Chapter 94: Eating the Rich (VIII)
When County Magistrate Dong heard Gao Xuezheng ask, "Why is the atmosphere among scholars in your county like this?", he felt as if a thunderclap had sounded in his ears. This was an extremely severe accusation, undoubtedly saying that County Magistrate Dong was responsible for the "corruption of atmosphere".
As he had been in the county for less than a year, Magistrate Dong naturally felt that he was responsible for such fierce accusations, so he asked Gao Xuezheng what he was referring to.
Although Gao Xuezheng's official position was higher than that of County Magistrate Dong, County Magistrate Dong was not afraid of Gao Xuezheng. County Magistrate Dong was a Jinshi, and Gao Xuezheng was also a Jinshi. The official position of County Magistrate Dong was arranged by the Ministry of Personnel, and Gao Xuezheng could indeed complain to the Ministry of Personnel. However, whether he was promoted or not was not decided by Gao Xuezheng alone.
With this confidence, County Magistrate Dong put on an attitude of listening attentively. Then he listened to Gao Xuezheng's story about the attacks on Huo Chong by the candidates and the grievances between Yu Xiucai and Huo Chong.
After hearing the story, County Magistrate Dong was no longer afraid. He just became more interested in what Huo Chong did. County Magistrate Dong never expected that Huo Chong would dare to take in the relatives of the criminals in the literary inquisition and provide them with job opportunities. In this day and age, it is difficult for men to find a way to make a living, but it is amazing that women can make a living by teaching people to read.
Gao Xuezheng did not expect County Magistrate Dong to be like a fool and kill Huo Chong immediately after listening to his story. Although there is a saying that County Magistrates ruin families and Prefectural Magistrates wipe out families, that is for ordinary people. Huo Chong is really not an ordinary person. It is not that Huo Chong has an extraordinary background, but Huo Chong is one of the very few gentry who pays taxes honestly to the government.
Even if Gao Xuezheng wanted to deal with Huo Chong... no, precisely because Gao Xuezheng wanted to deal with Huo Chong, he was more certain that Huo Chong's means of livelihood was to maintain a mutually cooperative situation with the local government by paying taxes.
"County Magistrate Dong, why do you think those gentry look at it so ugly?" Gao Xuezheng began his lobbying.
"Alas... that's just their nature." Magistrate Dong sighed. It must be said that after learning what these scholars with honors had done, Magistrate Dong really looked down on them.
Gao Xuezheng could understand Magistrate Dong's sigh, so he continued to dig deeper into the root cause, "Those people are indeed not good in their hearts. But why didn't they do this before? I wonder what Magistrate Dong thinks?"
Magistrate Dong thought for a moment and then replied, "Brother Gao, I have only been in Mouping County for half a year. Those scholars have lived in Mouping County for decades. I don't know what they looked like before."
Gao Xuezheng had already anticipated County Magistrate Dong's reaction. There was nothing wrong with this evasion. And what County Magistrate Dong said was even more correct. Asking a county magistrate who had just arrived in Mouping County for half a year to be responsible for the atmosphere of Mouping County for decades, Gao Xuezheng would not be able to win the case even if it was brought to Emperor Kangxi.
But the important thing is not this. Gao Xuezheng put forward his own opinion, "If Huo Chong had not come to Muping County, this would not have happened."
County Magistrate Dong thought about it and nodded slightly. Gao Xuezheng continued, "Huo Chong was just a craftsman three years ago. He even joined a religious sect to make a living. If County Magistrate Dong didn't know Huo Chong's background, would he have known that Huo Chong had such a background when he first met him?"
Nodding again, County Magistrate Dong agreed with what he said. When he first met Huo Chong, County Magistrate Dong also knew something about Huo Chong, so he was a little surprised by his appearance.
This man of humble origin and strange life experience had a non-disgusting appearance. He was tall, with regular features and smooth skin. Especially those sparkling and bright eyes, which surprised County Magistrate Dong. They really didn't look like the eyes of a person who had experienced an extremely hard life. They were also not the eyes that a young man from a wealthy official family could have.
Just as I was distracted by the memories of the past, I heard Gao Xuezheng continue to say, "Huo Chong came from such a background, but he actually got to where he is now. How do the gentry of Mouping County feel about this? It would be fine if Huo Chong could get along well with the local gentry of Mouping County. But he, an outsider, has to make such a fuss. It can't be entirely blamed on the local gentry of Mouping County for losing their composure."
...Just a little bit out of control? County Magistrate Dong was amused by this. Doing such a thing was just a little bit out of control. It seems that in Gao Xuezheng's eyes, it is quite easy not to lose control.
However, County Magistrate Dong also understood Gao Xuezheng's opinion. In the eyes of Xuezheng, Huo Chong, as the attacked party, obviously had a responsibility, and even a big responsibility. One of them was undoubtedly that Huo Chong failed to establish a friendly relationship with the local gentry and scholars after arriving in Mouping County. This led to the local gentry in Mouping County showing their vicious and very bad side.
County Magistrate Dong felt that this statement might not be completely unreasonable. If Huo Chong could get along well with the local gentry... indeed... he could collude with the local gentry to deal with County Magistrate Dong.
Thinking of this, County Magistrate Dong immediately asked, "I already understand what Gao Xuezheng said. But this is just our idea, and we can only think about it."
"Not necessarily. County Magistrate Dong, Huo Chong's actions are somewhat shocking, but he relies on his ability to make money and his willingness to pay taxes. I heard that County Magistrate Dong is currently in conflict with the local gentry in Mouping County. At this time, I certainly think that what County Magistrate Dong did was right. It's just that changing the means may be better."
"Oh? Please give me some advice, Gao Xuezheng." Magistrate Dong finally showed real interest. It was wrong to rely on Huo Chong alone in the county, and Magistrate Dong knew this. This was also the reason why Magistrate Dong immediately placed Huo Chong under house arrest after Governor Li Shude issued an official document. While cracking down on so many gentry, he could not indulge Huo Chong.
But County Magistrate Dong also felt that it was too tiring to attack Huo Chong and the gentry at the same time. If they colluded, there would be a full backlash. Then he would be in a very bad situation. Gao Xuezheng seemed to have come up with a way to effectively solve the problem, which was worth listening to.
"The gentry resent Huo Chong because he took away their livelihoods. If Magistrate Dong can make the gentry pay the same tax as Huo Chong, he can let the gentry take back the properties they have been operating. In this way, Huo Chong will not benefit too much. At the same time, the gentry can restore their properties and pay taxes. Isn't this the best of both worlds?"
After listening to Gao Xuezheng's words, County Magistrate Dong felt that it made sense. First of all, this method could make the gentry pay taxes honestly. The reason why he relied on Huo Chong was because Huo Chong was a guy who was willing to pay taxes honestly.
If the gentry in Mouping County, who have an absolute advantage in numbers and industries, can be persuaded to pay taxes and silver honestly, then their goal will be achieved. Since those gentry did such extraordinary things to get rid of Huo Chong, it may not be a bad solution to get them back to the rules.
Thinking of this, County Magistrate Dong simply replied: "Gao Xuezheng, I will give it a try after I return."
A year ago, Huo Chong thought it was a bit ridiculous to meet Feng Yukuan, a brother who made a living by sea, in a relatively inland city like Jinan. Unexpectedly, Feng Yukuan introduced Huo Chong to several people in Jinan when he was staying in Jinan for a few days for some not-so-good reasons. When these people took out the cross from their clothes, Huo Chong knew who he had met.
Looking at Feng Yukuan's face, which was tanned by the sun, Huo Chong wanted to accuse Feng Yukuan of making a mistake. How could he introduce a Christian to him? What if the government knew about it?
But Feng Yukuan's next words forced Huo Chong to temporarily give up his intention to attack, "Master Huo, these brothers are all from Jiangsu in the south. They want to buy some things from Master Huo. It's just that they heard that Master Huo also knows something about Christianity, so these brothers are showing off like this."
As soon as Feng Yukuan finished speaking, the leader of the group introduced himself, "Master Huo, I am Chen Jialuo from Yancheng. I heard from missionaries in Jiangsu that there is a wise man like Master Huo here who can actually figure out what is going on between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That's why I wanted to come and ask for your advice."
"Who told you that I understand the relationship between these three?" Huo Chong could only figure out what was going on first.
Chen Jialuo started to tell the story. After hearing Chen Jialuo mention Du Siming, Huo Chong finally understood what was going on.
Du Siming was a Chinese working on the ship of the Spanish captain Bai Siwen, or the Spaniard named Oda Hideyoshi. After Huo Chong traded a batch of hand guns and corresponding bullets with Bai Siwen, they sat together and Bai Siwen persuaded Huo Chong to join the Christian Church. How could Huo Chong, a member of the Industrial Party, join the Christian Church?
Not to mention Huo Chong's instinctive aversion to Christianity, just the nature of Christianity as a monotheistic religion alone was not something Huo Chong was interested in at all.
The Industrial Parties are not simply a group that has relatively consistent views on industry or social systems, but rather a dispersed group of people who have formed their own ideas through thinking based on the development of Chinese society and have similar basic concepts.
For example, regarding the views on the three Semitic cults, the Industrial Party does not simply say "You are a cult, so you must be defeated." Huo Chong has seen some brothers who have done some research in this area actually make short and insightful statements. The essence of the three Semitic cults is "XX-centrism."
This XX, whether it is replaced by "the West" or "Arab" or "Jewish", or anything else, is fine. This kind of thinking that is purely XX-centered has determined that this concept is no longer able to seek truth from facts.
For example, scientific archaeology has proven a considerable part of the history of the evolution of life on Earth. The Industrial Party’s view on the evolution of life based on molecular biology is unlikely to accept “XX-centrism”.
However, as long as you believe in any monotheistic religion, and if it is accepted by that religious force, it means that your thoughts and cognition must accept XX-centrism. If the monotheistic religion cannot maintain XX-centrism, the religion itself will disintegrate in terms of concept.
So Huo Chong frowned and said, "Brothers, I don't believe in religion."
Chen Jialuo said quickly, "Master Huo, we heard from Brother Du Siming that you don't believe in religion. But Brother Du also said that he has been a believer for so long, and this is the first time he has heard someone explain the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to a level that he can understand. We originally came here to buy some furs, so we'd like to take this opportunity to ask for your advice."
"You know, I almost had an argument with Brother Du at that time." Huo Chong tried again to make sure that his image was not misunderstood.
Du Siming had a lot of "convert fanaticism" problems. He tried to explain the world with the ideas of Christianity, or what Spain considered to be orthodox Catholic ideas. The problem was that he had never received any theological education, and his fanaticism angered Huo Chong. Huo Chong went up and confronted Du Siming.
"We heard from Brother Du that he was actually very angry, but he didn't know how to convince Brother Huo. We are very curious about this. We want to hear what Brother Huo has to say." Chen Jialuo stated his reasons.
Huo Chong thought that these people were talking nonsense. It turned out that they were not here to discuss, but to save face. Huo Chong was very unhappy for a moment, and he felt that he should say a few words to these people. He started to retort based on the little knowledge he knew, "The Holy Father of Christianity refers to God. Do you know the story of the so-called chosen people of God?"
Chen Jialuo and the others looked at each other and shook their heads. Huo Chong then told them about the fact that the Jews had chosen God as the only true God among many gods, which he had some impression of.
Unexpectedly, Chen Jialuo and the others looked at each other in surprise after hearing this. After a while, Chen Jialuo sighed, "No wonder those priests were so unhappy when they mentioned the Jews. If what Brother Huo said is true, it's not so strange."
Huo Chong nodded. This is the standard behavior of the Chinese who believe in Christianity. They don't even know the history of Christianity, and then they start to believe in Christianity after listening to the lies of some sect.
Since Chen Jialuo seemed quite rational, Huo Chong softened his tone and continued, "Christians believe that the Holy Father created the world and is omniscient and omnipotent. This statement is similar in other religions. If gods do not have this ability, there is no such thing as the only true God."
Chen Jialuo and the others looked a little embarrassed. It was obvious that being spoken to like that was very hurtful to their self-esteem.
Huo Chong continued to deceive with his little knowledge, "The Son of God took on the sins of mankind. Did the priests who preached to you explain clearly what this sin is?"
"Please tell me, Brother Huo."
"The Son of God took on the sin of not believing in the Father, the one true God, for mankind." Huo Chong continued to deceive, "Christianity says that people are born with sin, which refers to the sin of not believing in the one true God. This is why the scriptures often say that the one true God has brought down punishment, and tens of thousands of men, women, young and old, including newborn babies have been killed. And even children who know nothing were killed because of their sins. This is not to say that newborn babies have done anything wrong, but because those babies simply cannot believe in the one true God."
By the time Huo Chong finished speaking, Feng Yukuan's face was already filled with astonishment, and his mouth opened wide unconsciously.
Huo Chong laughed a few times. This reason is very difficult to understand in China, because the sin in the Chinese cognition does not refer to original sin, but to specific actions.
Even if it is something wrong, even if it is something bad, there is a relatively clear distinction between wrongdoing and crime. At least a baby is innocent in the eyes of the Chinese.
But in Christianity, belief in God is the only defining condition. And babies who have no idea of the only true God are of course guilty. This state of no cognition is even more sinful than adults who commit murder, arson and other evil deeds.
When Huo Chong finished speaking, Chen Jialuo's mouth twitched unconsciously. However, Huo Chong did not expect that another guy next to him suddenly slammed the table and shouted in panic: "Master Huo! Master Huo! I didn't expect that Master Huo actually understands Christianity. I was actually very confused about this before, but after listening to what Master Huo said, I finally understood it today."
Huo Chong looked at him and asked cautiously, "What should I call this brother?"
"My name is Tang Changshan." The guy who looked like a true believer quickly answered.
Huo Chong sighed helplessly. If Tang Changshan could understand the true face of Christianity and then repent, that would be good. Of course, if he could tell others the true meaning of Christianity, that would also be good. At least this is closer to the true face of Christianity than believing in God to gain eternal life.
"Mr. Huo, what exactly is the Holy Spirit?" Chen Jialuo continued to ask.
Huo Chong really had no idea about the Holy Spirit, so he made it up entirely on his own. “If you can fully believe in the one true God, act according to the guidance of the one true God, and eventually let the Holy Spirit’s understanding of the world become your own understanding of the world, then the believer himself will possess the Holy Spirit.”
"So, doesn't that mean everyone can possess the Holy Spirit?" Chen Jialuo said hesitantly.
"Rules and regulations are like putting a layer of skin on your body, or sticking some feathers on it. When it rains or gets rubbed, they will fall off. In the end, dust returns to dust. The two sides just lived together. If you can really use the so-called one true God's view of the world as your own view, it is called the Holy Spirit in your body. The Holy Spirit enters your body and becomes a part of you. According to the Christian scriptures, those who die before the end of the world will first fall asleep or be placed somewhere. When the end of the world breaks out, everyone in the world will die. The souls of those people will be judged after they die. Whether you are guilty or not depends on whether you really believe in God. Those who believe in God will enter the Christian heaven, and those who can achieve the Holy Spirit in their bodies during their lifetime will get a higher status in heaven and blessings. That's about it."
After Huo Chong finished speaking, he felt a little tired. Of course, he couldn't explain Christianity in one sentence. In fact, Huo Chong himself didn't understand Christianity. However, he was able to make the things about Christianity round and construct a closed-loop logic based on his own understanding, which had consumed Huo Chong's great energy.
After all, in the nearly 2,000 years of Christian history, countless priests have tried every means to perfect a doctrine. Although Huo Chong has various information materials, to construct a closed-loop concept in such a short period of time is equivalent to Huo Chong becoming a leader and making up such a theological theory. This consumption is indeed much heavier than Huo Chong imagined.
Seeing Chen Jialuo's gang frowning and thinking, Huo Chong couldn't stand it anymore and said quickly: "I'm just talking. Let's do business quickly."
