The Mysterious Ming Dynasty: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom

Chapter 38 Wherever Si Chen's powerful influence extends, demons and monsters proliferate.

"Absurd! Shameless!"

"He's just giving away these scriptures to the poor for nothing!"

"Si Chen is the greatest thief in the world!"

Wen Zhenheng was practically jumping up and down in frustration.

The Wen family of Cheung Chau was a very prominent family, with ten generations of members having made a name for themselves in the art of calligraphy and painting, which they were often quite proud of.

His ancestors, such as Wen Boren, Wen Jia, and Wen Tai, were all experts in landscape painting.

Wen Zhengjing, Wen Zhengming, and Wen Zhengchen went even further, becoming great calligraphers and painters.

Zhi Wen Congjian, Wen Zhenmeng, and Wen Zhenheng were all masters of calligraphy and painting, who mastered the subtle methods of painting.

Wen Yuanshan was a master of calligraphy and painting.

But at this moment, compared to the huge windfall Si Chen offered, it seemed insignificant.

Calligraphy and painting are minor arts.

Is it that they don't want to get involved with families with a long tradition of classical studies?

It's because we can't.

Almost everyone felt the same way.

Qian Qianyi slammed his hand on the table. "Well said. Fame and power are not to be given to others."

In my opinion, all the words and messages of the evil sect should be banned immediately, otherwise this poison will spread to Jiangnan, and this peaceful and prosperous place will be reduced to ashes.

The most foolish men and women in the world will rise up in rebellion.

If they indulge in extravagance with fine food and meat, then the farmers and cooks will share the profits. If they indulge in extravagance with silk and brocade, then the sellers and weavers will share the profits.

Does that mean he's the only wise man or saint?

What was that saying again?

When all the horses in the world are silent, greatness is achieved through support.

"Demon way!"

"The Yellow Demon is the culprit!"

Hou Fangyu nodded to Fang Yizhi and spoke first: "If this thief joins forces with the rebel leader, and even spreads the wooden ox and flowing horse technique to the rebel army, we will be in danger."

"Drive them out!" Fang Yizhi said. "This traitor is not behaving like a peaceful surrendered general, but rather like a mantis trying to fly. If he were to acquire the skills of the wooden ox and flowing horse, the harm he would cause would be endless!"

Everyone harbored ulterior motives. The thought that Zhang Xianzhong's army would be greatly enhanced if they acquired these technologies was a huge advantage.

Shi Kefa held the white paper, his eyes practically straining with anticipation. "What a pity, how could it have fallen into this person's hands? What a waste!"

Chen Mingxia of the Chen family in Haining remained silent, his eyes fixed on his nose, seemingly lost in thought.

Qian Longxi spoke up, "That's precisely why we need to set things right."

If it weren't for the fact that the Duke saw through Si Chen's conspiracy to spread the Dao at a glance and thwarted his scheme to overthrow Jiangnan...

We have all been wronged.

Hou Fangyu saw that the time was right, "Therefore, we must send the thief away, and we must also prohibit all the evil Taoist's words!"

What a terrifying scene it would be if everyone could become a "Avenging Paladin".

A beam of divine judgment descended, and in the next instant, the mark of vengeance, a debt that could be exacted even ten lifetimes ago, was placed upon him, like a malignant sore that he would never find peace.

It was this great ram and the "Avenging Paladin" who created the extraordinary feat of one Han Chinese fighting against five barbarian tribes.

People will always cherish the memory of that era, but no scholar would want to return to it.

In comparison, the Yuan Dynasty under Liu Bilie's rule was more comfortable.

The tax-farming system is simply a paradise tailor-made for them.

They all brought their own chefs to cook on-site, serving fine wines and delicacies, and were accompanied by beautiful prostitutes, enjoying themselves immensely.

Qian Qianyi raised his wine cup high.

"I have five wishes in my life."

First, enjoy delicious food and beautiful scenery.

Secondly, the hall was full of guests, accompanied by beautiful women.

Thirdly, it features a lakeside mansion and a vast collection of books.

Fourthly, there are luxury yachts, filled with singing and dancing.

Fifth, even if one's family fortune is exhausted and one has to beg for food in a place of dazzling lights and revelry, it can be considered a life of coming and going naked without any attachments, and without regrets.

Gentlemen, let's drink to victory!

"How wonderful it would be if these days could keep repeating themselves forever."

Everyone couldn't help but sigh.

They drank until dawn before stopping and going their separate ways.

Letters from prominent figures of the Fushe Society and influential officials from Jiangnan arrived in Wuchang at the same time and were then relayed by Huang Shu, a member of the Fushe Society and the military supervisor.

The Governor-General of Huguang, Zuo Liangyu, drove Zhang Xianzhong's army westward, and the two sides frequently clashed on the plains of the two lakes.

Throughout the entire Jiangnan region, Si Chen's name seemed to have become a taboo subject.

More than a hundred scholars from Wuxian County, Jiangsu Province, wept bitterly before the Confucian tablet at the Temple of Confucius, uttering powerful words. Si Chen's reputation among the scholars, which was previously divided, instantly turned in favor of Si Chen.

This sparked public outcry, just as the literati had always done.

From the Tumu Crisis, Emperor Wuzong drowning, Emperor Jiajing being strangled by a palace maid, the Suzhou Uprising, the Tianqi Explosion, the Red Pill Case, the Court Attack Case, and the Demon Book Case.

They all boil down to four words: vying for power and profit.

According to storytellers, the original Heavenly Official who slays demons and eliminates evil begins to transform into a yellow demon.

There are even rumors that Si Chen eats hundreds of people a day.

All of these stories are widely circulated in the vast and fertile South China region.

"The true demon king is Si Chen!"

"Look at what the whole north looks like now!"

"Wherever the Great Teacher's hand reaches out, demons proliferate!"

"This evil wind is blowing from north of the Yangtze River to southern Fujian, its crimes are numerous and the evidence is irrefutable!"

Overnight, the wind direction completely changed.

The temples erected by the people along the Huai River for Sichen were also demolished and replaced by the Puji Tianfei Temple.

They even began actively carrying out disaster relief and suppressing grain prices.

Meanwhile.

Xincheng Earl Zhao Zhilong is inviting the Chen family of Haining, the Chen family of Shandong, and the Hong family of Wengshan, Wurong, Quanzhou, Fujian, to a meeting.

The Chen family was a prominent clan.

The Chen family of Qingzhou originated from naval officers in Shandong. They were not only grain and salt merchants, but also had members in the navy. For generations, their descendants served as guests of the Prince of De in Jinan and the Prince of Heng in Qingzhou.

The Chen family of Haining, with Chen Mingxia and Chen Zhilin as its two core members, was involved in the Fire God Temple case along with Hong Chengchou. Chen Mingxia's daughter married Fang Yizhi, and the Chen family of Haining was also involved in the salt industry.

In the north, the hidden lineage of the Chen family, a Han dynasty noble family, still exists.

In maritime trade, the Chen family was the most deeply involved, yet remained completely inconspicuous.

Hong and Chen were originally one family.

Hong Chengchou should have been Hong Chenchou.

"Why have you suddenly summoned us?" Chen Mingxia and Chen Zhilin of the Haining Chen family spoke first. "Could it be that something has happened?"

Chen Yiheng of the Chen family in Qingzhou, Shandong, said, "That's impossible."

Marquis Zhao Zhilong of Xincheng shook his head. "You're overthinking it. The Duke is no longer involved in affairs. The young Duke is busy with population relocation and presiding over the investiture of gods. He has no time to worry about matters outside the pass."

Chen Yiheng breathed a sigh of relief, then excitedly asked, "How's Hong Chengchou's possession going?"

The two Chen brothers from Haining looked at each other and burst into laughter.

"The technique of incarnation of the Heavenly Demon is exquisite and unparalleled. How could those barbarians from beyond the borders possibly comprehend it?"

This method of using demons to control demons relies heavily on skill and ingenuity; it cannot be used by anyone but those with great perseverance.

That Da Yu'er was a succubus who had only cultivated for ten years.

How could we have imagined that we would use her to accomplish such a great task? She coveted Hong Chengchou's youthful and handsome vitality, unaware that we were also substituting one thing for another.

At that time, the combined fortunes of the three races will seize the bounty of heaven and earth, and great achievements will be made!

Marquis Zhao Zhilong of Xincheng sighed, "It's a pity that Hong Chengchou went deep into the enemy camp. A dignified man, he has to bear the infamy and kneel down to be humiliated by a woman."

Chen Yiheng laughed and said, "That's wrong. Han Xin suffered the humiliation of crawling between someone's legs in the past, and Hong Chengchou made seven entries and exits from Yumen Pass, which can be considered a good story. Empress Xiaozhuang was a beauty after all, so it's not an insult to him."

Everyone looked at each other and laughed, "Hahahahahaha."

Chen Yiheng from Shandong said solemnly, "There is one more thing. A secret letter has been delivered from the Northeast, saying that the missionary Johann Adam Schall von Bell has managed to escape to Shenyang and is now heading south to the Satsuma Domain in Japan to rest."

"He's just a missionary, let him be."

"The thirteen daimyo of the Edo shogunate are locked in a fierce battle over the divine positions of Yamata no Orochi and Ohorn Rat God, and even some scholars of the Mind School have gone to join in the fun. Why should we invite trouble upon ourselves? We only need to conserve our energy and wait for the right time."

"Enough talk, let's drink!"

"good!"