Chapter 1284 - 316: History Written Like a Blade (Part 5)

Chapter 1284: Chapter 316: History Written Like a Blade (Part 5)

Call it being a decent person for a lifetime.

At the moment,

Meng Shou stands outside the pavilion, looking at the person standing inside.

Tian Wujing steps out of the pavilion, bows deeply:

"Teacher."

When Meng Shou entered Yan, he asked the Tian Clan for books, and they agreed, with one request only: to take Tian Wujing as a student.

Thus, Meng Shou became Tian Wujing’s teacher in literature and education.

There was no trace of distance when the teacher and student met.

Meng Shou rubbed his stomach and said, "I’m hungry, do you have anything to eat?"

"It’s prepared."

"Good."

With Tian Wujing’s assistance, Meng Shou entered the pavilion.

On the small table inside the pavilion, the wine and dishes were already set.

Meng Shou picked up the chopsticks and began to eat and drink.

Tian Wujing also picked up the chopsticks and ate with his teacher.

After a short while,

Meng Shou put down his chopsticks, and Tian Wujing did the same.

"You continue to eat, I’m getting old, my appetite isn’t what it used to be. I often get hungry quickly, but after a couple of bites, I’m full. You’re still young, you should eat more."

"Teacher, I’ve already eaten before."

"Oh, good."

"Teacher, the team sent by Chu to pick you up will be here shortly."

"That’s good, we can still chat for a while."

"Why must you return to Chu at this time?"

"The Yan History is already compiled, there’s no reason not to return home. Fortunately, His Majesty the Yan Emperor stepped over the thresholds of the noble families to bring their hidden books into the palace, or else this Yan History might never have been completed in my lifetime, hahahaha. Those noble families, back then, made me plead like a beggar, and now they’ve reached this state, serves them right!"

Tian Wujing also smiled.

Long ago, Meng Shou had told him that the more he worked on historical books for most of his life, the more he couldn’t distinguish between right and wrong, knowing only that every page of history was soaked in blood, intrigue, and petty squabbles.

Even in the grand and clear words of praise, hidden eddies often lurk beneath.

Reading history can reveal rises and falls; but compiling history, the more you do it, the more you tend to lose your own humanity because you must not hold personal views, preferences, or positions. In time, you may even lose yourself.

"By the way, my disciple, do you know what I have accomplished with you?"

Speaking of his pride,

Meng Shou held onto the edge of the small table with both hands, slightly standing up, looking at Tian Wujing like an old mischievous child showing off his skills, said:

"What I’ve compiled with you is an annal, just like for the Earl of North Border, it’s also an annal. In my view, my disciple and the Earl’s residence both deserve to be recorded with the emperor’s exclusive annals!"

Tian Wujing still just smiled.

"I know you don’t care, but I must do something for you. My disciple, the world may not know you, but I do, I know your hardships!

Born as a person, leaving but a few brushstrokes in history books, how could those few brushstrokes capture even one ten-thousandth of a person’s life?

If truly aiming for that ten-thousandth, it requires bearing immense suffering.

My disciple suffers, I know."

Tian Wujing remained silent.

"Continuing southeast, will we reach Town South Pass soon?"

"Yes." Tian Wujing answered.

"If Town South Pass falls, then Chu will be in imminent danger, won’t it?"

Tian Wujing shook his head, saying: "We can only say that without Town South Pass, the situation between Yan and Chu would be completely different."

"As a Historian, I hope this time you break Town South Pass, directly attack Ing, destroy Chu State, then proceed to Qian, and wipe out Qian State.

A lifetime as a Historian, compiling the history of the four states, seemingly prestigious yet truly dull;

since Xia’s extinction, more than 800 years, the world has yet to see unification again. Not being able to compile a unified history is the greatest lament shared by historians for 800 years.

Fight, fight for another Xia, fight for another unification, so future historians won’t toil like I did."

"I will do my best."

"But... as a Chu person, although I’ve drifted outside for half a lifetime, I’ve never forgotten the beauty of the Chu region, washing feet by Mee River, admiring snow atop Ing City walls, the ever-flowing Chu poem...

What a wonderful Chu, what a wonderful Chu,

If it’s gone just like that,

It would truly be a pity. Honestly speaking, I really can’t bear to."

"Teacher is, after all, a Chu person."

"Yes, I am after all a Chu person, so when Yan History was completed, I immediately requested to return home. Thankfully, I’m just an old man, can’t hold a soldier, otherwise, I might have to be slain beneath Jade Plate City according to old practice, even if I could pass His Majesty, because of you."

Tian Wujing said nothing, his expression calm.

"Luckily, I’m useless, sparing my disciple another burden.

Actually, another reason I want to return to Chu.

Lying in historical records and books all my life, yet have never witnessed history with my own eyes. This time, I plan to wait atop Ing City, to witness, do not disappoint me."

"Yes, I will remember your teachings."

"Hmm."

Meng Shou extended his hand, his attendant brought paper and pen.

"Write and record as we go, His Majesty is still around, the King of North Border is still around, and you too, wait for the world to extinguish and people to be buried;

but I think, if I could write and record more, future generations might understand you more when they read this period.

Don’t rush,

I know you care not for these things,

But I care.

Not just for you, but for myself too.