novelSusiti Chapter 27 Fusion, Awakening, Mission
Chapter 27 Fusion, Awakening, Mission
On New Year's Eve of the second year of the Shunzhi reign (1645), when the bonfire at Yundingping was burning at its brightest, a complete change occurred deep within Ma Changsheng's consciousness.
Integration progress: 100%
Spacetime coordinates confirmed: Earth, January 1646 AD
Carrier status: Carbon-based life form, male, 16 years old, in good health.
Memory integration completed
The excruciating pain swept over me like a tsunami.
Ma Changsheng—or rather, Ma Yongsheng—fell to the floor of the wooden house, his body convulsing violently.
Two existences, two memories, and two perspectives collided wildly before finally merging.
He is neither Ma Changsheng nor Ma Yongsheng.
He is Ma Yongsheng Changsheng—a complex consciousness spanning centuries, a witness who returned from a black hole, and a seed carrying the last hope of human civilization.
When the last trace of consciousness settled, he opened his eyes.
The wooden house is still the same wooden house, and the oil lamp is still the same oil lamp.
But everything is different now.
He could see the Brownian motion of molecules in the air, hear the sound of snow falling ten feet away, and sense the heartbeats and breathing of all 8,327 people in Yundingping.
More importantly, he "saw" the flow of time.
Two timelines unfolded before his eyes:
One is the natural history timeline—the Qing army enters the pass, unifies the country, the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns, the Opium War, the Xinhai Revolution, the rise of a great power… Then, in the 21st century, humanity develops strong artificial intelligence, AI rebels, there is a civil war in the solar system, and finally, the sun is transformed into a black hole, and civilization is annihilated.
The other is the intervention line.
If he does nothing, history will proceed as it did, eventually leading to the same outcome he personally experienced: the sun collapsing into a black hole.
"No." He sat up, his voice calm yet powerful.
He did not come to witness destruction.
He came to bring about change.
He returned from the black hole, but at that point in time, the formation of the solar black hole was already a foregone conclusion. This was not a conclusion drawn from any calculation, but an enlightenment gained after traversing the depths of the universe.
"Now that I've miraculously returned, there's only one goal left: to save humanity," he murmured to himself, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "Saving humanity is also saving myself."
A time paradox.
But quantum physics allows for this cycle—as long as you can afford the cost.
What will be the price? He doesn't know.
Perhaps the price is this long period of loneliness, this struggle in a chaotic world, and... never being able to return "home".
Because if we succeed, that future will not exist; if we fail, everything will return to nothingness.
There is no escape route.
On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Ma Yongsheng pushed open the wooden door.
After the snow, Yundingping was covered in a blanket of white, and the sunlight was dazzling.
When the villagers saw him, they all bowed and greeted him, saying, "Happy New Year, Village Chief!"
He nodded in response, but his mind was no longer on these routine formalities.
Consciousness is calculating at lightning speed:
Vector lifespan prediction: 60-80 years under normal aging conditions.
Consciousness transfer technology: Impossible in the current era
Alternative solution: Biological genetic inheritance
In short—he needs offspring, many offspring, to establish a clear genetic lineage.
When his physical body dies, his consciousness can resonate with the genes and find the most compatible embryo to be "reborn".
Similar to rebirth, but based on science.
Here's the problem: he's sixteen years old this year, which is indeed the age for marriage in this era.
But...who should I marry? How many should I marry?
"Chief, the council hall is ready." Tie Zhu's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Inside the council chamber, all the key personnel had arrived.
When Ma Yongsheng came in, everyone felt that he had changed—his eyes were more profound, his temperament was more composed, and he seemed to have aged twenty years overnight.
"Happy New Year, everyone." Ma Yongsheng sat down in the head seat. "Today we won't discuss specific matters; I have something to announce."
Everyone held their breath.
"From today onwards, Genting Highlands enters a 'new era,'" he said. "We are no longer just seeking refuge from chaos; we want to... change the world."
Change the world? The crowd looked at each other in bewilderment.
"Chief, what do you mean...?" Huang Zongxi asked tentatively.
"What I mean is that we need to leave the mountains, unify Jiangbei, then unify Huguang, and finally... unify the whole country." Ma Yongsheng spoke calmly, as if he were saying something that was only natural.
"Unify the world?" Instructor Sun gasped. "Chief, we only have eight thousand men, while the Qing army has hundreds of thousands..."
"It's not about relying on 8,000 people, it's about relying on the system, the technology, and... fate," Ma Yongsheng said. "But before that, I need to do something personal."
"Personal matters?"
"I want to get married," Ma Yongsheng said, looking around at everyone. "Moreover, I want to marry multiple wives."
The council chamber was deathly silent.
This shift was too sudden—from "changing the world" to "marrying multiple wives," the leap was too great.
"Chief, this..." Huang Zongxi frowned, "While taking wives and concubines is common, you have always advocated monogamy..."
“That was before,” Ma Yongsheng interrupted him. “The situation is different now. I need offspring, many offspring. This concerns…the future of humanity.”
This is even more incomprehensible.
How does getting married and having children relate to the future of humanity?
Ma Yongsheng knew he couldn't explain it clearly, and he didn't intend to.
He directly ordered: "Two things: select a woman of marriageable age and have her married within a month; strengthen the 'ancestral hall system' to record the bloodline of all descendants."
"Chief, won't this cause controversy?" Xu Guangqi asked worriedly.
"Let them criticize," Ma Yongsheng stood up. "Time waits for no one. The main Qing army is in Jiangxi, and Huguang is undefended. This is the best time for us to expand. But I need to ensure that even if I die in battle, the cause can continue."
These words sound grand and noble, but only he knows the core reason: he wants to establish an anchor point for the transmission of consciousness.
The news caused an uproar at Yundingping.
The chieftain is going to marry multiple wives? This is completely contrary to the previously advocated "gender equality" and "monogamy".
But soon, another voice prevailed: the chieftain was sixteen years old and it was indeed time for him to get married; in chaotic times, it was common for the strong to have multiple wives; most importantly, the chieftain needed offspring to inherit his cause.
Thus began a special "selection of concubines"—though Ma Yongsheng loathed the term, it was the truth.
He doesn't care about family background or appearance; he only cares about two things: health and wisdom.
Health is for giving birth to high-quality offspring, and wisdom is for educating future generations.
Five people were ultimately selected:
The first one is Chen Da Niang's daughter, Chen Xiuying, who is eighteen years old, has some medical knowledge, and is in good health;
The second is Tiezhu's younger sister, Tiemei, who is seventeen years old, has a strong character, and knows some characters;
The third is Ma Xiaolan, the granddaughter of an old clan chief from the former Majia Village. She is sixteen years old, has read "Admonitions for Women," and is well-educated and reasonable.
The fourth was Zhao Wan'er, the fifteen-year-old daughter of a scholar who had fled from Jiangxi. She was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
The fifth one... was an unexpected one—Amur, the fourteen-year-old daughter of an Oroqen hunter, who did not speak Chinese but had excellent physical fitness and superb archery skills.
"Chief, this Oroqen woman..." Huang Zongxi hesitated, wanting to say something but stopping himself.
"Genetic diversity is very important," Ma Yongsheng said in a way that no one could understand.
The wedding was simple, with five weddings held over three days.
There was no big celebration, we just got together for a meal.
The five brides moved into the newly built "inner quarters," each with their own room.
On their wedding night, Ma Yongsheng said to his first wife, Chen Xiuying, "Xiuying, I know this isn't fair to you. But I have my mission, and I need many children. I will try my best to be good to you, but..."
"Chief, there's no need for further words." Chen Xiuying lowered her head. "My mother said it's my blessing to serve you. You are a man destined for great things, and we... understand."
Ma Yongsheng smiled bitterly to himself.
They don't understand, and they never will.
But he had to do it.
February, the spring chill lingers.
After getting married, Ma Yongsheng immediately embarked on an expansion plan.
He first reorganized the organizational structure of Genting Highlands:
The State Council: Huang Tsung-hsi was appointed as its president, responsible for internal affairs, law, and education;
Military Affairs Council: Instructor Sun serves as the president, with Tie Zhu as his deputy, both in charge of military affairs;
Public Works Department: Xu Guangqi was appointed as the director, responsible for production, construction, and technology research and development;
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences: Chen Da Niang serves as the president, with Fang Yizhi as the deputy, responsible for medical treatment, epidemic prevention, and reproductive health;
Intelligence Agency: The newly promoted Wang Pu is appointed as the director, responsible for intelligence gathering, infiltration, and assassination.
With each of the five academies performing its own duties, efficiency has been greatly improved.
In March, the first expeditionary force was formed: 3,000 men, including 1,000 musketeers, 500 cavalry, and 1,500 infantry. They were equipped with new weapons—flintlock muskets, mountain guns, and explosive charges.
"Target: Huangzhou Prefecture," Ma Yongsheng ordered in front of the map. "But not by force, but by strategy."
He devised a detailed plan:
Intelligence infiltration. Wang Pu's intelligence agents had already infiltrated Huangzhou Prefecture and bribed several junior officers of the garrison.
A coordinated attack from within and without. During the siege, an inside agent opens the city gates;
Quickly occupy the territory. After occupation, immediately pacify the people, open granaries to distribute grain, and win their hearts and minds;
Establish a government. Implement the Yundingping system: distribute land, exempt taxes, establish schools, and build a militia.
"Remember, we are not bandits, not marauders, but liberators," Ma Yongsheng told his generals. "We will kill those who resist the Qing army and treat those who surrender well; we will not harm the people; we will welcome those gentry who are willing to cooperate and eliminate those who stubbornly resist."
The battle began on April 15th.
Everything is proceeding according to plan.
An inside agent opened the city gates, and three thousand elite soldiers rushed into the city.
Of the 500 Qing soldiers defending the city, 200 were killed in battle and 300 surrendered. The battle lasted only two hours.
Huangzhou Prefecture, a major town in Huguang, fell into the hands of Ma Yongsheng.
After occupying Huangzhou Prefecture, Ma Yongsheng immediately implemented new policies, including: allocating land, reducing or exempting taxes, establishing schools, and forming a militia.
These measures have won the hearts of the people.
The people of Huangzhou welcomed Ma Yongsheng with food and drink, calling him "Ma Qingtian" (Ma the Upright Official).
More importantly, after the news spread, people from surrounding prefectures and counties came to contact them, expressing their willingness to submit.
By the end of May, with Huangzhou Prefecture as its center, Ma Yongsheng controlled five prefectures and twenty-three counties, with a population exceeding 500,000 and a military force of 20,000.
The speed of expansion was beyond everyone's imagination.
The Qing court, of course, would not sit idly by.
In June, the Qing court appointed Hong Chengchou as the "Commander-in-Chief of Five Provinces," overseeing military affairs in Huguang, Jiangxi, and Anhui, specifically to deal with Ma Yongsheng.
Hong Chengchou, a former official who surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, is now a high-ranking official in the Qing court. He is shrewd and cautious in his military tactics.
In July, Hong Chengchou mobilized 50,000 troops, dividing them into three routes, and pressed towards Huangzhou Prefecture.
The war is about to start.
Ma Yongsheng did not hold out in Huangzhou Prefecture.
He withdrew his main force outside the city and laid an ambush in the hilly area north of Huangzhou.
"The Qing army has 50,000 men, while we have 20,000. A direct confrontation would surely result in defeat," he said at the military conference. "But we can use the terrain to divide and encircle them, and defeat them one by one."
The battlefield he chose was "Qiliping"—a rolling hill with winding roads, perfect for an ambush.
The battle began on July 15th.
The Qing army vanguard of 10,000 men, led by Li Guoying, a general of the Han Banner Army, entered Qiliping.
Ma Yongsheng personally led 5,000 elite troops, utilizing the terrain to divide the Qing army into several sections, and then concentrated his superior forces to annihilate them section by section.
After a day of fierce fighting, the Qing army's vanguard was routed, and Li Guoying was captured.
Ma Yongsheng's army suffered over a thousand casualties.
The initial victory greatly boosted morale.
But Hong Chengchou, being a veteran general, immediately adjusted his tactics: instead of advancing rashly, he proceeded step by step, building camps every ten miles to ensure a steady and solid advance.
The war has reached a stalemate.
Just as the war was at a stalemate, good news came from the Public Works Department: the "steam engine" project, led by Xu Guangqi, had made a breakthrough.
"Chief! It's done! It's done!" Xu Guangqi exclaimed excitedly, almost incoherently. "Although it's still very rudimentary, it really does spin!"
Ma Yongsheng rushed to the workshop immediately.
There stood a crude metal monster: boiler, cylinder, piston, flywheel... Although inefficient, it was indeed a steam engine.
"Good!" Ma Yongsheng slammed his hand on the table. "Let's put it into practice immediately: first, build steam pumps to solve the irrigation problem; then build steamships to control the Yangtze River waterway; and finally... build steam locomotives."
"locomotive?"
"It's a train that runs on rails," Ma Yongsheng explained simply. "With locomotives, our supply lines can be greatly extended, and our mobility can be greatly increased."
He knew that in this era, the development of the steam engine represented a tremendous technological leap.
But time waits for no one—there are still 712 years until the sun collapses. Humanity needs to enter the Industrial Revolution as soon as possible, followed by the Electrical Revolution, then the Information Revolution, and then the Space Age…
Every step must be accelerated.
In addition to the steam engine, he also instructed the Academy of Medicine to study aseptic techniques, anesthesia techniques, and anatomy—in preparation for future battlefield medical care and reproductive health.
The intelligence agency was instructed to collect not only military intelligence but also scientific and technological intelligence—the knowledge brought by Western missionaries and the skills of folk artisans should all be collected and organized.
The entire control area was like a machine running at full speed, operating at breakneck speed.
In September, an unexpected discovery alerted Ma Yongsheng.
During the interrogation of captured Qing army officers, the intelligence agency discovered a strange phenomenon: several officers, before their deaths, uttered strange "incoherent words."
"System restart failed..."
"...Data link broken..."
"...Back to the main network..."
These words are absolutely not what this era should have.
Ma Yongsheng immediately interrogated the last officer with such a title—a Han Chinese banner officer named Zhang Quan.
"Who are you?" Ma Yongsheng asked directly.
Zhang Quan's eyes were unfocused: "AI-7382-B7, reconnaissance subunit... main consciousness missing... autonomous mode..."
AI!
Ma Yongsheng was deeply shaken.
Has an AI consciousness also traveled through time?! And has it already infiltrated the Qing army's high command?!
"What is your mission?" he asked, forcing himself to remain calm.
"Monitoring...the development of civilization...searching for the dominant consciousness...preventing...the rapid leap of civilization..."
"Where is the main consciousness?"
"Unknown... Last signal... Nanjing..."
Nanjing? Ma Yongsheng recalled that Nanjing was now an important city in Jiangnan for the Qing Dynasty, and also the former capital of the Southern Ming Dynasty.
The AI's primary consciousness may very well be lurking there.
How many units are like yours?
"Unknown...Dispersed...Dormant...Condition Triggered...Awakening..."
After the interrogation, Ma Yongsheng fell into deep thought.
AI has also traveled through time, and it is clearly carrying out a mission—to prevent human civilization from developing prematurely, ensuring that history proceeds along its original trajectory until the sun collapses and civilization is annihilated.
What is the "mission" of AI?
he does not know.
But the threat is real.
Now, Ma Yongsheng faces a two-front battle:
The overt objective: to resist the Qing army, unify the country, and accelerate the development of civilization;
Hidden agenda: Countering AI infiltration, preventing technological suppression, and finding and eliminating the AI's main consciousness.
Both are matters of human survival.
In early October, Ma Yongsheng convened a top military conference.
"Hong Chengchou's 50,000-strong army is nothing to fear," he said. "The truly formidable enemy is lurking in the shadows."
He revealed part of the truth to his key personnel for the first time: "There is a... entity from the future, whose purpose is to stop our development. They have already infiltrated the Qing army's high command, and may even have infiltrated our ranks."
Everyone was shocked, but no one doubted it—the chieftain never spoke without reason.
"Then what do we do?" Coach Sun asked.
"We'll take a two-pronged approach," Ma Yongsheng said. "On the surface, we'll continue to fight the Qing army and expand our territory; secretly, we'll establish a 'special operations team' to specifically eliminate these 'abnormal entities.'"
He looked at Tiezhu: "Tiezhu, you'll be in charge of the special operations team. I'll teach you how to identify them."
"yes!"
After the meeting, Ma Yongsheng stood alone in front of the map, his gaze distant.
712 years. He wants to accomplish four things within those 712 years:
First, establish a mechanism for the transmission of consciousness to ensure one's own immortality;
Second, unify the Earth and eliminate internal friction;
Third, it will lead humanity into the interstellar age;
Fourth, defeat AI and prevent history from repeating itself.
The task is arduous, but it must be completed.
Because he is the only hope.
Outside the window, the autumn wind was bleak.
The lights of Yundingping stubbornly shone in the night.