The Road Ahead
The wind of the third year of Jinghe blew across the increasingly vast territory, bringing with it not only the yellow sand of the northern desert, but also the complex and diverse atmosphere of the western border grasslands.
For more than two years, Ning Lingyi and Tuoba Hong, the lords who were both enemies and friends, led their respective powerful armies to attack side by side and separately on the vast land of Western Qiang, crushing the Western Qiang tribe into pieces.
Wherever the battle flag points, cities change hands and tribes surrender.
The territories of both countries are expanding outward at an astonishing rate, and cooperation will be a win-win situation for both sides.
During this period, in order to meet the needs of the war, the two met several times on the front line to discuss the plan of advancement.
Every time they met, Ning Lingyi could sense some changes in Tuoba Hong. His eyes became deeper and sharper, and his every gesture revealed the majesty of the grassland lord, and the cavalry under his command became more fierce and arrogant.
Ning Lingyi also became more and more at ease, shouldering the future of the country and constantly improving his ways as an emperor, a commander, and a ruler of the people.
Apart from necessary military exchanges, they did not talk much.
Occasionally their eyes met, and admiration and fear, as well as well-known calculations, were clearly reflected in each other's eyes. Both of them knew that as long as the giant beast Xiqiang fell completely, the fragile alliance between them would collapse in an instant, and the next more cruel game would be about to begin.
The two iron-blooded armies created by this war are bound to fight in the future.
On this day, Tuoba Hong had just returned to the Golden Tent after inspecting a newly surrendered grassland when he received a letter from Ning Lingyi sent by express horse.
He removed the sealing wax and unfolded the letter.
Ning Lingyi's handwriting was as clear and powerful as ever. As usual, the article began with a concise military affairs report and a proposal for the next course of action. It was well-organized and decisive.
However, at the end, the author suddenly changed the subject and asked a question that surprised Tuoba Hong.
"Also, the world has been in turmoil for a long time, and the people have suffered. Although you and I stand in different positions, we both hold power and are responsible for the well-being of the people. May I ask, Great Khan, do you have any insights on how to govern the country, maintain peace, and nurture the people? If we want our country to be forever stable and the world to be peaceful, what should we base our actions on?"
Tuoba Hong held the letter in his hand and was stunned for a moment.
Ning Lingyi... would actually discuss the way of governing the country with him?
This is not her usual style.
The war wasn't over yet, and she suddenly posed this question. Was it a test? Was it a puzzle? Or was it that, deep down, she had already begun to contemplate the distant post-war future, perhaps even including Beishuo in her considerations?
He pondered for a long time.
This wasn't something he usually thought about.
The laws of the grassland are simple and cruel: the strong prey on the weak, and the winner is king.
Loyalty comes from fear, and order is built on the absolute crushing of strength. In the vast grasslands and the hearts of unruly tribesmen, the so-called benevolent government and appeasement are far less real than a hearty victory and rich spoils.
He walked to the desk and picked up the pen.
Since she asked, he answered with his truest thoughts.
His reply was written in a wild and unrestrained handwriting, like the charge of the Northern Shuo cavalry, with an overwhelming force: "Princess, to your attention: ruling the world is like controlling a wild horse; it relies solely on force and authority. Without force, discipline will be weakened, and people will abandon their friends and relatives; without authority, scoundrels will emerge, and chaos will ensue."
"For millennia, tribes have come and gone, but only the strong endure. To take and to destroy, to live and to kill at will—this is a divine right and the foundation of order. A soft heartedness only brings future trouble. Sacrifice and death are the inevitable path to strength. The tears of the weak cannot moisten the sand; the blood of the defeated waters the roots of hegemony."
Having written this, he paused for a moment.
Ning Lingyi's calm yet tenacious eyes seemed to flash before his eyes.
When she governed the Southern Dynasty, it seemed that she did not follow this path entirely. She focused on people's livelihood and won the hearts of the people. Although she also used iron-blooded methods, there seemed to be some differences in her inner thoughts.
There was nothing wrong with what she did.
He thought for a moment, then finally added a few words at the end, slowing down his writing a bit, a rare occurrence:
"However, the Southern Dynasty is not the Northern Shuo, and the Han people are not tribes. While it may be possible to employ conciliatory tactics, show kindness and win over the people's hearts, its foundation still lies in unshakable power. No usurpation of authority will be tolerated; any challenge must be crushed with thunder. This has always been Tuoba Hong's way, and I believe it to be the ultimate truth in the world."
He put down his pen and looked at the reply letter with the ink still wet, his eyes deep.
What Ning Lingyi can read from it is her business.
*
When Ning Lingyi received Tuoba Hong's reply, she was examining a newly drawn huge map.
The large area originally marked as Western Qiang is now mostly painted with the colors of the Southern Dynasty and Northern Shuo, and the territories of the two countries are unprecedentedly large.
She unfolded Tuoba Hong's letter. The naked declaration of strength did not surprise her. It was in line with Tuoba Hong's character and was also the usual law of survival on the grassland.
However, when she read the slightly euphemistic additions at the end, a complex smile appeared at the corners of her lips.
The lion actually tried to restrain his claws and gave her a gentle suggestion, although the premise was still "unshakable power."
But her thoughts drifted further away.
What if... what if one day, the two colors on this map were no longer in opposition, but merged into one? What if the Southern Dynasty and the Northern Shuo were no longer just allies or rivals, but citizens of the earth living together under the same blue sky?
At that time, can we only follow Tuoba Hong's creed, or the script that has been played out time and again in history, and completely conquer, cleanse and slaughter one side of the other, in order to gain a brief peace built on piles of bones?
Power may be able to suppress temporarily, but once the seeds of hatred are planted, they will eventually erupt.
Beishuo and Nanchao, nomadism and farming, two civilizations, two lifestyles, the gap between them cannot be bridged by simple force.
She knew very well that Tuoba Hong could not give her an answer to this question. His world was built on horseback and swords. It was either black or white, and the strong prevailed.
She needed to hear the wisdom that came from the deep roots of the land.
She picked up her pen again and wrote two letters.
One letter was sent to Prime Minister Wang Jing in the capital, and the other was sent to his mother, Concubine Yu, in the deep palace.
In the letter, she concealed the content of Tuoba Hong's reply, and only raised the same core question under the pretext of discussing future political strategies: If we want to integrate different ethnic groups and cultures, live together in one country, and maintain long-term peace and stability, is there any other way except for forceful crackdowns and suppression?
*
Replies from the capital soon arrived at the front line.
The first thing to be unfolded is Wang Jingzhi's letter.
The old Prime Minister's handwriting was still steady and neat, revealing the calmness and insight after experiencing many vicissitudes of life, even a little coldness.
"Your Majesty, please allow me to ask you this: Since ancient times, the distinction between Chinese and barbarians has been clear. Those who are not of our race must have different hearts. When they are strong, they may be restrained, but once their power declines, they will inevitably cause chaos. The lesson of the Five Barbarians' invasion of China is still fresh in our memory."
"If Your Majesty wishes to establish the Han Dynasty as the supreme ruler and unify the world, then forceful elimination, assimilation, and division are the most direct and effective methods. Immigrating to the border areas, changing customs, burning their classics, severing their heritage, and gradually causing them to forget their roots, is the only way to permanently eliminate future troubles for Your Majesty. Appeasement is merely a temporary measure, not a fundamental solution. Trouble within the heart must not be tolerated. A momentary act of kindness could only bring endless disasters upon future generations."
Every word is cold and every sentence is realistic, full of blood and helplessness accumulated by history. This has been the most mainstream and cruel answer given by the Central Plains dynasties to foreign races for thousands of years.
Ning Lingyi put down Wang Jingzhi's letter, feeling heavy in her heart.
What Master Wang said was a wise and prudent way of governing the country, and every word made sense. But...is this the only way? A way that requires the continuous shedding of blood and the sowing of hatred?
She took a deep breath and opened the letter from her mother, Concubine Yu.
My mother's handwriting was gentle and tenacious. The letter did not directly answer those grand strategies for governing the country, but instead talked about family matters.
"Yier, I'm glad to see you in person. It's bitterly cold outside the Great Wall, so please take care of yourself. All is well in the palace, don't worry. Prince Jing and Prince Qing have both grown taller recently, and their studies have also improved. Although Prince Jing's reactions are still slower than others, he's becoming more docile and sensible. Yesterday, while practicing calligraphy, he even remembered to save the best piece of dessert for me. Prince Qing is diligent, and he received praise from his master on his archery test yesterday. He was so happy that he came to pay his respects in the evening and specially gave Prince Jing a new jade pendant to play with..."
"Though these two children are not my biological children, and their personalities and talents are vastly different, I have never shown favoritism in raising them, regardless of their background or intelligence. Food, clothing, housing, transportation, schoolwork, riding, and archery are all treated equally. I simply hope that they will be brothers, respectful, and grow up safely. As time goes by, they become familiar and trusting of me, treating me like their own mother. This is common sense, and it's also the result of empathy."
At the end of the letter, Concubine Yu gently said, "Everything in the world may have its reasons. However, I live deep in the palace, and I only know how to exchange sincerity for sincerity, and nurture young seedlings with kindness. The human heart is not made of iron or stone; even if there is solid ice, a drop of water can wear it away. Yi'er has the world in his heart, and he will make wise decisions. Mother only wishes you all the best."
Ning Lingyi held her mother's letter and read it over and over again.
In the court, Prime Minister Wang proposed a cruel but perhaps effective path to hegemony that has been proven by history.
But deep in the palace, the mother gave another answer using the most ordinary way of raising her child.
War and killing may be able to destroy, conquer, and establish order, but they can never truly win people's hearts or achieve truly stable integration.
What can resolve barriers, eliminate hatred, and bridge rifts is ultimately time, communication, daily interactions like water dripping through stone, and equal treatment and sincere care that transcends background and interests.
This requires great patience, tolerance and wisdom, and may even be accompanied by risks. It is a much more difficult and long road than conquering by force.
But this road may truly lead to what she desires deep in her heart - "Chang'an in the World".
Ning Lingyi's gaze fell on the huge map again. The confusion in her eyes dissipated quietly like morning mist, and a more determined light gradually emerged.
She finally saw the direction of the future clearly, at least, she saw another possibility.
It is a difficult but worthwhile road to take.
She picked up the pen and began to write back to her mother, a hint of warmth unconsciously spreading across her lips.
At the end of the war, there may not only be cold rule and conquest, but also the warm and tenacious power practiced by mothers.
Love may not be able to solve all the problems in the world.
But without love, any powerful empire is ultimately just a fortress built on quicksand, which will collapse at the slightest gust of wind.
Love is not only the joy between men and women, or the love between parents, but also a kind of benevolence that benefits all living beings.
It was not until this moment that she truly understood the meaning of "Mother of All Peoples".
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
