Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 383 The Holy Father in Action

The scholar's last words before leaving sparked much speculation among the students of the academy.

It's perfectly normal to say that someone so young has a promising future.

But after the autumn examinations next year, once Instructor Xu obtains his new identity certification and completes a few more years of academic work, things might really be different.

In general, it's good if a direct descendant inherits a place like an academy, as it won't cause too much resentment among the older generation.

The young students of today will also become some of the most important people in the world when they reach that time.

In terms of prestige within the Confucian school, it is possible that no one will be able to rival him in the future.

Moreover, Instructor Xu has good relations with the Xie and Qian families. The fact that he is not entangled in complicated relationships with prestigious clans is actually an advantage.

Of course, this is at least a decade or more from now.

It's true what they say about scholars: they think a lot. They can analyze a whole bunch of little stories from just a greeting.

Xu Xuan remained humble, saying that everyone should not misunderstand, and that he had simply had a pleasant conversation with the Grand Scholar.

The academy can only move forward smoothly thanks to the leadership of the professors and Madam Yin.

He then returned to the academy and continued teaching and practicing as if nothing had happened.

However, the inside information he learned during his conversation with the Grand Secretary still stirred something within him.

That is, the imperial court, the system that maintains order in the mortal world, has become so rotten that it has become commonplace.

History books and TV dramas present things in a way that is beautified countless times; the real world is much darker and even more mindless.

Not everyone is shrewd or calculating.

There are also many officials who rose through the ranks because of their family background, loyalty, connections, or marriage alliances.

These people are simply indescribable; they're worse than children on the street.

Even if a Grand Secretary is full of integrity, it is not easy to remain steadfast in the imperial court for countless years.

Besides Yu Gong and Lord Fu, there were also several loyal Confucian officials who stood by each other and upheld their principles.

Furthermore, Emperor Jin was initially a capable and ambitious ruler.

The late emperor was mentally damaged by a teacher's frightening music and soon passed away. The current emperor has faced countless trials and tribulations since he first ascended the throne.

With foreign invasions from the outside and the White Lotus Rebellion raging within, the imperial court is also unstable, and some princes even harbor unrealistic ambitions.

Emperor Jin resolved all of these issues one by one, achieving exactly what Confucianism had hoped for.

just
After eradicating the White Lotus sect, for some unknown reason, he suddenly became obsessed with seeking immortality and enlightenment, and the situation deteriorated rapidly to this point over the years.

This is something even intelligent people like the Grand Scholars can't understand.

Otherwise, how could a mere county magistrate like Song Youde have reached the emperor's ears? It's simply that the local authorities are too incompetent and can't come up with any decent officials.

After listening, Xu Xuan was impressed that the Confucian scholars were of decent character at this time.
I just felt that since things were so terrible, why let the people of the world suffer along with them?

We won't talk about changing dynasties or liberating productive forces.

Why don't you consider something as cost-effective as changing the emperor?

Have you ever read "The Assassins"? Arrange for two more to ambush and kill him; even the Jin Emperor's snake-like maneuvers around the pillar wouldn't work.

If all else fails, I can provide the case of the Red Pill for reference. He liked to swallow pills, so this method is the simplest.

You guys spoil His Majesty too much.

Xu Xuan shook his head, marveling at his own White Lotus Saint Father's potential; if only he could step into the imperial court...
Two years?

Does the Sima family have that many members?

I tried to regain my composure, but my thoughts had wandered wildly; the White Lotus Sect had misled me.

The night after tomorrow, Xu Xuan descended Nanshan Mountain.

We had arranged to meet Song Youde in advance.

The meeting started with a brief exchange of pleasantries to maintain the relationship.

They also let out a couple of sly laughs, making it very clear that they were on the same side.

Xu Xuan felt this was a necessary disguise; only by adopting this persona could his virtuous brother feel more at ease. After all, constantly talking about national righteousness would make most people keep their distance.

While we're at it, let's ask how the sponsorship from the prominent families is going, since clearing the river would be of the greatest help to them.

"Don't worry, my dear brother. Ever since the two academies expressed their support, these voluntary donations have never stopped."

"I also collected a copy for you and delivered it to Baoan Hall."

The accounts are all detailed; we wouldn't dare falsify them.

Our Lord Song is not someone who doesn't accept money.

They just don't accept money openly, and they absolutely don't accept small amounts.

He doesn't accept bribes openly because anyone offering money is insane; such people are absolutely uncooperative. He's experienced firsthand how useful an upright official's reputation is.

Not accepting small sums of money is a matter of protecting one's reputation; these odds and ends are usually for dealing with ordinary people. To maintain cooperation with the two major academies, he wouldn't be blinded by such rubbish.

The money was taken, but the matter remains the same; it's no big deal.

If there's something you can't handle, just fudge it, or it might just happen to catch the attention of Chongqi or Yu Gong.

So this is Song Qingtian's compensation for mental distress. Taking advantage of both sides only makes others more respectful.

After all, not just anyone would dare to do these things under Yu Gong's nose.

Xu Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

I've finally taught this fatso a lesson. He was terrified when I advised him to leak information to get Yu Gong's attention and then double-cross him.

They said things like, "One spear strike and I'm dead, my dear brother, please don't harm me."

Of course, I'm still scared now, but afterwards I can barely put on an act of nonchalance.

Xu Xuan believes that business partners don't have to be saints, because such people are unreliable.

He enjoys working with ambitious people on big projects; as for a lack of ambition, that's because he hasn't seen a greater benefit. Oh, wrong channel.

It's okay, it's about the same thing.

"Brother, the turmoil in the court is still spreading, and you should also make preparations for the situation in Wu County."

The fat man who was pouring the wine suddenly glared and his hand trembled, spilling some of the wine.

"Brother Hanwen, there's no need to be in such a hurry."

Although Song Youde was eager to ascend to power and had a good reputation, it was normal for the court to take several years to establish a new regime.

He waited in the capital for over a decade for Qiantang to fill a vacancy, and he was only a county magistrate.

If it weren't for his connection with the academy and his achievements in managing the waterways and capturing evil sorcerers, he would have even planned to make his living in Qiantang until he died.

Xu Xuan, on the other hand, looked at him as if to say, "Why are you so unambitious?"

Baoan Hall's next move will be significant; they need to quickly plow through the water monsters within Wu County.

Those who eat people are all killed, those who cause trouble are all recruited, and those who disobey are all dragged ashore, bled, and made into dried fish.

This could potentially affect some forces on land.

There must be quite a few people and officials who collude with demons, and
That Prefect Deng of Suzhou, who also had a reputation for being an upright official, definitely had a lot of problems.

Xu had never forgotten the attack on Taihu Lake, but of course, he was magnanimous and didn't care about such a small grudge.

But the students on the boat almost became fish food, so the grudge must be settled.

This is not a personal grudge, but a responsibility as a teacher. I hope the other party can understand.

If it is later found that Jinlong, the Taihu Lake pirates, the demons, and Prefect Deng have nothing to do with it, Xu Xuan will apologize.

In addition, there is the Ge family.

The matter of the demon core that Ge Chaofu mentioned should also be investigated.

After Master Mao spread the word about the elixir of immortality, the area was in chaos for a long time and has not calmed down since.

And as more and more people began to test the waters, the Ge family did indeed come up with unusual ways to respond.

Besides enlisting the official protection of several officials from the Ge family, there was also a private force guarding the Pill Hall, suspected to be a demon clan.

The information from the rogue cultivators was a mix of truth and falsehood, but the demonic aura emanating from the black armor delivered to Baoan Hall was undeniable.

It's worth investigating and cleaning up.

In short, Wu County has many problems, and there will be many vacancies after the cleanup.

Of course, I can't tell my brother about such a frightening plan yet.

It's just that there are people at Chongqi Academy who have learned some confidential information.

There are rampant sorcerers, political infighting, and even the imperial advisor is a possibility.
Anyway, there will be a lot of job changes in Wu County soon, so you must not tell anyone, lest you be killed.

Song Youde nodded repeatedly in fright.

"Don't worry, my dear brother, I'd rather die than tell."

"I never imagined that those important figures would resort to armed conflict and condone such evil people. It would be better not to go any higher than the prefectures and counties."

Song Qingtian felt that he might not be able to pull off the tricks in the imperial palace, and that he was more happy being a local tyrant.

As for whether he can seize the opportunity to rise to power...
Xu Xuan held his wine cup up to the moonlight and said calmly, "Do you understand what Grand Scholar Yin meant when he said I have a promising future?"
The coldness and domineering look in his eyes made Song Qingtian, his virtuous brother, uneasy, and he hurriedly stood up to listen to the instructions.

As a representative of Chongqi Academy, I, Xu, still keep my word. I am also friends and even comrades-in-arms with Yu Gong of Jintian Academy, and we can also call Shen Shanzhang of Bailu Academy "brother".

The three academies represent the cultural heritage of Jiangnan and many high-ranking officials in the imperial court.

A county official, or even a prefectural official, would be acceptable.

Hiss~~~~
Song Youde immediately understood that his younger brother was demonstrating his strength, both to reassure him and to warn him to be careful.

This masterful control is no less impressive than that of the powerful officials in the capital.

In just two years, he went from an ordinary teacher who came down from the mountain to the person in charge.

My own achievements are nothing.

Xu Xuan then feigned surprise.

"Brother Xian, why did you stand up? Please sit down."

"We're on the same side, aren't we?"

After completing his collusion with local government forces, the White Lotus Saint Father returned to the academy.

He valued Qiantang highly as a stable rear area, but unfortunately, people's hearts are always fickle, which meant he had to have heart-to-heart talks with his virtuous brother from time to time.

Sigh. The White Lotus Sect has misled me again.

Meanwhile, Yan Chixia's journey was much simpler.

The Han River flowed downstream, first reaching Xiangyang, then passing through Nanjun in Jingzhou, and finally arriving in Jingling County without incident.

The young man was enjoying the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, as well as the fresh river delicacies and local cuisine.

Having servants providing meticulous service by his side was an incredibly tempting feeling for a poor country boy.

Despite enjoying these things, there was a firm look in his eyes.

Young people's desire for material things is only temporary.

They are not afraid of death, and they don't even care about material things. They are willing to give everything for a belief or an idea.

This is why cultivation sects start nurturing students from adolescence or even childhood, which is indeed convenient for building a foundation for their character and spiritual path.

Yan Renying inherently enjoys the kind of life that involves walking in danger and slaying demons.

It seemed to be an instinct, an impulse to draw a sword himself.

Yan Chixia sat cross-legged in his room, rarely going out except to purchase precious medicinal herbs whenever they stopped at a major city.

(End of this chapter)