Chapter 750: Yuan Shu’s Memory

As Fa Zheng arrived in Shouchun, Zhuge Jin was resting on the table, and Zhou Yu, after completing the governance plan for Yuzhou, finally had time to accompany him. Meanwhile, the Yuan family elders were busy fantasizing about capturing Xuzhou and establishing the foundation of the Yuan family's dominance. Of course, this celebration wouldn't be complete without banquets and dances performed by maidservants in the hall. In short, the Yuan family was in high spirits, feeling that victory was within their grasp and already celebrating with a feast.

Yuan Shu, still immersed in the pain of losing his son, had no interest in the Yuan family's affairs. His heart had grown cold. What had once been an incredibly important ambition to dominate the land now seemed far less significant to him.

"Here, take this." A haggard-looking Yuan Shu handed another piece of rice cake to a beggar.

The beggar extended his filthy hand to accept the rice cake. After bowing his head in thanks, he began devouring it in large bites.

Standing by, Yuan Shu no longer resembled the once-wealthy and proud man he had been. The death of his only son had reduced him to a frail and despondent figure. His once jet-black hair had lost its luster, and he now looked more like an old man. With his ambition for conquest shattered, Yuan Shu no longer had any thoughts of contending for the world.

"Sigh," Yuan Shu shook his head, leaving the beggar behind with Ji Ling and Yan Xiang. "In fact, it's not so bad to leave everything in the hands of others. At least back then, I couldn't roam freely like I do now, and I never saw the scenes hidden beneath Shouchun's prosperity."

"My lord..." Yan Xiang started to explain.

Yuan Shu waved his hand, interrupting him. "I wasn't blaming you. I just suddenly felt sentimental after seeing this. Our noble families trace their lineage back to the Yellow Emperor, Xuanyuan. As the Emperor’s agents, we govern the land, and it was from this role that the great clans were born."

Yan Xiang looked at Yuan Shu in confusion, not understanding why he was suddenly saying this. He could only wait for Yuan Shu to continue. As for Ji Ling, Yuan Shu’s most loyal subordinate, he didn’t care whether Yuan Shu was right or wrong. Yuan Shu's choice was his unquestionable path.

"Our noble families are all descendants of Xuanyuan, born to govern the four corners of the world and educate the masses. Though our families have experienced ups and downs, ever since we were entrusted with guarding the land, we have been the foundation of Huaxia civilization, standing firm for a thousand years! That is the source of our family’s eternal strength!" At that moment, Yuan Shu’s body exuded the pride accumulated over a millennium of noble heritage.

"To govern the land and educate the masses, we were born to enjoy the offerings of the people in a lofty position. How could we resort to such despicable means to exploit our own citizens? These lowlifes are a disgrace!" Yuan Shu roared in anger.

Yuan Shu had always lived in his own world. He was loyal, with his own set of principles, and upheld his own sense of morality. To him, it was only natural for noble families to be high above, enjoying the offerings of the people.

In Yuan Shu’s mind, for thousands of years, it had been the noble families who had paved the way for Huaxia civilization with their blood on the thorns. The nobles of old, and now the great clans, had always played the role of pioneers. In Yuan Shu’s understanding, it would remain this way for future generations of their families.

This is why Yuan Shu viewed the common people as ants. To him, the taxes paid by the people were nothing compared to the responsibilities the noble families had shouldered for thousands of years. They had given more, so they deserved more.

To Yuan Shu, the current living conditions of the people under his rule were a testament to his success. Therefore, he naturally believed that he should enjoy the people's offerings. Yuan Shu had never interacted with the lower class.

Had he not relinquished his power, he might never have witnessed the lives of the people under his rule until his downfall was imminent.

"These scum! With the honor of our noble family, why would we need to exploit the people to prove our worth!" Yuan Shu's eyes were cold. What he had read in books conflicted with what he now saw. Having always adhered to the philosophy of laissez-faire governance, Yuan Shu was filled with nothing but anger upon witnessing such scenes!

"Have I been wrong? Never engaging with the people, always remaining aloof, and following the most correct form of governance, allowing the people under my rule to thrive on their own—was I wrong?" Yuan Shu muttered to himself.

Yuan Shu’s eyes were lost as he gazed forward. In the midst of his anger, he couldn't help but reflect on his own mistakes. His noble family's arrogance made him disdain to shift the blame, and he felt no need to understand the thoughts of the common people, whom he viewed as ants. He was the protector of the established system, yet now, reality was telling him that the system he upheld had become twisted.

"Was I wrong?" Yuan Shu stood still, questioning himself, his eyes full of confusion.

Reflecting on all the policies Yuan Shu had implemented, he realized he had never issued any edicts that burdened the common people, never raised taxes, and never increased labor duties. He had always followed the laws of the Han Dynasty. So why were there so many refugees under his rule? The very existence of such people implied that he had failed to properly govern the region.

"I wasn’t wrong." After a long pause, Yuan Shu’s eyes gradually grew resolute. "I followed the laws set by the Han Dynasty without changing a single thing. I only preserved what was already in place. The ones at fault are those who have abandoned the responsibilities of the noble families—they are the ones who broke the rules!"

"Come, let's go and ask the elders of my family what they are doing. Have they forgotten the responsibilities that have kept our family thriving for a thousand years? When did our noble families fall to the point of competing with the people for profit?" Yuan Shu swept his gaze over Yan Xiang and Ji Ling as he spoke.

Yuan Shu’s thought process was simple: as a noble family entrusted by the emperor to govern the land, even if one were to rebel, the most fundamental responsibility must not change. The noble families must always remain noble, forever standing high above the common people. This position wasn’t because of their bloodline or family name, but because of the responsibilities they shouldered.

In ancient times, the emperor and the feudal lords were our ancestors, who blazed trails and expanded territories, establishing the legitimacy of the Central Plains. In distant ages, during the Hundred Schools of Thought, it was our ancestors who penned the chapters of Huaxia civilization. We take pride in the blood that flows in our veins, but we do not use bloodlines to determine our worth.

This was the noble family in Yuan Shu’s memory, from the books he had read throughout his life. The feudal lords, nobles, ministers, and then the noble families—each generation had worked hard, driven by their own standards.

We view the common people as ants, yet even ants have lives. It’s just that they cannot bear this responsibility. We bear this burden and educate the ants, hoping that one day they can take on the same responsibilities as us. Our noble families have passed down Huaxia civilization for generations, and it is this civilization that we continue to protect.

This was Yuan Shu’s naïve ideal. The books he had read had always emphasized what his ancestors had done and how important they had been to the people of the world.

Yuan Shu had come to a clear understanding: noble families must always lead the world. The responsibility we bear is such that our ancestors blazed trails, our predecessors expanded territories, and our generation must govern the land and educate the masses!

We must be the ones to lead the people of the world, for this is the foundation of everything we enjoy. And now, the noble families have fallen into decline.

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