Chapter 852: Opening Up New Ideas [Seeking Monthly Tickets]
Shen Tang's straightforwardness brought a unique shock to Qin Li.
A few breaths of silence fell between them.
Just as Qin Li was trying to figure out how to tactfully steer the conversation away from the topic, Shen Tang noticed his resistance to the question. Her mind raced, and she smiled flawlessly before continuing, "Could it be as big as a city?"
This question is clearly a rhetorical one.
The day Qin Li surrendered, he presented her with a "grand gift"—the temporary logistical outpost for Huang Lie, located more than a city's distance from Wu Xian's camp. This question was like an open-book exam; the answer was already written. Qin Li could answer or not.
A city? Yes.
Qin Li doesn't like to reveal all his cards.
This is evident from the many reservations he still holds towards Wu Xian over the years. If it weren't for the need for a pledge of loyalty, he wouldn't even have revealed his true state of being a scholar to Shen Tang. One's trump card, to some extent, represents the lifeblood of a scholar-official.
The scope of the effects of the scholar's way is currently the bottom line.
He didn't want Shen Tang to test him unless he took the initiative to reveal it.
Clearly, Shen Tang had no intention of testing him.
She did have her reasons for asking that question.
Leaning on his cane, he walked quickly, urging Qin Li to keep up every now and then, which piqued Qin Li's curiosity. It wasn't until they reached their destination that Qin Li realized they were on the roof of a building in the center of Chaoli Pass, where his lord had already jumped up.
"Gong Su, you are here to practice the ways of the scholar."
Qin Li didn't understand why, but he did as instructed.
Although it wasn't the first time she'd seen it, Shen Tang was still awestruck by Qin Li's "Cloudy Sky and Foggy Earth" map—it was a high-definition satellite map! In this era without satellites, such a thing was a strategic treasure, a beloved asset of infrastructure enthusiasts!
The entire Chaoli Pass is clearly visible on this small sand table.
Qin Li's voice woke Shen Tang from her reverie.
Shen Tang snapped out of her daze and pointed at [Clouds and Mist]: "Gong Su, do you know the correct way to use your scholar's way? No, I mean the correct method of use!"
Qin Li's expression faltered slightly.
He didn't say anything, but it was as if he had said everything.
This way of the scholar is his; he perfected it himself. How could he not know how to use it correctly?
Shen Tang seemed to read his mind, playfully waving her index finger from side to side: "NONONO, you don't know, or rather, you don't know everything. What a waste of talent, my Gongsu! It's such a pity that your scholarly way isn't being poured into the vast ocean of infrastructure! Come and take a look, look closely, do you have any different insights? Look closely!"
Qin Li's wrist was being held by Shen Tang.
Judging from the strength of her grip and the excited expression on her face, Qin Li couldn't help but feel a little suspicious—his lord's actions didn't seem to be without reason. Could it be that she had really discovered something he hadn't noticed? Qin Li frowned and focused.
The two stared at the [cloudy sky and misty earth] for a long time.
The "cloudy sky and misty earth" was still the same "cloudy sky and misty earth," a state he knew all too well, showing no signs of change. Qin Li carefully observed and pondered for a while, then shook his head earnestly and firmly: "No, please enlighten me, my lord."
Shen Tang could only sigh as she revealed the answer.
She pointed to the sand table: "Gong Su, don't you think this perspective is amazing? It's as if a pair of eyes are helping you look down from the sky, and you can see everything on the ground."
Qin Li listened attentively, but still didn't understand.
Shen Tang had no choice but to roll up her sleeves and teach him a lesson.
She supported herself with her cane on her elbow, maintaining her balance while gesturing with both hands free, her expression excited and her almond-shaped eyes bright.
"Your approach to scholarship is a powerful tool on the battlefield, and a unique treasure in city building. From this perspective, we can spot any irrationality in the city immediately. For example, in densely populated commercial areas, roads can be wider, and the roads leading to these areas should be as logical as possible. Where to build residences, where to build businesses, where to build rivers, where to build roads, and even where to build toilets—enough for everyone without disrupting the lives of ordinary people."
"The place to use the restroom is very important!"
"As the saying goes, everyone has three urgent needs! It's fine for ordinary people working in the fields; they can just find a secluded spot to relieve themselves. But that's not possible in the city. If it's urination, men can find a corner to loosen their belts and go. But what about women? Their physiological structure means that women face more problems than men, and they can't just squat naked anywhere. If it's serious, it's equally troublesome for both men and women. If we want both men and women to be able to work outdoors for long periods, the location and number of toilets need to be built reasonably. What do you say, Gongsu?"
Shen Tang's words came out like a machine gun, fast, numerous, and dense, and Qin Li tried hard to digest and understand them. Although his lord's words were somewhat off-topic, they were still meaningful. This was also the first time he had left the battlefield and reconsidered the way of the scholar.
Shen Tang, who was eager to express herself, was clearly not finished speaking.
"Besides building cities, we can also build roads."
Qin Li murmured, "Road repair?"
Shen Tang emphasized: "It's not inside the city, it's the official road!"
Her voice rose with excitement.
"With your scholar's way, we can plan the most reasonable routes in the fastest and most effortless way. These official roads can transport supplies and provisions during wartime, and can also be opened to the common people during peacetime. Think about it, if the official roads were closer to the villages, wouldn't the common people be able to take their surplus crops to the nearby county town to trade? Wouldn't it be easier for hardworking merchants to penetrate into more remote mountain villages and buy up the surplus crops from the villagers at a lower price?"
Qin Li was multitasking, pondering the feasibility of the plan while imagining the scene based on Shen Tang's description.
He nodded: "That's certainly possible."
While a few martial arts practitioners could ascend to high altitudes to survey the world below, human vision is ultimately limited, and the time and energy required are far greater, making it far less clear and accurate than the scholar's way. From this perspective, [Cloud and Mist] indeed possesses irreplaceable advantages. If implemented, its impact would be far-reaching.
Shen Tang grasped his wrist, the young monarch's eyes filled with a serious and fervent emotion: "This also concerns the resettlement of many veterans. When Gong Su asked me about the resettlement of our troops, I was judging him by my own petty standards and misunderstood. Gong Su is an upright gentleman; he is naturally not concerned with these trivial disputes over military power, but rather with the future of those wounded and veteran soldiers."
Qin Li blushed with embarrassment at her words.
He had never imagined that at his age, he would still possess such youthful emotions, especially since these emotions were instilled in him by his lord. If it were a normal marriage, the child would probably be no younger than his lord. Qin Li was somewhat stunned.
"Dayi served under me for several years. What are your thoughts on what he did during those years, Gongsu?"
Qin Li came from the highest rank among Shen Tang's high-ranking officials. His noble birth and privileged life meant that Qin Li valued etiquette and law more, and his thinking was closer to that of those in power. Those in power prioritized the stability of their rule, and anything conducive to this stability was what they pursued. This included principles like the hierarchical relationships between ruler and subject, father and son. Everyone was expected to act according to their status, without overstepping the bounds.
The conventional view of martial arts masters is that they are warriors who fight.
Fight wars, and win them!
A martial artist should acquire means of production through victories; to do so through other means is dereliction of duty, disrupts social order, and could even lead to accusations of competing with the people for profit. Given Qin Li's background, it's normal for him to hold such views.
Shen Tang doesn't expect him to change, but she hopes he can understand.
Qin Li, being a shrewd man, naturally noticed the contradiction hidden behind Shen Tang's seemingly ordinary question, and thus his answer had to be extra cautious: "He likes righteousness very much."
I never heard Zhao Feng complain about that experience.
Shen Tang: "But I'd like to know what Gong Su thinks."
Qin Li pondered for a long time, as if the question was truly difficult: "As your subject, my lord, I do not approve of this action. I refuted Qi Yuanliang back then, and I must advise you now. Removing the warriors from their status as battlefield soldiers may bring temporary benefits, but warriors wielding force have always been a hidden danger in prosperous times. Their abilities far surpass those of ordinary people, whether in agriculture or other fields. Is this truly good for the common people? However, if my lord insists on doing so—"
Shen Tang's almond-shaped eyes were filled with grievance.
He asked with a hint of resentment, "Are you leaving?"
Qin Li sighed, realizing with deep understanding that his lord was indeed quite young. Unlike Wu Xian, who had many children, she was still a boy who hadn't even reached adulthood. Naturally, the standards for treating minors were lower than for adults, and he was more patient with her.
"Officials are the strategists and right-hand men of the monarch, sharing both joy and sorrow. Moreover, no strategy or policy in this world is perfect. It may be suitable for a time but not for a lifetime! Your Majesty's initial intention is good. If you insist on trying, your officials will stand with you through thick and thin. There is no question of abandoning the monarch."
Wu Xian has been rotting for so long before he finally gave up.
This is really nothing to worry about, my lord.
Shen Tang seemed surprised: "Really?"
Qin Li chuckled: "Who gave our lord the wrong impression?"
Shen Tang scratched her head awkwardly and looked away—oh dear, it was just her imagination; she had underestimated Gong Su!
However--
The smile on Qin Li's lips gradually faded away.
A suspicious target popped into my mind.
Besides Qi Yuanliang, who else could understand him so well and instill such incorrect ideas in their lord? Back in Fugu City of Heyin County, he and Qi Yuanliang had a very unpleasant falling out. That incident was also about a similar issue, and this guy is the prime suspect!
Hmph, but Qi Yuanliang doesn't know that times have changed.
Back then, he was a subordinate of Wu Xian, so naturally he had to protect the interests of Tianhai. How could he let other forces benefit for free? The arguments stemmed from his own position. Now that the allegiance has changed and the lord has become Shen Tang, the way of dealing with things naturally needs to change as well.
Shen Tang: "..."
Hmm, is Gong Su imagining something?
She whispered to clear Qi Shan's name: "It's not Yuan Liang."
Qin Li gave a low "hmm".
[Hmph, it's Qi Yuanliang!]
Shen Tang: "..."
She could only scratch her head in disbelief.
As her lord, she had to believe in Qi Shan's ability to deceive! Once the two met, Qi Shan would surely be able to clear up the misunderstanding.
"Since it's settled, let's use the nearby counties as an example! With so many troops, what can't we do? After this battle, those soldiers with disabilities or those who are elderly will be given priority for being sent down to the grassroots level..."
It's at least a way to make a living.
but--
We must rigorously enforce standards of conduct and discipline!
These people are qualified, and they can receive some intensive professional training. Shen Tang doesn't want this issue to incite public resentment...
She is kind, not brainless.
Qin Li put away [Cloudy Sky and Misty Earth] and was about to nod in agreement with Shen Tang's enthusiastic slogan when he heard a cry of pain beside him. Shen Tang had lost her balance and fallen off the roof, leaving only a simple wooden cane on the spot.
Qin Li: "..."
Shen Tang: "...cough, I forgot I had a foot injury."
She was so excited that she got carried away and lifted her elbows off her crutches. Without the crutches to help her maintain her balance, she would have fallen off the roof! Fortunately, it wasn't a high fall, and apart from being a bit disheveled, she had no other minor injuries. Qin Li had calmed down by now.
He bent down, picked up his cane, and jumped down.
Shen Tang covered her face with her hands, already exhausted.
"Gong Su, I'm so ashamed!"
Her dignity as a lord was completely destroyed by Kang Shi!
"Li doesn't think so; on the contrary, he admires her greatly."
Ultimately, all these unexpected events stemmed from Kang Shi. An ordinary ruler, let alone trusting Kang Shi without harboring resentment, would be considered quite magnanimous if he didn't distance himself from him or even kill him. Moreover, Kang Shi wasn't the only eccentric figure under his command; there were many others!
Such magnanimity and courage are truly radiant.
A little dust couldn't dim her radiance.
Shen Tang took the cane, fully revived: "Gong Su, you are truly a good person, a great person in every sense of the word!"
The way of the scholar is useful yet does not harm the ruler.
She is also gentle, considerate, and thoughtful in her actions.
Who wouldn't love such a minister?
Hehe, I'm grateful for Wu Xian's kindness.
Because the purge of Huang Lie's remaining forces was not yet complete, Qin Li's focus remained on the battlefield, and under normal circumstances, he couldn't spare the time to map and record the terrain of various locations. However—
However, the methods employed by the literati were abnormal.
Zhao Feng and the others had just come down from the battlefield, exchanging information about their day's gains. He keenly noticed that Qin Li seemed rather downcast. He mistakenly assumed that the day's results hadn't met his expectations—after all, Young Master Qin also possessed a considerable competitive spirit, though outsiders simply couldn't see it.
Therefore, Zhao Fengshou offered a more tactful explanation.
“…Gongsu, these remnants were, after all, commanded by the Huang brothers. After Huang Lie’s death, the lion’s share was divided among the three of them. They were unprepared for what happened today, so it’s understandable that they escaped. You don’t need to blame yourself for it…”
After Huang Xiguang's death, his remaining troops were inherited by his brothers.
This was also the most tenacious resistance among the remnants.
The only saving grace was that they were out of heavy shield warriors, and their remaining elite troops were short of supplies, resulting in low morale. "We caught them by the tail today; next time we'll surely capture the bandit leader!"
Unexpectedly, Qin Li simply uttered an "Ah".
Clearly, he wasn't listening attentively.
Zhao Feng had no choice but to repeat it again.
Qin Li waved his hand: "These are not important."
Now it was Zhao Feng and the others' turn to be confused.
But soon, they learned the real reason why Qin Li had been distracted—an exact replica of Qin Li lifted the tent flap and stepped out, meeting their gazes. This person walked forward calmly and handed a stack of papers to Qin Li.
He nodded to the crowd again, his writing style transforming into his monogram.
Everyone: "???"
This is... the embodiment of literary talent?
|ω`)
I'm so worried! Can anyone tell me what's wrong with 846? The reviewer wants me to make changes.
(End of this chapter)
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