{"id":6914,"date":"2025-03-18T10:39:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T09:39:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=6914"},"modified":"2025-03-18T10:39:31","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T09:39:31","slug":"your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-48-i-asked-for-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2025\/03\/18\/your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-48-i-asked-for-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Majesty, you mustn’t! – Chapter 48: I Asked For It"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Gao Xunzh\u012b had a lot to say to Xiao Rong, but when he looked at Xiao Rong\u2019s slightly smiling expression, he slowly closed his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The biggest difference between Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie was that Xiao Rong’s thoughts were mostly meticulous, feasible, and reasonable. However, he also had a particularly fatal flaw in Gao Xunzh\u012b’s eyes, which was that he was too radical.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gao Xunzh\u012b was just an ancient person, and he certainly didn\u2019t know that it was possible for the whole population to read in the future. He simply thought Xiao Rong was too naive, and felt that Xiao Rong seemed to want to follow the example of the ancients and create a world of harmony.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It was too absurd. How could this be possible?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Scholars were a general term for people who read books, and in the past, they called themselves Confucian scholars because they were the descendants of sages and the inheritors of Confucianism. However, the modern scholars now referred to themselves as “shi people,” which signified their identification with the elite class of scholars.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the early days of Confucianism, Confucian scholars had a tough time. They traveled everywhere to promote their ideas and culture, but they weren\u2019t welcomed everywhere. If they angered the local authorities, it wasn\u2019t uncommon for them to be executed on the spot.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When Confucian scholars developed into the “shi” class, they became officially linked with land ownership, privileges, and cultural activities, thus distinguishing them from the common people. The term “shi” represented their higher status, privilege, and the significant divide between them and the ordinary people.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In ancient times, Confucian scholars focused on spreading ideas, but in this era, the “shi” class was more concerned with elevating their own status. Their vanity had surpassed the importance of spreading culture, and so, civilization was controlled by a small group. They restricted others from learning in order to control the number of scholars and maintain their wealth and privileges.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Modern people might view this era as backward, but the people of this time also thought the same about the earlier periods. The early stages of Confucianism had long since scattered, and the concept of “universal education” that Gao Xunzh\u012b once proposed had become a joke, impossible for anyone to bring up again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

So when Gao Xunzh\u012b heard Xiao Rong say he wanted to sell books, he was alarmed. It was indeed a very dangerous idea. Although not all scholars focused only on their own small territories, it was precisely this group of greedy scholars who held the most power.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gao Xunzh\u012b wasn\u2019t exaggerating at all. If Xiao Rong really dared to do this, the wealthy families would definitely spend money to hire assassins and wage a war of attrition on the Northern King\u2019s manor. It wouldn\u2019t be too serious if they only hired assassins, but the real danger was that they might unite, raise an army, and even join forces with the tiger if necessary, just to destroy the Northern Army, which harbored such ideas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Because of this, Xiao Rong decided to wait a few years to allow the Northern Army to grow into an unshakable force before taking action. Since Xiao Rong planned to act in a few years, Gao Xunzh\u012b decided not to lecture him today.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Clearly, Xiao Rong had already made plans and had no intention of easily abandoning them. Any opposition at this point might provoke Xiao Rong\u2019s rebellious streak, pushing him to act even sooner than planned.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

So Gao Xunzh\u012b decided not to bring it up for now. There was still time. After all, Xiao Rong was young and fearless, like a calf. After completing his studies, he immediately set his sights on the Northern Army and had never encountered any setbacks. Whether it was himself or the King, they had always supported him, which had only boosted his confidence. He was eager to take down the powerful families and challenge their authority.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong watched Gao Xun\u2019s expression change several times, finally settling into a look of helplessness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After sighing, Gao Xunzh\u012b said to him, “Fine, let\u2019s discuss this later. For now, let\u2019s talk about building a library. We\u2019ll say it\u2019s an order from the King. That is indeed the truth, and undeniable. However, if we say it\u2019s the King\u2019s idea… Ah Rong, don\u2019t blame me for speaking bluntly, but I\u2019m afraid not even our own people will believe that.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong wasn\u2019t very aware of what reputation Qu Yunmie’s had outside, but based on the reactions he received when he told Xiao Yi and others that he was going to join the Northern King, Xiao Rong fell into silence.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

At the time, Xiao Yi had looked at him in shock, and his expression gradually turned into one of sorrow, as if he didn\u2019t want to witness his death.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After recalling this, Xiao Rong said without expression, “It\u2019s precisely because no one believes it that we need to say it this way. Chancellor, don\u2019t worry. I\u2019m just suggesting an idea. Whether it can be implemented depends on yours and others’ opinions. Saying it\u2019s the King\u2019s idea is somewhat forced, but we can\u2019t say it\u2019s my idea, or that it\u2019s yours either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gao Xunzhi: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What does this have to do with me!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong pondered for a moment and then smiled at Gao Xunzhi. “Regardless of whose idea it was, in the end, that person will become a target. If we don\u2019t mention it, it will only raise suspicion, and people will surely want to know who really made this happen. Perhaps it\u2019s better if we shift the blame to something not human.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gao Xunzh\u012b asked, puzzled, “Not human?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong casually responded, “Let\u2019s say it\u2019s the will of the immortals. The immortals didn\u2019t want books to be left to gather dust, so they sent dreams to the Northern Army. Uh, it\u2019s better not to say it was just one person who had this dream. Many people had the same dream. This wouldn\u2019t only make it more credible and dramatic but also divert the attention of the wealthy families. It will even help build momentum for the Northern Army. The immortals sent the dream, and naturally, it should be someone in the Northern Army. Isn\u2019t that fate?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gao Xunzh\u012b stared blankly at him. Rationally, this was an excellent idea, but Gao Xunzh\u012b could hardly think rationally.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

His attention was entirely on Xiao Rong\u2019s first statement. He tried to remain calm and asked, “Rong, which immortal are you talking about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong didn\u2019t realize that Gao Xunzh\u012b was taking him seriously and was actually thinking deeply. “Since we\u2019re building a library, it should be the God of Literature, Wen Chang. Uh, Wen Chang is from Daoism, but I wonder who manages the cultural affairs in Buddhism\u2026.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gao Xunzh\u012b was startled. “The God of Literature, Wen Chang?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong noticed the surprise in his voice and turned his head to carefully observe Gao Xun\u2019s expression.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

At that moment, Xiao Rong felt a jolt in his heart. Gao Xunzh\u012b looked truly shocked.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong realized something was wrong. He widened his eyes and asked nervously, “Chancellor, you\u2019ve never heard of the God of Literature, Wen Chang?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Gao Xunzh\u012b silently stared at him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Not only had he never heard of Wen Chang, but he didn\u2019t even know which star Wen Chang was associated with.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Gao Xunzh\u012b was a follower of Taoism, but at that time, Taoism hadn\u2019t developed for long, and there were various different doctrines and branches. The most comprehensive and systematic Taoist scriptures, the Daozang, would take several hundred more years to be compiled and officially published. By the time the Daozang was released, Taoism had already connected all the stars with its beliefs, and even the God of Literature, Wen Chang, and the God of Literature Star, Wen Qu, who had been protecting scholars for over a thousand years, were recorded within it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, that was all in the future. At least for now, Gao Xunzh\u012b truly hadn\u2019t heard of them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong realized he had made a mistake. He didn\u2019t know much about mythology and had probably mentioned the name of a deity that hadn\u2019t appeared yet. He nervously watched Gao Xunzh\u012b, but Gao Xunzh\u012b suddenly smiled and returned to normal. “Although I haven\u2019t heard of this, since young Rong says this deity is suitable, let\u2019s borrow this deity\u2019s name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After all, it was for a good cause, so there was no fear of retribution.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He didn\u2019t quite believe that Gao Xunzh\u012b would so easily gloss over this matter. After all, this little old man was usually very superstitious. Every day he would burn incense, and before going to bed, he would perform a ritual, something called \u201cexorcising the three corpses.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It was similar to the Clearing of Turbid Qi practiced by the Qingfeng Sect, but while the Qingfeng Sect removed the impurities of others, Taoism was more about cleansing oneself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Whether Xiao Rong believed it or not, Gao Xunzh\u012b didn\u2019t bring up the matter again. Instead, he asked Xiao Rong for more details about building the library and then went back to look for maps. He wanted to determine the location first.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

As soon as Gao Xunzh\u012b left the room, he clenched his fists tightly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He had known it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

To be able to cultivate such a learned and wise disciple, it must be the work of the Dao Lord!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Young Rong even knew of Taoist deities that others didn\u2019t, which proved this point!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He needed to hurry and go back to burn incense, first to apologize to the God of Literature, Wen Chang, for never having heard of his name, and second, to thank the Dao Lord for sending such a talented person to the Northern Army.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When Xiao Rong first mentioned that Pingcheng had coal, Gao Xunzh\u012b had already had an inkling of an idea, and now, his suspicion was confirmed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Indeed… Ah Rong carried something extraordinary. Whoever got Ah Rong could take the world!!!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\uff0a<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong watched Gao Xunzh\u012b leave and felt a bit disappointed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After discussing the library for so long, Gao Xunzh\u012b didn\u2019t show even the slightest amazement or curiosity about carving books onto wooden boards.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This was printing!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

One of the Four Great Inventions\u2014printing! With this, the civilization of Central China could make a qualitative leap!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It was already impossible to determine who had invented printing, as the exact inventor was lost to history. After all, anyone could have had the sudden inspiration to carve characters onto a board. In the isolated ancient world, it was possible that several people had the same idea at the same time, but their efforts hadn\u2019t spread.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The earliest form of printing was rubbings, like woodblock printing, and even today, rubbing was still a leisurely artistic activity, though limited to the wealthy and aristocratic families. These people had the money but never thought of selling the prints.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Actually, Xiao Rong didn\u2019t know whether printing existed at this time. The earliest recorded appearance of printing coincided with the publication of the Daozang. There was one small issue: it also occurred at a time when the aristocratic families had been thoroughly crushed. As a result, thousands of new ideas and innovations sprang up from the common people, and many famous items that became household names in later generations emerged during this period.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Daozang was a collection of Taoist works, and in fact, those books existed even now. They were just hidden away and not revealed. Printing might have already been invented, but it too was hidden and not revealed to the public.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The aristocratic families\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Though Xiao Rong had always known the aristocratic families were overbearing, he hadn\u2019t been particularly emotional about them until he realized that every plan he made was obstructed by this group. Every step he took was met with opposition, pushing him back and forcing him to retreat. Now, when he heard the term “aristocratic families,” he felt a strong urge to grind his teeth.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Therefore, he didn\u2019t care whether Gao Xunzh\u012b agreed or not! He was going to do this. He would test the limits of the aristocratic families repeatedly and work hard to develop himself. He didn\u2019t even need to wait until the Northern Army surpassed the aristocratic families. As soon as their levels were equal, he would kick down the aristocratic families\u2019 boundaries and declare war on them.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

These woodblocks were to be the vanguard of his declaration of war.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The ten men were still diligently carving the woodblocks, and Xiao Rong looked at them with a kind expression, as though already imagining the scene of the aristocratic families jumping in anger at what he was doing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The ten busy men: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Strange, why did they feel a chill running down their spines?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

As for why he used woodblocks instead of moving directly to movable type printing\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In fact, movable type printing had never truly become widespread. It wasn\u2019t that anyone was stopping it, the cost was just too high and impractical. Copper and iron were too expensive, and common people couldn\u2019t afford them. Only the royal family could create a movable type framework for experimentation. The Northern Army at this time was similar to the later shopkeepers of the common folk, living frugally and counting every coin. It was better to start with woodblock printing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\uff0a<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

In the end, eight of the ten men stayed, while the remaining two were not completely dismissed. Xiao Rong told them to go back and practice diligently, and when he returned from Jinling, they would be tested on their carving skills.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The two men didn\u2019t want to carve wood blocks at all, but they didn\u2019t dare defy Xiao Rong\u2019s orders, so they reluctantly went back.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Meanwhile, Xiao Rong inspected the work of the other eight men, and then took the best piece to find Mijing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

That day, Mijing had been struck to the heart by a remark from Qu Yunmie. Although Gao Xunzh\u012b had told him that Mijing hadn\u2019t taken it to heart, Xiao Rong didn\u2019t believe that. Even if Mijing truly hadn\u2019t cared, his attitude should have shown otherwise. Since Qu Yunmie wouldn\u2019t apologize to Mijing, it was up to Xiao Rong to do so.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When he arrived at Mijing\u2019s residence, upon learning his purpose, Mijing couldn\u2019t help but smile slightly. “Thank you, Young Master Xiao, for treating me with such kindness, but the King came the day before yesterday. We had a pleasant conversation, and regarding that day\u2019s careless words, the King has already explained to me. I am deeply grateful and have gained some new insights into Buddhism.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He was stunned. “The King apologized to you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing paused for a moment, then gently corrected him. “He explained why he said those harsh words that day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

That was essentially an apology!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In Qu Yunmie\u2019s world, an explanation was the same as an apology!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong was so shocked that he became dazed. It was already rare enough for Qu Yunmie to apologize, but now he had apologized to Mijing, someone he disliked. What a rare sight this was!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Suddenly, Xiao Rong remembered something and asked Mijing, “When did the King come to see you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing answered, “The day before yesterday, at the second quarter of the Chen hour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

That was the morning of the day he woke up late. He had asked Qu Yunmie where he had gone, and Qu Yunmie had turned it around, complaining about Xiao Rong interfering with his personal matters.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong felt speechless. No wonder Qu Yunmie had avoided the question; it turned out he had secretly gone to apologize and didn\u2019t want anyone to know.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He felt a bit displeased but also wanted to laugh. In the end, Xiao Rong lowered his head, and smiled slightly. Then lifted his head, and spoke to Mijing with a warm smile. “Mijing and the King haven\u2019t known each other for long. Perhaps you don\u2019t realize how rare it is for the King to do this. It shows how important you are to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing silently looked at Xiao Rong, and Xiao Rong smiled back at him, not caring at all about how far-fetched his words might have been.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing blinked, and after a moment, he too smiled. His smile was somewhat bold, not quite fitting with his usual reserved nature.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong couldn\u2019t help but sit up straighter, no longer pretending. It was clear now that Mijing was about to lay his cards on the table.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

A monk who could become a politician couldn\u2019t possibly remain as low-key as he had been showing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Sure enough, after the smile faded, Mijing sighed lightly: “I am very aware of my position in the King\u2019s heart. The King doesn\u2019t believe in the Buddha or the Dao Lord. In the King\u2019s eyes, my identity as a Buddha\u2019s son might still be a burden. But the King was willing to put aside his prejudices and talk to me. Not because of my position in his heart, but because of your position in the King\u2019s heart, Young Master Xiao.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong pursed his lips and listened to his words. After a while, he replied, “It doesn\u2019t matter whose position it is, at least the King has made a change. That\u2019s what truly matters, don\u2019t you think?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing nodded but then shifted his tone. “Changing because of someone is ultimately just changing the surface. The root cause of the King\u2019s actions is a person. If that person ever changes, or if the King\u2019s relationship with them changes, will the King fall back into his old ways?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong lowered his eyes and smiled cryptically. “No. Because nothing is purely black or white. The King has changed because of one person, but during the process of change, he will receive many responses. People spend their entire lives striving to rise, and there\u2019s more to life than just power\u2014there\u2019s wealth, admiration, joy, and so on. Once the King has experienced what it feels like to have the hearts of the people, he can never go back to a state of being out of touch with them. He can\u2019t bear it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing said, “Perhaps so, but from my perspective, the King doesn\u2019t seem to care much about the people\u2019s hearts. He cares more about the hearts of the people around him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong raised his eyelids and smiled at Mijing. “Isn\u2019t that just right? The people around the King now are all benevolent individuals who think of him and the common people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing subtly tugged at the corner of his mouth, but he couldn\u2019t agree with that. He had observed the Northern Army for so long, and even Gao Xunzh\u012b, with the best reputation, seemed to only serve the Northern King.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaoxie merely placed his ambitions within the Northern Army.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

If you count it, only Xiao Rong truly cared about the common people. Most people would think Xiao Rong was good, an absolute benefactor, but Mijing, looking at him, felt his expression gradually grow colder.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cYoung Master Xiao, what I said that night was all from the heart. I truly don\u2019t believe you\u2019ll face danger in Jinling. But if you continue acting like this, I\u2019m afraid you won\u2019t live for many more years.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong was stunned. He recognized the coldness in Mijing\u2019s voice and couldn\u2019t help but ask, “Buddha\u2019s son, are you worried about me, or are you disappointed in me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing paused for a moment and then spoke again. “It\u2019s neither worry nor disappointment. I\u2019m just an outsider, and though I\u2019ve chosen to enter the world, I still view things with the perspective of one from the outside. Young Master Xiao, you are kind-hearted and have a compassionate spirit. Your actions are indeed done for the Northern King and the people, but I want to advise you: if you truly want to do good for the people, you shouldn\u2019t do things this way in the future.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong stared at Mijing\u2019s face, but Mijing had a naturally compassionate expression. In the midst of his sympathy, there were no other emotions visible. Xiao Rong couldn\u2019t tell what Mijing meant, so he had to ask, “Buddha\u2019s son, please elaborate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a brief silence, Mijing said, “Temporary charity isn\u2019t charity, it\u2019s torture.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It seemed that monks had this common trait\u2014though they could explain things in detail, they chose not to and left you to figure it out. Luckily, Xiao Rong\u2019s mind was quick, and after a while, he understood Mijing\u2019s meaning. If it had been someone else, they might have needed several days to comprehend.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Mijing was saying that by pouring all his energy into improving the lives of the common people, Xiao Rong was merely offering short-term charity. One day, when Xiao Rong was assassinated by someone he had offended, the people would go from having enough to eat to starving. After experiencing a full belly, returning to hunger would be even more painful for them. It would be better if they had never experienced abundance at all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

So, in the end, Mijing was advising him to not be so radical, and pay more attention to the interests of other social classes. For the common people\u2019s sake, he needed to take care of those in higher positions so that they wouldn\u2019t act impulsively.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong fell silent. After a while, he smiled again. “Buddha\u2019s son should have heard the saying, ‘Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish, and he will eat for a lifetime.’ I\u2019m not giving out temporary charity, not at all. What I want is for every trade and every household to thrive. Now, I\u2019m teaching them skills. In the future, they will use these skills to give back to me. I want them to be able to support themselves, and eventually, to become so skilled that they can support the whole land.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

With that, he placed the woodblock he had brought in front of Mijing. “This is one of the skills I\u2019m teaching.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing picked up the rough woodblock. After a glance, he immediately understood what it was. “Is this… writing?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong smiled even more proudly. “Yes, I carve books onto the woodblocks. After brushing ink on it, I can print the books onto paper. With this method, I can print hundreds of books a day. I will sell these books. Commoners, noble families\u2014anyone with money can buy them, and I won\u2019t refuse anyone.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing\u2019s fingers lightly traced the relief on the surface. After a while, he looked at Xiao Rong. “You are seeking your own demise.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong smiled even more boldly. “Lord Chancellor Gao also said that. If I tell more people about this, I\u2019m sure their reactions will be the same. But some things must be done. We can\u2019t stop just because there are obstacles ahead. Some things I cannot even tell Lord Chancellor Gao, but I can tell you, Buddha\u2019s son, because I know you and I are on the same path. We both drift in this world, both involved in it and detached from it. We both want to change everything, but for various reasons, we have not yet acted.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing silently watched him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong asked, “Am I wrong? Everyone says the Buddha\u2019s son went to the Western Regions to search for new scriptures, but I think what you are really looking for is a way to save the world. I believe you\u2019ve noticed the reason the King went to pick you up that day was because I requested it. There are all sorts of people in the Northern Army, but what we lack is an outsider. An outsider does not care about status. In their eyes, all people are the same. This aligns with my way of thinking. Many people can\u2019t understand the things I do, but an outsider can. Over the past month, I\u2019ve never asked you to do anything. I\u2019ve been waiting for you to finally understand, to stop staying here with a probing attitude. What do you think now? Do you think the King is beyond saving, and I\u2019m reckless? Or do you believe the King still has potential, and I have touched a bit of your true feelings?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He had revealed some of his true nature to Xiao Rong. His intention was to make Xiao Rong understand him better, and to caution him. If Xiao Rong couldn\u2019t be aware of his personality after being with him for so long, then he should be even more cautious about outsiders.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing wanted to teach Xiao Rong the lesson that there were always greater things beyond what one could see; in the end, he became the one taught.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It was clear that Xiao Rong had already known that Mijing wasn\u2019t simple. Asking him to come wasn\u2019t just for discussing scriptures, but because Xiao Rong truly wanted him as a helper. This was a game that Xiao Rong had started, but now it seemed like Mijing had fallen behind.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, Mijing couldn\u2019t feel angry. First, he wasn\u2019t a person who got angry easily, and second, Xiao Rong understood him so well. This both shocked and touched him deeply.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Since the Huhar people broke through Yanmen Pass, Mijing had always been the Buddha\u2019s son who shouldered the responsibility. Others saluted him, bowed to him, and treated him with utmost respect, but no one, not even his former teacher, had been able to see through his heart the way they once did.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a long breath, Mijing looked at Xiao Rong and asked directly, “Young Master Xiao, do you hope I can help you with something?”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Hearing this, Xiao Rong genuinely smiled. For Mijing to ask him this meant that his attitude had finally softened. “We\u2019ll talk about the future when the time comes. As for now, I hope the Buddha\u2019s son can organize the scriptures and give them to the engravers. Let them print a few copies of the Buddhist scriptures first.”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He planned to use the Buddhist scriptures to shield them from criticism. Once the storm passed, they would carve and print the classics.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing nodded. It was a small matter. As a disciple of the Buddhist sect, it was his duty to spread the scriptures.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, when he got up to retrieve the scriptures, he remembered that Xiao Rong had said earlier: \u2018We\u2019ll talk about the future when the time comes.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mijing: “\u2026”<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Suddenly, he had an ominous premonition.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Edited by: Antiope<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Support translation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"This<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gao Xunzh\u012b had a lot to say to Xiao Rong, but when he looked at Xiao Rong\u2019s slightly smiling expression, he slowly closed his mouth. The biggest difference between Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie was that Xiao Rong’s thoughts were mostly meticulous, feasible, and reasonable. However, he also had a particularly fatal flaw in Gao […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-majesty","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/20240106180053_200_280-1.jpg?fit=199%2C280&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6914"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6916,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6914\/revisions\/6916"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}