You can't only love the Qing Dynasty when you're eating the fruits of others' labor.

Huang Zongxi stormed in, fuming.

"Prime Minister, why do you treat these foreign monks so well? They are not of our race, and their hearts are bound to be different. If you do this, you may become a sinner in a few hundred years."

"sit."

Jiang Qingyun remained calm and composed, as if nothing had happened.

Have you ever thought about what we are ultimately striving for?

Huang Zongxi was stunned. Many words collided in his mind, and for a moment he didn't know how to arrange them.

Yes!

What is the ultimate goal of the United Empire?
"I humbly request the Grand Secretary's guidance."

Our goal is—the stars and the sea.

Upon hearing this, Huang Zongxi felt indignant; it was all empty talk.

……

Jiang Qingyun asked meaningfully, "Old Huang, do you want to change things for a short time or for a lifetime?"

"Of course, it's a permanent change."

"It's easy to cut off a head, but how difficult it is to change a head, let alone billions of heads. Ordinary efforts are futile; extraordinary measures must be taken."

"Please enlighten me, Grand Secretary."

"It's not complicated. Kill those who should be killed, exile those who should be exiled, and educate those who should be educated. The key is the order. First deal with the Eight Banners nobles, then deal with the local governors, then the Confucius family, then the scholars of the country, and finally the hundreds of millions of ordinary people."

"But what does the Prime Minister have to do with a bunch of foreign monks?"

"What if we fail?"

Huang Zongxi was stunned.

“Old Huang, in Europe, there’s a small group of people doing the same thing we are doing. If we fail and they succeed, hundreds of years from now, the West will rise and the East will fall, and we may fall into a real hell.”

"So, you want to interrupt their process?"

"Exactly~ It's better to trample on others than to elevate oneself. Building is difficult, but destroying is easy. We are separated from Europe by thousands of miles, so military conquest is pure fantasy, but ideological infiltration is extremely possible."

"So, you want to indirectly influence Europe through these foreign monks."

"Missionaries are the starting point. Next, I will continuously attract foreigners to China and inject their ideas. Over time, they will be like seeds that will take root and sprout after returning to their home countries."

How do you plan to attract them?

"It's all about fame and fortune, fame and fortune. People are actually very fickle; most people can be molded at will. Old Huang, 50 years from now, my shadow will loom over every inch of Europe. However, you won't live to see that day."

Huang Zongxi stood up, took two steps back, bowed deeply, and remained there for a long time.

Admiration needs no further explanation.

Jiang Qingyun remained calm and composed, deserving the title of the great master of Confucianism.

……

inner city.

Castel Our Lady began expansion again to house the priests.

"The Minister of Rites has arrived."

Ferdinand Verbiest quickly came out to greet him.

Huang Zongxi's position was not simple; he could not be neglected.

“Bishop Nan, the imperial court is preparing to allocate 200 young pageboys for the daily use of the priests.”

"No, you misunderstood."

Ferdinand Verbiest's face flushed.

Huang Zongxi remained calm.

"If the page doesn't agree, you can replace him with a maid."

The United Empire respects individual choice!

Before leaving, Huang Zongxi gave him some final instructions.

"Mastering the language, being familiar with Confucianism, and understanding local customs are prerequisites for starting a business outside the capital. The Grand Secretary hopes you will make the most of this time."

"Please rest assured, it will take at least one year, or at most three years! Everyone will definitely graduate."

"By the way, I have a question for you. There's a shortage of fuel and trees in the northern regions. Is there any way to address this?"

"Burning coal?"

"The Prime Minister is promoting it vigorously, but that won't solve all the problems. Is there a tree species that grows very fast, is not picky about the environment, and can be used as fuel for farmers?"

"Give me a few days to ask all the priests."

"it is good."

Huang Zongxi left with his hands behind his back.

Two days later, the news arrived.

A botanist who also worked as a priest offered a solution—introducing black locust trees.

As a time traveler, Jiang Qingyun naturally knew the significance of the locust tree and immediately ordered people to post a reward notice at the Guangzhou dock.

Within five years, merchant ships carrying locust tree seedlings to Guangdong will enjoy tax-free treatment.

The first ship to carry locust tree seeds will be knighted. The process is effortless.

This move is an imitation of Shang Yang's global tree-moving ceremony to establish trust. It seems that the motivation of fame and fortune can drive countless ambitious people to circle the globe, relentlessly pursuing their goals.

……

half year later.

Successful candidates from various provincial examinations flocked to Kaifeng in droves.

On the banks of the Yellow River.

Scholars gathered in droves.

Several scholars whispered among themselves.

"Logically, the imperial examination should be held in the capital, but we're being sent to Kaifeng instead. Is there some reason for this?"

"Of course there's a reason behind this."

"Please enlighten me, sir."

"There are many vacancies in the government nowadays, but the court is slow to appoint officials, waiting for us to fill them. Kaifeng is chosen because of its auspicious meaning, and it is a place for great officials to fill vacancies."

"Your insight is excellent, sir."

A month and a half later~
The scholar from Yunnan, who had traveled the furthest, has arrived.

Eight thousand scholars flocked to Kaifeng, producing countless poems every day. The air was thick with classical Chinese phrases, and the people of Kaifeng were truly blessed.

The government provides each person with 3 qian of silver per day.

……

The ninth of September.

Minister of Rites Huang Zongxi and Duke Yansheng Kong Xingxie arrived in Kaifeng, accompanied by 1000 new soldiers, 1000 flag guards, some priests, and hostages from various parties stationed in Beijing.

On the banks of the Yellow River.

Banners fluttered, troops stood at attention, and turbulent waves surged.

The candidates simply assumed it was because the Minister of Rites was powerful and didn't think much of it.

"Please, Duke Yansheng."

"No, no, please, Elder Huang."

Seeing that Kong Xingxie was quite sensible, Huang Zongxi stopped being modest and plopped down in the middle chair. Instantly, a murderous intent surged into the sky.

"Start taking attendance."

"As ordered."

On the banks of the Yellow River, a massacre that shocked the world began.

The scholar whose name was called out on the spot was completely unaware of the impending danger. He walked out of the queue with a flourish and went to sit in an area closer to the Grand Minister of Rites.

As time passed, minute by minute.

Kong Xingxie's forehead was covered in sweat.

"Is the Duke of Yansheng unwell?"

"No, no, I'm just a little... a little surprised."

Huang Zongxi smiled.

"Duke Yansheng, these scholars are all those who practice Confucianism and Mencius against their own beliefs, and are stumbling blocks to the promotion of the original teachings of Confucianism and Mencius."

"Yes Yes."

A full hour!
Huang Zongxi only got up when everyone had become impatient.

"The thoughts of Confucius and Mencius shine brightly, yet more than 2000 years have passed, and we have lost our empire twice, with dynasties rising and falling in endless cycles. The people are impoverished, lives are lost, and morality has declined. Why is this? Because Confucius and Mencius have become tools for some people to pursue their own selfish interests. They read the classics to do their own dirty work. They say one thing and do another. They have no integrity and no shame. They are a group of utter sinners!"

Kong Xingxie quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, they are guilty!"

Huang Zongxi suddenly turned his head and stared at Ferdinand Verbiest, the only cardinal in the Far East.

"What does Your Excellency the Bishop think?"

"According to the Minister's explanation, these people are heretics of your religion."

"Yes, how do you treat heretics?"

"Usually, it's burned."

Ferdinand Verbiest was quite sincere, and he also gave a brief explanation of medieval burning at the stake.

……

Huang Zongxi slowly raised his withered arm: "Army, listen to my command, drive these insects into the Yellow River."

"As ordered."

The flag guards' sabers were slung over their shoulders, forming a thin line.

The new army's muskets were held horizontally, spread out into a thin line.

Amidst sporadic gunfire and screams, the two lines of soldiers relentlessly drove the hordes of scholars toward the surging Yellow River not far away.

Fifteen minutes later~
The nascent united empire lost 6300 scholars forever.

The Yellow River has never been as knowledgeable and nourishing as it is today. (End of Chapter)