Chapter 432
Chapter 432 Trust Lin San or the Imperial Edict?
Xu Wei remained silent, as quiet as a winter cicada. Lin San's words were intense, but they carried an uncommon sense of reason. Releasing Ashile and Lu Dongzan, he had once thought it was a righteous act, dispelling the rumors of other countries and proving the innocence of the Great Hua Empire, all perfectly executed.
But Lin San's words awakened him to regret and shock: Why should we care so much about how others view our Great Hua? Is saving face truly more important than the rise and fall of the country and the safety of the people?
"Mr. Xu, I am a man without great ambition," Lin Wanrong sighed slightly, feeling a sense of helplessness in his heart, "But I am also a citizen of Great Hua. I do not wish to see anything happen that endangers our people and compatriots. Sometimes I think, I would rather bear more blame, be scolded as shameless and despicable, than let others harm my simple-minded brethren. But what have we done—"
Xu Wei shook his head in shame: "Little brother, your words have awakened a dreamer. In the matter of Lu Dongzan, I truly made a mistake, failing to stop the Emperor in time. It's too late to say anything now, I don't know what can be done to remedy it?"
"How long have Lu Dongzan and Ashile been gone?" Lin Wanrong asked.
Xu Wei understood his meaning and smiled bitterly: "The imperial edict was issued yesterday evening, and the Turkic horses can travel a thousand miles in a day. By now, they must be seven or eight hundred miles away; it's too late for us to take any action."
Lin Wanrong was helpless and didn't know what to say. Even Xu Wei, the most learned man in the world, had made a mistake on this matter. Who else could Great Hua rely on? A deep sense of fatigue suddenly welled up in his heart; he felt drained and lost all his spirited appearance, longing to go home and sleep, forgetting these vexing matters.
He pulled out the treaty signed with Seo Jang Geum and handed it to Xu Wei, saying indifferently: "Mr. Xu, you give this to the Emperor. The matter with Goryeo has been settled. The recruiting in the northeast must be expedited. Don't wait until the troops are full; best to set off immediately, enter Goryeo directly, giving the Goryeo king no time to rest or prepare, and also effectively deter the Dongyin."