"Did Mister Ning say anything about it?"
"He praised you … Do you believe him?"
The Yangtze River flowed east. The water outside the ship reflected the moonlight and gazed at the lights of Jiangning in the distance. It was the late night of the Mid-Autumn Festival in August. Not many people knew that the person in charge of the Justice Party, the behemoth that had swept through Jiangnan, the core figure that the entire world was watching, would be setting sail on the dark waves of the river. Not many people knew that such a meeting would be held on the surface of the river under the moonlight.
Compared to the meaning of this meeting, the facilities in the room of the ship were surprisingly simple and crude. The conversation between the two parties was also very casual.
"... Don't keep me in suspense."
He Wen reached out and pushed the teacup towards Qian Luoning. Qian Luoning looked at him and smiled. He picked up the teacup indifferently.
"He really praised you. He said that at least this is a movement of progress. "
"I know the meaning of progress. This at least is the same as what he said in the past, at least patriotism, right?"
Qian Luoning smiled faintly, admitting it. He took a sip of tea.
"I'm not joking anymore," Qian Luoning said. Qian Luoning said, "In the years after you left, many things happened in the southwest. You should have heard about Old Ox-Head. When this started, Chen Shanjun wanted to pull my boss into the group. My boss couldn't go, so he sent me. "
He Wen said, "That wife of Ba Dao is an admirable person."
"I knew that they would fail," Qian Luoning said. Qian Luoning said, "But in the two years I spent with Old Ox Head, even though I saw him fail, at least I felt impassioned … These two years, I've been paying attention to the matters of the Equity Party in the southwest, but this time I came to Jiangning, I didn't see anything."
"At least it's a movement of progress." He Wen smiled.
Qian Luoning looked at him. "In the past, when we were in the southwest, Mister Ning led everyone to make deductions. He made hundreds of deductions about the methods of social reform in the interest classes. You didn't see those things? Or did you forget them after you saw them? "
His gaze was calm, but his tone was harsh. "Everyone is equal, land is shared, and the rich are beaten. So what? What's so great about it? Ever since the slave society revolted two thousand years ago, everyone was shouting for equality. The distant Chen Sheng and Wu Guang said, 'Do the nobles and generals have the guts', Huang Chao shouted, 'Heaven makes up for the equality', and the more recent Sheng Gong said, 'The law is equal, there is no difference between superior and inferior'. This was already a show of force. Revolts without a show of force, eight out of ten times they wanted equality and land distribution. Just how many steps were there between saying these words and actually doing it? Just how many hurdles were there to cross? These were all things that had been deduced in the southwest. Mister Ning, he … let you see it. But what is this … "
He pointed at Jiangning and said, "Indeed, with this chaos and unbridled killing spree, you have at least told these poor people what 'equality' is. This was the area that Mister Ning had joked about at least improving, but what meaning did that have? After spending two years on a carnival, smashing everything, and then returning to where they started, the only lesson they learned was to never do such a thing again. Then, the inequality continued to be unequal … It's fine for others, but the people who revolted had no choice. Even you, the King of Justice, didn't have a choice? "
Qian Luoning's words were heavy, but they were actually the same attitude he had in the debate back then. After these words were spoken, the cabin was quiet. He Wen spun his teacup, his gaze moving between Qian Luoning and the river outside the window. After a while, he finally nodded.
He said solemnly, "That year in Mount Ji, I had a consciousness of resisting Mister Ning's things. I thought the deductions on the paper were nothing more than my imagination, so I didn't look at them carefully when I had the chance. Although they left an impression, I still felt that deductions were deductions, and facts were facts. In these two years, the Party of Justice has had many problems. What Brother Qian said is correct. Although Jiangning isn't the complete picture of the Party of Justice, falling leaves reveal autumn. I accept Brother Qian's criticism. What you said is correct, this is the truth. "
Qian Luoning's tone softened. "Whether I'm right or wrong doesn't help matters. As for what you said isn't the complete picture, what the Party of Justice's complete picture is, I'm waiting for you to tell me."
"Did Mister Ning really only say this?"
"He discussed the matter of the Party of Justice, but he didn't tell me to bring it to you. Back then, you rejected his good intentions, and … abandoned him. Many of the people who came this time want to beat you up. "
"There's never been a mess between me and Jing Mei. Don't talk nonsense and taint my innocence." At this point, He Wen smiled. "Is Jing Mei alright? I originally thought she would come. "
"It's none of your business … The Chinese army doesn't do things that make people carry feelings when they go on missions. If she comes, will she talk about feelings or business with you? What will she do? "
There was a moment of silence in the cabin. Then, He Wen nodded. "… I was too petty … This is also where I can't compare to the Chinese army. I didn't think Mister Ning would worry about this."
He poured himself a cup of tea, raised both hands in apology to Qian Luoning, and then drank it in one gulp.
"You've been in the southwest, so there are some things I don't need to hide from you."
Seeing him like this, Qian Luoning's expression eased. "These years, the Chinese army has deduced the situation of the world. There are two general directions. One is that the Chinese army wins, and the other is … whichever of you wins. Based on these two possibilities, we've done a lot of things. Chen Shanjun wanted to rebel, and Mister Ning shouldered the consequences and let him be. After the conference in Chengdu last year, we opened up all kinds of ideas and technologies to Jindi, to the small court in the southeast, to Liu Guangshi, and even to Dai Mengwei and a few fellows in Lin 'an. We weren't stingy at all. "
"We've considered this: If the Chinese army wins, we'll take over the results you've accumulated. If the Chinese army really loses, then these results will have already been spread to the entire world. Regarding the development of things, the dissemination of information, and the various benefits of the people's enlightenment, everyone has already seen. "
"Mister Ning has always had this kind of spirit," He Wen said.
"When you use this method to sweep the entire world and destroy it, we'll pick you up after you die. At least we won't have to say why everyone is equal again. This is what Mister Ning calls progress, but this kind of progress is pitiful and lamentable. "
Qian Luoning paused. "When cornered, dogs will bite, and farmers will kill when they can't survive anymore. But this is only the initial instinct, and it won't be able to achieve anything. What can succeed is the rules that conform to the laws of heaven and earth. It requires calm observation, abandoning selfish rationality, and objective improvement of the rules … When Mister Ning was in Little Canghe and the southwest, he often mentioned a word called 'revolution'. Do you still remember? "
"The world changes, and the four seasons are formed. The Tang and Wu revolutions are in accordance with the heavens and the people." He Wen nodded, then shook his head slightly. "The Book of Changes has recorded that reforming the heavens and changing dynasties is called a revolution. But Mister Ning's usage is actually a little more exaggerated. He seems to … call the more thorough changes of the times a revolution. It's just a change of dynasties, and it can't be counted. You can only understand it yourself. "
Qian Luoning also nodded.
"… I was at Old Ox-Head two years ago, so I actually had a deeper understanding of some things there. When I came here this time, I talked to Mister Ning about these things. He talked about the rebellions in ancient times, the ones that failed, the ones that had a bit of momentum, the ones that had a bit of momentum, the ones that had a bit of momentum, the ones that had Old Ox-Head, and the Fairness Party on your side … those rebellions that had no momentum also said that they wanted to resist oppression and that everyone was equal. These words were indeed true, but they had no organization and no rules. Their words were just words, and after they smashed and looted, they quickly disappeared.
"… Mister Ning said that anyone can be fanatical, that anyone can smash and loot, that anyone can shout for everyone to be equal, but this kind of fanaticism is useless. But among those that had a bit of momentum, there were always some people who truly had lofty ideals. They set the rules, talked reason, and were organized. Then, they used these to fight against the laziness and fanaticism in people's hearts. These people were able to create some momentum.
"… In Old Ox-Head, Chen Shanjun gathered a group of people. They had very lofty ideals, and they also learned the organization of the Huaxia Army, but what they wanted was the purest equality … They really wanted to implement equality in the means of production, but during the entire process, the people around them who weren't so lofty were actually dragging them down in all aspects, and even accelerating their corruption. In the end, they failed. These people were unable to successfully complete a revolution, and open up a new situation that had never existed in the past.
"… Mister Ning didn't have a very specific judgment on your side, but he said a few things, and they were probably for you to hear."
When he said this, he paused for a moment. He Wen sat upright and listened to Qian Luoning say,
"The first thing was: All fanatical and radical movements, if they don't have a strong core to suppress them at all times, will only end with the most extreme people gaining the upper hand in the end. These people will drive out the opposition, and then drive out the neutrals. Then, they will drive out the less radical factions, and finally, everyone will be burned to the ground in extreme revelry. As long as the extreme faction gains the upper hand, there will be no room for others to survive. After I came over, I saw this from the 'King of Hell' Zhou Shang on your side. Are they about to become the most powerful faction now? "
He Wen smiled. "There are indeed quite a lot of people, but recently, the Great Radiant Sect's momentum has risen again."
"Fatty Lin … I'll have to kill him sooner or later …" Qian Luoning mumbled.
He Wen said, "What's the second thing?"
"The second thing is …"
Qian Luoning looked at him.
"All so-called revolutions that don't focus on people's self-innovation will ultimately end in a farce."
"…"
Qian Luoning paused between each word. He Wen, who had been smiling just now, now had a serious look in his eyes. He looked at the river by the window, complicated emotions surging in the depths of his eyes.
After a while, he stood up, walked to the window, and let out a long breath.
"… Brother Qian, do you know … how miserable the people of Jiangnan are after the Female Zhenren passed away?"
"Living in troubled times, who in the world isn't miserable?"
He Wen stretched out his hand and slapped the window lattice, saying, "After that young emperor in the southeast succeeded the throne, he started from Jiangning and dragged the Female Zhenren around Jiangnan. The Female Zhenren burned, killed, and robbed along the way. When this was over, tens of millions of people in Jiangnan were homeless and starving. When people started to starve, they had to fight for food with others. The Fairness Party rose up at the best time, because fairness is the best slogan to fight for food with others. But just having a slogan is actually meaningless. The biggest advantage we gained at the beginning was actually the name of your Black Flag. "
He turned his head and glanced at Qian Luoning.
"Actually, how could I not know that for such a large power, the most important thing is the rules." His gaze was cold and severe. "Even if I didn't know when I was in Jiangnan, I've heard it countless times since I came back from the southwest. So from the beginning, I set the rules for my subordinates. I killed a lot of those who violated the rules! But Brother Qian, how big do you think Jiangnan is? How many people don't have food to eat? And how many of my subordinates could I use at the time? "
"… Raising the banner of Huaxia, all of Jiangnan was quickly filled with the people of the Fairness Party. But I only had one piece of territory, and the other places were filled with people from all sides who were taking advantage of the situation. Killing one rich family was enough to feed tens or hundreds of homeless people. Tell me, how could they resist not killing? I set up a few rules. First, of course, was the 'Dictionary of Fairness'. Then, I took advantage of the gathering to recruit a few people. But at this time, the other families had already risen in power. "
"… In less than half a year, most of Jiangnan had already been set on fire. Brother Qian, do you know how fast this speed is? Even if the other families completely submitted to me, I wouldn't be able to control them, so I could only feign civility under this banner. Because at this time, I felt that at least I was still the boss. I would have the opportunity to slowly reform them. I set up a few law enforcement teams to patrol everywhere and investigate their problems. Then, I negotiated with them and pressured them. At the beginning, it was naturally useless. Once everyone finally joined together, things became slightly better. But in most places, they had already formed their own game methods. Because the spread of this business was really too fast. In two years, we've almost flattened Jiangnan and fought our way to Xuzhou. "
The night wind blew over from the river. He looked over at Jiangning and paused for a moment. Qian Luoning also came over from the side. "Prince of Fairness, tell me, how many difficulties do you have for messing things up?"
He Wen shook his head. "I did a few things wrong."
He said, "First of all, from the beginning, I shouldn't have issued the 'Code of Fairness'. I shouldn't have told them that those who followed my methods were all my brothers. I should have been like Mister Ning, making good rules, raising the threshold, and driving out all the bad things. At that time, all of Jiangnan lacked food. If I had done this at that time, the people who ate with me would be willing to abide by those rules. Like you said, I would reform myself, and then go against others — this is what I regret the most. "
The wind whimpered. He Wen paused slightly. "And even if I did this, in the first year, when all sides gathered, I could have made the rules a bit stricter and excluded those who wantonly did evil under the banner of the Party of Fairness. But to be honest, I was carried away by the speed of the Party of Fairness' development. "
He took a deep breath. "Brother Qian, I'm not like Mister Ning, who was born with knowledge. He could hole up in a ravine in the southwest, holding cadre training classes year after year, endlessly rectifying. Even if his troops were strong and well-trained, he still had to wait for others to beat him up before he finally killed his way out of Big and Small Liang Mountains. In a year, the Party of Fairness blossomed everywhere. Everyone called me the Prince of Fairness. I was a bit complacent. Even if they had some problems, it was because I didn't have the opportunity to correct them. Why couldn't I forgive them a bit first? This was the second area where I made a big mistake. "
"… When everyone's territory joined together, I would be the true Prince of Fairness. When I sent out law enforcement teams to enforce the law, Brother Qian, they would actually give me face. Whoever made a mistake would be dealt with strictly at first, or at least dealt with in front of me — they wouldn't talk back. And it was in this process that today's Party of Fairness — now there are five major factions — actually dozens of small factions merged into one. One day, I suddenly discovered that they had already turned around and influenced my people … "
He Wen's voice was clear and cold. At this point, it was like a dark prophecy that crawled up one's spine.
"… What you saw in Jiangning City today wasn't the entirety of the Party of Fairness. Right now, the five factions of the Party of Fairness each have their own territory. In the places that I originally occupied, I actually managed to preserve some things. However, no one can remain unaffected … Starting from the first half of this year, the atmosphere of indulging in pleasure and pleasure on my side has become more and more widespread. Some people will talk about how the other factions are doing. Regarding my measures in the process of equalizing the land, they're beginning to agree on the surface but oppose it in secret. Some people with high positions and authority have begun to harass women, transferring large amounts of fertile land to their own subordinates, giving themselves the best houses and the best things. I've investigated some of this, but … "
"But your law enforcement team has also begun to corrupt, right?" Qian Luoning finished this sentence.
"…" He Wen was silent for a moment. "In the past, there were people who said, 'Why did Mister Ning want to kill the Emperor? Why didn't you first feign civility and slowly accumulate power?' They even believed that with Mister Ning's ability and achievements, it wasn't impossible for him to become a prime minister one day. At that time, he could kill the Emperor and rebel. Perhaps his path wouldn't be as difficult as it is today, but … when you become a prime minister in the land of the former Wu dynasty, how many of your subordinates will be able to keep themselves clean? Those officials of the originally corrupted Wu dynasty are all your brothers. Since they're your brothers, you can't avoid eating and drinking with them … "
"… Mister Ning's two points are both very correct … If you're even the slightest bit careless, things will go in an extreme direction. Brother Qian, did you know? In the beginning, they all followed me and slowly supplemented the rules in the Fairness Code. They didn't think that equality was a matter of heaven and earth, so they all did as I said. But after doing this for a year or two, the theories on why people should be equal and why the world should be fair have become richer. Among them, the most popular is that the rich must be guilty and must be killed off. Everything in this world must be fair and equal. There must be the same amount of grain, the same amount of land, the best wife should be given to them equally, and so on. Because the world is fair and everyone is equal, this is the highest principle in this world. "He stretched out his hand and pointed upwards.
"… When everyone talks about it, many people don't like Zhou Shang, but when they killed the rich, everyone still went along with it. They pulled the person onto the stage, and before he could finish his sentence, they'd smash him to death with a stone. Then, they'd confiscate the house of the rich and set it on fire. Then, when we went to investigate, the other party said that it was all the indignant commoners on the side of the road. Also, did this family have money? Before the fire, they didn't. Then, everyone took the money, hid it at home, and looked forward to the day when the Fairness Party's matter was over and they became rich again … "
He Wen sneered, "Today's Zhou Shang, you're right. His men and horses are getting more and more. Every day, they're thinking about where to fight a war and slaughter a city. If this matter continues to develop, I don't think I'll be needed. He'll soon fight his way into Lin 'an. And in this process, some of them can't wait and begin to filter out those who are relatively rich in their territory. They feel that the previous investigation was too lenient and want to investigate again … They'll swallow each other. "
Qian Luoning said with a smile, "… It's not a bad thing."
He Wen paused, "… So, in the first half of this year, I missed the third opportunity … When I realized this, I should have done something."
"What about now?"
"Now … The remaining factions are getting more and more difficult to deal with. The people under Zhou Shang and Xu Zhaonan have already surpassed me. The soldiers led by Gao Chang have begun to adapt to large-scale battlefield operations. Shi Baofeng colluded with all parties and is already enough to challenge me in business. And on my side … the Fairness Party has begun to be somewhat dissatisfied with my rules. I've imitated Mr. Ning and opened some classes and tried to rectify, but I always feel that the spirit is willing but the strength is insufficient, and the effect is not great … "
"So, you're holding a Jiangning meeting …" Qian Luoning looked at him, pausing between each word, "What are you planning to do?"
The river wind was blowing, gently rocking the ship. He Wen stood in front of the window, looking at the dim night of Jiangning in the distance. After a while, he shook his head and said leisurely,
"… I … haven't thought about it yet."
…
"… Why don't I kill you now?"
"Eighth Master Qian is so good at swimming? Can you escape? "
"It's like this. I'll kill you with one hand first, then snatch the ship, threaten the boatman or bribe him, and directly sail along the Yangtze River back to Chengdu. I'll report to Chairman Ning that the matter here has been resolved, that the ungrateful bastard is dead, and I'll be in a good mood. How about this plan … "
"It's hard not to think it makes sense …"
"I'm better at being the Fairness King than you … In addition, you've demolished the old house of Mr. Ning and the Su family. Mr. Ning will be angry."
"… Old Qian, I'll scare you if I tell you. I did it on purpose. "
"…"
"…"
"Forget it … You're hopeless …"
"Ha, ha."
"You're dead … Call yourself the Death King …"
The bright moon shone brightly, and the heavenly wind swept across the night sky, blowing the clouds and rolling the mountains and overturning the seas.
Above the waves of the Yangtze River, two figures stood between the gloomy windows of the ship, looking at the distant river shore. Occasionally, they sighed, and occasionally, they shook their heads, as if they were putting on a harmonious yet interesting play.
The 15th of August was about to pass.
In the distance, the chaos that would occur in all of Jiangnan this time was just about to begin …
It was almost the New Year, and they didn't know if there would be any tomorrow. If not, they would use this chapter to wish everyone a happy New Year. Six thousand words, who would still feel unsatisfied … ^ _ ^
(End of this chapter)
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