Faced with this topic that he couldn't avoid no matter what, Li Ran couldn't deny it. He even had to admit that Shen Wuyu's suspicion was correct.
The relationship between monarch and minister is often like the relationship between boyfriend and girlfriend.
It is no wonder that Qu Yuan later often compared his character to beautiful jade, and compared his state of mind to beautiful women.
However, it is obvious that Li Ran does not hold this idea, or not entirely.
There were some things he felt he needed to talk to Shen Wuyu about.
"Although it would be great for the King of Chu to stay here, for Li Ran, the Kingdom of Chu is ultimately a place where guests live. And the way of Chu is definitely not the way that I, Li Ran, pursue."
"Therefore, Li Ran will not stay in Chu State, and the doctor does not need to waste any more words on this matter."
"However, although what we are doing today is for the Chu State, it is also for the thousands of people in the world. As for what consequences my plans will bring to the Chu State in the near future, I still don't know. You know. But if the doctor is dissatisfied because of this, the only thing I can do is ask the doctor for forgiveness."
At this point, Li Ran paused for a moment and then said:
"However, he was born in the Zhou royal family and has been responsible for the inheritance of Zhou rites since he was a child."
"In today's world, although etiquette and music have collapsed, people's hearts are also eternal. If Chu State cannot act according to etiquette, even if it is strong, it will only be prosperous for a short time. This is definitely not a long-term solution."
This was an answer to Shen Wuyu as to why he, Li Ran, would not stay in Chu State.
Although there are personal reasons, the disagreement with King Chu's ambition may be a more important reason.
Because Chu State has never achieved the "restraint of self and restoration of propriety" that he has always advocated.
When Li Ran admonished the King of Chu, he also said the same thing, and now he answers Shen Wuyu in the same way.
"Having said that, has Duke Ming ever thought that the Zhou Dynasty has been in power for hundreds of years without any change, leading to the current situation where the world is divided, wars continue, and all life is devastated."
"But our country of Chu follows the ancient system of the Yin and Shang Dynasties, and goes against the Zhou rites and enfeoffments. Even now, we can still rule the world several times. Since it is an old system, and there are precedents to follow, why is it impossible?"
"Besides, since the Zhou rites have collapsed, if our Chu country continues to follow the Zhou rites, follow the rules and make the same mistakes, wouldn't it mean that we are ruining our own livelihood?"
"Since our country of Chu has chosen a completely different path, we must go on it unswervingly no matter what. This is the self-confidence of our Chu people. If we hesitate and change orders day by day, I am afraid that this will bring negative consequences to our country of Chu. It’s an unforeseen disaster.”
In Shen Wuyu's view, the reason why Chu State was strong and prosperous was precisely because Chu State chose a completely different path from that of other countries in the Central Plains.
The Zhou people's system based on enfeoffment is now like dregs in the eyes of the Chu people.
Moreover, there are some more radical Chu people who have already regarded Zhou Li as a poisonous existence. Therefore, whatever the Zhou people did, the Chu people always did the opposite.
"What's more, Duke Ming is now in Chu, sometimes working for our Chu country, and sometimes for the Central Plains. While he has both sides, he can also be said to be in a dilemma."
"Does Duke Ming think that those ungrateful and hypocritical people in the Central Plains will really honor Duke Ming?"
"In my humble opinion, now that Duke Ming has been deeply involved in the affairs of our country of Chu, will it be difficult for Duke Ming to leave in the future? In that case, why not just follow the trend?"
"Wuyu said this from the bottom of his heart. Please think again, Mr. Ming."
Obviously, Li Ran's double-edged behavior will generally end up with unpleasant consequences on both sides.
Although Shen Wuyu's words were offensive, they were not unsharp.
Li Ran smiled and did not respond directly to his "advice".
After all, Shen Wuyu didn't know what kind of path Li Ran was going to take. Even Li Ran himself didn't know what kind of path he was going to take.
But one thing that can be guaranteed is that the path Li Ran wants to take is definitely not any path in this era.
"Just remember what the doctor said."
"But for now, please ask the doctor to help Li Ran find out about Chu's domestic traitor. As for the rest, we might as well discuss it later."
"Now that the doctor is in the position of supervising the construction, he has so many things to do and the affairs are complicated, so he won't bother you anymore."
After Li Ran stood up, the two of them left after another respectful farewell.
After going through this conversation, it can be said that it was unsuccessful.
Although Shen Wuyu questioned his position and even "scorned" the Zhou etiquette he upheld, Li Ran was still extremely happy in his heart.
Because it is Shen Wuyu like this who is enough to prove that he has a good vision. Dare to boldly question anyone and anything. This quality is extremely rare in today's world, especially in the authoritarian state of Chu.
…
Back at the camp, Sun Wu had been waiting for him for a long time.
"gentlemen."
"Let's go, it's time to meet Qingfeng for a while."
Qingfeng has been imprisoned for some time, but Li Ran has never interrogated him. And the King of Chu was busy with various things these days and had no time to ask. But if it continues to be delayed, it will obviously not work.
Li Ran still needs to interrogate Qingfeng, Wu Guo, and the things hidden behind them.
So, accompanied by Sun Wu, Li Ran finally arrived at the Zuo camp where Qingfeng was detained. And in a prison built with strips of stone, he met this powerful minister who once had all the power in the Qi State.
However, Qingfeng at this time has long lost his former majesty. At this time, his hair is disheveled, his face is covered with dirt, his eyes are dim, and he looks extremely weak.
He saw two people walking in, but he was a little confused about the situation for a moment. After all, Li Ran's clothes were not Chu people's clothes at all.
But Qingfeng recognized the person walking behind him. Wasn't this person the young general who sneaked into Zhu Fang City that night and captured him alive?
The arrival of the two made Qingfeng feel a little puzzled for a moment.
"Who are you……"
Qingfeng's hoarse voice sounded particularly harsh.
When Li Ran heard the sound, he immediately asked Sun Wu to find water from outside and gave Qingfeng a drink. Then he casually sat on a stone and asked:
"My Excellency, Li Ran, I have met Dr. Qing."
Qingfeng, the king of the Zhongli Kingdom, was granted the title to Qingfeng after Wu ruled the Zhongli Kingdom.
As a member of the Zhou royal family, Li Ran would naturally not recognize him as the king.
Therefore, when he addressed Qing Feng, he still used his status as Qing Feng's senior official in Qi.
"Li Ran?"
"It's really you!"
Qingfeng seemed to have expected Li Ran to come. This time when he heard Li Ran announce himself, his face showed no surprise, but looked very calm.
"Um?"
"Oh? How did the doctor know that Li Ran would come?"
Li Ran was a little surprised.
Qingfeng smiled sadly and said slowly:
"I have long heard that your husband is staying in the Chu Kingdom. This time my Zhongli country is destroyed. I think it must be your handiwork, right?"
"Sir, you have worked so hard to capture me here, and your plan is huge. However, if you let Xiong Wei, an ignorant person, execute me in vain, wouldn't this master's plan become a direct result? joke?"
Until now, Qingfeng still regarded himself as the king of the country, calling him "Ignorant" all the time, as if he didn't feel that he was at the end of his rope.
After finishing speaking, his eyes immediately stopped on Li Ran's face.
"Haha, what the doctor said is true."
"However, I tried every possible means to capture the doctor here alive. There are indeed some questions I want to get answers from the doctor."
"However, I ask you to respect yourself for claiming to be the king of this country. The current doctor is just a prisoner of the Chu Kingdom. If it weren't for the fact that the doctor once served as the prime minister of the Qi Kingdom, I am afraid that Li Ran would not have such a good temper at this moment."
Before the main topic begins, Li Ran must give Qingfeng a warning to let him know what kind of situation he is in now.
He still had to grasp the tone at the beginning.
When Qing Feng heard this, his expression suddenly changed slightly.
(End of chapter)
