Chapter 671 – The Alliance at Huangshui (Part Eight)
After Jiang Pengji finished speaking, a suffocating silence enveloped the room.
Cheng Cheng had to admit a fact—
He was moved.
Jiang Pengji’s words hit right at the core of Cheng Cheng’s being, grasping his lifeline; even though he hailed from a noble family, there was not a single word she uttered that he could refute. It was as if the wisdom of a sage was pouring forth, and time would eventually prove her assertions true. This was a prophecy; how could mere mortals argue against it?
Just when the audience began to suspect Cheng Cheng and Jiang Pengji had been put on pause, Cheng Cheng croaked a question.
“Aren’t you afraid of being shattered to pieces?”
Jiang Pengji laughed, “What’s a little shattering? Even if I am nailed to the pillar of historical disgrace, nobody can stop me from pursuing what I want! Life is too short; I don’t want to wait until I am gray and old to regret it. Whether I’m remembered forever or cursed for eternity, it’s impossible to want nothing in this lifetime but fame and fortune. Ordinary people might be remembered for two or three generations, and their descendants might forget their ancestors’ names. But if I live on in history, I’ll remain immortal for millennia. No matter who mentions my name in the future, they will have to recall that there once existed such a person.”
In her past life, she reached the peak; how could she settle for obscurity in this life?
If things are to get chaotic, let them be chaotic on a grand scale! She not only wanted to influence the current decades but to change the course of history for hundreds or thousands of years to come.
Unifying the nine provinces and ascending to the throne?
That wasn’t enough!
Cheng Cheng couldn’t help but chuckle, “Young man, truly fearless like a newborn calf!”
He initially thought Liu Xi lived in the shadow of Liu Zhi, following in his footsteps. But now, it seemed she had long reached a level and perspective that few could aspire to. Whether proud or arrogant, she was bold enough to use her life and fortune to stir the winds of change like no one else.
Jiang Pengji stated calmly, “The future will prove me right, whether in ten, a hundred, or a thousand years. I can wait.”
Cheng Cheng was taken aback; he understood the true meaning of Jiang Pengji’s words. It didn’t mean she would live that long, but rather that she believed she was correct because, no matter how distant the future, her correctness would be proven by posterity… What sort of confidence was this?
“Forget it!” Cheng Cheng settled down, belatedly realizing his hands were still trembling, his breathing disordered as if he had run a long distance. His inner garment was drenched in sweat. “I’m an old man now; I don’t have the energy to mess around with young people.”
From the meaning of his words, Cheng Cheng was still not convinced by Jiang Pengji. The audience in the live stream couldn’t help but flood the comments with lamentations.
The host’s passionate and impulsive words had them all feeling fired up; why was Cheng Cheng still unmoved?
【Deeply Scheming Sheep Xi Xi】: Ha, the host’s unstoppable persuasion finally hits a wall; let’s celebrate!
【Honest and Kind Ye Bu Xiu】: Tsk, young man, you’ve got it wrong. I bet a pack of smokes that the host will convince you.
【Old Driver Alliance】: I say up there, can you all change your IDs? It’s harsh enough without being so savage! That hurts!
【Smooth-tongued Zhou Zekai】: Keep up with the times, no changes here.
【Speedy Hands Yu Wenzhou】: #GentleSmile, I’ve already changed mine.
【Genius Guo Fengxiao】: You might want to revert back to your original; this new ID is even darker.
Jiang Pengji didn’t understand their inside jokes, but from the chat, it was likely obvious these IDs were born from deep admiration turning into playful mockery.
【Host V】: @Honest and Kind Ye Bu Xiu, you guessed right.
As soon as she sent that message, Cheng Cheng, who had appeared to refuse her, spoke again.
“If not even you, a young person, are afraid, then what does an old man like me have to fear?”
Aside from true scholars, others couldn’t fathom the allure Jiang Pengji’s vision held for Cheng Cheng.
A scholar dies for the one who understands.
Without a doubt, this half-grown youth before him was the “fellow” Cheng Cheng had been seeking all his life.
Cheng Cheng, with a complex expression, said, “I only hope you won’t forget your original intention and the words you’ve spoken today.”
From humble beginnings to supremacy, it was a long and winding road filled with temptations. Cheng Cheng couldn’t tell if the future Jiang Pengji would look back and stay true to her original intent. Could this young person withstand the various temptations? Throughout it all, would they remain steadfast?
Jiang Pengji smiled, “Naturally.”
She wouldn’t change because, for Jiang Pengji, that was faith.
Having spent over half an hour from meeting Cheng Cheng to successfully persuading him, she still emerged victorious.
Xu Ke, upon learning of this news, couldn’t help but tease.
“When the leader takes action, nothing goes awry!”
Qi Guanrang rolled his eyes secretly; he didn’t think this was anything to boast about.
Jiang Pengji tossed something to Xu Ke and said lazily, “Don’t celebrate too early; this is for my treasury.”
The document floated into Xu Ke’s arms, and he wore a puzzled expression.
So he’s not allowed to feel happy with new team members coming into the overtime crew?
Curiously, he undid the butterfly knot on the bamboo slip and, upon unfolding it, Xu Ke’s expression nearly shattered into pieces.
“Leader…”
Qi Guanrang, hearing Xu Ke, felt a flicker of sadness and curiosity, leaning in to take a peek.
“What is this…”
As he asked and looked closely, he quickly scanned through it from start to finish, mentally lighting candles for Xu Ke.
“A plan,” Jiang Pengji said, “I want to hire Mr. Cheng to oversee the situation… Whether it’s establishing an academy or a library, ‘books’ are of the utmost importance. I’ve categorized the new printing techniques into two types: one ‘movable type’ and one ‘woodblock.’ Each has its pros and cons; ‘movable type’ is more convenient and flexible, while ‘woodblock’ is exquisite and clear. As for which to choose, we’ll see what Mr. Cheng decides.”
Xu Ke looked like he was about to cry.
He thought Cheng Cheng was coming to help share the burden, but instead, he dumped a heavy mountain of tasks on him—who was going to handle this?
Whether the previous discussions about “movable type” or now the mention of “woodblock,” weren’t both high-cost ventures?
Once this aspect is involved, it’d ultimately land all on him, as if he wasn’t the “housekeeper,” right?
Xu Ke was sensitive to numbers, and after calculating the costs a little, he couldn’t help but gasp.
Jiang Pengji noticed the pain on his face and calmly said, “I know the expenditures will be vast, but this plan is as essential as post-war relief; even if it means using up all my wealth, I must complete it. No costs spared, no sacrifices too great—I’m all in on supporting Mr. Cheng.”
No one knew better than she did how much economic benefit and political influence widespread literacy would bring to society. It could even overturn social structures, tearing apart the last veils of aristocracy. Even if it brought bloodshed and countless sacrifices, she would still go through with it.
Merit in the present, benefits for the future.
In her view, anything that could push society forward was worth a try.
Even if she had to pay with her life as a pioneer, so be it!
Xu Ke’s face turned serious, and he replied firmly, “As you command!”
Jiang Pengji rubbed her brow. Ever since she received word from Cheng Cheng, she had rushed back without a moment’s rest.
“I’ll go take a break for a bit…”
Just as she was about to leave with her head slightly bowed, a Messenger entered with a report.
“Cheng Yuan has come to visit.”
