Chapter 46: Sheng Xia Zong, Huo Xing Qi, Shi Ci

  （0046）

  Originally, Zhang Zhun had not thought about creating what kind of organization, he didn't have time to consider this matter. However, Yang Kaidi's request just now reminded Zhang Zhun that relying solely on the guard team was not enough to control all personnel. To control more people, a powerful organization like a religious one is needed. The political party in the Ming Dynasty is too advanced and unrealistic.

  In terms of cohesion, the organization still has a great role to play. As long as each member of this organization is integrated into the masses, all the masses will be influenced by this organization. The reason for this does not need to be described in detail, and I believe readers basically understand.

  "Yu Lin, everyone is here, you can tell us more details now."

  Yin Gen Sheng and others were also moved by Zhang Zhun's proposal, and when Yang Kai De called out from afar, they hurried over.

  "Okay."

  Zhang nodded and went on to describe in detail the organization he had envisioned.

  He from the later generation, to the concept of organization, type, architecture, operation, principle, power and responsibility, internal management, etc., will not be unfamiliar. Using some very simple language can make everyone clear and understand.

  Yin Gen Sheng and others asked in some confusion: "Yu Lin, what you said... this organization, I listened to it, how is it not much different from the Xiangxiang Sect?"

  "Our organization is far different from the Xiangxiang Sect. We have requirements, and if they can't meet them, we won't accept them no matter what. The Xiangxiang Sect welcomes anyone, the more the merrier. Our organizational goals, management hierarchy, management methods, power and responsibility are all completely different from theirs."

  Zou Huo Ming asked, "The slogan of the Fragrance Sect is 'Eternal Life, Boundless Motherland', what's our organization's slogan? Theirs sounds nice, but somehow it doesn't feel real. Yulin, what do you think?"

  Zhang Zhun thought for a moment and said, "The slogan of our organization is to establish a great harmony society, where everyone has food to eat, clothes to wear, a house to live in, the young are nurtured, the old are cared for, and the widowed, orphaned, and lonely are all taken care of. In short, everyone can live a happy life."

  As he spoke, he felt that these slogans were a bit too far-fetched, so he changed his tone and said: "Slogans are all empty words, it's the down-to-earth approach that matters most. We need to bring real benefits to everyone, only then will they support us. Deceiving people with tricks may work for a while, but not forever. Therefore, every person we recruit should be someone who is honest and hardworking."

  "That's right! We want people like that! Down-to-earth and diligent!"

  Li Fenglai said: "That... our numbers, aren't they very few?"

  Zhang nodded and said: "Currently, Yangjia Village has more than 600 people. I think our members already have thirty people, which is a lot."

  Yang Kaidao said: "Thirty people... isn't that a bit too few?"

  Zhang Zhun said, "What we want are the backbone, truly capable people. Only with high standards and strict requirements can our organization have vitality. As long as all thirty of us play our roles, that's enough. What's the use of having more people if they don't do anything? The imperial court has hundreds of thousands of troops on the nine borders, but aren't they still being beaten by the Tartars?"

  As for Zhang Zhun's statement, Yang Kaidi and others didn't quite understand it. They looked at each other without any objection. What organization or not, only Zhang Zhun himself knew. They just needed to follow Zhang Zhun's orders to do things.

  Zou Huoming said: "Our... organization, shouldn't we also have a flag?"

  Zhang Zhun couldn't help but secretly laugh to himself.

  This group of old people, still remembering, is the banner!

  It seems that this flag-raising ceremony I organized is indeed very impressive!

  With a slight smile, Zhang Zhun nodded and said: "The flag is no problem, I now have a very good plan. However, before that, shouldn't we discuss what this organization is called? The flag will be hung out, but it must have a name, right?"

  Yang Kaidao said: "This still needs you to come up with it, we are all uncultured, what kind of good name can we think of?"

  Zhang Zhun naturally knew it would be this way, the organization was firmly in his grasp no matter which aspect. Yang Kaidi and others were doers, thinking about things made them a bit inferior. After some thought, Zhang Zhun slowly said: "What does everyone think of the name Sheng Xia Zong?"

  This name wasn't something he came up with on a whim, but rather the name of a small group of five people that he organized in high school. There are two explanations for the origin of this name. The first explanation is more elegant: "Life is like the splendor of summer flowers, death is like the quiet beauty of autumn insects." The second explanation is more majestic: "The glory of China will live on forever, and the fire of our spirit will be passed down from generation to generation."

  He is now in the late Ming Dynasty, where various sects are very active. In addition to the Huanxiang Sect, there are also the Hongyang Sect, Sanyang Sect, Luo Sect, Tongtian Sect, Fenxiang Sect, Hunyuan Sect, Dacheng Sect, Laojun Sect, Qingxiang Sect and so on. Most of them are branches of the White Lotus Sect, and a few have developed on their own. In Shandong Province, there are at least five or six sects active, and many military households have been affiliated with some sect.

  Therefore, the military households are more acceptable to this type of name. Sheng Xia Zong sounds similar to Wen Xiang Jiao, making it easier for everyone to understand. As for the specific operation, it's Zhang Zhun's own business. What's in a name doesn't matter, what matters is actual action. The common people aren't fools, whether they can benefit from you or not is the key to their genuine support. You may be able to deceive them temporarily, but you can't fool them forever.

  As expected, after listening to Zhang Zhun's explanation, everyone had no objection and unanimously expressed that this name was not bad, easy to pronounce and remember.

  "What about the flag?" Someone else started asking again.

  "Of course there is!" Zhang Zhun replied with a smile.

  The flag designed by Zhang Zhun for the Shengxia Sect is a six-pointed star with an abstract torch pattern added to the back. The role of the torch is to illuminate the darkness. Adding a torch to the back of the six-pointed star represents that the Shengxia Sect will be the greatest support for the Guardian Corps.

  "Good!"

  "Not bad!"

  "Excellent!"

  Yang Kaidi and others thought this banner was very good, and they all cast their votes in favor.

  After the pattern was decided, it was immediately handed over to Liu and others to complete. With ready-made red cloth and colored silk threads, the sample flag was made in just one day. Yang Kaidi and others looked at it and praised: "This fire star flag is not bad!"

  Mars flag?

  Zhang Zuon remained silent and speechless.

  Fortunately, people of this era do not know what Mars is, let alone the deeper meaning represented by the two words "Mars". The flag they mentioned has no other connotation. So, the flag representing Shengxia Sect was called the Mars Flag.

  After simple preparations, Shengxia Zong was formally established on April 15 of Chongzhen 7.

  The main members of Shengxia Sect include Yang Kaide, Li Fenglai, Zou Huoming, Yin Gensheng, Chen Guoxi and other elderly people. They are the most active supporters of Shengxia Sect. The backbone of the guard team, Yang Zhuyuan, Hao Linyong, Zhang Yatie and others, are also among them. Yang Ruijing is in charge of the production and sales of refined salt, and must be listed under Shengxia Sect. Including Zhang Zhun, there are a total of thirty-three people.

  Zhang Zhun is the patriarch, that's for sure. How Sheng Xia Sect operates depends entirely on Zhang Zhun's intentions, no one else understands it. Among the members of Sheng Xia Sect, the guards make up more than half, if Zhang Zhun doesn't become the patriarch, others can't even sit firmly.

  The deputy head of the clan, Yang Kaidi, took over. He was the most respected elder in Yangjiatun and also Zhang Zhun's future father-in-law, so it was only natural that he would take on this role.

  Under the patriarch, there are no other levels established for the time being. All members are equal and only have different divisions of labor. No one follows anyone else's rules. However, after all, they are all people of the Shengxia Sect, so they must support each other and help each other out. In fact, this rule is also superfluous. Things like holding each other back will absolutely not appear in Yangjiatun at this time.

  The most important thing on the day of the founding of Shengxia Sect was to take an oath in front of the Mars flag.

  The oath is a simple and clear one, as follows: "I voluntarily join the Shengxia Sect, strictly keep secrets, obey discipline, sacrifice personally, strive to achieve a great unity society, fight for the greatness of the Huaxia nation, and never betray the sect."

  Every member of the Shengxia Sect followed Zhang Quan, reading out all the oath words one by one. After finishing the oath, Zhang Quan also registered each person's name in a red book on file. He tried his best to make everything solemn and serious, in order to deepen the position of Shengxia Sect in everyone's mind. Since he had accidentally created this thing, he was still prepared to let it play its role.

  For Shengxia Sect's basic discipline, the sect master temporarily stipulated only two rules.

  Article 1: All personnel joining the Shengxia Sect must be personally approved by Zhang Zhun. Each member of the Shengxia Sect can recommend a good candidate to Zhang Zhun, and after his observation and assessment, if he deems the person suitable, they will be absorbed into the sect as a new member.

  Article 2: At least three study sessions will be organized every month. The teacher of the study session is, of course, Zhang Zhun. As for the content and location of the study, it will be decided by Zhang Zhun in advance and notified to everyone. Without a valid reason, absence is not allowed.

  The founding meeting of Shengxia Zong was held in silence, without leaving any meeting records, only a red book with the names of more than 30 people. It is like a small seed that has been buried and quietly absorbing water to prepare for germination.

  After a series of busy days, Zhang Zhun finally felt relieved as he had basically finished all the things he needed to do.

  April 17th was Yang Kaidi's 50th birthday, and Zhang Zhun gave himself a half-day off.