Peace Order-Chapter 772 - 89 In the Capital, King Meets King_3

Li Guanyi said, "He’s a fool."

"Having come this far, still wanting to maintain a high and mighty balance? I think these Elders deserve a lesson,"

Ji Zichang somewhat agreed with this statement, yet reflected deeply and sighed.

Even if Li Guanyi hadn’t guessed who the so-called aristocratic family and shopkeeper represented, he could relate due to his own similar situation and empathized with that young shopkeeper.

So, would he think the Elder’s choices were detrimental and say these words?

If one could speak like this, it was truly the mark of a natural politician and powerful minister.

Ji Zichang spoke in a gentle voice, "Let’s just consider them shortsighted then,"

Choosing a somewhat less harsh term, he then said, "Therefore, I have thought of another choice, which is to completely relinquish power."

Ji Zichang took a deep breath, looking at Li Guanyi:

"Go hand over the title of Store Manager to that young shopkeeper."

"Let him grow big, let him compete with the other two shopkeepers for the industry, support him even if it means the destruction of my own family. At least it was swallowed by our own Store Manager and not fallen into others’ hands, leaving some dignity,"

He mocked himself internally, watching Li Guanyi, only to see the youth looking at him as if he were a fool, his heart stalled, Li Guanyi smiled and said, "So that’s your plan, you’re a bit foolish too, old brother."

Ji Zichang felt a surge of anger rising.

He had such foresight and boldness, yet Li Guanyi spoke this way.

Besides, when an emperor is scolded, it always provokes anger.

Ji Zichang could not help but sneer, losing his prior gentleness, and said:

"Then you say, what should I do?"

Li Guanyi wiped the pot from which Ji Zichang had just drunk using his sleeve, took a swig, and said, "Indeed, it’s much better than Mr. Lei’s Monkey Wine,"

Only then did he speak, "I’m just curious, since you’ve already made this decision, why just leave things to others? Have you never thought about standing up yourself?"

Stand up.

Ji Zichang fell silent, recalling past struggles and sighed, "It’s too late."

Then he heard the youth say, "Who told you it’s too late?"

Ji Zichang saw Li Guanyi smile, who then shook the pot and said, "With your so-called situation of maintaining the family’s face by supporting others and annihilating yourself, what kind of dignity is that? If you truly have the heart, shouldn’t you be the one personally doing it?"

"Even if you fail, you can proudly say, I did my best."

Ji Zichang instinctively refused, "I’m not enough."

Li Guanyi said, "You haven’t tried yet."

Ji Zichang said, "Then you say, what should I do?!"

Li Guanyi said:

"Remove the Elders in the family, those interfering from different houses, take control of the family and its assets, then reform, remove the redundant and bring in more talent to innovate the industry, and finally confront the descendants of those two old fellows."

Li Guanyi laughed and said, "I know this is the Academy, you are here, certainly not part of any aristocratic family, commerce, or industry."

Ji Zichang tensed up internally.

Li Guanyi said, "You must be an official, right?"

Ji Zichang remained silent, Li Guanyi proudly said, "That much I can guess, as for why not do it, why give up, why expect others to save your family’s face?"

He looked at Ji Zichang, "Are you afraid?"

"Afraid to confront the adversaries of your ancestors?"

Ji Zichang clenched his fists, he said silently, "I’m not the hero my ancestors were."

Li Guanyi said, "What is a hero?"

Ji Zichang couldn’t answer.

Li Guanyi said, "I have heard a predecessor speak of what a so-called hero is."

The young Taoist sat cross-legged, pointed to the sky, where at the end of summer, the clouds were thick, seemingly harboring something spiraling within, Li Guanyi said:

"The dragon, as a creature, can be compared to the heroes of this world."

"A dragon can be large or small, visible or hidden; large, it stirs clouds and mists, small, it conceals and hides; rising, it soars between the universe, hidden, it lurks beneath the waves. At present times, a dragon surfs the changing times, just as people achieve their aspirations and traverse the Four Seas."

"But those who stir clouds and mist are heroes, those who hide and conceal are also heroes."

Hearing such a description, Ji Zichang became entranced, lost in thought and said:

"Such heroes."

"Who in the world can match them?"

Li Guanyi paused.

Calmly smiling in response, "I’m just a Taoist."

"I don’t know."

"But, does that make you feel any better, brother?"

Ji Zichang looked at Li Guanyi.

Ji Zichang originally thought Li Guanyi would encourage him to choose the second option due to empathizing with his situation, but unexpectedly, this young person directly offered a third option.

Stand up, am I in fear...

So that’s how it is, is this the kind of magnanimous heart akin to an ancestor?

If Li Guanyi had recommended the second decision, he’s a natural-born politician and powerful minister, now he’s openly suggested a third route, what kind of person does that make him? Had he not even considered his own situation?

Ji Zichang couldn’t help but sigh.

What kind of person is this, do those ’foolishly’ brave individuals from ancient times really exist?

Li Guanyi drank half the pot of wine, planning to bring the rest back to Grandpa.

Then looking at Ji Zichang, he said, "Does that make you feel a bit better, brother?"

Ji Zichang said gently, "Yes."

"Hearing your words, I still have gained something, and now I should make a decision too." His smile was gentle and tranquil. It was now afternoon, probably dusk by the time he returned, and the banquet that would decide the nation’s fate was tomorrow.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆novelkiss