Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 789 Shouchun Arrives

The fleet moved slowly along the Huai River, the rippling water reflecting the green mountains on both banks. Xu Xuan leaned against the gunwale, chatting and sipping tea with Professor Gu.

“It’s interesting,” Professor Gu said, stroking his beard. “Yangzhou’s administrative center was originally in Jiankang, which was the capital of the Eastern Wu Kingdom. Both the climate and the urban population were more suitable than Shouchun in the north.”

However, the White Lotus Mother was active in that area more than two hundred years ago, and it is said that she did a lot of things south of the Yangtze River.

The imperial court had no choice but to move the prefecture's capital to Huainan, eventually settling on Shouchun.

"Looking back now, it was a wise decision." Professor Gu took a sip of tea. "In Jianye, the five dragon energies are intertwined, and who knows what kind of trouble they might cause one day."

The reason why Yu Gong was trapped in Wu County by the emperor's will had already been widely known.

The so-called blocking of information about the dragon's aura is just a hollow attempt. In the past two years, countless people have wanted to take up positions there, but all of them have been kept in the dark.

Who dares to gamble on human nature?

The more prestigious and powerful a family is, the more vigilant they are.

"Why have so many officials died in the Jiangnan region in the last two years?"

"From county magistrate to prefect, the only thing missing is governor."

Xu Xuan thought to herself, "You've come to the right person!
"If we interpret it according to the principle of the interaction between Heaven and Man, then they are not good people. That is why there are all kinds of natural disasters and man-made calamities in the Jiangnan region, as well as a demonic governor like Deng You of Wu County."

"So God used various methods to take these bad people away."

It was God who did it, not me.

Even if I killed them, it was Heaven using my hand to execute these demons and monsters.

Xu Xuan skillfully shifted the blame, clearing himself of all responsibility, just like a pure white lotus.

Professor Gu laughed heartily at this, saying, "Your understanding of the interaction between heaven and man... isn't wrong."

He then posed a question: "What I find even more incomprehensible is that with these officials dead, people's livelihoods have actually improved significantly."

I did this, not God.

Xu Xuan doesn't like to feel wronged, but he still acknowledges credit.

Of course, he still talked about the simple and honest folk customs, Confucian teachings, and the insignificant work he had done in the process.

As we were chatting idly, the bow of the boat rounded a bend in the river, and the outline of Shouchun City gradually became clear.

Looking at the city nestled against the mountains and beside the water, I couldn't help but exclaim, "What a strategically important place!"

Shouchun is not some unknown place.

Located on the south bank of the middle reaches of the Huai River, nestled against Mount Bagong and bordering the Huai and Pi Rivers, it is a vital transportation hub between the north and south and a strategic location fought over by military strategists.

During the Warring States period, King Kaolie of Chu moved the capital to Shouchun, which was renamed Ying, to avoid the Qin state's advance. This was also the last capital of Chu.

During the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Bang's son Liu Chang and Liu Chang's son Liu An were Kings of Huainan and established their capital here.

This person is also very famous in history, a truly extraordinary person.

He is also a historical figure whom Xu Xuan should respect.

Liu An and his retainers compiled the "Huainanzi". It consists of 21 chapters of "Inner Chapters", 33 chapters of "Outer Chapters", and 2 chapters of "Daoist Instructions", totaling more than 20 words.

He authored 82 poems titled "Ode to the King of Huainan", 44 poems titled "Ode to the Ministers", 4 poems titled "Songs of Huainan", 19 volumes of "Miscellaneous Stars of Huainan", and "The Myriad Arts of Huainan".

The content covers fields such as political science, philosophy, ethics, history, literature, economics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, geography, agriculture and water conservancy, and medicine and health preservation.

His contributions far surpassed those of ordinary emperors; he was a ruler with scientific thinking.

However, he was too obsessed with astrology, and when he saw comets filling the sky, he believed that wars should break out all over the world.

Driven by his own desires, he ultimately decided to rebel. His defeat and subsequent suicide are truly tragic.

Of course, this was Xu Xuan's idea; Professor Gu's idea was completely the opposite.

Liu An's behavior was considered extremely rebellious by Confucian scholars.

He was involved in alchemy, promoted miscellaneous studies, was a proponent of Huang-Lao philosophy, and ultimately rebelled.

Almost everything they did hit a nerve; their deaths would be a good thing.

Just like Wang Mang, no matter how many tricks he had, he was not orthodox.

As the two were arguing, the boatman rushed over and said, "Gentlemen, we have arrived at Shouchun Wharf!"

Therefore, the dispute was temporarily set aside.

As the ship was about to dock, Xu Xuan stood on the deck and clapped his hands to signal the students to gather around.

Many of these people are visiting Shouchun for the first time, so I need to give them some advice.

He looked around, his gaze lingering a few moments on several exceptional individuals.

Let's pick a typical example to set an example for everyone.

"Student Ji, please explain what it means to say: Pride goes before a fall, humility brings benefit, and the times are the way of heaven."

Ji Rui's face fell. "Why did you call me at this time? I've been honest this time and haven't booked any of those pleasure boats or brothels."

But since he's been called upon, let's give a talk; his knowledge is absolutely top-notch right now.

“Sir,” he straightened his clothes and cleared his throat, “this sentence comes from the Book of Documents, “The Great Plan of Yu”, which means that complacency leads to loss and humility brings benefit. This is the natural order.”

"The student believes that this saying not only advises humility, but also implies the profound meaning of 'things reach their extreme and then reverse.' For example, the moon wanes after it is full, and water overflows when it is full; one should leave room for maneuver in everything one does..."

Even Professor Gu nodded in satisfaction; this child was no longer the one in the last three rows.

Everyone understands Xu Xuan's intentions.

It is just before the autumn imperial examinations, and the city of Shouchun is a mixed bag—there are candidates from all over the country who have come to take the exams, there are swindlers secretly selling "exam questions", and there may even be some charlatans who want to cause trouble by taking advantage of the imperial examinations.

If trouble is caused at this critical juncture, and one's mind is disturbed, resulting in the failure of ten years of hard work, then it will be too late for regrets.

Everyone said, "Master Xu, please rest assured. We are carrying out various responsibilities."

Xu Xuan nodded in satisfaction.

These students may not yet understand how many painful lessons were hidden behind his words.

He mentioned that when he first joined Chongqi, he had displayed his talents and successfully threw the man surnamed Song and two other scholars into a state of confusion.

This is how this magnificent life began.

Throughout history, countless talented scholars have failed to make the list of successful candidates due to impulsive actions before the exam, arguments with others, or falling into scams.

“Remember, if you have any trouble—” Xu Xuan patted his chest, “come to me.”

These words carry considerable weight.

After all, even a being like the Yin-Yang Dharma King was saved by him, so what are the demons and monsters on the road to the imperial examination?
As the convoy slowly approached the gate of Shouchun, several scholars dressed in coarse cloth gowns suddenly blocked the road.

Xu Xuan frowned slightly and lifted the carriage curtain to take a look—although these people were poorly dressed, they had fine Huizhou ink hanging from their waists, and their cloth shoes were suspiciously new.

"What brings you here?" he asked calmly.

The leading scholar bowed respectfully, his tone almost affected: "I am Zhou Wenbin, a student from Qianjiang. I have come with some classmates to pay our respects to the esteemed scholars of Chongqi Academy."

(End of this chapter)