บท 39: My History Lessons Can’t Help
บรรณาธิการ: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Jiang Pengji picked up a bamboo slip roll as though she had not seen the disapproval on the instructor's face and quickly scanned through it. "I read an interesting story yesterday. It was about how Master Yuanjing rode to the distant northern border eight years ago on his own to defend three of our cities there."
The story reminded the teacher of something, and his face whitened.
Bang! She threw the roll on the floor and spoke loudly. "Peace? There will be no peace with the tribes before we get our three cities back! Have you all forgotten how they annexed six of our places on the border 12 years ago? They killed a hundred million civilians just as Dongqing lost its former king. The beginning of our current king's reign created an unstable political situation, and that was a golden opportunity for enemies to invade our territories. The three-year war slaughtered numerous soldiers, and none of the six cities were won back. To come up with a ceasefire, our court had to surrender three more cities. We also became a subordinate nation to barbarians and had to offer valuables annually to show our 'respect and loyalty.'"
The patriotic scholars would remember the humiliating past throughout their entire lives. Many of them had even risked their lives to change the king's mind about accepting the conditions.
"In the end, Master Yuanjing convinced the tribes and gained back three cities from their hand. We do not know how he did it, but it was with great effort. And have you forgotten how people in the other three cities are still under the rule of the savages? They are called 'lambs with two legs' and 'the cheapest beings' out of their nine social ranks!"
The three cities were the reason for the continuous disputes between Dongqing and the three tribes over the years.
"If we agree to peace now, we will never get the three cities back. Who does that scholar think he is? And he talked about giving up the territories with his meaningless, stupid words!"
Peace? There would be no peace before they took back what belonged to them.
What was more ridiculous was the writer's belief that a Dongqing princess could teach the savages about manners and benevolence if she married one of their leaders.
Why didn't he try it out first by sending away one of his own daughters? Sacrifice was necessary for such a lofty mission, wasn't it?
"Well, another important factor was the four major ethnic groups in the south."
Yesterday she had learned from the map in the study room that Dongqing, one of the five kingdoms, was in a complicated location. Because it bordered three tribes in the north and four in the south, the court had to crush the barbarians as soon as possible. Otherwise, those aggressive creatures, who were resilient like bugs, would quickly regain their strength. Eradicating them then would be almost impossible.
"We must not give them the chance to recover by agreeing to a ceasefire. That will only increase our threat. Imagine when the northern and southern groups form an alliance to attack us…"
That would be checkmate, no doubt!
"Nonsense! The four southern tribes are too busy fighting with the kingdom Nansheng to declare war on us!"
"You mean the present war?" Jiang Pengji smiled at the chap who disagreed. "Nansheng will lose before long."
The five main kingdoms at that time were Dongqing in the east, Nansheng in the south, Xiqiang in the west, Beiyuan in the north, and Zhongzhao in the middle. Dongqing was mediocre, but Nansheng had won a number of battles against the fourth southern tribes during the last two months. But that would not last long.
Dazhuangzhu Furen: "Urgh! My history lessons cannot help! This era does not exist in our history!"
Qu'er: "I thought I knew something about the period. Sad."
Baoyibao Jugaogao: "This is probably a dimension with an alternate history. We can see some similar traits."
Chanshiguan: "Anyway, things are not the same now. But being in an unknown time is more exciting, right? Or else we would all be able to tell what happens next."
Shitang Dafan Ayi: "Am I the only one who is intrigued by the mysterious Master Yuanji?"
"Ha! Why are you so sure about Nansheng's defeat?"
Although the Nansheng kingdom was not allies with Dongqing, the savages in the south were their common enemies. Nansheng and Donqing both originated from one of the earliest civilizations in the world, and the area where their ancestors came from was now part of Zhongzhao.
"Because there are too many foolish men like you." Jiang Pengji kept her back straight the entire time. When she lifted her chin and lowered her eyelids a bit, she intimidated people as if she were an empress looking down on her subjects. "Let us see. Nansheng can withstand no longer than two months."
And its defeat would cost more than conceding three cities and sending away a princess.
Despite her timidity, Liu Lanting had always hated the restraints that her gender imposed on her. She loved to read about the world and its politics. Sometimes she even disguised herself so she could enter taverns, where the exchanging of news and hearsay was most active, so she could keep herself updated.
From Lanting's memories, Jiang Pengji understood that Nansheng was in danger. She became more certain of this after looking at the map by chance and reading over Liu Lanting's notes that she had written down every time she returned from the taverns.
But in Jiang Pengji's opinion, Dongqing was also heading towards a dangerous situation.
According to the information that Liu Lanting had collected, a peace agreement would result in a disastrous military defeat within 10 years.
Jiang Pengji bent to pick up the roll on the floor and dissolutely wiped away the dust on it.
At first the master was mad at her response because she had shown no respect for the eminent scholar. If her direct, displeasing criticisms were heard elsewhere, the scholar's supporters would make her pay the price once she entered the bureaucracy.
Still, her confidence changed his mind because they saw eye to eye. He was a learned man with dignity, and he refused to bend to the barbarians. He would not tolerate his civilized mother kingdom to do so either.
The other pupils were awed by her speech, but the teacher felt his head aching and sighed heavily. This was the son of Liu She, and he was as thorny as his father.
"You have a sensible cousin. What a pity that most officials support a ceasefire. Our Majesty had the same stance; he was planning to attain peace by arranging a marriage between the second prince and a princess of the tribes." Outside the room, Feng Jin, who was dressed in white and green clothes, witnessed what was happening with mixed feelings.
"Lanting used to be mild. It seems like the kidnapping has changed him a lot! He is making his thoughts explicit," said Liu Heng. Liu Heng was Liu Lanting's elder cousin and the eldest legitimate son of Master Liu's brother.
"I hope Lanting and I can have a chat." Feng Jin could hardly believe Liu Lanting was really a girl.
"No problem. I will introduce you to each other later." It would be wonderful if his cousin became acquaintances with his friend.
Feng Jin thanked him, but he became uneasy when he remembered the night at the bandit village. Still, they shared similar political views, and that excited him a bit.
He wondered if she would be surprised at his identity.
Grinning, he said meaningfully, "Yaozhi, you may not know it, but your cousin is… full of surprises."
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