"Master Shao, I beg your pardon. Actually, I have discussed this matter with all members of the Team of Wellbeing, and I think they have all agreed with me, It goes beyond expectation that it ends up like this."
The room's atmosphere was cozy, its dim lighting provided a scope for the dark night to dominate the atmosphere. The large room was very quiet and only filled with the chirps of crickets - besides the conversations spoken by Zhu Su, Shao Rong, Liu Ku, Qu You, and Teng Shuo.
Looking at the regretted expression on Zhu Su's face, Shao Rong smiled, assured him, "It's okay, Your Highness. I have guessed that this is the way those officials will treat me. That's why the practitioners of Mao Shan Sect barely devote themselves to this country... not only the Mao Shan Sect, other sects' practitioners who have left Jianghu don't want to work in the government, right? Because they are fed up to face negative prejudice and discrimination. To tell the truth, Your Highness, actually I was reluctant to accept your offer."
"But finally you accept it?"
"Yes," replied Shao Rong. "Because I believe, your project will make a tremendous impact... not only for Kaifeng, not only for Ming... but for the whole world."
This was the second time Shao Rong said so. Moreover this time he said it with a steady tone, made it clear to be heard.
"This project... will give tremendous impact... for the whole world?" Zhu Su asked, astonished.
"It is what I feel. You can believe it, or not, it's okay."
Zhu Su gave a little smile. "If it really can be achieved, of course, I will be very happy. But I don't expect to get dignitary or fame. I just hope that this project can improve the standard of living of the people."
"And rightly so we should do everything. Don't focus on money, dignitary, or power. Deliberately chasing it will lead us to failure, and after all, it will make us live a fake life, and the achievement itself is also fake, because money, dignitary, and power will be lost to the times."
"But I have to admit, even though we are aiming at a very noble goal, why must we pass through such a difficult way? As it is right now. They are all blocking my way, how can we gain additional knowledge!" Zhu Su sighed.
"Actually the solution to solve this problem is very simple, Your Highness." This time Liu Ku spoke up. "But you have to get rid of the principles you adhere to all this time."
"Oh really? How?"
"Use Absolute Order."
"Absolute Order? You mean, an inviolable order?"
"Indeed. When you give an order, no one should even criticize it. If anyone dares to oppose it, then punish him with the sentence that will make him not dare to oppose again."
All eyes were soon staring closely at Liu Ku. Including Shao Rong. Even that practitioner of the Mao Shan Sect who was claimed to be heretical said, "Liu Changshi, you remind me of the despotic dictators who made people live miserably in history."
"His Highness has been too tolerant and gives enormous room for freedom of speech. But then the officials use it arbitrarily to criticize this and that. It's still okay to just criticize, but the problem is that criticism has stagnated our work, as it happened just now. Too many opinions will actually make a project messed up in halfway, just as if a ship is controlled by all of its passengers, the ship will eventually lose its direction. Not all dictators are bad. Didn't the Hongwu Emperor also implement an absolute government? But then all problems were quickly resolved and Ming can be well-arranged. If he ruled Ming too tolerantly, perhaps Ming would still be as bad as Yuan right now."
"But the restraint of the freedom of expression will lead to a decline in literature and knowledge," Zhu Su interrupted. "After all, our country is still filled with lots of poor and disaster victims, it is still as poor as Yuan, Liu Ku. Because of the Absolute Order given by the Emperor to build the New Palace and the Grand Canal."
"Look! That's why I said, the way to solve this problem is against your principles. Your Highness, sometimes to fix problems, we have to use strict rules, especially for those who oppose us so badly."
The incoming wind blew the painting frame, made it crackled.
"But… I agree with Liu Changshi." Teng Shuo chimed in. "In my observation, sometimes the merciless people tend to live more prosperously, while those with compassionate hearts are quickly eliminated from the battlefield named world. Yes, this world is like a battlefield. Who wins, in the end, is neither the good, nor the evil, but the strong. Yet the evil often wins by relying on his power while the good is eliminated because of his "compassionate" excuse."
"If we want to get a quick solution, then we must do harsh action. Just like doing a revolution. If we want to change something without violence, it will take a very long time for it. The problem is, we may not have that much time," Qu You expressed his opinion.
Zhu Su gazed at his subordinates one by one, his eyes widened in disbelief. "You... really want me to do as Liu Changshi suggests?"
"This is just a suggestion, a recommendation. Whether you do it or not, it is up to you," Liu Ku replied.
Responded to Liu Ku, Zhu Su said nothing.
***
Yun, who was meditating on the hill that afternoon, was shocked when she saw Hu Nayin standing in front of her.
"I know it, Master. It is you who attacked the three of us with dozens of snakes, right?" The shining of the late afternoon sun reflected on Hu Nayin's agitated face as she looked at Yun. The chilly wind blew so hard that her long hair fluttered and made her whole tensed body became even tenser.
Yun was furious with Hu Nayin's arrival. That woman had come to her so often, and always bothered her just when she was about to sit in meditation. Even though she was so adamant about her stance, but evidently Hu Nayin was as stubborn as she was.
"How can you make such accusations?" Yun asked with a sourly face.
"I've checked the forest; there isn't that type of snake inside it. Veterinarians tell me that the snakes can only be found in Sichuan... on Mount Emei. You have been there, haven't you? If it wasn't you, then who else can do it?"
"Hooo... I should be aware that you are not like ordinary women who can just ignore this without doing further investigation... plus, you have the power to do anything easily." Yun smiled condescendingly.
"Master, please, don't perceive us so negatively. Not all rulers are like what you think. Many of them have noble hearts, willing to help people..."
"Is that your husband you are talking about?" Yun's sarcastic smile widened. "And you think, I will believe in you?"
"If you hate rulers so much, then why do you want to support Huan Shikang to become a new leader? You must hate leaders whoever they are, and of course including Huan Shikang? Who knows, after becoming new leader he is even worse than current government?..."
"You are wrong, Nayin. I don't hate all leaders. I just hate the leaders of Ming!"
"So... you specifically hate the leaders of Ming?... Why?..."
"Why? How come you ask me why?! You never heard their cruelty when conquering Yunnan, our homeland?! Not only they occupied Yunnan, they also attacked the villagers and even raped the girls! Those who had nothing to do with the previous government were forced to become slaves, or even being castrated! They don't just govern our territory, they colonize us!"
"Re... really?..." Hu Nayin was agape. To her surprise, she automatically shook her head. "But... I don't feel that way..."
"Of course you don't feel that way, your love has blinded both your eyes and your heart and you even don't care about your homeland anymore!"
"It is you who locks your heart. You are too focused to hate all Ming rulers. Some Ming rulers are indeed cruel, but many others are kindhearted… Master, please open your heart. Please notice that Zhou Wang is doing his best to help the poor, hungry, and sick people. Without heeding his high status, he involve in hands-on operations, struggle together with them. The vicious-hearted ruler will never do that, Master..."
"Shut up! Don't bother me with such nonsense!" Yun cut in harshly. She turned around. "I don't want to hear one more word from you!"
"Master... wait!..."
But Yun had disappeared from sight. Leaving a night mist that began to appear on this dark hill.