Chapter 551: He needs to read more

"Why are they fighting?"

Li Er followed behind Yao Xian, head raised, his eyes fixed on him, full of curiosity.

"Is there some misunderstanding?"

Yao Xian lowered his head and glanced at him, the corners of his mouth slightly turning up.

This child asks so innocently.

"It's not a misunderstanding." He spoke, voice not loud: "It's a game between states."

Li Er blinked, obviously not understanding.

Yao Xian slowed his pace, letting him keep up.

"In this world, there are strong states and weak states."

"Chu Guo is strong, Chen State is weak. Strong states want to expand, to subjugate the small states around them for their own use."

"Weak states don't want to be annexed; they want to survive."

"Thus, weak states seek a backer, a stronger one, to ally with, borrowing its strength to counter the strong state that wants to swallow them."

Li Er nodded thoughtfully:

"So Chen State turned to Jin Guo?"

"Yes." Yao Xian gave him an approving look. "Chen State turned to Jin Guo; Jin Guo is the northern hegemon, contending with Chu Guo for supremacy for many years."

"Chen State's reliance on Jin Guo naturally displeases Chu Guo."

Li Er tilted his head, thought, then asked: "Why doesn't Chu Guo directly attack Jin Guo? What's the point of attacking Chen State?"

Yao Xian smiled.

"Because attacking Chen State is easier; for Chu Guo to strike Jin Guo would require a thousand‑li campaign, the outcome uncertain."

"But attacking Chen State is close at hand; Chen State is weak, and one blow will hurt."

"Furthermore, this matter stems from the Chen ruler breaking the treaty first, causing the Chu king to lose face; naturally he seeks to regain it."

"It also brings glory and intimidates the other states."

"All of it is about profit."

Li Er fell silent for a moment, seemingly digesting these words.

After walking a few steps, he raised his head again.

"Breaking the treaty—doesn't that mean he has no propriety?"

"Then, when Chu Guo attacks, will you go to help?"

Yao Xian nodded.

"I will go."

"Why?"

"He is discourteous, and I cannot be discourteous; I act for this state, so on that day you will stay temporarily in the city. I will have people protect you."

Li Er heard this and shook his head.

"I also want to go help."

Yao Xian was stunned for a moment.

"Why?"

Li Er raised his head, looked into his eyes, and said seriously:

"I am also a Chen State person; I too have propriety!"

That tone was natural, without any hesitation.

Yao Xian looked at him, silent for an instant.

This child, clearly extraordinary, clearly close to that 'Mister,' and clearly may become a tremendous figure in the future.

But at this moment, he is merely a small Chen State person.

A Chen State person who wants to contribute something for his country.

Yao Xian said nothing more.

He merely gave a slight nod.

"All right, then stay by my side."

Li Er grinned widely and nodded firmly.

The two continued walking forward.

In the city, Yao Xian's residence was not far away—a manor neither large nor small.

And that giant bird had long since flown into the clouds, disappearing without a trace.

…………

The next day.

The capital of Chen State, Wanqiu, lay under a heavy atmosphere.

Few people walked the streets; occasionally a few hurried passersby kept their heads down, steps quick, daring not to linger.

Few shops were open; most had their doors tightly shut, signs reading 'Closed for business' or similar.

The air was thick with tension and fear, a suffocating feeling before a storm.

On the city walls, soldiers came and went, transporting defensive equipment.

Some reinforced the gate, some hauled rolling logs and stones, some wiped down weapons.

At a modest stall still open beneath the walls, a few vendors and passersby sat together, drinking thin, cheap liquor and chatting quietly.

"Have you heard? Old Li's eldest son has been conscripted."

"Conscripted? He's only thirteen, right?"

Even thirteen-year-olds are being drafted; guarding the city needs people—what does your age matter?

Sigh... my spouse was also drafted, left yesterday, and didn't even get a proper meal.

A diner sighed, picked up his bowl and took a big gulp of wine.

My family donated three stone of grain and two bolts of cloth.

Donated grain? I donated money—a hundred coins! That's about half a year's savings.

What's half a year's savings? Staying alive is what matters.

A middle-aged man who looked like a merchant lowered his voice, glanced around, then whispered:

I heard, this whole thing is blamed on our ruler.

Several people nearby looked at each other, no one responded.

The merchant continued: "You think, before we were like this too? How come now with him it's not okay?"

An old man sighed: "You can't say it like that; the ruler is young, just ascended the throne—how would he know all these complexities?"

Don't understand? Not understanding just brings disaster on us?" The merchant's voice rose a bit: "If he's capable, let him bear it himself! Why should we go to our deaths?"

Shhh—keep it down!" The person beside hurried to stop him: "You don't care about your life?"

What nonsense are you spouting?

The merchant, annoyed, closed his mouth, lifted his bowl and took another big gulp of wine.

But that resentment just couldn't be swallowed down.

These words, not missing a single word, fell into the ears of the two people nearby.

That was a seat by the window; Yao Xian was holding his bowl, eating slowly and calmly.

Opposite him, Li Er sat upright, his chopsticks halted mid-air, unmoving for a long while.

He listened to their conversation, pursed his lips.

He wanted to speak, wanted to say something, but he opened his mouth and then closed it.

He didn't know what to say.

He only knew, what those people said seemed to make sense as well.

They lost loved ones, lost wealth, lost a stable life.

They had the right to complain, to resent, to be angry.

And that young ruler...

Li Er recalled the figure he'd seen yesterday in the hall.

Wearing dark ceremonial robes, his face pallid, his eyes full of panic and unease.

He too was first time being ruler, possibly also not knowing what to do.

Li Er lowered his head, looking at the rice in his bowl, remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he just let out a light sigh.

He couldn't figure out why it had come to this.

When he gets back, he needs to read more.