Chen Xiufu was instantly angered. He stared at Ye Li and said, "Could it be that those people that Prince Ding killed yesterday deserved to die?"
Ye Li lowered his eyes and said lightly, "Two armies fight for their own benefits. I have never heard Mister Xiuting say anything about how to deal with prisoners of war. The matter of killing the prisoners … Although Prince Ding was ruthless, there was a reason for it. Isn't Mister Xiuting's poem too much? "
Chen Xiufu stared coldly at Ye Li and said in a low voice, "Could it be that the commoners in the city are not innocent?"
Ye Li blinked and said in surprise, "What commoners? When has the Mohist army killed commoners? "
Chen Xiufu was also surprised. He had seen Mo Xiuyao take all of the commoners to the execution ground. Although Longshan was not high, the news of them being placed under house arrest in this courtyard was not widely spread. Naturally, he did not know that the commoners had been driven out of Bian City by Mo Xiuyao. Seeing Chen Xiufu's surprised appearance, Ye Li smiled and said, "Mister Xiuting's information is probably wrong. General Longyang used the commoners of Da Chu State as meat shields before the battle. This is not something that a general would do. Although the northwest and Da Chu State have already drawn a clear line, the Mohist army and the commoners of Da Chu State are still of the same origin. My husband was angry for a moment. However, the Mohist army did not harm a single person of Bian City. I ask Mister to investigate this matter. "
Hearing Ye Li's words, Chen Xiufu was a bit suspicious but also a bit happy. Longshan Academy had been in Bian City for decades. He naturally did not want to see those innocent commoners lose their lives. Carefully looking at Ye Li for a while, he finally determined that Ye Li was not lying to deceive him. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief. He stood up and cupped his hands towards Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, saying, "This old man was wrong. I apologize to Prince Ding and Princess Consort."
Chen Xiufu was different from Longyang and Zhu Yan. He had never been an official in the imperial court of West-Hill. He had traveled around many countries when he was young and had seen a lot. On the other hand, he did not have a particularly deep obsession with the West-Hill court. The characters, customs, and even bloodlines of the Da Chu State and the West-Hill came from the same source. The main reason he opposed Mo Xiuyao was that Mo Xiuyao had brazenly sent troops to invade the West-Hill and wanted to massacre Bian City. Now that he knew it was a misunderstanding, he naturally didn't mind apologizing to Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li.
Ye Li hurriedly got up to support him, saying, "Mr. Xiuting, you don't have to do this. You're staying on the mountain for the time being, so you're naturally a little inaccessible."
Chen Xiufu sat down again and asked, "Then … where are the people of Bian City now? I don't seem … to have seen anyone come back. "
Ye Li glanced at Mo Xiuyao and said with some shame, "The people of the city have all left." Chen Xiufu didn't need to explain what she meant by leaving. He couldn't help but frown. Although their lives were saved, hundreds of thousands of people had lost their homes. Many people didn't even have enough money to take their belongings with them. Their future days wouldn't be any better. Shaking his head, Chen Xiufu looked at Mo Xiuyao and said, "I remember … the area of the four states in the northwest is not very large. Prince's actions … I somewhat understand, but I can't agree."
Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and didn't answer.
Chen Xiufu said, "Prince can't be thinking of driving away all the people of the West-Hill and then moving the people of the northwest and even the Da Chu State here. Please forgive me for speaking bluntly, Prince's actions are even more inappropriate than massacring the city. "Hearing this, Mo Xiuyao finally raised his head and asked lightly," Why? "
Chen Xiufu said in a low voice, "The people of the West-Hill have lived in these places for generations. If Prince only wants to occupy a piece of land, it's fine. But if Prince wants to drive the people away, with so many people in the West-Hill … where does Prince want to drive them to? Once they have nowhere to go, even if they are unarmed ordinary people, they will still fight back. It is true that there is enmity between the West-Hill and the Da Chu State, but the people of the West-Hill and the people of the Da Chu State may not have any deep enmity. A thousand years ago, the West-Hill and the Da Chu State were originally one family. If Prince wants the land of the West-Hill, he should know that he has to accept the people of the West-Hill. "
Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li looked at each other. Based on Chen Xiufu's relationship and position with them, it was already profound for him to say such words. It even had some special meaning. Ye Li nodded and said, "Teacher is right. Last night's matter was indeed handled improperly by us. Teacher, please be magnanimous and forgive us. In addition, we have come to visit in the hope that you can help us make up for it. "The events of the past two days had a great impact on the reputation of the Mohist army. Undeserved reputation was a small matter, but if the news of the Mohist army massacring a city was deliberately exaggerated, the future expedition of the Mohist army was likely to encounter unprecedented stubborn resistance, and even cause unnecessary losses.
Chen Xiufu was silent for a moment, and then asked in a low voice, "What does Wangfei want me to do?"
Ye Li said softly, "Teacher Xiuting, please send out a notice to the people of the world that Bian City has returned to normal. The original people of Bian City who are willing to return can still return, and all their belongings will be returned. In addition, reopen the Longshan Academy. Teacher Xiuting, please recommend a few capable people who can help manage Bian City. "
Chen Xiufu calmly stared at Ye Li for a long time, but the two people opposite him knew that his heart was not as calm as it seemed on the surface. Ye Li's request seemed simple, but once he agreed, it was the same as announcing to the world that Teacher Xiuting would submit to the Prince Ding Mansion. Knowing the hesitation and struggle in his heart, the two did not rush him, and calmly sat and drank tea.
A long time later, a trace of determination flashed across Chen Xiufu's face. He looked at Ye Li and said, "I agree to Wangfei's request, but I also ask the Prince and Wangfei to promise me one thing."
Ye Li also sighed in relief and said with a slight smile, "Teacher Xiuting, please tell us."
Chen Xiufu said, "I ask the Prince and Wangfei to promise that they will not kill the common people of Xi Ling."
Ye Li smiled and said, "Of course. The Mohist army is not a bloodthirsty army, and has never violated the common people, has it not?"
Chen Xiufu nodded and said with a smile, "I believe Wangfei, and hope that the Prince and Wangfei will not break their promise."
"Then please wait and see," Ye Li said with a smile.
After sending off Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, the Mohist army soldiers who had been guarding outside the courtyard also left. This also showed the sincerity of the Prince Ding Mansion. In the small courtyard, Chen Xiufu looked at the cold tea on the table in front of him and sighed faintly.
"Teacher, are we really going to submit to the Prince Ding Mansion? This will be detrimental to Teacher's reputation. The Prince Ding Mansion will not be able to stop the rumors from spreading, "a young student behind Chen Xiufu asked worriedly.
Chen Xiufu shook his head and looked up at the sky above the small courtyard. He said in a low voice, "Fame and infamy are all false. Seeing these two people … I suddenly feel that maybe the situation of the world is really going to change. "The Da Chu State and Xi Ling were the two great powers of the time. However, every scholar would remember that a thousand years ago, there was a vast empire that stood on this land. That era was a time of peace and prosperity that countless people looked up to. There was a saying that, after being together for a long time, they would separate and after being separated for a long time, they would unite. The world had been divided for too long. When those two people were in front of him, he seemed to finally see an extravagant hope that he had never dared to touch in his entire life, a true dream of peace and prosperity.
"But, didn't Teacher say that Prince Ding's evil spirit was too strong and harmed the harmony of the world? Isn't this a long-term phenomenon? "the student asked in confusion.
Chen Xiufu chuckled and said, "At that time, it was because I didn't see the other person. With her there, perhaps Prince Ding wouldn't have killed so many people. This time … weren't the people of Bian City fine? I was thinking too much. Teacher Qingyun has great foresight, how could he not see this? Since Teacher Qingyun didn't stop Prince Ding from sending troops, it means … "It meant that Teacher Qingyun also thought highly of Prince Ding.
When he was young, Chen Xiufu also had great ambitions. Unfortunately, his ambitions weren't something that most people could understand. Even more people only thought of it as a kind of arrogant delusion. After hitting a wall too many times, he finally became disheartened and settled down in Dragon Mountain to teach and educate people. He hoped to pass down his ambitions and ideas. Afterwards, the Emperor Of Xiling was cowardly and incompetent, Jhennam Of Gojoseon monopolized power, and the Da Chu State Mo Jingqi was suspicious and ruthless. The entire Da Chu State seemed to be strong and prosperous, but in reality, it was already on the decline. All of these things made him feel even more hopeless and helpless, until he completely gave up. He even dreamed of foreign invasions in the middle of the night. The Da Chu State and Xi Ling no longer existed. He didn't expect that when he was almost sixty years old, he would once again see a glimmer of hope.
For the first time in his life, Chen Xiufu was moved and helpless. He had already passed his prime. If only he was twenty years younger …
Raising his head to look at the clear and cloudless sky, Chen Xiufu murmured, "This old man has accomplished nothing in his life. Death isn't regrettable. But now, I only hope to live a few more years. Perhaps in my remaining years, I can still see true peace and prosperity. "
Peace and prosperity? Behind him, the young student's heart shook. He didn't think that his teacher would have such high expectations for that wall of people. Although he didn't see Prince Ding and his wife with his own eyes, he hid behind and heard their conversation. As he watched the two leave, the young man also felt that there was no one in the world more compatible than them.
"Teacher will definitely see that day," the young student said in a low voice.
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