Phi-Fic Chapter 1026 The Trip to Yunmeng Mountain (The End)
Chapter 1026 The Trip to Yunmeng Mountain (The End)
Why is it still useful now?
Although all the people mentioned above are dead, the location where the treasure was hidden is not so easy to change.
Li Che continued to confiscate the property of aristocratic families, and the wealth confiscated was astonishing. However, in order to save face for them, he mostly made them hand over their means of production voluntarily.
Gold, a hard currency, is not considered a production material, and many aristocratic families still possess a considerable amount of it.
And since they hid their wealth, they naturally wouldn't display it openly at home; they would hide it in secret places.
Such places are unlikely to change frequently, so the locations recorded in the book are most likely still the treasure troves of aristocratic families.
Having this information is equivalent to having real control over this wealth; the aristocratic families are merely acting as its custodians.
Li Che put down the first booklet and picked up the second one.
The book was thinner, with a simple gray cover, but the title immediately caught his eye—"A Preliminary Discussion on the New World: Institutional Forms and the Essentials of People-Oriented Governance."
The use of terms like "preliminary discussion" and "preliminary observation" is quite humble, indicating that Wang Yuanshan is deliberately keeping a low profile.
But Li Che knew that what was inside might be a hundred times more dangerous than all the technical books outside combined.
He slowly turned the page, and the table of contents came into view:
Volume One: The Origin of Power and the Analysis of Monarchical Power
Volume Two: The Conception and Grassroots Structure of Representative System
Volume Three: The Principle of Public Law and Checks and Balances
Volume Four: The Foundations of Civil Rights and the Path of Education
Volume Five: A Brief Analysis of Economic Development, People's Livelihood, and Wealth Distribution
Volume Six: Ideals and Reality—Reflections on Gradual Change
......
The words, seemingly insignificant, contained a content that deeply alarmed Li Che.
Wang Yuanshan attempted to strip away the specific historical context from the core concepts of social systems from his previous life, extracting some basic principles and frameworks.
Furthermore, based on observations of contemporary society, a localized path was summarized.
Although the book uses many cautious words such as "maybe" and "suppose", it repeatedly emphasizes words such as "adapt to local conditions" and "proceed step by step".
But Li Che immediately recognized that this was simply a copy of "Mao Zedong Thought" and "The Principles of Marxism" applicable to ancient times.
Clearly, after experiencing a painful failure, Wang Yuanshan reflected deeply on his mistakes and devoted himself to writing this book.
Or rather, this is a manual for slaying dragons.
Li Che closed the two books and remained silent for a long time.
The light from the oil lamp danced on his face, reflecting the complex emotions in his eyes.
What Wang Yuanshan left behind was not the mushroom bomb blueprints that he had originally guessed. Even if he had left behind such a thing, Daqing would not have been able to use it.
What Wang Yuanshan ultimately left his comrades was not an answer, but a map stained with his own blood.
Perhaps there is also a sliver of expectation that even he himself has not fully expressed.
I hope that those who come after him will be able to walk a more stable and farther path than he did.
Li Che carefully put the two books away.
What I gained today in this Ghost Valley Cave is far more substantial and precious than I had anticipated.
He needs to think carefully about what to do next.
After carefully putting away the two significant booklets, Li Che stood in the secret room and took one last look around the empty space.
Wang Yuanshan's century-long obsession seems to still linger in this silent air.
Li Che closed his eyes for a moment, forcibly suppressing the complex emotions churning in his chest, and regained his usual calm.
“I have received your will… Comrade Wang,” Li Che said calmly.
After saying this, he turned around and led Hu Qiang out of the secret room.
The dim light illuminated the cave entrance again, and Xu Jiezi remained standing there, waiting, his expression growing increasingly tense.
Upon seeing Li Che emerge, he immediately stepped forward, his gaze first searching Li Che's face for a moment before glancing at the secret chamber behind him.
Li Che didn't speak, but took out the letter that Wang Yuanshan had left for his disciple from his bosom and handed it over.
“This letter was left to you by your esteemed teacher,” Li Che said calmly.
Xu Jiezi looked at the familiar envelope design, her hand trembled slightly, but she did not immediately take it.
A flicker of struggle crossed his eyes as he whispered, "Your Majesty, I am foolish and have not yet been able to comprehend the knowledge my late master left outside the cave. Am I truly qualified to read this letter?"
Seeing the centenarian's childlike bewilderment, Li Che sighed inwardly and said in a gentle tone, "Sir, whether you read this letter or not is up to you."
"What I want to say is that since this letter was left to you by your revered teacher, it is something you should know. Since he entrusted it to you, it means he trusts you."
These words gave Xu Jiezi courage. He took a deep breath and accepted the letter with both hands.
The moment my fingertips touched the envelope, my eyes were already slightly red.
Walking to the lamp on the stone wall, Xu Jiezi couldn't wait to tear open the seal.
Li Che didn't disturb him, but simply gestured for Hu Qiang to bring the light closer.
He walked to the edge of the cave entrance, gazing at the mist flowing through the valley outside, and waited silently.
Time passes in silence.
Behind him came the faint sound of papers turning over, and Xu Jiezi's barely suppressed breathing.
Sometimes, you could hear silly giggles like a child being praised; sometimes, you could hear excited gasps because of certain contents in the letter; then, there would be suppressed low sobs.
Finally, when all the voices fell silent, only a long silence remained.
Li Che did not turn around; he could imagine the impact the contents of the letter would have on Xu Jiezi.
Li Che did not give the letter that Wang Yuanshan had left for him to Xu Jiezi to read.
After all, the dark past revealed within was far too cruel for Xu Jiezi.
In Xu Jiezi's heart, Wang Yuanshan was the perfect master, the embodiment of wisdom and compassion.
Some truths are so cruel that they can destroy a person's lifelong spiritual support.
This centenarian has already endured too much shock; he no longer needs to bear that bloody sin.
Let his image of his master remain that of an unparalleled patriot who left behind vast knowledge and a heart devoted to saving the world.
This incomplete truth is the last bit of warmth that Li Che could preserve for this comrade.
After some time, I heard the sound of clothes rustling behind me.
Li Che turned around and saw that Xu Jiezi had carefully folded the letter and put it back into his bosom, keeping it close to his body.
His face was still wet with tears, and his eyes were red.
But in those double pupils, there was less apprehension and more clarity after everything had settled.
He wiped his eyes with his sleeve, tidied his appearance, and then looked at Li Che.
When their eyes met, Li Che noticed that Xu Jiezi's eyes were filled with complex emotions.
He bowed deeply, his voice hoarse: "Your Majesty."
Li Che nodded slightly: "Finished reading?"
Xu Jiezi straightened up, nodded, and glanced at the deep cave entrance before looking at the faint outline of houses outside the valley.
He turned to Li Che, his tone returning to its usual calm: "Your Majesty has come from afar and lingered in the cave for quite some time; you must be tired."
"The mountain air is chilly. If Your Majesty does not mind, please follow me to my humble abode on the mountain. We can have a cup of simple tea and then calm down to discuss things in detail."