Chapter 459 — A New Doctrine
Blade of Dawn · Page 4 of 4
"At first many were bewildered, but they could still take it in. Only a very few steadfast believers showed any resistance, and I believe that resistance can be softened," Wright said, a complicated expression passing over his face. "The great majority of ordinary believers are commoners. Before they came to Cecil they were poor folk who could not even read, who had never once opened a scripture. They have no notion what is actually written in the Holy Light scriptures—whatever the local pastor tells them is what they believe. And the local pastors care nothing for how devout these people are; so long as the divine arts remain in the hands of the Church, and those ordinary believers will obediently open their purses in hopes of obtaining a divine art, the pastors are content... Under such conditions, spreading the new doctrine has actually become easy for us."
"The real obstacle is not the common folk but those who hold a stake in the old order; the clergy of Frostgate are the ones who will resist the new doctrine most fiercely," Gao Yang said. "So our plan must move on to the next step."
"You need only give the order."
Gao Yang paused a moment, then looked gravely into Wright's eyes: "You know about the printing works newly built in the city?"
"Of course. I even went to look it over—it truly is an incredible sight."
"Then guess: if a hundred thousand handbills and pamphlets bearing the new doctrine were to come crashing down into Netherwall, what would the clergy in there do?"