Chapter 1834 – Arranging Aftermath
“The weakness of poverty is the original sin.”
Qi Guanrang looked coldly at the messenger being reprimanded by the Lord and mocked by his colleagues. The messenger was clearly filled with indignation and shame, yet he could only manage a sycophantic smile. He wasn’t a fool; how could he not know the humiliation that awaited him here?
Even knowing the situation, he still came, unable to avoid this path.
The reason was simply the weakness of Beiyuan; he had no choice but to arrive.
Being weak, the envoy sent over had no dignity to speak of, only able to endure the insults.
Feng Zhen remarked, “Weakness and poverty are indeed sins, but this sin is not one we’ve inflicted upon them. It’s a self-imposed suffering; they brought this upon themselves.”
As one of the five nations, if Beiyuan were managed well, it might not lack the qualifications to dominate the north and observe the world in peace.
But who made Beiyuan go wrong from the very start?
No, it should be said that their rulers couldn’t restrain their greed, ruining what could have been a winning hand.
If any of them had just restrained themselves, placed the country’s integrity above personal desires, Beiyuan wouldn’t be in such straits.
Yet, talking about these things now is akin to standing and jesting without feeling pain.
Is it true that everyone in Beiyuan, top to bottom, is driven by greed?
In essence, it’s just bad money driving out good; those with a dwindling conscience have no choice but to join the corrupt to protect themselves.
With more people behaving corruptly, growing in number, it naturally erodes Beiyuan’s foundation even faster.
Even if some understand that Beiyuan will lead itself to ruin this way, who dares to stand up and say it?
Those who dare to speak are either mute or dead.
Everything Beiyuan is experiencing—hasn’t Dongqing, Nansheng, and Zhong Zhao undergone similar trials?
However, the latter three nations have stepped free, as someone used violence to sever the rotten roots from the trunk, while Beiyuan is still sinking. Qi Guanrang felt no pity for the Beiyuan envoy, ridiculed by many instead, believing this was merely their deserved retribution.
In the words of the Lord, during an avalanche, no snowflake is innocent.
Similarly, when Beiyuan collapses, none of the bureaucrats are innocent.
Is there any difference between choosing silence and choosing to go along with corruption?
Essentially, there is no difference; they all have been executioners driving Beiyuan towards its end.
This envoy is also a minister of Beiyuan, and now in such a lowly position, crawling at the Lord’s feet—isn’t that exactly what he deserves?
As everyone scattered, the envoy awkwardly led thirty-two handsome men away. Qi Guanrang noticed his downcast expression, filled with sorrow but helplessness, with what seemed to be tear stains in the corners of his eyes. Seeing this, Qi Guanrang snickered and waved his feather fan more vigorously.
He just loved seeing the enemy struggling in despair; it delighted him.
Lost in thought, he heard the crunching sound of footsteps in the snow.
Without needing to turn around, Qi Guanrang already knew whose footsteps they were. He turned and saluted Jiang Pengji.
“What is Wenzheng looking at?”
Jiang Pengji followed Qi Guanrang’s gaze and could vaguely see the small figure of the envoy.
Qi Guanrang commented, “Just a few pitiful, destitute dogs.”
Jiang Pengji gave him a look and corrected Qi Guanrang’s phrasing seriously.
“It shouldn’t be ‘destitute dogs,’ should it? It’s clearly ‘dogs of a fallen nation…'”
Qi Guanrang flashed a pleasant smile.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Would Wenzheng think I’m being petty for saying this?”
Qi Guanrang replied, “The Lord is a woman, not a petty person. The Lord is indeed the victor. The victor has the right to write history; any form of achievement is not out of place. This nation is about to perish, and in times of chaos, its people are no better than dogs and pigs. Is there any word among ‘dogs of a fallen nation’ that is incorrect?”
“I just heard your conversation with Zishi and thought you might empathize with that humiliated envoy, feeling a tingle of spring sadness… Haha, I came here eager to enlighten you.” Jiang Pengji laughed, half-seriously, “I guess I don’t understand you well enough. Wenzheng’s mind is different from ordinary men; I underestimated that.”
Qi Guanrang smiled, “No one understands you better than the Lord does.”
Jiang Pengji swiftly changed the topic.
“Looking at the situation, before spring even arrives, Beiyuan will likely be swallowed up.”
Qi Guanrang nodded in agreement, mutually ignoring the previous discussion with Jiang Pengji.
Jiang Pengji added, “For me, Wenzheng is not just a minister but a dear friend.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Guanrang felt an odd sense of foreboding.
Jiang Pengji continued, “Friends naturally wish for each other’s safety and wellbeing, and so do I.”
Qi Guanrang asked her, “What does the Lord want to say?”
Jiang Pengji said, “If ever you find me acting strangely, don’t raise an alarm; just ensure your own safety.”
She patted Qi Guanrang’s shoulder, displaying a smile as usual, as if discussing merely pleasant weather.
Qi Guanrang felt a jolt of surprise, hesitating to respond.
“Just keep it in mind,” Jiang Pengji interrupted his thoughts, “I know Wenzheng abhors those in Beiyuan; they chose to conform or to remain silent in the face of national crisis, and so when retribution strikes them, they deserve it. However, from a different perspective, opinions can vary. If silence can protect oneself and their family, many will still choose silence.”
Is the country important?
Of course, it’s far more important than life, but family and kin are also highly significant.
Some sacrifice their lives for the nation, while others struggle to live for their loved ones, choosing to conform… Jiang Pengji used to think black was black and white was white, but when truly faced with such a situation, she realized she was just an ordinary person.
If something were to happen to her, she would wish for Qi Guanrang to prioritize their own safety.
Silence can also be a method of self-preservation.
For the first time, Qi Guanrang lost control, grabbing Jiang Pengji’s hand, his grip so strong he forgot the distinction of lord and minister.
“Lord, what do you mean by that?”
Jiang Pengji smiled, “Making arrangements in advance may prove useful.”
Qi Guanrang took a deep breath, “How can you expect me to accept such arrangements?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “I’m merely considering the worst-case scenario. I’ll strive to prevent it from happening; Wenzheng should have faith.”
Looking at Jiang Pengji’s reddened eyes, Qi Guanrang felt the earlier warmth dissipate entirely.
He had originally anticipated the moment their feet would tread upon Beiyuan’s capital, yet now he felt utterly disinterested.
Jiang Pengji laughed, “I am the chosen one by Wenzheng. You should trust that I can sweep through anything, unstoppable.”
Qi Guanrang affirmed, “Indeed, that is so.”
A hero should boldly press onward, yet the Lord had this talk about aftermath.
What does this imply?
It means this “hero” harbors confusion and hesitation about the future; she fears whether she can win or not.
Due to this worry, she arranged for the worst, preparing for the worst-case scenario.
How could Qi Guanrang not be anxious?
“Does the Lord know what my one true wish in this life is?”
“What is it?”
Qi Guanrang declared, “To see you—just you—ascend the throne and reign supreme over the world.”
No one else could do it but you.
