What principles and moral codes are worthless under the pressure of survival? They're not even worth a pile of dog excrement.
The Venerable Qingxuan is compassionate and merciful, saving all living beings; how could he tolerate the machinations of petty people?
The steam engine rapidly expanded from the textile industry to other sectors, casting its shadow over mining, metallurgy, milling, manufacturing, and transportation.
If the domestic market is saturated, then expand outwards.
Many officials submitted memorials opposing the practice, and naturally, the Imperial Guards would come knocking on their doors for tea. Although some of these officials were indeed upright and incorruptible, their families, relatives, and clansmen were often easily investigated and implicated.
Unbeknownst to many, there were already many new faces in the imperial court.
………………
A year has passed.
As winter snow fluttered down, Lin Yi stood atop Fragrant Mountain, admiring the snowscape, and leisurely recited: "The scenery of the Northland is magnificent, with thousands of miles of ice and snow. Looking beyond the Great Wall, all that remains is vastness; the Yellow River, both upstream and downstream, has lost its roaring flow. The mountains dance like silver snakes, and the plains gallop like wax elephants, vying with the heavens for height. Wait for a sunny day to see the red-clad and white-clad landscape, exceptionally enchanting."
In the course of that year, he not only changed the world but also achieved his goals.
The essence of "The Essentials of Water, Fire, Yin and Yang" flowed through Lin Yi's heart like a stream, and with a thought, the true energy of the Milky Way surged out from his dantian.
The Seven Star Robe transformed into a layer of holy water ripples that draped over his body, resembling both clear, transparent river water and twinkling starlight in the night sky, exuding an aura that nourishes all things and blesses all living beings.
Upon closer examination, one discovers that it also contains the spark of humanity that burns away the old world and gives birth to new hope.
The jade liquid has been circulated nine times, and the first circulation is now complete.
Lin Yi extended his right index finger, and the Three Lights Divine Water and the Starry True Fire appeared together, circulating continuously. If he wished, he could complete the second stage of the Jade Liquid Nine Revolutions cultivation in an instant.
Lin Yi suppressed his impulse; taking too big a step could easily hurt him.
Building a solid foundation and looking to the future is the only way to succeed.
Lin Yi watched the changing water and fire true energy at his fingertips, thinking to himself, "Next, I should find a way to gather the seven innate true fires and the corresponding seven innate true waters, refine them with water and fire, and complete the Dragon Tiger Pill. Only then will I have truly taken the first step on the long road to immortality."
Upon returning to Chang Le Prefecture, Lin Yi saw a person: the current emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhaode.
The Emperor Zhaode of today is no longer the madman he was a year ago, willing to pay any price for the hope of immortality. Dressed in a long robe, he is spirited and dignified, with a golden, sacred sword hanging at his waist, exuding the aura of a sage king.
Emperor Zhaode said, "Last time I discussed the Dao with the Master, he said that the troubles of the Ming Dynasty are twofold: internal and external. Now that the internal troubles have been gradually quelled, I am always restless when I think about the external troubles. I wish to personally lead an expedition to the north to attack the Jurchens. What does the Master think?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi couldn't help but chuckle and asked, "Does His Majesty understand military matters?"
Emperor Zhaode shook his head and said, "I know nothing about military affairs."
Lin Yi then asked, "War is a matter of vital importance to the state; it is a matter of life and death, a road to survival or ruin, and it is imperative to examine it carefully. However, since His Majesty is unfamiliar with military affairs, yet personally leads the expedition, can he refrain from interfering in military matters?"
Emperor Zhaode hesitated for a moment, then said, "I cannot do it."
“In that case, why doesn’t Your Majesty send a general to attack the Jurchens in the north? Why risk your life personally?” Lin Yi said.
"Alas," Emperor Zhaode sighed, and continued, "When a general is in the field, he may disobey the emperor's orders. This troubles my heart."
At present, the Ming Dynasty has just begun to recover, like a patient in the process of rehabilitation, and cannot afford any reckless actions. However, the problem of the Jurchens in the northeast is already imminent.
Just a few months ago, a Jurchen named Nurha rose rapidly, successively annexing the Haixi Jurchen tribe, conquering the Donghai Jurchen tribe, and unifying all the Jurchen tribes.
Subsequently, under Nurhaci's leadership, the Jurchen people built cities, appointed ministers, established laws, regulated litigation, and created the Eight Banners system. This marked a significant departure from their previous loosely organized nomadic tribes.
Emperor Zhaode, who was constantly worried about external threats, attached great importance to this matter.
Lin Yi has been busy cultivating or developing his family's rune technology for the past year, so he is not aware of what is happening in the Northeast.
After understanding the whole story, he smiled slightly and said, "Let me handle this matter."
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Chapter Twenty-Four: Hidden Sect Members, Cosmic Light Crystal
Emperor Zhaode was overjoyed upon hearing this and opened his mouth to speak.
But then Lin Yi continued, "However..."
“Please speak freely, sir,” Emperor Zhaode said.
Lin Yi said, "At that time, I will borrow His Majesty's 'Emperor's Sword' and request an imperial edict."
Emperor Zhaode placed his hand on the Emperor's Sword at his waist. This sword allowed him to draw upon the Emperor's Dragon Qi, which he could then absorb and refine to nourish himself. Over time, he clearly felt his health improving. He used to be unable to eat even half a bowl of rice per meal, but now he could eat several bowls at a time.
In the past, imperial physicians would stammer and speak vaguely about their own health conditions, afraid to be direct. But now, they dare to speak frankly.
Emperor Zhaode knew that since the imperial physicians dared to speak out, it meant they were confident they could cure his illness.
The hope of immortality remains slim, but longevity is a real and undeniable fact.
Therefore, he suppressed the opposition from both inside and outside the court and vigorously supported the development of Chang Le Prefecture.
As the helmsman of the mighty Ming Dynasty, Emperor Zhaode understood the state of the dynasty better than anyone else. Whether to sit idly by and wait for death or to fight back with all his might, the answer was self-evident.
After thinking for a while, Emperor Zhaode said, "I can grant the request to the Master in this matter."
Lin Yi looked at the Emperor's sword hanging at Emperor Zhaode's waist.
This precious sword, forged from the finest metals and created through a blood sacrifice from the flesh of a thousand-year-old centipede spirit, has undergone a transformation under the nourishment of the emperor's dragon aura.
It truly gives one the feeling of "a scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation".
The dragon energy of the human emperor and the incense and vows of the gods both originate from the same source and have the wonderful power to turn decay into magic.
After withdrawing his gaze, Lin Yi continued, "I beg Your Majesty to grant me another imperial decree to 'seal Changbai Mountain and suppress the Blackwater River'."