Chapter 33 (1/1)
Xu Jinhua took a look at Su Yi's expression, before continuing indignantly: “Aii, an incapable ruler is the doo is absolutely true I never thought I would live to see the day I would have to witness rave of his country, but who can I blame for that? However what astonishes me even more than that is that after the country fell into the hands of a foreign tribe, the people are actually enjoying better lives than before Even ime, were released by the new ruler, Wanyan Xu”
Su Yi gave a bitter laugh and suddenly said: “Jinhua, since you have said that, does that mean you do not wish to restore the Great Qi?”
Xu Jinhua said loudly: “Of course I wish to restore our country On the day I was released, all I could think of was that our country has been ruined and our hoer As a scholar and intellectual [1], it is only right that I regard the recovery of the territories of the Great Qi as a sacred duty But what use is that, could you or I really recover the territory? Once that Wanyan Xu conquered the Great Qi, he reduced taxation and ordered that grain and food should be released to the people affected by natural disasters With his actions, a country that was seething with popular grievances was s were done to recuperate and build up the strength of the people Now, the co, to thehteenth level of hell What do they know, they have been living a hand-to-mouth existence for an extended period of tirity left Instead, they feel grateful to the new ruler for his benevolence I've passed through many places in past half a year, and have found that besides scholars such as myself, there is nobody else that cares at all for Great Qi albeit the regiave a bitter laugh before continuing: “In these circuether, all we can do is whine and make a few harsh diatribes, how can that ever translate into useful action? Moreover, Jin Liao has a strong arrain and a surfeit of talented officials and coes, we needtheo to find such people?”
When Su Yi looked upon Xu Jinhua's inconsolable expression, he understood that although he had only spoken briefly of his own feelings, heat the tih Xu Jinhua had said that they required people of Su Yi's calibre to have a chance at success, but his current prospects were bleak and unbearably e back, this situation was cause for his soul to break and be dejected He could only grip his friend's hand tightly but did not say a word Two pairs of eyes looked at each other, in each other's gazes they could see inexpressible depths of woe and sorrow
Zi Nong had been standing quietly to the side, after a protracted silence, she felt that the at was frank and outspoken by nature, and she could not help interjecting: “Young Master Xu, since you are a scholar, don't tell me that you don't know that the most important quality for a scholar is to be reasonable? You can see that the people are reluctant to go back to the old regi to sell their own sons and daughters so as to survive, why must you scholars oppose our Jin Liao just because of your so-called fealty? In hteous loyalty, it is merely blind loyalty Aii, even a uni ‘the people are most important, the state is second, and the monarch is the least important’, so how could you not know of this principle? Besides, our Ehly, he has never forced the people of Qi to conform to the customs of Jin Liao, nor has he allowed us to scorn and oppress Qi people When Young Master Su has beco united through e, Jin Liao and Great Qi could then be considered one family The relationshi+p between our two peoples would be even more harmonious, what is bad about that scenario?”
The 's careless speech had finally brought up the sensitive issue of Su Yi's ie and coronation Su Yi's face immediately turned florid, and even his ears were reddened Feeling deeply ashamed in front of his old friend, he couldn't help but to hang his head
Xu Jinhua silently observed hiovernment service at the same time, and have always enjoyed a friendly relationshi+p I have also always regarded you as a confidant Now, I have so I would like to say, but I' you If you won’t take offense, do you hts?”
Su Yi smiled bitterly and said: “Asa sentenceon your mind, please tell me, I won't blame you”
The words had almost reached Xu Jinhua's lips but he sed the to say them: “Ruo Zhi, I feel that if you and Wanyan Xu indeed have feelings for each other, does it really matter if you do become his Empress?”
Su Yi had never expected to hear such words from Xu Jinhua, his head jerked up in amazement and he stared at Xu Jinhua Xu Jinhua hurried to elaborate: “Ruo Zhi, I have said before, I do not underestinity as a man I only meant to say if you also have any affection for Wanyan Xu, even if only a little, and you do not utterly detest hi his E lady has said, the people are theas the people are free from oppression and can live peaceful lives, it is not important exactly who are the Emperor and Empress Aii, if it wasn't because I have co to utter such words The person occupying the throne previously was indeed a genuine Dragon [2] of Great Qi and the Son of Heaven, but as the result? Even people who lived on fertile lands could not get by with far their children, not to ions or lands struck by natural disaster [3] I've even heard that even cannibalish the current Ein, the phrase 'love the people like his own children' can be applied to hi our country, I can honestly say that I adreatly Ruo Zhi, I've always understood your character, since the situation is already like this, don't make life difficult for yourself, there is no need for it now Strictly speaking, the person responsible for creating your present predicament, wasn't it none other than the Qi Emperor you vowed loyalty to and served with devotion?”
Before Su Yi could speak, Zi Nong had applauded with delight and said: “this Young Master's words are so intelligent, he fully deserves the title of scholar indeed Even though I know of this principle, I a, she turned to address Su Yi: “Young Master, even your good friend has this opinion, your heart should be able to feelyourself like this all day Isn't it true that you have once said that if it wasn't for the fact that you are from ene confidants?”
Su Yi was silent for a long tiave a ”humph” and said: “Even if I wish to refuse him, is the decision really mine to make? The fate of all my old friends and their relatives is in his hands, I have no roo said that, he looked out theand as if he were speaking to hirand ceremony to crown an Empress It will soon be the day, won't it?”