Chapter 475: Chapter 439: A Change of Mind
To investigate matters concerning the Taoist Sect and the Buddhist Sect, we must rely on Monk Bingchen and Yao Zhen, who should consult their masters, and then use their masters’ connections to see who among them is working for the Evil Suppression Bureau.
Moreover, Sang Que and Hua Qianmian have discussed this together, considering Zuo Jinye’s personality and the premise of safety, this department absolutely cannot be in Jingzhou right now; the Old Gu Master and the storyteller might also be held there.
All of these require time to investigate, no need to rush.
After their conversation, everyone went their separate ways. Monk Bingchen, the Ghost Vendor, and Yao Zhen left one after another, while Sang Que and Qiao Ling returned to the second-floor guest room at the front of the inn.
Sang Que introduced Hua Qianmian to Qiao Ling, and knowing they had matters to discuss, Hua Qianmian excused herself, saying she would go for a stroll.
After Hua Qianmian left, Qiao Ling quickly updated Sang Que on the current situation at Bright Moon Mountain.
"So it turns out the arrangements at the quarry were really set by Sister Yun Shu."
Qiao Ling explained, "Given the circumstances at the time, there was no choice. Exposure was inevitable, so Zheng Xuan was stationed at the quarry to divert attention."
Sang Que nodded, "Sister Yun Shu is more experienced than I am; her arrangements would not be wrong."
However, we can’t continue like this. As those merchants downstairs mentioned earlier, after the New Year, the court will gather its army and will surely conduct a cleanup operation in the surrounding areas. By then, where can we retreat?
After pondering for a while, Qiao Ling suddenly said, "Actually, it was good that you disbanded Nine Songs. By bringing people from the Immortal Country here, you let me see something different. When I was a Nine Songs Bell Doctor, I thought my medical skills were unmatched, and everyone believed so too. Only now have I realized I have so much more to learn."
"I used to be lost about what I wanted to do, unsure of what I should do, merely following my master’s instructions to save people everywhere. Now it’s different. I’ve found my goal—I want to continue delving into medicine, learn the medical techniques of the Immortal Country, and pass on what I know to more people. But rest assured, even if I’m not a Nine Songs Bell Doctor anymore, I am still a person of Bright Moon Mountain, and now I’m stuck with you, so don’t think of driving me away."
"Thank you, Sister Qiao. I have good news for you. Haven’t you always wanted to check out the other side? I have already arranged it, and when we return to Bright Moon Mountain, I’ll arrange for you and Yao Zhen to go first."
Hearing this, Qiao Ling was overjoyed, "Is it true? You’re not lying to me?"
Sang Que laughed, "Of course, I wouldn’t lie to you, but there are conditions for going over. You’ll need to sign an agreement in the style of our contracts to ease their concerns on the other side."
In the Deceit Dynasty, nobody dares violate a formal contract because everyone believes in the existence of "Contract Ghosts"; violators would be haunted by them.
If the contract states that violating conditions will cost a certain amount of Silver Tael, once the contract is broken, the Contract Ghost would come to collect the exact amount and cause a severe illness.
Both Qiao Ling and Yao Zhen are genuinely skilled, so modern people naturally worry that upon their arrival, they might cause damage over there. Thus, this plan was devised, using the rules of the Deceit Dynasty to restrain them.
Such terms are trivial for Qiao Ling, and she nodded immediately, "No problem!"
Just as she finished speaking, Qiao Ling’s smile faded, replaced by concern, "Mulan, tell me honestly, are you planning... rebellion next?"
Qiao Ling meant rebellion when she spoke of "rebellion."
Previously, Qiao Ling hadn’t thought in this direction, thinking that Sang Que’s city-building at Bright Moon Mountain was just to shelter some people, forced by circumstances.
But as Bright Moon Mountain developed and expanded, and now welcomed guests from the Immortal Country with large-scale construction, Qiao Ling realized that if this continues, the influence of Bright Moon Mountain will gradually grow. Even if Bright Moon Mountain has no intention of rebelling, the court would not tolerate its existence.
"What do you think, Sister Qiao?" Sang Que asked.
Qiao Ling was silent. During the war in Qinzhou between the Qianshou Army and Da Xuan, she was opposed to warfare, always believing that no matter who was in power, stability in the world was paramount as it meant fewer deaths.
Now, Qiao Ling’s thoughts have changed.
Having never tasted good things before, she thought black-fried bread and mixed bean rice were acceptable—as long as they filled the stomach.
But since the people from the Immortal Country arrived, Qiao Ling, after more contact with them, felt like she had suddenly experienced a luxurious banquet. Looking back at what she used to eat, it became unappetizing.
Beyond the technology and those strange devices, the greatest shock brought by the people from the Immortal Country was their worldview.
In Da Xuan, royalty and nobility, the nine classes of people, strict and insurmountable social hierarchies, and various inequalities were rampant.
However, the people from the Immortal Country judge others based on ability, irrespective of background or gender.
Qiao Ling had personally witnessed a father and daughter arguing over a trivial farm matter where the daughter, hands on hips, told her father, ’There’s no father-daughter dynamic in academia; even though you’re my dad, you have to admit you’re wrong.’
At the time, Qiao Ling thought the girl was crazy to speak to her father like that. In any family in Da Xuan, even amongst commoners, most fathers would respond with a slap.
Women were always supposed to obey their fathers at home, follow their husbands after marriage, and after their husbands’ deaths, follow their sons, almost never putting themselves in the public eye or publicly pointing out their father’s mistakes like the girl from the Immortal Country.
But Qiao Ling never expected the father to warmly acknowledge his mistake and comfort his daughter, while those around them watched with amusement, teasing the father, who seemed proudly supportive, believing that a fierce father would not produce a bad daughter.
Nobody thought it was wrong for the girl to appear publicly, or to point out her father’s mistakes, nor did anyone find it abnormal.
And then there’s Zhao Yunshu. Initially, Qiao Ling thought Zhao Yunshu was an aristocrat from the Immortal Country, able to lead all the people from there as a woman because of her noble status, and received respect from everyone.
Later, Qiao Ling discovered that although Zhao Yunshu was born into a martial arts family, her background was quite ordinary. Her current status was entirely attained through her own efforts.
This sort of thing in Da Xuan is nothing short of a fairy tale!
There are countless such ’small matters’. Among the people from the Immortal Country, Qiao Ling saw many outstanding women and many who rose to high positions from humble origins. Their speech, their understanding, all fully embodied the word ’equality.’
In Da Xuan, such equality was something Qiao Ling could only dream of. If not for her luck becoming a Bell Doctor, Qiao Ling feared she could only marry a pig butcher. No matter how skilled she became at butchering, she’d still need a man ahead to support her household.
Not only Qiao Ling, but now in Bright Moon Mountain, Liu Tianyou, Yu Da, and most of them have been influenced and are full of longing for the world on the other side, hoping Da Xuan could be like the Immortal Country too.
Qiao Ling told Sang Que, "I just hope not too many people will be killed or injured in the future."
Sang Que stood up and pushed open the street-facing window. Though snow was falling heavily outside, the streets were dressed in festive decorations, bustling with people preparing for the upcoming New Year’s Eve.
"No matter what, let’s focus on getting through this New Year first. As for everything else, we’ll talk about it after the year ends."
