Chapter 589 - 333: Turning the Tide
Chapter 589: Chapter 333: Turning the Tide
"I was twenty-seven then. In the blink of an eye, sixteen years have passed. I traveled from Capital Prefecture to Ji State, and then back from Ji State to Shu State. It took me twelve full years just to secure the position of Governor."
Looking at the gradually lowering rooftops of the houses on both sides, Liu Hong said with deep emotion, "It seems fast, a stroke of good fortune, but in reality, I am far behind certain people.
"Let’s not talk about those far away, but look closer, like Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion.
"Xiao Fengchun is a mere martial artist, yet relying purely on his birth and bloodline, he easily secured the position of Marquis Wu.
"He could effortlessly obtain what the rest of us strive for our entire lives, while our lifelong efforts are often in vain.
"How is that fair?"
Although his words contained complaints, Liu Hong’s tone remained unchanged, as if he were merely recounting a very ordinary matter.
"Therefore, since arriving in Shu State, I have had no eyes for anyone else. My sole aim has been to be the ’number one’ among my peers.
"Even more so, to erase the gap between Jing State Liu Family and the Xiao Family.
"Unfortunately, I have failed..."
Li Huai’gu felt a deep shock in his heart upon hearing this. This was the first time he had heard Liu Hong’s past in such detail. Even though he had heard snippets before, it was not nearly as shocking as hearing it personally from Liu Hong right now.
Liu Hong seemed to sense his reaction. He turned his head, smiled, and asked, "Advisor Li, have you established your life’s ambition?"
Li Huai’gu recovered his wits and hesitated, "I have studied since I was young, all in order to..."
Liu Hong raised a hand to interrupt him. "To save the empire from collapse and rescue the people from suffering?"
"Yes."
"Heh, I once had that ambition too."
Li Huai’gu froze for a moment, looking at him in astonishment.
Liu Hong smiled and withdrew his gaze. He stopped on Chuansi Street, looked east toward the Xiao Family, and asked, "But have you ever thought about how many commoners actually need saving during a prosperous era of peace? If the empire isn’t collapsing, how much of your capability can you actually put to use?
"Even if you compare yourself to the sages and capable ministers of the past, you can only bow down to the trivial matters of the marketplace.
"This is the ultimate destination for scholars like us."
As Liu Hong spoke, he walked toward the Xiao Family, the smile in his voice disappearing little by little.
"Advisor Li, come. Follow me and bear witness for me."
Li Huai’gu watched him walk forward with steady steps, but his own feet felt as if they had been filled with lead. It wasn’t until Liu Hong had walked over a hundred feet away that he gritted his teeth and followed. In his heart, however, he continuously denied Liu Hong’s earlier words.
Scholars in a prosperous era could still be capable ministers; they could still act for the common people and protect a region. A chaotic era... To hell with a chaotic era! When Li Huai’gu was young, he had experienced the invasion of the Barbarian Race. He had seen nine out of ten houses left empty, and he had seen the white mourning silk hung in front of every residence in the alleys. If one were to deliberately do things contrary to the supreme principles of the sages just to display their talents and rival the ancient sages of the past, they would be worse than animals.
Naturally, Liu Hong didn’t care about Li Huai’gu’s thoughts. Upon arriving outside the Xiao Family, he straightened his robes and called out clearly toward the vermilion gates, "Liu Hong of the Governor’s Office has come to visit Marquis Xiao."
The voice carried inside the gates. Without hesitation, Third Steward Lu Guan hurriedly opened the main doors, cupped his hands, and said, "Lord Liu."
Liu Hong smiled and nodded. "Please announce my arrival."
"Please wait a moment, Lord Liu. I’ll go right now..."
A short while later, Elder Master Xiao’s voice rang out from inside Qingjing Residence.
"Invite him in."
Receiving the order, Lu Guan went to the front courtyard and led Liu Hong and Li Huai’gu all the way toward Qingjing Residence. Along the way, the Armored Warriors and servants all wore solemn expressions. Liu Hong turned a blind eye to this, walking in front with a composed look.
The pattering rain had unknowingly grown a bit heavier, beating against the roof tiles of the corridor. The PIT-PAT sound echoed endlessly.
Inside Spring Lotus Garden.
Chen Yi had already sensed this. He turned his head to look over, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "This one came... quite early."