20demayo Chapter 238 Young Man on a White Horse Drunk in the Spring Breeze 12
Chapter 238 Young Man on a White Horse Drunk in the Spring Breeze 12
Unlike other worlds that believe in "mastering literary and martial arts to serve the emperor," most martial arts practitioners in this world are unwilling to enter the imperial court.
What's so good about the imperial court?
Everything has to follow rules, and the regulations and etiquette are complicated. How can it compare to the freedom and ease of life in the martial arts world?
In the martial arts world, if you don't like someone, you can just take action and then settle the matter with a simple "martial arts matters are settled in the martial arts world." Who would dare to say anything more?
If the imperial court really investigates, I can just find a quiet place to hide for a few years. Why would the imperial court really spend so much time and energy looking for me?
Moreover, most of these martial arts practitioners possess some skill, and if they were to fight back desperately, it could cause even greater losses to the imperial court.
For example, suppose Li Changsheng, the number one expert in the world, killed someone in Beili, what would the imperial court do?
The imperial court not only could not do anything to Li Changsheng, but also had to do its best to appease him, hoping that he would not really get angry. Otherwise, if Li Changsheng went crazy, the entire Northern Li would probably suffer a catastrophic disaster.
Therefore, cases involving gangsters often end up being left unresolved.
This situation exists partly because of the court's own misconduct, but the main reason is that the Jianghu forces are too powerful.
The greater the influence of the martial arts world, the more wary the imperial court becomes, leading to a series of blunders and further contempt for the court by the martial arts world. This creates a vicious cycle that has ultimately resulted in the current situation.
"These江湖人 (jianghu people) shout about upholding justice, but in reality, they are just trying to satisfy their own selfish desires. On the surface, they are upholding justice, but in fact, they are all acting for their own benefit. The so-called justice has become a fig leaf for them."
"They claim to be the embodiment of justice, yet they don't truly care about the lives of ordinary people. They possess exceptional martial arts skills, but they only know how to fight and ruthlessly in the martial arts world to gain fame and fortune for themselves..."
"The martial arts world is great, but if it's too great, then it's not good."
Xiao Ruojin leaned back in her chair, lost in thought, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrests, making a soft "tap-tap" sound.
"Solving this problem isn't difficult; there are countless ways to do it. Political recruitment, economic control, indoctrination and regulation, espionage, divide and conquer, overwhelming the border with military force, direct suppression, and so on—there are just too many tricks to use against them."
"However, the imperial court still needs to select and train a large number of experts so that they are capable of fighting against the top figures in the martial arts world."
"Of course, the most important thing is to improve people's livelihoods, so that people can have enough to eat and wear, and live a peaceful and stable life, and prevent people from joining gangsters because of poverty."
"However, the major forces in the martial arts world have now reached a delicate balance, and nothing bad is likely to happen in the short term, so this matter can be put on hold for now."
"The Northern Li is not stable now. It is beset by the powerful enemy Southern Jue, which frequently invades its borders. Internally, it is beset by the increasingly fierce struggle for the throne and the remnants of the Northern Que who are trying to restore their country. It is in dire straits, besieged on all sides. This is the most important matter that needs to be resolved urgently."
"And these major events can be further broken down into..."
Xiao Ruojin's thoughts kept wandering, like a wild horse breaking free, constantly navigating the current situation and pondering ways to break the deadlock.
It wasn't until the moon was high in the sky, the drums were beating at midnight, and the steward had already come in to change the candles once, and the Xuan paper used for recording had covered the entire table, that Xiao Ruojin finally woke up as if from a dream.
He threw the calligraphy brush in his hand so hard that it landed on the table with a crisp sound.
It's true that after being an emperor for so long, one subconsciously starts to identify with the identity of an emperor.
He's just a prince now; it's too early for him to worry about these things.
Xiao Ruojin glanced at the papers on the table filled with situation analysis and solutions; these things couldn't be kept.
So he simply ordered the steward to bring a brazier and burn everything to ashes. He watched helplessly as the writing was completely consumed by the flames and turned to ashes before turning to rest.
Shedding the heavy and cumbersome princely attire felt like a huge burden had been lifted. Changing into light and soft nightgown, every cell in my body seemed to rejoice, and a long-lost sense of ease and comfort instantly filled my entire being.
In this era that reveres force, people pursue the practicality and protective capabilities of clothing, rather than simply comfort and lightness.
Although these clothes are stylish and make people look smart and good-looking, their heavy materials and complicated decorations are undoubtedly a burden for people who wear them for a long time.
Especially today, on the grand occasion of Xiao Ruojin taking a concubine, she must wear a gorgeous and expensive dress to highlight her noble status.
The gemstones and exquisite embroidery on the dress exuded sophistication and luxury, but also pushed the weight and constraint of the garment to a new level. After wearing it all day, even someone as determined as him couldn't help but feel extremely tired and uncomfortable.
"Butler, have a tailor come tomorrow to take my measurements and make me a new suit."
If he keeps wearing these clothes, he's a dog!
He can't help but suffer some emotional grievances, so he just lets it go. But can he still suffer material grievances?
The next day, Xiao Ruojin indeed did not wear those clothes, but only a light undergarment. The steward was shocked and, after his advice was ignored, he repeatedly urged the tailor to hurry up and make new clothes.
Although the Emperor has granted the Prince half a month to marry a concubine and he is exempt from attending court and going out, it is still unreasonable to let the Prince wander around the mansion in such disheveled clothes all day long, wearing only pajamas.
OMG!
If word gets out, what will become of the Jingyu Prince's Mansion's reputation?
So the steward urged the tailor to finish making the new clothes while also warning the servants of the Prince's mansion not to tell anyone that the Prince was not wearing clothes.
Two days later, the newly made clothes arrived. Xiao Ruojin changed into the new clothes with satisfaction, and the worried housekeeper finally breathed a sigh of relief and went to rest listlessly.
"How is the concubine?" Xiao Ruojin asked casually as she leisurely brewed the medicinal tea she had just prepared, sitting at the tea table.
The servant waiting nearby quickly replied, "Your Highness, the concubine is in much better spirits today, but she is still a little weak."
Xiao Ruojin nodded: "Then you should take good care of her. Once the concubine recovers, I will reward her handsomely."
Until Ye Dingzhi's matter is resolved, Yi Wenjun should continue to stay ill.
In any case, Yi Wenjun must die!
If Ye Dingzhi submits to him, Yi Wenjun will fake her death; if Ye Dingzhi refuses to submit, then the two of them will die for real.
In the face of power and self-interest, everyone is nothing more than a bargaining chip.
He uses whoever is useful; he eliminates whoever makes him uneasy.
For the sake of profit, he can endure a moment of anger and abandon some face to win people's hearts, but apart from that, he can disregard everyone.