Peace Order-Chapter 1533 - 12: Prince Qin’s Edict
The lowest-ranking officials, in order to get promotions, also have to take money.
Where does this money come from?
It’s exactly what Prince Qin said, from the people who work hard throughout the year.
No one else contributes, only the people bleed and toil.
Everyone receives money, except for the countless people in the fields.
At this time, passersby shelter from the rain, getting a bowl of hot duck blood noodles soup, discussing recent events. The sound of their conversation mingles with the mist dispersed in the air as the winter rain falls, and the warm breath during their idle chat, blending with the cooking smoke, brings a lazy charm.
This is as far as the human world goes.
Nan Hanwen suddenly feels a strong impulse, and the past decades of experiences and what he has witnessed in the past month are fiercely clashing within him. The old scholar remains silent for a long time, his fist clenching and unclenching.
Suddenly, he hears the sound of someone knocking on the table.
Lifting his head, he sees Prince Qin looking at him with calm eyes.
Nan Hanwen’s heart pauses slightly, wondering if he has been seen through.
The envoy from Chen Country straightens his back with gravity, about to discuss the world’s affairs, the rise and fall of emperors and ministers, the conflicts between countries.
Prince Qin gestures with his chopsticks towards Nan Hanwen’s bowl, seriously saying:
"The noodles are clumped."
Nan Hanwen: "..."
The tension and worry just now, the struggle, the affairs of the world, like castles in the sky, with just these three words, pull Nan Hanwen back down to earth.
This human atmosphere, the sensation of genuine interaction between people, floods in.
Nan Hanwen is dazed for a long time, as if his mind is emptied, then suddenly bursts into laughter.
After finishing this meal full of the scent of daily life, Nan Hanwen feels relaxed and warm, frankly saying: "Prince Qin, you agreed to build the royal palace for Great Chen and Ying Country, but you have another purpose, don’t you?"
"Can you tell me?"
Prince Qin genuinely smiles and says: "Sir, you are quite insightful, indeed."
Li Guan Yi says: "This vast palace is for heritage."
Nan Hanwen is puzzled: "Heritage?"
Prince Qin says: "Yes, to continue the Absolute Skill from past generations."
"The top palace of Jiangnan’s Eighteen States is prepared for the students."
Nan Hanwen respectfully asks: "How is it different from the palace schools of various countries and the Academy of Central State?"
"Different?"
Prince Qin extends his hand, the rain has gradually ceased, his expression is calm, and he replies: "Not concerned with one’s origin, upon passing examinations to enter this gate, all schools of thought, practical applicability, Military School, commerce associations, Farmer School, Mo Family Mechanism, all can enter through this gate..."
"How?"
Nan Hanwen murmurs: "Not concerned with one’s origin..."
His expression grows more resolute, saying: "Then, what about the highest building? Built in the model of Star-picking Tower, meant to house the world’s various treasures."
Li Guanyi laughs and answers: "To indeed gather the world’s books and cherish them."
"Martial arts, secret scrolls, number arts, Mo School, Confucianism, Buddhist Tao."
"Everyone in the world can come here and read them!"
A place concerned only with talent, not origin.
A place where everyone in the world can come and read.
Like two sharp swords, seemingly intending to fiercely carve open a gap in the outdated order of the world, entirely different from the layered strictness of Chen Country, where martial arts, secret scrolls, treasures of various schools are all exclusive secrets.
Nan Hanwen cannot imagine if Prince Qin achieves this, how the world, with its centuries-old locked transmission of knowledge, will be overturned, first setting the army’s heart with three arrows, breaking the rituals, and then splitting the monopoly of knowledge with two swords.
Before this, Prince Qin mostly revealed the chivalrous spirit of a Ranger and the boldness of a commander.
Now he steps onto the world stage, wielding the sword of monarchs, aiming to accomplish earth-shattering deeds.
Thinking of this spirit, Nan Hanwen is reminded of Chen Country’s decay and sighs, saying:
"What you are trying to do will certainly disrupt the old order."
"You will inevitably encounter the world’s backlash; can such a thing truly be achieved?"
Prince Qin replies: "When dealing with matters of the world, if one doesn’t know whether they can be completed, should one not even attempt them?"
Nan Hanwen remains silent for a long time.
Finally deciding firmly, he bows his hands lightly and asks:
"In that case, would I..."
"Could I follow behind Your Majesty to witness such a world?"
Prince Qin replies: "The matters of the world are accomplished by the people of the world."
"Sir, please."
He stands, his ink-colored sleeve robe cascading down, holding an umbrella, looking at the sky outside, calmly saying: "The rain has stopped."
Li Guanyi stands and leaves, Nan Hanwen softly says:
"Two million eight hundred seventy thousand taels of silver from Chen Country should be available for Your Majesty’s use."
Li Guanyi is unfazed.
Nan Hanwen pauses and adds:
"The first batch."
Li Guanyi: "..."
He exhales slightly, only nodding.
Majestic and calm, as if everything is under control. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
At this moment, Nan Hanwen finally lets go of the persistent struggle within his heart, feeling as if a vast expanse has opened, relaxing, he watches Prince Qin stride away, his aura calm and extraordinary, with a sigh in his heart.
No wonder he is Prince Qin!
Right when he was struggling and unable to make a choice, he suddenly appeared.
Is it just a coincidence, or is it the so-called Heavenly Mandate?!
Nan Hanwen feels one thought after another rising in his mind, finally freeing himself from previous struggles, relaxed, sighing: "Prince Qin, truly unfathomable!"
Li Guanyi elegantly walks away from here, out of Nan Hanwen’s sight.
