The earth trembled faintly, and the air was filled with hushed whispers. People in the county town gathered, but for a moment, they hesitated to speak out. They expressed their good intentions to the guards in front of the courtyard, but among them were those who looked wary and eager to make a move. Ning Yi’s eyes swept over them, and then he slowly closed the door.

Only then did they hear shouts from outside, "Don't hurt Magistrate Chen..."

The Huaxia Army had changed the title of such officials to County Head, but many of the simple folk still used the previous term. Seeing Ning Yi close the door, some began to worry. Chen Shanjun, inside the courtyard, still bowed and clasped his fist. "Mr. Ning, they mean no harm."

Ning Yi had already turned around. Someone holding a knife approached Chen Shanjun, but Ning Yi waved his hand.

"... Since February of last year, people have been submitting opinions to me one after another, involving the handling of landlords and gentry, the benefits of doing so, and... a whole set of theories. Brother Chen, you are not involved in this..."

Chen Shanjun lowered his head even further. "I am slow-witted and do not understand these ideas as well as others."

"So... I didn't expect you to launch a coup."

"We have absolutely no intention of harming you, Mr. Ning."

"Then what is your intention?" Ning Yi walked to the stone stool in the courtyard and sat down.

"Over the years, you have told everyone about the importance of thought and culture, saying that Confucianism is no longer suitable for the times. You have listed all sorts of ideas. However, in the Huaxia Army, they have not been thoroughly implemented. The ideas of equality for all and democratic thinking that you have discussed are so fascinating, but when it comes to reality, how can we promote them, how can we do it?"

As Chen Shanjun spoke, his hands were still clasped, but his head was now raised. "Are we just going to popularize books throughout the world by relying on the study of things? How long will it take to succeed? Moreover, you once said that even with books, education is still a long process, requiring hundreds, even several hundreds, of years of effort. Mr. Ning, now that the Central Plains has fallen, millions of people are suffering, and the Wu Dynasty is also on the verge of collapse. The world is about to be lost, and we cannot afford to do things slowly..."

"It's not exactly doing things slowly." Ning Yi looked at him, then interjected with a smile. "The ideas of nationalism, people's livelihood, people's rights, and people's intelligence are also being constantly promoted. In addition, the study of things being promoted in various parts of Chengdu has also yielded many results..."

"But the study of things can only cultivate people's greed, Mr. Ning, can't you really see that?!" Chen Shanjun said. "That's right, you also said in previous classes that spiritual progress requires material support. If we only advocate the spirit and abandon the material, that is just unrealistic empty talk. The study of things has indeed brought many things, but when it is combined with commerce, greed arises in Chengdu and other places, and even within our Huaxia Army!"

"Mr. Ning, Shanjun came to the Huaxia Army and first served in the Ministry of Commerce. Now the atmosphere in the Ministry of Commerce has changed greatly, and everything is based on money and profit. Since our army left He Deng and the three counties and occupied half of the Chengdu Plain, a trend of extravagance has risen. From last year to this year, how many people in the Ministry of Commerce have been engaging in private transactions? You even demanded a major rectification at the end of last year's meeting. If things continue like this, what difference will there be between the people driven by greed and the officials of the Wu Dynasty? As long as there is money, they will sell our Huaxia Army, and it's probably just a transaction. You have also seen these consequences, haven't you, Mr. Ning?"

"But Old Niu Tou is different." Chen Shanjun waved his hand towards the outside of the courtyard. "Mr. Ning, in just one year, Shanjun has only allowed the people to stand in the same position, making them equal people, and then educating them. In many people, we have seen results. Today, although they are walking towards your courtyard, Mr. Ning, isn't this a kind of awakening, a kind of courage, a kind of equality? People should be like this."

Ning Yi thought for a moment. "How do you know that it's not that you gave them things, buying their words? Among them, how many truly understand equality?"

"But that should have been their things in the first place. Perhaps, as you said, they still don't quite understand the true meaning of equality, but isn't such a beginning encouraging? If the whole world could begin to reform in this way, a new era, Shanjun feels, will come soon."

"It is indeed encouraging..."

From inside the courtyard, they could not see the scene outside, but the agitated sounds were still coming. Ning Yi muttered a sentence, and then stopped speaking. Chen Shanjun continued:

"I and my comrades have no intention of being enemies with you, Mr. Ning. All these ideas come from your own pen, but over the years, we have repeatedly offered suggestions to you, but they have not been adopted. In the eyes of some comrades, compared to your courage when you assassinated the emperor, your current policies are too expedient and lukewarm. What we are doing today is only to express our suggestions and determination to you, hoping that you will adopt this strategy. Chen Shanjun is willing to die to atone for offending you."

Chen Shanjun came to this courtyard, of course, with several followers, but at this time they were all blocked outside. In this small courtyard, if Ning Yi wanted to kill him, he would be unable to resist, but it also showed his determination to put life and death aside for the sake of his ideals.

Ning Yi smiled. "If everyone is truly equal, then you have only offended me, why should you die? But you probably won't tell me who your comrades are."

Chen Shanjun said, "Today, I have no choice but to resort to this inferior strategy, which is detrimental to your prestige. As long as you are willing to adopt the suggestion and leave a written record, Shanjun is willing to die to maintain your prestige, and must die for it."

Ning Yi looked at him for a long time, then clapped his hands, stood up from the stone stool, and slowly opened his mouth.

"I remember... I once said that the fundamental contradiction of social operation lies in the game and balance between long-term interests and short-term interests. Equality for all is a great long-term interest, and it is located at both ends of the scale with short-term interests. Returning the land to the people is a huge short-term interest, which will inevitably be supported and, for a certain period of time, can give people the illusion of maintaining long-term interests. However, once the satisfaction brought by this dividend disappears, it will be replaced by the people's desire for unearned gains. This is a short-term interest that is completely contrary to the long-term interest of equality for all. It is too great and will offset the satisfaction brought by all the subsequent virtues of mutual assistance and obedience to the overall situation. And in order to maintain the status quo of equality, you must curb the differences in wealth accumulation caused by intelligence and effort between people. This will lead to... the disappearance of mid-term and mid-long-term interests, and ultimately the complete divergence and decoupling of short-term and long-term interests, and society will collapse as a result..."

Ning Yi's words were calm and indifferent, but Chen Shanjun was not confused and stepped forward. "As long as we vigorously implement education, with the foundation of the first step, Shanjun believes that we will definitely be able to find where to take the second step. You said that the road is always made by people. If we think everything through before doing it, why did you have to kill the emperor?"

Ning Yi nodded. "Of course, there is some truth to what you say. However, it still doesn't convince me. You return the land to the people outside the courtyard, and they will listen to you for the next ten years. But after ten years, they will find that the difference in gains between hard work and no effort is too small. People will naturally feel the beauty of not working hard. Relying solely on education, I'm afraid we can't narrow this psychological gap. If we use equality for all as the beginning, then in order to maintain this concept, many, many bad consequences will arise that you can't control, and I can't control. I can use it as the beginning, I can only use it as the ultimate goal, hoping that one day, with developed material conditions and improved foundation and methods of education, the differences between people in thinking, reasoning ability, and work ability can be shortened, so as to find a relatively equal possibility..."

"Mr. Ning, these ideas are too grand. If we don't try, how can you know that your deduction will be correct?"

Chen Shanjun's words were earnest, and one sentence hit the central point. Ning Yi stopped. He stood there, pressing his left palm with his right hand, and was slightly silent, then sighed a little dejectedly.

"Yeah... how can we know if we don't try..."

Hearing Ning Yi say this, Chen Shanjun bowed deeply.

"Therefore! Please accept this suggestion, sir! Shanjun is willing to die to thank you!"

The stars in the sky were shifting, and the army might have already arrived. Ning Yi looked at Chen Shanjun, and after a long time, smiled complexly. "Brother Chen's belief is firm, congratulations. Then... has Brother Chen ever thought about how you will end today if I refuse to accept it even if I die?"

Chen Shanjun bit his teeth. "I and my comrades have discussed it many times and all believe that we have no choice but to take this inferior strategy, so... we made this reckless move. Since these things have already begun, it is very likely that they will be uncontrollable. Just like what I said earlier, the first step has been taken, and maybe the second step has to be taken. Shanjun and his comrades all admire you, sir. The Huaxia Army has you sitting in charge, sir, so we have today's picture. Now that things have come to this, Shanjun only hopes... that you can think clearly and accept this suggestion!"

"That is to say, even if it is irreversible, things have already begun." Ning Yi laughed.

"... Yes." Chen Shanjun said.

"That's what I wanted to hear..." Ning Yi said in a low voice, then said, "Brother Chen, don't keep bowing – you don't have to bow to anyone. But... can you walk with me?"

Chen Shanjun raised his head, feeling a little puzzled by Ning Yi's tone, and said, "Of course, if you are interested, Mr. Ning, Shanjun is willing to lead you to meet the people outside..."

"I'm not going outside, let's just walk around here."

"..."

Chen Shanjun was stunned. This courtyard was not big, with two rows of houses in the front and back, and the courtyard was simple and plain, and surrounded by walls. Where was there much to walk around? But at this time, he naturally did not have many opinions. Ning Yi walked slowly, looking at the starry sky, and walked towards the eaves.

"Human history is a very long, long road. Sometimes, from a large perspective, one person, a group of people, or a generation are too small. But for each person, no matter how small a lifetime is, it is their entire life... Sometimes, I am very afraid of such comparisons..." Ning Yi walked forward, all the way to the small study next to him, "But fear is one thing..."

Chen Shanjun followed in, and then some attendants came in. Someone moved away the desk on the ground and lifted the wooden board under the desk, revealing the entrance to the tunnel below. Ning Yi walked towards the entrance: "Brother Chen and Li Ximing and others think I am too indecisive. I don't agree with that. Sometimes... I am afraid of myself..."

Chen Shanjun was about to shout, but someone grabbed his throat from behind and pushed him into the tunnel. The tunnel was built sometime, and it was quite spacious inside. In Chen Shanjun's desperate struggle, the crowd entered one after another. Someone covered the cover and the person restraining Chen Shanjun relaxed his strength at Ning Yi's signal. Chen Shanjun's face was red, desperately panting, and still struggling, hoarsely saying: "I know that this matter will not succeed, and the people above will all die. Mr. Ning might as well kill me here first!"

"No one will die, walk with me." Ning Yi said looking at him, "Or, in your eyes, have I become a completely untrustworthy person?"

Chen Shanjun's eyes were complicated, but he finally stopped struggling and trying to shout. Ning Yi then turned around, the tunnel sloping downwards, not knowing how long it was. Chen Shanjun gritted his teeth and said: "Encountering such a rebellion, if you don't deal with it, your prestige will also be damaged. Now the situation in the Wu Dynasty is critical, and the Huaxia Army cannot withstand such a large turmoil. Mr. Ning, since you know Li Ximing, all of us will ultimately wish we were dead."

"Yes, in such a situation, it is best for the Huaxia Army not to experience too much turmoil, but as you said, you have already launched it, what can I do..." Ning Yi sighed slightly, "Follow me, you have already started, and I will clean up the mess for you."

"Wh-what?"

"Creating such a military admonishment, if you are not beaten, the Huaxia Army will be difficult to manage. If you are beaten, your path will be broken. I don't agree with your path, but as you said, without trying, who knows if it's right? Your strength is too small, and you don't have the qualifications to negotiate with the entire Huaxia Army equally. Only I can give you such qualifications... Brother Chen, in these ten years, clouds gather and clouds disperse, and relationships start and end. I have seen too many partings and reunions. This may be the last road we walk together. Don't walk too slowly, keep up."

Ning Yi moved forward along the tunnel that did not know where it was leading, and Chen Shanjun, hearing this, followed step by step. Their steps were not slow.

"... Ideals are something that cannot be seen or touched. To plant an idea in the hearts of everyone in society, sometimes it takes ten or a hundred years of effort, and it doesn't mean that if you tell them, they will understand. Sometimes we often underestimate the difficulty of this matter... I have my own ideas, and you must have them too. I have my own path, which does not mean that your path is wrong. Even in the process of ten or a hundred years, if you hit your head and break your blood, it cannot prove that the ultimate goal is wrong. At best, it can only show that we must move forward more cautiously..."

Ning Yi turned his head and smiled. The smile had a terrifying, eerie blankness. Perhaps only in the huge, icy emotions that could kill himself could he make such a decision. "Having made the determination to die, let's move forward. Afterwards... we will be on two different paths. You may succeed, and even if you don't succeed, your every failure will be the most valuable trial-and-error experience for future generations. One day you may hate me... maybe many people will hate me."

"But it doesn't matter, it's still that sentence." Ning Yi's mouth curved into a smile, "People's lives, ah, can only be earned by themselves."

Chen Shanjun's mind was still a little confused, and he could not clearly understand the meaning of many of Ning Yi's words. He originally thought that this coup had been discovered from beginning to end, and everyone would be doomed, but he did not expect that Ning Yi seemed to be planning to end it in another way. He could not figure out what kind of way this would be. Perhaps it would affect the power of the Huaxia Army? What exactly was Ning Yi thinking in his heart...

They walked forward along the long passage and came out from the other side of the mountain. It was a night scene of wildflowers and starry sky, and the wind blew lonely sounds in the wilderness. They looked back at the side coming from Lao Niu Tou Mountain, and the firelight symbolizing the gathering of people floated in the night sky. Even many years later, Chen Shanjun had never forgotten this scene.

In this lonely wilderness, Ning Yi patted him on the shoulder.

"Look, that is the light of hope..."

In this world, people will gradually part ways. Ideals will thus remain.

That is an unquenchable lamp.