"You don't think that, by doing this, the common people will suffer too much?"

Zhou Ping'an asked in surprise.

He found that not only did the Green Lady not consider this strategy to be particularly dangerous,

but even Lin Huaiyu seemed to think nothing of it.

"No matter how hard it is, can it be worse than it is now?"

With a single phrase, Lin Huaiyu uncovered the bloody scroll of chaotic times, "Everyone, is already struggling to survive."

Zhou Ping'an suddenly slapped his thigh.

That's right.

In the final years of the Great Yu Dynasty, wars raged everywhere, with foreign barbarian troops invading and slaughtering at will.

Domestically, disasters both natural and man-made caused people to eat their own children, with masses dying of starvation on the roads of migration.

Yet those powerful clans were feasting daily, indulging in luxury, completely blind to the misery at the bottom.

In such circumstances, if you could eat and ensure you wouldn't die of hunger, would you still say it's hard?

That must be not knowing blessing in the midst of fortune, right?

"Moreover, Shang He's method can actually be modified, there's no need to adopt it entirely.

I think Brother Zhou's large-scale development of animal husbandry and textile industries, and moreover, investing significant effort in developing water conservancy and organizing manpower for hunting in the mountains and fishing in the rivers, are very good practices. They can make life a little better for the people, and then it won't be so hard."

Lin Huaiyu said softly.

Her eyes were glittering with admiration.

She indeed thought that controlling people's hearts was somewhat trivial.

So-called great principles.

Were already being practiced.

However, as Shang He said, human nature is selfish; some people who gain advantages won't be grateful... using some tactics is hence justifiable.

Today's calculations are for the sake of peace in the future.

Enforcing dominance to gain momentum, and then governing the world with virtues, aren't beyond amendment.

"Very good, Third Miss truly understands my intentions. Alright, let's start using it as a provisional measure."

He turned around and then said, "Miss Qing, make a thorough investigation. Shang Zi and this person's background and life, this matter is not trivial, it cannot be neglected."

"Rest assured, I will certainly uncover everything."

The Green Lady actually also felt

that some of the strategies Shang He had mentioned before were overly detailed and sophisticated, as if they had already stood the test of time, sending chills down one's spine upon hearing them.

She faintly saw a colossal entity slowly rising.

Such wisdom, such tactics.

Could not possibly come from an unknown scholar.

The Green Lady was not unlearned; she had read a wide range of books and could compose poetry. Otherwise, she would not be able to run Xiangyuan in Qingyang City, reciting poetry with scholars and discussing the past and present.

Even Li Yuankang, a well-known talent, was a regular admirer, hoping one day to become a guest behind the scenes.

This was not just a pursuit of beauty, but a yearning for a soulmate.

Therefore, it's evident that Green Lady's knowledge was not only profound but also extensive, making her a highbrow of this world.

But even she had never heard, through the ages, of such a comprehensive system covering everything from government offices to ranks, from managing officials to controlling people, and yet slightly different from this world's systems.

There must be some secrets therein.

After taking on the task, she quietly arranged for people to gather information, but this was not mentioned.

...

Shang He returned to his own courtyard, still very excited.

The only regret was,

that he hadn't seen General Zhou agree immediately,

nor had he noticed an expression of treasuring the find from the other party.

It was somewhat disappointing.

If it was because the other party didn't see the ingenuity within, then so be it.

But the fact that he had seen it and yet remained cautious was quite terrifying...

"Teacher, I couldn't hold back today, and I finally presented that strategy.

Shang He knelt on the ground, his mood uneasy, as he reported with his head lowered, not daring to glance too much at the elderly and frail scholar on the bed above.

"Zi He, if you've made your decision, why are you uneasy? When we first met, you were fearless, wanting only to stand out. Now you are afraid?"

The old man's voice was faltering, occasionally interrupted by light coughs.

It seemed his health was not good.

"It's not that I'm afraid, I'm just curious. Such an extremely comprehensive strategy, involving governance, laws, and the well-being of the people, why hasn't it been adopted by emperors through the ages? How did it instead fall into our hands and be gifted to a general of a hundred miles? Could it be that there's a greater providence in this..."

"Ha, what is providence? Zi He, if you believe in providence, then you're finished, and it may not end well.

You don't need to concern yourself with where my teachings come from. Borrowing a phrase from the Buddha Sect, where there's fate, there is gain.

If you really want an answer, then let me ask you, why do stars fall from the sky? What is the cause and effect of Yin spirits in times of chaos?

Demonic Barbarians are rising now, their military might swallows the sun and the moon, and the situation looks grim – who can contend with that?"

The old man seemed to be questioning his disciple, and even more so, questioning his own heart.

"This world is not quite right. During the era of Great Xia it was tribal strife, and by the Great Zhou era it had become a time of warring states;

A thousand years later, in the current Great Yu Dynasty, it has turned into governance by powerful families, Province and Prefecture administration.

I've pondered over and over and feel that something seems missing, it doesn't make sense..."

As these words were spoken, they gradually grew softer.

Apparently exhausted, the old man fell asleep again.

Shang He immediately slowed his breathing and quietly stepped outside the room, not wanting to disturb his teacher.

Then, he realized a large dark shadow had enveloped him.

He turned his head and nearly jumped in shock.

"Tie Niu, what are you lurking here for?"

Xiang Tieniu was dressed in a short robe, his muscles as robust as an ox, standing two meters thirty-four in height. Alone, he was thicker than three Shang Hes put together.

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