Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 177 Guishan Academy, Loyalty and Righteousness in the Water Margin!
This was the plan that Wang Cheng devised after much deliberation following his discovery that the Qingliu gentry had begun deciphering nautical charts, aiming to maximize their interests (Chapter 162).

It's not about maximizing his own interests, but about maximizing the interests of the Tanka people, the water collectors, and even the entire Chinese nation!

After all, he even published his military treatise "On Sea Power" in both the East and the West without reservation, so how could he be so stingy as to hide Zheng He's treasure map from other water collectors?

With such immense wealth and formidable military might as bait, the Great Zhao's maritime prohibition policy will surely undergo a radical transformation.

Even if one person ventures to the ends of the earth, it's just a hobby and a form of self-indulgence. But when many people set sail together and create a trend, that becomes an unstoppable and magnificent force.

Go and find it! The eunuch Sanbao has hidden all his treasures there!
Shen Yueye, as the envoy of the Donghai Kingdom, also spoke up to corroborate his testimony:
“My lord also said that if there is a capable person who can support the Caishui lineage, he is willing to personally submit a memorial to Prince Jing and the Empress Tianfei to commend him for his merits.”

She emphasized the words "my home" when she spoke, and the others, caught up in the excitement, didn't notice her little scheme.

Upon hearing these words, Lin Daoqian's pupils dilated violently. He instinctively turned his head to look in the direction of the East Sea Kingdom and muttered to himself:

"Both generations of Prince Jinghai were such heroes with such magnanimity."
Although Lin also called himself a hero, he was far inferior to them in their lofty ambition that did not seek to rule or dominate any one family or clan, but only to benefit the common people for generations to come.

Mr. Lin finally understands today why the Wang family, who collects water, is the King of the East Sea.
The first generation starts the business, and the second generation maintains it. With this ambition throughout, why should we worry that our Caishui lineage cannot prosper?
Now that the three families have formed an alliance, I, Lin Daoqian, will certainly be a ally of the Prince of Jinghai. If I break this oath, may the Water Officials despise me!

After saying this, he bowed respectfully towards the ancestral temple of Prince Jing in Pinghu.

On the other side, Zheng Shiniang, Zhang Quan, and Lin Jinlian also bowed solemnly.

Only Shen Yueye, who knew both of Wang Cheng's identities, was fully aware of his seemingly charade of mutual flattery.

Whether the Wang family father and son said these words or not, others may not know, but surely she does.
However, the girl, from both her father's and mother's sides, had a strong family tradition of learning and knew the importance of observing people's words and actions. She wouldn't simply assume that Wang Cheng was just putting on an act.

Based on her understanding of her junior brother, at least 70% of what he just said was true.

Even if 30% are fake, it's probably still...
Wang Zeng: "I never said that, but it makes sense."

Wang Cheng was simply using his father's famous quotes to endorse himself and increase his credibility.

Even if someone could petition the underworld to verify the truth, this celebrity would still have to cooperate with his eldest son, who is said to have "the talent of a god," to lie.

Wang Cheng winked at his senior sister, who had a perfect understanding with him.

While there was certainly a mutual flattery relationship between the two individuals, this was indeed his true thought.

"I am different from the current rulers; I believe in the equality of power and duty from the bottom of my heart."

When you keep the people in your heart, they will lift you up on their shoulders.

He who bears the nation's shame is called the master of the state; he who bears the nation's misfortune is called the king of the world. If you want to be the leader, you must be able to step up in crucial moments; otherwise, why should millions of people support you?
Fair competition, whoever is capable should be promoted.

This is the most difficult time for those collecting water in the East China Sea. Even shady characters like Lin Daoqian, who rob foreigners and Southeast Asian natives, are potential targets for recruitment.

Seeing that the two notorious pirates, who already had principles, had genuinely submitted, Wang Cheng continued:
"If you two have an apple and I have an apple, and we exchange them, we will each still have an apple."
But you have one kind of knowledge, and I have another kind of knowledge. We exchange them, and each of us possesses two kinds of knowledge.

I propose that if we can obtain Zheng He's treasure map during this rescue operation, everyone can keep the original, but the other two families must make a copy.

Lin Daoqian and Zheng Shiniang had already gained a huge advantage, so naturally they wouldn't refuse the proposal outright, and quickly said:
"That's only right. We only need the copy; the original will be handed over to the envoy for safekeeping by the Donghai Kingdom."

Then Wang Cheng took out several written documents and handed them over, and began to assign tasks.

"There are three clues here, and we'll each take charge of one direction."

One group went to the Five Tiger Gate outside Rongcheng in Minzhou to keep an eye on the key members of the Zheng family, in case the other side failed in their attack and then targeted the rest of the Zheng family.

The family went to Tukeng Port in Citong, the stronghold of the Liu family. Zheng He's treasure map was initially kept by the Liu family.

The large-scale decryption work has now begun, and the map may have been copied and transferred to others, but the Liu family, who have studied the treasure map for decades, must still be one of the core members.

The last group to keep an eye on was Wang Bengu, a core figure of the Qingliu gentry faction that had already been exposed in the administration of Minzhou, and his accomplice Xing Baichuan, the commander of Zhenhaiwei.

Arrest them directly if necessary, subject them to severe torture, and do not consider their life or death.

If the Qingliu faction could take advantage of the chaos in the East China Sea to kidnap religious officials from the common people, why can't we impersonate pirates and kidnap officials appointed by the imperial court?
They can collect tolls, and they can collect money to save lives too!

It was obvious that the situation was completely different from what Luo Wenlong and Li Jingjiang had imagined.

After returning, "Wang Fugui" had no intention of continuing his adventures in the officialdom with Wang Bengu and Xing Baichuan. Instead, he planned to cut the Gordian knot and eliminate the people who caused the problems at their root.

After all, I've already managed to become one with the bandits and officials, and I have so many pirate allies. If I were to still be their model subordinate, wouldn't all my allies have come for nothing?
We may not have the chessboard of the Great Han Chess Saint, but we can still learn from his pinnacle "chess skills".

Considering that it was uncertain which of the three directions would be the breakthrough point, and that this was the first time the three companies were cooperating, Wang Cheng decided to randomly assign tasks by drawing lots.

Finally, Wang Cheng was responsible for going to the state capital to stake out the Zheng family, the Red Flag Gang was responsible for going to Tukeng Port to stake out the Liu family, and Lin Daoqian and his sister went to Zhenhaiwei.

Shen Yueye had been away from home for too long, having gone to Yingzhou last October and only returning at the end of April this year. Wang Cheng first sent someone to take her back to Yuegang to see her elderly father, and then, in coordination with the Lin siblings, targeted Xing Baichuan and Wang Bengu nearby. In an unknown land, stood a mountain manor shrouded in mist.

In the dimly lit main hall, several indistinct figures sat on rows of official hat chairs. Some wore official robes, some wore scholar's robes, and some were dressed as wealthy landowners. Each of them had an extraordinary air about them.

The topics of conversation were not about the mundane affairs of ordinary people, but rather matters of national importance.

"Everyone, we've really managed to kill the snake but ended up getting hurt instead."

Who would have thought that the Wang family, who were supposed to collect water, would actually become so powerful that they could create their own royal seal and become one of the sixty-four vassal states of the dynasty?

If that young prince were to one day serve as an envoy to the Great Zhao, would we, the upright gentlemen, be expected to pay him the highest respects? That would be utterly absurd!

"Brother Guo, please calm down."

Each of us has familiar Japanese pirates and daimyo, and the number of fake Japanese fleets under our command is unknown. As long as we send a letter explaining this matter, the various vassal states of Yingzhou will surely rise up to attack us.

The Donghai Kingdom is isolated overseas; it might be wiped out any day.

"Mr. Yun Gui is right. No matter how powerful the naval forces of the Cai Shui Wang family are, they are far away and cannot threaten our family and property."

In my opinion, the Three Nests Rebellion in Lingnan is more important.

The rebellion in these three cities has been going on for six years. Li Wenbiao and his son Li Zhen from the Li family who moved mountains pose a greater threat than the Wang family who moved water. They have occupied six counties: Heping, Longchuan, Xingning, Longnan, Xinfeng, and Anyuan, killing officials and rebelling, leaving the area in ruins.

Mr. Bo Gao's hometown is in Longchuan County. The day before yesterday, all 43 members of his clan were killed, and all their wealth and grain were divided up by peasants.

This is the real threat that concerns the very foundation of our existence!

Gentlemen, tell me, the court merely exempted us from mining taxes at the suggestion of the upright gentlemen in the central government, transferring the tax revenue to agricultural taxes, first making those farmers, who are as insignificant as weeds, suffer. Is that all they can bear?
If others can endure this hardship, why can't they?
Such ungrateful and disloyal individuals deserve to have their entire clan exterminated!

"That's right. Since ancient times, the main force of rebellion has been these farmers. They are all unruly and uncivilized people."

My ancestors taught me a lesson: not a single one of those who joined the thieves should be spared.

There might be some debate about whether the Wang family who collects water or the Li family who walks through the mountains pose a greater threat, but their attitude towards the rebellious peasants is surprisingly consistent: kill!

"Alas, although I have left the main ship, the members of the Kameyama Society don't seem to be good people either."

[Official Star Attacking Self] Gao Ren, wearing his signature tortoiseshell brooch, sat at the very back, closest to the door.

He was fluent in four languages, served as one of the twenty-four generals of the Five Peaks Banner, was very familiar with cutting-edge Western affairs, and was also a seventh-rank official. He was a talented person no matter where he was placed.

On that day, Jiang Wenyuan accidentally rescued him and Mao Haifeng's half-corpse together, and Gao Ren, driven by a strong will to survive, joined the latter's camp.

Gradually, they came into contact with a secret organization hidden in the Zhao Dynasty: the Guishan Academy, which was the official name that the Qingliu gentry used to refer to themselves.

Minzhou was just one branch; the main branch was Wuzhou, which was a gathering place for literati in the north, and Nanzhili.

According to Gao Ren's observations over the past few days, regardless of their specific identities, all members of the Guishan Society consider themselves upright gentlemen and moral saints when discussing national affairs.

They are all experts at pointing out the flaws in the country and criticizing current affairs, but when it comes to solving specific national problems, none of them can offer any insightful solutions.

"I think it's not that they're stupid, but that they themselves are the biggest problem of the Great Zhao."

Gao Rengang, being of low status, was not qualified to speak when he first joined the group. He simply listened quietly, pondering in his heart the "Thirty-Six Paths Thunder God's Cloak and Mace" that Wang Cheng had given him as a token of gratitude.

After an unknown amount of time had passed, a clear chime sounded.

Everyone immediately fell silent, stood up, and respectfully greeted the guest. Even Wang Bengu, who was sitting at the very front, bowed and said:
"Greetings, Master Fengzhou! I wish you good health!"

Gao Ren quietly looked up and used the "Father-Assisting Technique" that came with his special skill [Paying Homage to Godfathers and Offering Sacrifices to the Master] to look over.

The scholar, known as "Fengzhou Shanren," was found to be under forty years old. He possessed a blend of official and scholarly airs and an extraordinary demeanor. However, he was dressed in mourning clothes, as if he were in mourning for his parents.

Although his official career star has temporarily dimmed, his refined and scholarly aura soars to the heavens, indicating that he must at least be a literary leader in some field.

Gao Ren's eyes lit up at the sight, and he thought to himself:

"A remarkable father indeed!"

Since the deaths of his previous adoptive father, Sun Xiong, who carried the mountain, and his previous elder brother, Mao Haifeng, his heart began to stir again to seek another adoptive father.

He couldn't help but widen his eyes and carefully examine the details, trying to see if he could please her.

They discovered he was holding three volumes of novels, the covers of which read "The Loyal and Righteous Water Margin (1-3)"!
(End of this chapter)