Chapter 190

Outside the city of Wangshenzhou.

At the bridge crossing, the motorcades of the four nations gathered together just like that.

The students of Daqing and Qianyuan were gathered harmoniously in a group.

The Chu and Han nations, however, had split into two factions, having no dealings with each other.

Think back to those years!

The Qianyuan grand army pressed in, their momentum like bamboo being split; Han and Chu, forced by necessity, could only join hands to resist the powerful enemy, and the alliance treaty was nothing more than a measure of expediency.

Now, as time has passed and circumstances have changed, the two nations govern themselves, their national strength grows daily, and with the lack of external threats, contradictions have long since sprouted.

Within the countries, there is much discussion!

"The Chu people's hearts are higher than the heavens, their wolfish ambitions are wild, and one must still guard oneself when dealing with them."

"Hmph, the Chu people are overly conceited and short-sighted."

The Chu nation often considers itself the orthodox representative of Confucianism in the world, and they hold foreign students in low regard.

And the question of the belonging of the "Most Holy Master," the founding ancestor of the Confucian lineage, has become an eternal dispute between the Han and Chu nations since ancient times.

The Han people speak with certainty, claiming that this saint who laid the foundation for Confucianism was, in tracing his roots, actually a Han noble who merely traveled to Chu to establish his school of thought.

And the Chu nation is not to be outdone, saying that the Han nation driving that Confucian saint out of their country was a betrayal of the saint, and they have long since ceased to be the true orthodoxy of Confucianism.

That era was the time of the Warring States, when the schools of thought contended, and although Confucianism was a prominent school of the time, it was not valued by the monarchs.

The Warring States period mostly revered force and power-scheming, advocating for hegemony.

They sneered at the Confucian-advocated governing principles of "benevolence" and "ritual."

In the end, that saint who founded Confucianism, called the Master by later generations, established the White Deer Academy in his old age, and until the moment he died, he was still thinking of the Han nation.

Later, the Warring States period ended, the seven nations stood in balance, and monarchs began to use Confucian thought to govern their countries.

Disciples who walked out of the White Deer Academy began to occupy high positions in various nations.

The wind of Confucianism flourished throughout the world, and the White Deer Academy was therefore revered as the orthodox source of Confucian learning in the world.

At this moment!

Qianyuan's Third Prince, Wu Long, stood at the bridgehead, his gaze sweeping over a group of spirited Chu students and that high-ranking official Xun Li, without the slightest intention of exchanging pleasantries.

The corners of his mouth could not help but curl into an inexplicable sneer.

Wu Long looked down upon this nation from the bottom of his heart, governed by a group of Confucian "parasites," with the monarch having become a puppet.

Holding the Son of Heaven hostage, making the world a family affair!

And they even prettily called it: "Harmony between monarch and subject," but they were nothing more than a group of thieves stealing the country.

He walked straight toward the small island in the middle of the river!

Xie Chunan and the two young ladies, as well as Zou Lin, also followed Wu Long all the way.

Compared to Han and Chu, in a situation where one must choose, naturally one chooses the powerful Qianyuan.

Inside a pavilion to the side.

Xun Li, in green Confucian robes and with a graceful demeanor, felt Wu Long's sharp gaze, but his expression did not change.

Beside Xun Li was Lady Gongsun Jixia.

This direct grandson of the Chu nation's Lady Gongsun family, the noble young master of Chu's number one aristocratic family, was perfect in both appearance and demeanor, and was pursued by many women in Chu.

In the imperial palace of Great Chu, those little imperial princes all had to respectfully call Lady Gongsun Jixia "Elder Brother."

One can see the power of the Lady Gongsun family!

He looked at the backs of Wu Long and the others as they left, his brows slightly furrowed, and he could not help but feel a bit of doubt in his heart.

The four nations were gathered, and the other three nations all kept their distance from Chu; such a situation made him feel a trace of unease.

He could not help but ask slowly:

"Mr. Xun, do we need to go over...?"

Xun Li, the proud disciple of Lady Gongsun Zhongshu, had been able to open a hall to lecture on the classics at the White Deer Academy before he had even reached the age of twenty, which was a legendary tale of the academy.

Xun Li smiled after hearing this:

"The hearts of the Han people have always been separated from us by a river, and they will eventually become a disaster; this is a truth that all Chu people know."

"Even if a gentleman is hospitable, if he uses a hot face to press against someone else's cold stove, why seek trouble for oneself!"

Lady Gongsun Jixia heard this, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he had realized something, but he could not help but ask further:

"In the past, didn't our Chu nation use the strategy of horizontal and vertical alliances to maneuver among the various nations? You, Mr. Xun, are even a firm supporter of this strategy."

"Although the Chu nation is already powerful, how can it resist the various nations with its own strength?"

Xun Li heard this, his smile deepened, and he said slowly: "World affairs are like a chess game; the strategies of the past may not necessarily apply to the present. Ten years ago, Qianyuan was powerful, and Han and Chu united to seek self-preservation."

"Today, everything has changed, so naturally one cannot speak of it in the same way."

"The Master of those years advocated benevolence, righteousness, and ritual, which were viewed by monarchs as techniques to disrupt the country; they also said that a country advocating benevolence would only be viewed as fish and meat by other countries."

"They do not understand that a gentleman can also bestow grace upon the world!"

Lady Gongsun Jixia heard this, and his heart added a few more points of confusion.

Several strong men are wrestling; knowing that it is difficult to win by fighting alone, shouldn't one seek allies to resist external insults together?

Although this principle is clear, why does Mr. Xun say there is no need to rush for a moment?

Xun Li looked at the large city of the Yan territory not far away and said slowly:

"After the King of Yan declares himself emperor this time, you will understand my words today."

Lady Gongsun Jixia nodded slowly.

The act of the King of Yan declaring himself emperor undoubtedly stirred up waves among the four nations.

He walked in the Yan territory, his heart full of doubts.

Although the people on this land live and work in peace and contentment, their thoughts seem different from the others, as if they are drifting outside of all the schools of thought.

They do not revere Confucianism, Buddhism, or Daoism!

They do not deepen royal power, but instead divide their own power, setting up various regional governors and advisory councils.

It is equivalent to starting to distribute power to the ordinary people below.

Although the people live and work in peace and contentment, the thoughts within are truly like those of an alien species.

Now the Yan territory is building a country on land that originally belonged to Daqing.

Is this King of Yan's acquisition of the country legitimate?

He comes from the Lady Gongsun family, although he controls the entire country's military and government affairs.

However!

The Lady Gongsun family has had family precepts passed down for generations.

"Do not build a country, do not declare yourself emperor!"

Lady Gongsun Jixia did not ask any more, but his eyes mostly looked at the small island in the middle of the river.

The leaders of the three nations' delegations are all gathered here; I wonder what the Han princess who studied at the White Deer Academy of Great Chu is thinking at this moment.

At this moment!

On the small island in the middle of the river.

On the railing beside the stone carving in the very center, several people met.

There was no tension, just chatting as if they had met ordinary friends.

"Liqian, greets the Prince!"

Wu Long sized up this Han princess, who has a reputation for virtue among the four nations; being able to entrust such an important matter as the delegation to her shows her ability.

Besides a maid, there were no other guards besides seven or eight bodyguards beside her.

It is equivalent to traveling alone through four nations, which shows her courage.

He always has a bit of respect for women; perhaps it is because the Empress of Qianyuan has truly given her a different understanding of the two words "daughter."

"Princess, you are too polite!"

Several people came from different countries, and when they met, they just understood each other, no need to bow.

Yuwen Liqian noticed the several people behind Wu Long.

Especially this woman named Xie Lingxuan.

It is truly impossible not to notice her; her face is like a flower and jade, her appearance like spring blossoms, and her figure is extremely moving.

Yuwen Liqian smiled and said: "This sister must be the top of the Rouge List, right?"

She originally thought that this woman, rumored to be quite old, would have the demeanor of a matron, but she did not expect her to be so beautiful.

Like a woman who has just turned twenty!

Xie Lingxuan saw this, bowed gracefully, and a gentle voice like jade rang out.

"Xie Lingxuan greets the Princess."

"The Princess praises me too much."

It is truly that the woman's appearance is too astonishing.

The maid behind Yuwen Liqian could not help but be surprised; the Princess is already born extremely beautiful, but she still cannot compare to her.

The woman's eyes seem to carry a light smoke-like sorrow, which makes people feel even more pity.

The maid could not help but secretly guess in her heart, how could such a woman have troubles?

Xie Chunan's gaze stayed on Yuwen Liqian's face for a moment, then he bowed respectfully and said:

"Xie Chunan, pays respects to the Princess."

Yuwen Liqian responded with a smile: "Master Xie, no need for such formalities."

During the conversation, several people exchanged pleasantries!

Yuwen Liqian leisurely mentioned that when she was in the Han nation, she had already heard that Xie Chunan's "iron-mouthed direct judgment" had a far-reaching reputation.

Unexpectedly, Xie Chunan said with a self-deprecating smile: "This old man has actually become famous among the nations for street-corner divination techniques rather than strategies for governing the country and bringing peace to the people; this is truly unexpected."

To the side, Wu Long intervened at the right time and suggested: "Princess, why not ask Master Xie to take a look at your fortune?"

Wu Long has been able to travel this way with Xie Chunan because he has always been quite obsessed with this path.

In those years, it was a wandering Daoist who saw that Wu Ying had the appearance of a true dragon, so Wu Long did not hesitate and placed his bet early before Wu Ying had risen.

Yuwen Liqian shook her head gently, holding a calm attitude toward the talk of ghosts and gods.

Emperor Huizong, because he was obsessed with Daoism, handed over state affairs to Daoists to handle, which eventually led to the decline of the country.

In her view, "Asking the heavens is not as good as asking the people"; only by truly understanding the people's feelings can one govern the country well.

As for her own fortune, it is all related to the Han nation; born into an imperial family, receiving its honor, one must worry for it.

Xie Chunan heard this, stroked his beard and smiled, but still could not help but praise:

"The Princess has dragon eyes and a phoenix neck, her eyes are like torches, her forehead is square and her chin is broad; she is noble beyond words, and not something that can be fully described in words."

The maid to the side secretly pondered in her heart, disagreeing with Xie Chunan's words, and had already classified Xie Chunan as a street swindler.

Her own master is a princess of a country, a body of gold, so naturally she is noble beyond words.

In the Han palace, there are also often sorcerers coming and going to calculate good and bad luck for the monarch, but they only need to speak cleverly to exchange for generous rewards.

She never believes it; if there were really gods and Buddhas all over the sky.

The first to be blessed should be the monks who eat vegetarian food and chant Buddha in the temples, the monks who chant scriptures every day.

Xie Lingxuan seemed to hear the deep meaning in it, so she took another look at this princess.

Du Hui beside Yuwen Liqian smiled and said:

"Master Xie, why not take a look for me!"

Xie Chunan looked at the only Chu person present, this teacher of the White Deer Academy.

Then he smiled and said:

"Mr. Du, why not look to the north."

Du Hui did not take it to heart after hearing this.

Wu Long's gaze turned to the stone carving, his eyes revealing a bit of emotion:

"This King of Yan, only twenty-six years old, has already become famous throughout the world; he is truly a young hero, making people look up to him."

"I often think, if I could have the opportunity to fight him on the battlefield in this life, it would definitely be a fine story."

Wu Long's words revealed his confidence as a veteran of the battlefield, and he also knew.

The brilliant battle record of the Lu Army is definitely not a false rumor; those glorious military achievements of eight thousand breaking thirty thousand, and eighty thousand breaking four hundred thousand, are legends forged by countless soldiers with blood and life, not wild history lightly written by scholars.

Staring at the statue in front of him, Wu Long's thoughts drifted to the scene of meeting the King of Yan.

He suddenly asked in a deep voice, his words carrying deep meaning:

"This King of Yan, is his path to acquiring the country truly upright and open, in accordance with the heavenly way and the hearts of the people?"

That is to say, is the acquisition of the country legitimate?

Opening the history books, those who steal the country are common; there are entrusted ministers who take advantage of a weak master and a dangerous country to commit usurpation.

There are also monarchs of the Warring States period who were deluded by slanderous words, three people making a tiger, praising the person as having virtue and talent, and that he should abdicate and yield to the worthy, and finally being deceived by treacherous people, they carried out the act of abdication.

This is an illegitimate acquisition of the country!

However, there are also those who are upright and open, such as the Gao Zu of Daqing, who rose from the status of a humble refugee and, with his own strength, founded the foundation of Daqing.

And like the Wu family of the Qianyuan imperial clan, who rose from the tribes, conquered in all directions, and finally achieved a great cause.

Once these words were spoken, the surroundings suddenly fell into silence.

Lu Chen, this person who was once a subject of Daqing, he had eaten the monarch's salary.

What does that count as?

Xie Lingxuan spoke gently, her voice carrying a bit of firmness:

"His acquisition of the position is legitimate, truly the direction of the people's hearts; this is an undeniable fact."

Yuwen Liqian heard this and thought of the complicated relationship between that stunning beauty on the Rouge List and the King of Yan.

There is this matter of the engagement.

The resolute words of "How could you be worthy of me, Lu Chen!" on Mount Zhongnan.

It added a bit of a reputation for heartlessness to the King of Yan.

Now it seems that this Miss Xie family truly has not forgotten Lu Chen, and the rumors are true.

Xie Chunan remained silent; as a high-ranking official of Daqing, he knew well that it was not appropriate to comment recklessly at this time and place.

Yuwen Liqian also thought about it; the King of Yan's act of entering the capital in those years, although he supported the new emperor, the act of killing the old emperor and the Empress Dowager was still a stain.

It is disloyalty!

Just as everyone was silent, Wu Long was preparing to skip this topic.

An old voice came from behind, saying:

"The Shaobao's acquisition of the country is extremely legitimate, beyond doubt."

Several people turned their eyes to look.

Everyone turned their heads upon hearing the sound, only to see an old man in white robes standing behind Xie Chunan.

Zou Lin!

He is not only a grand master of Go, but this time he followed Xie Chunan to travel to the Yan territory, using another identity.

The Zou family has been historians for generations and participated in the compilation of the outline of Daqing's national history.

Several people looked at this person together.

Here are the prince of Qianyuan, the princess of Han, and the high official of Daqing.

Wu Long's face was quite interested; he was curious about how the people of Daqing evaluated this King of Yan!

The old man did not appear constrained by everyone's gaze; his gaze fell on the statues carved with the image of the young Shaobao.

As if there were golden spears and iron horses in his ears, fires connecting the heavens, and the cries for help of children.

"In the twentieth year of Yongxiang, the northern wind swept south like a tide, sweeping through the entire north, advancing from Yanzhou all the way to outside Hulao Pass, unstoppable."

The old man's voice was full of nostalgia, "The emperor was captured, the empress was humiliated, the new emperor even abandoned the city and fled, the civil and military officials of the court disappeared without a trace, leaving only the people dragging their families."

"At that time, we were truly forced to the end of our rope; the army and people of Yunzhou resisted to the death, the whole city was empty, there was no sound of chickens for a hundred miles, and the people had all been fought!"

"The Battle of Fengcheng, the Battle of Yijiang, the Battle of Langya City... one defeat after another, like heavy shackles, pressing Daqing so hard it couldn't breathe."

"The backbone was broken, countless righteous armies followed one after another, but none could stop the iron hooves of the northern wind, and there was no hope to be seen. The northern wind army burned, killed, and looted, innocent people's corpses were everywhere, and the entire country was shrouded in a haze of despair."

"Throughout the country, people were panicked, and almost everyone thought there was no hope of victory. Forty thousand northern wind troops were pressing on the border, and in the Guanzhong area, the army we could rely on was only forty thousand."

"After passing Hulao Pass, it is the south with no danger to defend."

"The whole world... was in despair!"

Speaking of this, Zou Lin's voice trembled slightly.

"Even I had once been in despair, taking my daughter to hide in a remote hometown in the south, writing the 'Outline of National History' day and night. At that time, I held the determination to write the last history book for Daqing, hoping that even if Daqing were unfortunately defeated and destroyed, future generations could understand that Daqing had once existed through my pen."

"However!"

"That autumn, the Shaobao had just turned twenty and appeared out of nowhere."

(End of chapter)