Jia Chen Year On the eve of Dragon Boat Festival, Jiuling respectful letter:
Yanxiong Taijian:
Time has flown by since the last time we said goodbye in a hurry, and suddenly several months have passed. I recall the month before last, when my family was in danger. Fortunately, Brother Yan rushed to the rescue. I remember this in my heart and am extremely grateful...
In front of the windowsill, Li Yan was looking through Yan Jiuling's letters.
In this era, information exchange is very slow.
It took a long time for what happened in Yichang to be learned by Yan Jiuling in the capital. After a while, he was frightened and wanted to return to Ezhou immediately.
Of course, his father Yan Bonian had also anticipated this and sent a servant to deliver a stern letter, telling him to put his scientific examination first and give him peace of mind.
Although he could not return, he still wrote several letters, both to his parents and brothers, and to Li Yan.
This letter talks about a lot of things.
First of all, a big thank you. From the words, it can be seen that Yan Jiuling was very frightened.
Then came all kinds of experiences and information.
Yan Jiuling is very smart. He knows what Li Yan values more, so he shares a lot of news he saw in the capital without reservation.
Just as Li Yan expected.
The Yan family is not considered a wealthy family in Ezhou at all. Even in Yichang, it is only an upper-middle class family. However, because of the status of their grandfathers <Ten Policies to Pacify the Nation> and Yan Jiuling, they immediately appear to be extraordinary.
Emperor Daxuan adopted two of these strategies.
Both "Open Sea Trade" and "Replace Tusi with centrally appointed officials" have had a decisive impact on today's Divine Land situation.
Any change is inseparable from theoretical support.
With the strong financial support of Open Sea Faction, Yan Jiuling's grandfather, who was unknown to anyone during his lifetime, has now become a National Teacher-level figure.
Anyway, just blow whatever you can.
Therefore, as soon as Yan Jiuling entered the capital, he quickly became a celebrity. Open Sea Faction officials and wealthy businessmen rushed to invite him, and there were many banquets.
People from the local faction tried to find ways to find fault. At several banquets, some people criticized and questioned him.
In this situation, the Yan family has no way out.
But fortunately, Yan Jiuling is good at thinking. He has traveled to many places along the way to Beijing, and his experience far exceeds those of those who boast.
Not only was he not stumped, he also provided many insights.
This time, it was extraordinary.
Open Sea Faction had originally intended to flatter him, but now he was like a treasure. Even Emperor Daxuan asked his name.
Because of this, Yan Jiuling came into contact with a lot of information that is difficult for ordinary people to know, and also gained an in-depth understanding of the Daxuan situation.
Now Great Xuan Dynasty has reached a critical juncture.
The annexation of land in various places has become very serious, which is accompanied by the expansion of local power in various states. It is not uncommon to form parties for private purposes, and they have even joined forces in private to influence the government's policies.
The treasury is so empty that even the inns can no longer maintain...
These officials can't move, and they will cause chaos whenever they move...
The imperial court's military expenditure is not enough, and some military generals even secretly smuggle arms. Some buy food to maintain the stability of the army, while others bribe people to try to go further...
Now Emperor Daxuan is also a ruthless person, so naturally he has thought of many ways.
He promoted Commandery Commandant Office's power and used his cruel methods to suppress hundreds of officials. Although he cleared some people, he ushered in a greater backlash...
He balanced the left and right and tried to divide local forces, but instead caused even greater chaos, almost causing chaos like Maitreya Sect again...
If things continue like this, I am afraid that in a few decades, Great Xuan Dynasty will lose control and decline, and there will be enemy countries around it.
And Open Sea Trade is the starting point of Emperor Daxuan.
The rise of Open Sea Faction caused the local Native Faction to begin to split. A series of Imperial Court fights caused a lot of trouble.
More importantly, the national treasury began to fill up.
With money, anything can be said easily.
Emperor Daxuan's first move was the border troops. In the repeated transfers of generals, the general power was firmly controlled.
And this time Replace Tusi with centrally appointed officials is also a reorganization of the forces in the military. The emergence of New-Style Gunpowder makes it even more powerful.
It can be said that as long as this war is won, the prestige of the Daxuan Emperor will reach a new peak.
By then, I'm afraid there will be another round of bloodshed...
In this situation, insightful people in the DPRK and China have naturally seen that although their butts are different and their positions are different, they all have a consensus that Divine Land will usher in changes.
Or the phoenix can reach Nirvana and renew its luck.
Or it may slump and gradually decline.
There is no second way to go.
Divine Land The source of all the chaos today is here.
Just two months before New Style Firearm was developed, a master-level master entered the imperial city at night and tried to assassinate Emperor Daxuan, but was repelled by Huo Yin, the president of Divine Fist Society, who was also a master.
But the identity of this grandmaster is still a mystery...
Also, not only are Heavenly Saint Sect causing trouble in Ezhou, but also evil cultivators are causing trouble in Xiangxi, Lingyou Guangxi, Minzhou Sea...
Therefore, the imperial court used ultimatums to restrain Xuan Gate People while vigorously developing firearms...
Apart from the current situation, Yan Jiuling also shared many insights.
Lin Yu, a fat young man from the Lin Family in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, found him. The two hit it off and became friends with Li Yan.
Yan Jiuling was originally fascinated by the history of mountains and rivers and folklore, but after reading a lot, he has changed his mind and wants to join Imperial Court and take the path of harmonizing the family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world...
As for the fat young man Lin Yu, he did not change his curious nature and followed him around various houses and saw many treasures...
In addition, Yan Jiuling also highlighted one thing.
Because the Ministry of Industry's New Style Firearm map was stolen, New-Style Gunpowder needed to travel to various places to explore mineral veins, and many overseas treasures and Mechanism Arts were transported into the capital...
For various reasons, Emperor Daxuan planned to establish a new school in the capital, specializing in the study of Yin and Yang, Feng Shui, mountain history, mechanical firearms and many other miscellaneous subjects.
The name is Qiankun Academy, which means taking over everything.
Some people from Confucianism and Mo Sect are trying their best to promote this matter, and even some of the declining Xuanmen Waidan sect are also very interested.
It is currently being prepared and will probably be established next year or the year after.
Many people in the capital were waiting to see the joke.
But Yan Jiuling feels that this academy may have great potential. If someone is on the list after the imperial examination, they will find a way to enter this academy...
Qiankun Academy?
Li Yan looked at it with a hint of interest in his heart.
According to the letter, this academy is a bit like a comprehensive university in later generations, but it studies some weird skills and mysterious things.
If you have a chance in the future, you must go and experience it...
Parrot Isle Pier, the atmosphere is getting more and more tense.
Today is another sunny day. Under the dazzling sunshine, the river surface is sparkling. There are huge crowds of people on the shore, and dragon boats are lined up neatly beside the pier.
It is now the ninth day of May. As the competition progresses, all those weak teams that came to join in the fun have been eliminated.
Everyone knows that the next few days are the focus.
A winner will stand out every day, and on the last day, all the winners will gallop on the river to compete for the final championship.
The champion will have a domineering name, River Chief.
For the common people and some participating teams, this is just a grand festival. As long as the results are higher than those of the villages they dislike, they will be happy and drunk for several days.
If you defeat your archrival, you will be given a free seat.
The loser will be disgraced, and the villagers will not give him a good look.
For some big forces, receiving the annual River Chief is also a symbol of strength. When they go out to speak, they feel a little stiffer.
At this moment, all the dragon boats are in place.
Colorful silks are hung from the dragon's head to its tail, and a colorful flag is pulled in the middle. There is a saying called "Hanging Dragon Robes".
The men on the boat were all wearing the same color vests and belts, exposing their muscular arms, and were attentive, waiting for orders.
Different from later generations, this dragon boat is more lively. There are not only big drums, but also gong players to control the rhythm.
Of course, the most important thing is the "stern control", which is done by the most experienced people. They wave colorful flags and direct. They not only control the rhythm, but also check the route.
On the shore, a sacrificial ceremony was being carried out.
Rows of Spirit Medium were praying, incense was lingering, various kinds of sacrificial rice dumplings were placed in a row, and many respected old men, representing the Three Towns people of Wuchang, performed prayers and sacrifices.
This ceremony is held every day before the game.
Soon, with the crackling of firecrackers, some cake offerings and rice dumplings were all thrown into the river, marking the end of the ceremony.
Boom! Boom!
The huge sky-piercing cannon burst into the air and exploded.
And this is the signal for the game to begin.
In an instant, thousands of oars were fired together, and the dragon boat was like a dragon sailing out to sea.
With the sound of gongs and drums, the "swingers" stood at the stern of the ship waving colorful flags, while the crew shouted slogans, moved neatly, and inserted the oars into the water at the same time, making splashes.
One dragon boat after another rides the wind and waves and gallops on the river.
Boom, boom, boom!
Gongs and drums are war drums. Between the dragon boats, you chase each other without giving in. It's like a battle on the battlefield, which makes people's blood boil.
On the shore, the people were also shouting like a tide, all with red faces, heads and tiptoes, vying to watch.
Not to mention the shore of the pier, even the trees in the distance were full of people, waving their own little flags and shouting. Some people would get too excited and slip and fall into the river.
Naturally, some of the big guys who came to watch would not crowd with the common people. A high platform and even an awning were set up near the Parrot Isle pier for them to watch.
Raft Sect, the first one, and Shi Chen, are also among them.
However, his attention was not on the game, but on playing with Flintlock Firearm in his hand with great interest.
The head of a Wudang lay escort agency nearby saw it and couldn't help shaking his head slightly, "Pai Head Shi, although you already have a quota, this thing is a murder weapon after all, so it's better not to show it out."
"It's not a good idea to hurt people on your big day."
"The murder weapon?"
Shi Chen smiled and said disdainfully, "To us people in the world, knives are weapons, sticks are weapons, even these hands are weapons, is it possible that we have to chop them off and send them home?"
"This thing is a deterrent. What's the use of hiding it? Only by showing it openly can it deter Xiaoxiao."
"Li the Shopkeeper, don't blame Shi for talking too much. With this thing, the situation in the world will change."
"Of the bodyguards you have, they practice Sanshu in the summer and Sanjiu in the winter. How many of them can become famous? Most of them are just mediocre people and they have to be trained."
As he said that, he raised his Flintlock Firearm and said proudly, "And with this thing, I only need to spend more money to get a musketeer team immediately. No matter how many people come, I can shoot them down with one shot!"
The head of the escort agency suddenly turned ugly and said, "This thing is just a utensil. No matter how good the utensil is, it still needs someone to use it..."
"Okay, okay."
Shi Chen said impatiently, "I'm too lazy to argue with you. Confucian scholars study, warriors practice martial arts, and they are different from ordinary people. It's all the same. What do you think the imperial court wants to do by releasing this thing?"
"If warriors are frequently shot to death by ordinary people from now on, how many people do you think will be willing to suffer this crime?"
As soon as these words came out, everyone around him fell silent.
They had heard a lot about muskets, but after getting a spot and getting a few more for testing, they already understood a lot of things.
This thing may not pose a threat to them.
But those ordinary disciples who have been practicing martial arts for a short time cannot stop them at all.
After all, ordinary disciples are the majority, which means that those Yamen Runner in the imperial court who are equipped with firearms can suppress them.
This is still an ordinary musket.
If there are a few new muskets, even if they are not careful, they will be beaten into sieves.
The landscape of the world has indeed changed.
There are some masters that even new muskets cannot deal with, but how many masters can there be? After all, the world is made up of ordinary people...
For a moment, everyone was restless and deep in thought.
At the same time, the competition on the river continued. After a fierce competition, Raft Sect won again.
"Hahaha..."
Shi Chen was so satisfied that he stood up, put the musket on his waist, raised his hands to the surrounding people and said, "Everyone, I accept it. I am hosting a banquet in my house today, and I hope you can honor me."
"That's natural."
"I have to ask for a drink."
This is how he talks, and everyone has long been used to it, but Raft Sect has a lot of influence on the river, and whether he goes there or not, he has to speak out about the situation.
There is no way, this makes it difficult for villains to offend.
Shi Chen laughed, and led his men to leave the Parrot Isle dock and return to Wu Prefecture City.
He is the leader and has accumulated a lot of wealth over the years. He has built a house that can be ranked high even among Wu Prefecture City. He has also married several concubines and has a large number of children.
At this moment, a stage has been set up in the mansion, and several teams of people are going back and forth to perform on the stage. As soon as the news of the victory over there came out, flowing seats were set up here.
"Meet Pai Head Shi!"
"Brother Shi, congratulations!"
The guests who came to congratulate him stood up one after another to greet him.
"Hahaha, we are all happy together!"
Shi Chen smiled heartily and went to the table to toast.
And on a table in a remote corner, Fu Family Twins was drinking water and wine, smiling, looking at Shi Chen in the distance...
"Donor Li, please come this way!"
Under the guidance of the little novice monk, Li Yan entered Baotong Chan Temple.
Unknowingly, two days had passed. He waited in the Chamber of Commerce for a long time. When the sun went down, he got the news and came to Baotong Chan Temple.
Master Tong Xuan said that I would give him an opportunity today.
Host Mingzhu mentioned this matter at first, but Li Yan didn't take it seriously. But Master Tong Xuan brought it up again, which made him a lot more interested.
It seems that this opportunity may not be simple.
Even though night had fallen, Baotong Chan Temple was still so busy, with monks coming and going constantly. But after arriving at the Great Hero Hall, Li Yan noticed something was fishy.
There is no one here, and all the sounds outside seem to be cut off. It is quiet and strange...
Wish you all a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, the second update will be later