Only this title, the privilege to establish my own office, and so on, are meaningless.
If I had troops, talents, and territory under my control, and this justification,
things would be different.
As Li Guanyi thought about what he would have to do next, he realized that the Imperial Path did not seem very long; however, just as he reached this point, a sudden rebuke rang out, "Scum who brings chaos to the world! A traitorous rebel!"
It seemed as though something struck Li Guanyi’s back with a loud crack. He stopped in his tracks, the atmosphere around him freezing, and even the students peering from outside the Imperial Gate involuntarily held their breath.
The one who struck Li Guanyi with the dragon-head staff was an old man with white hair and beard.
It was Ji Daochun, the elder of the royal family who was the first to object after the Imperial Decree was announced. Presently, as Ji Daochun fixed his gaze on Li Guanyi with unwavering authority, even as Li Guanyi, this Qilin, turned around, Ji Daochun’s voice was cold yet commanding, unweakened, "A traitor and a scoundrel!"
"You were originally a servant of Chen Country, and Emperor Chen pitied your background, gave you a title, and made you part of the Imperial Guard. But look what you did, you actually rebelled against your home country, cough, cough, cough, leaving the country may be considered self-preservation, a lesser punishment accepted for a greater offense can still be seen as loyal and filial."
"But you, you first broke through Zhenbei Pass and then occupied the Jiangnan Eighteen States; that is, cough, cough, that is the heartland of your Chen Country! You actually committed such actions, showing neither loyalty nor filial piety, nor humanity nor righteousness, and now you also hold the power of a powerful minister!"
"I absolutely do not acknowledge this!"
Surrounding civil servants all spoke candidly, and the students watching were dumbfounded, whispering to each other. After Ji Daochun coughed for some time, he softly said, "Marquis Qin Wu, the Emperor may be full of passion, but he has forgotten that the eyes and ears of the people of the world cannot be changed by a single Imperial Decree."
"This world belongs to the Ji Family,"
"not to the Emperor."
"Today you may have obtained the help of the Emperor, but you will lose the reputation among the students. In the debate of the Dao half a month later, I want to see how you will manage. What use is it to establish your own office?"
"I will see you enter the treasury alone and return empty-handed, your reputation ruined."
"I will make sure none of the students of this world enter your Heavenly Strategy Mansion."
"Unless you are willing to marry into my clan, this old man is willing to put aside his dignity to protect you."
Marquis Qin Wu steadied his sword and took a step forward.
Ji Daochun’s heart trembled.
Suddenly recalling the brave exploits of Marquis Qin Wu, his body tensed as he grabbed the dragon-head staff in his hand and proclaimed with righteous indignation, "I have served three generations of Emperors, always held in high esteem, fighting bravely for family and country. What will you do, you treacherous scoundrel?!"
"If you dare, then come kill me!!!"
"A powerful minister?"
Observing the assembly of civil and military officials behind him, he seemed also to see the layers of interests behind them.
Li Guanyi gazed at Ji Daochun before him and thought of Ji Zichang, who sat in a high position yet seemed lonely and desolate; he thought of the student who after getting drunk the night before had wildly asserted himself and suddenly sighed. So, these are the people you have been dealing with all these years?
You are willing to do the right thing for Li Guanyi, even against your clan and aristocratic family. However, Li Guanyi is not someone who only accepts the kindness of others and stands by as others bear the pressure.
Li Guanyi’s hand had already reached for his sword. In this tense moment, swords poised to be drawn, Ji Daochun was on edge, other officials reacted in their own ways, and the students too were tense under the fraught circumstances.
Ji Daochun said, "Marquis Qin Wu, do you understand the bigger picture?"
"For your own good, do not act recklessly!"
Li Guanyi looked down, then released his hand.
The sword that came with his court dress fell to the ground.
in the deathly silence, everyone subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, their taut spirits easing. Marquis Qin Wu stared at the white-haired elder, and then at the crowd of officials in their vermilion and purple robes, and at this decayed and clogged society, he smiled faintly.
With his back to the Imperial Palace, he stretched out his hand and shouted loudly: