Vol 7 Chapter 7 (2/2)

Wu… I was caught off-guard at Zhang Zhao’s sudden question, and didn’t have any diplomatic or courteous excuse prepares. After thinking for a long while, I decided that it would be for the best if I told the truth.

I looked at Zhang Zhao and nodded, “Bo Fu did indeed say some things, such as–”

“It’s fine even if you don’t say it. I can predict what she said more or less.”

Zhang Zhao interrupted me just as I was about to list some examples. I looked at Zhang Zhao and saw that her expression seemed to have a tinge of sadness. This could be a misconception of mine however, or not.

“And so, were you planning to speak to Bo Fu about this?”

Zhang Zhao guessed what I was thinking about yet again.

“Un, I feel that I should say something to Bo Fu.”

“Yes, and what were you going to say?”

“I was going to say…”

My words got stuck.

“You were going to say that you wish my lord would not tire herself out and if there is anything troubling her, she can speak to Imperial Uncle right?”

“… Something like that, yes.”

I maintained my pa.s.siveness when answering Zhang Zhao, at which she sighed, “You’re too naive… Of course, my lord is too naive as well.”

I can understand the front half but I don’t understand why she said the latter half.

“What does Lord Zhang Zhao mean?”

“Ever since my lord took over from Wen Tai (Sun Jian), her performance has been outstanding and I was very satisfied. Now she has suffered a grievous wound from someone who bore a deep grudge against her which has devastated her. This can’t be helped but it is especially at times like these that I can’t let her run away.”

“Why?”

“As a retainer, I have a duty to help my lord finish her undertakings. Losing in battle and getting hated is something unavoidable. Only through overcoming such things can a ruler attain greater heights! My lord Sun Ce must conquer this, not run away!”

The more Zhang Zhao went on, the more agitated she got. If you think about what she says, it does make sense. But based on my world view, it isn’t very convincing.

“But Bo Fu is just a girl who isn’t even 20 yet…”

“The men and women of Jiangdong are treated as adults upon their reaching 16 years of age. Gender equality has been in place since the Shang dynasty and is a given, what excuse can there be?”

“But…”

I wanted to say more for Bo Fu, just like what I did for Sun Quan. But this didn’t go well with Zhang Zhao who closed her eyes and placed her palms on the ground as she slowly said, “Imperial Uncle is benevolent and kind, and what you say is not illogical and unreasonable. But these are troubled times and the naive will only meet with death!”

Naive… Zhang Zhao used this adjective again. By her logic, allowing oneself to be weak is naivety, as is compromise. Only by soldiering on unrelentingly can one survive in this era.

That is indeed correct.

But I still won’t agree to it.

“There’s nothing wrong with being naive. Only when one is naive does one seem more human. From my point of view, the naive ones are the ones who can lead better.” I calmly replied what I truly felt, “I am indeed a naive person but I believe that only naive people will enjoy the reverence of others. Doesn’t Bo Fu enjoy the reverence of her people and retainers? Do people look down on her just because she has retired?”

Bo Fu is an amazing person.

In her most sorrowful moments, she shouldered great responsibilities and fought tirelessly and unrelentingly until now. She unified Jiangdong but had to suffer a great deal of hatred and ultimately nearly died for it.

Is this not enough? I thought and breathed out as I decided to say 1 last sentence before I leave as I felt that I couldn’t out-talk Zhang Zhao and I was also afraid that I couldn’t even convince myself.

And so, I said what I wanted to say the most, “Bo Fu has done enough for Jiangdong! She has the right to choose the life she wants to live.”

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