Celestial Master： I Have an Otherworld-Chapter 168 - 65: Yuri (Part 3)

"Prosperity, the common people suffer; downfall, the common people suffer." Fang Zheng's smile faded:

"I couldn't deceive myself."

He added:

"When a dynasty prospers, grand roads are built, palaces constructed, and heavy labor is required; the common people find it hard to escape suffering. When it falls, it goes without saying."

Liu Qinghuan remained silent.

"Prosperity, the common people suffer; downfall, the common people suffer." Jin Shu sighed deeply:

"Young Master Fang speaks well."

"But... does Young Master Fang think that today's Great Wei shows signs of an impending fall?"

"Just joking." Fang Zheng shook his head:

"Let's not discuss state affairs, let's not discuss state affairs."

He was not interested in matters of the state and often avoided them, even though the three were quite familiar with each other, he was still unwilling to discuss it.

Jin Shu, however, was not ready to let it go and said:

"Since ancient times, as dynasties rise and fall, even when capable ministers reign, why does the world never escape the cycle of prosperity and decline?"

"Could it be..."

"Truly the will of heaven?"

She looked up to the sky, her eyes full of confusion.

"The will of heaven?" Fang Zheng laughed:

"Dynastic cycles naturally result from internal issues, probably unrelated to heaven's will. The heavens are not benevolent, treating all things like straw dogs."

The heavens have no time to concern themselves with the rise and fall of the Imperial Court.

"Really?" Jin Shu turned her head to look:

"The Divine Dynasty followed the Sage Emperor System, yet inexplicably perished after six generations; Xia cast the Nine Tripods, divided the world, set taxes, established order, unified writing, and divided feudal states."

"Why did it perish?"

"The feudal lords grew strong, and the ruler weak, thus fostering disloyalty." Fang Zheng said:

"Its demise was inevitable."

"Shang succeeded Xia's rule without setting feudal states, why did it perish?" Jin Shu asked again.

"The world was newly unified, hearts were divided, King Shang's desire not to repeat the mistakes of the previous dynasty was understandable, hence he hastily abolished feudal states." Fang Zheng said:

"The turmoil in the land, and it perished after two generations, as it should be."

"Zhou, uniting the world, suppressed feudal lords, established orthodox teachings, and divided royal titles, using its own bloodline to control the land." Jin Shu's face became solemn:

"Why did it perish?"

"The rebellion of eight kings, the rise of the Quanrong, ultimately the ruler was weak, the ministers strong." Fang Zheng said:

"After three hundred years of chaos, it ultimately fell."

"Qin subdued the four barbarian tribes, unifying the land." Jin Shu raised her voice:

"Why did it perish?"

"King Qin established the civil examination system, valuing minor officials, making the noble families and aristocrats no longer prominent, causing inevitable revolts among noble families." Fang Zheng said:

"Thus it perished."

"..." Jin Shu took a deep breath:

"In the previous dynasty, there were no feudal lords, no royal titles, noble families were suppressed, wise ministers and famous generals emerged continuously, and even established the Celestial Palace Treasure to unify the righteous path."

"Why..."

"Did it still perish?"

"Eunuchs wielded power, chaos in the inner palace, coupled with a tyrannical Emperor." Fang Zheng shrugged:

"Signs of a doomed nation."

"Very well." Jin Shu's eyes gleamed cold:

"In this current dynasty, there is no eunuch power, no interference from maternal clans, no powerful noble families, no feudal lords or kings, so why is it still like this?"

"..." Fang Zheng fell silent.

Throughout history, every dynasty attempts to patch the flaws of the previous one, each dynasty's system seemed perfect at the time, yet they all eventually fell.

He shook his head, saying:

"Are you sure there are none?"

Jin Shu squinted.

"Everyone harbors selfishness, and all hearts hold desires." Fang Zheng said:

"In the early stages of a Dynasty, the land is vast with few people, people's hearts yearn for peace, allowing for recuperation."

"But as time goes on, lands, wealth, and even military power will concentrate into the hands of a few, this is human desire, difficult to suppress, and no dynastic cycle is an exception."

Everyone wants more.

If one lacks ability, it's another matter, but once capable, desire becomes difficult to contain, ultimately requiring a change of dynasty.

Only by occupying the world,

Can desires be satiated...

No!

Even after occupying the world, one might still seek immortality.

The modern world is no exception.

Like certain conglomerates, when they reach the limits of one industry, they will leverage their wealth and influence to expand into various industries.

Desire,

Is insatiable.

"So..." Jin Shu pondered:

"Does Young Master Fang believe that the reason for dynastic cycles lies in human selfishness and desire?"

"Perhaps." Fang Zheng said:

"Some say it's due to financial strain, some say it's due to land consolidation, I know little about it and am not interested."

"Miss Jin Shu, if you're interested, you might consider it more."

Jin Shu looked up, her eyes shining as she stared straight at Fang Zheng, even through the thin veil, the fiery intensity was visible.

Finance?

Land consolidation?

Human selfishness and desire?

She had never thought that these were the true reasons behind dynastic cycles, her previous teachers seemed to have only touched the surface.

Failing to reach the root.

As thoughts spun in her mind, Jin Shu couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration, earnestly saying:

"Young Master Fang, your talents are profound!"

Mastering dance, composition, and poetry was already impressive to her, but having such profound understanding of dynastic changes was even more remarkable.

Even rarer.

She became even more curious about his true identity, these insights weren't something an ordinary family could teach, nor even have the opportunity to know.

Yet this person,

Treated it as common knowledge, even displaying great nonchalance.

"Miss Jin Shu, you flatter me."

Fang Zheng smiled and waved his hand:

"Actually, I'm someone who follows my heart, and when it comes to management, you'll find there aren't as many rules as one might think."

"You might assume professional collaborations mutually benefit, skillfully maintained and loyal, but everywhere is filled with those muddling through."

"People are like this, businesses are like this, government officials are like this, everyone maintains things just above the baseline, society operates shakily, with issues everywhere."

"It's best to just accept it."

Jin Shu frowned.

She knew the truth in what Fang Zheng said, but she didn't agree with such a casual mindset.

However...

Having such insights surely meant one was in a high position, what could his identity truly be? Could he really be the son of a mysterious noble family?

"Boom!"

A loud noise suddenly emanated from outside, Fang Zheng furrowed his brow, rising to his feet:

"Something seems amiss, I'll go and take a look."

"Mm."

"Thank you, Young Master Fang."

The two women rose, watching Fang Zheng leave hastily until his figure disappeared, and only then did Liu Qinghuan turn around, pouting:

"You were so chatty just now, did you fall for him?"

Jin Shu, like those who admire talented individuals, held even greater respect for those with strategic insight.

Just now.

The way Jin Shu looked at Fang Zheng felt different.

It was a look she never had with her, fiery, excited, and contrasting with her usual gentle and elegant demeanor.

"What are you talking about."

Jin Shu shook her head, gently caressing Liu Qinghuan's cheek:

"Young Master Fang is exceptionally talented and his mystery is intriguing, but his nature and mine do not align, we are best suited as friends."

"Really?"

Liu Qinghuan pouted:

"Young Master Fang hasn't married yet, and he's so talented, what if he falls for you? If he proposes, would you agree to marry him?"

"Then I'd be left alone."

"You're speaking nonsense." Jin Shu said speechlessly:

"No one can separate us."

Liu Qinghuan looked up, her eyes complex:

"But..."

"You know that what we're doing isn't right, two women together defies societal norms, and with so many people out there, you're bound to find a man you fancy."

"A man better than me in every way."

Jin Shu was silent.

She knew everything about Liu Qinghuan, understanding that though Qinghuan was outstanding in many ways, she lacked confidence, occasionally even feeling inadequate and insecure.

After a long pause, she spoke softly:

"You're right, perhaps there are indeed people more outstanding than you, even more suitable for me, but..., the experiences we've shared are unique."

"No one can replace that."

She gently lifted her veil, revealing her mesmerizingly alluring face, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness, she said:

"Qinghuan, I know what we have isn't right, but ever since you came into my life, no other man can ever enter my heart, not in this lifetime."

"What about you?"

Liu Qinghuan's eyes filled with tears, but suddenly she laughed, enveloping Jin Shu in her arms.