Chapter 78 Wei Zheng VS Ling Jing
Ling Jing – strategist for King Dou Jiande of Xia!
When Dou Jiande established the Great Xia Dynasty, Ling Jing served as its first Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.
To some extent, Ling Jing's talent at that time far surpassed that of Wei Zheng and others!
Not only that...
As is well known, Dou Jiande was defeated at the Battle of Hulao Pass.
Ling Jing also participated in that battle and offered advice!
Unfortunately, Dou Jiande did not adopt his suggestion...
If time could be turned back then, and Dou Jiande had adopted Ling Jing's advice, the situation at the end of the Sui Dynasty would have been very different!
It is highly likely that the style of Zhuge Liang will be revived, and the world will be divided into three kingdoms!
If Dou Jiande's army had been stronger and had directly attacked Guanzhong, then it would have been very likely that Dou Jiande would have won the world!
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs"...
Dou Jiande's army was really incompetent.
The emperor personally led the expedition, and his forces outnumbered the Tang army, yet he was captured by Li Shimin.
"Ling Jing, is it really you?"
Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan were literary masters, and Ling Jing was also the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy of the Great Xia Dynasty. They naturally became acquainted when they served under Dou Jiande.
"You remember everything?"
Ling Jing suddenly raised his head, his cloudy gaze becoming even sharper: "Back then, His Majesty treated you with such sincerity, and you just surrendered to Li Shimin like this? Do you think you are worthy of His Majesty's kindness?"
Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan were both stunned.
A hint of guilt flashed in his eyes.
Perhaps they have their own reasons.
But Dou Jiande's gratitude for being recognized and valued cannot be faked.
“Ling Jing, the Xia King has been defeated, and His Majesty is now a wise ruler. Our loyalty is simply the inevitable course of events!” Yu Shinan explained.
"ridiculous!"
Ling Jing's questioning became increasingly sharp: "I wouldn't say anything if you allied yourself with someone else, but you chose to side with the Tang Dynasty. What kind of behavior is this?"
"You're the kind of people who repay kindness with enmity!"
"No, to say you're repaying kindness with enmity is to overestimate yourselves!"
"You are nothing but traitors who sell out your masters for personal gain!"
Ling Jing's words were like daggers to the heart, causing Yu Shinan and Ouyang Xun to clutch their chests in anger.
Seeing this, Li Shimin was about to order the soldiers to take Ling Jing away when Wei Zheng stepped forward...
"Ling Jing, you're wrong!"
Wei Zheng approached Ling Jing and rebuked him forcefully.
"Wei Zheng, you still dare to jump out?"
Ling Jing's eyes grew increasingly crazed: "You are the most shameless one. When the King captured you, he not only spared your life but also appointed you as his personal attendant. Is this how you repay the King?"
Wei Zheng remained calm and composed, his expression unchanged.
"I have a clear conscience."
Wei Zheng looked intently at Ling Jing: "You can say that Master Ouyang and Master Yu followed Dou Jiande, but they were by no means traitors who sold out their masters for personal gain!"
"Both of you are nearly eighty years old. Even when you joined His Majesty, you were already close to seventy."
"You're saying they betrayed their master for personal gain?"
"At their age, even with wealth and honor, how many more years can they enjoy it?"
"Furthermore, based on your understanding of the two of them, are they the kind of people who would betray their master for personal gain?"
With just a few words, Wei Zheng vindicated Ouyang Xun and Yu Shinan.
The two looked at Wei Zheng with gratitude.
As people age, they value their reputation most, and Wei Zheng's words saved them face.
Ling Jing's expression remained unchanged as he pressed on, "Even so, it doesn't change the fact that they betrayed the King!"
"No."
Wei Zheng shook his head: "When Dou Jiande was alive, their betrayal was what truly constituted betrayal!"
"But Dou Jiande is already dead. What's wrong with them surrendering to a new master?"
"The Sui Dynasty fell, and the world was plunged into chaos!"
"If they raise another army and plunge into the chaos, who will suffer then?"
"In war, it is always the ordinary people who suffer the most..."
Wei Zheng sighed.
However, Ling Jing was not persuaded; instead, his words became even more incisive.
"And what about you?"
Ling Jing sneered disdainfully: "I can understand the two of them, but how do you explain your allegiance to Li Shimin?"
Everyone looked at Wei Zheng with concern.
Wei Zheng simply smiled.
"As I just said, as long as you have a clear conscience, that's enough."
"What you think of me is not important to me, and I don't need to explain anything to you."
"If I had to give a reason..."
Wei Zheng bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty's benevolence and power are boundless. You appoint virtuous and capable people and know how to use them well. We are all willing to submit to you."
Swish.
Ouyang Xun, Yu Shinan, Changsun Wuji and others bowed in unison.
Li Shimin immediately sat upright.
Old Wei's words are really powerful.
Most importantly, they're giving me face today.
It's rare, truly rare...
It's this spearhead, isn't it? It always misses, always aiming right at me.
You say you want to aim your guns at outsiders, do you think I'd bother to make things difficult for you all the time?
"Ha ha……"
Ling Jing laughed arrogantly again: "Look at yourself! You still say you're not a traitor who sells out his master for personal gain!"
"You're still talking to me about wise rulers?"
"Even if His Majesty is not good enough, he is only a little arrogant. As his subjects, we can only offer him more advice."
"And what about Li Shimin?"
Ling Jing's eyes grew increasingly crazed: "He murdered his brothers and forced his father to abdicate!"
"You're saying this kind of beastly person is a wise ruler?"
"Wei Zheng, I think your conscience has been eaten by dogs!"
hiss.
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in shock, not daring to utter a sound.
"Bold."
"You bastard!"
Only Cheng Yaojin, Changsun Wuji, and others rebuked them in unison.
Li Shimin's smug face had long since turned ashen.
But he didn't say anything.
He believed that Wei Zheng would definitely turn the tide for him!
Ling Jing, however, continued to roar like a mad dog...
"If I remember correctly, you sought refuge with Li Jiancheng in the Tang Dynasty, didn't you?"
"Li Shimin killed your master, and you didn't avenge him."
"They still have the nerve to pledge their loyalty to him and protect him!"
"He was appointed as a Chamberlain and Duke of Zheng!"
"Tsk tsk, what a great honor..."
"Tell me, what is this if not betraying one's master for personal gain?"
Killing someone by destroying their spirit is nothing more than that.
Ling Jing's words not only insulted Li Shimin but also undermined Wei Zheng's moral integrity.
Even Wei Shuyu couldn't help but worry...
"First of all, you need to understand one thing: Wei's official position and title were not obtained by betraying his master, but by earning real merits."
Wei Zheng's tone was less sharp and more composed, like the calm before a storm.
He continued, slowly and deliberately recounting his story...
"Secondly, you ask me why I pledged allegiance to His Majesty?"
"I can tell you without hesitation that His Majesty has given me an opportunity to display my talents and a chance to truly save the people!"
"Perhaps I, Wei Zheng, haven't done some things well enough, but I still maintain that I have a clear conscience!"
"Finally, you're saying His Majesty isn't a wise ruler?"
Wei Zheng's eyes widened slightly, and his voice suddenly rose, bursting out like a storm: "Who do you think you are, daring to insult His Majesty!"
"Regarding governance: Your Majesty humbly accepts advice, corrects mistakes, selects virtuous and capable officials, knows how to use people well, reduces corvée labor, and lowers taxes..."
"In terms of military prowess: His Majesty joined the army at a young age, conquered the Tang Dynasty, expanded the territory, pacified the Eastern Turks, and was revered as the Heavenly Khan!"
"Throughout history, how many emperors have achieved such accomplishments as Your Majesty!"
"If Your Majesty's achievements are not worthy of recognition, then is the deceased Dou Jiande worthy of recognition?"
"Ling Jing, more than ten years ago, I had great respect for you."
"But today, you've completely shown me your foolish side!"
"At least other people's blind loyalty has a partner!"
"Dou Jiande has been dead for more than ten years, and you are still using his name."
“If you were truly loyal, you should have slit your own throat and followed him to the afterlife.”
"So that he won't be all alone underground."
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