Chapter 116: A Century Without Forsaking One's Original Aspiration

"Father?"

Li Shun's heart stirred at the words, and he instinctively looked toward the newcomer.

From his features, one could vaguely tell that he bore a resemblance to Duan Jiuzhang.

Yet unlike Duan Jiuzhang's dark, weathered complexion, this man possessed skin as fair as polished jade. Every movement carried the refined elegance of a scholar who had spent his life in comfort and privilege.

"This son was conducting an inspection in Dongruo County when I vaguely sensed the Great Siming entering the commandery. I therefore hurried here at once. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, the Great Siming had already departed. Only after making inquiries did I learn that Father had also come here..."

His voice remained steady, doing everything he could to maintain an air of composure.

Instead of softening, Duan Jiuzhang's expression grew even darker.

Without the slightest courtesy, he cut him off. His voice turned colder still.

"Lord Duan, as the Prefect of Jiuyi Commandery, your only responsibility is to the people of Jiuyi and to His Majesty. Even if the Great Siming enters your jurisdiction, what concern is that of yours?"

"You abandoned your official duties and rushed over without a second thought..."

"Have you become so eager to curry favor?"

His face was so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it.

The moment he heard the distant form of address, "Lord Duan," the young prefect immediately lost his composure.

"Father..."

"There is no father and son here. Only the Prefect of Jiuyi Commandery and Great Qian's Director of Imperial Agriculture!" Duan Jiuzhang barked.

The young prefect's expression shifted repeatedly between pale and flushed. In the end, under that overwhelming pressure, he lowered his head and awkwardly corrected himself.

"Lord Duan... This subordinate has truly been misunderstood."

He fumbled through an anxious explanation.

Meanwhile, Li Shun and Li Qing stood quietly to one side, silently watching the exchange between father and son.

'No wonder Senior Duan looked so embarrassed after seeing those two lines in front of Lord Ge's Shrine. So the Prefect of Jiuyi Commandery is actually his son.'

'Still... isn't he being a little too strict?'

'As prefect, learning that the Great Siming had entered his jurisdiction and coming to pay his respects is perfectly reasonable. Yet Senior Duan immediately scolded him without mercy...'

After all, they were father and son by blood.

Only after the young prefect painstakingly defended himself, as though walking across thin ice, did Duan Jiuzhang's expression finally ease somewhat.

Even so, although his fury subsided, there was not the slightest warmth of a reunion between parent and child.

Reining in his horse, he sat upright upon the saddle like an immovable mountain before speaking in a deep voice.

"Lord Duan, this old man will offer you one final piece of advice."

"One who governs a region is like a farmer tending his fields. His foremost duty is to care well for the people under his rule."

"Today, let alone the Great Siming. Even if the Left and Right Chancellors were to arrive in person, you need only remain faithful to your responsibilities and never neglect your proper duty."

"Rather than flattering those above you, it is better to govern well and cherish the people."

"You..."

"Take care of yourself."

The young prefect lowered his head deeply, bitterness evident in his voice.

"This subordinate... humbly accepts your instruction."

Before he could even raise his head again, Duan Jiuzhang had already urged his horse forward, galloping away in a cloud of dust.

The young prefect watched his father's departing figure. Shame, unwillingness, and countless complicated emotions intertwined within his eyes.

Li Shun and Li Qing exchanged a glance without saying a word.

They simply cupped their fists in farewell before urging their own horses forward to follow after Duan Jiuzhang.

It was obvious that Duan Jiuzhang had deliberately slowed his pace. The two brothers caught up with him before long.

Li Shun looked toward Duan Jiuzhang several times, hesitating to speak.

"I know what the two of you are thinking. You're wondering why I'm so harsh with him?" Duan Jiuzhang asked.

Li Shun nodded.

Duan Jiuzhang let out a soft sigh.

"When Ge Linfeng passed away, the position of Prefect of Jiuyi Commandery became vacant. It should have been filled immediately."

"Yet throughout the entire imperial court, not a single official was willing to accept the post."

"Even those who received an imperial appointment found every excuse imaginable to refuse taking office."

"Do you know why?"

Li Shun pondered for a moment before saying, "I believe it is because Lord Ge set the standard too high. No matter what those who come after him accomplish, they are destined to be measured against him. And who was Lord Ge? To surpass him is easier said than done."

Duan Jiuzhang let out a soft chuckle.

"The people have a scale in their own hearts. There is only one Ge Linfeng. To judge every successor by Lord Ge's standards was never realistic to begin with."

"Could it be that they do not understand such a simple truth?"

"In reality, there is no need to become a second Ge Linfeng. So long as an official governs diligently, cares for the people, and sincerely works for the welfare of this land, the people will naturally remember those deeds."

"But..."

Duan Jiuzhang let out a long sigh.

"It is not difficult to love the people for one year, five years, or even ten years. Among Great Qian's officials, there are no fewer than eight hundred, if not a thousand, who can accomplish that. But what about twenty years? Thirty years? Or even a hundred?"

"Over a century of time, who can guarantee that their original aspirations will never waver?"

"One in ten thousand, at best."

His emotions seemed to surge as he pulled on the reins, bringing his horse to a halt. Pointing toward Lihuo County behind them, he said, "Do you know why the people of Jiuyi built a shrine and erected a statue in Ge Linfeng's honor? Because he guarded Jiuyi for over two hundred years without ever changing."

His chest rose and fell as he struggled to contain his emotions.

"Jiuyi is a harsh and impoverished land. Back then, everyone who volunteered to serve here arrived filled with lofty ideals. But in the end, those who managed to preserve their original hearts through the passage of time were few and far between."

"When Xiuqi insisted on coming here, I tried everything I could to persuade him otherwise. As his father, I knew his temperament better than anyone."

"But his ambitions reached higher than the heavens. Not only did he refuse to listen, he believed himself exceptional. He swore to accomplish feats worthy of standing beside Lord Ge, so that the people of Jiuyi would remember only the name Duan Xiuqi and forget the legacy of Linfeng."

"Heh..."

A faintly self-mocking laugh escaped Duan Jiuzhang.

"He chose that road himself, so I had no right to interfere. But since he accepted this position..."

His voice suddenly turned ice-cold.

"Then he had better remain Prefect of Jiuyi until the very end! If he dares abandon his post halfway, or worse, tarnish the reputation Lord Ge left behind, I will be the first to make him answer for it!"

After standing silently for a moment, Duan Jiuzhang urged his horse forward once more.

"For the first thirty years of his tenure, he truly carried a bit of Lord Ge's bearing. But in recent years... he has become more and more disappointing. If I do not keep him in check, then sooner or later..."

He shook his head and spoke no further.

After hearing those words, Li Shun felt deeply moved. With genuine respect, he said, "With the officialdom of Great Qian as muddied as it is, for the empire to have men like Lord Ge and Senior, it is truly a blessing for the state and a fortune for its people."

Li Qing's eyes were likewise filled with admiration.

In the past, he had always believed Great Qian's officials were little more than scheming opportunists.

Yet Duan Jiuzhang had shown him a kind of unwavering righteousness that was difficult to put into words.

Duan Jiuzhang merely smiled.

"You brat, stop flattering this old man. As for Ge Linfeng..."

"I am not his equal."

His expression was utterly calm.

The setting sun disappeared beyond the mountains as the three rode onward, their figures gradually swallowed by the gathering night.

By the time the day was nearing its end, they finally entered the borders of Yunguan County.

"This mountain was opened by me. This tree was planted by me. If you wish to pass through, leave your toll behind!"

A figure descended from the sky, landing squarely before the three of them with an arrogant expression.

In broad daylight, beneath the clear heavens, someone actually dared to rob travelers in the middle of the road.

Li Shun and Li Qing stared in utter disbelief.

Meanwhile, murderous intent instantly flared within Duan Jiuzhang's eyes.

Just as he was about to make his move and suppress the audacious bandit...

The day finally came to its end.

'I examine myself thrice each day...'

A vast and resonant voice echoed throughout heaven and earth.

Time began to flow backward once more.