Chapter 90 Taiyi Zhenren: Don’t worry, I won’t tell! ...
After releasing He Qing, Fu Li fell into deep thought. Ling Zhuzi did not disturb her, but just stayed by her side quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, she took a deep breath and asked Ling Zhuzi, "What do you think..."
Halfway through her words, she shook her head and said, "It's too early to talk about this now. We just defeated the Wu tribe, and there are still a lot of things to deal with afterwards."
Seeing that she was unwilling to speak, Lingzhuzi did not ask, but suggested: "You can promote more people, just like in Mount Emei."
Fu Li nodded and smiled, "You're right. If you can't lead a team, you'll have to work until you die."
At this time, Ge came over with several elders and handed her a stack of birch bark: "Chief, this is the list of casualties in this battle.
We were protected by armor, so most of us only sustained injuries to our hands or legs. Only a few were particularly unlucky and were shot in the eyes by the Wu tribe's foul bamboo arrows, and they died."
Fu Li looked around and saw over thirty wounded, but only four had died from their injuries. Compared to the pile of coffins at Wu's headquarters, this casualty ratio was surprisingly low.
Thinking of the families of the four men who died in the battle, Fu Li couldn't help but sigh and ordered, "Prepare the necessary compensation. I will personally deliver it to the deceased."
Ge was originally very excited about such a low casualty ratio, but seeing Fu Li like this, she was still a little confused.
Compared with the past, the result this time is already very good, and the casualties are negligible.
The captives of the Wu tribe can be exchanged for a lot of supplies, which can be said to be a huge profit. The Jinjiang tribe can not only take the opportunity to grow stronger, but also intimidate other tribes.
Fu Li knew that Ge did not disrespect the soldiers, but in her heart, the Jinjiang tribe was a whole. The families of the four people who died in the battle could receive compensation, and other people in the tribe would also take care of them.
Ultimately, it’s because of differences in thinking.
Fu Li has led the Jinjiang tribe and is preparing to transform the entire Shu area from a tribal settlement system, skipping the feudal slave system currently implemented in the Central Plains, and directly evolving it into a feudal county system that lasted for two thousand years in later generations.
The system is already being promoted, but most people, including Ge, are still thinking about the past.
But this kind of thing cannot be explained clearly with words alone.
Therefore, Fu Li only asked Ge to go with him when visiting the families of the dead in battle, so that he could feel the sadness of the families after losing their loved ones up close.
The Jinjiang Division can indeed be seen as a whole, but within that whole there are also individuals. Often, for the benefit of the whole, individual sacrifices must be made.
But this is not something that can be taken for granted, and as a leader, you cannot take it for granted.
After visiting the four relatives one by one, Ge became more and more silent, and in the end he said nothing at all, with a hint of shame in his expression.
After leaving the last house, the group walked in silence towards Fuli's residence. Ge suddenly said, "Chief, I understand what you mean. Before... I didn't think enough."
Fu Li struck while the iron was hot and asked, "Then tell me, what was the biggest mistake made by the Wu tribe leader in this battle?"
In the past, Ge would have blurted out without hesitation: "Her biggest mistake was to become an enemy of our Jinjiang tribe."
But at this time she had not yet recovered from the shock, and Fu Li's question confused her. She hesitated for a long time and did not dare to say what she was thinking.
Fu Li showed a soothing look: "Just say it, we are all family here, no one will laugh at you even if you say something wrong."
The young men who followed followed suit and started to make a noise:
"Yes, Great Elder, just tell me."
"Everyone knows each other, so no one will laugh at you."
"Yes, go ahead."
"Since the leader asked you to speak, just speak."
Ge then said embarrassedly: "The reason why the Wu tribe attacked us was not because we deliberately instigated and forced them to do so?"
Fu Li: “…………”
Others: “…………”
After hearing Ge's honest words, the young men who followed him looked at each other, feeling more or less embarrassed.
Only Fu Li felt speechless, and sighed again: People's hearts at that time were so simple and honest!
But if you do this, I will appear to be very sinister and cunning.
Looking at the seven or eight identically innocent faces in front of her, Fu Li felt a rare sense of powerlessness.
"This isn't the first time the Wu tribe has attacked us. Did we secretly instigate them the last time they withdrew their troops?"
Everyone's faces changed immediately. Ge cursed loudly, "God damn Wu tribe, they have no regard for feelings, no morality, they covet our Jinjiang tribe's salt, jealous of our good life..."
Everyone was talking and cursing.
In that battle, the Jinjiang troops had not yet upgraded their equipment. Both sides were covered in leather and used wooden swords and bone arrows, resulting in extremely heavy casualties.
Especially when compared with the results of this battle, the casualty figures of the last battle not long ago are even more heartbreaking.
Fu Li waited until they had finished scolding him, then he felt satisfied and said matter-of-factly, "That's it. The Wu tribe is inherently ambitious and has always coveted the increasingly abundant resources of our Jinjiang tribe.
Think about it carefully. Even if we didn't secretly instigate them, would the Wu tribe just sit there and watch us enjoy the good life while they still wear leaves and chew grass roots?
Someone interjected, "That's definitely not the case, unless we're willing to exchange supplies with them."
"Are you willing?" Fu Li asked again.
The man said without hesitation, "Of course I don't want to. How many of our young men have been killed by the Wu tribe? How many children have been left without parents, and how many elderly people have been left without children?"
They all hold grudges.
Fu Li continued to persuade them, "There is an inherent contradiction between our demands. Our Jinjiang tribe is stronger than their Wu tribe, so there is no way we will bow to them."
The leader of the Wu tribe is hot-tempered and arrogant. He will never bow to us, and he will not sit idly by and watch us get better and better.
Given this, conflict between the two sides is inevitable, sooner or later. Our covert attempts to sow discord are merely bringing a potential conflict to a head. Ultimately, the Wu tribe is fundamentally dishonest."
Fu Li said earnestly, "A ruler should not raise an army out of anger!"
Ge and others were convinced by her.
People tend to look at things from their own perspective. Fu Li's words and actions were all based on the Jinjiang Department's perspective, so it was of course easy to convince them.
Seeing that they had thought it through, Fu Li let them go about their business and returned to his residence alone.
——Since it is a traditional art, why can’t this tradition start with her?
Lingzhuzi was talking with Taiyi Zhenren. When he saw her come back, he smiled and waved to her.
When Fu Li saw him, she subconsciously smiled back, then quickly walked over and bowed to Master Taiyi, "Disciple greets Master Taiyi."
Taiyi Zhenren raised an eyebrow and said, "Lingzhuzi has already changed his words, why are you still calling me uncle-master?"
She glanced at Lingzhuzi, only to receive an innocent look from him. She couldn't help but smile and bowed solemnly to Master Taiyi: "Teacher Taiyi, I am honored to be your disciple."
Taiyi Zhenren laughed heartily and said repeatedly, "Good children, they are all good children."
Fu Li tilted her head and smiled, "Are there any rewards for good children?" As she spoke, she sat on the other side of him, facing Ling Zhuzi. The two of them looked at each other from time to time, and they were very happy with each other.
Taiyi Zhenren paused in laughter, sighed pretentiously, and shook his head, saying, "I knew you weren't learning from that Zhao guy. You've learned nothing but profit. You brought me here, so you can't just enjoy the good life."
Jokes aside, it didn't stop him from trashing Zhao Gongming. And the whole process was as smooth as flowing water, perfectly smooth; it came out without a second thought.
It can be seen that he often slanders Zhao Gongming in private.
However, Fu Li would not stand up for her teacher, because she knew very well that Zhao Gongming had also been badmouthing Taiyi Zhenren in private.
Isn’t this a two-way journey?
She only smiled and flattered Master Taiyi: "As the saying goes, those who are capable must do more work. After all, Master Taiyi is a Grand Master of the Way of Instruments. Apart from you, I really don't know who else I can entrust this matter to. Could it be that you have to ask Second Master to come out of retirement just for this little matter of yours?"
This is to say that his attainments in the way of instruments are second only to Yuanshi Tianzun, which is equivalent to praising him directly to the sky.
Lingzhuzi on the opposite side said nothing, but just showed an expression of "I agree with it deeply", but it was more effective than a thousand words from others.
Taiyi Zhenren was very satisfied. He stroked his beard and asked reservedly, "Tell me, what difficulties have you encountered?"
Fu Li immediately revealed an expression of great joy, and continued to flatter Taiyi Zhenren, making him feel flattered. Then he said, "Actually, it's not just one thing, but a reform that transforms one from an immortal to a mortal."
"Transmutation from immortal to mortal?" Taiyi Zhenren was stunned. "Good boy, didn't you say it the other way around?"
I've only ever heard that all races in the world want to transform from mortals into immortals, how could it be the other way around?
But Fuli only needed one sentence to let him know that he was not joking.
Fu Li said, "This disciple got the inspiration from the goddess Nuwa, and I have a vague feeling that if I can really accomplish it, it will definitely be a great merit."
Taiyi Zhenren immediately became interested.
Merit to Qi cultivators is like food to mortals; it is hard currency wherever you go.
No mortal would think that he has too much food, and no qigong practitioner would think that he has too much merit.
Not to mention Taiyi Zhenren, even Lingzhuzi couldn't be sure whether she was fooling her teacher.
But no matter whether it is true or not, he will cooperate well.
So, he raised his eyebrows and said with a wicked smile: "You only ask the teacher for help with such a big matter. Aren't you afraid that Teacher Zhao will get into trouble if he finds out?"
Fu Li understood immediately, her expression slightly stiffened, and she went over to grab Taiyi Zhenren's sleeve and shook it: "Teacher Taiyi, please don't tell my teacher about this, or he will make a scene with me."
Taiyi Zhenren's eyes became brighter.
"Don't worry, don't worry, I will never say it in front of him." He nodded in agreement randomly, but he was already very happy in his heart.
——Haha, Zhao Gongming, Zhao Gongming, you brag about yourself all day long. Why don’t the children come to you when they have problems?
Good boy, don't worry, I will never tell this to Zhao. But I'm not sure if others will tell Zhao about it.
Thinking of Zhao Gongming's furious look, Taiyi Zhenren felt refreshed.
He was certain and determined that even if there was no merit in doing this, he would do it. Not only would he do it, but he would do it well and to perfection!
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