"I can't comment on your choice, but isn't your action just like wielding a sword against the weaker? Others treat the lives of others like dirt, but aren't you the same?"
"Your choice to stand idly by, to turn a blind eye, and to treat the people you bought as less than human is your choice. But people are people, not animals. They have their own thoughts and their own grievances. Is that not allowed?"
At this moment, Jiang Tian smiled gently again: "If you still don't allow it, then you can swing your sword at someone weaker again, including me."
Zhao Jing clearly discerned the omissions in Jiang Tian's words.
He is the master, they are the slaves; it is only natural for the slaves to die for their master.
He had countless reasons to have those lackeys dragged out and beaten to death if they dared to defy him.
But upon closer examination, Zhao Jing had to admit that she was right in some ways.
He left these people behind, giving them only a sliver of hope, without considering what would happen if they didn't survive.
It seems that he truly didn't value their lives.
Because there are too many people like this in chaotic times.
Zhao Jing is cold-hearted and hard-hearted; he would never lose his composure because of Jiang Tian's nonsense.
He suddenly laughed along with Jiang Tian, his smile tinged with contempt: "You don't need to try to convince me with your twisted logic anymore. In the end, aren't you just afraid that I'll punish these servants? Don't worry, I'm not that narrow-minded."
"As for the nonsense you're spouting, I don't want to hear a single word. Yes, I am cold-hearted and don't care about other people's lives. They are of no use to me. Leaving them a chance to live before I left was already more than enough."
Jiang Tian smiled and continued drinking her tea: "As expected, the general is different from others. If Young Master Jiang heard this, he would probably support my idea."
Zhao Jing's expression changed, and his eyes seemed to be clouded with gloom.
Pei Ziye and Jiang Yuqin both survived the battle of the capital. They were outstanding young people, and the emperor knew that they had real talent, so he granted them official positions.
Now, those two are seen by others as top young talents, officials who are about to rise to prominence.
Zhao Jing could not forget that Jiang Tian had slept with those two people.
Considering Jiang Yuqin's temperament, he had to admit that Jiang Tian was right.
He will definitely agree with Jiang Tian's idea.
That's exactly what he did.
"Why bring him up?" Zhao Jing stared at Jiang Tian expressionlessly.
"I didn't do anything, I just remembered it and said it."
Zhao Jing remained silent for a long time.
Jiang Tian said as if nothing had happened, "I have nothing more to say. General, please tell me your purpose."
The heated exchange between the two of them had greatly diminished Zhao Jing's admiration for this woman.
The path he was about to take was a path paved with blood.
Jiang Tian's so-called benevolent ideology disgusted him.
Eight out of ten people like that won't live long.
Seeing that she could behead that tyrant with a single stroke, Zhao Jing initially admired her somewhat, but now it seems she's nothing special.
Moreover, he only kept the useless people; there are many useful people at the bottom.
He will naturally protect those who are useful.
Isn't Jiang Tian just like that?
The two men's thoughts were already quite different at this point.
Jiang Tian believed that he should not disregard the lives of ordinary people. If he had the ability to save them, he should have done so, even if they were just ordinary citizens.
Zhao Jing, on the other hand, believed that there was too much chaos in the world, and human life was the least valuable thing. Useless people should be abandoned, and every action should be taken with a clear purpose.
At this moment, in Zhao Jing's eyes, Jiang Tian was a bodhisattva.
Even if she is a Bodhisattva, she is still just a clay Bodhisattva.
Putting those thoughts aside, Zhao Jing unconsciously thought of Jiang Yuqin again.
Hearing Jiang Tian mention Jiang Yuqin's name, he felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
They're both divorced, why is he thinking about those things?
Zhao Jing put aside his thoughts and got down to business: "You have been in charge of the household affairs for many years, and all the servants in the mansion recognize you as their mistress. Since we are still husband and wife in name only, the affairs of the inner quarters should still be managed by you."
"General, have you forgotten? We divorced long ago."
Zhao Jing remained unfazed: "You can name your terms. As far as I know, the Jiang family has already taken back the dowry. The emperor didn't bestow any gold or silver jewels upon you, so you shouldn't be very well-off right now."
The new emperor is really stingy.
Having just ascended the throne, he didn't want to spend any money, since the situation was still uncertain and those rebels might one day storm the capital.
As long as he doesn't eliminate those who rebel, his throne will remain unstable.
Therefore, the emperor spent countless taels of silver to recruit soldiers and train them.
He never even mentioned bestowing gold and silver jewelry upon Jiang Tian.
Now that he has ascended the throne, he naturally won't bring it up again.
If Jiang Tian wants to escape from the General's Mansion in the future, she won't be able to live well anywhere without enough money, so these are the things she lacks most.
But to his surprise, Jiang Tian actually laughed.
She held the handkerchief in her hand, her tone nonchalant: "The new emperor didn't give me much silver, but the tyrant gave me a lot. The tyrant was extremely pleased to see that I had obediently followed his orders and had consummated my relationship with the prince and the top scholar, so he gave me a lot of silver, which I had already hidden away."
Zhao Jing's face turned somewhat pale.
"If you can't offer me something that will win my heart, then stop talking and leave now. I heard the Emperor has bestowed several beautiful women upon you; you should go and talk to them."
Pretending not to understand her implied dismissal, Zhao Jing asked directly, "What do you want?"
She had no shortage of money, but there was always something she lacked.
"What are you saying? Do you think you can give me whatever I want?"
"When doing business, one person provides the goods and the other person sets the price; you always have to listen to their opinions first."
"Okay, then I want you to promise me three things from now on."
Zhao Jing frowned deeply as he bargained with Jiang Tian: "One thing, and it must be within my jurisdiction."
Three things are too many.
He didn't want to make a big fuss if the woman made unreasonable demands.
"Okay, let's draw up a written agreement, one copy for you and one copy for me, and stamp it with your seal."
Her quick agreement made Zhao Jing feel like he had been tricked.
Considering the serious consequences of a fire in the inner quarters, Zhao Jing still agreed.
The two agreed that for a period of six months, Jiang Tian would handle the affairs of Zhao Jing's household and receive five thousand taels of silver per month. In return, Zhao Jing would agree to do one thing for her.
After Jiang Tian put the document away, Zhao Jing immediately told her the urgent matter that required her, as the "mistress," to handle.
"The Emperor has bestowed upon me six beauties, and the steward is unsure how to arrange their accommodations. I entrust this matter to you."
Jiang Tian remained expressionless: "Alright, General, don't worry, I will handle it properly for you."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
