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"Thank you, Taoist Priest! Thank you, Taoist Priest!"
In front of a dilapidated house, a ragged woman and a few children knelt on the ground and kowtowed, repeating only these two sentences over and over again. It seemed that she hated her own poor speaking ability and was about to knock her head to bleed.
Taoist Le gave a look, and the Taoist boy beside him immediately stepped forward to dissuade them, using the same words they had been using recently: "You are being harassed by pirates, and the General Temple has the responsibility to protect you. We are all Red Banner people, so there is no need to do this."
Hearing this, the woman cried even harder, her sobs choking. Her husband had been murdered by bandits, and she'd thought he'd died. But unexpectedly, the bandits were wiped out by the Red Flag Gang, and the Taoist priest from the General Temple came to help. This was a life-saving grace! If she could ever support her family, she would make offerings to the temple.
After bidding farewell to the profusely grateful fisherman, Taoist Le and his apprentice slowly made their way back. He'd been incredibly busy these past few days. While Donglin Town wasn't seriously affected, many nearby villages had been plundered, forcing him to provide aid and perform rituals to appease the people. Despite the busyness, he remained extremely happy. After all, he had contributed greatly to this battle, and he wondered what kind of reward he would receive.
Taoist Le was so happy that he even quickened his pace. Unexpectedly, before he even reached the temple, he saw an unexpected figure. He quickly straightened his expression and went to meet him. "I just left. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Seeing his expression, Cheng Xi smiled and said, "There is still a Taoist priest in the nearby village. I am sorry for being so presumptuous."
That's true. Logically, after a great victory, a large group of people should have come to pay tribute or to bring him to Donglin Town for reward. How could he come alone? Moreover, she dressed like a man, not even wearing the red dress. She must have something to say privately.
After a moment's thought, he understood the key points, and Taoist Le immediately welcomed the person into the temple. Cheng Xi did not start talking right away, but first respectfully burned incense and kowtowed to General Qiu, and then followed the Taoist to the backyard.
After setting out the fragrant tea and dismissing the outsiders, Cheng Xi finally spoke: "This time, it's all thanks to the Taoist priest. Without the arrangements made by Qiongzhou, the natives on the island wouldn't have been able to rebel so easily and cut off the retreat of the Long Whale Pirates. This battle was won so easily, and the Taoist priest should be credited with the primary merit."
Taoist Le was overjoyed, but he still stroked his long beard reservedly: "It was all the leader's plan. I just sent two disciples, how dare I take credit for it."
Facing this false humility, Cheng Xi smiled faintly: "The Red Flag Gang has always rewarded meritorious service, but this time the contribution is too great. I wonder if the leader wants fame or profit?"
This was the beginning of the drama, and Taoist Le became excited: "How can I explain it if I don't know what it is? What is the benefit?"
"If you want fame, you can preach in the General Temple. If this religion lasts long, it will surely be remembered for generations to come. If you want profit, you can get shares in Minsheng Bank. If the bank expands in the future, it will also be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars." Cheng Xi threw out two answers.
Taoist Le took a deep breath. This was truly a grand gesture! Putting aside the previous point, the Minsheng Bank shares alone were enough to raise eyebrows. Minsheng Bank, unlike China Merchants Bank, had no shareholders at all. The Red Flag Gang was in complete control. Now, with the addition of a fleet investment project, they were apparently planning to participate in maritime trade. If they truly took the shares, they'd be making a ton of money, ensuring a life of luxury.
However, the more he thought about it, the more interested he became in the former. It was simply because this girl had given him too much. Even if he had made contributions in this battle, it wouldn't have been worth such a reward, let alone a private conversation with the uncrowned king who now controlled the entire South China Sea. Rather than a reward, this choice was more about the path he would take in the future.
Without further hesitation, Taoist Le asked, "I wonder what kind of teachings the gang leader wants to spread?"
Establishing a sect was unthinkable for a monk, let alone a half-baked mage like him. A sect that could attract the attention of a powerful sea tycoon was likely no small feat. If this became widespread, inciting the people and gathering them for rebellion would be commonplace. Those who claimed to be the founders of a sect could gather millions of followers with a simple wave of their hands; it was no joke. Therefore, the key question was what she truly desired.
Cheng Xi's expression also grew solemn. "What my father wanted back then was peace and prosperity, and the protection of the country and the people. However, I feel that one person cannot protect millions of people. After much deliberation, I decided to use the name of the General Temple to spread a message, so that those poor people can understand why they are suffering and what the imperial court is."
Taoist Le's expression changed immediately. Is he really going to rebel?
Before he could ask, Cheng Xi continued, "The imperial court collects taxes and levies military service. Every penny collected and every ounce of labor conscripted is the blood and sweat of the people. Those high-ranking officials and merchants treat people like cattle and livestock, constantly exploiting and sucking the marrow out of their bones to become wealthy and powerful. To put it bluntly, it's never those high-ranking officials who make the world what it is, but the people. It's they who support the imperial court and the dignitaries. They are no less humble than others, and their efforts should be rewarded accordingly."
This, this... Taoist Le was completely stunned. This statement was too bizarre, even more exaggerated than ordinary rebellion, far beyond the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues, and even went a step further than the Buddhist principle of "equality of all beings." This was because it was not talking about the afterlife, not about hidden virtues, but about this life.
After opening his mouth for a long time, Taoist Le finally managed to utter, "If what you said is true, wouldn't the world be in chaos?"
If there is no distinction between high and low, and no distinction between noble and humble, I am afraid that everyone in the world will be at a loss. How can there not be chaos?
"If what I said were true, the world would indeed be turned upside down, but there wouldn't necessarily be chaos. The imperial court collects taxes, which are taken from the people and received by the people, so naturally no one complains. If everyone works hard and earns something, can support their families, and have enough food and clothing, what's the harm if merchants take some of the profits? Ultimately, we want them to understand that they are not grass, not dead things that can be trampled on by anyone." Cheng Xi answered firmly.
Her gaze was too open, her expression too solemn, yet Le Laodao suddenly understood. This was her true intention, her purpose in establishing the Red Flag Gang. No wonder she had chosen Minsheng Bank; it seemed like another way to achieve her goal.
However, the more this happened, the more Taoist Le disagreed: "These words are too shocking and against morality. If people hear them, not only the court, but I'm afraid the whole world will be your enemy."
Not to mention the high officials, even the peasants would not feel qualified to sit on equal footing with the masters. Such disrespectful and unfaithful remarks are unacceptable in the world. This is not to win over the people, but to destroy their own foundation.
Cheng Xi nodded: "You are right, that's why we need to package it a little bit and hide the deep meaning in it."
Of course, she knew that these ideas were too advanced and too shocking, and in the eyes of the ruling class, they were like digging up people's ancestral graves. She didn't want to die before she could accomplish her mission.
Seeing that the girl hadn't gone crazy yet, Taoist Le breathed a sigh of relief and immediately asked, "Then what do you want to use to decorate the storefront?"
Cheng Xi held up two fingers: "First, do good deeds. Only by doing good deeds and accumulating virtue can you be protected by God. Don't steal or rob, don't take other people's lives or money, don't beat or scold your wife and children, and don't oppress the elderly and the weak. If you have the ability to spare, you can also offer incense, build bridges and roads, and benefit the village."
These are basic moral principles. From the imperial court to monks and Taoists, everyone says the same thing, and there is nothing out of the ordinary about it.
Seeing the old Taoist nod, Cheng Xi continued, "The second is fairness. If you are a good person, you should be rewarded for your kindness. When the world is in chaos and even the government can't uphold justice, then others should be the ones to do it. Those who kill will always be killed, and those who humiliate others will always be humiliated. Everyone should live with dignity and not bow down to others."
This is a bit unorthodox. Taoist Le pondered and said, "Could it be that the gang leader wants to represent the court and enforce justice for the people?"
Cheng Xi smiled: "I control the South China Sea, at least I can still manage it."
"Enforcing justice on behalf of Heaven" has always been the gang's slogan. With the Red Flag Gang now dominating the South China Sea, it was only a matter of time before they intervened in shore affairs. If the imperial system still existed, with ample military resources, they wouldn't have allowed her to run amok. But now, aren't they outnumbered? Even the Long Whale Gang, despite being given official positions, dared to attack Panyu, let alone the Red Flag Gang, considered a gang by others. Now that she has the reputation of "fairness," her hand will only reach out faster and further.
Nodding slowly, Taoist Le did not deny this, but asked, "If it's just about doing good and being fair, then that's fine. But how do you incorporate the things you mentioned?"
"It's to tell the people that 'officials' salaries are the blood and sweat of the people', 'water can carry a boat but can also capsize it', 'he who loses the people's hearts will lose the world' and so on. At the same time, I will help the poor and teach people to read and write. Whatever the school can't cover must be covered by the General's Temple." Cheng Xi stated his purpose.
This was the best solution she could think of at the moment. It was simply a process of educating the people. However, her limited human and financial resources prevented her from opening schools everywhere. She could only use religion as a means to subtly change public perceptions. However, achieving fruition in either method took time, so she had to proceed gradually.
After a long silence, Taoist Le finally said, "Why would the gang leader be willing to give such an important task to me?"
This already involves the very foundation of the Red Flag Gang, and he's just a new recruit, introduced by that old man Fang Tianxi, so he's not entirely trustworthy. Yet she openly told him all this, even wanting to entrust him with everything. Is she really that confident?
"There are not many people in this world who have talents and dare to use them. Since the Taoist priest is in front of me, I naturally have to ask him a question." Cheng Xi smiled.
This made Taoist Le laugh. It was true that flattery never fails. People think so highly of you, so why wouldn't you respond?
"I am an old Taoist priest and I have no children. Although I have some appetite, I can't spend hundreds of thousands of taels of silver. Bank shares are enough. This matter of seeking fame is interesting. If the gang leader trusts me, I will serve you." Taoist priest Le twirled his long beard and answered leisurely.
This answer didn't surprise Cheng Xi. The old Taoist priest might be a bit idle, but he wasn't a bad person. He was also a detached and sharp-minded person, so he could certainly be of use. She smiled and said, "Then I'll leave the research on the doctrine to you, Taoist priest. I'll also have some teaching materials sent over later. I'll look at what's being taught in the academy. It would be even better if we could verify what's being taught."
Taoist Le didn't hesitate and simply agreed. Then he thought of something else: "By the way, what does the gang leader plan to call this sect?"
It couldn't possibly come from the General's Temple without a name, right? Since it was the sect founded by Gang Leader Cheng, it was natural for her to name it.
Cheng Xi thought for a moment and said, "How about calling it 'Gongshanjiao'?"
Since it has been modified, it is better to give it a simpler name so that it will be easier to spread.
"Fairness comes first, and doing good comes second?" Taoist Le nodded with satisfaction. "What a good name."
This is the basis for him to leave his name in history in the future, so he should take it seriously and spend some time on it.
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