Chapter 22: A Discourse on Civil and Martial Virtues

Qin Hao was sharp; he immediately detected the underlying sentiment in the question. Moreover, it was such a provocative opening. He cast a glance at the Eldest Princess.

She gave a subtle nod of approval.

With that, Qin Hao knew how to proceed. If a superior remains silent, it is an invitation to speak.

"Duke of Yi, if I may be so bold, do you believe that civil officials are more important, or are military generals?" Qin Hao asked.

"Obviously, military generals are more important. Without them to defend the home and country, where would those civil officials and aristocratic clans find the peace to enjoy their comfortable lives?" The Duke of Yi was nothing if not direct.

Qin Hao nodded, acknowledging the point. He then turned to Li Qingyao: "Your Highness, which do you believe is more important?"

Li Qingyao was puzzled by Qin Hao’s intent, but curious to hear his reasoning, she played along: "Civil governance and military might—both are indispensable."

Qin Hao nodded again, then spoke: "I cannot agree with either of you."

"In my view, neither civil officials nor military generals are as important as the common people."

"Without the people, it matters not whether one has officials or generals."

"What you both just said serves only to vie for the interests and power of your respective sides. Neither of you has truly considered the question from the perspective of the people to see who is more vital to them."

"Or perhaps, by asking me today, you were hoping I would side with the military. But that is merely power struggle, not the pure pursuit of the people's welfare."

Qin Hao fell silent. His voice had not been loud, yet it struck like a thunderclap, jolting both the Duke of Yi and Li Qingyao.

Until that moment, both had been biased toward the military. Even Li Qingyao, despite her words about civil and military balance, secretly favored the status of the generals and pondered ways to suppress the civil officials.

The Duke of Yi took a deep breath, his gaze toward Qin Hao changing significantly.

"I have been taught a lesson. At first, I wanted better treatment for the generals, truly intending for the people of Dajing to be safer and better protected against the incursions of the Huihui from the north."

"It seems I, too, have been influenced by those sour, pedantic scholars who delight in power struggles."

Li Qingyao, catching the nuance in Qin Hao's words, asked: "If we consider this from the perspective of the people, who do you think is more important?"

The Duke of Yi listened intently, awaiting the answer.

"Military generals," Qin Hao replied without hesitation.

A flicker of joy crossed the Duke's eyes, yet he pressed on: "What makes you think so? Or are you simply telling me what I want to hear?"

Qin Hao smiled faintly: "I wonder if you have heard this saying, Duke?"

"What saying?"

"Dignity lies only within the reach of the sword's edge, and truth exists only within the range of the bow and arrow."

"Only through formidable military might can the people develop a sense of national pride."

"Well said!"

The Duke of Yi slammed his hand against the table, his voice booming. What a magnificent sentiment—dignity at the sword's edge, truth within the reach of the bow. These words struck the very core of his heart.

They reminded him of the days when he followed the first Emperor of Dajing to conquer the realm and establish the dynasty. Back then, there were the Huihui in the north, the Hejiang and Nanzhao in the south, and the Sunset Lang in the west. At the dawn of the Dajing Dynasty, they were surrounded by powerful enemies. It was their blood and valor that repelled the foes and ensured the nation's dignity.

Li Qingyao’s eyes brightened. "So, Qin Hao, you believe the military is more important?"

Qin Hao nodded again: "Yes, Your Highness. Furthermore, I have a poor opinion of civil officials—or rather, I have a poor opinion of the literati."

"Why? Are you not a scholar yourself?" Li Qingyao asked, surprised.

Qin Hao laughed: "Does Your Highness remember what I said before? I said I am not a scholar; I merely understand a few tricks of the written word. That was not false modesty; it was my sincere belief."

Li Qingyao frowned slightly: "You despise scholars?"

Qin Hao smiled gently: "Has Your Highness heard this saying?"

"What saying?"

Qin Hao’s expression turned somber and earnest: "Since ancient times, scholars have often ruined the nation; of all useless things, none compare to the bookworm."

"Of all evils, the wicked are first, but the Confucian scholars are the worst."

"Material things satisfy hunger, but men are driven by desire."

"Among them, private greed, hollow fame, avarice for merit, and longing for power—those who neither labor with their hands nor carry burdens on their shoulders—the Confucians embody this entirely."

"Those who fawn over the powerful, flatter the influential, form cliques for private gain, manipulate the law and the rites, and corrupt the state—these parasites, these turncoats who serve whoever provides for them—that is what I call a scholar."

"They think that because they have read a few tattered books and learned a few principles, they possess the wisdom to enlighten the masses and the ability to steer the course of the nation. In reality, they understand nothing."

Qin Hao’s words were pearls of truth. Li Qingyao took a deep breath. In just a few sentences, Qin Hao had laid bare the inherent flaws of the literati.

Qin Hao added, "Of course, I am speaking of the majority."

"Take, for example, the 'Qingqiu Scholar,' one of the three talents of the capital. If he were to hold office, ha! The common people would suffer immensely."

"There are, of course, a few scholars with great wisdom and true character who can serve as pillars of the nation."

"Well cursed! Scholars are indeed a bunch of hypocrites," the Duke of Yi laughed, then asked, "So, Shen Hao, are you siding with the military?"

Qin Hao answered without hesitation: "No."

The Duke looked puzzled. You just lambasted the scholars so thoroughly; surely you aren't siding with them?

Qin Hao spoke, his voice resonant and firm: "I only side with the people."

"To defend the borders and protect the people, I shall devise strategies for the generals."

"To build bridges, pave roads, and provide disaster relief for the people, I shall devise strategies for the officials."

"I only side with the people."

Qin Hao repeated himself, his gaze so piercing that even the old general, the Duke of Yi, had to look away. In his previous life, Qin Hao was exactly like this. He had declined a direct admission to the nation's top universities to instead enroll in Harbin Institute of Technology, and after graduation, he hid his identity for years, quietly building his country. He had witnessed so many unsung heroes, and their influence was so deep it stayed with him across both lifetimes.

Li Qingyao sat in silence for a long time, deeply shaken. Whether it was the claim that dignity lies at the sword's edge or his critique of the scholars, she had seen a completely new side of Qin Hao. For the first time, the proud princess felt that she was inferior to him.

Li Qingyao and the Duke of Yi exchanged a glance. Their thoughts were surprisingly aligned: They must not let Qin Hao be buried, nor allow him to be tainted by the self-serving cliques of the civil officials. Such a great talent, devoted solely to the people, must be protected at all costs.

***

At the same time, in the Imperial Palace, the Fengyi Hall.

The guard eunuch announced loudly: "Lady Yang Suxin, wife of the Count of Kaiyang, concerned for Her Majesty the Empress's health and hearing of her loss of appetite, has come to present herbal tonic."

Empress Xiaoyuan replied: "Let her enter." Her eyes held a flicker of suspicion. Qin Hao, the son of the Count of Kaiyang, had just humiliated the royal family. His wife should not be here, nor would it be appropriate for her to come at such a time. Even if she intended to mend relations, this was not the moment. She wanted to see what the daughter of Duke Yang was planning.

Yang Suxin was brought in and knelt immediately: "Your servant pays respects to Her Majesty. May you live for ten thousand years."

Empress Xiaoyuan said coldly: "Rise. Bring a seat."

Yang Suxin rose: "Thank you, Your Majesty." She presented the tonic and offered her concerns. When she finished and saw that the Empress remained silent, she continued: "Your Majesty, I have come today for two reasons. First, out of concern for your health, and second... to offer an apology."

The Empress’s suspicion deepened. "What have you to apologize for?"

Yang Suxin sighed: "Your Majesty, it is about Hao'er." She spoke with a hint of reluctance. "The dissolution of the engagement indeed damaged the royal dignity, and we accepted the cancellation. But I did not expect that Hao'er, having recently recovered his senses, would quarrel with his father and leave home to set up his own household."

"That is one thing, but I never imagined he would trouble the Eldest Princess and gain her protection. Even my own son, Dewu, was beaten by Hao'er and is still bedridden. Furthermore, Hao'er possesses the Princess’s personal jade pendant, so I am powerless against him."

"Of course, as family, I can forgive his rudeness. But I fear that under the Princess's protection, he will grow lawless and cause a greater disaster. If that happens, not only will the Qin family be implicated, but the royal dignity will be further damaged."

By the end, Yang Suxin looked sorrowful, like a mother lamenting a wayward son.

Empress Xiaoyuan’s expression grew dark. Her daughter had never mentioned helping Qin Hao. She glared at Yang Suxin and asked coldly: "Are you certain of what you say?"