Chapter 1642 Everyone is a Zhuge Liang
"Ugh, can't you talk about something else? Li Ye finally came to see you, why do you have to talk about these upsetting things?"
If someone really wants to replace you, that would be a good thing. Think about what you used to talk about when you were together? You're really getting more and more senile.
Teacher Lü was immediately displeased when she heard what Zhang Qiyan said.
Back then, when Zhang Qiyan hosted a gathering of his disciples at home, they would discuss academic and professional issues or their judgments on changing circumstances. But what Zhang Qiyan was talking to Li Ye about just now was the power struggle and infighting in the arena, which is why she found it irritating.
"Yes, yes, I was wrong. All that useless talk..."
Zhang Qiyan chuckled and pointed to the wild ginseng Li Ye had brought, saying, "Now let's get down to business. Li Ye brought some good stuff, so go make me some chicken soup. I'm going to eat three big bowls today."
“.”
Teacher Lü looked at Zhang Qiyan, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said, "Okay, if you can't eat three big bowls, I'll pry open your mouth and force it down your throat."
“.”
Seeing that Zhang Qiyan had sent his wife away, Li Ye knew that he had something to say to him.
Zhang Qiyan exhaled a breath of stale air, then asked, "Li Ye, do you think I'm someone who covets power?"
"Craving power and position?"
Li Ye smiled and shook his head: "Teacher, it's normal for people like us to be misunderstood. Back then, when I didn't go to government agencies but went to companies, many people thought I was greedy for money!"
"Hahaha, you, Li Ye, are greedy for money? What a joke!"
Cai Minying had witnessed Li Ye's ability to make money in Japan, so Zhang Qiyan also knew about it. Moreover, at Zhang Qiyan's level, he also knew some of Li Ye's background. So, to say that Li Ye was greedy for money, even if he sold the Jingnan Group, it wouldn't faze him.
After laughing, Zhang Qiyan said heavily, "I don't want to be replaced, not because I crave my current power, but because I'm afraid of having to abandon halfway through a task I've already started."
Everyone has their own opinions; if it were someone else, they might have wasted half the journey.
"I understand, teacher. I agree with your point of view."
Li Ye understood Zhang Qiyan's meaning. Just like when the two parties in the "lighthouse" take turns in power, wouldn't many unfinished plans easily be abandoned halfway through?
Even though China emphasizes "long-term planning" and doesn't abandon things halfway, it's still common to achieve less with more effort.
Zhang Qiyan has been shouldering this heavy responsibility for two or three years now, and he really doesn't feel at ease if he were to take it off now.
Zhang Qiyan smiled bitterly: "A few days ago, I was reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and when I came to the part about Zhuge Liang's death at Wuzhang Plains, I was suddenly filled with emotion."
Li Ye's heart tightened, and he quickly said, "Teacher, can we not talk about this? People in China believe in a kind of metaphysics; in the hospital, you have to say nice things, like, 'Your health is very good now, and you'll be discharged soon.'"
"Hehehe, what you're saying is so hypocritical, but it sounds nice to hear."
Zhang Qiyan smiled nonchalantly, then pointed to his face: "You probably noticed, I don't want others to see how tired I am. I want people to think I'm in good health."
"If I don't look good, I should step down and pass the position to a more capable person. Look at Zhuge Liang; he clearly devoted so much effort, clearly saw the hope of victory time and time again, but in the end, he failed because of his health. Do you think he could accept that?"
“.”
Li Ye stared blankly at Zhang Qiyan, speechless for a moment.
Zhuge Liang can be said to be one of the most tragic figures in Chinese history. Even when the TV series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" aired the episode about Wuzhang Plains, countless people couldn't help but sigh in front of their TVs.
Are they lamenting Zhuge Liang?
No, what they were actually lamenting was themselves—having given their all but not achieving the desired result.
The saying "Where there's a will, there's a way" has been passed down for thousands of years, inspiring generations to strive for their ideals. But how many people have actually realized their ideals?
The answer is many, many, many.
Just like that "cousin" who suddenly became an internet sensation decades later, his experience was actually similar to that of Zhuge Liang.
During the Three Kingdoms period, there were a total of sixteen provinces in the land. The Wei Kingdom alone controlled twelve of them, while the Shu Kingdom controlled less than two.
Zhuge Liang, with less than two provinces, fought against the Wei Kingdom for decades, paying countless efforts and sacrifices, only to ultimately fail.
And what about my cousin?
Although he was not facing Cao Cao, he was facing various powerful figures, second-generation rich kids, and big and small business owners. Moreover, he might not have "less than two provinces" in his hands, and he might only have tens of thousands of dollars that he had scraped together.
Even if you stretch every penny of these tens of thousands of yuan in half, how can you compete with those who have gotten rich first?
Therefore, both Zhuge Liang and his cousin paid every possible price, yet ultimately failed at the last hurdle.
However, Zhuge Liang sacrificed his life and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Shu in exchange for the posthumous title of "Marquis Wu".
My cousin gave his whole life, only to be labeled a "slick-talking, unrealistic" person.
Is it because he enjoys being glib and smooth-talking? Is it because he likes flattery and sycophancy?
No, whose dignity isn't dignity? But what do you do when you can't offer anything in return?
You have to choose between integrity and face.
Either you have backbone, or you have no shame.
As for Zhang Qiyan, he has two choices: either work himself to the bone or take care of his health.
Seeing that Li Ye was silent, Zhang Qiyan suddenly chuckled and said, "Alright, I've indeed said too much today."
My health is actually quite good, but if I'm no longer here one day, I hope you can keep everyone united and keep going.
Li Ye stared at Zhang Qiyan in shock, not understanding how he had suddenly been moved from "Wuzhangyuan" to "Baidi City".
The reason why Li Ye was chosen by Zhang Qiyan was that, like Yu Xiufen, Cai Minying and others, he shared the same firm belief in the revival of China. Zhang Qiyan and his core disciples were the most steadfast reformers in mainland China.
Moreover, these core disciples are all quite young, and given time they will surely grow into a force to be reckoned with.
However, as Cai Minying said, if teacher Zhang Qiyan is gone, how much cohesion will these people have left?
Zhang Qiyan's idea was to have Li Ye, the youngest junior brother, maintain unity among everyone.
This is no easy task; it could easily kill you.
Anyone who has read "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" knows that when you are a wandering ghost, few people will pay attention to you.
But once you become the leader of a sect, you will face challenges from other sects and have to resolve disputes among your disciples. It will be impossible to live a carefree and happy life.
Li Ye grinned and said, "Teacher, my senior brothers are all more knowledgeable than me, and they hold more important positions. What merit do I have to unite everyone like this?"
"More learned than you? Haha, I don't pursue scholarship anymore! Those who excel in learning become officials; if you want to bring everyone together, mere scholarship isn't enough!"
"As for your position, you're still young, and you've chosen the most reliable path. Even if you develop steadily and peacefully, your future achievements won't be lower than those of your senior colleagues, and..."
Zhang Qiyan paused, then looked at Li Ye with a smile and said, "Moreover, you have the ability to adapt to all kinds of situations. Even if you encounter a temporary setback, you can make a comeback."
(End of this chapter)
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