The next day, Chen Zhennan's strategy changed.
He dispersed his 200,000 troops, stopped arresting Western missionaries, and instead summoned all the officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty in the areas under his control.
He planned to begin the reforms by redistributing land, just as he had done in the Thirteen State of the Customs District.
After careful calculation, each person in the area controlled by Chen Zhennan could be allocated seven mu of arable land, which was a rather generous amount for a feudal society.
On Song Yunyang's side, disguised as an ordinary citizen, she mingled among the villagers who believed in Judaism and went to listen to the missionaries' so-called 'purification'.
The missionary work was set up in a local Dragon King Temple. As soon as Song Yunyang entered, she found that the place where the tall and mighty Dragon King statue used to be enshrined was gone. In its place was a flag with a six-pointed star. This made her angry and she cursed these people for betraying their ancestors.
As the crowd whispered amongst themselves, Song Yunyang suppressed her anger and sat down with them.
The atmosphere inside the temple was solemn, as if even the air itself had become heavy.
Suddenly, three missionaries slowly entered the temple. Their steps were steady and confident. The missionary in the middle held a thick book and his eyes revealed a fanatical light.
The missionary in the middle cleared his throat, and his voice echoed in the temple: "We are God's people. Only by believing in God can we purify our hearts and become the wisest people."
His words were full of allure, as if he were painting a rosy picture of the future for everyone.
"Only by believing in God can you gain power and become superior to others!" the missionary continued to incite, his voice growing increasingly impassioned. "You are no longer ordinary fools, but the chosen ones, possessing supreme wisdom and power!"
His words were full of contempt, as if he were mocking those who adhered to tradition.
Song Yunyang frowned, and she could sense the emotions of those around her beginning to fluctuate.
Some people's eyes were filled with confusion, while others' faces were full of longing, and still others seemed to be hypnotized.
The words of missionaries were like poison, gradually eroding people's faith.
Song Yunyang was burning with rage. Her hand was already on the hilt of the sword at her waist, and she almost couldn't resist drawing her sword to cut down these blasphemous and seductive missionaries one by one.
When the missionaries began reading what they called scripture, Song Yunyang could no longer bear it. She stood up abruptly, ready to leave this defiled holy place.
Her movements caught the attention of the missionaries, who quickly stepped forward and blocked her path.
"Madam, why are you leaving in such a hurry?" the missionary on the left asked in broken Chinese, a sly glint in his eyes.
Song Yunyang coldly surveyed them and said in a deep voice, "I have no interest in your scriptures, nor do I want to hear your seductive words."
The missionary on the right hurriedly stepped forward, trying to persuade Song Yunyang.
"As long as you listen to the scriptures of Judaism, you can escape the sea of suffering, transcend mortals, get rid of your flesh and become a child of God."
Song Yunyang frowned, her heart filled with disgust and anger.
Taking a deep breath, Song Yunyang tried to suppress her emotions and then cursed, "Fuck you!"
Her voice echoed in the temple, filled with disdain and contempt.
The missionaries' expressions changed; they clearly hadn't expected Song Yunyang to be so direct.
Their expressions changed from surprise to anger, but Song Yunyang had already turned around and strode out of the Dragon King Temple.
The atmosphere inside the temple grew even more tense, with an air thick with the impending storm.
The missionaries' eyes gleamed with a sinister light, as if they were plotting some kind of conspiracy.
The atmosphere inside the temple suddenly became tense, like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment.
Song Yunyang's departure seemed to have touched some taboo, and the expressions of the two missionaries changed drastically.
Just then, two missionaries behind them suddenly shouted, "Look, everyone! This lady dares to blaspheme our God! It's utterly foolish! Blaspheming a missionary is the same as blaspheming God. Who dares to forgive her?"
Their voices were like thunder, shaking every person present.
"Kill her! Make her pay for blasphemy!"
The missionary's words were like the hiss of a venomous snake, full of seduction and malice.
Incited by them, the people's emotions began to fluctuate, and they stood up one after another, slowly walking towards Song Yunyang, as if drawn by some invisible force.
Seeing this, Song Yunyang frowned. These people were so easily swayed; they were truly ignorant!
"Stop right there!"
Song Yunyang angrily drew her sword, its blade flashing as she charged straight ahead.
Her voice was like a thunderclap, startling everyone present.
However, upon seeing this, the missionaries immediately added fuel to the fire, coldly saying, "See? Violence is her nature; she has no respect for God's teachings!"
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Song Yunyang's head, giving her a jolt.
A realization flashed in her eyes: these missionaries were trying to exploit her anger and drive her to her doom.
Taking a deep breath, Song Yunyang slowly sheathed her sword and sat down again.
This move caught the missionaries off guard; the violent scene they had expected did not occur.
The missionaries had to feign admiration, falsely praising and complimenting Song Yunyang.
“Look, this lady finally understands. She has chosen peace, and this is the behavior that the children of God should do.”
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