Zhang Yingchen
Zhang Yingchen is Zhang Yingchen is a key figure in this narrative who emerges as both a visionary and a strategic leader within the religious and intellectual circles of the Elder Council—a faction deeply intertwined with political power, secretive doctrine, and cultural preservation. Initially framed through his role in establishing "New Religion," Zhang Yingchen operates with remarkable self-discipline, securing minimal resources to pursue his ambitions despite bureaucratic resistance. His background suggests a blend of scholarly acumen and pragmatic adaptability: he likely comes from a commercial or administrative milieu (as hinted by Zhao Yingong’s observation about his Hangzhou roots), but his true depth lies in his mastery over obscure texts—whether Daoist scriptures, BL erotica, or religious philosophy—which grant him an
Context from Novel
"Chapter 567 - The Daoist Arrives Xi Yazhou announced the implementation of "Decimation"—collective punishment for the labor teams that had participated in the riot. None save the Elders knew what this ancient term meant, but they would learn soon enough. Terror would teach them. The three labor squadrons implicated in the uprising were herded to the center of the compound and formed into ranks. Then the counting began: one to ten, one to ten, one to ten. Every tenth man was dragged from the line"
"Chapter 568 - New Religion He Ying knew that Ming Dynasty block-printed books commanded steep prices, and moreover, for an Elder to spend silver personally required tedious exchange procedures through Delung. Most couldn't be bothered with such hassle. This Zhang Yingchen truly was willing to invest in his passions. On the snow-white wall hung a painting of Laozi Converting the Barbarians , the work of some Ming local painter—likely also acquired from the Gou family spoils. Zhang Yingchen wore a"
"Chapter 569 - Breakthrough "Good, but don't expect much support. The Executive Committee is notoriously stingy with funding and personnel allocations for the Religious Affairs Office. The Catholic Church currently operates mostly on Jesuit money." "I don't need many resources," Zhang Yingchen said modestly. "Just allocate me the necessary personnel—a dozen or so orphans will suffice. As for funding, current needs are limited; I can cover it myself for now." "Personnel is extremely difficult—ever"
"Chapter 655 - Religious Figures The disposition of military officers and soldier prisoners had been settled. But how to handle the captured scholar-secretaries remained a matter of debate. Generally speaking, those who held power in this group were, at their core, contemptuous—even hostile—toward all intellectuals of this era, viewing them as useless at best and dangerous at worst: the seedbed for contesting the right to discourse and fomenting rebellion. Although practical necessity had led to"
"Chapter 813 - The People of Leizhou Station After completing the formalities, members of the new and old leadership teams held a welcome and farewell banquet at the Leizhou Station headquarters—formerly Zhu An's residence. All attendees were Elders. To avoid provoking the "comrade from Central"—especially since she was a woman, and women tended to be more perceptive about such things, and a married woman at that—the banquet was scrupulously proper. There was no "entertainment" of the sort the ma"
Appearances
Appears in chapters: 568, 569, 570, 656, 814, 854, 856, 876, 877, 878, 879, 880, 900, 922, 923, 925, 946, 966, 967, 972, 973, 974, 975, 976, 977, 978, 979, 1033, 1034, 1535, 1536, 1900, 2610, 2881.