Chapter 889: Part-Time Master of the Mohist School (Part 1) [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Before Shen Tang arrived, the camp was filled with chatter.
The awakened Mohists, still confused about their own changes, surrounded Bei Qiu seeking her guidance. Qi Yuanliang had given her an order the moment he discovered that Bei Qiu could cultivate: she was forbidden from mentioning it to outsiders until the lord himself saw her.
Bei Qiu cautiously asked Qi Shan for advice.
[Could you please specify the scope of this "outsider"?]
Qi Shan said: "Those who are not trusted by their lord are outsiders."
These words, automatically translated to Bei Qiu, meant "Those not personally approved by Lord Shen are outsiders." She hesitated for a long time, biting her lip, but ultimately didn't inform the Mohist disciples who had come seeking refuge. It wasn't until Bei Qiu met Shen Tang and confessed her mistake of "abusing her power for personal gain" that she finally understood. The lord, with great magnanimity, forgave Bei Qiu and also approved of the fifty-five Mohist disciples.
Naturally, Bei Qiu no longer needed to hide it.
The awakened Mohists also possessed the same "qi." While reassuring them, Bei Qiu added that everyone's changes were related to their lord. These Mohists were all straightforward and honest; otherwise, they wouldn't have been content to remain Mohists. They immediately elevated Shen Tang to the status of a Mohist Grand Master. If they weren't hungry, they would have wanted to see her right now.
Bei Qiu had people prepare food and hurriedly shared his accumulated experience with everyone, showing the demeanor of a master teacher.
Even those Mohists who lacked "qi" listened with rapt attention. They knew that while they could cultivate, they couldn't achieve the same level of power and influence as the literary scholars or martial artists. However, the graduated sword-ruler "Non-Aggression" from Bei Qiu and the all-powerful, lightweight toolbox "Universal Love" were undeniably enviable. Moreover, these "qi," like literary or martial qi, also nourished the meridians, meaning they would possess strong physiques and abundant strength!
The work isn't tiring and there's no fear of sudden death.
Even after working non-stop for more than half a month, I can still be full of energy.
This alone is enough to make them stand out from the rest of the Mohists!
Bei Qiu also confessed that the "excavator" she drove to the government office every day was powered by "gas," not the welfare she had lied about being provided by the government. She added that once they accumulated enough "gas," they too could create their own "excavator" for transportation!
Just thinking about that scene makes my back straighten even more.
They still remember the shock they felt when they first saw the "excavator," their hearts filled with a burning desire to try it out and touch it. However, because the "excavator" was a reward issued by the government, they dared not touch it, fearing that their clumsy hands would damage it and implicate Bei Qiu.
Having traveled far and wide, they'd heard countless times that gifts from noble people should be treated with utmost care, for even the slightest damage could be punished. Bei Qiu had taken the risk of infiltrating them; they couldn't repay kindness with enmity. Heh heh, now they didn't need to hold back at all!
but--
Bei Qiu still poured cold water on their enthusiasm: "This excavator can't just appear out of thin air; it seems we need to thoroughly understand every part. The blueprints belong to the lord, and I can't divulge them without her permission. We'll have to go see the lord later and ask if she's willing to give them to you. If she's not willing..."
The excited commotion in the camp instantly subsided.
Everyone present was a Mohist, making a living through their craft, so they naturally understood what blueprints meant. Ordinary craftsmen would observe their apprentices for several years before teaching them to make basic tools, once the apprentices had mastered the rough work. For anything more technically demanding, for an apprentice to truly learn, either the master craftsman would genuinely like it, the apprentice would have exceptional talent and could learn seven or eight parts just by watching, or the apprentice would have to marry the craftsman's son or daughter and become part of the family before the master would impart all their knowledge.
For the sake of survival and continuity, the Mohist organization has always encouraged its members to share this knowledge and not keep secrets. In a society dominated by both literary and martial prowess, those at the bottom of society, struggling for survival, need to exchange information even more!
However, this treaty can only bind the Mohists.
Shen Tang is the leader of a powerful force and the ruler of a nation; no one can force her to share what she is unwilling to share. If someone is angered, a simple order to expel the Mohists would be enough to wipe them out of her control.
Compared to survival, excavators are not important.
The Mohist closest to Beijiu swallowed hard.
Hesitantly, he suggested, "Maybe we should just forget about it?"
Others also whispered their suggestions.
"How about we wait until we've made some contributions?"
The blueprints can be given as a reward; it's killing two birds with one stone.
"...Should we bring it up again when Shen Jun is in a better mood?"
For example, when Shen Jun wins a battle or celebrates his birthday?
"...Don't go to Zhoukou in person. You've only met Shen Jun once or twice, and you might not even get an audience if you go. Didn't you say you had a good friend who became a general? Why not coax him to go? His influence is definitely greater than yours!" This is the kind of shrewdness among people who'd rather sacrifice a friend than themselves!
Everyone started talking at once.
To be honest, they really didn't want to give up.
Who can resist the convenience of an excavator for getting around?
Bei Qiu was caught in a dilemma when an unfamiliar laugh came from outside the tent: "A blueprint, you may take it if you like."
She raised her hand and lifted the tent flap.
Inside the tent, some sitting and some standing, along with Bei Qiu, fifty-six Mohists were crammed together, and they all turned to look at Chen Tang.
The air was quiet for a few moments, then suddenly boiled like water.
The scene was chaotic; several people slipped and fell flat on their faces in the confusion, getting kicked by someone. Shen Tang silently lowered the curtain, only reopening it when the noise inside subsided. They were surprisingly kind, leaving her a large space.
"I have met Mr. Shen."
People greet each other in all sorts of strange and unusual ways.
Shen Tang didn't mind this and sat down in the main seat. Gu Chi and Kang Shi also took their seats with normal expressions: "Gentlemen, there's no need for formalities. You've been unconscious for many days. Do you feel unwell after waking up?"
The one who answered on behalf of the group wasn't Bei Qiu, but a woman who looked to be in her thirties. The woman had a dark, yellowish complexion, thick, dark eyebrows marked by sun and wind, and shoulders and arms that were broader and longer than the average woman's. Her hands were rough, covered in visible calluses, yet her voice was strong and resonant. Judging from her seating arrangement, she was likely one of the most senior and respected among them.
He spoke clearly: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Shen. Apart from feeling a little hungry, I feel perfectly fine. I have never felt so refreshed and clear-headed in my entire life."
The moment she woke up, the world felt unfamiliar to her.
The eye disease she developed in her early years healed itself without medical treatment, and she can now easily see distant objects clearly, even down to the smallest details. She can also hear people whispering around her, unlike before when she needed others to repeat themselves two or three times to understand what they were saying.
He has boundless energy!
Shen Tang asked curiously, "You can read?"
The current literacy rate is very low.
Educational resources were controlled by a tiny minority. Apart from a few from humble backgrounds who could read a few characters, such as Chu Yao and Luan Xin, the vast majority of commoners were illiterate, let alone lower-class women. The camp was filled with Mohists, the vast majority of whom were women. It's important to understand that even women from aristocratic families received their early education primarily through books on traditional women's education.
They were all taught by the matriarch of the household or female tutors.
Hire a truly distinguished scholar?
These resources aren't even enough to raise the men in the clan, so who would use them to raise daughters? Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are merely for cultivating character; a young lady in her boudoir is considered competent if she can learn accounting, household management, and handling interpersonal relationships. People like Ning Yan are exceptional cases among exceptional cases.
In terms of seniority, the woman is still Bei Qiu's senior sister.
She nodded: "We know each other."
Seemingly afraid of being looked down upon by Shen Tang, she added.
"We all know how to read."
Seeing Shen Tang's surprise, she said with a hint of pride, "As long as we are Mohists, we are all comrades-in-arms and never hold back."
Regardless of gender, anyone considered a successor of the Mohist school must impart all their knowledge and skills, whether technical or academic. Many intricate diagrams circulating within the Mohist community contain extensive annotations, representing the accumulated wisdom of generations of Mohists. If one is illiterate, unable to even decipher the diagrams, how can they possibly pass on their knowledge?
Shen Tang then asked a few more questions in a gentle voice.
Only then did I realize that these Mohists' ancestors had once been wealthy.
Before the imperial court was largely occupied by scholars and military men, there were also prominent figures from ordinary backgrounds who held official positions, oversaw the construction of several royal mausoleums, and invested most of their wealth into the Mohist organization. Those generations of Mohist leaders were farsighted, recognizing that the world was about to undergo a major transformation, and that the survival and continuation of the Mohist tradition would become even more difficult. Therefore, they planned the use of their accumulated wealth, established private schools, encouraged Mohists to exchange knowledge and resources, and promoted the idea that Mohists should prioritize ability and knowledge, regardless of gender. Initially, this met with resistance.
After all, many skills are passed down only to men, not women.
However, as the situation changed, the disciples who were capable of cultivation left the organization, leaving those who remained to struggle at the bottom. As the organization declined, it was forced by circumstances to accept more and more women. Although its size gradually shrank, it became more united internally.
Thanks to the foresight of their ancestors and the occasional assistance of a scholar or martial artist with talent for cultivation, they have managed to survive to this day.
despite this--
Amidst frequent wars and devastating natural disasters, life became increasingly difficult for those at the bottom of society. Many branches of the Mohist school lost their lineage, while those that survived were barely clinging to life. A prime example is the Bei Qiu branch, which currently consists of only her. Her teacher found her at her age, yet she doesn't even have a successor in sight.
The Mohist organization was powerless to reverse the situation.
If people can barely survive, what about others?
A few slightly wealthier groups, risking great danger, moved with their families to relatively stable areas, while those left behind were unable to leave. If it weren't for the sudden message from Bei Qiu calling for reinforcements, some of them might have starved to death.
I never expected this!
After the darkest hour comes the dawn!
Heaven could not bear to see their lineage die out!
In Bei Qiu, everyone saw the hope for the continuation of their legacy. Even more unexpectedly, some of them received this favor. This hope was given by the person before them! Their gazes towards Chen Tang were burning with a frenzied intensity.
Shen Tang seemed unaware.
They still spoke gently and kindly, asking about their needs.
"Is Mr. Shen really willing to part with those excavator blueprints?"
All they want now, besides food, is an excavator!
Shen Tang: "Didn't I just agree? You may take it."
Nothing could win the hearts of these Mohists more than unseen blueprints documenting exquisite craftsmanship. If Shen Tang could see their favorability ratings, they would all be off the charts! Seeing the excited faces of the crowd, Shen Tang seized the opportunity to throw out an even bigger lure: "...To be honest, I have many more similar blueprints, and more are here."
She pointed to her head.
Bei Qiu, who had been silent all along, looked up to confirm.
He said, “What my lord said is true. Chief Clerk Qi also said that he has many more drawings personally drawn by my lord. It’s just a pity that my talent is limited. It took me more than a month of effort, working day and night, to fully understand one of them. No, I can’t say I fully understood it. I used tricks to solve many parts. According to my lord’s description, the actual structure is hundreds or even thousands of times more complex and intricate than it is now!”
Hundreds or thousands of times?
The moment that word came out, everyone was on edge.
Are real excavators hundreds or even thousands of times more sophisticated than what they've ever seen? Ah, what kind of divine machine must it be? Will they ever see its true form in their lifetime? Everyone was brainstorming, while Gu Chi looked down uncomfortably, rubbing his temples with his fingers.
He really shouldn't have come for a few melon rinds.
Each of these Mohists, taken individually, is more argumentative than our lord.
The lord was spouting nonsense, but Gu Chi could barely understand it.
The true feelings of these Mohists are completely uncomprehending!
Not just one, but fifty-six!
Gu Chi suppressed the urge to get up and leave, and continued to listen to his lord's ramblings: "Ahem, everyone, please be quiet."
He abruptly interrupted everyone's thoughts.
They stared intently at Shen Tang's mouth.
Gu Chi breathed a long sigh of relief.
"I, Shen, am unworthy; though I possess a wealth of ingenious ideas, I lack the ability to realize them, a fact I deeply regret. To unexpectedly learn that Zhoukou could actually bring it to fruition—do you know how I felt at that moment? A genius! An astonishingly brilliant genius! This man is a lifelong confidant!"
Bei Qiu's face flushed bright red instantly.
The lord's praise is far too much.
As she waved her hand, she managed to squeeze out, "I can't accept that, I can't accept that! My lord, in terms of strength, the uncles and elders present are far superior to me. I only had the advantage of going first! It was just luck! If it were someone else, they would have done much better!"
Very good, this is the pole that Shen Tang wanted.
She's like a monkey, always climbing up the pole!
"Zhoukou, do not underestimate yourselves. You are all highly talented, but you are even more so! You are not only talented, but also a discerning judge of talent! If it weren't for the shining pearl of Zhoukou, how could I have discovered so many outstanding individuals?" Shen Tang took a deep breath and spoke frankly with everyone, "To be honest, although there is no war at present, the people are suffering terribly, and as far as the eye can see, there are still corpses of the starving everywhere. Whenever I think of this, I can't sleep for nights on end. I desperately want to put the things I envision for the benefit of the people into practice!"
"For example, the excavators from before."
"This thing isn't for fighting or killing enemies; it's also called an excavator. You can tell its true purpose from its name. Ordinary people don't even have a decent hoe, let alone the ability to cultivate wasteland. What if they had this? Or could they rent one? Just imagine what that would be like?"
Everyone held their breath and focused on following Shen Tang's train of thought.
None of the Mohists present owned houses or land, but that didn't mean they were ignorant of farming. On the contrary, to make a living, they would sell their physical labor for others when they couldn't find work, just to earn a living. They had all tasted the bitterness of land reclamation.
That scene was truly extraordinary.
Shen Tang didn't give them a chance to catch their breath and continued to deceive them.
|ω`)
Sigh, the shoes I impulsively ordered from Hongxing Erke have arrived, but the braces I bought are still on their way. Wasn't it supposed to be shipped from SF Express...?
(End of this chapter)
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