Chapter 843: Shangguan Yan

Having traveled the martial world for a while, Shangguan Yan was no naive white lotus.

Mercy does not command armies; benevolence does not govern states.

Huangfu Renhe's temperament is too gentle; it is not good for the Four Directions City.

This is the late Tang period; the world is in chaos.

Although the Four Directions City lies in the Western Regions, far from the Central Plains, it cannot escape this chaotic environment.

A benevolent ruler cannot ensure the safety of the Four Directions City in such an environment.

After all, both military and political affairs are too dirty.

Gu Moutian nodded and sighed deeply: "Huangfu Renhe is indeed not a good candidate. This child's nature is too pure—he cannot outmaneuver others as a faction leader. His father 【9】 was the same kind of man."

It was exactly this kind of person back then."

Ouyang Mingri fell silent.

The issue Shangguan Yan raised had never occurred to him.

These days, just thinking about his own father's problems had left him utterly exhausted—he had no time to consider anything else.

"My junior sister speaks truly," Ouyang Mingri nodded. "But if he does not become city lord, who will?"

Shangguan Yan smiled: "Didn't you say yourself? You have Your Majesty Li Shimin in your chat group—let him rule the world, wouldn't that be perfect?"

Now, though it is the late Tang, the Tang emperor has become utterly incompetent; the imperial family has lost its authority.

Yet the grand, bold spirit of the High Tang has not vanished; Li Shimin's prestige still resounds across the four seas—he is revered throughout the Central Plains and neighboring nations.

Shangguan Yan grew up listening to stories of Li Shimin.

She naturally trusted his methods of governance.

"I believe that with Your Majesty's intervention, this chaotic age can end, and a great era of peace can be created."

Ouyang Mingri nodded, about to agree.

The border elder said: "Mingri, have you never considered ruling the Four Directions City yourself? With me, your senior uncle, and your junior sister—all four of us at the peak of true qi—we can make the Four Directions City as stable as 【22】 Taishan."

Taishan.

"I appreciate your intention, Master," Ouyang Mingri shook his head. "I have no desire for power or fame—I only wish to cultivate, and to stay by my father's side, helping him turn from evil. Besides, my father once schemed to seize the Four Directions City—wouldn't it be adding error to error if I now took the throne?"

"My junior sister is right. Let Your Majesty Li Shimin rule the world—it is better than Huangfu Renhe, better than me, better than anyone else."

Ouyang Mingri did not doubt his own talent.

If he ruled the Four Directions City, he might do well.

But ruling the entire world would be difficult for him.

The art of governance does not align with medicine or martial arts.

The art of governance is undoubtedly one of the most profound disciplines in heaven and earth.

He does not know it, and he does not wish to learn it.

Open the chat group.

Ouyang Mingri: "@Li Shimin, Your Majesty, are you interested in taking over my world?"

Zhao Kuangyin: "??? Why Li Er? I can do it too."

Zhu Yuanzhang: "I can do it too!"

Li Shimin: "You two calm down. Ouyang Young Master's world is late Tang—clearly, my presence is more suitable."

Li Shimin: "Since Ouyang Young Master has this intention, I naturally accept the responsibility for your world. But what conditions do you require?"

Ouyang Mingri: "No conditions. After I discuss it with Huangfu Renhe, if he has no objections, you may come over."

Li Shimin: "Good. But even if he disagrees, we can still proceed—I'll just take control of everything outside the Four Directions City."

Ouyang Mingri: "True. I'll discuss it further with Master and the others."

Su Xiao: "By the way, where's your father? If you sell off the Four Directions City, will Ouyang Feiying agree?"

Ouyang Mingri: "I've already thought about this. I plan to seal his meridians, leaving him conscious but confined to a wheelchair. The Four Directions City never belonged to the Ouyang family—it's time to return it."

Ouyang Ming said: "I've already thought about this problem. I plan to seal Father's meridians and let him sit in the wheelchair and come to his senses. Four Directions City was never something that belonged to the Ouyang family to begin with.

Xiao Mai: "So filial!"

Lin Daiyu: "This method is cruel, but there's no other way. Ouyang Young Master cannot kill his father, yet he wishes to atone for past wrongs—only by restricting his father's movements can he do so."

Zhang Taixuan: "No, there is another way—the Du Shen Jue."

Ouyang Mingri: "Thank you, Dao Jun, for the reminder. But I still decide to let my father come to his own realization. The Du Shen Jue implies mind alteration—I cannot use it on him."

Lin Fengjiao: "That's true. But then it will be hard—especially for someone with such a strong desire for power, letting go is extremely difficult."

Zhang Taixuan: "No, perhaps the matter is easier than you imagine."

Lin Fengjiao: "May the Dao Jun offer guidance?"

Ouyang Mingri: "Does that mean my father's transformation will be easy?"

Zhang Taixuan: "Why did the conspiracy against the Four Directions City happen in the first place?"

Ouyang Mingri: "Could it be that Father's change of heart came easily?"

Zhang Taixuan: "Why did the conspiracy of Sifang City happen back then?"