Lord Bao was tongue-tied.
There was a phrase called the limitations of an era.
Every era had its own cultural background and social ethos. Every era had a different concept. Overall, civilization was constantly improving, and the social ethos was constantly improving.
There was a problem here.
Generally speaking, if one used the morals of modern civilization to judge the actions of the ancients, then history books and ancient books should not be read. After reading them, one would be angered to death.
This was because the morals of the ancients were limited by the era.
They felt that their cousin was capable, that there was a hierarchy between people, that the Emperor was supreme, that earthquakes and meteors were warnings from the heavens. They had received such an education and grew up in such a cultural background. There were some things that simply could not be investigated.
Just like Lord Bao today.
He was an honest and capable official. He was honest and did not fear power. He loved the people. These were all true.
However, the officials of this era were called 'Parental Officials'. They were called 'Lord Officials'.
They were not the servants of the people. They did not serve the people.
Such officials, no matter how honest, how much they loved the people, no matter how capable they were, they were still limited by the era. In their eyes, the people were ignorant, the people were weak, the people needed to be protected, the people needed to be protected. It was like a parent protecting a son, like a farmer protecting a seedling, like a shepherd raising a cub. It was a form of protection from above.
Thus, Lord Bao could not refute Sun Lang's accusations.
This was because he vaguely felt that way.
The death of the Sword Saint and the changes in the Imperial Court were caused by the Sky Demon or by Sun Lang's selfish motives. In the end, these were the secrets of the Imperial Court. How could the commoners know about them?
It would only add to the troubles and chaos.
Commoners were commoners. They worked every day, earned some money, enjoyed the happiness of family, and lived a peaceful life. That was the best. What was the point of knowing about these things?
The Imperial Court's politics and the Imperial Court's strategy were not things that commoners could discuss with their shallow knowledge.
It would only add to the laughter. Moreover, what was the point of discussing it?
Even if they said a lot of things, they would not be able to change anything.
These were the thoughts of the Imperial Court's bureaucrats.
If anyone shouted slogans such as "commoners can also participate in politics", "the public needs the right to know", or "the operation of the imperial court must be open and transparent", they would definitely be treated as idiots by their colleagues and superiors.
Lord Bao was no exception. This was the limitation of this era.
Even if he loved the people like his own children and was an honest official, it was still the same.
As far as he was concerned, the news of Chi Lianyan's death must be kept under wraps. The Sword Sage's violent death was related to the scandal of the Great Desolate Mountain, and Sun Lang, who harbored ill intentions, was implicated in it. A moment of carelessness could lead to a great change that would shake the world and shock the whole court. Even if such a thing were to be dealt with behind closed doors, it would still be shameful. How could the world know about it?
But it was one thing to think so in his heart, and another to say it out loud.
Lord Bao was not that foolish.
That was why he had been bullied by Sun Lang with just a few words.
What else could he do?
After all, he couldn't just say the truth in front of the commoners: "You're right, the commoners are idiots, and they don't have the right to know about this matter."
Bao Xiren was momentarily speechless. Sun Lang, on the other hand, was relentless in his pursuit. "This Sun does things in an open and aboveboard manner. There is nothing that cannot be told to others. So what if I tell them?
Lord Bao wants to keep the news under wraps?
Very well, there are more than a few hundred commoners who witnessed what happened today. Chi Lianyan purposely used his internal energy to raise his voice so that everyone in the nearby market could hear it. Is Lord Bao trying to intimidate them? "
— Aiya, how infuriating.
Ever since his reunion with Sun Lang yesterday, Bao Xiren had been at a loss for words in front of the other party. Now, he was once again so angry that he couldn't speak. He flung his sleeves angrily. "This lowly official didn't say that!
This lowly official just feels that it's a little inappropriate for the general to be in such a hurry to spread the news before the matter is settled! "
Sun Lang said coldly, "Inappropriate?
Then please tell me, Lord Bao, what should I do? "
He took a step forward, his expression turning gloomy. "Chi Lianyan dared to flirt with the widow of the late Sword Saint. If it were you, what would you have done?
With my temper, I would have killed him directly, but I didn't. I sent the Pangji to deal with him. Who knew that this was a long-planned conspiracy? He took out the Sacred Fire Sword and used it for his own personal use. He tried to humiliate my subordinates. If it were you, what would you have done? "
"I wanted to kill him directly, but I didn't. I patiently reasoned with him, reprimanded him, and used his brother as an example to educate and motivate him. I wanted him to admit his mistake, but I didn't expect this brat to question our sacrifice. His brother was a hero who died in the Great Desolate Mountain, and he dared to question his brother's deeds and sacrifice. Who gave him the courage!?"
"He was used and instigated by others. Even so, I didn't do anything. I planned to go through legal procedures. I wanted His Majesty and the officials to judge all of this. I've been restraining myself …"
Sun Lang raised his hand and pointed at Chi Lianyan's dried corpse on the ground. "I've been restraining myself and following the rules. I didn't expect him to die in front of me. Not only did I fail to achieve my goal by following the rules, but I also suffered a great loss. My plan was ruined, and I was even suspected of killing Chi Lianyan. Bao Xiren, have you ever thought about how much criticism and criticism I'll receive because of this?"
His tone was low and cold. Anyone could hear the anger in his voice.
"Then, what do you think I should do now? What do you think is appropriate?
Should I immediately disperse my men and withdraw from the Copper Sparrow Terrace. Should I follow you to the prison as a suspect of killing Chi Lianyan and wait for your interrogation? "
Sun Lang said coldly. "Then hand over Chi Lianyan's case to some big shot with a deep background. Make sure everyone is happy and the truth is buried forever?"
This son of a bitch's acting skills were amazing.
Most importantly, this was a f * cking TV series. From the moment he angrily rebuked Chi Lianyan on the street, the plot had been full of twists and turns, unfolding one after another. The accumulation of emotions and the foreshadowing of the plot had been done quite well. Now, his performance was reasonable and well-grounded. He vividly portrayed the unwillingness, anger, and outburst of a general who had followed the rules but had failed.
It completely resonated with the audience.
Even Lord Bao was speechless and skeptical.
— Now.
Sun Lang's lips curled into a Senran smile. He looked at Bao Xiren with ridicule and malice in his eyes. He hooked his finger at Lord Bao. "Come here. I want to have a private word with you."
Bao Xiren still remembered the vulgar words "the cat-eared girl is awesome." He had already suffered once. He would not be defeated by the same trick a second time. Therefore, he looked at Sun Lang with vigilance.
Sun Lang was still smiling. "If you don't come here, I'll just say it here.
My brothers don't care, but if the cat-eared girl beside you hears it, you might have to consider silencing her. "
Zhan Zhao was dissatisfied. "What cat-eared girl? That's so unpleasant. My name is Zhan Zhao!"
"… Oh." Sun Lang nodded. "Hello, Xiao Zhao."
The cat-eared girl was surprised and showed a cute expression of "this name sounds good." It only lasted for a moment. Then, she said seriously, "General, please be more dignified."
Meanwhile, the Tianyuan generals behind General Bao Xiren anxiously said things like "he's flirting again", "ten taels of silver bet that he still doesn't have the guts to be lecherous", and "f * ck you. What's there to bet?"
Then, these thieves immediately fell silent under Sun Lang's gloomy gaze.
Bao Xiren hesitated. "What do you want to say?"
Sun Lang smiled. "Come here. I'll only say it to you. Don't let others hear it."
Bao Xiren hesitated for a moment, then slowly inched over.
Sun Lang watched as Bao Xiren came closer and closer. He could clearly see the outline of Bao Xiren's ear. This thought suddenly popped into his mind.
If Bao Heizi was listening attentively, and Lin Sanjiu bit his ear, wouldn't that guy's heart explode and he would die?
Then, Sun Lang hurriedly drove this terrifying thought out of his mind. It was truly too frightening.
There were many considerations in secretly killing Chi Lianyan instead of dragging him to the golden palace to make a scene.
The most direct one was to make a choice.
Last night, he had challenged the Copper Sparrow Terrace, visited the Gate of Heaven Influence, and then caused a ruckus in Tensei Province. After returning, he had begun to coerce and bribe. He had gained the upper hand the entire night, suppressing the Emperor and Empress. Today, the Emperor had fought back with great difficulty, only to be slapped back. If he had directly dragged Chi Lianyan to the golden palace, he might have even stuffed the chessboard into the Emperor's mouth …
Two consecutive days of great victories was equivalent to forcing the Emperor into a corner of the arena. The tempo was too fast, and the progress was too great. By forcing the Emperor into such a tight corner, he had already used up too much of his power. If the Emperor lost his mind in a fit of anger and did something unpredictable, then things would be no fun.
After all, he was no longer alone. He no longer had the strategic advantage of being able to do whatever he wanted. Thus, winning was no longer his only pursuit. He still had to consider the big picture, and he wanted stability.
By secretly killing Chi Lianyan, he could take the blame and plant a nail in the hearts of many people. Moreover, he could still maintain the strategic initiative. Using this matter to spread out, not only would it make the Emperor anxious and uncertain, but it would also make it easier for him to predict and grasp his next move.
After all, in a battle, one could not pursue and attack relentlessly. One had to advance and retreat at the same time. Advancing three steps and retreating two steps was called nibbling away.
Just like now, just like what he had arranged.
Looking at the confused Master Bao hesitantly approaching, the cute Silkworm Baby named Sun Lang bared his sharp fangs. He had not finished his set of combos yet.
His expression was indifferent, without a smile, as he spoke into Master Bao's ear.
"The backlash of the Holy Sword and the betrayal of the Imperial Army. This is not the first time I've seen this," he said calmly. "Bai Yuwei's situation was the same."