Chapter 47: Feeling the Protagonist Lacks Ambition (Embarrassing Story)

The protagonist seems to lack ambition (A Humorous Piece)

In ancient times, a man's highest ambition was to achieve great feats and establish a name for himself. Scholars would endure ten years of arduous study, and warriors would spend their lives battling on the battlefield, all for that very purpose.

In his previous life, Ning was a prodigy who had established a financial empire. While he might have felt a sense of detachment from worldly affairs, it was understandable. His ideal in this life was simply to visit ancient times, to experience a life he had never known, like a traveler observing scenery from a bridge – in the world, yet outside its mundane concerns.

But this won't do! As a modern man, his fundamental concepts are completely at odds with this era. Even if he sincerely tries to integrate into this world, the occasional glimpse of his ahead-of-their-time sensibility and views on matters will make people regard him as eccentric.

His current performance is good, or rather, his social circle is excellent. He associates only with old imperial consorts or veteran ministers, whose own perspectives are already quite unconventional. Therefore, even if he exhibits some peculiarities, they won't be offended; instead, they will patiently consider his views. But what about others? High-ranking officials are certainly not all fools, but it's undeniable that, for various reasons, there will always be imbeciles – a constant throughout five millennia of history.

Ning's character, which occasionally reveals brilliance (or perhaps, 'flaunts' is the intended humorous meaning), if he were to encounter a rigid, stubborn, unyielding, truly pedantic scholar who happened to hold great power and high office, but had no personal connection to him, wouldn't he be instantly doomed? Even if the old men he plays chess with could help him once, could they help him ten times? Sooner or later, he's going to be finished.

Therefore, Ning needs to quickly plan his life.

He needs to enjoy ancient life according to his own personality while also having a certain degree of confidence and leverage. So, he should quickly establish a power base.

Of course, given his mindset before transmigrating, having already established a vast financial empire, doing it again would be uninteresting. But what if he changed the way he played the game?

There are basically two ways to build power. One is to accumulate wealth, then expand influence, gather followers, make connections, gain allies, and establish common interests, eventually becoming a cancerous growth on society – no, wait, a regional overlord. In chaotic times, with enough effort, one might even become emperor. What's the other way? Very simple: belief.

By establishing a shared philosophy, you can attract like-minded individuals. As long as the belief is firm and widely accepted, even if your power base is small and your financial resources weak, people around you will proactively help you, and you can just wait for others to send you money and grain.

Of course, this wouldn't work in ancient times. He wouldn't even have gathered a dozen followers before the prefect chopped off his head.

However, people in ancient times were very superstitious. The word "science" didn't exist then, and even the wisest individuals believed in gods and spirits deep down.

Therefore, why not establish a religious sect in the name of gods and spirits, and then spread its doctrines? The doctrines must not oppose the rulers, and the sect must actively win over local gentry and officials of all ranks. Once the time is ripe, you'll have money and followers, you won't need to beg anyone for the freedom you desire, and if you want to become emperor, just wait for a natural disaster and instigate a rebellion. How wonderful!

Of course, there were many cults in ancient times, so he couldn't just mess around carelessly. Otherwise, he might easily be accused of a crime and be beheaded as a remnant of the previous dynasty.

I actually have a very good sect in mind here.

What do ancient people like? Grandeur, depth. Moreover, ancient times truly adhered to male chauvinism. You can't possibly shout slogans about women's liberation. Within his capabilities, he should recruit more "pure men" to fill the ranks – in short, henchmen and brothers.

So, our sect will be named the "Grand, Strong Foundation, Many Brothers" Sect. It will be abbreviated as the "Great Bro" Divine Sect, or simply the "Brothers Organization."

The name is settled then. Yes, it's great, pure men! Now, let's plan the faith.

Ancient people, you see, were all superstitious. They most revered gods and spirits. Some might not fear death, but if you ask them if they fear meeting Yama (the King of Hell) after death, no one would dare say no. Because in people's minds, gods and spirits are omniscient; they know everything about you. The fear stemming from such "transparency" is something even modern people dread.

Therefore, our sect will not believe in the Jade Emperor, nor in Erlang Shen. We will worship a god who knows all secrets! Which god? This god is omnipresent; he exists everywhere in the world, in every corner unknown to people. He constantly observes everyone, knowing all things, good or bad, ugly or beautiful.

He is the great God of Stalking!

The God of Stalking!

Think about it: Do officials who take bribes and engage in corruption fear being found out? Yes, they do. But others might not know, yet the God knows! The God stalks you every day. How much money you take today, how much you embezzle tomorrow – the God knows everything. Do you dare not believe? If you don't believe, the God will get angry, and you'll be finished. Conversely, if you believe, the God will keep your secrets, and won't care what you do.

Ning just needs to stage a few performances to utterly astound these high-ranking officials and nobles.

Of course, he can't foolishly threaten them directly, or they'll surely silence him. He needs to secretly gather some vital information, target several people – county magistrates, provincial governors, high-ranking yamen officials, wealthy magnates – then act mysterious, hinting at things just subtly, ideally when they're all present, and then attribute everything to the God. They will definitely panic.

In ancient times, you could offend anyone, but not the gods. Even an emperor who failed to make offerings to Heaven and Earth would panic during a great drought, let alone these uncultured minions. They would surely kneel and clamor to join.

Next, he needs to finalize the doctrines.

In ancient times, people believed in righteousness. So, he should create some doctrines with a touch of "bromance" that would make people's blood boil—no, wait, their *passions* surge. And add something special, like "love between men," supporting "men-on-men" relationships, something that immediately stands out.

In modern times, two men getting together is called perverted, but in ancient times, homosexuality was something for elegant individuals. Making this a doctrine could perfectly boost the sense of identity among those upper-class perverts – no, wait, *elegant individuals* – while also attributing it to the God, claiming it's divinely sanctioned, which would eliminate their guilt.

Once the sect's foundation is established, he can then trick those people's friends and relatives into joining. If both officials and wealthy individuals believe in this sect, ordinary people will certainly follow suit. After staging a few more performances at opportune moments, virtually every household in the entire city will believe. Even those who don't will scramble to join. By then, the "Brothers Organization" will have at least seventy percent of the city as followers, if not all of them.

Only by expanding his influence — across Jiangnan, then the North, and finally the entire Central Plains — when his followers grow in number and his power becomes immense, can he then make his choice.

If he wants to live a peaceful life, he can do whatever he pleases. He'll have people and money, and won't have to worry about his wife's or family's opinions. This life will be satisfying enough for him.

But if ambition awakens, that's fine too.

First, he can secretly contact various nefarious individuals, recruit soldiers and horses. Then, on an auspicious day – perhaps during a great flood, a severe drought, an earthquake, or a plague – he can summon his followers, ascend an altar, and perform some tricks. Afterward, with an expression as if his dog "Wangcai" had died, he can declare, "Ah, this natural disaster is not a natural disaster! It's because the old emperor is heartless! He lusts after beauty and has married over ten thousand wives in his three palaces and six courtyards! As a result, the God of Stalking is furious! He's angry that the emperor didn't marry a man and engage in 'bromance'! If this continues, the heavens will collapse and the earth will split!"

"To save the common people, I, the Sect Leader, have a duty to fulfill! I shall rally all followers under heaven, storm the imperial palace, purge the emperor's corrupt officials, and slay the beauties!"

Then, he can gather hundreds of thousands of "bros," storm the capital, and accidentally purge the emperor himself while "purging corrupt officials," thus becoming emperor.

After that, with the empire conquered, Ning can do whatever he pleases. Spotted a girl he likes? Marry her! Who dares to utter a peep? What? You like a "bro-beauty"? No, wait, a Nie-beauty? Marry her!

And so, the "Brothers Organization" became the state religion, dividing the realm with Buddhism and Taoism, and flourishing for a thousand years.

As for Ning, originally a sect leader, he ultimately achieved imperial hegemony, establishing the Great Intestine Dynasty – no, wait, the Great Prosperous Dynasty – and proclaimed himself the Bro-Emperor.

He changed the national flower to the chrysanthemum, and the imperial era name to "Monthly Work"!

And so, it concludes.

Yes, Banana, this is how you should write...