Chapter 1208: Chang Le

The official paths of the myriad families are vast and varied, unique to each individual. The Crown Prince merely offered a general overview; as for the Qi Emperor's path, Jiang Wang could only speculate.

However, a sudden realization struck him.

Given this, his killing of Dong Ah at that time was indeed the opportune moment, striking at the very heart of Zhuang State's vulnerability.

Otherwise, leveraging the momentum of the great victory against Yong State, Du Ruohui would have retired to seclusion, with Dong Ah smoothly inheriting his political mantle. Dong Ah's administrative prowess was unquestionable, and with the even more prosperous position of Zhuang State's Prime Minister, external threats would have been negligible. He might even have had a chance to achieve Divine Presence. And once Du Ruohui achieved transcendence, who's to say they wouldn't meet again as True Persons!

His nocturnal infiltration of Xin'an City to slay Dong Ah did not simply eliminate one individual.

More importantly, it severed Du Ruohui's path forward!

It also broke the positive cycle of Zhuang State's Prime Ministership.

How many years would Du Ruohui need to find another successor as capable as Dong Ah?

"Is Your Highness saying that Han Yin's death might not be so simple?" Connecting this to what he had witnessed in Yong State, Jiang Wang asked earnestly, "He wasn't killed solely by Zhuang Gaoenv?"

The answer to this question was naturally important to him, as it would help him gauge Zhuang Gaoenv's true strength.

But Jiang Wuhua merely smiled and shook his head, "Perhaps I said nothing at all."

His smile was a form of answer in itself.

That the distant Yong State on the western border had completely fallen under Qi State's watchful eye did not surprise Jiang Wang.

If one could not observe the entire world, how could they be called a hegemon?

If one's gaze was confined to a single domain, at best they could only be called a hero of their time.

"I understand!" Jiang Wang declared.

"What do you understand?" Jiang Wuhua asked with a knowing smile.

"I understand why Your Highness spoke to me of the official path," Jiang Wang replied, his smile absent. He simply asked, "Does the Court have an arrangement for me?"

Jiang Wuhua's lengthy discourse on the official path suggested that the Qi Court was planning to bestow a substantial position upon him.

Inviting him to the residence for porridge was undoubtedly a gesture of goodwill.

Jiang Wuhua, being the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, could easily learn of the Court's plans for him in advance. Giving him a heads-up and supplementing his knowledge would better prepare him for the choices ahead. This favor was undeniably bestowed.

He smiled, "Qing Yangzi, wise and courageous, is truly a boon to the nation's fortune!"

This time he did not say '孤之幸' (my fortune), understanding that too much could be counterproductive.

However, Jiang Wang found himself unable to accept this praise. He now understood clearly that if he were Chong Xuan Sheng, the Crown Prince's opening words would have been enough for him to grasp the truth of the matter, thus avoiding this particular favor.

Favor debts are the most difficult to repay, and a favor from the Crown Prince made one feel as if walking on thin ice.

And having listened this far, the favor was already granted!

Jiang Wang sighed inwardly, a faint smile on his face as he said, "Many thanks for Your Highness's guidance."

Jiang Wuhua waved a hand, "Our interests are intertwined; we should be acquainted with one another. Why speak of thanks?"

He adopted a serious expression, "Those who achieve greatly possess either civil governance or military merit. You must understand where your strengths lie. The official path is long and winding; do not let it impede you for a moment. You, an unparalleled talent of this era, a true asset to the nation, the Emperor will also consider your wishes. His original intention is to allow you to grow more quickly, not to shackle you."

Would it be a county governorship? Or leading an army to conquer a secret realm, or the Myriad Demons Gate?

It was not Jiang Wang's arrogance, but with his current reputation, position, and displayed talent, his options were limited.

It was unlikely they would assign him to compiling classics or other time-consuming, mundane tasks.

And Jiang Wang needed to consider something more crucial... should his cultivation rely on the official path?

This was the fundamental aspect of his Dao path; he had to deliberate thrice.

Since he had already received this favor, Jiang Wang would not dwell on it further.

He spoke up, "This Jiang Wang has one matter unclear. Since the official path has two sides, with political achievement linked to cultivation, aside from outright enmity, how can there still be those who betray the nation and are disloyal?"

Those who rebel are of two kinds: one for vengeance, one for profit.

In the cultivation system of the official path, those who betray the nation should have no profit to seek.

"The world's nations are not merely one or two. One who is an evildoer in this nation may be a meritorious figure in another. Merit and evil can offset one another, and with the support of the state system, it is enough to bear the backlash, and even gain benefits."

Jiang Wang thought to himself. Just like that Huang Yixing, who defected from Yang to Qi. Not only did his cultivation not decline with Yang's demise, but it flourished even more in Qi.

But this was not the question he truly wanted to ask...

After the Crown Prince explained, he continued, "Furthermore, cultivation is fundamentally personal. To use exploring the starry sky as an example, who can truly know if one consumes the qi of mortals? Those in the official field who are not attached to the official path are countless. Therefore, returning to the system is not necessarily loyalty, and leaving the system is not necessarily rebellion."

He looked at Jiang Wang with profound meaning, "Qi State is a vast and great nation; loyalty is not solely embodied in this."

He clearly understood Jiang Wang's unspoken question and provided the answer: whether to rely on the official path or not was entirely up to him. The Qi Court would not judge his loyalty based on this.

Just as he now held the honorary fourth-rank blue plaque, he could treat a real position as a virtual one. Or he could handle real matters, accrue merit, yet not utilize the power of the official path.

It was all up to him, all depended on how he chose his own Dao path.

Jiang Wang felt that today, he had gained a completely new understanding of this great Qi Crown Prince, and of course, a fresh perspective on the current world's official path. He supported his knees with both hands and said seriously, "Listening to Your Highness's discourse for one session is worth reading ten years of books!"

The Crown Prince laughed, "'Your Highness' this word is not to be used lightly."

Who said the Crown Prince was simple and honest?!

Jiang Wang felt as if he had climbed out of one pit only to fall into another. He was utterly defenseless.

Of the thirty-six stratagems, fleeing was the superior one.

He lifted his eyes to look outside the hall.

"Ah, the hour is already late!"

Jiang Wang was taken aback, then looked at the Crown Prince with great regret, "Today, I had a very enjoyable consultation with Your Highness, and I benefited greatly. However, I still have matters to attend to and cannot stay long. I shall take my leave now and wish Your Highness good fortune!"

The Crown Prince was not annoyed; he simply sat there, his smile warm, "Qing Yangzi, walk slowly on your way."

Jiang Wang quickly rose, his feet carrying him swiftly towards the exit, fearing the Crown Prince might not let him go.

He felt that in the art of subtle conversation, he was no match for these noble descendants.

Next time he came to the Palace of Long Happiness, he would have to bring Chong Xuan Sheng.

Pah.

He would not come to the Palace of Long Happiness again!

The favor owed, he would find other ways to repay.

"Hey, wait!"

The Crown Prince's voice rang out behind him.

Jiang Wang pretended not to hear, taking three steps in two, and was already out of the dining hall.

Suddenly, his sleeve tightened; someone had held him!

Jiang Wang turned his head to see Jiang Wuhua's warm, smiling face.

"Ah, Your Highness the Crown Prince!" he said in surprise, "For what matter did Your Highness call this humble servant?"

He appeared to have genuinely not heard the previous call.

Jiang Wuhua also seemed to genuinely not see through him. He simply released his sleeve, smiled, and extended his hand. From the attendant eunuch's hand, he took a food box of ancient and elegant design and handed it to Jiang Wang. "You forgot to bring this. Inside are snow bamboo chicken, pearl pork, and small jade orchids, one portion each, packed in this food box. It will keep for a long time."

Jiang Wang took it, "Your Highness's profound kindness, this Jiang Wang will engrave in his heart."

Jiang Wuhua simply smiled, "Come again for a meal next time."

"If I have leisure, I shall certainly come!"

Jiang Wang placed the food box in his storage ring, his feet like oiled machines, and hurried away.

One foot stepped out of the palace gate.

It was still morning, and the warm light fell upon the palace plaque, illuminating the words 'Chang Le' brightly.

Those who understand contentment can be happy for a long time. From his usual demeanor, the Crown Prince also seemed to be one who understood contentment and could thus be happy for a long time.

But... was it truly so?

Jiang Wang found his sedan chair and quickly climbed in.

He urged, "Quick, let's go!"

The sedan bearers naturally lifted the sedan and set off as instructed.

Instead, the steward Xie Ping beside him was startled.

Had Lord Jiang... committed some offense?