Chapter 289 Western Paradise
On July 13th, the sky was clear and cloudless.

At the official dock at the mouth of the Xuanwu City River, a huge five-story dragon ship was quietly waiting for the distinguished guests.

This Jiaolong Tower Ship is also a creation of the Mohist School. It is driven by inkstone and can naturally sail in the rivers.

Compared with other mechanical creations, the Jiaolong Tower Ship sells the best and is also the most purchased mechanical creation by wealthy merchants.

Because compared to other mechanical creations, the Jiaolong Tower Ship hardly consumes any ink stone as fuel when it goes downstream. It only consumes ink stone when it goes upstream. However, the Jiaolong Tower Ship itself has a very high carrying capacity, so even if the consumption is taken into account, it can barely break even.

Of course, the most important thing is that this Jiaolong ship is majestic enough to demonstrate its financial strength in front of its peers.

Behind the Jiaolong ship was a steamship that was "dwarfed by comparison".

Compared with the simple model more than half a month ago.

With the huge investment from various families, Gongshu Jia was able to rub the parts by hand, so after more than half a month of renovation, Sun Zhong was able to build a small to medium-sized steamship that could withstand the wind and waves of the Luo River.

Of course, this was the first time that a steamship sailed on a large river, and the hydrological conditions were very complicated, so Sun Zhong had no idea what to do for a moment.

Looking at the steamship he built next to the Jiaolong ship, he felt both proud and frightened.

At this time, Zhou Tieyi smiled and patted Sun Zhong on the shoulder. "Don't worry, even if there are some minor problems this time, we can go back and correct them. Everything is difficult at the beginning. As long as we know that we are on the right path, we will always succeed. Don't you think so, Mr. Gu?"

Zhou Tieyi took the opportunity to look at Gu Yingtian.

In the eyes of everyone, his behavior was naturally to support Sun Zhong and help Sun Zhong gain more support.

Gu Yingtian smiled and replied, "That's the truth, of course."

Today Zhou Tieyi invited him to see the steamship, and he naturally knew the reason.

In the past ten days, Zhou Tieyi has indeed put in a lot of effort in the court, and the criticism of Huxin Academy in the Tianjing News has become increasingly severe.

However, the Confucians kept insisting on it, demanding that at least the Confucians and Legalists accompany Zhou Tieyi to investigate the matter, but Zhou Tieyi insisted on going alone to investigate, so the matter came to a standstill.

The Ning Wang Mansion naturally saw Zhou Tieyi's difficulties, but Gu Yingtian noticed a little difference.

Because the 'ability' Zhou Tieyi showed this time was a bit too weak.

You should know that in the previous political struggles, Zhou Tieyi had used many novel methods to easily defeat the Confucianists and other schools of thought.

If this struggle in the court had happened to an ordinary minister, it would have been rare for him to be able to withstand the pressure from the Confucian and Legalist schools and carry out this matter.

But when it comes to Zhou Tieyi, Gu Yingtian always feels that Zhou Tieyi has not used his full strength.

Thinking of this, Gu Yingtian smiled slightly at himself in his heart. Maybe it was just his illusion. After all, even if he was a national player, it was impossible for every move to be a stroke of genius.

On the contrary, he was very happy that Zhou Tieyi invited him to represent the Ning Wang Mansion to check the progress of the ship in front of so many people today.

This is different from his last conspiracy proposal, which shows that Zhou Tieyi has firmly expressed his attitude to the world.

As the actual controller of the shipyard, Li Jing was naturally invited this time. In addition to him, there were also representatives from various schools in the court, such as the Mohist School.

It was just that they knew in advance that Gu Yingtian was among the invited guests, so this time the Mohist school and other schools did not send their own bigwigs to the scene, so as to avoid being considered by the Confucianists and Legalists as being involved in the Ning Wangfu Lakeside Academy case. Instead, they only sent technical personnel.

The Jiaolong ship sailed down the Luo River. After more than half a day's sailing, it left the calm section of the river and came to a turbulent section of the river. This is the confluence of the Luo River and the Yellow River in this world.

At the railing of the ship, everyone was talking and laughing.

Zhou Tieyi stood with his hands behind his back. The wind from the river was blowing, lifting the sleeves of his vermilion official uniform, and for a moment he could see the scenery of the two rivers.

"Brother Jing, the history books record that the Hundred Clan killed and slaughtered Jiang Taiyi on the Luo River. Is that the river in front of us?"

Zhou Tieyi's question made the Mohists, Yin-Yangists, and medical practitioners on both sides look a little uncomfortable.

After all, everyone knows that Jiang Taiyi is the most likely saint to emerge from the military school, but he was killed on the Luo River by the combined forces of hundreds of schools of thought. Zhou Tieyi himself happens to be practicing the military school, and now in the court, he is also regarded as a thorn in the eyes of the Confucianists.

Li Jing pondered in silence, thinking about the meaning of Zhou Tieyi's question.

So the laughter and joy just now stopped, and everyone became wooden, wondering whether Zhou Tieyi was hinting at something.

Zhou Tieyi was confused instead.

He was just curious and had no other intentions, so he laughed and said, "I just thought that even if Jiang Taiyi, such a powerful person, died, he would have left behind some tricks or inheritance."

It is normal for Zhou Tieyi to want to inherit Jiang Taiyi's legacy. Everyone in the world wants to inherit Jiang Taiyi's legacy.

As a strategist, Gu Yingtian's ancestors had also participated in the task of contacting various schools of thought, so he knew more. After thinking for a while, he smiled and said, "I'm afraid this inheritance will not exist."

Zhou Tieyi looked at Gu Yingtian and asked curiously, "Why do you say that?"

Gu Yingtian looked around at the other families around him. The people who came were all cultivators below the third rank, and they probably didn’t know this secret history. He said, “You know the historian’s [Final Verdict], right?”

Zhou Tieyi nodded slightly. The Shi family's method was very famous, just like the Buddhist "Buddha Kingdom in the Palm". Everyone knew it existed, but no one knew what it was specifically about.

Gu Yingtian continued, "During the war, my school of diplomacy recorded that the historians used the "Final Judgment" to suppress all of Jiang Taiyi's plans for resurrection. Even if Jiang Taiyi left behind a legacy, it would not be revealed to the world unless the "Final Judgment" was broken."

"so smart?"

Zhou Tieyi was very curious about this legendary method of using the people's hearts as pens and the dynasty's destiny as paper.

Suddenly he realized that the historian seemed invisible in the court!

Li Jing knew some of the basics, so she said, "I heard that this is related to the 'long river of history'."

Zhou Tieyi looked at Li Jing.

Li Jing also shook her head slightly. "I only heard a few words from my father when I was a child. I don't know the details. After all, according to the records, historians only took action against Jiang Taiyi, the butcher, once."

Gu Yingtian took the opportunity to continue the conversation, "But just this once is enough. For so many years, our Zongheng family has been driven out of the court, but the Shi family still stands firm in the court. This is 'prestige'!"

Zhou Tieyi could tell that Gu Yingtian, the descendant of the school of diplomacy, was very dissatisfied about his own school being driven out of the court.

After all, their family of diplomats had a first-grade inheritance, while the highest among their family of historians so far was only second-grade. How could they be able to stand firm in the court while their own school was driven out of the court?

This topic is already somewhat taboo, but as Gu Yingtian is a third-rank official, it is normal for him to complain a few words.

Li Jing took the opportunity to change the subject and asked Zhou Tieyi with a smile, "With such a grand scene, do you have any new poems to compose?"

Zhou Tieyi thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Poetry is just a minor matter. Today, we should focus on the people's livelihood."

He pointed to the steamship that was closely following the Jiaolong ship not far away.

The towering chimneys continuously spewed out charred mist, and the huge paddle wheels on both sides turned like water wheels, bringing up rolling muddy river water. On the steamship were not only Gongshujia's disciples who were constantly recording various data of the voyage, but also cargo.

Even at the confluence of the two rivers, the steamship had no problem sailing, following the Jiaolong ship safely and freely.

Gu Yingtian and Li Jing looked at the steamship calmly. The sailing for most of the day had demonstrated the ability of the steamship to sail for a long time, and the fact that it did not capsize at the confluence of the two rivers showed the stability of the steamship.

At this point, it can be basically confirmed that this ship has the initial ability to replace sailboats.

Gu Yingtian looked at Zhou Tieyi and asked for more details, "Does this ship still need the Gongshu monk to operate it?"

Zhou Tieyi was very confident about this. He waved his hand and said, "No need. Even ordinary people can fully operate a steamship as long as they understand the basic steam technology and train for two or three months."

Hearing Zhou Tieyi's words, Qian Guangyun of the Southeast Chamber of Commerce congratulated Zhou Tieyi at the right time, "Mr. Zhou has always put people's livelihood first. This poem is indeed a minor one, but on such a happy day, there must be poems for us to admire. I am willing to offer a precious tree and ask Mr. Zhou to compose a poem."

Qian Guangyun clapped his hands, and the servants immediately carried a precious tree in front of everyone.

This precious tree is decorated with pure coral, and is adorned with the seven treasures of Buddhism, including fine gold, mithril, agate, and colored glaze. It exudes a mighty and peaceful force that can calm the mind.

Everyone present naturally understood the value of this precious tree. They glanced at Qian Guangyun. No wonder this old guy was able to secure his position in the Southeast Chamber of Commerce. His ability to seize opportunities was extraordinary.

Zhou Tieyi pointed at Qian Guangyun and said, "You, this won't happen again!"

Qian Guangyun was delighted, as this thing was finally given away today.

Zhou Tieyi pondered for a moment, "I don't have any poems, but I do have a lyric." "The long river rolls eastward, and the waves wash away all heroes. Right and wrong, success and failure are all in vain, but the green mountains remain, and the sunsets are red again and again."

"The white-haired fisherman and woodcutter on the river bank are used to seeing the autumn moon and spring breeze. They are happy to meet each other over a pot of muddy wine, and all the things in the past and present are turned into jokes."

There is no need to say much about the literary attainments of this Linjiangxian, and everyone present also knows its value.

Li Jing was the first to laugh and said, "Once this lyric comes out, it's even better than poetry. Is there any music to go with it?"

Lyrics and music are inseparable. Zhou Tieyi certainly didn't remember the music, but he brought someone who could compose music with him, so he smiled and said, "I recently got a beautiful maid named Shanyin, who is good at this. You can send her to compose music."

In a room on the ship, Shanyin sat upright on the bed. Although she was wearing a dancer's light gauze dress, she gave off a sense of solemnity.

Suddenly, there was a knock from the maid at the door. "Miss Shanyin, Lord Zhou wants you to compose music."

Shanyin opened her eyes, and the scene of love between a man and a woman was reflected in her eyes. After a moment, the scene faded away, and she stood up, picked up the pipa beside the bed, and walked slowly to the top floor warehouse.

At this time, the sky had gradually darkened and the banquet was set up in the warehouse. Zhou Tieyi sat in the main seat, with Li Jing and Gu Yingtian sitting on his left and right, followed by Sun Zhong, Qian Guangyun and others.

Zhou Tieyi raised his glass and smiled at Shanyin, "Compose a piece of music and see if it can match the lyrics I just wrote. If you can, there will be a reward."

Shanyin knew that the opportunity she had been waiting for had come.

The so-called harmony between the harp and the zither, being able to sing along with Zhou Tieyi's lyrics, plus today Guan Guan being the steward and staying in Linshuixuan, he would have the opportunity to sleep with him at night.

She tuned the pipa in her hand and played a few tunes.

But Linjiangxian is a masterpiece of all time after all, and if you try to sing along with it in an ordinary tune, it will always lack some meaning.

Shanyin said, "I heard in the Buddhist scriptures that Gandharvas need to smell incense to be inspired to compose music. Please allow me to burn some incense."

Zhou Tieyi smiled and nodded.

Shanyin ordered her attendants to light the incense she had brought.

A rich aroma emanates from the curling green smoke.

Everyone present was experienced in the pleasure world, so they could naturally smell the extremely rich ambergris in the aroma.

However, the mysterious thing about this triple ambergris is that the aroma itself is not harmful at all. Long-term use is also a way to nourish the qi. The only side effect is that it stimulates sexual desire.

Gu Yingtian was knowledgeable and experienced, and subconsciously felt that something was wrong.

Naturally, he also noticed the effect of the fragrance in stimulating lust, but then he took a look at Shanyin and Zhou Tieyi's expressions, and knew that the man was interested in them and the woman was in love with them, so there was naturally no need for him to say much.

I don’t know if it’s because of the burning incense, but Shanyin’s expression became more solemn and dignified in the curling green smoke, like jade fingers plucking the pipa, the faint and lingering sound spread out, gentle and sad, like a little girl waiting in a dark room.

Everyone present frowned slightly. The song was good, but it didn't match the lyrics.

Zhou Tieyi suddenly felt a surge of excitement in his heart. In the curling incense, his own blood became hotter and hotter. He couldn't help but chant, "The long river rolls eastward..."

Zhou Tieyi's voice was majestic and heroic, matching the quiet and lingering sound, one hard and one soft, and suddenly there was a mysterious feeling of detachment.

Everyone present was a little surprised and looked at Shanyin. This woman did have some tricks.

If other masculine music scores were used, it would be difficult to match the artistic conception of this eternal masterpiece.

Instead, it uses sad and lingering sounds.

The first part of this poem expresses heroic feelings. The hero naturally sees the endless river of time rolling on, while the little girl only sees the hero's heroism and feels admiration and resentment in her heart.

The interaction between yin and yang is quite ingenious.

After the song ended, the whole room was silent, only the sound of the river wind passed through the corridor again, stirring people's imagination.

"it is good!"

Zhou Tieyi clapped his hands and praised, "The lyrics and music complement each other, this piece of music is well composed."

Shanyin half-knelt and bowed, "If it weren't for Zhou Lang's heroic intention, I wouldn't be able to sing this music."

After saying that, she stood up and glanced at Zhou Tieyi with eyes as clear as spring water. The white and tender skin under her chin looked even more plump under the light gauze of the river breeze.

Seeing this scene, everyone present felt a little distracted.

After toasting and drinking, Zhou Tieyi's face turned flushed and he looked a little tipsy due to the effect of the fine wine. Shanyin obediently supported Zhou Tieyi and brought him back to the bedroom in the main cabin.

Shanyin helped Zhou Tieyi, whose eyes were dazed, onto the bed covered with red gauze, stretched out her white and tender hands, and began to undress Zhou Tieyi.

Suddenly Zhou Tieyi, with a dazed look in his eyes, grabbed Shanyin's hand and said, "You are not Shanyin."

Shanyin's eyes reflected the love between a man and a woman, but she herself looked even more dignified, her fair skin revealing a glittering precious light. She smiled and said, "Zhou Lang is drunk."

After saying that, she wanted to break free from Zhou Tieyi's hand and help Zhou Tieyi undress again. After going through so much trouble, just killing Zhou Tieyi was certainly not enough. What she wanted was to drain Zhou Tieyi's talent through love between a man and a woman and the harmony of yin and yang.

Even though he only obtained a part of the talent, Zhou Tieyi's own high talent still made Shanyin feel uneasy at this moment.

"You are not Shanyin."

Zhou Tieyi spoke again, and this time the confusion in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a playful look, like a cat that has caught a mouse.

Shanyin paused as she tried to pull her hand away. Her expression became more solemn and dignified. "How did you find out?"

Zhou Tieyi looked at the sea of ​​luck above Shanyin's head.

Isn't this obvious?

In the sea of ​​clouds, the pink mist formed by the love between men and women filled the air. However, at this time, perhaps because of the initial fusion, the person behind Shanyin had not yet completely mastered this body. As he gradually revealed his true self, he was unable to conceal the changes in the luck above his head.

In the pink mist, wisps of pure golden light bloomed, and in the light, there was a faint image of Buddha.

Why Buddha?

Zhou Tieyi was also confused.

Because Shanyin is the path of the Cha Nu, and the path of the Cha Nu is the Dao lineage.

There is a path of joy in Buddhism...

Although he didn't know whether there was a hidden transaction between the two.

But he was very clear about Shanyin's current condition.

The divine fetus awakens!

Guan Guan reminded himself of this at that time.

Gods can give birth to a divine fetus with mortals through blood. Before the divine fetus is activated, it lives in the world as an independent individual and is almost unnoticeable.

But if the divine fetus is activated, the gods can take over this useful body.

Just now, he had been followed by Gu Yingtian, a third-rank master of the Zongheng family. A third-rank master of the Zongheng family must have some ability to survey fortune and be able to determine Shanyin's strength through fortune, so Shanyin should have been in normal condition when she just got on the boat.

What was abnormal was that from the time he burned incense to the time he helped himself into the room, the god had already begun to take over Shanyin's body, and it could even be said that he had taken over all of Shanyin's energy and spirit.

Therefore, the difference in destiny is now apparent.

Shanyin's heart sank when he saw Zhou Tieyi's gaze, but the arrow was on the string and he had to shoot it, so he smiled and said, "Since Zhou Lang has seen through it, why don't you go to the Western Paradise with me!"

As He finished speaking, the pink mist of man and woman above His head parted to reveal a huge golden Buddha with bisexual features, as if sitting in another distant time and space. The domes of the sky together supported a complete world, and in the level where He was sitting, countless naked people were constantly rejoicing, forming a lotus seat, intertwined together, constantly shaking, and chanting Buddhist scriptures in a seductive voice.

"The Western Paradise of Bliss and Joy".

(End of this chapter)