Chapter 1135: Shen Zhongli (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
The atmosphere at the scene fell into an eerie silence.
Then came Shen Tang's nonchalant laughter: "Xiao Fang, this is no fun at all. You almost scared someone. We're old acquaintances who know each other inside and out. Don't you know what I'm capable of? I've never fallen into this trap before, so how could I repeat the same mistake? I still prefer you to use your mouth only for drinking, for drinking, reminiscing, and talking about romance, and nothing else!"
Shen Tang rejected Zhai Le's attempts to sow discord and retorted.
"Fine, I guess I'm just being nosy and now I'm caught in the middle."
Zhai Le's words sounded somewhat resentful and aggrieved.
He was never short of friends; wherever he went, he had a bunch of old acquaintances, some loyal confidants, others casual acquaintances. His life was always bustling with activity during his youth. Among all these friends, Shen Tang was the most special among them.
Because of his temperament, because of his strength, because of his gender, and also because the years when he first met her were the last vestiges of freedom in his and his brother's shared lives. It was like a bonfire; after its brightest moment, the color would gradually dim until only embers remained.
He and his elder brother both thought that their travels would end and they would embark on a new chapter in their lives. Neither of them expected that his brother's life would take a downturn from then on, until his untimely death. Zhai Le was entrusted with a critical mission, taking over the responsibilities of the Qu Kingdom. He was forced to go from being a subject who followed his brother to a monarch who led his people to survive in a chaotic world.
Zhai Le wouldn't shirk his responsibilities, but occasionally, in the dead of night, he would reminisce about his childhood with his older brother. As a witness to that time, Shen Tang had countless things to say when they met again. There were many things Zhai Le wanted to tell her.
He spoke of the difficulties of governing a country, the bewilderment of losing his brother's protection, and how he was about to fulfill the grand ambitions they had made in their youth. He asked her how she was doing now, and whether she was facing similar troubles as he had. Zhai Le had so much to say, but in the end, he kept it all bottled up inside, letting it rot and ferment until he could no longer speak.
He poured himself bowl after bowl of wine.
It still tastes just as mellow as it did back then, but I no longer feel the same amazement and fascination with it. I even have some doubts. It is true that there are some fine wines in the world, but it is not that unique. Why have I been thinking about it for so many years?
Shen Tang sensed the change in his emotions and softened her tone: "It can't be said that way, but thank you for reminding me anyway."
The situation at Quqing Academy certainly warrants caution and vigilance.
Regardless of Zhai Le's motives, and how much of his words were true and how much was false, the fact that he was willing to confide in him was enough. Only then did Zhai Le show a relieved smile again.
"What you just said, is it all true?" Gu De's gaze was fixed on Zhai Le, not missing a single change in the latter's expression, as if no lie could hide under his watchful eyes. "Do the Southeast countries really not tolerate Qu Qing?"
Zhai Le asked with a smile, "Why would I need to lie to you? Who are you?"
He is the ruler of a country, why would he deliberately deceive a commoner?
Since we've come this far, he didn't mind saying a few more words: "Didn't you think there might be a problem with the number of places in Quqing Academy going from a few to fifty? In your opinion, the students of Quqing Academy are all incredibly talented and gifted, and they could easily secure a place even if they returned to their respective countries to take the exam. I don't deny that. But even if the results are the same, if the process is wrong, it's still wrong."
"Not to mention that these spots were originally given to their own families by royal families, powerful ministers and nobles, but Quqing Academy intercepted them and suffered in silence. Being cheated once or twice is still within the range of tolerance, but if it happens too often, how can Quqing Academy not be an eyesore?"
Gu De said angrily, "But you also said it was the fault of all countries. They were the ones who first used Qu Qing as a plaything to glorify themselves and trampled on the original intentions of many sages. Qu Qing fought back, and they were fine, but the academy was burned to the ground. Now, in your mouth, they have become hateful 'academic tyrants'!"
His eyes were bloodshot and brimming with tears.
Strands of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"The academy itself is not wrong. Qu Qing Jushi founded the academy to support the poor and give more students the opportunity to stand out. But Gu Yourong, are you confusing 'Qu Qing Academy' with 'Qu Qing Academy students'? The two are not the same! The academy is just an inanimate object. You can hang the 'Qu Qing Academy' sign anywhere, and that place can be called 'Qu Qing Academy'! No matter how it changes, it is still just an academy. But what about the students who seek knowledge? There are more than ten thousand of them."
The academy will not change; only the students will.
Zhai Le questioned, "Initially, it was true that royal families and nobles from various countries used the academy to reserve places for their own people, thus undermining the academy's original purpose. But have you ever considered that some of these people were also students who graduated from the academy? From being passive victims at the beginning to later joining in the corruption, those who trample on the original aspirations of our predecessors have never been a fixed group of people, have they?"
While Quqing Academy fought back, it also enjoyed the benefits—at its peak, the academy had a full fifty places available!
Will Qu Qing give up the benefits he has already gained?
Each spot was saved from the national resources of other countries. Giving some to Qu Qing for free, while the rest were contested by their own students, naturally caused dissatisfaction among those countries. Even if they started this whole thing themselves, they wouldn't always remember it.
Xiahou Yu asked, "What about the Dean's self-immolation?"
Zhai Le said, "I scared him, and he believed me. If you pin this blood feud on me, I have nothing to say. But then again, even if Quqing Academy hadn't been burned down, so what? Disgrace and ruin would be worse than death!"
Aside from Layman Qu Qing, only the last dean was worth considering. When Zhai Le spoke with him, it was clear he also disapproved of Qu Qing Academy's state, but he was powerless to save the ailing institution—too many students came for the limited spots and the Qu Qing name. If he gave up and agreed to Zhai Le's conditions, allowing Qu Qing Academy to become affiliated with the Qu Kingdom's court, countless people would accuse Qu Qing Academy of being servile and devoid of its former integrity. Just imagining it was enough to incur such criticism.
He felt ashamed to face the sages of the academy.
However, he could not accept Zhai Le exposing the sordid affairs of Quqing Academy, so he disbanded the academy and set it on fire, returning everything to dust. At least when later generations mentioned Quqing Academy, they still felt longing and regret, rather than condemnation and contempt.
Gu De could no longer suppress the sweet, metallic taste in his throat.
He spat out a mouthful of foul blood.
If Xiahou Yu hadn't caught him quickly, he would have been unable to stand. Seeing this, Zhai Le stopped provoking him: "Actually, it's better that it burned down. In the future, upright students will rebuild the academy, and those corrupt and scheming people can be corrected."
Shen Tang said, "Zhai Xiaofang, say less."
Zhai Le was annoyed: "You Li is really biased."
Which of his statements wasn't the absolute truth?
The last dean was a somewhat pedantic man, which explains why he raised someone like Gu De—the burning of Quqing Academy shattered his Daoist heart. Zhai Le said, "I don't object to you rebuilding the academy, but there's one condition: it can't be in the southeast!"
The network of connections at Quqing Academy is still too vast.
Once it's rebuilt, it's like bringing these scattered guys back together. Zhai Le doesn't want to deal with a bunch of government affairs every day and have to manage these trivial matters. He'd be living in constant fear.
In any case, time will heal all wounds.
Or, this group of people needs to be almost all dead.
Looking at Gu De's state, Xiahou Yu, usually so good-tempered, was slightly angry: "Why does the King of Zhai have to put on such nice words? In the end, aren't you one of them too? You usurp power and act recklessly, how are you any different? You ordered your envoy to incite the students and use your power to intimidate them, all for the sake of a 'just cause'! Do you dare to say that you are upright and have a clear conscience?"
Who doesn't act from their own perspective and use every means possible?
Just because he's the king, does that give him the right to ridicule people like this?
The smile on Zhai Le's face gradually disappeared.
Instead, a chilling murderous intent filled the air.
Just then, someone lightly tapped his shoulder. Zhai Le turned his head to see a bowl of wine brought directly to his lips, the liquid inside swaying and bobbing with the touch. Shen Tang said, "Drink."
Avoid any other unnecessary movements or words.
Zhai Le saw the irresistible protectiveness in Shen Tang's eyes, snatched the wine bowl, drank it all in one gulp, and casually tossed it aside: "It's getting late, if we don't go home soon, there will be a huge uproar at home, see you next time."
He had just walked a distance when he felt a gust of wind behind him, and he reached out to grab it.
It turned out to be a round wine jar.
You can still hear the sloshing sound of the liquid inside the wine jar.
Shen Tang said, "Okay, see you next time."
Zhai Le looked at Shen Tang with complicated eyes for a long time, and then inexplicably laughed: "Will you always be like this?"
Shen Tang waved him away impatiently.
"Get lost, and stop cursing me."
Zhai Le looked down at the wine jar, his smile as bright as ever, with a hint of pride: "I'm almost there for my old ambition."
The southeastern continent was destined to be his.
"Tsk, you'd better hurry up, or I'll overtake you."
Zhai Le accepted the wine jar and headed towards the city. A hundred or so guards were already waiting nearby, along with his daughter Er Ya and her tutor Yu Hai, who had rushed over upon hearing the news. Yu Hai stood calmly with his hands tucked into his sleeves, while Er Ya bounced around like a shrimp in a steamer, never still. She was only relieved to see Zhai Le return safely!
"Father!"
Zhai Le said, "It's alright, I'm just meeting a friend."
Er Ya's expression was strange: "Friend?"
Judging from the bald ape's age, he seemed less like a friend and more like a mistake her father made in his youth; she had almost never seen anyone escape unscathed when her father turned hostile. Er Ya didn't hide her feelings, and her blatant suspicions drew a barrage of criticism.
"You doubt your father?"
"Your subject dares not."
Yu Hai didn't have as many concerns.
He simply raised an eyebrow in the direction of Shen Tang and the others: "Fight?"
That was the wicked lord, the ruler of Kang.
She showed up on our turf without warning, and if she succumbed to the unfamiliar environment, we can only blame ourselves for the bad luck, right? Yu Hai's suggestion was rejected by Zhai Le: "Why fight? This isn't her real self. What's the point of attacking an avatar? Besides, did you notice that young man who looks just like Gong Xi Chou? The weirdo we encountered in the Mountain and Sea Holy Land! Just to be on the safe side, let's get some drinks."
Let's skip the fight.
Yu Hai shook his head: "What a pity."
If it really is the real person, we will do everything we can to keep them here, no matter the cost, and see how heartbroken Qi Yuanliang will be!
Zhai Le called to his daughter and important officials, "Let's go, let's go."
They dispersed, and Shen Tang and the others also had to leave.
The high priest, who bore a striking resemblance to Gongxi Chou, examined Gu De and said, "It's a mental ailment. Mental ailments require mental remedies. If you refuse to let go, the pent-up emotions will accumulate in your heart, potentially damaging your very foundation and vitality!"
Gu De was not interested in his physical condition.
He just wanted to know: "Is Shen Jun acquainted with Zhai Xiaofang?"
Shen Tang said, "We're old acquaintances."
"You are not Shen Dali."
Shen Tang: "..."
Does he really believe in a name as obviously fake as Shen Dali?
Gu De affirmed, "You are Shen Youli."
Shen Tang said smugly, "Tsk, you know me?"
Gu De: "I have never heard of it."
Shen Tang: "..."
Seeing that Shen Tang's expression had changed, Xiahou Yu explained on Gu De's behalf: "Indeed, I have never heard of this. The two places are too far apart."
There are so many countries in the world, and every now and then a country falls and a new one is established. The news scattered in the streets will at most mention the country's name and surname, but as for the name and courtesy name of the ruler, even if it is mentioned, it will be distorted in the process of transmission due to different local languages.
Shen Tang angrily pounded the ground.
"No, why should I?"
That's so unfair!
With his elder brother Zhai Huan paving the way, Zhai Le smoothly navigated the most painful initial stage of building the nation from scratch. After that, it was all about fighting, fighting, and fighting, earning him a formidable reputation. In contrast, what about herself? Enemies lined up one after another to attack her, and even her own people betrayed her!
Shen Tang burst into tears, clutching her head.
As a result, there were hardly any hairs on the scalp under the palm.
This critical hit nearly shattered her into pieces.
She quickly withdrew her strength, afraid of pulling out even her last bit of hair: "Whether it's Shen Dali or Shen Youli, you'll definitely not lose out. Work hard, and things will get better!"
Gu De smiled wryly: "I've always heard that the people of the North are known for their fierce and unruly nature..."
Her demeanor just now certainly had the air of a ruthless bandit.
Shen Tang: "..."
Xiahou Yu was afraid that Shen Tang would tear his best friend apart, so he quickly changed the subject and asked Shen Tang in a gentle voice what his plans were next—to return to the North or go somewhere else? They couldn't make it in the Southeast; Zhai Xiaofang would definitely send people to keep a close watch on their movements.
Shen Tang said, "Let's go to the central part of the continent."
Let's see if there's any opportunity for her to take advantage of it.
Xiahou Yu nodded: "Alright."
Gu De tacitly approved of this arrangement.
The only disagreement was about where to go; they had limited knowledge of the countries in the central continent, and that information was now outdated.
"Why don't we go to Qi Kingdom?"
The high priest, who had been quiet all along, made a gentle suggestion.
"Qi Kingdom? What's so special about it?"
Xiahou Yu and the other man disagreed: "Qi is currently at the height of its power and has something to rely on... It has been able to quickly recover after being destroyed several times."
Even if they ran over there, it would be difficult to stir up any trouble.
"You say Qi Kingdom relied on something? Ha, they relied on something that's dead."
"Dead?"
Ji Moqiu's eyes darted around.
"Yes, he died because of my [enlightenment]."
Shen Tang: "...Ah? He's actually a pretty nice guy."
Xiahou Yu: "..."
Gu De: "..."
In the end, Shen Tang was unable to go there in person.
On the third day, a sudden wave of dizziness made her feel nauseous and want to vomit.
It seemed as if some force was pulling at her soul; the sensation of floating, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, made her feel as if she were adrift at sea, every step she took feeling like she was floating. Ji Moqiu said, "Your Highness, you should go back!"
After recuperating, Zixu was able to take control of this body.
Ji Moqiu lifted the summons.
When I opened my eyes again, I saw a face magnified by kindness.
Where is His Highness?
Goodwill munched on a pear, saying, "You got ripped off, didn't you?"
Recruiting people indiscriminately will always come at a price.
The crowd, anxiously awaiting their three-day deadline: "..."
Kang Shi felt like he had a thorn in his side.
His colleagues' eyes had already tortured him to death countless times.
Shan Nian You You said, "Yu Yu Lei Yao."
|ω`)
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