Immortal Travel of Longevity-Chapter 127: Mr. Chen, I am Shaoqing

The officials in the Imperial Court had actually expected this day would come long ago.
With Great Jing’s national strength, facing off against two countries at once meant the odds of victory were not promising.
“What’s laughable is that these court officials saw this day coming years ago. All these years, they’ve been wildly amassing wealth, already plotting their escape routes. They turned a deaf ear to the nation’s peril.”
Chang Shan let out a helpless sigh. “Back when Beixiang suffered internal chaos, we finally had a chance to catch our breath. But that chance was completely wasted.”
Xian Yue opened her mouth to speak. “There must still be some hope, shouldn’t there?”
Hearing all this, she felt very uneasy inside.
Although that Imperial Palace had treated her coldly, it had once been her home. She didn’t want to see the country fall and the family destroyed.
When asked this, Chang Shan fell silent. “Even if there were a way, so what? For those officials in the Imperial Court, escaping is their top concern. Likely tonight, many will flee the city…”
Chen Changsheng asked, “How many are willing to stay?”
Chang Shan parted his lips. “Less than one in ten.”
It sounded utterly ridiculous. Not even one in ten.
Xian Yue pressed her lips together and sighed. “How could it come to this…?”
“The world has been too peaceful these past years.”
Chang Shan said, “Those who have enjoyed such comfort will naturally refuse to fall into the abyss. They see only wealth and power, long forgetting home and country.”
He continued, “The arguments in court today were particularly fierce. Almost ninety percent of the officials urged the Imperial Majesty to move the court to Jing Nan, intending to abandon Shangjing.”
“But if we truly let go, what good would moving to Jing Nan do? If Shangjing City falls, there will be no turning back.”
It was already a spent arrow at the end of its flight. If they retreated again now, they’d plunge into a bottomless chasm.
“Today in court, Minister Zhang risked his life to petition the Imperial Majesty! He begged him to remain in Shangjing to steady the army’s morale! He urged him to seek help from the Jianghu of Great Jing! If we do that, there might still be a sliver of hope left for Great Jing!”
“If they move the court now, those officials still won’t escape death. Yet even so, they’d rather cling to life by fleeing than fight for that very glimmer of hope!”
“The officials are like this… and so is the Imperial Majesty himself!”
By now, Chang Shan could no longer restrain the fury within him. He pounded the stone table in front of him, shouting angrily.
“There is still a thread of hope left!”
The stone table echoed under the blows. Beside him, Xian Yue felt a pang of fear.
In her memory, Junior Minister Chang should have been gentle and kind. But at this moment, he seemed terrifying, his eyes filled only with rage and bitter resentment.
Each strike against the table seemed to condemn this rotten, decaying dynasty.
Chang Shan suddenly quieted. He looked to Mr. Chen and asked, “Mr. Chen…”
“Can Great Jing truly still be saved?”
Chen Changsheng held a book in his hand. As Chang Shan posed the question, he too pondered.
Could Great Jing truly be saved?
Or rather, was it still worth saving?
If the officials cared nothing for the nation, what would be the point of saving Great Jing in the end, even if they succeeded?
Chen Changsheng took down the gourd and lifted it, taking a big gulp of wine.
He asked, “If there truly were no hope left, would you leave?”
Chang Shan was silent.
A gentle breeze stirred.
Leaves drifted down from the tree, settling onto the stone table.
Chang Shan lifted his head and met Mr. Chen’s gaze. He spoke calmly.
“Mr. Chen, I am Shaoqing…”
He said it very plainly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
In Chang Shan’s heart was his own sense of principle. It came from his time on the mountain, from that temple, from the teachings in the Taoist Scriptures.
Chen Changsheng looked at him, feeling a touch bewildered.
Remembering distant times,
that young Daoist Priest had once stood before him and spoken words that had similarly left him dazed.
‘Chang Shan believes that certain things must be done by someone. We shouldn’t always ask, Why me? Instead, we should ask, Why shouldn’t it be me? Such is the true path.’
A truly great man does what must be done, even when he knows it is impossible.
In the end, Mr. Chen couldn’t offer an answer.
Chang Shan wasn’t disappointed. How could he blame Mr. Chen? To him, this Great Jing was probably already beyond saving. Mr. Chen was a Celestial Immortal, above worldly affairs. Why involve himself in mortal troubles?
He could only continue walking his path. As for what the end would be… as long as he followed his heart, it would be enough.
…
The last traces of sunset vanished at the edge of the sky.
Darkness completely swallowed the twilight. Tonight, Shangjing City was quieter than usual, yet beneath that stillness, the shadows seemed to hum with unseen chaos.
Within the city stood a tall tower, called Xiang Yuan.
Standing upon it, one could command a view over all of Shangjing. Looking down, the dozens upon dozens of city districts were spread out below, and one could even see the distant peaks of the City Towers in the distance.
The hour arrived at midnight.
Suddenly, faint noises emerged from the previously silent districts of Shangjing.
High up on the Xiang Yuan tower platform, Chen Changsheng drank from his gourd and watched. Below, in the city’s streets and alleys, countless carriages and horses were appearing.
The people on those carriages were flustered, in a frantic rush to leave the city and escape south.
“Ultimately, duty to home and country does not stand against a person’s greed for gain. How truly pitiable.”
Chen Changsheng sighed deeply and raised his gourd again, taking another gulp.
In moments, the guards at the city gates swung them open. The price? A few pieces of silver. Not only were the officials fleeing—now even these gate guards were doing the same.
A figure approached Chen Changsheng from behind.
Zhong Zhengyuan asked, “Why is Master Zhong here drinking alone, Mr. Chen?”
Chen Changsheng raised his gourd and shook it slightly. “Want some?”
Zhong Zhengyuan shook his head, smiling. “No, I prefer tea.”
Chen Changsheng stashed the Wine Gourd and then turned his gaze towards the city gates.
Zhong Zhengyuan followed his line of sight. He saw the gates were choked with people. The soldiers on the walls acted oblivious, opened the gates, and allowed the fleeing crowds to pass through.
Zhong Zhengyuan said, “Corruption runs throughout Great Jing’s Imperial Court. In a crisis, they only think of escape. How utterly sorrowful.”
Chen Changsheng exhaled slowly. “People acting for their own gain is commonplace. How many truly care for home and country? Only when faced with broken walls and impossible passes does it become clear.”
“We’ll just watch. In some days, perhaps even more will have fled.”
Zhong Zhengyuan asked, “If everyone leaves, who will save Great Jing?”
Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. “Someone will come, eventually.”
Zhong Zhengyuan smiled warmly. “Before coming here, Mr. Chen once told me you wished to see this world become better. You bet with me on the fate of Great Jing. I felt deeply moved then. I wanted to see how you would save this world. Yet now… I see nothing.”
Perhaps the wine was warming his throat and stirring his spirit.
Chen Changsheng’s cheeks even held a faint flush. He breathed out a gust that carried its scent. “I also once told Master Zhong that Great Jing’s fate was seven parts determined by heaven, three parts by men. Although Great Jing is corrupt to the roots, extraordinary people still exist.”
“Some days ago, I encountered an old man. He told me the phrase, ‘The Way of Governance.’ At that moment, I thought… perhaps in this Great Jing…”
“…there might still be a thread of opportunity.”
Zhong Zhengyuan was stunned by these words. Then, he privately shook his head.
He observed that Chen Changsheng seemed hesitant.
In his impression, Chen Changsheng had always been decisive. Yet on this matter, it was different.
Zhong Zhengyuan looked towards the continuous stream of people escaping through the city gates.
He sighed helplessly.
“When had Master Zhong ever seemed so indecisive?”