People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"The world is full of troubles and conflicts, and it is difficult to get out once you are trapped in them. What's more, the things you have to do, the people you are involved with, and the troubles you bring are too many and too great."

"If Jie Mei were here, she wouldn't want to see such widespread suffering and devastation."

These words can be considered to come from the bottom of his heart.

There are some things that siblings can't talk about. This was also a reminder to Wang that we're not on your side, not because of anything else, but because the commotion Wang is about to cause is too big.

The mastermind behind Jie Mei's death was indeed one of the high-ranking officials in the imperial court. If Wang is determined to seek revenge, he should go after those individuals.

Even if he wanted to wipe out those families, so what? Cause and effect are inescapable, retribution is inevitable. His brothers and sisters might not help him, but at least they wouldn't be standing against him like they are today.

But Wang refused.

Their second brother was perhaps too insightful, so insightful that he was somewhat confused.

He immediately saw the root of the problem, which lay within the entire Great Yan.

The Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li, Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Wang families—the five surnames and seven prominent clans—were the very people who killed Jie's sister. But did they kill her because she had a grudge against them?

No, of course not. Do they not know Jie-mei's character? She compiles books, educates the people, serves as a role model, and teaches without discrimination. They wouldn't believe she would intentionally offend anyone, or even make enemies, even if she killed Wang and Ling!

The root of the problem lies in the word "profit".

The reason for the "profit" is that Jie's actions of teaching and educating people touched their interests. It was to divert domestic conflicts at the time. There may have been various "unspeakable reasons" that they "had no choice but to do so" and "regretted it afterwards". But in the end, it still cannot escape the word "profit".

It wouldn't be difficult for Wang to kill a group of people. After all, it was a giant beast. Even if the Great Yan had a thousand precautions against giant beasts, with the power of a giant beast, if it really wanted to fight to the death, even if it couldn't turn the world upside down, it wouldn't be difficult to eliminate a few people.

But as long as the desire for profit remains, what does it matter if Wang slaughters their entire family?

Even without Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Li, there are still Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Wang; even without Zhou, Wu, Zheng, and Wang, there are still other people!

The interests are right there; if one group is wiped out by force, another group will take over.

This is systemic and institutional persecution, and such persecution never ends with the death of one person or a group of people!

Wang wanted revenge and justice, but as Ling said, his goals were never just one.

The deceased is gone, but he wants to make amends and protect his remaining younger siblings from the same persecution!

So he's going to offend the root of the problem!

Unfortunately, he lacked both a political vision that transcended his time and an intellectual understanding that grasped the essence of the problem. He knew where the problem lay, but he couldn't solve it.

The best solution he could think of was to resolve the issue of Sui, thus eliminating the other side of the conflict.

He conspired with Ji to weave a magnificent robe of the Great Yan dynasty into a symbol of its rule, using the Great Yan as his body to confront Sui and "seize" Sui's body! At that time, the Great Yan dynasty would be bound to Sui, and they would become one. He, or rather, Sui at that time, would be able to wield the power of the most powerful beast in the world. Perhaps, he could even re-separate Jie Mei, who had already returned to Sui.

His plan was actually that simple.

However, the fewer the words, the bigger the matter. It sounds simple, but to integrate the fate of a nation with the length of a year—what kind of concept is that?

The ancients often said, "May your life be as long as the heavens and your fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea." But what if one day, you are still alive and well, and clearly capable of continuing to live, but then the sky collapses and the sea dries up? Would you be content? Would you be happy?

Unless absolutely necessary, no one wants to tie their life and family to something, let alone something like the fate of a nation! What would happen to Yan Kingdom if [Wang]'s plan went wrong, he failed to possess someone, Sui woke up, or he lost control?

When they arrive, they will face a [Year] that is "bound to the fate of the Yan Kingdom." The Sunfire Anti-Armor Landry—attacking me is like attacking yourself? In that case, whether they win or lose, won't the Yan Kingdom perish?

This concerns the lives of hundreds of millions of people. Not only would the Yan Kingdom's government and people not agree to it, but these agents of the Year Beasts, who have lived in Yan Kingdom for thousands of years and love that land and culture, would not agree to it either!

Why should everyone's lives be entrusted to your plan, which may not even succeed?

Does "for your own good" mean I can risk my life on a gamble with no guarantee of winning or losing?

"Everyone says that a great person uses the world as a chessboard and all living beings as chess pieces. But I am different."

"I also use heaven and earth as my chessboard, but I do not use all living beings as my pieces. My piece is myself."

"So even if you don't support me, I will still do it."

Wang gazed intently at Ling for a moment.

Although there was no verbal exchange, the unwavering gaze, freed from the haze of intoxication, already conveyed the answer.

"Alright."

He sighed.

He hadn't expected to convince his brothers and sisters so easily, especially Ling.

Ji agreed because of his experience; he had been a businessman for many years and had seen the coldness and harshness of human relationships, so he wouldn't be so naive. But what about Ling?

Perhaps she wasn't naive; perhaps she still possessed what she called "the spirit of the martial arts world."

In her eyes, Wang's actions might be those of a demonic sorcerer.

He was already content to receive her calling him "brother".

Wang closed his eyes, and his figure began to fade away. But just before he disappeared, he suddenly noticed that Ling stood up and picked up the small chess piece from the chair.

She whispered:

"Second brother, I don't expect to be able to convince you."

"Why don't you come with me and stay in Shelag for a while? See Nian, see Xi, and then think it over carefully."

"What you're doing will cause them a lot of trouble, especially since they've already gotten rid of the inflammation and the aging process."

Without waiting for a reply, Ling released his grip and threw the small chess piece into his enormous wine gourd.

At the same time, the announcement of the Snow Scene Express also sounded at just the right moment.

[This is the final stop of the train journey – Tukarim Railway Station. Passengers, please gather your luggage and personal belongings and proceed to the doors to disembark in an orderly manner.]

Welcome to Shelag!

Chapter 656, Part Three of the Chronicles of Ersley

"The west wind ages the waves of Dongting Lake, and overnight the Xiang River Goddess's hair turns white. Drunk, she is unaware that the sky is reflected in the water, and her boat is filled with dreams that press down on the Milky Way."

Looking at Nian and Xi, who were drenched in sweat, Ernst and Ling had different expressions, but both were somewhat amused and exasperated.

Ernst was both amused and exasperated because this "elder sister" that Nian and Xi had mentioned was indeed as down-to-earth as they had described.

If Nian might still boast about being a great director, and Xi might still be unhappy about others touching her unfinished paintings, then Ling was completely different.

Ernst noticed this "tourist" who was clearly different from the other tourists as they passed each other at the station.

Most tourists who come to Shelag will head to the few famous attractions, or at the very least, they will choose to go to a hotel or guesthouse to leave their luggage.

There are many travel guides for Shelag left by predecessors on the intercity network, and they are even divided into different levels. Beginners go to Silverheart Lake and Tukarim Central Park, intermediate tourists go to Mount Kalan, Manjushri Temple, and visit the mountain barrier where Yelagand revealed miracles, while advanced veterans go to the site of the Shelag Three Tribes Conference, the Shelag National Museum of History and Culture, and so on.

Basically, it means: ordinary people can see the scenery, those interested in Shelag can explore its religious culture, and those who want to learn more about Shelag can appreciate its long history.

In Ernst's eyes, "order" had almost no specific goal.

Whether you call her aimless, carefree, or relaxed, the fact remains that she spent a full half hour wandering around Tukarim train station by herself.

That's why she happened to bump into Ernst, who was deliberately avoiding the peak hours when leaving the train station.

Ernst immediately recognized the beautiful older woman who shared the same features as Nian Yuxi, and Ling glanced at him a few more times. But Ernst didn't call out to her, and she didn't greet him either.

When the young women came to Sherag, they weren't simply placed in a different location to be monitored and imprisoned. As long as they didn't cause trouble, Ernst wouldn't interfere with what they wanted to do, even if it was just working in a factory tightening screws. Instead, he would praise them for their glorious labor.

After Ling left, Ernst first took Holhaya to Rhodes Island, and then returned to his office.

However, as soon as he returned, he found that the blue-haired older sister he had just met was now in his office. In front of her, Nian and Xi looked like little girls who had done something wrong, standing side by side with their heads down, not daring to say a word.

Ling then asked the question.

Not that poem, but: "Mr. Ernst, how many more poems like this do you have?"

The blue-haired beast agent looked Ernst over with great interest, his words filled with undisguised surprise and joy.

This is why she was both amused and exasperated.

After arriving in Shelag, she didn't rush to find her two sisters, but instead wandered around Shelag for a while.

However, instead of seeking out Nian Hexi, Nian Hexi took the initiative to find her.

Ling didn't mind being reunited with her sisters after so long, so she stopped in her tracks. But before she could even say "long time no see," Nian and Xi suddenly launched into a string of poems and songs.

"When you are drunk, you don't know that the sky is in the water, and the boat is full of clear dreams that overwhelm the stars."

"Looking at the sword while drunk, I dreamed of blowing the corner of the company."

"Don't laugh, Lord, lying drunk on the battlefield. How many times have you fought in ancient times?"

"The old drunkard's heart is not in the wine, but in the scenery of mountains and rivers."

Every single line is a famous quote, every single line deserves to be passed down through the ages, and every single line is worth its weight in gold.

So much so that Ling was momentarily dazed.

What have you done to me? Is this still Sherag? Are you still Nian and Xi? When did your literary skills become so high?

If I hadn't just left the train station in Shelag, I would have thought I was still in Yan Country, and in the Hanlin Academy in Baizhao, holding some kind of poetry competition with those old scholars on the theme of "drunkenness"!

It even made him feel a little regretful.

These words were simply uttered like that? Without a suitable occasion, without a past that was either sad or magnificent, and without even a few people who could understand these poems listening and applauding, these poems were simply made public.

Isn't that a bit of a waste?

It's not fair to say that they're not amazing. It would be a real waste and a pity if such stunning poems and songs were lost. At least, they entered my ears, and I'll probably never forget them for the rest of my life.

Moreover, whether it's about looking down or having confidence, Ling always felt that these poems were all describing himself.

Write about your own experiences, your own sorrows and joys, and your own life.

At first, in Jiangnan, with its small bridges, flowing water, and traditional houses, day after day, year after year, the scenery was beautiful, but the people came and went, one generation after another. The passing of time always left her feeling lost. During that period, she liked to drown her sorrows in alcohol, lying in a small boat on a river, gazing at the sky dyed red by the setting sun. In her hazy state, she couldn't tell if it was the sky or the water, and just wanted to get drunk and have a good dream.

Later, her elder brother came, and she learned some swordsmanship from him, then told him about her troubles. Her elder brother then recommended her to go to Yumen.

She still loved to drink, but after the battles on the battlefield, she was suddenly awakened by a nightmare and saw that her guards had been replaced. She realized that this time, what took them away was not a long period of time, but the swords and claws of the enemy. She then gained some new insights into the meaning of "life and death".

At that time, she would drunkenly examine her sword by lamplight, and in her dreams, she would no longer see the scenery of Jiangnan, but rather the sound of bugles echoing through the camps, the smoke of war, and the image of a female general on the frontier, commanding thousands of troops and protecting the lights of countless homes behind her.

After that, she retired from the army. Soldiers are known for their loyalty and camaraderie, and the farewell party held for her after her last battle was exceptionally lively.

At that moment, gazing at the wounded soldiers around her and the countless loyal bones buried beneath the endless yellow sand, she poured wine to honor heaven and earth, but three cups were still not enough. She didn't drink much that day, yet she was the most intoxicated.

In the end, she secluded herself in the mountains of Shangshu. The liquor of Shangshu was strong and spicy, just like the temperament of the city. Amidst the rugged mountains and eighteen peaks, she chose one as her refuge. Every day, gazing at that landscape, she would drink alone, half-dreaming, half-awake, seemingly having seen through everything in the world, wishing only to remain detached, indifferent to worldly affairs, and carefree and unrestrained.

But as the poem says, those few who truly understand her can see that her true intentions lie not in the wine, but in the beauty of nature.

What secrets are hidden among the mountains and rivers?

It is the gentleness of the flowing waters of Jiangnan, the heroic spirit of the battlefields of Yumen, and the passion of the peaks of Shangshu.

Ultimately, it's culture, civilization, and the people who evoke these emotions.

Although the Great Yan is not human, the people of Liu, who have never experienced the legendary era of giant beasts and have lived on the Yan land since birth, learning how to be human bit by bit from the human world, still cannot help but love this land.

"The person who could write these verses must know me very well."

Her mind was in turmoil, and her eyes sparkled.

"Is it Mr. Ernst?"

"Take me to see him."

Her voice carried a rare air of authority. Nian noticed that Ling's expression was somewhat unusual, but upon hearing these words, she trembled and dared not say anything more.

So this scene happened.

"Mr. Ernst, I haven't introduced myself yet. I am Ling, and I'm so sorry to have troubled you to take care of my two good-for-nothing sisters these past few days."

"Where is it."

Ernst waved his hand somewhat awkwardly.

He didn't take care of Nian and Xi at all; on the contrary, Nian and Xi helped him a lot.

He simply provided them with a place to stay. Although, for Nian, Xi, and Ling, who cared about these younger siblings, having such a place to stand was already quite an achievement.

Ling didn't bother with formalities with Ernst. After introducing herself, she asked almost impatiently:

"Mr. Ernst, have we met before?"

Ernst was taken aback: "There shouldn't be?"

"Mr. Ernst, have you investigated me before?"

Ernst was stunned again, and quickly shook his head, saying, "No, no."

Ling frowned and stroked his chin:

"Could it be that Mr. Ernst had a dream about me?"