txolops Chapter 83 Grant Me the Right to Die
Chapter 83 Grant Me the Right to Die
Chapter 83 Grant Me the Right to Die
The voice was old, yet it sounded somewhat familiar.
Tang Shijun examined it carefully, then exclaimed in surprise.
"Chu Xun?"
What are you doing here?
This question is perfectly reasonable.
In Tang Shijun's memory, Chu Xun was a very intelligent person.
Despite his humble origins, he has unique insights into many things.
His only flaw was that he lacked any grand ambition to save the country and its people; he only liked to throw money into butcher shops and buy pig's head meat to go with his drinks.
Just yesterday, he was thinking about Chu De, who was over sixty years old, and who must be too old to walk by now.
But no one expected that Chu Xun would be such a master who could easily subdue several first-rank martial artists.
Chu Xun smiled and said, "Huan'er said you were in danger, and since we haven't seen each other for a long time, I decided to come over."
"Today, even amidst a vast army and the clash of swords, you remain calm and composed."
Tang Shijun didn't reply, but just looked at Chu Xun, and suddenly remembered that year when Huanji participated in the prefectural examination.
He visited the father and son in a secluded courtyard. On his way back, his attendants asked him why he treated the country bumpkins so well.
At that time, he replied, "I don't know why, but I always feel that in the distant future, Chu Xun's achievements may surpass mine."
Despite saying that, I can't figure out what a smart person from a farming background would have to do to surpass his own achievements.
Only now has he come to understand.
Chu Xun's excellence is beyond the ordinary.
Tang Shijun's eyes sharpened as he said, "Don't say that they all know, but I'm the only one who doesn't."
If that's the case, Lord Tang won't be very happy.
Chu Xun said, "Only you know."
To be precise, some dead people also knew, but not many knew.
Song Jingmin had naturally met him before, but it was too late at night, and the shock he experienced was too great.
Before Chu Xun established his foundation, he had been unable to attend the banquet for local worthies for many years due to health reasons.
Given Song Jingmin's arrogant nature and Chu Xun's extraordinary abilities, how could he possibly associate such a master with a country bumpkin?
Chu Xun didn't explain why he killed people, but it was because of the existence of the underworld.
If they recognize you and find out your background, it could cause trouble.
Upon hearing Chu Xun's reply, Tang Shijun's lips curled into a slight smile.
He turned and walked to the door, whereupon he ordered the square-faced guard, "Bring me wine."
The square-faced guard deliberately kept his head down and did not look into the room.
It is said that reclusive masters do not like to show their faces, and perhaps this person is one of them.
Seeing it might not be a good thing.
Soon, Tang Shijun came over carrying a bottle of Flower Divine Wine.
The two sat down at the desk. Although there was still a group of assassins outside that hadn't been dealt with, both Tang Shijun and Chu Xun seemed to have forgotten about it.
After pouring himself a glass of wine, Tang Shijun raised his glass first: "Thank you for coming from so far to provide assistance. You've worked so hard."
He drank it all in one gulp, and Chu Xun followed suit.
Tang Shijun poured himself another glass of wine and raised it once more: "Decades have passed, a toast to our friendship."
Chu Xun then drank the second cup.
Tang Shijun poured a third cup of wine, raised it, and said, "After today, I have no regrets. A toast to this life."
After finishing the three cups of wine, Tang Shijun put down his cup and said to Chu Xun, "You can go now."
His directness left Chu Xun somewhat stunned.
go?
Tang Shijun knew he didn't understand, so he asked, "Such a big commotion, yet no city defense troops came to the rescue, not even the yamen runners or constables showed up. Why do you think that is?"
Chu Xun had considered this question and said, "Someone colluded with the city defense army to prevent the yamen runners and constables from coming to your aid, all for the sake of taking your life."
Tang Shijun then asked, "Who do you think it could be?"
Chu Xun thought for a moment and said, "Over the years, you've been measuring land and cleaning up household registrations, which has offended almost everyone. It must be these people who joined forces."
Tang Shijun chuckled lightly, his eyes filled with clear disdain: "With their guts, how dare they lay a hand on me?"
Chu Xun was puzzled. If the assassins weren't hired by royalty or noble families, then who else could they be?
Tang Shijun smiled and said, "Naturally, it's the one sitting at the highest point in the temple."
Chu Xun paused, a name almost escaping his lips: "Your Majesty—"
Tang Shijun shook his head, stopping him from speaking.
Chu Xun took a deep breath and said, "How could it be him? You serve the country and its people. Even if he doesn't help you, how could he possibly harm you?"
"Why not?"
Tang Shijun poured himself another glass of wine, but instead of drinking it directly, he held it in his hand with three fingers.
The crystal-clear wine rippled gently along the fine imperial porcelain wine cup.
"I have completed the measurement of all farmland and filed it in the archives."
"Clarifying household registration and implementing performance evaluation methods for officials have now become standard practice."
"As you know, even though you're far away in the countryside, I've offended many powerful and influential people. It's perfectly normal for them to want to kill me."
"If I die, whether or not the mastermind is found, I will definitely be identified as one of them."
"With the officials free from their resentment, the pressure on the court was greatly reduced."
"This way, we can both reduce the resentment of the officials and control their opinions. Why not do it?"
Chu Xun's expression darkened slightly upon hearing this. The matter seemed absurd, but upon closer examination, it made perfect sense.
An emperor who, despite already holding great power, still had enough patience to wait three years before promoting dozens of third-rank officials in one fell swoop.
It's not surprising at all that they do such things as "killing the birds after they've flown away" or "cooking the dogs after they've been caught."
So despite such a huge commotion, the city defenses of Kyoto remained as quiet as if they were deaf.
Everyone believed that the officials had conspired to murder the Minister of Revenue.
Who would have thought that the one who truly wanted to kill was His Majesty the Emperor, who wholeheartedly supported the Minister of Works?
But what Chu Xun didn't understand was: "If that's the case, why do you still want me to leave? Are you afraid of implicating me?"
Tang Shijun shook his head and said, "With such abilities, even a Grandmaster of the Innate Realm might not be your match. You can go anywhere in the world, so what's the point of implicating anyone?"
"It's just that if I don't die, the national policy written by your nephew, my disciple, will be difficult to implement."
"Why can't it be implemented?" Chu Xun asked, puzzled.
"Although I have offended many officials, I enjoy extremely high prestige among the people and hold the position of Minister of Revenue. If national policies are truly implemented, I will be the one to take the lead."
"But I come from a prestigious family, and that person is very suspicious and distrusts scions of prestigious families the most."
"Even if the national policy could save Jing, he would ignore it."
"Your nephew comes from the countryside and has no connections, which ironically makes him the best connection."
Chu Xun was stunned and suddenly understood why Tang Shijun had stopped seeing Huan'er a few years ago.
They even deliberately create the impression that the master and disciple are going against each other and have become enemies.
Everything is for today.
Tang Shijun has already done the most offensive thing.
The emperor would not allow him to do the rest.
At this moment, Huan'er stepped onto the stage, which was the perfect opportunity.
"If I die, I can shut those people up. Now is the perfect time to implement national policies!"
Tang Shijun put down his wine glass, letting the wine spill onto the table.
He stood up and bowed to Chu De.
The sound was like metal, powerful and resonant.
"I know you value relationships, but one person's worries are nothing to worry about."
"The people of the world are suffering in dire straits; we must save them."
"To alleviate the world's worries, Tang Shijun respectfully requests your assistance."
"I'd gladly die for you!"