Chapter 1570: What Should We Do
“This junior did it.”
Feng Qingyou remained calm and collected, however. “However, it is the other person who acted treacherous and unvirtuous first. This junior and Joyless were simply retaliating in self-defense.”
“If one is without virtue, how can one repay virtue? If one is without benevolence, how can one repay benevolence? Without benevolence and virtue, one is no different from a beast. One should repay resentment with justice.”
“I would argue that your statement hardly comes from a neutral standpoint, but it still makes a lot of sense.” The Chief Libationist waved his hand in a pacifying manner. “Relax. This is your grudge with Jing Run. I have no right to question or interfere with it. It’s just the people’s suffering that I am sad about.”
Ye Qing bowed his head and apologized, “I am sorry, Chief Libationist.”
“The emperor himself lacks virtue, and his conduct bears no benevolence. That is why the heavens cast a disaster upon Chu, and why the realm is in danger right now. You are at most opportunists. It’s not your fault.”
The Chief Libationist sighed sorrowfully. “But the people... how innocent they are!”
“If blame must be assigned, then I’m the one who should shoulder the blame. My fault is far greater than yours.”
“How are you at fault?” Feng Qingyou argued, “You’ve done enough.”
The reason the Jixia Academy was completely empty right now was because anyone with even a speck of ability or skill had been dispatched to slay evils, handle civil matters, treating the ill and wounded, or handle natural disasters and aftermaths. In short, they had all been sent away to save the people.
Of course, their efforts yielded pitiful results considering how big Chu was. Still, a cup of water in the desert was better than no water at all!
“I am a scholar, but I failed to persuade the emperor to conduct himself with benevolence and virtue. That is my one sin.”