Chapter 213: Worry, Temporarily Withdrawn

However, kill?

Yet how easy is it to talk about?

Not mentioning the difficulty, even if one truly had the ability to slaughter these millions of refugees.

Then the general who issues this order.

Finally, how should one face the condemnation and scorn of the whole world?

Just this number—millions of unarmed refugees!

If such an order to massacre were really given.

What a huge sin that would be!

Imagine, those innocent lives falling amid the blades' light and shadow.

Blood flows like rivers, corpses litter the wilderness.

Such a scene simply makes one's blood run cold.

Such a sin is not only extreme indifference and trampling of life.

But also a tremendous challenge to human morality and conscience!

Therefore, regardless of whether it is due to...

This general who issued the order to massacre the refugees.

In the end, they must apologize to the whole world!

This killing karma absolutely cannot be opened!

On the battlefield, the two armies clash, blades flashing, blood flowing like rivers.

This is the cruelty of war, and also the inevitability of history.

In such an environment, no matter how many people are killed, it will not provoke criticism and condemnation.

Because war itself is cruel.

The victor becomes king, the loser becomes bandit.

This has been an iron law since ancient times.

Even if you annihilate all the forces of a dynasty, numbering millions of troops.

Others will only praise you as a War God, a slaughter god on the battlefield.

Because that is your achievement, your honor, it is the glory you earned on the battlefield with blood and life.

But, to swing a slaughter knife at a group of unarmed refugees.

That is another matter entirely.

Refugees, they are victims of war, helpless in life.

They have left their homes, wandered aimlessly, merely to find a place to settle.

They are unarmed, have no power to resist, and can only be slaughtered at others' mercy.

And as a General, if one issues a massacre order against them.

That is insane, annihilating humanity!

Massacring refugees is not only a disregard and trampling of human life.

But also an extreme challenge to humanity, morality, and justice.

Such behavior will provoke the anger and condemnation of the whole world.

And those Generals who issue massacre orders.

Will also be forever nailed to the pillar of shame in history.

Becoming a sinner whose name will stink for ten thousand years.

Such a General is no longer a hero on the battlefield.

But becomes a butcher!

A demon that all righteous people in the world would be delighted to kill!

By then, pressured by the Hundred Schools and even the Martial World Dynasty from all sides.

No one can protect the person who issued the order!

The Hundred Schools, each upholding its own unique ideas and values.

The Hundred Schools may have academic disputes, but when facing such an act that annihilates humanity.

They will certainly unite and speak out together.

Even the Confucianists, that group of old fogeys who hide in the school halls all day saying 'zhī hū zhě yě'.

Although the Confucianists usually keep to themselves, devoting themselves to learning and moral instruction.

But once the Confucianists encounter such an event that violates human relations and tramples life.

The Confucianists will definitely be stirred up and selflessly stand up to uphold justice.

The Martial World Dynasty, as another major force in ancient society, will likewise not stand idly by.

Martial world folk, although they often act according to personal preference and righteousness.

But they likewise have their own moral bottom line and sense of justice.

Faced with such wanton slaughter of the innocent, they will surely be filled with righteous indignation.

By then.

If the Monarch does not want to maintain dignity.

Then they will help the Monarch maintain dignity!

In the situation where they have provoked public anger.

Even if the Monarch holds Dao Soldiers in hand.

He also didn't dare say more.

Although the Dao Soldiers are powerful, they cannot withstand the shifting of popular sentiment.

If he insists on protecting the general who ordered the massacre of refugees.

Then he will lose the people's hearts and lose the realm.

In ancient society, the shifting of popular sentiment is a crucial factor determining the rise and fall of a dynasty.

A ruler who has lost the people's hearts.

Just like rootless wood and water without a source, it is hard to endure.

After all, the Confucian scholars hold sway over the majority of mid- and low-level officials in most dynasties and kingdoms.

This point is undeniable, whether in history or in reality.

Confucian teachings, with their deep cultural foundation and moral concepts.

Profoundly influencing the thoughts of emperors and scholars throughout the ages.

Therefore, although the Confucian scholars never clearly side with any faction in political struggles.

But their influence is omnipresent, constantly shaping the fate of the dynasty.

The neutrality of the Confucian scholars is not true neutrality.

Although they do not directly participate in the struggle for power.

But by controlling education and public opinion, they indirectly influence the operation of power.

By cultivating a large number of officials and scholars.

Infusing Confucian ideas and values into every aspect of the dynasty's politics, economy, culture, and so on.

Thus, even if the Confucian scholars themselves hold no real power.

They can still exert a profound influence on the dynasty through their disciples and followers.

Therefore, once the Confucian scholars are thoroughly offended.

That means you lose the support of this vast body of officials and scholars.

This will directly cause your dynasty to fall into difficulty in politics, economy, culture, and so on.

Without the support of the Confucian scholars, the dynasty will lose a large number of officials and scholars.

And these officials and scholars are precisely the foundation of the dynasty's operation.

Without them, the dynasty will be like an empty city, devoid of any vitality.

More seriously, offending the Confucian scholars will provoke social turmoil and unrest.

Confucian teachings have widespread influence in society.

Once the Confucian scholars are thoroughly offended, society's morality and values will fall into chaos.

This will lead to social turmoil and unrest, possibly even triggering popular rebellion and uprising.

In such a situation, the dynasty's rule will become perilously close to collapse.

Therefore, on the Heavenly Martial Continent, the Confucian scholars...

No matter which dynasty or kingdom, none dare lightly offend the Confucian scholars.

They know that although the Confucian scholars do not clearly side with any faction, their influence is omnipresent.

Only by respecting and treating the Confucian scholars well can the dynasty's stability and prosperity be maintained.

Otherwise, once the Confucian scholars are offended.

Then the dynasty's fate will become unpredictable.

It may even edge toward collapse.

Yang Su's mind was filled with countless thoughts.

He turned his head to look at the soldiers beside him, although they were all brave and fearless.

But after a day of fierce battle, fatigue showed on their faces.

Alas!

Retreat!

Now is not the time to be entangled.

Rather than wasting troops here, it is better to preserve strength and seek a better opportunity.

Thus, Yang Su decisively ordered a retreat.

His voice was firm and powerful, exuding an undeniable authority.

As his order was relayed, the armies of the Great Xuan Dynasty retreated like a tide in orderly fashion, leaving an empty battlefield.

On the side of the Hongwu Ming army, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Tianxuan also did not pursue the victory.

They stood on high ground, watching the enemy's departure, without much joy on their faces.

They knew this was merely a small skirmish where each side probed the other.

It does not mean the war is over; rather, it may be the start of a longer standoff.

(End of chapter)