Chapter 290

Chapter 276: Rain's Edge

Why bother?

Yao Wenyu could not answer. He hadn't come here today to respond to this "why bother." He knew the purpose behind Qudu's actions, and everyone was watching him with envy turning into pity. Everyone preferred to look down on him as if he had lost the courage to stand before others since he lost his legs.

Living was far more arduous than dying.

Ever since that day he lay down, Yao Wenyu had foreseen his future life. This insight was not new, nor would it be the last. As long as he remained in this world, he would always face such pity. It was a pain he could not share with anyone—no one at all.

Raindrops adorned the oil umbrella like a curtain, hiding his green robe within. Yao Wenyu seemed to be seated on a cloud from afar. Even when he fell, he remained spotless, untouched by dust.

"Life has one state that is most difficult to attain," Shen Zechuan stood remotely on a lookout tower, saying to Qiao Tianya by his side, "and that is to neither rejoice in material possessions nor grieve over one's own misfortune. If a person can reach such a level of detachment, they are not far from enlightenment. When I first met him, I thought he was such a person, but later, I realized he was not."

Enlightenment means being ruthless, even to oneself.

Yao Wenyu could not do it. His heart held countless images, including those of others. He was a world-weary traveler who appeared detached from the world, yet he had spent the first two decades of his life riding a donkey with nonchalance. That was vitality, not a mistake.

Qiao Tianya gazed at the distant green figure as if looking at the emerald willows and bamboo in the sky. He put down his flute, picked up his wine, took a sip, and replied in a daze, "I understand him."

The rain persisted.

Yao Wenyu's voice was as clear and melodious as fine jade, "Sir, there's no need to worry about me. I see Qidu like a trapped beast, fighting with all its might against our Lord. This is a desperate measure, not a wise one."

"Shen Zechuan should have surrendered long ago if he had any sincerity, rather than declaring himself 'Lord'. Your troops are stationed in Dan City, threatening Qidu, causing panic among the people of the world." Cen Yu had also come to persuade them to surrender. At this moment, he couldn't help but step forward and say through the barrier, "If Yuan Zhuo were to convince him to surrender today, based on his benevolent acts in Zhongbo's Six Provinces alone, I would be willing to stake my own life for his guarantee."

"The situation is clear, and the outcome is settled. Why deceive yourself further, Sir?" Yao Wenyu continued. "To spare the citizens of Qidu from this calamity, our Lord remains in Dan City instead of advancing. In truth, Zhongbo's 120,000 defensive troops are ready to lay siege to Qidu at any moment. Resorting to attacking the city is a last resort. If the Empress were to surrender for the sake of the tens of thousands of citizens within, I would also be willing to guarantee her safety with my own life."

"You and I are old acquaintances. There's no need to make such grand promises to me. Zhongbo has no more than 20,000 usable troops, and Shen Zechuan is already showing signs of exhaustion while guarding the grain stores in Cizhou. Now that Tea and He Provinces have submitted, it's evident that he has lost the support of the people. With seven cities supporting Qidu and Qi Dong serving as a shield, their 300,000 defensive troops are genuine. Shen Zechuan's attempt to seize the Li dynasty's throne will likely meet with little acceptance. Your invasion of Dan City has already caused refugees to rise," Cen Yu pointed towards Qidu, "Before Qidu's gates, there are only fleeing civilians. At night, you can hear infants crying, and during the day, widows selling their daughters. If your army truly embodies righteousness, how can you ignore this?"

Yao Wenyu didn't respond.

One of Cen Yu's students, standing by his side, bowed respectfully to Yao Wenyu before clearing his throat and speaking, "Moreover, Shen Zechuan's unjust rebellion has brought calamity to Qidu. Even if he manages to conquer the city with his powerful army, he will struggle to win the hearts of the people. The current Emperor is the rightful heir, the only choice for the throne. Countless lives have been lost in this confrontation. Why not put down arms and seek peace today? As long as Zhongbo surrenders sincerely, the Emperor will forgive past transgressions with a sage's heart."

Their words sounded appealing, but the consequences of actually laying down arms were uncertain. Not even Kong Qiu could guarantee the outcome, let alone Cen Yu.

Just as Yao Wenyu was about to speak, a gust of wind swept through the rain, forcing him to cover his mouth and cough momentarily.

Cen Yu felt a pang of sympathy, but his student, believing he held the upper hand, took another step forward, addressing Yuan Zhuo's weakened state as he spoke boldly, "I know that 'Yuan Zhuo, the Untouched Jade' has long been renowned as Qidu's peerless beauty. I am aware that you come from the Yao family and were tutored by an esteemed elder. It's regrettable that you've wasted your talents, serving the Shen family and betraying the aspirations of your ancestors! Yao Yuan Zhuo, even old horses still aspire to travel a thousand miles, yet you have resigned yourself to serving bandits. I pity your talent and even more so, the elder's misjudgment in entrusting you. Seeing your ailing body, which is no longer the figure of your former glory, I feel compelled to advise you: return to the right path!"

Raindrops splashed against the railings, dampening Shen Zechuan's sleeves. He tucked his folding fan into his sleeve to protect it from the rain. From the lookout tower, Yao Wenyu had already partly disappeared behind the green bamboo.

Back when Shen Zechuan was still in Qidu, he had told Xiao Chiye that if he were to make a choice, he would rather have Xue Xiuzhuo than Yao Wenyu. Because Yao Wenyu was too aloof and detached to engage in dirty dealings. He was so beautiful that even his pain seemed exquisite.

The students were roused, clamoring to ascend the platform, each eager to impart their wisdom to Yao Wenyu.

Yao Wenyu's coughing had ceased, and his expression remained unchanged as if he had anticipated this situation all along. Shen Zechuan was not without capable subordinates; Kong Ling was a skilled debater when he was still in the academy. Yet Shen Zechuan had still agreed to let Yao Wenyu take on this challenge. It was a testament to their mutual understanding—Yao Wenyu did not need any pity, not even a fraction of it.

Shen Zechuan tilted his head slightly, the jade beads at his ears reflecting the cool, rippling light. "Luo Mu set this trap to eliminate Yuan Zhuo," he said softly, "but it has to be a match."

Underestimating Yao Wenyu would be underestimating Shen Zechuan. Though Shen Zechuan's entourage was filled with capable talents, Yao Wenyu consistently held the position of top advisor. Two years ago, when Yao Wenyu left the capital in disgrace, it was two years ago - he was then serving as the right-hand man to Zhongbo's formidable leader, Shen Zechuan.

Amidst the stage's slight commotion, the students' voices were jostling amidst the downpour, buried within the rustling bamboo grove. A cool breeze blew, and Yao Wenyu gently removed the handkerchief that had been covering his lips.

"Whereas you all urge me to see the error of my ways, I implore you to reconsider your own path," Yao Wenyu's voice remained as mellifluous as ever, as if those coughs were but brief interludes in a rainstorm. "I ask you, Scholar, for what purpose does our teacher exhaust his wisdom and relentlessly advise the imperial court?"

Cen Yu replied, "To intimidate the wicked and uphold the proper hierarchy."

Amidst the swirling winds, Yao Wenyu revealed his sharp edge, declaring, "How utterly false! Our teacher has exhausted himself pondering the welfare of the people, striving for stability and harmony while considering public opinion. He has always placed the people first and prioritized their well-being at all times. Yet now, you have inverted hierarchy, disregarding the common folk for your own selfish gains, sullying the halls of governance. Cen Xunyi, Kong Poran, Xue Yanqing, with what face do you still prostrate before my revered teacher?"

He rarely revealed such solemnity, and his words were like a knife's edge, slicing through Cen Yu with such force that he stumbled backward, his voice hoarse as he began, "We..."

Yao Wenyu's expression remained unperturbed as he continued, "Let me ask you this, in terms of medicinal sedimentation, returning farmlands to the people, stabilizing livelihoods, and establishing proper hierarchy, which of these four have you actually accomplished?"

Cen Yu's demeanor had softened as he spoke, "The land taxes in Dan City, Chuang City, Wu City, and Di City have all been retrieved. The lands in these four cities have been returned to the people, with taxes alleviated. It is precisely the time for recuperation and growth."

"Lord Helianhou, in an attempt to replenish the taxes from Chuanting's fields, has inclined towards compelling his vassal gentry to forcibly extract resources from the land. The fields have indeed been returned, yet they are naught but barren desert masquerading as fertile farmland. The stream of destitute migrants from all four cities remains ceaseless; Cizhou is already overwhelmed with inhabitants. Your so-called remedies for curing ills, restoring lands to the people, and stabilizing their livelihoods are nothing more than a superficial alleviation while neglecting the root cause. The grains you distribute as relief are but tokens of our Lord's benevolence."

Little did Cen Yu expect that Yao Wenyu would present such a compelling argument. The events in Chuan City involving Tian Jiu were indeed true, but due to external threats, the investigation had been temporarily suspended. Today, this very issue had become a potent weapon in Yao Wenyu's hands!

One of Cen Yu's disciples reacted swiftly, retorting, "Nonsense! You've betrayed your sovereign and disgraced your master; you're merely a contemptible man clinging to life in a broken carriage. What have you done? What can you possibly do!"

Yao Wenyu's donkey shifted slightly forward as he said, "As a strategist, how could I overstep my bounds and act recklessly?"

The student immediately burst into laughter. "You're just making excuses. You haven't done anything at all! Master Xue criticized the aristocratic families and upheld the Li lineage. He was beloved in Dan and Chu cities! When you ask them how they have the face to meet Lord Yao Wenyu, I think it's you who should be ashamed to see him!"

Yao Wenyu's oil-paper umbrella swayed gently, and he too smiled, yet this smile left no trace behind, fleeting as it was, devoid of any hint of arrogance. He said, "In one's position, one must fulfill their duties; should not esteemed gentlemen, who live off the king's bounty, tirelessly serve the people? Xue Yanqing's adept governance of Qu Capital and his comprehensive measures for the realm leave me in awe; he is a court official, while I am but a strategist."

Raindrops pattered against the umbrella with a hurried rhythm, akin to the deafening beat of war drums in a fierce battle.

"As an advisor to a virtuous ruler, I am the beacon in the sky, free to come and go as I please. I can be nameless, devoid of virtue, and unsung, but my lord," Yao Wenyu's voice was steady as a mountain, enunciating each word clearly, "shall be eternally renowned."

A strategist!

Both strategists and courtiers serve to aid a worthy ruler. Yao Wenyu dared to downplay his own accomplishments in favor of Shen Zechuan because he was Shen Zechuan's strategist. He plotted for Shen Zechuan's kingdom and reputation, not for himself. His words were a series of implicit questions to the people of Qidu: What has Li Jianting done? A ruler's inaction reflects the incompetence of their advisors.

Cen Yu struggled to respond, "Your eloquence cannot conceal the fact that Shen Zechuan's origins are illegitimate. His father, Shen Wei, suffered a defeat in six provinces. If you are allowed into the city, the entire world will one day bow before that shameless traitor, Shen Wei!"

Yao Wenyu shot back, "Then is Li Jianting's lineage legitimate?"

"You dare!" The student's face flushed red, witnessing Yao Wenyu's calm and dominant stance, "The Emperor's name is not for you, a —"

Yao Wenyu suddenly raised his voice in the rain, repeating his question, "Who here can prove to the public that Li Jianting is the rightful heir? You? Xue Yanqing? You serve her as your sovereign, kneeling before her as you proclaim her 'eternal ruler,' yet you cannot even distinguish truth from fiction – a laughingstock to the world!"

"The Duke of Xue holds the late emperor's final writing..." The student was flustered, "The signs of prosperity accompanied the birth of the Emperor, there can't be a mistake, there can't be..."

"Since you cannot verify it," Yao Wenyu suppressed a cough, "I can."

Cen Yu felt a chill run down his spine. Watching Yao Wenyu's green robe sway, he no longer saw Yuanzhuo; instead, he sensed an enemy from Zhongbo.