Chapter 378 – The Earthquake of Dongqing (10)
“Since ancient times, wise sages have never decreed that emperors must be men! Even if there were such a decree, it would merely be a decree—rulers are human beings, righteous ones, not merely men, and certainly not beasts.”
Jiang Pengji’s words had double meanings, throwing shade at several past emperors of Dongqing.
Saying they were beasts instead of humans would probably get a nod of agreement from most common people of Dongqing.
Feng Jin sighed, “Your sharp tongue is too much; I can’t outtalk you when it comes to cunning arguments.”
Indeed, not even the ancient sages said emperors had to be male.
On the contrary, why wouldn’t a woman suffice?
That statement didn’t have any flaws.
To the common people, who the emperor was mattered not; whether male, female, or a beast, they didn’t care—what truly mattered was who could provide them with a stable and fulfilling life… Feng Jin wasn’t an arrogant aristocrat; he understood what the people needed.
Those who truly cared about the emperor’s gender were probably not the common folk but the highborn aristocrats and other powerful figures.
“The customs are what they are; have you considered what you’ll do if your identity is exposed? If all the scholars unite against you, you…”
Feng Jin’s heart started wavering, but he still wished to dissuade her from that idea.
Jiang Pengji didn’t hide her intentions, sneering as she said, “The victor is king, the loser a bandit. When the day comes for battle, who dares to speak otherwise? Scholars can hurl their insults, but no matter how loud they yell, it’s just hot air. Plug your ears, and who cares how they spew their venom?”
Life and death are trivial matters; if you don’t comply, then fight!
Scholarly condemnation seemed formidable, but Jiang Pengji couldn’t care less.
If she died, who would care about the flood that followed her demise?
Let them chatter; who cares who talks back?
Yes, that’s how simple and brutal she was about such matters.
There’s nothing that absolute power can’t suppress; if there is, just suppress it again.
Feng Jin fell silent.
Jiang Pengji had said her piece; they sat in a somewhat heavy atmosphere, and she felt compelled to act first.
“Will you help me or not?”
After talking for so long, she needed him to at least show some response—it was awkward to be the only one performing.
Feng Jin looked at her with a mournful expression: “…”
Seriously, he should at least put on a show of being polite… Could he consider his answer?
“Help.”
As soon as he spoke, Feng Jin wished he could slap himself—why did he just agree so easily?
As if bewitched.
He had previously warned Feng Jue not to act recklessly, but here he was, jumping aboard Jiang Pengji’s pirate ship, one that could sink at any moment.
“That’s good.” Jiang Pengji’s smile brightened, while Feng Jin felt like crying inside.
He understood all too well that after relocating the capital, Dongqing would be closer to disintegration than ever.
They didn’t even care about the citizens of the capital city, so why would they bother with those in the earthquake disaster areas?
A cornered rabbit will bite; let alone living people.
Feng Jin saw the bigger picture and didn’t reject this idea so vehemently anymore.
Even if it was just for the sake of his wife and daughter, he had to secure a place for them to survive as a family.
Jiang Pengji relayed the arrangements she discussed with Xu Ke, and Feng Jin’s concerns echoed their previous conversations.
Currently, they were short on four essentials: people, money, rice, and medicine.
“You start organizing the people in the manor; I’ll have Xiaoyu bring others over. In any case, let’s establish a porridge station first, gather the manpower, and manage the ruins with the surviving common folk to clear out a place for the injured. With aftershocks still ongoing, our priority is safety.”
Feng Jin knew that Jiang Pengji was ultimately doing this for the people.
“With the guards, housemaids, and servants in the manor, we have just twenty-six people, and we’ve already cleared out the storeroom, but resources are still scarce.” He perked up and said, “What about Lan Ting? Have you considered that if we act without justification, we’ll invite criticism and suspicion from the officials?”
Jiang Pengji already had a plan for that; if used wisely, it might even secure her a position of moderate authority.
“I intend to submit a petition; that way, we’ll have a legitimate cause.” Jiang Pengji stated, “The emperor abandoning the people and relocating the capital is an utterly shameless act—who wouldn’t feel guilty after committing such an act? When he can’t even face his ancestors in the imperial tombs after a century, I’m sure that should I take this matter upon myself to cover for him, he’d be willing, perhaps even eager.”
Everyone understands the rationale; the key is that no one dares to step forward, but she would.
Feng Jin fell silent, his mouth dry.
He had to admit, the magnitude of this person’s vision was truly rare in the world.
“If this goes well, the emperor will generously reward the effort, claiming the credit for himself to appease the masses. If it doesn’t go well, he can shift all the blame onto me, wreaking havoc on me with baseless accusations… No matter how it’s calculated, the emperor won’t lose out; that’s point one,” Jiang Pengji was calm throughout; this was what Feng Jin admired most about her.
“Secondly, after the capital is relocated, the imperial city will be farther away from the northern tribes, which will ease the emperor’s worries. The significance of Chongzhou to Dongqing will diminish. As a hostage, my importance won’t compare to before, so the emperor will allow me to stay.”
“Clever scheme,” Feng Jin remarked.
Well-calculated, but to outsiders, the cost versus the gains didn’t match. Who would be willing to take such a risk?
“I think so too.” Jiang Pengji crossed her arms and grinned, “So, I’ll trouble Huaiyu to help me draft the petition.”
Feng Jin’s expression froze, completely dumbfounded.
The comments in the live chat were filled with laughter, dispelling the earlier tension.
【Nutrition Express】: Wait a sec, Feng Jin baby hasn’t completely boarded this pirate ship yet, how did his true colors show so fast?
What if he gets scared away?
No worries, bring him back.
“I still need to deal with money and grain issues; since Xiaoyu is away, I have to trouble you. Who else could I possibly trouble?”
With such a natural tone, Feng Jin felt an urge to scratch his itch after a long time.
However, she claimed she could solve the money and grain situation?
Feng Jin didn’t doubt Jiang Pengji, but he thought this matter was truly a bit far-fetched.
“Trust me,” Jiang Pengji said, her demeanor returning to its usual coolness.
Submitting a petition had a high likelihood of success—or rather, it was practically a sure thing.
The Emperor of Dongqing had long held a fear of Liu Zhi; previously, it was because of Hujun, but now it was due to Liu Zhi securing his position as Chongzhou’s governor, guarding the borders.
If Jiang Pengji succeeded, the emperor could shamelessly steal the credit, minimizing the impact of the capital relocation and salvaging a shred of dignity.
If Jiang Pengji failed, not only would she be the one to suffer, but Liu Zhi would also face repercussions—he could lose his governorship without hesitation.
This was a gamble, one that everyone presumed she would lose.
But precisely because of that, she aimed to astonish everyone.
“System, if you’re still alive, give me a sign.”
The system didn’t respond immediately; Jiang Pengji’s tone had turned notably different, colder, more machine-like than ever.
