Ma Changqing spoke about this matter softly, his voice low and depressed, and he stopped to pant from time to time out of grief and anger. His fists were clenched, suppressing the grief in his heart to prevent himself from losing his composure.
Lin Jue and his wife were all shocked and sad when they heard what he said about the past. In fact, Lin Jue had heard of these things Ma Changqing said. Over the years, although the relationship between the Zhou Dynasty and the Liao Kingdom has remained
In a relatively stable state, frictions in border towns are always constant. It is not uncommon for Liao people to raid border towns, seize property, and kill people in Zhou Dynasty. Afterwards, Zhou Dynasty will demand an explanation from the other party and punish the murderer.
, but it was often left unanswered, and it could not prevent such things from happening. In the eyes of the imperial court, this kind of thing was just a small conflict that killed some people, and it was impossible to turn against the Liao Kingdom because of it. But the specifics of such a thing
For every victimized family, it is a huge change, enough to cause drastic changes. What Ma Changqing said is the epitome of this situation. A robbery in the border town is enough to destroy this family whose life is stable and peaceful.
.Enough to smash all good things to pieces.
"I'm sorry, I didn't expect such a change in Brother Ma's family, which brings back sad memories for you." Lin Jue said softly.
Ma Changqing smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Is this still necessary? These things are in my mind day and night, and I will never forget them for the rest of my life."
"But...Brother Ma joined the army just to avenge your parents, right? But in fact, becoming an official can also avenge your parents. A stronger Zhou Dynasty is the ultimate guarantee for avoiding these tragedies."
Lin Jue said.
Ma Changqing said: "To be honest with Mr. Lin, this is what I thought before. After my mother passed away, I studied hard and hoped to become an official. I was thinking at that time that only Dazhou was powerful, and my parents
Only by taking revenge can we avoid similar tragedies. However, I became disappointed soon after. I found that things were not as I imagined. As far as I know, everyone in my family seems to be busy making profits for themselves.
Making money, few people seem to really care about whether I, the Great Zhou Dynasty, can become stronger. The ordinary families around me are becoming increasingly impoverished, and the harassment from Liao people in border towns is becoming more and more frequent. Many people have to leave their hometowns and live in exile. As for the imperial court,
But there were no further measures or means at all. The officials who controlled the government were busy with their own affairs, drinking and enjoying themselves, and who cared about the suffering of the people. The more upright officials were squeezed out. One of my senior brothers became angry.
And he resigned and returned to his hometown to live in seclusion. He told me that the officialdom was dark and hopeless. Anyone who wanted to do something would have a bad end. The more I heard and saw these things, the more I gradually understood. I want to give
I'm afraid it's useless to take the imperial examination to get revenge for my parents. What if I pass the imperial examination? So, after I passed the examination, I thought about it behind closed doors for three months, and finally decided to give up the Spring Examination and go to Baozhou to take the Anhui examination.
Su Jun goes. This is the most direct way of revenge in my opinion. I can directly face the Liao dogs, and I can kill these Liao dogs with my own hands. This is the real revenge. This is the real suffering for the people of these border towns.
Try your best, instead of becoming an official and hanging out with those people who are corrupt, bend the law and have no regard for the life and death of the people, and waste your life."
Lin Jue nodded slowly and said: "I see, Brother Ma is really a decisive person, and I am afraid that he will suffer a lot after taking this step. Brother Ma, a scholar, joined the army and faced a cruel battle. He has more courage than ordinary people.
.”
Ma Changqing smiled and said: "Yes, I haven't suffered much since I was a child. After my parents passed away, I actually had no worries about food and clothing, because my parents had little savings for me to live on. I did suffer a lot after joining the army.
I specifically chose to go to the Ansu Army in Baozhou because I knew that the commander of the Ansu Army, Mr. Han Gang, was a general who truly fought against the Liao people. The Ansu Army was also the best soldier in the border town. Others
The soldiers and horses in the border towns have loose military discipline, and some even abuse their own people. I just want to find a soldier who can really dare to fight the Liao people. The Ansu Army is my best choice. Facts have proved that my choice is right
, I have been in the Ansu Army for four years and have fought with Liao dogs dozens of times. Nineteen Liao dogs have died under my hands. Every time I kill a Liao dog, my heart becomes calmer and I feel that I am a father.
Mom took her revenge and did something for the people."
Lin Jue clapped slowly, nodded and praised: "What a passionate man. All the men in my Da Zhou are like you. How can Da Zhou be bullied? Brother Ma, please teach me to be respectful."
Lin Jue bowed his hand to Ma Changqing, and Ma Changqing hurriedly returned the salute: "I don't dare to accept it, I don't dare to accept it. I haven't done anything big, so how can I deserve such praise from Lord Lin? To be honest with Lord Lin, before today, I was actually very confused.
.The longer I am in the army, although my heart is still at peace, I can't help but think about some things. However, I can't find any answers."
Lin Jue smiled and said, "Why is Brother Ma confused?"
Ma Changqing said: "I join the army and kill the enemy. It can certainly make me feel at peace. I think I have done something for the people and the court. However... I find more and more that the things I can do are too small. My
Nothing you do can change the current situation of my country. In the past few years, there have been ups and downs in the imperial court, and the rebellion of religious bandits in the interior. Various policies, new laws, and regulations have made people panic and made people miserable. Even if they are protecting
Prefecture, with the strong protection of the Ansu Army, the Liao people did not dare to disturb the people in Baozhou. However, the people were still separated from their wives and children.
, I am still poor and homeless. This makes me feel that everything I have done can only bring peace of mind to myself, but it has no benefit at all to the overall situation of the court and the people. I have to think about whether my original choice was correct.
Because I understand that for real change, real change from top to bottom is needed. And is my behavior of giving up the imperial examination and becoming an official just for my own selfishness and ignoring the overall interests? What if I can become an official?
, at least I can do more, much more than I can do here as a cavalryman. Therefore, I have been confused and in pain recently because of this."
Lin Jue was surprised again. He heard what Ma Changqing was thinking. Ma Changqing gained a sublimated understanding through constant thinking and introspection about reality. This is an amazing leap of thought, which is unprecedented these days.
It is something that most people cannot do in their lifetime. Most people will only think about their own survival and interests, but will not think about the value and meaning of life, nor will they do anything for the sake of national justice or for the vast majority of people.
Think about things. Only a very small number of people will think about these things. They are a group of people whose wisdom is being enlightened. These people are a rare group of elites. Many people who are famous in history were also the first group of people to reflect on themselves and realize their enlightenment.
Ma Changqing discovered that although joining the army allowed him to do what he wanted to do in a more direct way, it did not fundamentally solve the problem. That's why he reflected, woke up, and felt confused and painful. This is exactly an awakening.
The symptoms shown by a person are that he has read books and fought life and death on the battlefield, so it is easier for him to reflect on everything around him and think about issues that ordinary people would never think about.
"Brother Ma, you can think of this, which really makes me admire you even more. Your pain and confusion are precisely because you have seen something clearly and figured out the truth of some things. The truth is cruel, and there are many things in this world.
Everything is shrouded in fog. Some people know all this clearly, but they will not tell most people, because only in this way can they stand aloof. Once ordinary people understand the hidden secrets, they will be confused and confused.
Painful. I don't know whether I should congratulate you or feel sorry for you. Sometimes it is much happier to live a life of confusion. The more you know, the more painful and confused you become." Lin Jue said softly.
Even Gao Muqing and Bai Bing beside him couldn't understand Lin Jue's words. His words were only meant for people like Ma Changqing who could understand the feelings. Gao Muqing and Bai Bing had not yet reached that state.
Ma Changqing nodded and said: "What Mr. Lin said is true. I listened to what you and Mr. Han said today, and I felt very much in my heart. Therefore, I volunteered to stay and take care of the injured brothers. In fact, I wanted to have someone who could be with Lin.
The opportunity for adults to talk alone. This is why I took the liberty to come and disturb you."
Lin Jue smiled and said, "Oh? What do Brother Ma think of my words?"
Ma Changqing said: "To be honest with Mr. Lin, I have a very good impression of Mr. Lin. Although Mr. Lin does not know me, since Prime Minister Fang Zhong and Deputy Prime Minister Yan started to implement reforms, a positive trend emerged in the court.
When the previous signs of depression were gone, I was very happy. Master Lin's battles to destroy the Qingjiao bandits were fought cleanly. Even General Han said in the army, Lin
Your Excellency has the style of a famous general in those battles. Even if he goes there, he may not be able to do so easily. What's more, Lord Lin is still the number one scholar in our Great Zhou Dynasty. This gives people reason to believe that there will be good ministers born in our Great Zhou Dynasty.
There may be a new atmosphere in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Although the reform was met with setbacks, Mr. Lin rose to the position of Prime Minister. Until then, he was still full of hope for the imperial court. Until the news of the changes in the capital came last year,
When I heard the news that Mr. Lin had betrayed the capital, I couldn't believe my ears. I also secretly scolded Mr. Lin as a rebellious minister and a traitor, and I also lamented that people with great intelligence may not always be upright in mind. I sighed with emotion.
No one is perfect in this world. If Mr. Lin chooses the path of betraying the imperial court, his reputation will be ruined and he will be reviled by all generations."
Lin Jue laughed and said: "Yes, I have been ruined and reviled by the world. Didn't I know that people would think of me like this. It is reasonable for you to scold me. You are not the only one in the world who scolds me. I am afraid there are thousands of others.
People are calling me a traitor and a traitor. This is all expected."
Ma Changqing said sternly: "Mr. Lin, even now, I still think that Mr. Lin's actions are thoughtless. Does the matter have to be resolved through such drastic actions? Although I don't know the inside story, I can still figure out that the imperial court
The struggle over the establishment of the crown prince and the reform was very fierce. But did the matter really have to be resolved in this way? Did Master Lin know that doing so would eventually cause division and turmoil in the Zhou Dynasty? If Master Lin had not wanted
If you want to destroy the Great Zhou Dynasty, why take such an extreme path?"
Lin Jue laughed and said in a deep voice: "Brother Ma is here to question me. Interesting, interesting."
Ma Changqing said in a deep voice: "I'm not here to blame you, I just don't understand. I'm very confused now. After listening to what Master Lin said before, Ma felt that Master Lin was not the kind of traitor with obvious ambitions.
It seems that he is still worried about the country and the people of the Great Zhou Dynasty. However, Master Lin's actions have caused chaos in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Isn't this contradictory?
?I don’t know how to believe Master Lin’s words, so I feel extremely confused.”
Lin Jue put away his smile, looked at Ma Changqing's frowning face under the pale moonlight, full of confusion and tangle, and said softly: "Brother Ma, since you sincerely ask for explanation, I will answer sincerely."
You. Although we have met by chance and have no friendship, so far, you are the first person to say in front of me that my words and deeds are inconsistent. I believe that many people actually have such doubts, including the brothers around me.
They didn't ask, naturally out of trust in me, but it doesn't mean they don't have questions in their minds. I'm going to make an exception today to answer your question, because I don't want you to be in pain and confusion."
Ma Changqing cupped his hands and said, "I am all ears."
Lin Jue thought for a moment and said softly: "Brother Ma, I don't need to say more about my current situation in Dazhou. It's not an exaggeration to describe it as 'the river is declining'. I'm sick in Dazhou, and
His illness was not serious. His mentors, Mr. Fang and Master Yan Zhengsu, wanted to cure Da Zhou's illness through reform, but they failed. Da Zhou was too ill and was already dying. But the disease was not without medicine.
It can be cured, but there are medicines, but some people hide the disease and refuse to let people take the medicine. Because this treatment affects their interests. In their hearts, the survival of the Zhou Dynasty is not as important as self-interest, and it is not as important as the power in their hands.
Therefore, they refused to allow the Zhou Dynasty’s disease to be cured.”
Ma Changqing frowned and thought. Lin Jue's words obviously refer to the stubborn and huge forces in the court, the intricate factions that are rotten to the core, and the huge network that controls the government. There is no need to say clearly who those people are and who the leaders are.
It was already ready to come out.
But I heard Lin Jue continue: "When my mentor and others implemented the reform, I was half-opposing and half-supporting. I supported it because it was time for the Great Zhou Dynasty to change, and I opposed it because I didn't want to use those violent methods.
In this case, the reform will not succeed, they will take action, destroy the new law, and destroy the people who implement the new law. What I advocate is a subtle and subtle change that moisturizes things, which is the Sun Gong.
A gradual change. Therefore, on this matter, I had a huge disagreement with my mentor Mr. Fang. Later, the reform failed. My mentors, Mr. Fang and Master Yan, died, and the new law failed completely. Although this proved that I
My previous opinion, but I didn’t feel happy at all. Because it was precisely because of this incident that I saw the true face of some people and their faces.”
Although Ma Changqing is not clear about some details, he is still very clear about the process of the reform and the major turning points. In fact, those things that happened in the court will soon be reported in various state capitals. You must know that these things are not nothing.
It’s a difficult matter. However, the explanation given by the court will be different. For example, the explanation given by the court for the suicides of Yan Zhengshu and Fang Dunru was that the two adults were too radical in the implementation of the new law, which caused chaos in the lives of the Qingjiao people.
He felt guilty, so he committed suicide to apologize. This is the mainstream theory. Ma Changqing and the others knew only this.
"The failure of the new law is not actually a problem with the new law, nor is it too radical, nor is it a problem with the operational errors of my mentor and Mr. Yan. The fundamental reason is that the obstacles are too strong, and they use all possible means to
They used despicable means to discredit the new law and the people who implemented it. And they have the ability to influence government affairs and public opinion, and even influence the emperor's thoughts. I only really understood this after the failure of the new law and the suicide of my mentor and Master Yan. All of my previous
Their ideas are all wrong. My mentor and Master Yan are right. They just want to use strong medicine to cure the disease. If it succeeds, the medicine will cure the disease. If it fails, it will mean death and reputation. They actually want to
Most people want to understand this, but they dare not do it. But my mentor and Master Yan dare to do it. Because they are very human, they are national warriors. Real national warriors are fearless, they will only do things that are beneficial to the country.
affairs, without considering the gains and losses, honor, disgrace, or even life and death. The country's scholars are unparalleled, and the country's scholars are the backbone of the world. Not those wealthy and powerful people with well-known families. Those whose reputations are world-famous and respected by thousands of people may not be the same.
He can be called a national scholar. Brother Ma, do you understand what I mean?"
An indescribable feeling welled up in Ma Changqing's heart. He felt that his throat was clogged, his heart was beating fast, and he had goosebumps all over his body. Lin Jue's words seemed like a hand that lifted the fog, suddenly allowing him to see.
A higher world, a world of astonishing cognition. The ordinary evaluation system of people, what is noble and what is low, collapsed in an instant. A kind of benchmark for the supreme and selfless national scholar was erected there.
All worldly evaluation systems that are piled up with money, status, power and fame pale in front of this benchmark.
"I... don't quite understand... but I... seem to understand better." Ma Changqing said hoarsely.
Lin Jue said softly: "It doesn't matter if you don't understand. Just remember, if you don't understand some things, it doesn't mean what others did is wrong. It's just because you didn't understand. When you understand, you will
You know, it turns out that some things can only be done like this. There is no other way. I am extremely ill, Da Zhou. If I want to save Da Zhou, what should you do if you give me a prescription?"
Ma Changqing reached out and grabbed his hair, frowned and murmured: "Yeah, what should I do? What should I do?"
