Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
As for the negligence during the detention period, it is quite easy to handle. As long as the superiors investigate this matter, they can simply shift the blame onto the officials of Prison City or the head of the prison to brush it off. If they choose not to pursue it further, it would naturally lead to a happy ending for everyone involved. Moreover, with the involved party having committed suicide, there would be no evidence against them. The subordinates could then diligently prepare a case closure report to submit, and I believe the superiors would tacitly accept this outcome.
With this reasoning in mind, Sima Shang began to harbor doubts about his former leaders. How could such high-ranking officials bully those beneath them and still consider themselves heroes?
The once amiable demeanor was merely a facade! Realizing this, Sima Shang suddenly understood why Lian Po had chosen him and Li Mu to oversee the construction of the Dan Shui River defenses instead of anyone else. It turned out that everything had been planned long ago! He also grasped why someone as capable as Li Mu had never been promoted. If it weren't for his family's support, he believed he would have met the same unjust fate as Li Mu, rotting away in prison.
At that moment, seeing Li Mu's back reminded Sima Shang of Zhao Weicheng and Tang Si, who were bound outside. In the face of power struggles and hidden truths, these people's lives were worth less than ants.
Zhao Kuo seemed to have thought of these issues as well and sighed heavily. "No wonder my father didn't want me to provoke that person; he was worried that his child wouldn't be able to compete with that cunning and scheming old man!"
Hearing the highest officer of the Cavalry Unit express similar sentiments made Sima Shang even more confident in his earlier deductions. He turned to Zhao Kuo and indicated that from now on he would fully support the General.
As voices from the main leader and supervising leader, they were naturally familiar to their subordinates. When Li Mu heard footsteps behind him, he did not turn around but continued reading with his head down. Suddenly, upon hearing two familiar voices from the past, his hand holding the Bamboo Slip trembled slightly.
He did not know what crime he had committed, but he could read much from the gaze of the prison guards. He had always thought that those above would give him a chance to explain himself because he felt no guilt for having wronged Zhao State. However, it seemed that opportunity was no longer available.
What is justice!?
Must every act of righteousness come at the cost of someone's life!? He never expected that despite believing himself invincible in this world, he would ultimately discover that reality was filled with cruelty! Hypocrisy!
Did Luzi not say that light would always triumph over darkness? Yet! Why have I never seen it? I only see darkness prevailing over light every time. What have I done wrong, or is this world simply meant to be this way...
Sigh! Everyone eventually dies; why lament so much? To die with dignity is not in vain! Let me face the darkness of this world one last time!
Farewell! My beloved Zhao State!
Li Mu, fully prepared, never expected that his final moments would be marked by the highest commander of the Cavalry Unit personally coming to see him off. But this was fine; it could be considered a perfect conclusion to his life!
Li Mu made up his mind, gently placing down the Bamboo Slip in his hand. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and turned to Zhao Kuo and Sima Shang, bowing deeply. "Thank you both generals for coming to send me off; I am truly grateful."
Sima Shang was about to explain that he wasn't carrying poison, but then he caught Zhao Kuo's eye and quickly closed his mouth, waiting to see what would happen next.
Zhao Kuo signaled for the jailer to open the cell door and then instructed the two men to leave. Drawing his Sword from his waist, he asked, "Li Mu! Are you ready?!"
Li Mu nodded heavily, indicating that he was prepared. Just as he was about to turn and kneel, he found a sword in his hand. It turned out they wanted him to commit suicide; this was fine too!
Zhao Kuo glanced at the two jailers who were not paying attention and whispered, "Fortunately, General Sima and I arrived in time; the medicinal wine is on its way here. Hurry over and take me hostage; General Sima and I will get you out!"
Upon hearing this unexpected answer, Li Mu handed back the General's Sword. "General! Li Mu is but an ant; how could I disregard the greater good of the state and escape!? Even if I die wrongfully today, I believe justice will eventually be served!"
Seeing the two men struggling over the General's Sword, Sima Shang felt momentarily at a loss. He didn't know whom to help and suddenly remembered what the general had mentioned about the medicinal wine arriving soon. Realizing time was of the essence, he knew they could not afford to delay any longer!
"Li Mu! Listen to me; as long as there are green mountains, one need not worry about firewood. If you die now, even if your innocence is proven later, it will be too late. All the Generals in camp, including the Grand General, know you are wronged. Let’s leave here first; we can discuss things further once we are safe!"
Hearing this, Li Mu scoffed disdainfully. He pushed the Sword back to Zhao Kuo and sat down again to read the Bamboo Slip. "If you gentlemen have nothing else, please leave; forgive me for not being able to see you off!"
Sima Shang was also anxious at this point. Seeing Zhao Kuo put away the Sword made him realize that there was no turning back. Frustrated, he stomped his foot and scolded, "You think only of preserving your name for loyalty and righteousness but fail to understand that only by living can you contribute to Zhao State. Once you're dead, everything is meaningless! You seek personal glory for future generations but do not recognize that true sacrifice for your country requires compromise! This is nothing but narrow-minded selfishness! I disdain you!"
Zhao Kuo was clearly not in a hurry, quietly waiting for Sima Shang to persuade him. He wanted to know what kind of person Li Mu really was! Loyalty to the monarch and love for the country are commendable, but such loyalty does not require a rigid mindset. Sometimes, for the sake of righteousness, one must abandon personal fame and beliefs and compromise. Only by staying alive can one protect the Wei State. Only by staying alive can one fulfill the dream of serving the country loyally. If those scoundrels succeed, what does it matter if one dies!?
Sima Shang turned to look at the general and immediately understood that Zhao Kuo was not ready to give up just yet. Gratefully nodding, he continued to persuade, "Do you know? The general has already disarmed the officials and guards of Prison City to save people. Have you considered that the Qin Army is still eyeing us in Shangdang? The general needs talents like you to help drive the Qin Army out of Shangdang. Listen to me, brother, come with us! Even if your crime is temporarily misunderstood by the world, I believe time will prove everything."
Li Mu held the Bamboo Slip in his hand and began to tremble, tears streaming down his face. What have I done wrong!? Why must I suffer such hardships! Now I have even implicated my brothers and the general! I am truly an ill-fated person! With that thought, he sighed deeply.
"General! Sima General! I, Li Mu, will always remember your friendship. If we turn against them now, won't that just play into the hands of those scoundrels? If someone must die to uphold justice, let it be me. While there is still time to avoid making a grave mistake, you two generals should leave! If there is a chance in the next life, I will repay this friendship even if I have to work like an ox or horse!"
It seems there is no other choice!
Sima Shang felt a wave of sadness; it turned out that what was called light had always been merely a dream for people. Because it was never attained, they were willing to pursue it. It was darkness that was everywhere, yet they foolishly believed that the world was filled with light!
Suddenly feeling disheartened, Sima Shang seemed to have an epiphany and turned to look at Zhao Kuo. "General! Since he is prepared to selfishly die, let us consider that the ambitious Li Mu of old has long since died!"
Upon hearing this answer, Zhao Kuo merely smiled faintly. "Indeed, it seems there is no other choice!" After saying this, he exchanged a glance with Sima Shang...
Comment 0 Comment Count