Chapter 39 – What a Waste of History
Jiang Pengji seemed oblivious to Teacher’s displeased expression, suddenly grabbing the bamboo slip on the table, flipping through it a bit, and saying, “Yesterday, I read an interesting urban tale about how eight years ago, Mr. Yuanjing traveled to the northern frontier to negotiate, single-handedly safeguarding three cities in the region.”
At this point, Teacher’s face turned a shade paler as if a memory struck him.
With a loud thud, Jiang Pengji threw the bamboo slip to the ground and proclaimed, “Talk of peace? Three cities remain unrecovered, how can we discuss peace!”
“Do you all still remember twelve years ago, when the late emperor passed, the new emperor ascended, and the three tribes of the northern frontier took advantage of the chaos in Dongqing, capturing six cities in a furious onslaught, massacring over a hundred thousand common people? That war lasted three whole years, with countless soldiers fallen, and those six cities are still under the control of the northern frontier tribes. When negotiations were proposed, the terms offered by the three tribes included demands for Dongqing to relinquish three more cities, bow down in submission, and pay annual tributes?”
This event was an indelible humiliation that the intellectuals of Dongqing could never forget.
At that time, many passionate scholars had died insisting on fighting rather than negotiating.
“In the end, Mr. Yuanjing engaged in verbal combat with the three barbarian tribes, enduring much hardship to retrieve three of those cities… Of course, as outsiders, we do not know the complete circumstances, only that the northern tribes were willing to return just three cities, leaving three others still in their hands. The citizens there became known as the lowly class in the mouths of those tribes, nothing more than sheep.”
For those three cities, Dongqing had seen constant friction with the northern tribes at the border over the years.
“If we negotiate again now, those three cities will never come back. That esteemed scholar has quite the audacity, thinking he can casually give away three cities with just a few disdainful words and empty rhetoric.”
Peace negotiations? Heh, if only they would return those three cities first, then we can talk!
How ridiculous that esteemed scholar thinks he can send a princess to marry into the northern tribes, hoping she’ll civilize those barbarians.
Heh, such a noble task, why not send some of his own female relatives to negotiate instead?
“Of course, another critical reason why we shouldn’t negotiate is the four southern barbarian tribes.”
Jiang Pengji had seen the world map hanging in the study and knew that Dongqing, as one of the five nations, was in a rather awkward geographical position.
Not only were they connected to the three tribes of the northern frontier, they also had contact with the four southern tribes, both of which were fiercely aggressive. If they weren’t thoroughly defeated, they’d surely rise again, their vitality as stubborn as a bug!
“We absolutely cannot give the northern tribes any respite. Should we negotiate, they’d have plenty of time to recuperate, which would be akin to raising a tiger to harm us. If the northern tribes allied with the southern barbarian tribes to attack Dongqing… heh…”
Then it’s straight to military action!
“Nonsense! The four southern tribes are currently at war with the Southern Sheng, how could they spare any attention for Dongqing?”
“At war? Heh…” Jiang Pengji glanced at the boy who had spoken, “Soon, the Southern Sheng will be defeated.”
Among the five nations—Dongqing, Southern Sheng, Xichang, Beiyuan, and Zhong Zhao in the central plains—Dongqing wasn’t the weakest but certainly not the strongest either. In the past two years, Southern Sheng had been clashing with the southern tribes, and in the last two months, they had reported numerous victories, but that could change…
The Great Landlord’s Wife: Ah, I feel like all my history studies have gone to waste QAQ Turns out the broadcaster is in a parallel era!
Quer: Just when I tried to act cool and discuss grand ideas, I got slapped in the face the next second. Ouch, that hurt!
Hug and raise high: Can’t say it’s completely parallel, but it’s definitely a different historical trajectory. There’s a trace to follow.
Shit Shoveler: It can’t possibly be our ancient history, otherwise, it feels like it’s all been spoiled. The unknown variables are much more interesting.
Lunch Lady: Am I the only one who cares about Mr. Yuanjing’s character being utterly amazing?
“Hmph, how can you be so sure that Southern Sheng will definitely lose?”
Though Southern Sheng was also Dongqing’s enemy, they were all from the same bloodline, while the southern tribes were treated as foreigners.
“Because there are too many foolish citizens like you.” Jiang Pengji always stood tall, and when she slightly tilted her chin and lowered her eyelids, it gave off an oppressive feeling of superiority, “In less than two months, Southern Sheng will undoubtedly be defeated, just wait and see.”
At that time, it wouldn’t just be a matter of handing over three cities or sending a princess to marry.
Liu Lanting was naturally shy, but inside, she wasn’t the type to accept her fate easily. She loved reading news related to the world’s affairs and sometimes disguised herself to visit tea houses and taverns for gossip, which were typically the hubs of information exchange and gossip spreading.
Jiang Pengji, equipped with her knowledge, had casually glanced at the world map hanging in the study. She understood the geographical position of the five countries and, from her perspective, Southern Sheng genuinely looked perilous. She had also seen some urban tales copied down by Liu Lanting, so she wasn’t entirely in the dark about these matters…
In fact, it wasn’t just Southern Sheng that Jiang Pengji felt pessimistic about regarding current-day Dongqing.
According to the information Liu Lanting gathered, if Dongqing agreed to negotiate, she believed there would be a major disaster within ten years.
Jiang Pengji bent down to pick up the bamboo slip she had previously thrown on the ground, carelessly dusting it off.
Initially, Teacher had been furious with her, publicly discrediting the esteemed scholar, making the conversation quite unpleasant. If news of today reached that esteemed scholar’s ears, Jiang Pengji might be in for some trouble when she entered the officialdom.
However, hearing her articulate her beliefs with such conviction, the old teacher began to waver, as he himself did not support negotiations.
All scholars have their pride.
Dongqing, hailing from the Great Xia lineage, prided itself on being the Heavenly Dynasty, how could they bow down to barbarians?
Looking at the bewildered students before him, Teacher’s temples ached, and he sighed quietly. It’s no wonder she’s Liu Zhi’s daughter; both father and son are headaches.
“Your cousin here has a bit of insight, and what he speaks holds some reason. Unfortunately, most of the high-ranking ministers in court advocate for negotiations, and the Official Master seems intent on discussing with the northern tribes in hopes of marrying that princess to the Second Prince… establishing a connection between the two nations…”
Outside the clan academy, Feng Jin in white and green robes watched the scene inside with an inexplicable expression.
“Heh, Liu Lanting used to be quite reserved and gentle, but after going through some trials, there’s a hint of sharpness about her now.”
The one responding was Liu Lanting’s legitimate cousin—Liu Heng, the legitimate eldest son of Liu Father’s blood brother.
“If given the chance, I would like to have a good chat.”
Feng Jin retracted his gaze with some discomfort. Was that girl really a sister?
Liu Heng said, “What’s so difficult about that? Just call him over, and I’ll introduce you.”
Liu Heng knew Feng Jin’s background, and if his cousin could befriend him, that would be delightful.
Feng Jin thanked him but felt somewhat uneasy. The impression Jiang Pengji had left on him was quite profound.
Nevertheless, it was rare to find someone who aligned with his views so closely, and he felt a hint of anticipation for their upcoming meeting.
Only… he wondered if the other party knew his identity, would they show a surprised expression?
Feng Jin chuckled, his words laden with implication, “Yao Zhi, you might not know, your cousin… is quite the remarkable person.”
