Chapter 3276: Not warlike, but not afraid of war
After a while, they were on the street.
Just two days ago, Chen Zixiao led his troops in a battle with the people of White Tiger City. If it happened in another city in the Central Plains, the people inside would be like frightened birds, even if they didn't flee in all directions, they would definitely stay inside their houses and dare not go out easily.
However, when Nan Yan accompanied the old uncle and little Chengjun to the street, the situation here was no different from when she took little Chengjun out for a stroll before.
The street vendors were still hawking their wares with all their might, and the foreign merchants passing by were all greeting them with smiles. Even at the tea stall where they had drunk tea before, the old stall owner was still sitting under the tree, drinking tea and telling stories to the children around him.
Nan Yan was a little confused at first, but after thinking about it again, she began to understand.
Although Chen Zixiao managed this place very well, and because Zhu Feng opened up the Silk Road, many merchants traveling here stayed here to do business, making this place seem prosperous and lively.
But this is Handongwei after all.
Among the seven guards in Guanxi, Shazhou Guard and Handong Guard have the most dangerous geographical locations and face the most difficult situations. When Handong Guard was first established, most people here were accustomed to fighting every other day. Even though the power of the Neng Kingdom, especially Arslan, has greatly decreased and the number of major battles has decreased, they are not afraid of war.
However, the old uncle, looking at the scene before him, could not help but nod his head and said, "It is surprising that the Northwest can have such a beautiful scenery."
Nan Yan asked, "Does Uncle like this?"
The old uncle did not answer, but asked with a hint of amusement: "Why do you ask that?"
Nan Yan said, "I heard that after Emperor Gao founded the country, he strictly prohibited foreign trade and completely closed the northwest gate. The emperor also spent a long time discussing his mission to the Western Regions with the ministers."
The old uncle smiled.
Looking at his smile, Nan Yan asked, "Uncle, don't you object?"
The old uncle asked, "Do you think I should object?"
Nan Yan said, "I just thought that my uncle conquered the world with the Emperor Gao, so I'm afraid he would have the same ideas. I've always been worried that my uncle would be unhappy if he saw the Emperor violate the ancestral system."
The old uncle looked around at the foreign merchants with blond hair and strange eyes walking around with tall horses and camels, as well as the rare treasures that had never been seen before on the street stalls. After a long while, he nodded gently and said, "Even if he saw such a scene, he wouldn't be angry."
The "he" he was referring to was naturally Emperor Gao.
Nan Yan said, "Really? I heard that my father—particularly dislikes people who engage in business."
The old uncle smiled and said, "That's true. He was born poor, so he just hates rich people."
Nan Yan was frightened when she heard this.
In this world, if there is still one person who dares to say this to Emperor Gao, it is probably only this old uncle who fought with him to conquer the world and risked his life to build the current empire. However, he dared to say it, and Nan Yan just listened awkwardly, not daring to say a word.
Little Chengjun held the old uncle's hand, looked up and asked, "Mother, Uncle, who are you talking about?"
Nan Yan yelled at him: "Don't ask too many questions!"
Seeing her cautious look, the old uncle laughed and said, "You don't have to be so cautious. What I said is also the truth. Besides, at that time, the closure of the northwest gate and the prohibition of foreign trade was not only because he hated rich people and business, but also had other considerations."
"oh?"
Nan Yan asked, "What is it?"
The old uncle sighed and said, "In fact, before I joined him to conquer the world and establish the country, the Central Plains had already experienced years of war and famine, and the people were living in poverty. Although the war was won and the country was established, the domestic situation was-"
Speaking of this, he seemed to have recalled the sufferings of the past.
I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh and said, "You who were born at this time couldn't have imagined it."
Nan Yan nodded heavily.
Although she had fought in wars with Zhu Feng, it was under the premise of domestic stability. For example, Jinling had experienced the Zhu Chengjin Rebellion before, and the city was almost destroyed, but other areas in the Central Plains were safe. The court was able to immediately reduce Jinling's taxes and mobilize food and supplies from all over the country to help Jinling. Therefore, apart from the hardships during the war, other situations were not bad.
But, it’s different with years of war.
Nine out of ten houses were empty, and there were thousands of starving people everywhere. Not only was there no food, there were no people either.
Under such circumstances, the poverty and weakness are indeed difficult for people living in a peaceful era to imagine.
The old uncle said, "The country is so weak. If we don't close the door, then who knows what will be brought in if we open it again?"
“…”
"Sometimes, people don't hit you just because you're good, but because you're weak."
Hearing this even somewhat crude truth, Nan Yan nodded.
How could she not understand that weakness is the original sin?
However, human nature is not entirely good. Even if bullying the weak does not bring any benefits, it can still bring pleasure. What's more, in a war between countries, as long as the war is won, there will be benefits.
Zhu Chengjun had just been scolded by Nan Yan, so he kept his mouth shut and just listened to what they said. But when he heard this, he couldn't help but raise his little face and said, "We are not weak!"
Nan Yan glared at him and couldn't help laughing.
The old uncle also laughed.
He said: "Yes, we are not weak now. Well, it's your father who is so powerful!"
Nan Yan said, "The Emperor—if he hears his uncle's praise, he will definitely be very happy."
The old uncle laughed and said, "My words nowadays don't carry any weight, so this praise is worthless. But seeing that the people of a country are not afraid of war, that is the real praise."
Nan Yan hurriedly asked, "Uncle, what are you talking about?"
“…”
"My uncle once conquered the world alongside the Emperor Gao. If there's anyone in this world who can understand the hearts of the people, it's you, my uncle. If you say he's amazing, then he really is."
The old uncle smiled.
Nan Yan also looked around and said slowly: "However, we Yan people have always been like this. Although we don't like war, we are not afraid of war. If you dare to fight, we will definitely win."
The old prince originally wanted to hold Zhu Chengjun's hand and walk forward, but after hearing this, he stopped and looked at her.
"you--"
Nan Yan asked, "What happened to my uncle?"
The old uncle looked at her for a long time with a complicated expression, then said with a half-smile, "I've heard rumors that although the Imperial Concubine is a woman, she has followed the Emperor on many campaigns and never flinched. Zixiao also said that the Imperial Concubine's character is not as good as that of men. I thought it was just an exaggeration, but I didn't expect it to be true."
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