In the hotel, Xu Jiawei's words were resounding and forceful, as if he were a great sage concerning the nation and its people.
Zhongli put down the teacup in his hand, slightly turned his head, and looked at Xu Jiawei beside him, his thoughts seemed profound.
If today's matter did not involve Zhongli, how could the Duchess of White Tiger have received such punishment?
If the Duchess of White Tiger did not have those two identities, perhaps even the steps of punishment could have been omitted.
The Duchess of White Tiger was a member of the Xu family, a princess of the current dynasty, and also the wife of the former rebel leader of the Dai family. Her status was noble, and few women in the entire Star Luo Empire could compare to her.
Now, having lost these identities, for a woman who pursued status, it was undoubtedly a very painful punishment.
Sometimes, people live just to live, but some people pursue different things, such as faith, status, etc. Losing these things is no different from death.
When Xu Jiawei said this, he did not mention that the Duchess of White Tiger had offended Zhongli, but rather that she had disregarded the overall situation and made a mistake for personal gain.
This also carries a very significant and correct political meaning...
"Jiawei, your handling of this matter is very appropriate and harmonious, with a long-term vision..."
"However, as an emperor, such matters are trivial. The proper path should be to seek more welfare and benefits for the people."
Zhongli spoke with an unchanged expression, while Xu Jiawei listened attentively like a student facing a teacher, nodding in agreement from time to time.
As for whether he truly took it to heart, only Xu Jiawei himself knew.
"Is the Martial God teaching me how to be an emperor..."
Xu Jiawei's eyes sparkled, and he felt a surge of joy.
If others recognized him as the emperor, he might have just smiled it off. The Xu family had planned for so many years, and the prosperity of today was not his achievement alone.
But for Zhongli to teach him how to be a qualified emperor, the significance was entirely different.
It meant that Zhongli recognized him as the Star Luo Emperor. This was recognized from a god!
"Martial God, since I ascended to the throne, I have been diligent and never dared to slack off."
"However, the people of the Star Luo Empire do not seem happy..."
"Compared to the Martial God's Liyue, the people of the Star Luo Empire are still in dire straits. I... as an emperor, I do not know how to save these people. Please, Martial God, guide me!"
Xu Jiawei stood up without hesitation and, with a "thud," knelt straight down in front of Zhongli.
His gaze was firm yet tinged with worry, his face wearing a pleading expression.
Zhongli was slightly taken aback and gave Xu Jiawei a surprised look, but his expression remained unchanged.
Regardless of Xu Jiawei's intentions, whether he was trying to manipulate the Martial God or truly seeking to benefit the people.
As the saying goes: A gentleman judges by deeds, not by intentions. If judged by intentions, there are no perfect people in the world.
As long as he had such thoughts, regardless of his intentions, he could be considered a qualified emperor.
Zhongli casually waved his hand, and an amber-colored energy lifted Xu Jiawei from the ground.
"Hmm~"
Zhongli pondered for a moment and said, "What kind of happiness are you referring to?"
"Is it that everyone can have enough to eat, clothes to wear, surplus grain at home, and free awakening of martial souls..."
"Or that everyone is like a dragon, the world is in harmony, and there is no distinction between high and low, noble and humble..."
"Or..."
Hearing this, Xu Jiawei was somewhat stunned and confused. Every word Zhongli said, but when recognized together, he felt a bit dazed.
Does such a world truly exist?
Even in imagination, there is no reference... no, there is a reference, Liyue is the ready-made reference.
But in the end, Liyue's prosperity is due to the protection of the Martial God. Without Zhongli, such prosperity would not have appeared in the Douluo Continent!
Xu Jiawei smiled bitterly and said, "Martial God, we... are ultimately just ordinary people, without your martial prowess, we cannot intimidate everyone."
These words were spoken with great sincerity. He knew that playing tricks in front of this person was not a good idea.
"What I seek is simply for the people to have enough to eat and clothes to wear... As for free awakening of martial souls..."
At this point, a trace of conflict flashed across Xu Jiawei's face, and his fists involuntarily clenched.
Free awakening of martial souls for commoners was not a good thing for the nobility and the royal family!
Ten thousand years ago, the commoners' representative, the Martial Soul Empire established by the Martial Soul Hall, almost overthrew the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires.
Since then, the nobility and the royal family have no longer provided free martial soul awakening for commoners!
Even though they had never provided free martial soul awakening for commoners before, it did not prevent them from cutting off the commoners' path to advancement.
The nobility and the royal family could tolerate a small number of commoner soul masters, but they could not tolerate a large number of commoner soul masters who threatened the royal power!
If everyone awakened their martial souls, how many soul masters would be born?
What if the commoners developed inappropriate ambitions again? The consequences will be unimaginable!
Zhongli picked up his teacup again and, while sipping tea, changed at Xu Jiawei from the corner of his eye. He knew Xu Jiawei's concerns but did not point them out.
Respecting humanity's own choices was his consistent approach.
After a while, Xu Jiawei gritted his teeth, as if he had made a decision, and said, "Martial God, the matter of providing free martial soul awakening for commoners is of great importance and involves the foundation of the country. If not handled properly, a hundred years later, there will be many evil soul masters on the continent."
"As the saying goes, 'With weapons in hand, the desire to kill arises.' When they gain power, they will also develop inappropriate ambitions."
"Hmm~"
Zhongli nodded, agreeing with Xu Jiawei's statement.
Providing free martial soul awakening for commoners would indeed lead to these problems.
Without absolute force to suppress them, it would be inevitable for some bad elements to emerge. This is an unavoidable fact.
Especially from Xu Jiawei's perspective, there is nothing wrong with this statement.
Even in the Teyvat continent, not everyone possesses a Vision; most are still ordinary people.
This is a key factor in the stability of the continent.
Seeing Zhongli nod, Xu Jiawei breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought that Zhongli raised this issue to help everyone awaken their martial souls for free, and if he did not agree, it might lower his standing in Zhongli's eyes.
But he never expected that Zhongli would actually agree!
"The road ahead is long and arduous."
"If you only want to solve livelihood issues, it will still touch the interests of many, including yourself."
"I will only offer some appropriate suggestions, and whether to adopt them or not is up for you to decide."
"Jiawei is all ears!"
Xu Jiawei cupped his hands towards Zhongli and spoke with a serious expression.
He was not a fool and, of course, understood that addressing the current livelihood issues would result in the loss of many interests. But he still wanted to hear Zhongli's suggestions.