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

1667 years.

A shocking piece of news suddenly spread throughout the capital: the monk Xingchi, who had been worshipping Buddha at Mount Wutai for several years, had returned to the capital, a place he had not been loyal to.

Outside Yongding Gate, there was a huge crowd.

Countless people vied to catch a glimpse of Emperor Shunzhi's handsome appearance.

Eight eminent monks led the way!
The monk Xingchi had a dignified appearance, a thin face, wore a tattered patchwork robe, had six ordination scars on his head, and held a wooden fish in his hand as he slowly entered the city.

"Master Xingchi has made great contributions by praying for the country."

Manchu Liu Lu shed tears of emotion once again.

His behavior was so exaggerated that even the monk Xingchi couldn't help but nod slightly at him before continuing on his way to the Yonghe Temple, where he chanted scriptures, read books, and practiced meditation.

Consort Dong'e took away the last bit of warmth in his heart.

From now on~
No longer bound by worldly ties, I have come to take life and death lightly.

……

On the city gate tower.

Jiang Zhongcheng's face was gloomy.

Why not kill him?

"Father, we should keep him; he'll be useful in the future."

“Yun’er, you are not only not going to become emperor, but you are also keeping two deposed emperors. What you are doing is very dangerous!! If someone launches a palace coup, they can just carry the new emperor into the Forbidden City.”

Jiang Qingyun took a deep breath.

"Father, you're right, I'll make the arrangements."

“My son, I want to tell you that only the dead are safe in this world. You should hurry up and kill Fulin and Zhu Youlang.”

"Father, Zhu Youlang is also going to become a monk."

"What?"

Jiang Zhongcheng was dumbfounded.

……

Church of Our Lady.

A grand baptism ceremony is underway, complete with an archbishop, choir, Bible, red carpet, and sunshine.

The person to be baptized was the former Ming emperor, Zhu Youlang.

Jiang Qingyun was watching the ceremony, but his eyes were drawn to the blonde saintess standing to the side. She was intrigued by her exotic beauty and mysterious aura.

After the ceremony.

Ferdinand Verbiest personally presented Zhu Youlang with a priest's robe, a cross, and a Bible.

May God's grace descend upon you.

Hallelujah~

Zhu Youlang's face was resolute.

During lunch, he made a special visit to Jiang Qingyun.

"Greetings, Your Excellency."

"Ah, congratulations on finding your career."

"Your Excellency, I am actually a Christian."

Zhu Youlang looked arrogant. More than ten years ago, when he was fleeing, he and all the members of the royal family were baptized and had long since become Christians.

This is a verifiable experience; the baptism was conducted by a priest, Ming Dynasty officials, and is documented in the palace archives.

Jiang Qingyun said in a low voice, "Father Zhu, do a good job. I will fully support your candidacy for Pope."

Zhu Youlang's expression changed repeatedly.

"May I?"

"Isn't it possible?"

Zhu Youlang took a deep breath, his eyes shining: "May my lord bless my dearest Grand Secretary with a long and healthy life."

……

After lunch.

Ferdinand Verbiest personally accompanied the Grand Secretary on a tour of missionary achievements.

"Under the kind care of the Grand Secretary and with the support of various government offices, the Church of Our Lady has achieved remarkable results. We have successfully developed more than 300 believers, of whom 6% are Manchus."

"make persistent efforts."

"Thank you, Chief Minister."

As they were speaking, two beautiful saints carrying Bibles passed by.

"Bishop Nan, who are they?"

"They are noble and inviolable women, unfettered by worldly constraints, who have vowed to dedicate their lives to the gods; they are also known as saints. If the Prime Minister is interested, could you arrange for them to preach?"

"Okay."

The cardinal's arrangement was as good as God's arrangement, and the two saints, though somewhat surprised, agreed on the spot.

Watching the two beautiful figures get into the carriage, Jiang Qingyun suddenly changed the subject.

“Father Zhu Youlang was of noble lineage; he was no ordinary clergyman.”

"What does the Grand Secretary mean?"

"Father Zhu should be appointed as a cardinal archbishop."

“The Prime Minister’s words make sense. I will write to the Pope immediately and ask for his opinion. I think the Pope will consider it seriously.”

The Vatican has no reason to refuse to appoint a former emperor of the Ming Dynasty as a cardinal archbishop, unless they have all lost their minds.

From any perspective, appointing Zhu Youlang as a cardinal was a huge win for the Vatican.

……

Yuquanshan Imperial Palace.

Jiang Nan, the first wife, whose demeanor was noticeably more composed, looked at the two tall, blonde saintesses with a dilemma. What if she and the prime minister had a mixed-race heir? That would be the end of them.

I'm thinking of giving him some contraceptive medicine.

The saintess spoke:

“Madam, according to our doctrine, we must never have sex before a formal marriage. However, we can serve you in any other way except through that.”

"That's right."

Jiangnan sighed helplessly.

"Third Eunuch, you can make the arrangements as you see fit."

"Yes."

The Bible is good! We should study the Bible!
In the garden, the Third Eunuch suddenly found himself in a dilemma: how should he write his mother's "Daily Record"? Did this count as having consummated their marriage or not?

The next day.

With his vision blurred, he braced himself and asked the Grand Secretary for instructions, only to be told – it would be treated as a sexual act!
These four words filled the Third Eunuch with utmost admiration.

……

The capital of the empire may appear calm, but beneath the surface, undercurrents are surging.

After the fifth anti-Chiang alliance completely failed, everyone believed that the current prime minister was almost invincible, and whoever opposed him would die.

Whether it's armed resistance against Chiang Kai-shek or resistance by the imperial court, the outcome will be the same.

Humans are flexible.
Confucian officials selected through the imperial examination system were particularly flexible.
If you can't beat them, join them. Stand in the victor's camp and ruthlessly seize the spoils of victory.

Those who were not yet exposed or eliminated as anti-Chiang Kai-shek figures sank into the water and transformed themselves into active supporters of Chiang Kai-shek.

A small teahouse on the outskirts of Beijing.

The rain was drizzling outside.

Yao Qisheng and Zhou Peigong sat opposite each other, drinking tea and chatting.

Yao Qisheng looked out the window and said, "Brother Zhou, it looks like this rain is going to last a long time."

Zhou Peigong glanced at the busy workers beside him and said, "An umbrella is fine."

Which umbrella should we use?

"Of course, it's the biggest umbrella."

Is there any chance?

"Have."

"what chance?"

"I urge him to take the throne."

"It's been almost ten years. Anyone with eyes can see that he really doesn't want to climb to the top."

"Yes, but some people want to."

"Who?"

"Everyone except him wants it."

Yao Qisheng was startled, stared into Zhou Peigong's eyes, and lowered his voice: "You mean?"

"The Banner Guard, the Baoding New Army, the Zhili Green Standard Army, the Baoding Military Academy, and even his father—everyone wants him to advance further and become a loyal minister who supports the emperor. Only he himself doesn't want to! He has already incurred the wrath of the masses without realizing it. His end is fast approaching. Brother Yao, our opportunity has arrived."

"How to start?"

Zhou Peigong's voice was barely audible.

"Form a Beijing Comrades' Association, with the aim of urging the emperor to ascend the throne and supporting Chiang Kai-shek as its banner, widely recruiting people from all walks of life. In the long run, when loyalty goes unrewarded and love goes unanswered, loyal ministers will turn into rebels, and love will turn into hate. At that time…"

There was a thunder in the sky.

Yao Qisheng trembled violently.

……

The residence of Zhou Shao, a cabinet member and minister of the Ministry of Revenue.

The butler is here.

"Sir, there is a man who claims to be from your hometown waiting outside the mansion. This is his visiting card."

"Yao Qisheng, ah, I remember now, let him in."

"Yes."

Flower Hall.

"This humble official pays his respects to Your Excellency."

"what is that?"

"Dried plum vegetables, rice wine, and a jar of fermented bean curd—send these to the Prime Minister to try." "Alright."

Zhou Shao smiled.

The taste of home is not worth much money, so there's no need to refuse it.

What brings you here today?

"This humble official wishes to change his post."

"The Tongzhou Grain Revenue Office is a notoriously lucrative post, and you still look down on it?"

Seeing Zhou Shao's gloomy face, Yao Qisheng quickly explained, "Your Excellency has misunderstood me. It's just that the tax office is too lucrative, and I'm suffering greatly. If I continue like this, I'm afraid... I'm afraid..."

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid they won't be able to hold the line."

Zhou Shao smiled.

Yao Qisheng smiled along.

"I am a common man, and I cannot resist temptation. I beg Your Excellency to see the truth."

"where do you want to go?"

"I am willing to expand the territory of the empire and to recruit talents for the empire."

"You want to go back to the Baoding Military Academy for further training?"

"In my spare time, I often read Chiang Kai-shek's teachings and feel deeply aware of my own ignorance. I would like to go to a military academy to make up for my lack of knowledge so that I can help the empire expand its territory in the future."

Zhou Shao pondered for a moment.

"Take my invitation and go to Yuquan Mountain to see the Grand Secretary."

"what?"

"Your official rank is too low, it's normal that you don't know. The admission of new students and the assignment of graduates to the Baoding Military Academy both require the approval of the Grand Secretary."

"Thank you, Your Excellency."

Yao Qisheng had no choice but to agree.

……

Yuquan Mountain boasts an elegant environment with lush vegetation.

Yao Qisheng walked quickly with his head down, occasionally stealing a glance. There were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps around him, and there were probably hidden sentries as well.

When I was searched at the checkpoint, the patrolling soldier next to me, who was leading a hunting dog, had a cold look in his eyes and his hand on the hilt of his sword.

As he approached the summit, he was suddenly stunned by a strange, unfinished building.

He didn't know that it was called a bastion!

The guard shouted, "What are you looking at?"

"Ah, I'm sorry, I was distracted for a moment."

"Walk properly."

"Yes."

For security reasons, Jiang Qingyun ordered missionaries to design and supervise the construction of these two bastions.

The two bastions stand facing each other, built against the mountainside. Their walls are constructed of bluestone, and they contain wells, weapons, and provisions. In an emergency, they can withstand an attack by tens of thousands of troops.

The bastion is small and easy to defend.

Traditional square cities desperately needed military manpower.

The palace is just a stone's throw from the bastion, allowing for rapid evacuation in case of emergency.

……

Yao Qisheng dared not be negligent in the slightest and immediately kowtowed three times and bowed nine times upon entering the door.

"Your subject pays respects to the Grand Secretary, long live the Emperor!"

"You're Yao Qisheng? Raise your head."

The moment their eyes met, Yao Qisheng sensed the wariness in the Prime Minister's eyes, though he wasn't sure if it was just his imagination.

"I remember you."

"I am terrified."

"Are you from Zhou Shao's hometown?"

"Yes."

How long have you known Zhou Shao?

"We have never met before and have had very little contact. Lord Zhou, remembering our shared hometown, wrote me this note."

"Yao Qisheng".

"The minister is here."

"Why would you give up a lucrative position to start all over again at the Baoding Military Academy? Why?"

Yao Qisheng felt a terrifying pressure.

"I would like to respond to the Grand Secretary's call that civil officials need to learn some martial arts so that they can expand the empire's territory in the future."

"That's right."

Jiang Qingyun neither confirmed nor denied it.

What's your opinion on fundamentalist Confucianism and Mencius?

"The Grand Secretary is wise; the good scriptures have been ruined by the crooked-mouthed monk."

Do you think there are still monks with crooked mouths these days?

"Have."

"where is it?"

Yao Qisheng felt a strong threat of death. Although he did not understand why, he knew that he had to turn against his own side.

"Crooked-mouthed monks are everywhere."

After these words were spoken, an eerie silence fell.

The calico cat, fast asleep, suddenly opened its eyes and then quickly closed its ears. Over the years, the calico cat had undergone a genetic mutation and transformed into a Scottish Fold cat.

A sensible cat will never let itself overhear the conversations of ambitious people.

Knowing too much can shorten one's lifespan.

Cats are born to enjoy a life of luxury.

……

Jiang Qingyun looked down from his high position.

How to tell the difference?

"Through the imperial examination."

"Ok?"

"What I am about to say may be presumptuous, but it is done with the best interests of the people. I beg the Grand Secretary's forgiveness."

"But there's no harm in talking."

"I believe that from the time Emperor Wu of Han dismissed all other schools of thought and exclusively honored Confucianism, the imperial examination system gradually went astray. Although scholars studied Confucianism, they did not believe in it. Therefore, the imperial examination system became a kind of reverse selection."

Jiang Qingyun's eyelids twitched.

"Sit down and talk~"

"Thank you, Chief Minister."

"I believe that those who passed the imperial examinations and became successful candidates in the provincial and metropolitan examinations do not actually believe in Confucianism. Because whoever truly believes will fail the exams. Although these successful candidates do not believe in Confucianism, they pretend to believe it deeply, and they try their best to make everyone believe that they truly believe."

Yao Qisheng really went all out.

I would rather die than my fellow Daoist.

If I can't produce a sufficiently impressive pledge of allegiance today, I won't be able to leave Yuquan Mountain alive.

Brother Pei Gong, may I borrow your head for a moment?
"I believe that the scholars who can pass the imperial examination can be divided into three categories."

"Which three?"

"The first type is someone who doesn't believe but acts very well, just like a true believer. The second type is someone who doesn't believe but whose acting isn't very good and occasionally reveals flaws. The third type is someone who doesn't believe but also disdains acting."

What about those who failed the exam?

"There are two types. The first type is the fool, who has no concept of belief or disbelief. The second type is the wise person, who believes it without a doubt, and therefore gets dragged down."

How to tell the difference?

"Through the article."

Jiang Qingyun burst into laughter. The calico cat felt the laughter was deafening, so it stretched and jumped out the window.

"How can one distinguish between articles? I don't believe it."

"The Prime Minister is mistaken. Words and actions can deceive, expressions can deceive, eyes can deceive, but writing cannot deceive. Even the most capable person will unconsciously reveal some of their true feelings in their writing. A wise person can see through the words to the soul of the examinee."

Jiang Qingyun was greatly shocked. After pondering it for a long time, he suddenly realized that Yao Qisheng might be right.

……

"Yao Qisheng".

"The minister is here."

What kind of person are you?

This was a potentially disastrous question, but Yao Qisheng wasn't surprised. Since he had rambled on for so long, being questioned like this was to be expected.

He is very calm.

"I am the third type: I do not believe, but I also disdain to pretend."

"So what do you think of those students who failed the exam but truly believed in Confucianism?"

“They can be appointed as inspecting censors, with low official rank but great power. I believe that good governance is about putting people in the right positions, and even weaknesses can be turned into strengths.”

"Okay. Yao Qisheng, tell me, who is the first type of person?"

"Zhou Peigong!"

Yao Qisheng sold him without hesitation.

Friends are something you sell.

A close friend can fetch a high price.

Sure enough, the Prime Minister's gaze softened considerably when he looked at him.

"You will be appointed Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Secretly review past examination papers and mark the candidates in the first category, but do not make it public. Also, Zhou Peigong is now in your care." (End of Chapter)