The May night already hinted at the approaching heat. In the imperial study, the young monarch's words resonated with force and clarity. For a moment, those present showed expressions of awe, listening attentively.

The night breeze quietly drifted in, stirring the gauze curtains and the lamplight. Silence filled the room for a moment. Cheng Zhouhai and Wenren exchanged glances, then bowed, "...Your Majesty is absolutely right."

"It is the great fortune of the nation that Your Majesty has gained this insight."

Zhou Pei nodded in agreement. Li Pin bowed, but did not immediately accept the order. Emperor Junwu placed his hands on the desk, and after a few breaths, slowly sat down. Seeing the others below exchanging glances, he asked, "Are there any problems?"

Wenren Bu'er stepped forward. "Your Majesty's words are enough to lay the foundation for the future direction of our Wu Dynasty. In my opinion, this is a great thing. The details of the Hanzhong decisive battle are inspiring. If Your Majesty wishes to release them, then let them be released... but before that, I have something to say."

Junwu blushed slightly. "Speak."

"Your Majesty, the news of the Huaxia Army's defeat of the Jurchens, from the Southwest battle to the Hanzhong decisive battle, will surely gladden the hearts of the people. Our Wu Dynasty has suffered the humiliation of the Jurchens for many years, and countless Wu citizens have died at the hands of the Jin. Sealing the news is indeed not the way of a benevolent ruler. Therefore, I support Your Majesty's decision. However, within the broad direction of this decision, there are some minor issues that I believe must be observed."

Wenren Bu'er paused. "Firstly, when the people learn of the Hanzhong battle, how should we let them know the reasons for the Huaxia Army's victory? Secondly, Your Majesty's words today are open, straightforward, and earth-shattering. The spirit of enterprise and the 'burn the boats' determination in Your Majesty's words are also the reasons for a nation's revitalization. So, is our release of the Southwest decisive battle news simply for the people to share in the joy, or do we hope that they can also feel the same ambition and urgency as Your Majesty while feeling gratified? In my opinion, to achieve the best effect, some embellishment is necessary..."

He spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. For a long time, Junwu's nature had been relatively modest, conservative, and good at accepting advice. Although he was generous in moments of life and death, he was merely doing what was necessary. Today's passionate outburst was clearly inspired by the great victory in the Southwest, and he had gained a true understanding of the meaning of "enterprise."

Whether in the way of a ruler or in a nation's grand strategy, radicalism and conservatism are not necessarily wrong. What is more important is that the helmsman chooses a direction and then correctly promotes a series of actions. Junwu's choice, although seemingly difficult, was not without reason. Even in the depths of their hearts, everyone was more willing to move in this direction.

As Wenren Bu'er spoke, Junwu gradually straightened his body, his eyes brightening. "That makes sense. I was rash just now. I had some wine... There is plenty of room for maneuver in this matter..."

Wenren Bu'er nodded. "The Huaxia Army's defeat of the Jurchens in the Southwest and Hanzhong battles can be said to be a turning point for the world. So, how will it turn, and where do we want the world to turn? For example, Your Majesty has always wanted to promote the study of natural philosophy (Gewu), but there is much resistance from the court and the people. Many people do not know the benefits of Gewu, but now is an excellent opportunity..."

"That makes sense, that makes sense..." Junwu tapped the desk, then stood up and took down several wooden models from the wall behind him. "I have been asking people to investigate what weapons the Huaxia Army used in the Wangyuan Bridge battle. In fact, the principle is that of a large 'two-kick firecracker.' It's just that their propellant is more powerful and flies more accurately. The Huaxia Army used this to lightly take three thousand Yanshan Guards with seven thousand men..."

The sky was filled with a tapestry of stars, and the night of Fuzhou City was peaceful. Against this quiet backdrop, the Emperor in the imperial study spoke of Gewu, his eyes bright, the whole person unable to resist jumping. He had realized something, and his emotions were even more excited. Zhou Pei left the room and ordered the servants to prepare a late-night porridge. Inside the study, the voices of Cheng Zhouhai and Li Pin occasionally rang out.

"...The promotion of the Ministry of Works' affairs can also be initiated here..."

"...We can further deduce the Huaxia Army's military philosophy..."

"...This matter needs to be swift and comprehensive, and sufficient preparation must be made..."

"...Also, it may be wise to order General Yue to quickly take Quanzhou, without waiting any longer..."

The discussions in the room chattered on. After a while, more staff were summoned to discuss more matters. Zhou Pei walked out of the courtyard and into the quiet courtyard next door. By the candlelight, she read through all the intelligence and information about the entire Southwest campaign, page by page, until she saw Wanyan Sheyema's killing and Zonghan Xiyin's escape.

Then she sat quietly for a long time.

...

The dawn of the first day of May gradually passed, and a slight fish-belly white rose from the eastern horizon. The curfew was lifted, and the fishermen began to prepare to go out to sea. Officials at the ports and docks were conducting roll calls. Refugees gathered in the east of the city waited for the morning porridge and the start of statistics for entry into the city during the day. The city seemed to be another busy and ordinary day. Li Pin, having hastily washed up, rode through the city streets in a carriage.

The noise of the crowds was deafening.

Many emotions were brewing in his heart, his fingers gently pinching, calculating one name after another.

Back at his residence, he immediately summoned his servants, the newspaper staff, and the Confucian scholars who often helped out, issuing orders and arranging work.

Some were assigned to be responsible for meals, some were to immediately take charge of carriages, and more people received lists and began to summon people from all over the city... These were manpower reserves that had been carefully selected over the past months, mostly young, radical Confucian scholars, with a small number of older, more active Confucian scholars.

Those who received the orders left the newspaper office courtyard, merging into the bustling crowds, like drops of water merging into the sea. For Fuzhou, where hundreds of thousands of people were gathered, their numbers were not large, but something was already brewing in the depths of this sea...

...

The sun gradually rose, making the city slightly hot.

Something big was about to happen...

As Chen Cangji passed through the streets of Fuzhou and arrived at Feng Heng Academy in the west, just before the end of the Chen hour (around 9 AM), he felt a different atmosphere. Many Confucian scholars had already gathered here. Some were old acquaintances, and even those who did not know each other could see that many of them had extraordinary bearing. They had all been summoned by Li Pin, and Li Pin was recently a favorite of the Emperor. Such a hasty gathering of people clearly indicated that there was going to be a major event.

Acquaintances exchanged information, but they gained nothing for the time being.

Around the Si hour (around 10 AM), it was estimated that over a hundred people had arrived. Li Pin was seen coming from outside. He first greeted everyone briefly, then went to the steps in front of the courtyard – the inner courtyard of the academy was a closed structure on all sides, making speech clearer – he stood beside a table, waved for everyone to be quiet, then bowed, his smile gone. "You can treat this gathering as a civil service examination."

These words were heavy.

After he said them, the crowded courtyard seemed even quieter than before. People thought to themselves: The Emperor wants to use people.

Of course, many years later, more people would remember the words they heard that day.

Li Pin looked around in the silence, then said, "Today I am going to tell you about some very important things, which will surprise and shock you. Because there are so many people, I would like to ask you to be prepared. No matter what news you hear, please do not make any noise or discuss it with each other for the time being. From today onwards, there will be endless time for discussion... Now, I will begin."

He placed one hand on the table, then stepped onto the stool and onto the Eight Immortals table. Standing at a high point, he could see even the people at the very back of the courtyard before continuing:

"Today I want to tell you about the decisive battle between the Huaxia Army and the Western Route Army of the Jin Dynasty that took place in the Southwest... Regarding this matter, fragmented news has been spreading around Fuzhou for the past few months. I know that all of you present have heard a lot, but the outside situation is chaotic, and all kinds of news are strange and bizarre. What you have heard may not be true. For various reasons, the imperial court has not told you the details of these messages before... But from today onwards, these messages will be made public, including the messages before and after the entire Southwest War. The intelligence received by the imperial court will be shared with everyone, and then, through the articles you write, through the newspapers, we will inform the people of the world!"

A subtle "buzzing" sound was faintly heard in the crowd, but it quickly quieted down. Li Pin took a breath. "What I can tell you first is that the battle in the Southwest is over. On April 24th, the Hanzhong decisive battle ended. Wanyan Zonghan and Wanyan Xiyin attacked Qin Shaoqian's two divisions with an army of one hundred thousand, and they were completely crushed by two divisions head-on! Qin Shaoqian chopped up his son Wanyan Sheyema in front of Zonghan, and Zonghan Xiyin fled in disgrace. Since then, the Western Route Army of the Jurchens has been utterly defeated in this southward march, with not much left..."

"...Quiet! I know you are all curious. All the information will be given to you later... After receiving such news, the imperial court actually had two thoughts. One of them was, of course, to seal the news. Everyone knows about the discord between our Wu Dynasty and the Huaxia Army. Some people think that this news should not be released, because it will increase the enemy's morale and diminish our own prestige. But early this morning, His Majesty said something..."

"Everyone! This is what His Majesty said—"

Li Pin saluted on the table, and then began to loudly recount the words of Junwu. There were certainly embellishments and deletions, but the spirit of striving for prosperity and catching up was conveyed in his words. Some people could not help but speak, and there was a faint "buzzing" sound in the courtyard again. Li Pin waited for a moment after completing the recitation.

"Everyone! His Majesty's words are truly those of an enlightened and wise ruler, but what is the deep meaning of His Majesty's words? In these years, the Wu Dynasty has never defeated the Jurchens. The Huaxia Army in the Southwest has defeated them. Covering up mistakes is not acceptable! They can defeat the Jurchens, and there must be their reasons. We can fight against the Huaxia Army, but we cannot ignore this reason, and we must open our eyes to see the reason for their strength.

We must learn good things, and we must strive to catch up with what we are lacking! The world is changing. These days, I have been sitting and discussing with you, and one thing is clear: sticking to the rules will not work—"

"Why should we release all the news about the Southwest—I will tell you all, many adults in the court are unwilling to do so, but we must face the Huaxia Army squarely and learn its advantages. This is something that cannot be done in a day or two, nor can it be explained in a few words. So, from today onwards, His Majesty hopes that a group of people with flexible minds can begin to learn to face it squarely and analyze it..."

"You must find out the reasons for the strength of the Huaxia Army, and tell the world these reasons in your articles! You must tell the people of the world what we must do! At the same time, you must not think that the Huaxia Army has defeated the Jin, so everything about the Huaxia Army must be good. You must also look at the Huaxia Army for the people of the world, what problems they have, what shortcomings they have! You must also tell the world what we cannot do, and why we cannot do it—"

"Everyone is smart and has studied writing all their lives, hoping to serve the country with useful talents. Everyone, the Wu Dynasty has been in danger for more than two hundred years to this day. We have arrived in Fuzhou, and there is no retreat. Many people have knelt down, the small court of Lin'an has knelt down, and countless people have knelt down. The Huaxia Army has temporarily repelled the Jurchens, but they are extreme, they kill emperors, they want to destroy our Confucianism... Their path is impassable, and our path must be corrected. We must look and learn, learn the good things in it, and avoid its bad things!"

"Next, you will not only look at the information about the Huaxia Army. Why are we gathered here today? Next to Feng Heng Academy, some of you know, some of you don't. The courtyard next door is a branch of the Jiangning Gewu Academy after it was moved here. The Huaxia Army promotes the study of natural philosophy (Gewu), exploring the rules of heaven and earth. The Gewu Academy has already begun to deduce and explore the various strange weapons and firearms that appeared on the battlefield in the Southwest War, especially in the Wangyuan Bridge battle. This is some of the most important things about the Huaxia Army and the future of this world. Everyone will have the opportunity to see and understand them later."

"And if you understand it, you can tell the people of the world what this so-called Gewu in the Southwest is all about."

Li Pin paused. "The battle reports about the Southwest and Hanzhong are expected to be released in the newspaper starting tomorrow. You can look and think about them today. Of course, if you have good articles, you can submit them to me tonight, and maybe they will appear in the newspaper first tomorrow. But in general, there is no need to rush. You can write about this battle, the principles and lessons in it, according to your ideas. As long as it is well written, we will put it in the newspaper in the next month or several months, and gradually distribute it to the world. Even if you compile it into a book, your words will be seen by countless people, and even His Majesty will see your articles..."

"Next, if you have any ideas, you can tell me, privately or publicly, it's all fine."

The sun had already risen, and the city's busyness was as usual. Li Pin spoke hoarsely in the courtyard, and sweat had appeared on his forehead. Before long, various sounds began to rise and fall, and he began to answer them one after another.

Gathered here were only the first batch of people he could think of. There may not be many useful people, but it didn't matter. More people would come one after another. The beginnings of a revolution were emerging, but of course, not many people at that time could have imagined its significance.

While Li Pin was talking about these things at Feng Heng Academy, Junwu had personally inquired about all kinds of things about the Gewu Academy, including how to introduce the principles of Gewu to the visiting scholars, how to choose words, and how to be alarmist and scary. And in the court, arrangements for the innovation of the Ministry of Works were being brewing. Privately, Cheng Zhouhai took on the task of spreading various opinions and rumors. While the people of the world were entitled to know the news of the Jurchens' disastrous defeat in the Southwest, it did not mean that they had to promote the Huaxia Army. This was the world of adults.

The order instructing Yue Fei to stop the slow-moving negotiations and quickly capture Quanzhou had already been sent on horseback.

Lin'an was a heavy rain, interspersed with thunder.

A few days later, Wu Qimei and others received the news and learned about the unusual movements in the direction of Fuzhou...