Duan Guihong said, “This herb was first discovered by the Tianfang people, named ‘Dier’, meaning ‘hypnosis’, while in the Southern Frontier dialect, it is called ‘Sanaifu’, which means—”
“The sleeping god of death.”
Chapter 59: Heart-to-Heart | Third Day Apart, Missing Him
A general’s success built on countless bones, behind the portrait of meritorious officials hanging in the Golden Terrace’s Kirin Pavilion, flames dance and countless souls wail and cry.
Fu Shen sighed, “What a sin.”
Duan Guihong was almost angry to the point of collapse, furiously saying, “In battle, it’s either you die or I die. You feel sympathy, but don’t you think about the innocent civilians murdered by the Tatars! With such feminine compassion, what great achievements can you possibly accomplish!”
He suppressed his smile: “So, Your Highness, don’t expect me to become the ‘Fu family member’ you hope for just by listening to a story. These hands have killed countless barbarians, and I’ve never fantasized about reincarnating in paradise after death. If I’m meant to go to hell, I’ll go to hell, and the same applies to others. ‘Two corpses fallen, blood flowing five steps’ is enough. Whoever commits sins will face retribution. Why drag innocent people into this?”
Duan Guihong said: “Because of his personal grudge, loyal subjects have died in sorrow. Even if he faces retribution, it’s not enough to make up for the sins he has committed.”
Fu Shen did not immediately respond, remaining silent for a moment before softly sighing: “Your Highness…
Duan Guihong also fell silent.
When the emperor is enraged, hundreds of thousands fall, and blood flows for thousands of miles – but what fault did those hundreds of thousands of dead have? Those soldiers who died at Qingsha Pass, the civilians killed by the Pure Yang Taoist, the innocent people of Xishan Village in Kuang County who died at the hands of Autumn Night White… What inevitable reason did they have to die?
When the heavens are displeased, there are droughts, floods, and locust plagues. When those in power are displeased, white bones are exposed in the wilderness, and for thousands of miles, no rooster crows. Ordinary commoners, barely able to support their families, carry layer upon layer of heaven above them. After a lifetime of hard work, a single unexpected calamity can completely destroy everything.
