Chapter 379: Unwavering Trust Between Ruler and Subject [Part Two]

She looked at Jiang Sheng with almost heartbroken pain.

"Xian Deng, you promised not to trouble the lord..."

He's a grown adult weighing around 100 pounds... How can he live with himself deceiving a naive 13-year-old boy?

Silence speaks louder than words.

Shen Tang's expression spoke volumes.

Jiang Sheng said, "Sheng also said so."

If the ruler does not doubt his subjects, the subjects will not betray their ruler.

Shen Tang recalled Jiang Sheng's previous answer.

Suddenly, a mouthful of blood choked in my throat—you call this kind of evasive, non-answering response an answer?

Shen Tang's face turned slightly pale, while Kang Shi, who was sitting with Qi Shan, felt inexplicably guilty and drifted off into his own thoughts.

That being said—

Does the lord know the side effects of his scholarly ways?

Kang Shi wasn't very confident.

Shen Tang didn't force Jiang Sheng to confess on the spot; such a secret could be told to her privately. The most important thing right now was to figure out the old grudge between him and Yuan Liang. If this wasn't resolved, there was no way to expect the two of them to get along harmoniously in the future.

It's already good enough that they don't trip each other up every now and then.

She said, "Sigh, let's put this aside for now and talk about it later. What exactly was the conflict between you and Yuanliang?"

On the surface, Shen Tang didn't show favoritism to anyone, but Jiang Sheng should understand that Qi Shan had spent a long time with her, and their relationship was far beyond what Jiang Sheng could compare to.

If it is Qi Shan's fault, she will try to clean up the mess, but if both sides have problems, she will favor Qi Shan.

Jiang Sheng said casually, "Oh, it's nothing much. It's just that this infamous 'schemer' tricked and ruined my literary career, causing the almost perfected path of the scholar to deviate a bit. As a result, I haven't been able to easily leave Lu Xia these past few years..."

Shen Tang: "..."

Chu Yao: "..."

Kang Shi: "..."

The three of them turned to look at Qi Shan, seeking confirmation of the truth.

Praying for good is a matter of course and one should be confident and righteous.

"At that time, everyone was acting in their own interest; was this action wrong?"

The three of them turned to look at Jiang Sheng, waiting for a response.

Shen Tang, a half-baked scholar of literature, might not understand, but Kang Shi and Chu Yao were different. They were well aware of how difficult it was to perfect the way of the scholar. Even Chu Yao, who had achieved the second rank of the second-grade scholar of literature, had only just begun to grasp the basics.

Jiang Sheng almost achieved perfection many years ago?

“If it’s a matter of serving different masters, then one can’t really blame them…” Kang Shi had spent two or three days with Jiang Sheng, and the latter didn’t seem like someone who couldn’t accept defeat. The competition between literary figures was essentially a test of their cunning and skill. Losing simply meant being less capable, but Jiang Sheng’s reaction was clearly more complex than that…

Jiang Sheng sighed: "It's not that simple."

Actually, the situation at that time was like this.

Qi Shanzheng is causing trouble for who knows how many lords.

This lord also had another formidable opponent, the one who wanted to recruit Jiang Sheng. Various treasures of gold and silver were poured before Jiang Sheng like a flowing river.

Who is Jiang Sheng?

One can tell a person's potential at a glance.

I couldn't resist the other party's excessive generosity and enthusiasm.

Although Jiang Sheng did not agree to take up an official post, he was willing to associate with people and offered advice behind their backs on two occasions. Little did he know that these two instances would attract the attention of Qi Shan, that sneaky fellow.

Meanwhile, Qi Shan's nemesis, the lord, also learned of this from his informant and was extremely anxious. He conspired with Qi Shan to strike first and nip the danger in the bud before Jiang Sheng could take office. But Jiang Sheng was no pushover either.

After a few back-and-forths, they really got into a fight.

At that time, he also found the key to perfecting the way of the scholar, and the two clashed openly and secretly for several rounds.

Then came the crucial moment of the struggle for the throne.

At his suggestion, Qi Shan's nemesis, the lord, used the pretext of the capital's garrison rotation to mobilize troops and launch a coup ahead of schedule, leading his army to besiege the palace. He murdered his father and brother; the "father" was the muddle-headed old king, and the "brother" was the unfortunate crown prince who was incredibly enthusiastic towards Jiang Sheng but lacked the talent to suppress the ambitions of his younger brothers.

Qi Shanhui acted ahead of schedule not only because the news had been leaked and reached Jiang Sheng's side, but also because he predicted that Jiang Sheng's path as a scholar would be perfected on that day. If they didn't act in advance, things might get complicated.

Acting ahead of time caught everyone off guard. Qi Shan, not trusting the others, personally took action against Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng did not die; he escaped with several serious injuries.

I never expected to meet you here again. And, unfortunately for them, we've become colleagues and will have to work together from now on.

Just thinking about it makes me feel disgusted.

Shen Tang and the other two: "..."

Qi Shan is not old, but judging from the quality of his enemies, one can tell how exciting and eventful his life has been over the years.

"The key to perfecting the way of the scholar?" Chu Yao wasn't very interested in the grudges and affections between the two, but he was very curious about how to perfect the way of the scholar. Perhaps he could get inspiration from Jiang Sheng.

Jiang Sheng didn't hide anything, saying, "My scholarly way can see through the aura of others, but to perfect it, I need to assist a crown prince in ascending the throne or prevent the crown prince's brothers from usurping the throne. That crown prince's aura is weak and he's not very useful. Originally, I wanted to try my luck in other countries, but Qi Yuanliang provoked me again and again, and only after a few back and forth did we really get angry..."

Jiang Sheng was so angry that he decided to be stubborn this time.

To prevent the crown prince's brothers from staging a coup and seizing the throne.

Jiang Sheng had actually prepared for the possibility that Qi Shan might launch a surprise attack beforehand, and everything was going smoothly. However, he hadn't anticipated that Qi Shan possessed a disguise skill that even he couldn't discern. Qi Shan first impersonated him, tampering with his plans. Then, before the palace coup, Qi Shan disguised himself as his wife and launched a sneak attack from behind. Just thinking about that scene still made him furious.

Shen Tang and the other two: "..."

This is something that Qi Shan would do.

"Indeed... wronged..."

Jiang Sheng was just passing by when the Crown Prince, seeking self-preservation, came to bribe him to become the top spender. The money was so much that Jiang Sheng only offered a token suggestion twice. Qi Shan, feeling threatened, added Jiang Sheng to the cat's kill list, striking with lightning speed, scratching him twice.

Jiang Sheng, who had been scratched, became furious.

You wildcat, how dare you act so presumptuously? I'll make you pay and show you how many eyes the Horse King has!

Originally just passing by, Jiang Sheng decided to become the lord of the top leader and, without further ado, set up the examination hall for the "Scholar's Way of Perfect Promotion Examination" here.

On the day of the exam, halfway through Jiang Sheng's test, his exam paper was stolen by Qi Shan, who was disguised as a proctor. According to this story, if Qi Shan had been a little more patient before taking action, Jiang Sheng would probably have already moved on to the next stop with the top donor's gift.

Sigh, it really is a deep-seated grudge.

Shen Tang asked, "The consequence of this matter is that you can't leave Luxia County? What kind of logic is that?"

“Deep beneath the ground of Luxia County lies a fragment of a broken dragon vein, which is why the Qi of Heaven and Earth here is denser than elsewhere. In recent years, we have been repairing the damaged Wen Palace and suppressing the backlash from the Path of the Scholars. It has only recently recovered to about 70-80%.”

Thanks to his scholarly knowledge, he could easily tell where the energy of heaven and earth was dense and where it was sparse.

Shen Tang asked worriedly, "Then you can't leave now either?"

Jiang Sheng looked at her with a subtle expression.

"It wasn't possible before, but it is now."

"Huh?"

Qi Shan chimed in, "To gain something, you must give something in return. This is the rule that most scholars follow. His scholarly way allows him to observe qi. Does my lord really think that such a near-divine method can be obtained for nothing?"

Shen Tang: "...This..."

Qi Shan: "As far as I know, his scholarly way will absorb the lord's luck. Although the amount is not large, but—" But our lord already has Kang Jishou. If we add another even more troublesome Jiang Sheng, how unlucky will we be?

Qi Shanzhen was worried that her lord might die from choking on water one day, a death that would likely "go down in history"!

Shen Tang: "..."

She was worried when Jiang Sheng's answer gave her a jolt. He said, "The way of the scholar went wrong at the crucial moment when it was about to be perfected, and the original drawbacks have been corrected accordingly..."

Shen Tang breathed a sigh of relief.

"As long as it doesn't bring me bad luck."

Nobody wants to be labeled as unlucky.

Kang Shi, feeling increasingly guilty: "..."

Jiang Sheng quickly added, "I need your literary talent."

Shen Tang, who was already bracing herself for a critical hit, was thinking: "???"

She pointed to herself: "Scholarly? Just this?"

What kind of problem is this?

It's far too harmless.

Jiang Sheng held up one finger.

"Wen bricks! One brick a day!"

Shen Tang: "Wenzhuan?"

Jiang Shengdao: "The bricks and stones used to build the Wen Palace."

Shen Tangfan said, "This pressure isn't that great..."

At least she doesn't feel any burden right now.

The people present: "..."

Literary bricks are a rare commodity; even a moderately skilled literary scholar can only acquire one every three to five days without consuming literary energy. Furthermore, the number of literary bricks needed to build a literary palace is enormous. Therefore, the ability to grind and construct a literary palace is...

That's not a question of how many livers there are.

Instead, the entire body is composed of livers.

Qi Shan was also aware of Shen Tang's abnormally high level of literary talent, and breathed a sigh of relief—if it were any other lord, Jiang Sheng would have drained him dry in a year or two, but for his own lord, it wasn't even a burden.

This is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

Shen Tang patted his chest and agreed to Jiang Sheng's request.

If Jiang Sheng could put aside her past grievances with Qi Shan, she could afford to pay not only one brick a day, but two or three.

only--

"Can Xian Deng still fulfill the path of a scholar? If so, what is the key to his breakthrough?" This is the question that Shen Tang cares about most. If he wants to completely resolve the conflict between the two, mediation alone is useless; it will only deepen their resentment.

If we can help Jiang Sheng perfect the way of the scholar—

It can also help Shen Tang do more work.

Jiang Sheng could hear the seriousness and bias in Shen Tang's words.

Not surprising.

He merely marveled at Qi Yuanliang's good fortune, and asked Shen Tang with a half-smile, "Does the lord really want to know?"

Shen Tang raised an eyebrow: "Can't I listen?"

"It's not that I can't listen, it's just that I'm worried that my lord will be unable to sleep at night after hearing it." Jiang Sheng's words were not unfounded.

"I'll have sleepless nights?" Shen Tang smiled confidently.

joke!

"To fulfill the path of a scholar—one must personally sever the king's head." Jiang Sheng paused, his gaze falling on Shen Tang, or more precisely, on her neck, and deliberately added, "It could be the enemy's king, or it could be one's own king!"

Shen Tang: "..."

Ignoring Qi Shan and the others who made a move to draw their swords upon hearing this, Jiang Sheng looked up and stared directly at them: "I have said before that a ruler who does not doubt his subjects will not betray his ruler. My lord has also said that I can rest assured and that you can be at ease. Now, I would like to ask my lord, are you at ease?"

Shen Tang: "..."

Good heavens—

The real show of Lord Fei is here.

The cultural bricks and such are really just a drop in the ocean.

While Jiang Sheng might have a chance of achieving perfection on his first attempt, it would be much more difficult on the second. Personally beheading the enemy ruler is tantamount to allowing him to destroy a nation. In comparison, betraying a lord who trusts you is less difficult.

Which lord wouldn't tremble upon hearing this?

For a moment, the council chamber was completely silent.

Shen Tang lowered her eyes and thought for a short while.

She looked up and met Jiang Sheng's gaze without flinching or flinching, showing no fear.

"install!"

"No doubt?"

"No doubt!" To dispel Jiang Sheng's doubts, she said, "Xian Deng, although you have a name of 'Xian Deng Seizing the Flag,' don't underestimate me. My head is not so easy to take; it is definitely more difficult than having you lead an army to destroy a country."

"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them." Shen Tang, mimicking Jiang Sheng, passed the buck back to him. "Since I didn't kill you then, I certainly won't now. A subject will not betray his sovereign, and a sovereign will not doubt his subject."

Jiang Sheng's eyes flickered slightly.

The coldness and hardness on the surface resembled melting winter snow.

"only."

There was no doubt between the ruler and his subjects.

If he can truly remain consistent, he will be extremely fortunate.

Seeing that the atmosphere had finally eased, she clapped her hands with a smile, propped herself up on her knees, and said, "It's getting late. There are still a lot of things to do at the government office. You can all leave now and go about your business. Remember, you two can't fight anymore."

If we're going to fight, we should finish our work first.

She could also tell that the two swordsmen were evenly matched.

It's like two chickens pecking at each other, causing damage similar to scraping.

He'd rather they vent their resentment at each other through violence than have them bottle it up and then suddenly retaliate against one another. Shen Tang understood the balance Gu Chi had mentioned earlier…

These are not contradictions that can be resolved by simply increasing the size of the pie.

The lord gave the order to dismiss them, and everyone bowed and withdrew.

"only."

The others left, but Kang Shi lingered, and Shen Tang knew he had something to say to her.

"Is there something you need, Ji Shou?"

Kang Shi sighed: "My lord, there is something—"

Shen Tang looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

Is there something you need?

What's the matter?

Kang Shi managed to squeeze out a sentence that made Shen Tang's heart skip a beat: "Does my lord know the way of the scholar?"

Shen Tang's lips twitched: "And then?"

Kang Shi said, "You will always lose when you gamble."

He then confessed everything.

Shen Tang: "..."

She was hit hard twice today.

Shen Tang remained emo until night.

Jiang Sheng also worked overtime late into the night.

Other colleagues also participated in team building activities together.

Seeing that Shen Tang was in low spirits, Jiang Sheng asked Kang Shi what he had said to the lord that made him so emotional.

Kang Shi: "I'm telling the truth."

His approach to scholarship didn't need to be hidden.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Sheng said, "What's so special about this?"

If you're unlucky on ordinary days, consider it as accumulating good karma. This skill can turn the tide in crucial moments, and being the last one standing is the most important thing.

Kang Shi: "But that's not what our lord thinks..."

For the lord, the flaws of his scholarly ways were far more detrimental than those of Jiang Sheng _(:з」∠)_

Jiang Sheng glanced at Qi Shan not far away, then deliberately raised his voice and said, "Previously, Yuan Liang had an enemy whose way of dealing with scholars was rather unique, namely, [thinking on his feet in a crisis]. I wonder if Yuan Liang remembers him?"

Qi Shan: "..."

Has his enemy recently gone on a team-building activity?

“If Yuanliang had arrived a few days earlier, we could have seen him too.” This was the friend who had previously invited Jiang Sheng, and also a “victim” who had been tricked by Qi Shan. “The flaw in his scholarly ways is that when he initiates them, the lord’s mind goes blank…”

It makes people look like they're not very smart.

Kang Shi: "..."

Shen Tang, who was passing by outside the door: "..."

She was very curious...

Why is it always the lord who gets injured?

|ω`)

Why is Tang Mei so unlucky...?

Sigh, she's here to undergo a tribulation.

Crossing a tribulation is not a vacation; it's bound to be a bit difficult, right?

(End of this chapter)