northernbook Chapter 68 Prosperity, Demise, Suffering
Chapter 68 Prosperity, Demise, Suffering
Zhang Liang: !!
He really had no idea how Tang Yu had managed to find his way here.
However, even Zhang Liang, with his thick skin, felt a little embarrassed when he was caught talking badly about someone behind their back.
"The Imperial Advisor's trespassing on a private residence seems to violate Qin law..."
At this moment, he could only relieve his embarrassment by blaming Tang Yu.
To everyone's surprise, Tang Yu not only did not stop, but instead sat down in a chair with an air of nonchalance and poured himself a glass of water.
"Stop talking nonsense. I'll be revising the Qin Law soon, and then whatever I say will be law."
Zhang Liang: ? ? ?
Listen to this! Listen to this! This can't be the Imperial Advisor! Isn't this just a bunch of bandits?!
However, circumstances were beyond his control, so he had no choice but to sit up and look at Tang Yu with a hint of helplessness on his face.
"What brings you here to see me, Grand Preceptor?"
He knew that although Tang Yu seemed to have a lot of free time every day, he actually had a lot to do.
If the other person is willing to take the time to specifically seek me out, it's definitely not someone I can just chat with casually.
Seeing Zhang Liang's self-awareness, Tang Yu didn't need the opening remarks he had prepared and went straight to the point.
"How have things been these past few days? The lives of the people of my Great Qin, the common folk of my Great Qin?"
Zhang Liang lowered his head and remained silent, utterly unsure how to respond.
Are you suggesting I tell the other person that I think they're right?
I've been wandering around Qin these past few days and I've found that life hasn't changed at all; in fact, the people are still living in peace and contentment.
Doesn't this prove that our reasoning is wrong? What we're after isn't the so-called righteousness and peace we claim to uphold, but rather our own selfish interests and personal gain?
When that time comes, if personal interests lead the entire world into war, is all of this truly the fault of the tyrannical Qin Dynasty that you yourself claim to have caused?
"I know you haven't seen it clearly yet, but I want to tell you that the future of the Qin state will only get better and better."
“And you who want to overthrow the Qin state will be stopped by me one by one; no one will succeed.”
"I don't care who wins the world, I just hope that the people of the world can live and work in peace and contentment, and at least have a place to live, water to drink, and food to eat!"
Tang Yu didn't look at Zhang Liang at the moment, but spoke to himself.
"During my month-long journey to Xianyang, I witnessed too many tragedies, including a village almost devoid of men. This is a consequence of the war between your seven kingdoms."
“Zhang Liang, this war has been going on for hundreds of years. It needs peace to recuperate and the people need a peaceful place to live and work in peace.”
Tang Yu found himself talking unusually much, but he couldn't control it. The people of this era were suffering too much!
As the saying goes, "When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer!"
"But at least after peace, people living in stability are always much happier than during times of war, do you understand what I mean?"
After Tang Yu finished speaking, Zhang Liang stood there stunned.
He looked at Tang Yu, his tongue constantly licking his lips.
Clearly, the strategist was completely bewildered, yet he kept repeating the words Tang Yu had just spoken.
"When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer!"
As a nobleman, he originally knew nothing about the lives of these common people.
It was because of Tang Yu's words that he came into deeper contact with them. Only then did he realize that what he considered suffering might be enjoyment in the mouths of these people.
In past wars between various countries, the most severely injured were always the children and families of ordinary people.
"Is it really the right thing to start a new war in the already stable Qin state, plunging the world into chaos once again?"
Seeing that Zhang Liang didn't speak, Tang Yu didn't press him any further.
He is a future strategist, but right now he is just a young man in his twenties.
Perhaps the only truly difficult person to deal with among the Han dynasty's officials was the cunning and shrewd Liu Bang.
However, Tang Yu has his own way of dealing with this kind of person.
Dr. S686's No. 12 shotgun therapy is a complete and permanent solution!
"How about we make a bet, Zhang Liang?"
"If through my efforts, the Qin state can become better and better, and the lives of the people can become more and more stable, then you should give up your rebellious intentions."
"Become a citizen of my Qin state with peace of mind. I will send you back to Han to serve as an official, so that you can help your fellow villagers live a better life."
"If I fail to fulfill my promises and the people do not prosper, I will kill myself without your intervention! What do you say?"
"Your Excellency, Imperial Advisor! This..."
Zhang Liang was completely stunned; he never imagined things would turn out this way.
In this era, such bets and vows are extremely serious, and he now knows Tang Yu's determination!
He understood Tang Yu's thoughts even better; the reason the Grand Preceptor had opinions about him was not because of the Great Qin.
It is for the sake of the people who have finally been able to live and work in peace and contentment!
Zhang Liang's desire to rebel had faded considerably, but after recalling his grandfather's words, he still needed a reason to convince himself.
Zhang Liang, who had initially intended to agree to surrender outright, looked at Tang Yu and said firmly:
"If the Grand Preceptor can truly accomplish this, I will surely come to serve him and dedicate my life to him!"
"No, it's not loyalty to me, it's loyalty to the Great Qin! Loyalty to the people! Loyalty to His Majesty!"
After Tang Yu finished speaking, he ignored the shocked Zhang Liang, drank the water in his cup in one gulp, and turned to leave.
Just before leaving, Tang Yu paused for a moment at the doorway.
"Zhang Liang, I have high hopes for you, keep it up!"
After Tang Yu left, Zhang Liang remained sitting on the bed, muttering to himself.
"When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer..."
"When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer..."
"Hahaha, Grandfather, I understand!"
"It turns out that what I was rebelling against was never the tyrannical Qin Dynasty. I was just giving myself a high-sounding reason for my own selfish reasons!"
"Even if the people of this tyrannical Qin Dynasty suffer, can they suffer more than the people during times of war? Grandfather, forgive me, but Liang will not rebel!"
No sooner had Tang Yu left than another uninvited guest arrived at Zhang Liang's place.
He was eight feet tall, had double pupils, and a majestic face!
It was none other than Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu. He looked at the person beside him and asked:
"Is this the residence of Zhang Liang, Zhang Zifang?"
The man, seeing Xiang Yu's appearance, nodded hastily in fright.
"Yes, this is Zhang Zifang's residence."
Looking at the courtyard before him, Xiang Yu felt a surge of longing.
Upon arriving in Xianyang, he heard that there was someone who, like himself and his brother Zilong, harbored considerable resentment towards the Qin Dynasty.
That man was a nobleman of Korea, and a descendant of the Korean prime minister!
His name is Zhang Liang!
Xiang Yu had always wanted to visit, but had never had the opportunity. Today, he finally arrived.
Zhang Liang's servant arrived to report the situation and, looking at the stunned Zhang Liang, said:
"Sir, a man who claims to be a nobleman from the State of Chu requests an audience."