324: Chapter 324 The Answer Was Already There

Now that he had taken the Northern Territory, it was equivalent to completing his set goal.

Zhu Ming, this early "shareholder" investor, would certainly be concerned about the next step in the plan.

"Elder Zhu, before answering you, I want to know, in what capacity are you asking me?"

"Is it as the great Confucian scholar revered by all in the world? As the retired Junior Tutor of the Crown Prince of the imperial court? As a Doctor of the Academy, a high-ranking master?"

"Or... simply as Su Wansha's teacher, an old man living like a hermit in Baishui Prefecture?"

Lin Xiao was too lazy to beat around the bush; with his current strength, there was no need to play dumb with Zhu Ming.

If Zhu Ming was supporting the Great Zheng Dynasty imperial family, or the Academy faction, or maintaining the rule of the gentry, then he should draw a line.

Zhu Ming seemed slightly surprised by Lin Xiao's counter-question.

"Since General Lin knows that I am a Doctor of the Academy, how could you mistake me for a 'Master'?"

Lin Xiao was stunned; he had seen it from Zhu Ming's attributes and really hadn't studied the difference between a "Doctor" and a "Master".

"Isn't it the same?"

"Of course it's different!"

Zhu Ming waved his hand: "A Doctor of the Academy is just an honorary title granted by the Academy to those of us who have achieved some minor academic success."

"Although the status in the Academy is quite high, it does not participate in the specific decision-making of the Academy, and has nothing to do with the 'Master' of the Academy who holds real power."

"Although I am a student and an instructor of the Academy, that is all."

"Strange, the only one who should know that I am a Doctor of the Academy is Junior Brother Su Chang. Didn't he tell you the meaning of this 'Doctor'?"

Lin Xiao felt a bit awkward and couldn't say that he knew it from checking his attributes.

"Oh, I didn't inquire carefully."

Zhu Ming didn't mind and added: "As for General Lin's question, actually, I have already given you the answer..."

Lin Xiao was puzzled, when?

Zhu Ming said playfully: "General Lin, have you forgotten? When you wanted to see me, I gave you a question?"

Lin Xiao suddenly remembered, "One, two, three?"

"Correct," Zhu Ming said: "My words back then were my attitude."

Lin Xiao recalled it and then smiled with relief.

Back then, he gave the answer that "the people are more important than the ruler," but Zhu Ming felt he wasn't sincere enough and refused to meet.

Later, he did practical things for the people and fought against the Northern Barbarians, which earned his approval, and then they met.

He casually said an answer of "four, five, six" to his face, which made Zhu Ming laugh heartily.

This actually indicated Zhu Ming's attitude towards people and things — seek truth from facts!

He supported what was good for the country and the people, and he looked down on those superficial things!

The older ginger is spicier...

Lin Xiao didn't expect that even after stepping into the Land Immortal realm in martial arts, he would still be taught a lesson by this old man!

Sure enough, staying humble is very important.

"Elder Zhu's realm is profound; I was narrow-minded instead. I will use tea instead of wine to punish myself with a cup!"

"Haha... no matter. General Lin has to bear too many responsibilities, so it is natural to be thoughtful. Being careful is not wrong."

Lin Xiao nodded and immediately said: "I wonder if Elder Zhu knows about what I did in Yu Prefecture?"

Zhu Ming said frankly: "I only heard that the Earl Yushan clan almost killed Princess Ningxiang, and many local nobles were investigated and had their homes confiscated?"

"That is only one part. The key is the issue of how their wealth and land should be distributed after these nobles were executed..."

Lin Xiao then roughly explained his "Land Contracting Decree" to Zhu Ming.

What kind of person was Zhu Ming? He understood immediately, and soon his face became extremely grave.

For a long time, the cup of tea in Zhu Ming's hand had gone cold, and he let out a long sigh.

"General Lin, this move... is too dangerous. What you want to do is unprecedented."

"If you are not careful, you will be the enemy of the whole world, and everything you have gained now may come to nothing!"

Zhu Ming's eyes showed deep worry, "Have you thought it through?"

He originally thought that Lin Xiao just wanted to unify the world and be a wise monarch.

But now he realized that Lin Xiao's ambition was far more than that!

"Without taking small steps, one cannot reach a thousand miles. Besides, I had nothing when I came, so why fear losing?"

Lin Xiao said sternly: "Elder Zhu, do you know how the former Great Zheng Dynasty perished?"

Zhu Ming asked strangely, "Why does General Lin suddenly bring up the matter of the previous dynasty? Could it be that there is some connection between this and the General's grand wish?"

Lin Xiao did not hide it and explained the various connections between the Drug-Man Art, the Five Great Sects, and the Heavenly Palace.

When Zhu Ming heard the end, the hand holding the teacup began to tremble, showing that his heart was extremely uneasy.

"What the General said actually solved a mystery that has troubled me for many years."

Zhu Ming recalled: "Back then, I was an official in the capital and was responsible for compiling the history of the previous dynasty."

"When I was reading many folk and official documents at that time, I felt strange."

"Although the Zheng Dynasty had many problems, judging from the fiscal and administrative aspects, it had not reached the point of being incurable."

"On the contrary, in the last dozen years of the Zheng Dynasty, many emerging industries brought considerable commercial tax revenue, showing signs of revival."

"Plus, there were no natural or man-made disasters at that time, so why did the flames of war suddenly rise and the army collapse like a mountain..."

"At that time, I thought that perhaps it was because of emphasizing literature over martial arts, leading to a great difference in military strength, but now I know... it was actually external interference."

Thinking of this, Zhu Ming became more worried.

"General Lin, if the Heavenly Palace has really been controlling everything in secret, the path you are taking is even more dangerous."

Lin Xiao sighed: "Indeed, but a man has things he must do and things he must not do. Since I have decided, I must go forward without hesitation!"

After saying so much, you old fellow should show something, right?

Zhu Ming frowned, pondered for a moment, and said: "General Lin, please wait a moment."

The old man got up, walked into the room, took a piece of paper, thought about it for a moment, and then quickly wrote some things.

He picked it up to blow it dry, considered it again and again, and then brought it to Lin Xiao.

"General Lin, this list contains students I trust. If you need anything, just use the methods above to contact them."

"Although they have different personalities and styles of doing things, they are absolutely trustworthy."

Lin Xiao took a casual glance and was stunned.

Good heavens! From high-ranking officials in the court to local prefects, there were more than a dozen of them!?

And they were spread across the capital, west, south, east, and other places.

It seems that Zhu Ming, as a great Confucian scholar of the current age, looks like a hermit, but he has also cultivated his own power.

After all, he had been teaching for decades and had been at the center of power for a long time, how could he not have his own connections?

"Elder Zhu is righteous, I am extremely grateful!" Lin Xiao cupped his hands.

"Compared to General Lin's grand blueprint, this little help is not worth mentioning."

Zhu Ming said with a smile: "If the General really wants to thank me, why not bring more pots of flying fairy..."

Lin Xiao couldn't help laughing; this old man, is he addicted to drinking?

He had a flash of inspiration, "Speaking of which, the World's First Wine Tasting Party will be held in Lincang next spring! Why don't you go with me, Elder Zhu, to taste the world's famous wines?"

Zhu Ming laughed happily: "General Lin, your ulterior motives are plain to see!"

"You are not asking me to taste wine, you are trying to make a name for your wine party! But so be it, I just like this flying fairy, so I will go!"

"In that case, I thank Elder Zhu on behalf of 'Northern Baijiu'!"

Just as the two were chatting enthusiastically, they suddenly heard a cry of surprise from Leng Bingyan in the backyard.

"Uncle Ding! This cannot be done!"