Chapter 427: What Are You Doing if Not Aiding the Tyrant?
The martial artists on the city wall were bewildered. “Right now, both sides are at war, and you, a mighty Supreme Commander, why are you asking such unrelated questions?”
Nevertheless, they chose to answer. “I believe that those with great power can be called heroes!”
“I, on the other hand, believe that those who act with chivalry and bravery can be called heroes!”
“The true heroes are those who specialize in eliminating corrupt officials, and they can be called heroes!”
“No, no, none of that is correct,” Lin Beifan shook his head. “Not correct?” The crowd of martial artists was puzzled.
Lin Beifan smiled and said, “People with great power can, at most, be called brutes! If they use their talents to commit acts of violence and arson, can they still be called heroes?”
“What about those who act with chivalry and bravery?” someone asked.
Lin Beifan smiled and replied, “Those who act with chivalry and bravery can indeed be called heroes, but they can only be called minor heroes. They are far from being true heroes!”
“Because such heroes and champions can be found not only among martial artists but also among common people. Virtuous deeds are not exclusive to the martial world! Therefore, using this standard to label someone as a hero is far too broad! It’s inappropriate, very inappropriate!”
The martial artists nodded in agreement.
Someone asked, “What about the heroes who specialize in eliminating corrupt officials?”
“Heroes who specialize in eliminating corrupt officials can also be called heroes, but they can only be considered minor heroes,” Lin Beifan replied. The martial artists were not satisfied.
“How can such great heroes be considered minor heroes?”
“They’ve all opposed the court, risking their lives. How can such people be considered minor heroes?”
“Are you deliberately belittling these heroes?”
Lin Beifan shook his head and said with a smile, “I’m not belittling them; I’m simply stating the facts! You may have killed corrupt officials, but have you considered who will govern the city after you’ve killed them?”
“Well…” The martial artists were at a loss for words.
Lin Beifan continued, “A city with no one to govern it, what will become of that city? Do you know?”
“I…,” the martial artists were once again speechless.
“At that time, there will undoubtedly be bandits everywhere, thieves running rampant, and a lot of rape and looting. The city will be in chaos…”
The martial artists fell into silence one by one because they knew Lin Beifan was right. “So, you take pleasure in killing, but you leave behind such a mess, making the people suffer even more! So, such people, no matter where they start, cannot be called heroes!”
Everyone fell silent once again.
Someone asked, “Then tell us, what kind of person can be called a hero?”
“Everyone has their own answer! For example, some believe that those with extraordinary martial skills can be called heroes! Those who act with chivalry and bravery can be called heroes! Those who eliminate corrupt officials can be called heroes! However, in my eyes…”
Lin Beifan raised his head high and proclaimed, “Those who serve the country and its people, they are the true heroes!”
“Those who serve the country and its people, the true heroes!”
This sentence seemed to carry a magical power. When the martial artists heard it, they felt as though they had been struck by lightning.
Their pores stood on end, and they shivered all over. Lin Beifan loudly declared, “Only those who wholeheartedly serve the country and its people can be called true heroes! Only those who dedicate themselves to the nation and its people can be called heroes! Only those who serve the country and its people with unwavering devotion can be called heroes! Those who serve the country and its people are the greatest heroes! Others are simply not worthy!”
The martial artists on the city wall applauded one by one. “That’s right, Lin Commander, what you said is correct. Only those who serve the country and its people can be called heroes!”
“Those who act with chivalry and bravery and those who eliminate corrupt officials can at most be considered minor heroes! They are far from true heroes!”
“Lin Commander, your summary is correct, I have no objections! Haha!”
“Now that everyone agrees with my words, those who serve the country and its people are the greatest heroes! But why are you now doing things that go against chivalry? Why are you obstructing our alliance army?” Lin Beifan shouted.
“What do you mean by going against chivalry? We are currently protecting the country and upholding justice!”
“You yourselves have said that only those who serve the country and its people can be called heroes. Aren’t we doing what heroes should do now?”
“Defending against external enemies is the only way to safeguard the nation and its people!”
The group of martial artists retorted.
Lin Beifan shouted again, “Is this protecting the country and its people? You are clearly aiding the tyrant! Let me ask you, what comes first, the country or the people, and which comes first, the people or you?”
“Well…” they were momentarily unable to answer.
“Then I’ll phrase it differently!” Lin Beifan shouted again. “Is there a country first, and then you, followed by the people, or is there the people first, followed by you, with no country?”
“It’s the country that comes first, right?” someone weakly said.
Lin Beifan asked loudly, “Since the country comes first, where do its citizens come from?”
“That…,” they couldn’t come up with an answer. Others were also unable to answer.
“So, it’s the people first, and from the people, a nation is formed, and from the nation, a country arises! As long as everyone genuinely acknowledges this nation, recognizes the community they belong to, it can form a sense of homeland! Otherwise, without the support of the people, this nation cannot be called a home, and this country cannot be called a country!”
Everyone nodded involuntarily. “You’re right!”
“But now, does Great Xia still resemble a nation? Look at the chaos within the borders of Great Xia, rampant disorder, people suffering, and lives in turmoil! If the people acknowledged this nation, supported this nation, where would the need for uprisings be?”
“Well…”
“So, which are you protecting, the home or the nation? Even the people can’t survive, can this still be called a home, can this still be called a nation?” The martial artists were once again left speechless.
“Let me ask you again, what is more important, the nation or the people?” Lin Beifan asked.
“Of course, the people are more important!” someone promptly replied.
“If you understand that, why persist in this path?” Lin Beifan continued loudly, “The longer you resist, the more suffering your people will endure! The longer you resist, the greater the hardship your people will face! Is this truly what you want?”
“Are you content to watch your own people suffer and die while you stand by and do nothing?”
“If what you’re doing isn’t aiding the tyrant, what else is it?”
