Chapter Thirty-Six: Reversal

  "Alright, I'll be eagerly waiting!" he said with a delighted smile.

  Zhao Gou looked at Gao Xing with a resolute expression, clenched his fists and rubbed his palms, as if he couldn't wait to go and carry out the task right away.

  Delighted, he burst out laughing and asked: "How's your calligraphy practice going lately?"

  Zhao Gou rubbed his head, somewhat worriedly saying: "I always feel like something is missing, it's not quite right."

  "Oh? Haven't you learned humility yet? Let me take a look." He said with a delighted smile.

  Soon, Zhao Gou handed over the previously written calligraphy to Gao Xing.

  "Thin Gold Body" was originally called "Thin Muscle Body", which was created by Song Huizong Zhao Ji. The character "" (jin) was used to replace "" (jin) out of respect for the imperial writing. Zhao Ji was the emperor who later killed the famous general Yue Fei and was the father of Zhao Gou, the founder of Southern Song Dynasty.

  Zhao Guo's calligraphy, at first glance, has horizontal strokes with hooks and vertical strokes with dots, with a slanted stroke like a dagger and a pressing stroke like a chopper. The vertical hook is long and slender, already showing some characteristics of the Thin Gold style. However, upon closer inspection, it lacks some spiritual vitality.

  He was delighted to see that he understood the problem, and said to Zhao Kuang: "The brushwork of Shou Jin's book is swift and quick, with a strong and powerful stroke, and the strokes are thin but not lacking in flesh. The traces of hidden and exposed edges can be clearly seen at the turning points, and the font is very unique. Its essence lies in its thinness and strength, some connected characters are like flying silk in the air, almost like running script. And your font, the turning points are not very smooth, it looks a bit stiff and rigid."

  Zhao Gou listened carefully, nodding constantly.

  Delighted to return the paper in his hand to Zhao Cong, he smiled and said: "You don't have to worry about this either. The way of calligraphy is not a one-day effort. You should know that Wang Xizhi, the saint of calligraphy in the previous dynasty, practiced writing for decades without interruption, and only then did he have his present reputation far and wide. Now you've been practicing calligraphy for only three months and can already achieve your current level, which is also a joyous and congratulatory matter."

  Hearing the affirmative answer, Zhao Gou's face lit up with joy, and he smiled foolishly, his right hand habitually scratching his head.

  "On the days when I'm not around, are those kids doing all right?" He asked with a glance at the children who seemed to be studying hard in the nearby house, but were actually thinking about their own kids.

  "They are all very obedient, following the instructions of their subordinates, teaching them to read and write in the morning, practicing martial arts and physical training in the afternoon, never daring to slack off."

  Delighted, he nodded and said: "So be it, you must take good care of these children, they are the hope for our future development. They, like your five brothers, are orphans in a chaotic world, very pitiful. I have something to attend to, I'll leave first." Delighted patted Zhao Dun's shoulder and strode away.

  Bidding farewell to Yu Bin who saw him off, Gao Xing happily headed home. In the morning, Zheng Shi had reminded him to come back for dinner.

  This mansion is the headquarters of the Beggars' Sect in Xiangyang City, the most mysterious place. Except for Gao Xing and Zhang Shun's five people, no one else knows about it. After Gao Xing bought several nearby houses and connected them together, they became a large courtyard, but outsiders couldn't tell at all.

  Here, a hundred orphans aged eight to fifteen have gathered. These children were carefully selected from the happy refugees who escaped to Xuyi City as clever and agile people.

  Children are the most receptive to new things, and for these poor, illiterate orphans, it is even more so. Since arriving in Xuyi, Gao was delighted to start compiling teaching materials.

  Practicing the "Longevity Secret", his memory was already astonishing, and for the sake of his dream of crossing over, he had long since engraved all the teaching materials used by elementary and middle school students in the Republic into his mind. The purpose was to cultivate a group of people with systematic knowledge, so that he could bring the technology manufacturing in his mind to life.

  And these hundred children are the inheritors of the torch. Before going to Yangping Battlefield, Gaoxing personally came to teach these children every day, not only cultural education but also ideological education, with the purpose of making them absolutely loyal to themselves.

  Yu Bin called it "Kui Shou" because of the "Xing Hua Society", which was the second organization he founded after coming to this place. The name is well-known and its meaning is understood, that is, the revival of the Chinese nation and the prosperity of the country.

  The victory of the Yangping War made the people of the entire Jianghuai region of Qi State breathe a sigh of relief. Within just ten days, the reputation of Lanling King Gao Changgong was unmatched. The Jianghuai region spread rumors that Lanling King Gao Changgong came to Yangping with only a thousand cavalrymen and scared Huang Fahu away with just a few words, causing him to abandon his armor and escape back to Shiliang City. Meanwhile, the thousands of Chen troops surrendered to Qi State because they admired Lanling King. For a time, Lanling King was exaggeratedly praised by the people of Jianghuai region who had suffered from war, as if he were a divine being descended upon the world.

  Just as the people of Yanjing were rejoicing and feeling extremely glorious, Gao Zhanggong in the Neishi Fu was frowning with a heavy heart.

  Delighted to have just returned from the military camp, he saw Gao Changgong, who usually only came home at dusk, frowning and sitting in a chair thinking about something. After some thought, he knew what Gao Changgong was worried about.

  "Dad, why are you back so early today?" He sat down beside Gao Chang Gong with a smile, pouring himself a cup of tea.

  Gao Chang Gong glanced at him with a hint of excitement, his eyes had faint bloodshot, but he just let out a long sigh and didn't respond, looking particularly desolate.

  Delighted, he laughed and said: "Father, I know you're worried that your own prestige is too great, which will lead to suspicion from the Emperor!"

  Gao Chang Gong smiled wryly and said, "What's meant to come will still come back, it can't be avoided. I had already thought of this when your father ordered you to go to Yangping to support General Wang Lin, but I didn't expect the common people would actually say that I'm a reincarnation of a god!"

  "Father, all these years you've been diligent and devoted to the Jiangshan of Daqi, but your situation is so embarrassing that you have to be careful and tolerant everywhere, as if walking on thin ice. So many crimes, so much suffering, haven't you had enough?" Gao Xing put down his teacup, straightened up, and asked Gao Changgong seriously.

  Gao Changgong was taken aback, his eyes becoming somewhat dazed, his facial expression changing between anger, resentment, and helplessness, finally settling into a deep bitterness with a weak sigh.

  "Do I have a choice?" Gao Changgong's voice was very low and light, as if he was asking happily, but also seemed to be asking himself.

  "Yes." The voice was firm and forceful with excitement.

  Gao Chang's eyes flashed with a hint of hope, staring tightly at Gao Xing.

  "Father, why don't we just rebel?" Gaoxing said calmly.

  Gao Chang's whole body shook, his face changed greatly, and he stared at Gao Xing in disbelief, his eyes wide with speechlessness.

  "Father, if you want to take control of your own destiny, then the only way is to eliminate all the danger factors and trample all your enemies underfoot!"

  Gao Chang woke up and gritted his teeth, saying in a low voice: "Gao Xing, how can you utter such rebellious and unrighteous words? Don't you know that plotting rebellion is punishable by death?"

  "Son certainly knows, but Father, are you willing to just wait for death like this?"

  Gao Chang Gong shook his head, gritting his teeth and said: "Of course I'm not resigned to my fate, but what can I do? Many times, I'd rather be born into an ordinary family, without having to worry about the country's fate, without so many plots and schemes, doing things without fear of making mistakes, looking around nervously, deeply afraid that one misstep would cost me my life. But I have no choice, I can only endure, for our country, and even more for you and your mother!"

  Gao Changgong's words were filled with intense resentment and indignation, as well as a sense of responsibility towards the country and love for his mother and son.

  "No, Father, the current Qi is already on its last legs, like an old man who is about to die. The emperor is muddle-headed and cruel, with treacherous officials holding power, playing tricks and harming loyal people. In just a few years, the empire that Emperor Wu worked hard his whole life to build has been ruined to this extent."

  "In just a few short months, how many counties have fallen into Chen's hands? What has the imperial court done about it? Either they send some incompetent officials who can't even accomplish anything and only bring defeat when facing Chen's army. The generals who are capable of resisting Chen's army don't have any real power and are restricted at every turn. If this continues, Jianghuai will soon fall into Chen's hands. Meanwhile, Yuwen Yong in the west is ambitious and has been secretly preparing to take over our Qi kingdom. What about our emperor? Besides indulging in food, drink, and pleasure, and harming loyal officials, what else can he do?"

  "How can such a talentless and virtueless person be worthy of wielding the sacred instruments of state? As the biological son of the Divine Martial Emperor, can you bear to watch the rivers and mountains of Great Qi fall into someone else's hands, and let the Divine Martial Emperor's life's work go down the drain?"