Sunset casts its glow upon the verdant fields in the distance, swaying gently in the breeze. Climbing over the small hill before us, a panorama of wildflowers bursts into view. The early summer of the Chengdu Plain exudes peace and serenity.

Ning Yi and Chen Shanjun, the magistrate of Niutou County, traverse the ridgeline. As they walk, Chen Shanjun gestures towards the land ahead, briefing Ning Yi on the progress he has made since arriving here.

Chen Shanjun is in his early forties, with a dignified and righteous appearance. He hails from a scholarly family, originally from the Central Plains. After his family perished under the Jurchen blades, he joined the Huaxia Army. He initially succumbed to a period of despondency, but upon emerging from the shadows, he gradually revealed an extraordinary administrative ability. He also possesses his own intellectual cultivation and ideals, making him a key cadre that the Huaxia Army is focusing on developing. Therefore, when the Huaxia Army broke out from He and Deng Counties, he was naturally placed in this crucial position.

"...After arriving here last year, I executed Huangfu Yao, the original big landlord. Then, gradually, we opened up over four thousand mu of land, with over two thousand mu across the river and another piece on the other side of the county town. All of this land has been distributed to the common people who contributed to the effort… People from neighboring villages and counties often come over as well. The Wu Dynasty treats the people on this border as enemies, always wary of them. Last year, a great flood washed away their fields and brought disaster. The Wu Dynasty officials didn't care, saying that they were afraid that those people would take the imperial grain and then defect to the Black Flag. Heh heh, so we went to provide relief..."

"...So, by this year, the hearts of the people are united. We led the spring plowing. If there is no war, we will harvest a lot more grain this year… In addition, in Zhongzhi County, the Wu Dynasty magistrate has not dared to take office. The local tyrant, Ruan Pingbang, leads a gang of people and runs rampant, causing widespread discontent. Many people have come to us, asking us to uphold justice. We are currently making preparations, and if the situation is favorable, Mr. Ning, we can take over Zhongzhi..."

"...Niutou County is also called Old Niutou. Only after coming here did I realize that it was named after this small hill beneath our feet. Mr. Ning, look, the main peak is the bull's head, and our side curves down, forming one of the curved bull horns… The bull drinking water signifies prosperity and abundance. In reality, this place is indeed good..."

The group walks past the ridgeline. A river meanders ahead, and the crimson of the sunset can already be seen. Juan'er, who came from the ridgeline behind them, runs over, calling from afar that dinner is ready. Chen Shanjun prepares to take his leave, but Ning Yi urges him to stay. "There are still many things to discuss. Stay and eat together. Actually, you're the one hosting, anyway."

And so, they walk back together towards the courtyard below the county town, to dine together. The crimson clouds in the sky gradually fade, and torches are lit. Chen Shanjun talks about the good deeds and virtuous people in Niutou County, and Ning Yi listens and responds with a smile.

Chen Shanjun’s personality is inherently warm and enthusiastic. He often helped those around him when he was in He and Deng Counties, and his spirit of warmth had infected many companions. Last year, Old Niutou distributed land, reclaimed wasteland, and constructed water conservancy projects, mobilizing many people, and numerous touching events occurred. Ning Yi had come here to commend advanced individuals, and although Chen Shanjun was not on the list, in fact, many of the things that happened were initiated by him. The resources of the Huaxia Army were gradually no longer as scarce as before, but Chen Shanjun's style of work was still thrifty. Besides his work, he still had the habit of reclaiming wasteland, planting crops, and raising chickens and ducks – of course, when he was busy with official duties, soldiers helped him – but most of the meat was distributed to those around him.

The Confucian education of the Wu Dynasty did not advocate excessive thrift. Chen Shanjun’s ascetic habits were gradually developed after he joined the Huaxia Army. On the other hand, he also quite agreed with the democratic thinking of equality for all within the Huaxia Army, which had caused some discussion. However, because his habits in academic matters were relatively stable and restrained, he had not shown his edge in this aspect when he was in He and Deng Counties.

At this time, the sky gradually darkens. Chen Shanjun puts down his bowl and chopsticks and ponders for a moment before raising the topic he intended to discuss.

"...Over the past few years, I have always felt that what Mr. Ning says makes a lot of sense."

Under the eaves of the courtyard, a torch burns on the pillar. On this side of the small table, Ning Yi is still eating fish. He raises his head slightly at this moment and smiles, "What words?"

The expression on Chen Shanjun’s face appears relaxed as he smiles, reminiscing, "That was… in the fourth year of Jianshuo, in Xiaocang River. I had just arrived there and joined the Huaxia Army. The fighting outside was about to begin. At that time… it was the third lesson I heard Mr. Ning give. Mr. Ning spoke about fairness and the means of production."

Ning Yi picks at the fish bones, smiling and nodding, "Brother Chen is also from a scholarly family. It's hardly lecturing. It was just an exchange… Hmm, looking back, in the fourth year of Jianshuo, the Jurchens were about to attack, the pressure was relatively high, and what I said were all very big issues."

"No, no, no, my scholarly family is fake. I didn't read much when I was little," Chen Shanjun says with a smile. "To be honest, when I first went there, my state of mind was a bit problematic. I didn't pay much attention to what was being said at the time, and I didn't understand it either… Those things didn't suddenly come to mind until after Xiaocang River was defeated and we arrived in He and Deng. Later, one by one, I verified them, and what you said, Mr. Ning, was really reasonable..."

He speaks slowly here, his voice gradually lowering. He reaches out and straightens the bowl and chopsticks in front of him, his eyes tracing after something in his memory: "My family… has been a scholarly family for generations. But to call it a scholarly family, they were really landlords in the surrounding villages."

"After studying, people are kind people, and the grandfathers and grandmothers, grandparents, and parents in the family... are all kind people who have read books. They are good to the farm laborers in the family, and when someone is injured or sick, they will visit them and provide medicine. Everyone around them praises them..."

"The family has strict morals. From childhood, ancestors and fathers said that benevolence and kindness can be passed down for thousands of years. I have been righteous since I was young, hating evil like an enemy. I didn't study well, but I have always been proud of the family's benevolent ways… After the family suffered a great disaster, I was filled with grief and indignation. Thinking of those corrupt officials and thieves, and the many evils of the Wu Dynasty that I had seen, I felt that the Wu Dynasty deserved to die. My family was so benevolent, paid tribute every year, and donated half of their family property when the Jurchens came – but they couldn't protect my family. With this in mind, I went to Xiaocang River..."

He looks at the bowl and chopsticks on the table and seems to unconsciously reach out to nudge the chopsticks, which are slightly misaligned. "Until… one day I suddenly understood the principle that Mr. Ning had spoken about. The means of production… I suddenly realized that I was not an innocent person either..."

Ning Yi nods and slows down his eating a little, then looks up and smiles, "Hmm." He continues eating.

"Words can be said beautifully, and the household can continue to be benevolent, but the people who have been farming in the family for generations still live in broken houses, and some families have nothing at all. From the moment I was born, I was able to be different from them. But what is the difference? If those peasant children had the opportunity to study like me, they would be much smarter than me… Some people say that this world is like this, and our ancestors also slowly climbed up after suffering hardships, and they have to climb up like this too. But it is because of this reason that the Wu Dynasty was swallowed up in the Central Plains, and my wife, children, and parents… those who deserved to die still died..."

Ning Yi puts down his bowl and chopsticks.

Chen Shanjun murmurs across from him, "There must be a better way. In the future, this world will definitely be a better place..."

In Niutou County at night, a cool night breeze rises. Residents who have finished dinner gradually take to the streets. Some of them exchange glances with each other and slowly stroll towards the river. In the military camp on the other side of the county town, the lights are bright, and soldiers are gathering to conduct night drills.

In the courtyard on the hillside of Old Niutou, Ning Yi and Chen Shanjun sit facing each other. Chen Shanjun slowly speaks his thoughts with a smile, in what appears to be a friendly and peaceful conversation.

"As Mr. Ning said, people are actually the same. If I have good things and give them to others, they will be mindful. If I help others, they will know how to repay me. Here in Old Niutou, everyone is always helping each other. Slowly, this atmosphere of willingness to help others has risen, and there are more people like that. Everything lies in education, but when it comes to education, it is actually not as difficult as everyone thinks..."

Ning Yi nods with a smile, "Actually, after Brother Chen arrived in He and Deng, he was initially in charge of the commercial sector. He accumulated several items in his family, but later he always helped everyone, and gave everything to others… I heard that when a young brother in He and Deng got married, you even gave him your bed, and you continued to live on a broken bed. Brother Chen’s noble character has touched many people."

Chen Shanjun smiles slightly, "At first, I hadn't figured things out in my heart, and it was also the atmosphere that had been cultivated since childhood, indulging in ease and pleasure. The days were better than others. But after I thought it through clearly, I was no longer bound by this. Mr. Ning, I have found a vision worthy of dedicating my life to. What does it matter whether the bed is good or bad, or whether the tea is strong or weak…"

He continues, "Of course, there are many key points in this. With temporary enthusiasm, the enthusiasm of one or two people cannot support a situation that is too large. The monks in the temple also help people, but they cannot ultimately benefit the whole land. These ideas did not become clear to me until a few years ago, when I heard about an incident from the past."

"What incident?" Ning Yi asks curiously.

"At that time, I had not yet reached Xiaocang River. I heard that Mr. Ning once sat down with Duke Zuo and Li Pin and others to discuss matters, and mentioned something called 'overthrowing the local tyrants and dividing the land'. It turns out that Mr. Ning had long had a plan in mind… Actually, only after I arrived in Old Niutou did I gradually think things through thoroughly. Why not do this thing?"

"The people of this world are inherently equal, but if everyone in this world has land to cultivate, and education is vigorously promoted, then the world before our eyes will be the world of the people of the world. When external insults come, they will naturally bravely step forward, just like the teachings of our Huaxia Army. Mr. Ning, you have seen the changes in Old Niutou. They are no longer muddleheaded, and there are more and more people willing to help others. They have divided the land, and naturally they have a sense of responsibility in their hearts. With responsibility, and with education, they will gradually awaken and become better people… Mr. Ning, what do you say?"

In the light of the torches in the courtyard, Chen Shanjun looks at Ning Yi with anticipation in his eyes across the dinner table. He is a few years older than Ning Yi, but he involuntarily uses the respectful term "you". The nervousness in his heart replaces his previous smile. In addition to expectation, there is more, the enthusiasm and sincerity from the bottom of his heart. Ning Yi places his hand on the table, raises his head slightly, and ponders for a moment.

"Although there is ownerless land in the world that can be reclaimed, most places already have owners. Among them, there are not many evil people like Huangfu Yao, but many are benevolent people like your parents and ancestors. As you said, they have worked so hard for so many generations to accumulate their family businesses. Overthrowing the local tyrants and dividing the land, are you only striking at the evil people, or are you also striking at the benevolent people?"

There is no hesitation in Chen Shanjun's eyes, "My family has indeed been benevolent for generations, but when the Jurchens came, they could not avoid it either, all because the entire Wu Dynasty was wrong. They did things according to the rules, but they also reached this point in the wrong rules… Mr. Ning, the world is already like this. If a new world is to appear, there must be completely new rules. Even benevolent people who possess so many means of production should not. Of course, for benevolent people, our methods can be more gentle, but the fairness of the means of production should be at the core of this world."

"...Let everyone return to a fair position." Ning Yi nods, "Then what if, after several generations, smart people go further and new landlords emerge? What then?"

"All unfair states come from the unfairness of the means of production." Still without any hesitation, Chen Shanjun replies. At the moment he answers, Ning Yi's gaze looks at the stars in the sky outside the courtyard. At this moment, the countless stars seem to proclaim the meaning of eternity. Chen Shanjun's voice echoes in his ears.

"Therefore, the new rules should be committed to eliminating the unfairness of the means of production. Land is the means of production. From now on, the means of production will be taken over by the state, and will no longer belong to private individuals. But also because of this, we can ensure that the tiller has his own land. Therefore, the country can become the country of the people of the world –"

"...Hmm."

A soft sigh escapes from Ning Yi's throat. Not knowing when, Hongti's alert voice comes over, "Liheng."

Her figure, holding a sword, lands in the courtyard. Ning Yi slowly stands up from the table. The voices of people can be faintly heard outside, and something is happening. Ning Yi walks past the courtyard, but his gaze remains on the sky. Chen Shanjun's respectful voice rings out from behind.

"In this past year or so, Shanjun knows that these ideas, including the General Staff and many people who have come to the Southwest, have made several remonstrances. Mr. Ning is kind-hearted and pays too much attention to right and wrong. You cannot bear to see the world in great chaos and rivers of blood, and most importantly, you cannot bear to lay a hand on those benevolent landlords and gentry… However, the world is already in chaos. For the sake of thousands of years to come, how can we care about these things at this time? People are born into this world equal to each other. No matter how benevolent the landlords and gentry are, it is not right for them to possess so many means of production. This is the great way of heaven and earth. To explain it is... Mr. Ning, you once told people about the change from primitive society to slavery, and the change from slavery to feudalism. The shared ownership of the means of production is a world-shaking change of equal magnitude... Today, Shanjun and his comrades, at great risk, wish to ask and remonstrate with Mr. Ning. Please lead us in carrying out this great feat that can benefit thousands of generations..."

His voice seems to echo from a very, very distant place to Ning Yi. Ning Yi walks to the courtyard door and gently pushes it open. The guards have already formed a human wall around him. On the other side of the human wall, the gathered common people are standing on the open ground, either humbly or nervously. People are merely whispering to each other, occasionally casting glances in this direction. Ning Yi's gaze crosses over the heads of all the people. For a moment, he closes his eyes.

Everything still appears gentle, but behind this, a deep-seated restlessness is brewing, and at any moment, the true intention may be revealed. Chen Shanjun behind him bows his head deeply, still speaking: "They have no malice, Mr. Ning, there is no need to rush..." Ning Yi does not care about all this tension.

What flashes before his eyes is the scene from many years ago, on that snowy night, when Qin Si Yuan brought out the Four Books that he had annotated. That was the light.

Hey, old Qin.

He thinks.

Take a look here…

The clear breeze of the summer night is intoxicating. Further away, an army is surging towards this place. At this moment, Old Niutou is like a boiling volcano. A coup has broken out.

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