are human traffickers. If this rumor is true, it will greatly damage Duke Dai's reputation. Although it is mostly possible that the Huaxia army is deliberately slandering him, it is inevitable that people will feel nervous before it is true … "
At this point, he slightly lowered his voice and gestured in the direction of the other people in the camp.
"The original route of this caravan was to stop north of Bazhong. Unexpectedly, when they arrived, Chief Lu came over and said that there was a new business, so they went east together. I secretly inquired about it. It is said that they are coming here to transport a group of people to Sword Gate Pass … Duke Dai is short of clothes and food. I am afraid there will not be much relief this year. Many people are starving to death, so they have to sell themselves and their families. They signed a 20- or 30-year death contract with almost no remuneration. The caravan only needs to prepare some food and take them away. The people are transported to Sword Gate Pass like animals. As long as they don't die, they can contact the Southwest black merchants outside Sword Gate Pass and make a lot of money. "
In the night, the fire whimpered, and the people around the bonfire looked gloomy. They remembered the scene of passing through the rugged mountain road. On the road, they had indeed passed by two suspected "traffickers". However, most of these people were "voluntarily" sold, so they were not restricted. It was difficult to draw a conclusion. But now that they thought about it, they really felt that it was 70 to 80% credible.
"… Duke Dai is indeed short of food. If he has done his best, some people selling themselves to the Southwest doesn't seem to be a bad thing …"
Lu Wenke thought for a while and said hesitatingly.
But Fan Heng shook his head and lowered his voice even more. "If they were sold willingly, then there's nothing to say. But if Duke Dai's army and virtuous villagers were involved in this, then what can we do? On one hand, he easily sells the people who can't feed themselves, and on the other hand, he colludes with the black merchants in the Southwest. The local villagers and the army make most of the money … If this is the case, what do you think? "
His low voice was mixed with the sound of the wind. Everyone around the fire leaned forward to listen. Even Ning Ji, who was holding an empty bowl, was listening to him. Only Chen Junsheng, who was beside him, picked up a branch and poked the bonfire in front of him. Sparks rose in the crackling sound. He smiled coldly.
"If this is the case, it can only mean that Duke Dai is really smart and powerful … Think about it carefully. In such a situation, he doesn't have enough money and food to feed so many people, so he sells the people at the bottom who can't feed themselves to the Southwest to work. That's how he gets money and food. He also uses this money and food to stabilize the army, the elders, and the villagers who work under him. Because of the suppression of the army, the elders, and the virtuous villagers, although there are famines everywhere, there is no chaos. Because the middle and upper levels have obtained benefits, the motley crew left behind by the Female Zhenrens have, in a mere year, truly united. They have wholeheartedly acknowledged Duke Dai as their master. According to the saying of the southwest, they have been united by Duke Dai … "
The branch in his hand prodded the fire. "In such a chaotic world, if he didn't have such means, how could he really stand on the same stage with the Golden Men of the North and the Black Flags of the Southwest? If Duke Dai didn't have such ability, how could he be convinced by Mr. Ning that 'he is perfect in the past and present'? When I was in Bazhong, I once said, where did so many people come from? At the time, I had a guess, but if it's true, then I have even more respect for Duke Dai. You must know that when he took over the territory from the Golden Men, the people under him were just a motley crew. In one year, he took care of the interests of all sides, from top to bottom, in an orderly manner. I really admire him. Presumably, that Mr. Ning in the Southwest also saw him as an opponent after seeing this. "
"You can put it that way." Fan Heng sighed. "But those people who were sold …"
"In such a chaotic world, they are still alive. How can they complain?" Chen Junsheng said. "And in the future, they will still be sold to the Southwest. Think about it, they signed a 20-30 year contract to sell their lives to those black merchants without any reward. After eight to ten years, their resentment will probably explode on the head of the Huaxia Army. At that time, Duke Dai will show his benevolence and might even be able to defeat the Huaxia Army. In my opinion, the Southwest is supposed to respect the contract, but in the end, there is such a big loophole. After all, that Mr. Ning doesn't calculate everything. Sooner or later, he will suffer a big loss because of these things … "
Everyone had mixed feelings. Hearing this, they all nodded. Ning Ji licked his empty bowl. At this time, his face was taut, but he also couldn't help but nod. According to this' cold-faced scumbag ', the old man surnamed Dai was too bad. Like the people in the General Staff Department, they were all scheming dogs who were good at digging holes …
And he eavesdropped on such a big secret today, he didn't know if he should write a letter to warn his father. Running away from home was a big matter, but the news from old dog Dai was obviously also a big matter. He couldn't make a decision at the moment, so he licked his bowl again …
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