He was born as a blacksmith, but he dominated the world

Chapter 384 The Emperor's Thoughts

"Do you think Daqian is great?" asked Emperor Shun.

Jiang Lin stared at the giant map in front of him and nodded subconsciously: "Big."

But then he immediately shook his head. It was big based on his own understanding, but on this map, it seemed extremely small.

Emperor Shun said: "In those days, Emperor Taizu traveled to various countries, east to Youhai, west to Daxue Mountain, south to Yuechen, and north to Linyuan."

"I have learned a lot from the various countries. This map was drawn by Emperor Taizu himself after he returned."

"Daqian has fought for hundreds of years, but it has only expanded to this extent. Do you still think it is great now?"

Jiang Lin didn't say anything. The scene before him had a huge impact on his current worldview.

I thought Daqian was big enough, and there shouldn't be too much land if it went beyond Dachen and other places.

But now it seems that I am like a frog in a well looking at the moon, and what I see is just the tip of the iceberg.

"The reason why Daqian has been conquering and annexing for hundreds of years is not because we are obsessed with killing, but because we are too weak!"

Emperor Shun's voice was sonorous and powerful, "Outside our territory, there are powerful dynasties that are ten or a hundred times more powerful than us! If we cling to one corner, sooner or later someone will come knocking on our door!"

"Emperor Taizu left behind a legacy that all future generations must expand our territory until no one dares to offend us!"

Emperor Shun turned around for the first time and looked at Jiang Lin, his voice full of imperial dominance: "If nothing is accomplished, the people of Daqian will not have peace. Jiang Lin, do you understand this?"

"minister……"

Jiang Lin didn't know what to say. If this map was real, then everything the court had done could be understood.

The outer dynasty was powerful, and although Daqian had already been established, it had no chance to rest in order to maintain eternal peace.

You must make yourself as powerful as possible before the enemy comes to your door!
In order to achieve this, they can disregard human lives and losses, and focus solely on conquest and expansion.

Logically speaking, the court did nothing wrong.

Only a national strength that is strong enough can protect the people and the country from invasion. This is an eternal truth in any world.

The current suffering is all for the peace of future generations.

This reminded Jiang Lin of a sentence he had heard in his previous life: "This war must be fought in our generation! If we finish the war, our sons and grandsons won't have to fight!"

The situation in Daqian is more complicated. The grandfather beats the father first, then the son, and then the son beats the grandson.

It has been fought for countless generations, but it is still not completed.

But they always persisted until one day, their future generations could finally put their worries aside and live and work in peace.

"So, all the border troops know this map?" Jiang Lin asked.

"I know." Yu Shuai said, "Everyone who joins the border army will read this map first to know what they are doing and what they should do."

Jiang Lin subconsciously asked: "Why haven't I seen it?"

Yu Shuai looked at him without saying anything, but the meaning in his eyes was very clear.

Although you have joined the Border Army, you are not a real Border Army soldier.

There is no need to rush in the front, and naturally there is no need to watch.

This is a preferential treatment and also a protection for Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin fell silent. He finally understood why the border troops were so crazy.

At first, I thought the border troops were conceited and arrogant.

Later, after some contact, I thought that the war was too brutal and people had to vent their emotions with an arrogant attitude.

And now, it is the third level of understanding.

Bian Jun is not crazy, nor is he venting, or rather, that is not the only answer.

They knew what they were doing and who they were fighting for, so they were proud, proud of the camp they were in, the knives in their hands, and the ability to chop off every head of the enemy!
All these factors combined together are the reason why the border troops are in their current state.

They all hope that the war can be fought completely in their generation so that their sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons will not have to go to the battlefield.

Jiang Lin raised his head and looked towards Emperor Shun. The emperor had a dignified face, his eyes were shining, and his aura was extremely powerful.

Jiang Lin once had a very bad impression of him and thought he was a sinister person.

But now, I can't help but admire his courage.

However, this is based on the premise that everything is real. Before seeing the vast map of the world with his own eyes, Jiang Lin will only be half-believing and half-doubting.

To be more precise, there are more doubts.

Because even if Daqian was fighting for future generations, that could only explain the reason for more than four hundred years of war.

As for Jiang Lin himself, what was it for?

With Daqian's current military strength, no other dynasty around it can rival it. So what role does its existence play?
If Emperor Shun could give a satisfactory answer, Jiang Lin would not mind helping.

However, Emperor Shun said: "I know your question, but now I need you to answer a question first."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

Emperor Shun looked at him, his eyes sparkling with divine light: "If one day Daqian needs you to die in order to end this war, are you willing?"

This question came too suddenly, and the imperial study fell into silence.

Eunuch Tian lowered his head and said nothing, while Marshal Yu opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but Emperor Shun glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, and even the commander-in-chief of the border army could only remain silent.

Jiang Lin also did not speak immediately. He was quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

The answer is that it obviously goes against my own heart.

Although he identifies with this world, he is not great enough to be willing to sacrifice his life for it.

If he answered no, he would definitely be on the opposite side of the court, because the emperor would not like this answer. After thinking for a moment, Jiang Lin said cautiously: "Your Majesty, I think everything is not immutable. If I know more, maybe there will be a better way."

"What I'm asking is, if Daqian needs you to die, are you willing?" Emperor Shun's tone darkened.

Jiang Lin felt the oppression from His Majesty the Emperor, but this did not scare him, but instead aroused his rebellious psychology.

If the king wants his subject to die, must the subject die?

Jiang Lin looked directly at the emperor and said, "When the time is right, I can do anything."

This answer can be considered confirmed or vague.

Emperor Shun looked at him with a stern gaze, but did not press the issue any further.

Jiang Lin's direct gaze was unbearable for the superior, but there was no fluctuation in Emperor Shun's eyes.

He hid all his emotions and thoughts deep in his heart. Even though his tone was a little deep, it was only the instinctive pressure of the emperor when facing his subjects.

"Jiang Lin, don't be rude!" Yu Shuai suddenly said.

Jiang Lin bowed his head slightly and bowed to Emperor Shun: "Your Majesty, please forgive me."

Emperor Shun continued to look at him for a moment, then turned away.

Eunuch Tian then raised his head and said to Jiang Lin, "Master Jiang, please."

Jiang Lin said nothing and followed Eunuch Tian out of the hall.

When passing by Yu Shuai, Jiang Lin looked at him.

Jiang Lin saw a hint of disappointment in Marshal Yu's eyes. It was obvious that the Marshal didn't like his answer either.

For Jiang Lin, there are some things that cannot be said casually.

It's not that he is completely unable to sacrifice for anyone. Just like when he rushed thousands of miles to save Liao Mingxu, there was a risk of death, but he still went.

But that was voluntary. Jiang Lin was unwilling to die without knowing anything and just because of the so-called righteousness and the emperor's oppression.

Chong Yushuai bowed and Jiang Lin walked away.

After leaving the hall, Eunuch Tian escorted him all the way out of the palace. Although they encountered the imperial guards on the way, the things that Jiang Lin expected did not happen.

For example, the guards took action and captured him.

"Lord Jiang, I have to go back to serve His Majesty, so I won't see you off. Please go back." After saying this, Eunuch Tian turned around and went back.

Looking at the old eunuch's departing back, Jiang Lin frowned slightly.

Emperor Shun's attitude was somewhat ambiguous.

He obviously didn't like the answer, but he didn't do anything. What on earth was he going to do?
In the imperial study, Marshal Yu stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Jiang Lin is still young, and he may not understand some things clearly."

Emperor Shun looked at the map in front of him, his voice no longer deep: "I think he has a clear mind."

Marshal Yu opened his mouth to say something, but saw Emperor Shun raise his hand.

"I already know his intentions. No need to say more. Go back."

Yu Shuai hesitated for a few seconds, and then he heard footsteps behind him. Eunuch Tian had returned.

He had no choice but to bow and say, "I'll take my leave."

"Goodbye, Marshal Yu." Eunuch Tian said politely.

After the border commander left, Eunuch Tian came to Emperor Shun and whispered, "Your Majesty, why did you let Jiang Lin leave? Although this man is not a Taoist warrior, he has a Taoist heart. He went to destroy Sangzhou for no reason and practiced hard. If he is left alone, it may become a big disaster."

Neither the emperor nor Marshal Yu mentioned anything about Daowu, but they could still sense the existence of Daoxin.

If Jiang Lin heard this, he would understand that the one who really wanted to capture him was not the Emperor, but this old eunuch.

The reason why he was sent all the way out of the palace was to wait for the emperor's order.

But until Jiang Lin left, there was no movement in the imperial study.

Emperor Shun stared at the map and said, "Emperor Taizu led the 18 cavalrymen and laid the foundation of Daqian. My current military strength is more than a thousand times stronger."

"What Emperor Taizu can do, can't I do it?"

Emperor Shun lowered his eyes slightly, looking at the blurred head portrait on the table that Jiang Lin had ignored, his tone filled with an irrefutable domineering attitude.

"Daqian, it's my Daqian!"

"Taizu's worries will be resolved in my hands!"

"As for Jiang Lin... I will make my own decision."

Eunuch Tian lowered his head and stayed beside Emperor Shun, saying nothing more.

Since the emperor has made his own decision, he does not need anyone else's advice.

At this time, Jiang Lin was on his way back to the blacksmith camp.

The uneasiness in my heart has decreased slightly, but it still exists.

He had been thinking all the way about today's audience with the emperor, wondering what the final outcome would be.

Judging from the current situation, it should be okay. At least he was not tied up and arrested.

However, serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. Who knows if His Majesty the Emperor will suddenly change his mind?

Thinking like this all the way, Jiang Lin soon arrived near the Zuowang Tower.

"Master Jiang!"

Jiang Lin looked up and saw Tian Daheng walking towards him quickly with a happy look on his face.

(End of this chapter)