Chapter 382: Chang'an, the Sky Is About to Change

Kill one to save ten thousand—should we do it?

This is a question of ethical and power dilemmas that spans past and present, and it has never had a definitive answer.

The Legalists say kill; the Confucians say do not kill.

Mencius even bluntly says: to commit an injustice, to kill the innocent, and to obtain the world—none of these should be done.

This directly denies the legitimacy of sacrificing the innocent for the many.

From the Confucian view, once this precedent is set, the moral foundation of power collapses.

For Li Chengqian, whether the answer is to kill or not, both are actually correct; the difference lies in how much one gains.

The only wrong answer is actually hesitation—failing to answer promptly—so Chen Yan hurried to remind Li Chengqian.

"Father Emperor, this question is sharp; I, your son, believe there is no absolute correct answer. The reason I choose to kill is because, as the Crown Prince, all decisions must prioritize the greater picture and the stability of the state," Li Chengqian said in a deep voice:

"Even though I know in my heart that this is wrong, this multiple‑choice has never truly offered me a choice. Likewise, the moment I make a decision, I will be prepared to bear moral and conscience condemnation."

Li Shimin's gaze was calm as water; after watching Li Chengqian for two breaths, he spoke slowly, "Your thinking leans toward Legalism—quite ruthless! But since you say you are ready to bear the condemnation, it shows you have become mature."

He then sighed, "Indeed this question has no correct answer; history has long presented different choices and their varied outcomes."

"In his later years, Han Wudi employed many harsh officials and ordered numerous executions, including Crown Prince Liu Ju, who also perished in the witchcraft disaster. He may have thought this was eliminating threats and consolidating power, but the result was a severe weakening of the state's vitality and a decline in people's livelihoods."

"Duke Xiang of Song, in the Battle of Hongshui, persisted in the spirit of 'no drums, no formation' and 'no capture of the two hairs', and suffered a crushing defeat. He was mocked for years thereafter, becoming a symbol of feminine mercy."

"So there is no answer; just follow your heart."

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance, "Do not concern yourself with what others say; they have never stood where we stand, how could they appreciate the scenery in our eyes or understand our difficulties?"

"Your son understands!" Li Chengqian clasped his hands.

"Zi An, what about you?" Li Shimin turned to ask.

"Me?" Chen Yan was slightly startled, then nonchalantly replied, "His Majesty, you already know—I even bully my own wife; I have no conscience at all."

"Furthermore, I think when a human life and another life are placed together for a choice, both parties are already not innocent."

"That makes sense," Li Shimin nodded slightly, "Then I will ask you another question: from the Yellow Emperor to the present, the histories pile up like mountains; what have you gleaned from them? Answer me in one sentence."

"Compete to become emperor!"

Li Chengqian recalled that Chen Yan had once asked him the same question, and he voiced the answer Chen Yan had given him.

Li Shimin was quite surprised; his gaze that night changed dramatically for the first time.

His look toward Li Chengqian no longer carried the faint scrutiny of before; it became appreciative.

He finally saw his son's transformation—now sharp and unyielding, no longer soft‑hearted as before—exactly what he had always wanted to see.

Li Chengqian noticed Li Shimin's recent change, breathed a sigh of relief, and even wished he could marry off a few sisters to good brothers.

"Zi Anxiong, impressive!"

"Li Tai, what about you?"

Li Shimin said nothing to Li Chengqian, and instead turned to ask Li Tai.

Li Tai thought for a moment and said, "Prosperity, the people suffer; ruin, the people suffer."

Chen Yan twitched the corner of his mouth and turned his head away.

He had originally prepared this answer for when Li Shimin asked him, but didn't expect Prince of Yue to jump in first.

Li Shimin smiled, "Zi An summed it up well; this kid indeed has a knack for poetry."

Saying that, he turned his head toward Chen Yan, said nothing, but the meaning was clear.

"Eat people!" Chen Yan replied with just two words.

That answer left Li Shimin stunned for a while; in the end he said nothing, only shaking his head and sighing.

"Do you know why I am here with you today, and why I ask you these questions?"

The three stared at each other, then all shook their heads.

Li Shimin: "A while ago, Zi An spread countless rumors; the whole city was cursing the Wei family, even stirring popular anger, yet from start to finish no one mentioned it in the Court, as if it floated away lightly."

"The hidden struggles have reached life‑or‑death opposition, yet every day at court they still discuss trivial matters!"

"Chang'an City, the heavens are about to change right now!"

The final sentence, Li Shimin said lightly, yet it felt as heavy as ten thousand pounds, placing considerable pressure on Li Chengqian.

Li Tai, however, was completely indifferent, pondering whether to find a chance to slip away and return to study hot‑air balloons.

As for Chen Yan, he had realized this long ago, so he had no particular thoughts.

He watched Li Lizhi below playing happily with a few children, and his heart suddenly felt uneasy...

"......"

Eastern Palace, Tongwen Hall.

In the room where Chen Yan and his companions lived, Gao Yang sat by the window, staring blankly.

In the distance, lanterns floated up slowly, one by one, their light reflecting in her eyes; she remained motionless, watching for a long while.

Actually, before leaving, that annoying fellow had clung to her several times, trying to pull her to go see the lantern displays.

For this, he even specially had Li Chengqian prepare a sedan chair.

But Gao Yang still refused.

She knew her temperament was difficult, and taking her out would only spoil the mood.

It's the Lantern Festival, after all; it should be joyful, and she didn't want her presence to make everyone less happy.

Even though she herself said she wouldn't go, thinking of them now merrily playing outside while she sat alone in the quiet room made her feel as if something blocked her heart, suffocatingly uneasy.

Gao Yang bit her lip and couldn't help but mutter softly:

"Bastard!"

"Who is the bastard cursing?"

A voice suddenly from behind startled her.

Turning around, she saw Chen Yan smiling at her with narrowed eyes; a flicker of joy rose in Gao Yang's heart, but she immediately straightened her face: "You bastard, scolding you!"

"Mmm~" Chen Yan laughed until his eyes narrowed, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, you bastard, scolding me."

Gao Yang didn't react at first, but upon seeing his meaningful smile, she suddenly realized and glared at him angrily.

But upon thinking, he deliberately ran back, wasn't it just because he was afraid she'd be lonely alone?

Thinking that, she also couldn't be bothered to argue with him, turned her head and stayed silent.

The smile on Chen Yan's face gradually softened.

He moved a stool to sit behind her, gently embraced her, resting his chin on her shoulder.

They just leaned there quietly, watching the scattered lights outside the window together.

After a while, she said, "Thank you."

"I hate it when you say thank you to me."

"Then I won't say it anymore."

"Mmm~"

"......"

PS: Dear ones, there's something important today, please take a day off, love you all, muah muah!