Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 788 The Power of Thunder
When Confucius answered the questions of his disciples, including Zigong, he said: Shaozhengmao was a “villainous hero” who possessed five vile qualities: “a mind that is insightful yet treacherous, a deceitful yet resolute conduct, a false yet eloquent speech, a vast knowledge of ugliness, and a tendency to follow what is wrong and benevolent.” He had the ability to incite the masses to rebel and was “of the same mind in a different world” as Hua Shi and others who were killed in history. He had to be killed.

Therefore, the Confucian custom of beheading people started from our ancestors.

This incident started in Wu County, but it erupted in Xunyang, and its impact spread throughout the entire country in an instant.

Three days later, the Grand Chancellor, the Grand Tutor, and the Grand Protector jointly submitted a memorial.

Your Majesty's virtue is radiant, and your culture and education flourish, benefiting all within the four seas. However, recently, some wicked individuals have been spreading heresies, distorting the image of the God of Literature, defiling the spirit of sages, and profaning the spirit of culture. These unruly individuals are truly causing chaos in people's hearts and corrupting moral principles. If they are not severely punished, the harm they will cause will be immeasurable.

The God of Literature, Wenqu Xingjun, is a deity bestowed by Heaven upon the people, presiding over all literature and learning, and protecting scholars' achievements. Now, heretics and demons dare to alter the deity's appearance, adding bizarre forms or attaching false doctrines to mislead the ignorant masses and disrupt the righteous path. Even worse, some use this opportunity to amass wealth and gather followers, harboring treacherous intentions. Such actions not only disrespect the divine but also contradict the Holy Dynasty's principle of valuing Confucianism and the Way. If not swiftly eradicated, they risk corrupting public morals and demoralizing the people.

Your Majesty, we earnestly request that Your Majesty order the relevant officials to immediately and thoroughly investigate this matter. All those involved in this evil affair, regardless of whether they are leaders or accomplices, should be brought to justice and executed as a warning to others. All their heretical scriptures and images should be burned and destroyed, with no one allowed to remain. Furthermore, this decree should be issued to all prefectures and counties throughout the land, ordering a strict crackdown on unorthodox and cult practices among the people, ensuring that orthodox religions flourish and evil spirits are eradicated.

We humbly beg Your Majesty's judgment; we are filled with fear and await your command!
Emperor Jin felt a chill run down his spine. "I'm even afraid of you guys when you gang up on me."

Fortunately, most of those involved were retired officials with honorary titles—but on second thought, these shrewd old men were the most terrifying.

Their disciples and old friends are all over the court and the country; a single stomp of their foot can shake the prefectures and counties.

These are the true pillars of the nation, unassuming in ordinary times, but once they get serious, even the imperial power must be wary.

"Issue the decree." Emperor Jin made a decisive decision: "From this day forward, all prefectures and counties shall strictly investigate cheating in the imperial examinations, and anyone involved in heretical practices or illicit worship shall be severely punished without exception!"

Anyway, he didn't do it, so let's investigate.

The imperial edict was surprisingly swift and unimpeded. A decree that would normally take over a month to process spread throughout the land in just three days.

Officials at all levels acted swiftly and decisively – after all, no one wanted to be targeted by those red-eyed old scholars at this time.

The heads of powerful families burned the secret letters overnight and began their self-examination with cold sweat dripping down their backs.

Could it have been one of the smartest guys in the family who did it?

After all, those who are rich, have connections, and are resourceful, and are not very friendly to Confucianism, are mostly large clans like ours.

I checked several times and only felt somewhat relieved when I found out that it had only caused a slight impact.

Then came vigilance.

Perhaps it was because they relaxed too much after Yu Gong was demoted that they forgot how domineering and unparalleled the Confucian school was back then.

The fool who was secretly causing trouble was scolded terribly—it's one thing to mess with the imperial examination system, but to be caught red-handed!

And... they didn't even contact us.

Want to eat alone?!
Then you deserve to be killed.

With the entire nation mobilized, even Chongqi Academy took action, transforming from a covert initiator into an active responder.

Xu Xuan indignantly presided over the work, acting as if he were learning about the matter for the first time—truly excellent acting skills.

But he was no less shocked.

The original plan was to first involve Confucian forces, then conduct a secret investigation, and finally unite with other forces to swiftly and decisively eliminate the enemy.

Who knew that the first step would end so soon?

It seems I still lack understanding of the academy and the three religions. I can participate in more large-scale events like this in the future.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to become a leader like Lao Shen?

A single arrow pierces the clouds, and a thousand armies rush to meet it!

Within a mere ten days, this conspiracy was nipped in the bud. The evil images confiscated from various places piled up like mountains, and were burned to ashes by Confucian scholars in front of the Confucian temple.

The remaining undiscovered cases are insufficient to shake the astrological destiny, so the case can basically be declared a failure.

Inside a secluded mansion somewhere in the capital, curtains were drawn and candlelight was dim.

A hand with bulging veins slammed onto the table, knocking over a teacup and staining the precious sandalwood with brown tea.

"Waste! It's all waste!"

The person behind the curtain spoke in a hoarse voice, suppressing a torrent of anger.

Countless efforts were spent on this "artificial Wenqu" project—from planning the project to commissioning skilled craftsmen to carve the statue, and then to secretly arranging the examination halls in various states... Every step was meticulously designed, but before the harvest could be reaped, it was burned half to death by a group of old Confucian scholars from Bailu Academy!
The key point is that we still don't know where it was exposed.

In theory, this statue is not influenced by any evil forces; it is just an ordinary wooden carving.

Could it be just because someone glanced at it a few more times?
This is just plain insane!!!

"There is a reason why Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism have become prominent schools of thought in China."

A gentle voice suddenly came from outside the door.

The leader of the White Lotus Cult, dressed in white and holding a whisk, slowly stepped in, as if he had known of the place's existence all along.

His gaze swept over the mess on the ground, and he smiled slightly: "Their power has long been rooted in the minds of the people, becoming part of the order. Your attempt to replace the destiny of the Literary Star is tantamount to making an enemy of the entire literary path." The person behind the curtain was silent for a moment, then said coldly: "Didn't the Holy Mother almost succeed back then?"

"Almost?" The White Lotus Cult Leader chuckled. "It is precisely because the Holy Mother failed back then that I understand even more clearly how difficult this path is."

He flicked his whisk and said meaningfully, "Even without the intervention of the White Deer Academy, there will be other variables—perhaps a sudden change in the celestial phenomena, or perhaps the awareness of a reclusive Confucian scholar."

"It might even be a self-rescue by the divine will of the God of Literature... Going against the will of Heaven will inevitably lead to many calamities."

"Seizing the star is ultimately a risky move."

The White Lotus Cult Leader watched this arrogant fellow fail, yet felt a sliver of joy in his heart.

How can we discuss cooperation if we don't let the other party know how difficult this path is?

He walked to the window, gazing at the distant outline of the palace, and said softly, "Instead of lamenting the failure, let's think about... what's next..."

After all, this matter is far from over. The Confucian school is determined to get to the bottom of it and will not rest until the real culprit is found.

Intrigues and bosses emerge one after another in the human world, and the clashes between various forces are intensifying.

The storms that have swept across the land have never ceased.

The main gate of Chongqi Academy.

A pair of carriages were waiting there, and Xu Xuan was organizing the students to line up and get on.

I am about to set off to lead this group of about twenty people to Shouchun to participate in the autumn imperial examination.

At this moment, Baoan Hall no longer needs to worry about the affairs of Wenquxingjun; it must return to its original duties.

By night I am the leader of the most powerful armed force in Jiangnan, extending my tentacles across the land; by day I am an ordinary instructor at the academy.

Xu Xuan increasingly felt that he was destined to be a villain.

Many big shots in movies and TV dramas are like this.

King of Reincarnation, Xue Xiaoren, Cheng Kun, Murong Bo, Huo Xiu. The only one of any caliber is the Gentleman Sword.
Damn it, I can't think about it anymore.

These are all somewhat perverse.

Actually, I'd rather be a righteous villain; the White Lotus Saint Father is the coolest.

While his mind was wandering to all sorts of random thoughts, he was still nodding off heads, making sure not to forget anyone.

Once everything is arranged, please invite the leader to take the stage.

Mr. Xu is very good at surviving in the workplace, and he also has the determination and perseverance to climb the corporate ladder.

"Ahem, students, next we would like to invite the academy..."

As this was a crucial moment to test the results of the academy's reforms, the decision-makers who made the final decision all came to see him off.

Lady Yin also delivered an important speech regarding the three-year reform of the academy.

The contributions of Instructor Xu and all the students were highly commended.

We hope everyone will demonstrate their abilities, character, and style in the exam...

Who wrote these lyrics? They sound familiar.

"set off!"

The head of the team this time is Professor Gu. He has a wide circle of friends and is relatively young among the professors. He can withstand the bumpy ride of a short journey.

The important thing is that he speaks nicely.

It's not that I don't believe you.

"Hanwen, you are efficient and skillful, but sometimes you are too good-natured, which makes you prone to being taken advantage of when you are out in the world."

"The academician's wife asked me to come here to handle some situations that might cause conflict."

"You wouldn't believe it, at this time of year..."

Xu Xuan: "..."

Is my gentle and refined image so deeply ingrained in people's minds?

Professor, you haven't actually seen my true colors outside... I don't suffer losses outside, I only get the best treatment.

Carrying everyone's expectations, the convoy headed north.

　I'm going to Beijing for a while, and I'm catching a flight today, so I'm posting this early.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)