Chapter 86 – The Young Boy’s Initial Radiance (Part Three)
Jiang Pengji wore a smile that was half playful, half cunning. “Gentlemen and officials love the people as their own children; isn’t it acceptable for them to voluntarily open their wallets? The law doesn’t punish the masses! The court can’t save the common people from their deep sufferings, so shouldn’t the people of Hujun at least try to save themselves?”
In simpler terms, it was all about robbing the rich to help the poor.
“Opportunities are created by humans. Sticking rigidly to old customs will only lead to losses.” Her gaze sharpened with a flicker of interest. “Those gentry families in Hujun have been living lavishly for hundreds of years. When it comes to benefiting the people, how could these ‘good people’ possibly sit idly by? Raising pigs fat is simply for the slaughter during festivals!”
A little slaughter could surely extract something.
“As for how to make those greedy money gobblers cough up their silver and grains, that’s easy. Hujun faces annual droughts, but the root cause of this dire situation lies within. The court releases disaster relief funds and reduces taxes every year, but what’s the end result?”
Natural disasters are indeed terrifying, but what’s even more horrific is the vicious hearts battling it out amongst themselves.
Unity can resist calamities, yet the internal strife of humans is what plunged Hujun from the chaos of the Great Xia Dynasty into the poverty of Dongqing!
“Speaking of this, just calculating the disaster relief funds allocated by the former Great Xia and now Dongqing every year reveals a gaping hole that can’t be patched. Who’s feasting on this bounty? Is there any doubt? If these people refuse to regurgitate what they’ve swallowed, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures—whether it’s cooking the books or pretending to be bandits wiping out entire families, there will be a method that fits.”
The former might leave a life intact; the latter? Complete annihilation.
“There’s no problem that can’t be solved with a good slice! If there is, just add another slice!”
As she said this, Jiang Pengji narrowed her eyes slightly, a bloodthirsty smile dancing at her lips, radiating an indescribable brilliance.
Evidence is naturally the best, but if it can’t be found, then just make some up!
In extraordinary times, extraordinary actions are needed; even a gentleman can’t be bound by dull conventions.
If all else fails, she could incite the masses—no need for Liu Zhi to lift a finger; the boiling resentment would do the trick.
In short, to govern Hujun well, one simply can’t use the refined methods of a gentleman.
Be as rogue as necessary; they’re evil, but one must be even more wicked than them. A little discord should lead to some smashing and bashing.
“However, to achieve all this, the public’s reputation must be high, and a military force that terrifies the gentry is necessary; otherwise, one would easily suffer anguish on the spot,” Jiang Pengji outlined, emphasizing that everything hinged on sheer force.
Liu Zhi trying to heal Hujun would inevitably provoke the local snakes, jeopardizing their interests.
People die for wealth; birds perish for food. It’s entirely normal for them to kill Liu Zhi for personal gain.
“Survival isn’t hard but establishing a foothold and governing Hujun are interrelated.” After a long monologue, Jiang Pengji, feeling a bit parched, secretly licked her dry lips, her gaze filled with fiery spirit, “I wonder how father did it back then?”
Liu Zhi, grinning with a hint of shame, replied, “No different than you, my child.”
Perhaps he was using methods that Liu Lanting once employed, though far less ruthless and decisive.
His tactics against the local gentry seemed harsh, leaving them bruised and battered, earning him titles like “Living Hell”. Yet compared to Liu Lanting, those methods seemed relatively gentle.
Liu Zhi might have been tough, but at least he allowed those stagnant gentry to survive. Liu Lanting, on the other hand, truly surrounded their residences, struck with swift death, leaving not a soul alive—not even a bird or a chicken.
Almost the entire gentry in Hujun had perished by her hand, save for those who had defected early.
With these thoughts, Liu Zhi regarded Jiang Pengji with complex emotions.
Despite her exuding no murderous intent, her clear gaze assured him that she wasn’t joking.
Thinking of this, Liu Zhi pondered, “However, Lanting, you seem to have overlooked something very important.”
Jiang Pengji raised an eyebrow; her methods were hastily concocted, so it was normal for there to be flaws.
Yet, she had always been somewhat arrogant. When Liu Zhi hinted that her plans could backfire, her interest strangely piqued. “Please, father, enlighten me.”
Liu Zhi said nothing but wrote two characters on the table with his fingertip, causing Jiang Pengji’s expression to darken.
He stated, “Your methods may indeed work, but have you considered that this will undoubtedly offend all gentry?”
In this era, publicly insulting the emperor barely compares to offending the aristocracy, making it clear how powerful that class is. According to Jiang Pengji’s plan, while Hujun’s hazards could be resolved, what would come next?
Would she place herself in direct opposition to all the gentry?
“Moreover, now there are many talents emerging from the gentry…” Liu Zhi’s voice trailed off before he continued, “There are barely any from humble backgrounds. If you proceed as you suggest, have you considered the fate of being ostracized?”
In this time, resources lean heavily towards the aristocracy. They control vast wealth and knowledge, producing talents far more than the average person. Natural talent matters, but nurture and environment are equally significant.
If Jiang Pengji offended all the gentry, who would be willing to serve her if rebellion truly broke out?
Jiang Pengji’s expression grew grim as she looked straight at Liu Zhi, her dark eyes swirling with unrestrained energy.
“What then, from father’s perspective, should be done?”
Her tone bore a hint of provocation.
Liu Zhi replied plainly, “Don’t offend them completely.”
It’s fine to upset them, but never make irreconcilable enemies; one must leave some space and leeway in life and dealings.
Jiang Pengji pressed her lips together, considering for a long while before finally stating, “Leaving behind troubles is worse than eliminating future threats.”
Still, that’s the philosophy—the belief that there’s no problem that can’t be solved by a slice, and if there is, do it again!
No matter who it is!
Hearing this, Liu Zhi shot Jiang Pengji a complex glance and finally sighed long and hard, saying, “Lanting, whatever your thoughts or plans, just remember to think thrice before acting—consider yourself and the loved ones back home.”
After all, she is the legitimate second child of the Liuzhi family of Hejian!
With that reminder, Jiang Pengji shook herself back to reality, replying, “I understand, father.”
And with everything said, if Jiang Pengji truly absorbed it, Liu Zhi dared not ponder further.
Knowing his daughter well, he surmised she probably hadn’t.
