Calamity Messenger

Chapter 115 - 92: Hidden Milestone_3

"As long as the Secret Realms have not spread to the extent that they allow the majority to become messengers, then it is only right and proper that messengers are above mortals. Any reversal of this hierarchy is evil."

"Now the people are restless, stirred by the immortals’ goods, awakening desires they should not have. If someone secretly incites chaos, forcing the Court to wield the bloody sword, would you say it’s the Court’s fault, the people’s fault, or the immortals’ fault?"

Shang Xuanwen has always had a grave demeanor, and when he spoke seriously at length, Yan Qing felt like a primary school student, and Shang was the headmaster. If they were talking face-to-face, Yan Qing might only be able to nod deferentially and wait until the night was quiet to think about how to retort.

However, in the game, Yan Qing took a bite of the persimmon cake the old man gave him yesterday, and Mouse Monk organized his thoughts and countered, "Chancellor, you’ve avoided the matter of the Court monopolizing the messenger roads. You can’t talk about those perilous roads through Military Towns; ordinary people wouldn’t risk their lives unless they had no choice. Since you know the disparity is so large, why not find a way to ease it, to give ordinary people a bit of hope?"

"Old habits die hard," Shang Xuanwen finished and shook his head, "No, it should be said that from the start Liang Kingdom never had that capability. The territory’s too small, resources too few, and the ancestral founders could only cooperate with the seven great families, supplement with the Nine-Rank Merit System, and barely raise a usable army to counter Zhou and Qi. The current Liang Kingdom is like a patient clad in rich garments, seemingly splendid but growing weaker by the day."

"Only when the Central Plains are unified and the monarch holds absolute power can the path to enlightenment be opened, benefiting the populace, achieving a century of peace. Although Liang Kingdom is unstable, doesn’t Zhou and Qi show even more signs of national destruction? When the time comes, perhaps a north-south campaign can alleviate the disparity as you suggested."

Yan Qing was somewhat at a loss for words; he hadn’t expected an answer, after all. His statements were mere keyboard politics; how could policies concerning countless interests be enacted with just a touch of his lips? If Shang Xuanwen paid him any mind, it would be his loss.

But Shang Xuanwen actually explained to him that although Liang Kingdom is rotten from within, it’s just deteriorating slower than other countries and has no capacity for reform. Such frankness made Yan Qing feel a bit awkward, but fortunately, Mouse Monk didn’t harbor such irrelevant emotions.

"Why tell me all this? Does the Chancellor think this poor monk will become a general?"

At this moment, two bowls of noodles were served on the table. Shang Xuanwen picked up his chopsticks and took a bite before slowly speaking, "I’ve said these words to many people. Of course, they aren’t as confrontational as you, but when discussing state affairs, they can’t help but worry about Liang Kingdom’s future."

"I don’t like flowery language and will frankly tell them: our country is in gradual decline, the noble families are growing too powerful, the officials are overstaffed, left unchecked it becomes chaotic, tightly controlled and they die, like a decayed and wrecked ship. They often propose various plans to revive Liang Kingdom, to which I neither object nor endorse. I only tell them to wait until they are in power to pursue their ideals, but as long as I’m in the position of Chancellor of Da Liang, they must repair Liang Kingdom’s broken ship, or anyone making unauthorized decisions will be ousted from the Court."

"When the nation’s power is rising, we need bold officials willing to forge ahead, but when the nation’s power is declining, what we need are cautious officials who make fewer mistakes and stir up less trouble." Shang Xuanwen spoke as he ate noodles, not like discussing national affairs, but like an old man on the street gossiping, "I tell you these things because I think you might hold high office someday. But as long as I am the Chancellor of Da Liang, whatever you wish to do, you’ll have to hold back."

"I thought you intended to entrust your governance philosophy," Yan Qing laughed.

"Times change, and there’s no such thing as an eternal law. Perhaps among you, there is a Marquis Zhongwu who can support the collapsing heavens, but unfortunately, my eyes aren’t sharp enough to see it." Shang Xuanwen said calmly, "I only hope that before I retire, I can leave behind a Liang Kingdom capable of holding its own in battle."

"My abilities at most can just barely maintain Liang Kingdom, this century-old ship, to reach the next harbor."