Chapter 79

In the boundless darkness, I felt a sense of comfort and ease, as if I had found my soul's home. I relaxed my body lazily, willing to do nothing and let time pass forever.

"Do you want to save this world?"

A voice from the depths asked.

"What a joke, I'm not that alien freak who wears his underwear on the outside, nor am I God's sadomasochistic bastard child. No matter how badly I'm doing, I have a built-in ability to come back from the dead."

I retorted without hesitation.

"Do you want to change this world?"

"I'm not so full of myself that I would try to stop the flow of history with my bare hands. That's not called greatness; it's called asking for death."

"Do you not want to set this world right, to restore peace and prosperity?"

The voice, not giving up, continued to press.

"I would need the ability and the talent to have such a grand dream."

"Do you want to be remembered for eternity, to be celebrated for generations?"

"Sorry, I'm not some mindless martyr or a miserable saint who wants to be remembered after death."

"Do you want to have endless power and wealth, to stand at the pinnacle of this world, to control the fates of many, to watch the rise and fall of empires, and to see the clouds of history dissipate?"

"I'm not a god, I just know my limits."

After a long silence, the voice spoke again.

"Do you want to protect yourself, to enjoy a life of wealth and honor, and to have a bright future?"

"Of course, who wouldn't?"

"Can you protect those who trust and support you, become their spiritual pillar and leader, and carry their hopes and expectations forward?"

The voice paused, seemingly worried that I might refuse.

"Ensure that they and those they love and care about are not consumed by this chaotic world, and do not have to worry about the uncertainty of life, or the fruits of their hard work becoming prey to others."

"Sure, I can do that."

I thought for a moment before responding.

"But it depends on the situation. I have to take care of myself first before I can consider others."

This statement seemed to open a door, and countless sealed memories flooded back into my consciousness. Among them were the experiences and emotions of a completely different person, a stranger, with a life full of twists and turns, joys and sorrows. However, I couldn't digest and organize them all at once, and I regained my awareness of my body.

The darkness disappeared, replaced by a faint sound of water and dissipating mist. I realized that I was already on the Pearl River.

Two days ago,

As the terrain gradually lowered, we quickly left the basin in the mountains and arrived at the city of Qujiang, the capital of Shaowu Prefecture. This was also the place where the famous Tang Dynasty prime minister Zhang Jiuling retired and spent his final years, hence he was known as the Duke of Qujiang.

By the Qujiang River, a thousand sails were in the clouds, and warehouses and docks lined the river, presenting a bustling scene of land and water transportation. The upper reaches of the Pearl River, the third largest water system in China, were now before us.

From here, we could sail directly through the three eastern provinces and reach Guangzhou, the capital of the Southern Dynasty, also known as Guangdu.

Stepping out of the cabin, I breathed in the fresh air brought by the river breeze, feeling much clearer in my head.

This was not the first time I had been on a boat, but the previous experiences had been unpleasant, making me somewhat nervous.

As the mother river and economic artery of the Southern Dynasty, this water system has been involved in and witnessed most of the events and changes since the founding of the Southern Dynasty. After hundreds of years of development and management, it no longer resembles the wilderness described by the famous Tang Dynasty prime minister Song Jing in his poem during his journey to Guangzhou.

Within tens to hundreds of miles along the river, there are continuous human settlements and vast fields and forests, with various traces of human life. The shallow waters near the shore have become distinctly turbid compared to the main channel.

There have been no reports of unrest on the Pearl River for many years. Before I left, I had only heard of petty theft and fraud among the passengers.

Moreover, this was an official ship with special privileges.

Compared to the grandeur of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, the Pearl River has a more reserved and elegant beauty, with a warm and humid atmosphere.

This made us, who were accustomed to the cold and dry climate of the north and the continuous rain of the south, feel somewhat uncomfortable. Although the Lingnan region is known for its mild climate, it also experiences frequent and intense rainfall.

Along the way, the sight of people wearing rain hats and veils, a characteristic of the southern landscape, was everywhere. The difference in social status was reflected in the material of the hats, whether they were made of bamboo, wood, or silk, and the difference between men and women was the addition of a hanging silk veil.

Even in early spring, local women wore light clothing, their figures swaying in the river breeze. Some families, influenced by the customs of the local tribes, wore tight and split skirts, revealing the contours of their waists and thighs.

This was a legacy of the efforts to assimilate the local tribes and integrate them into the national life.

Even the head-drooping girl couldn't help but blush with envy, then secretly asked me if she looked good in such clothing. I thought for a moment and gave her a deadline as a consolation.

From the upper deck, I heard the girls' voices.

"Monkeys!"

The head-drooping girl exclaimed in surprise.

"Those are specially raised and fed by people."

Yuwen Luolu lazily replied, trying to dampen her enthusiasm.

"They love to steal, be careful not to be taken advantage of."

The head-drooping girl had become more open, putting aside her suspicions and vigilance, and together with Yuwen Luolu, leaned over the railing to enjoy the scenery along the way, finding endless new things to see.

Even when Yuwen Luolu occasionally made sarcastic remarks, she didn't take it to heart.

On the upper deck, I also saw a solitary figure.

"Commander Feng."

I called out to him, noticing his distracted state.

"Are you feeling homesick?"

"It's hard to hide it."

He smiled bitterly.

"Although I am from Guangnan, I have almost no memories of my hometown."

"My family is from the old military household, a self-contained system with little connection to the local area. I left my hometown at a young age with my elders."

"When I arrived in Guangzhou, I followed my father and moved to various places."

I played the role of a good listener, gradually guiding him to open up and share his life experiences, which were not always pleasant.

After years of frugality, he spent money to hire a tutor and learned to read and write, eventually passing the examination to become a camp commander. However, he couldn't compete with those who had family connections or more seniority and was assigned to the harsh and remote areas of Min.

The region was poor, with a rugged terrain and a fierce local culture. The mountain tribes and local powerful families were constantly in conflict, and the slightest mistake could mean not returning.

As a garrison officer, Feng Juanqi had faced life-threatening situations multiple times but had little to show for his efforts. This was the most marginal and least rewarding area under the Southeastern Pacification Commission.

He finally managed to serve an elderly and unambitious superior and seized the opportunity to lead a group on this mission, clearly grateful for my timely assistance.

As a designated attendant of Lady Chen, he no longer needed to return to his post in Min. However, no matter how hard they tried, Lady Chen, accompanied by her entourage, did not seem to favor them. My needs were far less than what they could offer.

Therefore, after arriving in Guangzhou, their fate was uncertain. They could be assigned to the defense forces of the surrounding towns or to a local military household.

"Actually, this is not difficult. Not only can Lady Chen help, but I can also think of some ways."

Understanding the implications, I couldn't remain indifferent.

"But are you prepared?"

He looked up, his eyes brightening, then became nervous.

"Prepared for what?"

"Prepared to face all kinds of challenges."

"Please instruct me, Commander."

"Lady Chen has been attacked and frightened on this journey, and the implications are far-reaching."

He was slightly surprised and cautious.

"I am just a low-ranking officer, what implications could I have?"

"I am an important witness and participant, but what about you and your men?"

I looked at him.

"Are you not the easiest to break through?"

"Are you doubting my integrity and loyalty?"

Unintentionally, his address had changed.

"No, no,"

I shook my head.

"You are a sensible and loyal person."

"But sometimes threats and pressures do not come from obvious enemies."

I paused, giving him a moment to process.

"What if they come from your comrades and superiors?"

"What?"

Feng Juanqi's expression changed.

"How many people can maintain their principles when tempted by wealth and status?"

"You might think you can, but what about your men?"

When he left, it was clear that his mind was already in turmoil, and I waited for the right moment to act.

To achieve my goals in the Southern Dynasty, the support of Han Liangchen and others was not enough. I needed local allies who understood the situation and could act on my behalf, saving me from unnecessary trouble.

Feng Juanqi, though not the ideal choice, was the most accessible and suitable candidate, and he had presented himself as a potential ally.

The art of controlling people involves both coercion and inducement. I used Lady Chen's influence to keep him close, tying his fate to mine. As for inducement, I needed more resources, which I would acquire after returning to Guangnan. For now, I planted a seed in his mind.