The ancients watched me play the Starry Sky Railway

"Several system hours ago."

"Sunday is in the Chaolu Mansion, waiting for someone to arrive."

"Soon, the person he was waiting for arrived. It was Doctor Latio, the True One!"

"Since you've come as scheduled, learned professor... does this mean you're willing to stand on the family's side in this farce?"

Latio crossed his arms and said calmly, "What makes you think you can win me over?"

"Since you dare to bring up the idea of ​​winning him over, then we'll definitely have something on hand on Sunday."

"I've heard that your relationship with Mr. Gold Dust was not a pleasant one. I also know that you are a true scholar, and that the pursuit of knowledge is above all else."

Latio: "Then you should also understand that a qualified scholar recognizes his or her place and will not sacrifice more important things for meaningless dignity."

"If you agree to assist the clan, I will hand over all our research findings on star cores." Sunday directly laid out his bargaining chip: "You should be aware that, aside from the clan, no other faction is willing to share such knowledge."

"Obviously, a star core is a fascinating thing."

"And so, the PY deal between the two of them was concluded!"

"Sunday successfully obtained the complete plan regarding the gold dust from Latio. Latio even helped Sunday open the box containing the cornerstone."

"Ah, so the traitor is Latio." Cai Zhaoji was quite disappointed.

Although she sympathized with Goldshade, she didn't like him very much. She didn't hate Latio so much just because Latio betrayed Goldshade.

However, as a talented woman who is well-read in poetry and books, she admires the character of literati very much.

Coincidentally, the literati spirit of this era had not been lost, and had not developed to the level of cynicism in later generations.

Cai Zhaoji has witnessed the character and integrity of countless literati.

So, Cai Zhaoji was quite disappointed.

Can one still be considered a scholar if he betrays others for a little knowledge?

How can a man of letters be so spineless?!

All I can say is that Cai Zhaoji is still too narrow-minded.

If she had seen the cowardly literati and the cute Donglin Party, she would have known how horribly the literati in later generations would have degenerated.

By the time of Dasong, except for a small number of literati, the entire literary group had basically fallen into the abyss.

During the Jingkang Incident, the Jin army surrounded the capital of Dasong and demanded ten times the compensation limit set by Song Qinzong, which was unaffordable.

As a result, an outrageous method of compensation was developed later - using royal women to pay off debts.

No matter if they are palace maids, queen mothers, empresses, concubines, princesses, or princesses... any woman who is related to the royal family can be exchanged for money to pay off debts.

As for what the money was used for, those who understand will know. The most famous tragedy was that of Princess Zhao Fujin of Emperor Maode, who was drunk by her own father and sent to the Jin army camp, where she eventually died of a ruptured anus.

Of course, you might ask, what does this have to do with the literati? Isn't it the cowardly emperor who makes the decision?

Don’t worry, it will be related later.

When the Jin people got tired of playing with these women, they sent some of the women who were still alive back to Nansong.

Many scholars immediately jumped out and made all kinds of accusations.

How can you be so shameless?! Yes, we sold you out, but you could have just committed suicide! You could have killed yourself to preserve your chastity, so why didn't you?! Do you still have any shame?!

Yes, it is that abstract.

But if you ask them to march north to wash away the shame... they would never dare to do that.

We can only continue playing music and dancing in the south.

As for Dameng's Donglin Party...

Qian Qianyi: Are you thinking about me? I just want to say two things: the water is too cold and my scalp is itchy.

…………

"The box was opened, revealing a stone shining with golden light."

“Oh, the golden stone, its color is exactly the same as the light of the Holy Body of Creeper,” Sunday exclaimed.

"That's exactly what he's going to use to deceive you," Latio said calmly. "He won't tell you: The Stoneheart Ten must carve the foundation stone with their own will, making it shine with its unique brilliance. And this golden stone belongs to Topal. Its nickname is topaz—not gold dust."

"Is this Topa's stone?" Liu Che remembered the little girl he had met in Beloberg before.

Although he did some self-righteous things, he was still a good person.

But he's such a nice guy! Is it possible to just lend out such a precious stone?

By the way, the relationship between those ten people of Stone Heart can’t be very good, right?

In comparison, the Tonghe forces that call themselves "family" actually have traitors within their ranks.

False Harmony: Family.

True Harmony: The Ten Stone-Hearted Men.

…………

"I see," Sunday said, slowly understanding Sand Gold's plan. "So, where is Sand Gold's cornerstone?"

"You'd never guess it. Because he had no intention of hiding it—the cornerstone has been in your hands from the very beginning." Latio's gaze shifted to the bag of gold dust containing the gift money.

"This bag... mixing a cornerstone more precious than life with a pile of cheap jewels, disguising it as a gift and waiting to be confiscated, certainly fits Mr. Gold Dust's style."

"Sunday exclaimed in admiration, and took out another green cornerstone from his bag, which was similar in appearance but a completely different color."

"Then he'll make up a random excuse, avoiding the main point, and ask you to return the gift money." Latio sneered, "This is a gamble, he's very familiar with it. He's betting on you making a wrong move and losing everything."

"Thank you for your help, learned professor. The family will repay the righteous man." Sunday thanked him, "As for the evildoer... may he be humiliated and put to shame."

"All the gold sand underwear has been sold out by Latio." Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head.

No matter how well you plan, it cannot compare to the destructive power caused by a person who misjudges others.

"Biao'er, you have to remember this. When you take our position in the future, you must be careful not to misjudge people. Look at that gold sand. It's sold for a ridiculous price, and he doesn't even know anything about it!"

"I understand, father." Zhu Biao also nodded solemnly.

As an emperor, if he were deceived by his ministers, the harm would be too great.

…………

"Let's go back to the present."

Sunday looked at Latio and said, "Mr. Gold Dust, thanks to your discerning friends, I was able to bring about a complete failure in your career."

"Latio, you bastard!" Shajin couldn't hold back her smile anymore. For the first time since arriving at Pinocchio, she lost control of her emotions.

"Heh, your true colors are revealed." Sunday chuckled. "By the way, you only have seventeen system hours left in your life 'for now.' Cherish this time and savor the afterglow of failure."