Chapter 347: The World Shares One Stone of Beauty, Yet I Alone Possess Eight Measures!
Though it was just a casual conversation with Lin Beifan, the impact on Zhao Kuo was immense! Soldiers are a nation’s pivotal affair, the ground of life and death, the way of survival and demise—these cannot be neglected.
Regarding warfare, the superior engages with strategy before attacking; then they engage in diplomacy before attacking alliances, followed by attacking armies, and finally besieging cities. To defeat the enemy without fighting is the height of military strategy; to subdue the enemy’s king without fighting is the epitome of skill; and to conquer a country without a battle is the ultimate strategy.
A skilled warrior achieves success without being conspicuous. These concepts of military strategy completely overturned his previous understanding, causing a profound shock and excitement.
The sensation was akin to a martial artist obtaining an unparalleled divine technique they had long yearned for—a mix of ecstatic surprise and overwhelming delight. Zhao Kuo’s gaze at Lin Beifan was full of admiration.
Truly, he was a master of military strategy, a divine general of war tactics. No wonder he had led four campaigns, all resulting in comprehensive victories. His military doctrine had transcended that of contemporary times.
The military strategies and tactics he had learned over the years were incomparable to Lin Beifan’s. It was as different as night and day.
No, he must go back and digest everything thoroughly before seeking further guidance.
So, after sorting everything out, he would return for more advice. With a respectful bow, he said, “I am deeply grateful for the guidance, Lord Prome Minister. I’ve gained valuable insights. But today, I’ve already troubled you much, so I shall take my leave. When Lord Prome Minister has the time in the future, I would be honored to continue learning. I implore you, please do not hesitate to instruct me.”
Lin Beifan nodded approvingly, smiling gently. “Your willingness to learn signifies my intent to teach. As the Principal of the Imperial Academy, I favor those who are diligent learners and open to seeking advice.”
Zhao Kuo was overjoyed. “Thank you for your generosity, Lord Prome Minister. I shall take my leave now.”
With a wave of Lin Beifan’s hand, Zhao Kuo bowed and left the study.
Lin Beifan continued his artwork, and after a while, a white figure appeared across the table.
Lin Beifan remained composed. “Bai Guanyin, you’ve come.”
Bai Guanyin looked surprised. “You actually taught Zhao Kuo military strategy?”
Lin Beifan calmly replied, “He wanted to learn, so I taught him. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“But he suffered defeat in Northern Hebei, causing the court to lose 400,000 troops. Although he saved his life, he was demoted and has no hope for advancement. Why would you still teach him?” Bai Guanyin asked, puzzled.
“People make mistakes. If they can change for the better and be given another chance, why not?” Lin Beifan smiled. “Look, the court is filled with corrupt officials and treacherous ministers. Their sins are no smaller than Zhao Kuo’s. Should we just execute them all? If we do that, who will govern the court? Who will manage the country, don’t you think?”
Bai Guanyin pondered for a moment before nodding. “Taking a life is simple, but saving one is difficult. Saving a nation is even harder. It requires numerous talents to work relentlessly, building upon the past and striving for the future, to truly rescue the country and its people.”
“Zhao Kuo is a young man, inexperienced and prone to impulsiveness. Making mistakes is normal, but life still stretches ahead of him, brimming with endless possibilities! Giving him another chance might lead to him becoming a talented general or a pillar of the nation in the future.”
“You make a very valid point,” Bai Guanyin nodded and smiled. “But you’re a young person too. How come I haven’t seen you make any mistakes?”
Lin Beifan spread his hands with a wry smile. “You know my situation very well. If I make one mistake, my life will be ruined. So, I must tread carefully, avoiding any errors, or else others might use it against me.”
“In reality, now that you’ve become the Prime Minister, standing above thousands of others, you have the capability to achieve your ambitions, to save the country and its people, making life better for everyone,” Bai Guanyin remarked.
“I can only say that I’ll do my best. Serving in office, benefiting a region—doing that with a clear conscience is enough. As for the future and how far I can go, perhaps only fate knows. Bai Guanyin, I have three questions I want to ask you.”
“Go ahead,” Bai Guanyin replied.
Lin Beifan’s gaze flickered slightly. “Initially, you told me that you wanted to use the money I gained from corruption to accomplish a grand task. Once this task is achieved, it would undoubtedly overturn the entire dynasty and improve the lives of the common people. What exactly is this task you intend to undertake?”
Bai Guanyin smiled gently, calmly inquiring, “You finally remember this matter. I thought you’d never ask. What do you think I would use this money for?”
Lin Beifan’s gaze flickered. “To change the dynasty, to overthrow the Great Wu Dynasty.”
Bai Guanyin neither nodded nor shook her head. Due to the white mist enveloping her face, Lin Beifan couldn’t discern her features, leaving him unsure of her intentions.
Little did he know, hidden within the white mist, her exquisite face wore a slightly mischievous expression. “Indeed, I did have that intention. But now, I’ve noticed that under your influence, the state of Great Wu is gradually improving.”
“You’ve repeatedly dealt with the court officials, making them more honest and preventing any unruliness. The three major rebellious kings were captured, putting an end to the fractured fiefdoms within Great Wu, restoring unity. Furthermore, you’ve implemented various policies that benefit the people and invented numerous tools that benefit the nation and its citizens. The lives of the common people are improving day by day!”
“So, I’m not sure now if I should continue or not. Because if it were up to me, I definitely wouldn’t have done as well as you. You really put me in a difficult situation!”
Lin Beifan asked, “So, what’s your current thought?”
Bai Guanyin earnestly replied, “Although the three major rebel kings have been dealt with, corrupt officials still hold power within the Great Wu territory, and greed-driven officials run rampant. They are just subdued due to your presence. However, the situation in Great Wu hasn’t fundamentally changed, and sooner or later, it will revert back.”
Lin Beifan smiled wryly. “This takes time. We need to cultivate numerous upright and capable ministers, gradually replace these corrupt officials and foul bureaucrats, and then implement strict integrity systems to truly turn things around.”
“I understand perfectly. In Great Wu, you’ve given me hope, so I won’t take action. But in case you’re not around anymore, I might not be able to hold back. So, you better stay in Great Wu as much as possible. Either use your peaceful methods to bring about change or I’ll resort to my methods, the drastic ones, to save Great Wu.”
Lin Beifan sighed. “Everything I do is like carrying my head in my pants. I can’t even guarantee my own safety. I can only take it one day at a time, and in the end, I might have no choice but to escape.”
Bai Guanyin chuckled, “Even if you want to run, there are people who won’t let you.”
“By the way, why did you suddenly have this doubt?”
Lin Beifan sighed again. “Sigh, it’s all because of the Empress.”
Bai Guanyin was surprised. “Because of the Empress?”
“Yes, after all, this is her country. If you overthrow Great Wu, how would she cope? I can’t bear to see her lose her way or even lose her life because of it.”
Bai Guanyin suddenly understood. “So, you’re worried about the Empress?”
“Yes, after more than a year of being together, I’ve developed feelings. I don’t want anything to happen to her.”
“So, what do you think of the Empress as a person?”
Lin Beifan spoke fondly, “She’s incredibly captivating and beautiful, a peerless beauty. Many criticize her as an incompetent ruler, but I don’t think she’s that bad. She’s just a bit confused in her decisions and sometimes lets emotions cloud her judgment.”
“For example…?”
“She keeps pampering me relentlessly, giving me all the best food, drink, and entertainment. It’s sapping away my motivation, leaving me just to drift through life. Life without aspirations is no different from being a salted fish. She keeps promoting me, granting me titles and power, letting me rise continually. Until now, I’ve become the Prime Minister, and she even granted me titles like ‘Loyal and Valiant Duke.’ Isn’t she afraid that I’ll become too powerful and challenge her authority?”
Bai Guanyin continued to suppress her laughter.
“Moreover, she’s completely unguarded around me! These past few days, I’ve been engaged in intense battles with several grandmasters. It’s become enough of a threat to the imperial power! But she hasn’t asked too many questions, and she even recalled the Embroidered Uniform Guards, Six Doors, and other surveillance personnel!”
Lin Beifan sighed, “Fortunately, I have no intention of rebelling, or else she’d be in big trouble.”
“Isn’t all of this behavior characteristic of an incompetent ruler?” Bai Guanyin asked.
“If she treated every official this way, then yes, she might be an incompetent ruler. But she only treats me like this, so the situation is different,” Lin Beifan replied.
“What’s different?” Bai Guanyin inquired.
In a hushed voice, Lin Beifan confided, “Let me tell you a secret. I suspect that the Empress has been lusting after my looks, which is why she gives me all these good things. In other words, she’s infatuated and smitten.”
Bai Guanyin was shocked. “This… seems unlikely?”
“What’s unlikely?” Lin Beifan snapped, as if he had long seen through it. “Ever since I entered the court and became an official, the way she looks at me has changed. She makes me attend morning exercises every day just so she can see me. When other officials attack me, she defends me multiple times! Giving me so many good things… it’s all a sign of her affection!”
“Actually, thinking about it, it’s normal. After all, I’m a one-in-a-million kind of guy, a peerless handsome man in the court. Naturally, it’s irresistible for her! Sigh, being the Empress isn’t easy. She spends her days in the palace, surrounded by a bunch of old geezers with graying hair and missing teeth..!”
Bai Guanyin pressed her hand to her forehead. “Aren’t you a bit narcissistic?”
Lin Beifan confidently explained, “I’m not being narcissistic; I’m stating facts. The world’s beauty is like one stone, but I’m taking eight measures of it! Any woman who can resist my charms hasn’t been born yet. The Empress is a woman, and she’s no exception!”
Bai Guanyin couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “You’re indeed narcissistic, and quite excessively!”
After Bai Guanyin returned, she suppressed her amusement and reported this matter to the Empress.
The Empress was so irritated that she gritted her teeth. “Did Lin Beifan really say that?”
Bai Guanyin covered her mouth and laughed. “I might have toned it down a bit. After all, my skin isn’t as thick as his.”
The Empress was itching with anger. “He dares to think such thoughts about me? I’ll definitely deal with him properly!”
“Yes, you must deal with him properly!” Bai Guanyin chimed in with amusement.
TLN: And in the end, the Empress will also become one of his harem. In the NU review, some complained that the Empress seemed forgotten, even though she was the first heroine to appear. Hey, buddy, she’s the Empress, she can’t just fall for him like that. Her status doesn’t allow for it
