The incident in Chaoming City had a great impact because most people knew that although this city belonged to the Protectorate in name, the rulers there were actually a group of naturalized natives.
But this time, the Duhufu not only succeeded in wiping out all the upper echelons of the tribe, but also restored the city to its original structure. It can be said that both Dutang and Xuanfu gained sufficient prestige from this incident.
The only one who was unhappy about the whole thing was probably the Shenwei Army.
But just as Zhang Yu expected, in order not to push the Shenwei Army too hard, the Protectorate gave them a little grace, and also agreed to allocate more military expenses after the scholar's meeting next year.
But everyone knows that this is just a necessary means of control. Without its own financial power, the Shenwei Army can only rely on the capital's funding for maintenance.
Of course, this is only the case under normal circumstances.
More than a month has passed, and it’s late December in the blink of an eye.
In order to celebrate the upcoming New Year, and to prepare for the discussion in more than a month, a large amount of materials were transported to Ruiguang by sea and artificial canals, and the heated debate in the newspapers for more than two months was temporarily alleviated.
The only difference from the past is that now, whether at the dock or inside or outside the city wall, even traders and lackeys are performing Xia rituals that are slightly out of shape when allowed.
Ever since the newspaper published the benefits of using summer rituals combined with breathing techniques and various ways of saluting, this etiquette method has been accepted by people at an extremely fast speed and spread to various towns within the territory of the Protectorate.
Over the past two months, anyone who has insisted on practicing this set of etiquette has truly felt the benefits. Not only did their energy recover faster, but many of the tortures and strains caused by the muscles and bones also subsided.
.
Near Dan Port, a thin old man stood on a wall pier, watching the people coming and going on the port. The gray beard on his chest was swaying in the wind.
The servant walked up to him, as if afraid of disturbing him, and whispered: "Mr. Mu?"
"Um."
Yao Hongyi asked without looking back: "Do you know who Tao Sheng is?
The servant said bravely: "Every time the people from Hanmo Newspaper Office pick up newspapers, they always go to Anlu Juli. That is also the property of Anxunhui. We can't find out Tao Sheng's identity. We can only confirm.
This person must be from Taiyang Academy."
Yao Hongyi was noncommittal. With the knowledge and insight shown by Tao Sheng, he could guess that he must be a teacher from Taiyang Academy, or even an academic order, without searching.
He sighed: "I didn't expect that just one article would ruin most of my life's hard work."
The "new gift" that he worked so hard and planned, in the end, was easily destroyed by an article!
However, looking at the people at the port who were smiling and practicing Tianxia etiquette with each other, what filled his heart was not anger, but fear.
Because he discovered that what he had been trying to obliterate was still rooted in the hearts of everyone in the Dongting Protectorate. Although they no longer talked about it and seemed to have forgotten it, as long as one person came out to take the lead in shouting, then they would
He will immediately recall his original identity and move closer without hesitation.
He closed his eyes, raised his head slightly, and waited until the noise in his ears subsided, leaving only the sound of the surging waves. After a long time, he opened his eyes again, with a sharp light in his eyes, and said: "Go, take that share."
Give the things to Deputy Lieutenant Yan, tell them what they said last time, and I agree."
The servant bowed and said, "Yes, sir."
In the main hall of Yan's Manor, Yan Xulun was sipping tea. His face was as usual, but it could be seen that his expression was no longer as calm as before, with everything under control.
It's been more than two months, and Almotay still hasn't come back.
He could only try to reassure his daughter that she was on a secret mission.
He knew very well that Almotel was nominally going to hunt the giant Luojiao Baishan bull, but in fact he was going to intercept and kill Zhang Yu. However, he did not think that Almotail's disappearance was related to Zhang Yu. He must have encountered something here.
Accident.
Many people now believe that Almotay must be dead, otherwise there would be no news about him.
But he didn't believe it.
In his mind, unless Zhu Que, the Marquis of the Army, or Xuan Shou of the Xuan Palace took action himself, who could kill Almotai, whose body was almost perfect?
There was a trace of exhaustion in his eyes. Now, relying on his previous prestige, he can temporarily suppress the voices below. But if the time is delayed longer, then someone will put Almotail on the missing list and then choose another one.
A military officer came up.
He mainly relies on Almotai to control the Divine Lieutenant Army. If he loses him, he will go back to the past, where he is only the nominal leader of the Divine Lieutenant Army, but without any real power.
This is something he absolutely cannot bear!
At this time, a close clan member walked in from outside, his face filled with joy.
Yan Xulun asked strangely: "What's the matter?"
The confidant leaned into his ear and whispered a few words.
After Yan Xulun heard this, his eyes showed surprise and he said: "Where is the thing? Where is the thing? Get the thing quickly."
After a while, a parchment was delivered to him. He opened it and looked at it. It was densely covered with symbols and drawings, like a map, but he didn't recognize the words on the side, so he frowned.
Said: "What is this word?"
The confidant said: "According to the servant of the Tokugawa, this is an ancient indigenous writing."
Yan Xulun raised his head and said, "How many scholars are there who are proficient in ancient writing in the Duhu Mansion now?"
The confidant said: "Master Lieutenant, there is no need to go to them. I know someone will be able to decipher the writing on it."
Yan Xulun also seemed to have thought of something, and said in an unquestionable tone: "I don't care what method you use, I want to see this person within three days."
The confidant said: "Yes."
This time the work was done very quickly, but within a day, a close confidant came to report that the person had been brought.
Yan Xulun came to the secret room under the manor. There was a man sitting opposite with a hood covering his head.
After he came and sat down opposite the person, he signaled, and a person came forward. The hood on the person's head was taken away, revealing an old and decadent face, but there was still a look in his eyes.
Share shrewdness and depth.
Yan Xulun looked at him and said calmly: "Qiu Xueling, do you recognize me?"
Qiu Xueling glanced at him, showing a confused expression, and then shook his head.
Yan Xulun smiled and said, "No, you know me." He paused and pointed, "Even though you act very similar."
Qiu Xueling was silent for a while and then said: "What do you need me to do?"
Yan Xulun nodded and said: "Qiu Xueling, you are very sensible. I won't say any more nonsense. We have spent so much effort to get you out of the prison in Sikou Yamen. We can't let you go back easily."
, I need you to help me translate some words. After success, you can continue to live here with me. You will not be short of food and clothing. Don’t worry, I won’t do anything to you. After all, a scholar like you
It’s not easy to find.”
Qiu Xueling said in a deep voice: "Shang Xueling from Linzhi Academy is also a famous scholar of ancient Chinese characters. Why don't you go to him instead of tormenting me, an old man like me?"
Yan Xulun said: "We will go find him. This does not conflict with looking for you."
Qiu Xueling stopped talking and asked directly: "Where are the things?"
Yan Xulun appreciated his cooperation and signaled to his confidant, who immediately stepped forward, spread the parchment on the desk in front of Qiu Xueling, and thoughtfully gave him a pair of glasses.
Qiu Xueling put on his glasses, but did not reach for the parchment, but just looked at it.
Yan Xulun asked: "How about it? Can you translate it?"
Qiu Xueling did not answer immediately. After a while, he took off his glasses, sat back, and said: "Okay, but most of them are code words, and they are also full of the painter's own idioms and honorifics to the gods. I
I have to try it again and again. If I am the only one, it will take a certain amount of time."
"how long it takes?"
Qiu Xueling said: "About half a year."
Yan Xulun rejected it without hesitation: "It's too long, Qiu Xueling, this is not academic. I need you to get the results as soon as possible. I will give you a month at most."
Qiu Xueling shook his head and said: "This is impossible." He thought for a while, raised his head and said: "Three months, three months is the minimum time. I can't go any faster. Even if you kill me, I won't.
Might be done."
Yan Xulun stared at him, obviously judging the authenticity of this sentence, but Qiu Xueling looked at him calmly.
After a while, he looked away, thought for a while, and then looked at the person again and said: "You said you can't do it alone, what if we find your disciple Zhan Zhitong?
Qiu Xueling said: "At least one-third of the time can be saved, maybe two months." After a pause, he added, "Actually, if you can invite that Shang Xueling or Teacher Zhang from Taiyang Academy, we can
With a few people joining forces, maybe it really only takes a month."
When Yan Xulun heard him mention Zhang Yu, his expression changed slightly. His voice was slightly cold and he said: "Qiu Xueling, you should do your own thing well first. As for the rest, you don't have to worry about it. We will make arrangements."