Chapter 162: The Mask Dropped
Old Master Fang felt that this was too far-fetched and couldn't help holding his breath. The fear of the unknown in his heart inexplicably subsided as Xu Zhenying continued to narrate the story, and instead made him more confused and curious.
After a long pause, Mr. Fang finally said tremblingly, "If that's the case, then what are you doing but borrowing a corpse to revive the soul?"
Xu Zhenying shook his head. "I don't think so. I'm more inclined to believe this is a natural phenomenon that I can't understand. I can't understand it now because we haven't studied it yet. Once we study it, we'll naturally understand why."
Old Master Fang was deeply shocked. According to what Xu Zhenying said, didn't she come from outer space?
Seeing the shock on Old Man Fang's face, Xu Zhenying worried that the overwhelming news today would overwhelm him, so he said, "Old Man Fang, this is nothing. It's just that after thousands of years of scientific development, we have a more complete understanding of the world. Just like in your history books, thousands of years ago, witchcraft and medicine were inseparable, but now, medicine has completely separated from witchcraft and established its own school. This is because people have continuously studied it and reached a conclusion. It's the same with us. We have studied astronomy, geography, mountains, rivers, and have a full understanding of the laws of nature, and we have also learned to utilize them."
Old Master Fang's curiosity was piqued by her words. He had completely forgotten his shock and fear, and even the news of the little emperor's death. Now, like a child, he asked, "For example? What will the world be like thousands of years from now?"
Xu Zhenying scratched his head. "For example... let's put it this way. The average person in the Great Zhou Dynasty now earns around 400 to 500 Wen per month. If we calculate based on the same purchasing power, then back then, we would have earned around 3,000 to 4,000 Wen."
Old Master Fang was shocked. "Then what doctrine do you use? Do you still believe in Confucianism? What about your emperor? The people must have enough food and clothing, so wouldn't the emperor choose to abdicate? What about the imperial examination system? How are the harvests in the fields? Have you achieved a harmonious society?"
Xu Zhenying was a little dizzy from Mr. Fang's barrage of questions, so she had to pick out the key points. "Confucianism isn't mainstream, but we still study it. We focus more on learning the laws of nature. For example, the textbooks I compiled were almost all copied from my world, and only the parts I learned were used. We mainly studied the laws of nature, such as why the sun rises in the east, why there are tides, why there is a cycle of day and night, how to grow crops faster in the fields, how to develop water conservancy projects, and how to enable people thousands of miles away to communicate instantly—"
"Oh my God!" Old Master Fang was sweating profusely after hearing this. He raised his hand tremblingly to wipe it, but found that it was not clean at all. "Then...what about the emperor? Is the emperor in your place also given by God?"
"No. It's not a gift from God. I'm more inclined to vote..." Xu Zhenying's voice was loud and powerful.
"Voting..." Old Master Fang was puzzled. "How can ordinary people, who can't even read, vote... Ah, yes, in your world, everyone can afford to read."
Xu Zhenying gave a brief introduction to the education system and the official selection system, and also talked about the level of development of the future world, and even gave a brief talk on the theory of evolution.
When he heard the phrase "yield of 1,000 catties per mu," Old Master Fang's eyes lit up instantly, and he couldn't help but tremble as he said, "Great, great, great! If that's true, your world is even better than the Great Harmony Society! And we... how many years will it take us to..."
Xu Zhenying finally got to the point this time. She stared at Old Master Fang with a burning gaze and spoke word by word, "I'm here. I hate your world. So I want to change it, to speed up its progress. Old Master Fang, if you remain trapped in this narrow situation of your country and ignore the millions of people across the world, you will become a sinner who hinders the progress of history."
Mr. Fang's lips trembled, and it was unclear whether he was shocked or something else.
Xu Zhenying refused to give him a chance to think and continued, "Mr. Fang, I understand why you're so stubborn. Loyalty to the emperor and patriotism are not wrong. But my point is that this fertile land doesn't belong to any country or any monarch. It belongs to itself, and we humans and all living things are merely temporary sojourners upon it. Think about it: whether it was ten thousand years ago, before humanity was born, or years from now, when humanity has become extinct due to disease, war, or natural disasters, this land will still be here. According to our research, this land has existed for billions of years. Humanity is insignificant, and human history and civilization are brief in the vast river of history, a mere drop in the ocean. Since the birth of mankind, whether it was tribal leaders or the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, they have all been insignificant existences in this brief history."
"Throughout history, a dynasty generally declines after about three to four hundred years, and the Great Zhou Dynasty has already lasted three hundred and thirty-six years—"
Old Master Fang's eyelids twitched violently, and his heart suddenly ached!
"People die, dynasties rise and fall. Old Master Fang, history is so ruthless. No matter what you think or do, you're like a mantis trying to stop a chariot before the wheels of history. The world will move forward regardless. Your personal strength cannot change the course of history. Therefore, your pain seems so humble to me."
"Instead of grieving over the fall of the Great Zhou Dynasty, you should grieve over the millions of people here. Along the way, have you seen what life is like for the common people? Have you heard their cries of pain? Have you ever seen their tears? Your loyalty to the emperor and your love for the country—who do you love? Do you only love the emperor, and not everyone else in this world?"
"Master Fang, I never overestimate myself, nor am I conceited. I'm well aware of my own insignificance, but I... I still want to defy fate and transform this world! I want the worldline to move faster and faster, until it's closer to my own. Master Fang, I hope you'll think carefully about this: will you choose my new world, or your old one?"
After Xu Zhenying finished speaking, he looked at Mr. Fang who looked like a wooden chicken and sighed slightly.
Mr. Fang was so shocked today that he might not be able to sleep for several days and nights.
Xu Zhenying pursed his lips, his mouth dry from what he had said, but he could no longer bear to continue, so he said, "Mr. Fang, I hope you will think about this carefully. I'll take my leave first."
Xu Zhenying sighed, then stood up, pushed the door open and walked out. She saw Fang Xun and Fang Ningmo standing by the door, looking at her expectantly.
Xu Zhenying's smile was somewhat forced. "I know you don't want to leave, and I absolutely don't want to let you go. You two still need to handle the issues in the agriculture and education sectors. I've tried my best to persuade the old man..."
Xu Zhenying coughed again, his face now a little embarrassed. "It's just that my words just now were a bit harsh. You must stay with the old man at all times for the next few days. I'm afraid he'll get stuck in a rut..."
Fang Ningmo wiped away her tears and said, "Thank you, City Lord."
Fang Xun said, "City Lord, I'm to blame for not telling you. Grandfather originally ordered us to change our household registration in the spring and leave. It was I who didn't want to leave that kept delaying until now, causing Grandfather to be furious. If he has any harsh words, please bear with me."
"Mr. Fang is half my teacher, and I'm actually very worried about him. Please keep an eye on him these few days, and don't neglect your official duties..."
Xu Zhenying sometimes really hates himself for being like this.
Even when something bad happened at home, she still wanted them to work hard.
If someone had said such words to her in the past, she would have definitely complained behind the person's back, saying that the person was unkind, but Fang Xun and Fang Ningmo looked touched.
Alas, the people in this world are so hardworking.
"Is the sixth daughter of the Xu family here?" Xu Zhenying heard Fang Ruyu's voice coming from the small room in the corner of the yard, and then the window was gently pushed open.
Xu Zhenying walked over quickly.
Fang Ningmo and Fang Xun also hurried to follow.
Xu Zhenying hadn't seen Fang Ruyu for a long time. She was busy like a top every day and she never thought of this brainless girl.
Seeing her again now, I realized how thin she was.
Her skin was as pale as jade, her lips seemed to have little blood color, and her whole spirit seemed to be drained away. Only her big eyes were left, and now she was looking at her ignorantly and a little uneasily like a deer.
Fang Xun quickly reminded her, "Sister, Miss Xu is now the city lord—"
Fang Ruyu was stunned for a moment before saying, "City Lord."
Xu Zhenying didn't mind. "Miss Fang has lost a lot of weight. Although many misfortunes have happened, please take care of yourself."
Fang Ruyu smiled faintly, as if she was about to be blown away by the wind outside the window. "Compared to Miss Zhaodi, I am already much luckier."
Xu Zhenying thought Fang Ruyu couldn't possibly have called her over for no apparent reason, so she must have something important to say. So she waited patiently. Finally, those eyes fell on her, and Fang Ruyu said softly, "City Lord, have you convinced grandfather to let us stay?"
Without waiting for Xu Zhenying to answer, she continued, "That's right. You are so capable, how could there be anything you can't do?"
Xu Zhenying told the truth: "I don't know. It depends on Mr. Fang's decision."
"I mean..." Fang Ruyu bit her lower lip lightly, wanting to say something but stopping herself, "I mean, if Grandfather decides to stay here, can I...can I go out and work?"
Not to mention Xu Zhenying, even Fang Ningmo and Fang Xun were a little surprised.
Fang Ruyu seemed to feel a little ashamed, so she lowered her head and whispered, "I know I've done a lot of wrong things in the past, and I know you all hate me. I... I've reflected on it, and I won't do that again..."
Miss Fang, who used to always have clear eyes and high spirits, has become timid and cowardly in just half a year. She even started to grab the corners of her clothes when speaking.
This action naturally reminded her of Li Zhaodi.
Xu Zhenying smiled slightly, "Sure. But what do you want to do?"
"Ah." Fang Ruyu was like a frightened rabbit. She seemed to have not expected Xu Zhenying to agree so quickly, and she was speechless for a moment.
Looking at Xu Zhenying's encouraging smile, Fang Ruyu's eyes reddened slightly.
She had experienced so many unpleasant things between her and Xu Zhenying that she thought Xu Zhenying would take this opportunity to humiliate her. However, she didn't mention the past at all, as if the disagreements between them had never happened.
"Miss Fang is well-educated and well-read, but the textbooks we use in Lan County are somewhat different from those outside. However, you should be able to pick it up easily after a few days of study. How about this? You go find my fifth sister, Xu Anping, and help me set up the literacy class together?"
Fang Ruyu was a little scared at this moment, "I...can I do it?"
Fang Ningmo looked at her sister's timid appearance, and her heart ached and twisted. After Fang Ruyu had escaped secretly, she was disliked by her grandparents, and her family members had many complaints about her, and they hated her for almost dragging the Fang family into an irretrievable situation.
Wherever Fang Ruyu went, ridicule and sarcasm followed her, causing Fang Ruyu's personality to change drastically and she refused to go out again.
Fang Ningmo quickly said, "Sister, there's no need to underestimate yourself. You're the most educated of all the sisters in the family. Even the late emperor praised you for your intelligence and eagerness to learn. How can you not be qualified to be a teacher?"
Fang Ruyu quickly waved her hands, looking horrified, "Don't mention it, don't mention it. I used to show off my skills in front of experts. Don't let others hear it and think I'm arrogant."
Xu Zhenying sighed and said, "It's okay. You can learn from my fifth sister first. We'll talk about it later when you reach a certain level."
After leaving Fang Ruyu, she said to Fang Ningmo and Fang Xun, "The fact that she's willing to step out of the room means she's truly changing. Don't bring up the past, and don't push her too hard. Let her figure it out step by step."
Fang Ningmo gnashed his teeth, "That damn Zhou Heng! He's the one who hurt my sister like this. I wish I could stab him a dozen times with a knife!"
Fang Xun also said, "The Zhou family has always been like this, cold and heartless. He at least calls my grandfather teacher, but he also succeeded in doing this. He is simply worse than pigs and dogs! It's hateful that my grandfather is so foolishly loyal that he still can't see the true face of the Zhou family!"
Xu Zhenying listened quietly, but was thinking in his heart, the Fang family and the Zhou Dynasty have a blood feud, why not drag them into the rebellion as well?
In this way, wouldn't her team be stronger?
Fang Xun and Fang Ruyu sent Xu Zhenying to the door, but unexpectedly they saw a fast horse coming on the road, scaring the people on the road. Xu Zhenying had issued an order that fast horses were not allowed in the city, but at this moment the man was coming towards him.
Fang Xun's expression changed slightly. "City Lord, it's the scouts on the city wall! Something big must be happening in the city!"
As expected, upon seeing Xu Zhenying, the man practically tumbled off his horse and said anxiously, "City Lord, there's a group of refugees gathered outside the South Gate, about 30,000 to 40,000 people! They heard from somewhere that Lan County has plenty of food and is accepting refugees, and now they've completely blocked the South Gate!"
"Is this really true?!"
Fang Xun and Fang Ruyu's faces turned pale, as if they were facing a great enemy, and they all looked at Xu Zhenying in shock.
Xu Zhenying was overjoyed.
The refugees are great, here are tens of thousands of more troops coming in.
She had previously sent Jiang Yongkang to spread the news of Lan County around Jinzhou. More than a month had passed, and she still thought the refugees would not come.
She pretended to be surprised and said, "Quick, follow me to the city gate!"
After calming down, she did not forget to instruct Fang Xun: "Go notify the male and female barracks, and order Jiang Yongkang to lead the troops to distribute the troops and horses to the four city gates."
She then said to Fang Ningmo, "Take the logistics team and notify all the people along the route to declare martial law."
Soon, the news that Lan County was besieged by tens of thousands of refugees spread throughout the county.
The common people were all in a panic, scrambling to close their doors, and some even began to hide their remaining food.
At Xu Zhenying's command, the entire city was under martial law.
The logistics team was divided into several groups, some to cooperate with the notification, some to close the granary, and some to comfort the people.
Although the entire Lan County was busy, it was in good order.
Xu Zhenying walked quickly to the top of the city wall and found that almost everyone had arrived there, except for the group of people who had brought Mo Jinchun and the land distribution.
All the soldiers that Xu Zhenying had trained before were called up. Due to the sudden situation, they did not have enough weapons and equipment. Many people took kitchen knives, axe knives, butcher knives and other items from their homes and rushed forward.
Xu Zhenying held his forehead with his hand. The elite soldiers who had been trained so hard now looked like a mob because of the problem of weapons.
No, we still have to make weapons and armor.
Unfortunately, the Zhou Dynasty had strict control over salt and iron, and she couldn't find so many iron tools in a short time.
As the saying goes, "A horse is made of its saddle, and a man is made of his clothes." When she has money, she will make sure her army is in high spirits.
Seeing Xu Zhenying approach, Xu Yinxi immediately reported the situation as they walked, "City Lord, there are about 30,000 people here, all refugees from nearby. They heard from somewhere that Lan County is giving out porridge and accepting refugees. I guess it's because when County Magistrate Sun was here, news in the mountains was delayed, and they got the news too late, so they still think Lan County is giving out porridge."
Jiang Yongkang led all the archers to their positions. When Xu Zhenying passed by, the two men exchanged glances silently.
"Let me take a look at the situation first." Xu Zhenying said so, and the archers on both sides made way to make it easier for her to stick her head out.
Sure enough, there were tens of thousands of people below.
These tens of thousands of people are a huge number, stretching for kilometers and stretching as far as the eye can see.
Most of them were dressed in rags, skinny and bony, as emaciated as a dried corpse.
At this moment, they gathered under the city wall. Perhaps because they saw that the gate of Lan County was closed and the weapons of the archers on the city wall were pointed at them, they also guessed that Lan County might not open the gate for them, so they shouted, complained, cursed and begged in despair.
"Put away all your weapons!" Xu Zhenying shouted, and all the archers put away their bows and arrows in unison.
At this moment, everyone from the Fang family and the Xu family received the news and rushed over.
When the women in the house saw this scene, they were so scared that they almost fell to the ground.
My eldest aunt was the first to cry out, "Oh my god, why are there so many people?! Who the hell said there was a porridge distribution in Lan County? It attracted so many refugees!"
Miao was also terrified: "Oh my God, I see those people down there don't even have a pair of shoes, how did they get here barefoot?"
"There are so many people coming here, what should we do——"
"Where did all these refugees come from in Jinzhou Prefecture? The flood has been over for almost half a year, so why are they still here?"
"City Lord, why are they putting away their weapons? There are so many of them, what if they rush in? We absolutely cannot take them in, not even giving them porridge!"
"Don't panic yet, let's see what's going on first." Xu Zhenying immediately said to the soldier on the side, "Go and get my loudspeaker."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
