Chapter 13: Turning One’s Hand to Change the World

Chapter 13: Turning One's Hand to Change the World

Mystic Capital City, Scholar's Pavilion.

A group of scholars gathered together to examine those few volumes of ancient books that had recently caused a sensation throughout the world.

Ever since the ancient books appeared a few days ago, the city's printing shops had been printing additional copies without a moment's rest.

Even so, the published books were in short supply, failing to meet the demand.

These scholars had managed to buy a few volumes with great difficulty today, so they invited a group of close friends to come here and appreciate them together.

"The highest good is like water; water benefits all things and does not contend. Wonderful, truly wonderful!"

"The Dao produces one, one produces two, two produces three, and three produces all things. With just a few simple characters, reading it immediately reveals infinite profound mysteries; this scripture is truly extraordinary!"

"In my opinion, these three thousand words alone are worth more than all the articles I have read before!"

"I share that sentiment!"

"No, no, no. In my view, the profundity of that volume of the *Book of Changes* surpasses even the Morality. Although the text is obscure and difficult, every word is a gem, as if it contains the ultimate truths of the universe."

"Exactly! As heaven maintains vigor through movement, a gentleman should constantly strive for self-improvement! It speaks the voice of our generation!"

The scholars discussed it heatedly, all talking at once, looking completely intoxicated by the content.

Just then, one of them suddenly sighed, "To think that such exquisite and unparalleled writing has been buried deep underground for thousands of years without anyone knowing. Every time I think of this, I feel heartbroken!"

These words drew agreement from the others.

"Indeed. My late teacher loved reading most in his life. If only he could have read these few volumes of scriptures, I wonder how gratified he would have been."

"It is a misfortune that all the scholars of the past could not hear of these scriptures!"

"But are these scriptures really written by the ancients, lost due to war, with only an Incomplete Manual preserved in an Ancient Tomb? I have observed the *Nanhua* and the *Analects*, yet the people and events within them are not recorded in any history books."

Among the group, one voice sounded somewhat abrupt.

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then reached a firm conclusion.

"It must be so. Such writing could never have been forged by people of today. Existing history books only cover nearly three thousand years of history. Before three thousand years ago, there were basically no detailed records. It stands to reason that these classics are products of that time."

"I heard that when the Antiquarian School met the Emperor, they said that in ancient times, there was a hundred schools of thought contending, and the classics born then were like the stars in the sky, countless in number. The few volumes of scriptures we are reading now are merely an insignificant part of them."

As soon as these words were spoken, a gasp of exclamation erupted throughout the restaurant.

"Is that really the case!"

"To think that there are so many more classic articles buried deep underground, hidden from the world, makes me feel incredibly pained and unable to sleep at night!"

"I wonder what the other classics are like."

"But after all, these ancient books are hidden deep within various Ancient Tombs. The Antiquarian School's talk of extensively excavating Ancient Tombs to find lost classics is truly contrary to human ethics."

The scholars instinctively wanted to agree, but as soon as they thought of the countless classic articles waiting underground to be excavated, their tone became less resolute.

"Didn't the leader of the Antiquarian School say that they are doing it for protection, a rescue excavation? It is not an act of destruction."

"That's right. I heard that every time they excavate an Ancient Tomb, they do not destroy it extensively like tomb robbers of the past who only take gold and silver. Instead, they carefully remove all the items inside and properly preserve each one. If there is damage, there are specialists responsible for repairs."

"Indeed, one cannot simply equate them with tomb robbers."

However, there were still many among the group who held opposing views.

"That's just talk. What is the difference? Who among us here does not have ancestors? If your own ancestor's tomb were excavated like this, how would you feel?"

"This precedent must never be set, or it will cause endless trouble. We should try our best to dissuade them."

"Exactly."

There were also some who did not express their opinions, acting as peacemakers.

"The Emperor and the ministers in the court must have already made a judgment on this matter; we need not worry too much."

"Let us just wait and see, wait and see."

As the Morality spread throughout Great Xuan, fierce debates erupted everywhere.

Scenes similar to the one in the Scholar's Pavilion today were countless.

Li Fan knew that it was impossible to change the thinking of the people of the world in a short time.

For now, it was just the beginning.

But Li Fan was not worried at all that things would not be accomplished.

In the current world, the ones who hold the power of discourse are, after all, the scholars.

With countless classics as bait, Li Fan was not afraid that these scholars would not comply.

Furthermore, Li Fan was not seeking the support of these people; as long as they did not jump out to oppose him, it would be fine.

While secretly plotting for the world, Li Fan was also gradually advancing the influence of the Antiquarian School in the secular world.

In the anchor year 6, the Emperor suddenly fell seriously ill and was bedridden. All the imperial physicians were at their wits' end.

Just at this time, the Antiquarian School brought a Medicinal Pill to meet the Emperor. They claimed that this pill was found in an Ancient Tomb, suspected to be left by an Immortal, and had the effect of bringing the dead back to life and regrowing flesh on bones. Taking it might resolve the crisis.

The Emperor initially ignored it, but as his body deteriorated day by day and he was on the verge of death, he held the attitude of treating a dead horse as a living one and took the Medicinal Pill.

Who would have thought that the Medicinal Pill actually had miraculous effects? In just a few days, the Emperor recovered as before.

The court and the public were shocked, and the officials discussed it endlessly.

The Emperor even summoned the leader of the Antiquarian School to the palace at night to ask in detail about the Immortal, and he did not hold court for several consecutive days.

From then on, the Emperor firmly believed in the existence of the Immortal.

He secretly instructed his trusted military confidants to cooperate with the Antiquarian School to search for traces of the Immortal in Ancient Tombs.

In the anchor year 9, the Antiquarian School held an exhibition in Mystic Capital City, inviting court ministers and the noble families in the capital to watch.

Although these people were extremely wealthy and well-informed, after seeing the rare treasures in the exhibition, they were all immersed in it and reluctant to leave.

After this, the Antiquarian School lifted the restrictions, and ordinary people could enter to take a look as long as they bought a ticket.

Mystic Capital City was instantly stirred up.

Countless people lined up, wanting to enter the exhibition to catch a glimpse of the treasures.

The number of people was so large that it caused traffic jams in the capital.

Fortunately, the Emperor issued an order, and the garrison battalion maintained order with armor, so it did not cause a greater disturbance.

The grand occasion lasted for more than half a month.

After this, the exhibition did not stop; instead, it began to tour various places, unfolding one by one throughout Great Xuan.

In the anchor year 11, Jianghuai Prefecture uncovered a vicious tomb-robbing case and captured a tomb-robbing team of over a hundred people.

This group of people had been extensively excavating Ancient Tombs in the deep mountains, causing incalculable losses.

According to the law, this group of people should all be executed.

However, the number of people involved was large, and the implications were too broad. The Prefect of Jianghuai, Li Fan, did not dare to make a decision on his own, so he wrote a letter and sent it to Mystic Capital City via an 800-li urgent courier, requesting the Emperor to make a decision.

Some ministers were extremely indignant when they heard this and submitted a petition requesting immediate execution.

However, it was strange that the vast majority of court officials remained silent at this moment.

The Emperor also suppressed the memorials and did not express his stance.

A full month passed before the Emperor's decree arrived late.

There was no death penalty; they were only sentenced to be enslaved and kept in the capital.

The ministers in the court also almost did not submit any objections.

Li Fan looked at the imperial edict and smiled slightly, knowing that the general trend had been established.