Chapter 17 Meeting Huan Jun Again Her eyes truly reflected the light of Liang…

Chapter 17 Reunion with Huan Jun

Her eyes indeed reflected the past of Liang State...

Huan Jun's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively retorted, "That’s impossible!"

Then his expression changed, his face turning sharp, and his tone carried a hint of reproach as he said, "Princess, watch your words!"

After the betrothal decree was issued, Jiang Congyan became Princess You'an, and others addressed her as "Princess."

Jiang Congyan didn’t rush to argue with him. She simply sat across from him, her dark eyes calmly locked onto his, as if she were merely stating a fact.

Huan Jun was initially angry, even feeling that her words were alarmist and absurd. But for some reason, as she gazed at him, his turbulent emotions gradually subsided, and a terrifying thought emerged in his heart—what she said might be true.

He tried to push aside this terrifying thought. He could even make excuses, dismissing it as the ramblings of a young woman with no proof. But as time passed and her gaze lingered, Huan Jun's thoughts grew clearer. When he looked into her eyes again, he found them so profound and terrifying that he almost couldn't bear to look, fearing he would see his own panic reflected in them.

Jiang Congyan didn't need to say much. She simply sat there quietly, as if slowly unfolding a thick historical scroll.

Her eyes indeed reflected the past and future of Liang State.

The rise and fall, the prosperity and destruction of Liang State had all passed through her gaze like written words.

Huan Jun's expression shifted for a long time before he finally stopped deceiving himself and focused his gaze on the young woman before him.

"Why do you say that, Princess? Our Liang State is vast, rich in resources, and populous, with a strong army and advanced weapons. Even if the nomadic tribes were to invade, how could they easily breach our defenses?"

Jiang Congyan raised her eyelashes. Though Huan Jun was refuting her, she knew he believed her.

"The world is complex, and the situation is unpredictable. Even the most skilled astrologers cannot foresee what the future holds. Perhaps a seemingly insignificant butterfly can trigger a massive storm," her voice was soft, like the flutter of a butterfly.

"But some things are inevitable. For example, the court politics dominated by the aristocratic clans, their special privileges, the struggling commoners, the neglected Zhou Hou and Wen Gong, the almost vanished lineage of Taizu and Crown Prince Zhaowen, and—"

Jiang Congyan turned her face toward the pale green willows outside the lattice window, her voice tinged with helplessness, "the increasingly harsh weather."

"Throughout history, prosperous dynasties and periods of division have coincided with climatic cycles. Warm climates lead to increased grain production and population growth, often resulting in prosperous eras. Cold climates lead to reduced grain yields, and the nomadic tribes from the north descend to plunder, causing turmoil and division."

"Unfortunately, we are now in an ice age!" Her tone was especially heavy on the last two words.

Thus, the relationship between the nomadic tribes and Liang State is irreconcilable, and Liang State lacks the national strength to completely expel these barbarians.

Liang State does have many talented generals, but none can compare to the two unparalleled warlords, Tuo Baxiao and Wudati Hou. While Tuo Baxiao lived, he could still keep Wudati Hou in check in the north, maintaining a delicate and stable relationship with Liang State, allowing Liang to survive in the cracks. But after Tuo Baxiao's death and the internal strife among the Xianbei, Wudati Hou, now without a rival, had no one to stop his southern advance.

Huan Jun had heard the term 'climatic cycle' before. The cycle of cold and heat, the changing seasons—these were all part of the climatic cycle. But it was the first time he had heard such a grand perspective on climate change, and his eyes flickered slightly, as if pondering.

He mulled over the points she had made. The more he pondered, the more uneasy he grew, because he knew the issues she spoke of were already deeply intertwined with the roots of Liang State, like a tree with rot that could not be cured by simply cutting away the flesh.

When Taizu first unified the land, he had appointed many commoners regardless of their backgrounds. Though the aristocratic clans held power, they couldn’t control everything. Crown Prince Zhaowen also upheld Taizu's vision by recruiting talents. Unfortunately, after the previous emperor ascended the throne, in order to consolidate his power, he urgently needed a faction to support him and thus heavily promoted the previously suppressed aristocratic clans. Those who had followed Taizu were either demoted or abandoned, marginalized. Now, under the current Emperor of Liang, commoners have no place in the court.

The aristocratic clans sit at the top of the feudal hierarchy. They monopolize the key positions in the central and local governments, own vast lands, and enjoy various political and economic privileges such as tax exemptions, the right to protect relatives, the ability to gather disciples and former officials, and the receipt of land grants, servants, and financial rewards. Some of these privileges are hereditary.

As high-ranking officials from the aristocratic clans, they control the court and continue to enact laws that benefit their families, privately encroaching on public lands, dividing up servants and soldiers... This cycle perpetuates itself, and the aristocratic clans grow ever wealthier, while the oppressed are the vast suffering masses and tenant farmers.

In reality, some of the most powerful aristocratic clans have already become regional warlords.

Political corruption, frequent wars, and natural disasters have led to uprisings breaking out in various places. Thus, the nation’s eventual downfall is almost inevitable, just a matter of time.

Though Huan Jun is also from an aristocratic clan, he does not approve of the current behavior of these scholars.

Since the reign of the previous emperor, when the aristocratic clans fully ascended to the political stage, they have lived in extravagance, competing in wealth. Sometimes, a single meal could cost tens of thousands of coins, and they would still complain that "there is nothing to pick up with chopsticks." This led to a frenzy of building gardens and competing in luxury, making life even more unbearable for the common people.

Huan Jun, who served in the Ministry of Works, knew all too well how extravagant the upper-class officials were. He hated this kind of society with a passion but felt utterly helpless to change it.

No, that's not right!

Suddenly, he lifted his eyelids, locking his eyes on Jiang Congyan.

"Princess, you didn’t say all this just to make me feel bad, did you?"

"Princess, what do you want me to do?"