signingbooks #541 - Many hands make light work. . .
#541 - Many hands make light work. . .
Despite Yuan Datou's best efforts to retain him, even to the point of pleading in his words, Liang Yue, along with the two women by his side, left Beiping ahead of schedule after November began, escaping this land of turmoil.
Of course, as a return for Yuan Datou's repeated solicitations and generous gifts, Liang Yue made a special trip to the Yuan residence before leaving, leaving behind a bottle of Hundred Fruit Wine.
He stated directly that a small cup each evening could alleviate the ailments plaguing Yuan Datou's body for a few years.
As a wine produced in the Stardew Valley wine barrel, this Hundred Fruit Wine, although unable to compare with Ancient Fruit Wine due to the brewing materials, still possessed some nourishing and detoxifying effects.
Liang Yue could have directly left a bottle of Ancient Fruit Wine to cure Yuan Datou's ailments.
Considering the price Yuan Datou had paid to win him over during this period, it would have been more than enough to recoup the costs.
Unfortunately, for the Republic of China of today, an emperor and dictator were no longer needed.
Especially since that position itself was only勉强 secured by Yuan Shikai through some means and political maneuvering, severely lacking in virtue and persuasiveness.
Liang Yue strongly suspected that Yuan Datou's illness itself might not have been so serious, at least not life-threatening.
It was only under his forced ascension to the throne that he couldn't withstand the impact of the nation's fortune, leading to his collapse the following year.
In short, although Liang Yue had the means to help him preserve his life and recuperate his body, he did not do so.
In the current situation and international environment, China needed a group of people with more courage, wisdom, and skill to steer the ship, leading the entire nation to overcome obstacles and forge ahead!
What? Let Liang Yue himself do it?
Should a ruler hold the tripod, conquering the world in ten years, governing it in ten years, and ushering in peace in ten years, is that enough?
He simply didn't have that thought… …
… …
As the twelfth lunar month approached, the Central Plains were entering a season of freezing cold.
A sudden snowfall covered the entire land with a layer of silver.
People invariably put on thick clothes, whether old or new winter clothes, cotton, linen, or fur.
From what Liang Yue personally witnessed, at least in this era, the people of Xi'an were living reasonably well.
As an important coal-producing area in China, the abundant coal supply made the people of the Central Plains slightly happier than those in other northern regions.
In this ancient city, almost every household had smoke rising from its chimney.
A faint, subtle, acidic smell also permeated the air.
After all, the current season could still be considered a peaceful time, far from the chaotic situation of warlord separatism and constant warfare in the decades to come.
High-yield crops such as potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes had already become popular among the people.
Some snack categories and street stalls from later generations had already begun to take shape in this era.
Various pastries, candied haws, sugar cakes, pasta, and even meat products such as chicken, duck, pork, beef, mutton, and donkey, as well as roujiamo, were everywhere.
Walking among them, Liang Yue and his party also felt a sense of novelty that made them almost dizzy.
"It smells so good ~"
"It smells like it's very delicious!"
"The lives of the people here look pretty good."
"It would be great if it could continue to develop like this."
"Hey ~ There's a restaurant selling braised beef over there!"
"Our identity now is that of Taoists, we can't eat beef."
"Oh ~ Look over there! There's also a mutton restaurant! It looks pretty good too!"
"Okay, let's eat there at noon then."
… …
About thirty minutes later, Liang Yue and the three had eaten their fill and slowly walked out of the mutton restaurant.
At this time, Teacher Jingxiang was stroking her belly with a satisfied expression, marveling at the mellow and delicious taste of the mutton, and said that she would come here again next time.
After that, she directly ran to a stall on the street and packed three portions of Eight Treasure Gourd Duck before finally feeling content.
Hinata, who was on the side, seemed a little more alert at this time. After looking around for a while, she said to Liang Yue.
"Chunqiu, it seems like we're being watched."
"It's okay, just some idlers. We're new here, and we're about to establish a sect on Mount Taibai, so some people will naturally be curious about us."
Liang Yue naturally noticed the situation Hinata mentioned from the beginning, but he didn't take it to heart.
This confident and calm attitude naturally stemmed from his strength… …
In addition, with the end of the previous Sino-Japanese exchange conference, a whole month had been enough for some busybodies to spread the news of that day to various parts of China.
Although the competition that day had already ended, the impact it brought had not weakened in the slightest. Instead, as time went on, it began to intensify in various regions.
Although only a thousand or so people were present to watch the battle that day, and most of them were not gossipy people who couldn't control their tongues.
But even the most powerful and local gentry couldn't resist acquaintances asking them about the situation that day.
There were always some people who were qualified to know about the existence of this ability exchange conference, but didn't have the ability to enter the venue to watch the battle, who couldn't resist their curiosity and came to inquire about information.
As a result, news about the competition spread like wildfire.
A thousand passed it on to ten thousand, ten thousand passed it on to a million ~
Slowly, as time went on, the news that China had won all ten battles in that exchange meeting was spread to various parts of China by various well-intentioned people intentionally or unintentionally.
And Liang Yue, such an unknown existence who could win four consecutive victories in the competition, was naturally particularly concerned.
In addition, the recent news that the Republic of China government was going to help this Taoist priest build a mountain gate on Mount Taibai had also spread.
Some ignorant people had previously thought this was just a rumor.
But as Mount Taibai began to break ground and a large number of workers and craftsmen were conscripted.
Nowadays, even in this cold winter season just after the snow, there was no sign of stopping work. Instead, batches of workers from all over the country joined one after another.
As a result, this news has now been confirmed.
Under such circumstances, it was naturally understandable that both the Otherworld and ordinary folk were curious about him.
As for why it was necessary to start construction in this cold winter month ~
In fact, it wasn't that Yuan Datou and the Republic of China government didn't want to stop, but that they simply couldn't stop!
Think about it, at the banquet that day, after Yuan Datou took 300 places from Liang Yue, in order to achieve his great cause, he would naturally use the places as bargaining chips to win over and recruit people from all sides.
It is said that when Liang Yue left Beiping City, most of the 300 places had already been distributed!
You think ~ The people who can be won over by Yuan Datou, in addition to the group of confidants who are already by his side, are naturally powerful figures who hold power and have considerable influence.
After paying the price and making promises, and getting a few places, what these people think about is naturally to let themselves, or their children, nephews, and confidants, realize it as soon as possible.
In short, it is necessary to quickly establish a relationship with the Otherworld and join the mountain gate as soon as possible!
After all, things will change if you are late ~
What if the mountain gate of your sect has not been built yet?
Add money! Speed up! Send more people!
What if there is not enough money?
Donate!
What if there are not enough workers and craftsmen?
Find!
Find with more money and higher prices!
Whoever gets the place, whose descendants want to join the Otherworld sect, will be responsible for finding it ~
If you really can't find it, and you don't have any connections in this area for a while, quickly write letters, submit notes, and send telegrams to the local competent departments in Xi'an.
In this way, whether it is the political or military circles, they are now being united into one rope under the combined action of various external and internal factors.
Rarely united together, and thus supervising the construction of the mountain gate project at this time.
Even the Nanjing side, which has not been very compatible with the Beiping government, sent people to donate a considerable amount of money, and stationed a supervisory team.
Responsible for supervising the construction and construction efficiency of the mountain gate, and ensuring the safety of the workers and craftsmen in the mountain, as well as the implementation of various salary and benefits.
In short, the construction of Liang Yue's sect has now been substantively raised to the level of a national event.
The complex forces of all parties are jointly promoting and jointly handling it, and it can't be stopped even if you want to.
Even Yuan Datou can't do it ~
Liang Yue's resolute departure from Beiping before, without regard to the solicitation and request of this President, was actually a bit offensive.
But even if that's the case, what can you do?
The 300 places intercepted by the Republic of China government are not only Datou's bargaining chips, but now they have also become Liang Yue's bargaining chips.
As long as the current Yuan Shikai has any intention of hindering this matter, Liang Yue doesn't need to do anything at all, and some people will talk to him.