Reincarnated Rock Prince, you're saying this is Douluo Continent?

Chapter 130: A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions; by intentions alone, no one in the world is perfect.
In the hotel, Xu Jiawei spoke with a powerful and resonant voice, like a wise and virtuous man who was concerned about the country and its people.

Zhong Li put down her teacup, glanced sideways at Xu Jiawei beside her, and seemed to be deep in thought.

If Zhongli hadn't been involved in today's events, how could the Duchess of Baihu have been punished in this way?
If the Duchess of White Tiger did not have those two identities, perhaps even the punishment process could have been omitted.

Duchess Baihu is a member of the Xu family, a princess of the current dynasty, and the wife of the head of the Dai family, a remnant of the previous dynasty. Her status is extremely noble, and few women in the entire Star Luo Empire can compare to her.

Losing these identities is, for a woman who has pursued them, nothing short of a painful punishment.

Sometimes, people live simply to live, but some people pursue different things, such as faith, status, etc. Losing these things is no different from being dead.

When Xu Jiawei said this, he did not say that Duchess Baihu had offended Zhongli, but rather that the other party had disregarded the overall situation and made a mistake for her own selfish reasons.

This also has very significant and correct therapeutic value...

"Jiawei, your approach to this matter was very appropriate and harmonious, demonstrating foresight..."

"However, for an emperor, such matters are trivial. The right path should be to seek more benefits and treatment for his people."

Zhong Li said without changing his expression, and Xu Jiawei listened attentively like a primary school student facing a teacher, nodding in agreement from time to time.

Whether he listened or not, only Xu Jiawei himself knows.

"Is the God of War teaching me how I, as an emperor, should behave...?"

Xu Jiawei's eyes darted around, and a surge of joy welled up in his heart.

If others recognized him as an emperor, he might just laugh it off. The Xu family had planned for so many years to achieve today's prosperity, which was not his achievement alone.

But Zhongli teaching him how to become a qualified emperor has a different significance.

This means that Zhongli has recognized him as the Star Luo Emperor, which is an approval from the gods!
"My Lord Martial God, since I took office, I have been diligent and conscientious, and have never dared to slack off in the slightest."

"But the people of the Star Luo Empire don't seem to be happy..."

"Compared to the God of War's Liyue, the people of the Star Luo Empire are still suffering terribly. I... as an emperor, I do not know how to save these people. Please give me some guidance, God of War!"

Xu Jiawei stood up and, without the slightest hesitation, knelt straight down in front of Zhong Li with a "plop."

His gaze was firm yet tinged with worry, and his face wore a pleading expression.

Zhong Li was taken aback and glanced at Xu Jiawei with some surprise, but her face remained expressionless.

Regardless of Xu Jiawei's motives, whether it was to manipulate this martial arts god or to genuinely benefit the people.

As the saying goes: A gentleman judges by actions, not by intentions; and if you judge by intentions, no one in the world is perfect.

As long as he has such thoughts, regardless of his motivation, he can be considered a qualified emperor.

With a casual wave of his hand, Zhong Li lifted Xu Jiawei, who was kneeling on the ground, up with a burst of amber energy.

"Hmm~"

Zhongli pondered for a moment and then asked, "What aspect of happiness are you referring to?"

"It means that everyone can have enough to eat, clothes to wear, and surplus grain in their homes, and can awaken their martial soul for free..."

"Even if everyone is like a dragon, and the world is in harmony, there will be no distinction between high and low, noble and lowly..."

"Or..."

Hearing this, Xu Jiawei was somewhat bewildered and confused. He recognized every word Zhong Li said, but when put together, he felt a little disoriented.

Does such a world really exist?
Even in fantasy, there is no reference point... No, there is a reference point, isn't Liyue a ready-made reference point? But in the end, Liyue is only so prosperous today because of the protection of the God of War.

Without Zhongli, such a prosperous scene as Liyue would never exist in the Douluo Continent!
Xu Jiawei gave a wry smile and said, "Martial God, we...we are ultimately just ordinary people. Without your martial arts skills, we cannot intimidate everyone."

Xu Jiawei spoke these words with great sincerity, knowing that trying to outsmart this person would not be a good thing.

"All I ask for is that my people have enough to eat and clothes to wear... As for free martial soul awakening..."

At this point, a hint of hesitation flashed across Xu Jiawei's face, and his fists clenched involuntarily.

Giving commoners free martial soul awakening is not a good thing for nobles and royalty!
Ten thousand years ago, the Spirit Empire, established by the Spirit Hall, representing the common people, almost overthrew the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires.

Since then, nobles and royalty have stopped awakening martial spirits for commoners for free!
Even though they never helped commoners awaken their martial souls, that didn't stop them from cutting off commoners' path to advancement.

Nobles and royalty can tolerate a small number of commoner soul masters, but they cannot tolerate the majority of commoner soul masters who threaten the imperial power!

If everyone awakens their martial soul, how many soul masters will be born?

If ordinary people develop inappropriate ideas again, the consequences will be unimaginable!

Zhong Li picked up his teacup again, and while sipping the tea, he glanced at Xu Jiawei out of the corner of his eye. He knew what Xu Jiawei's concerns were, but he didn't point them out.

Respecting human beings' own choices is his consistent approach.

After a long pause, Xu Jiawei gritted his teeth, as if he had made up his mind, and said, "Lord Martial God, the matter of awakening martial souls for ordinary people for free is of great importance and involves the very foundation of the country. If it is not handled properly, a large number of evil soul masters will be born on the continent in a hundred years."

"As the saying goes, when you hold a sharp weapon, the desire to kill arises. When they gain power, they may also develop some unwarranted ambitions."

"Hmm~"

Zhong Li nodded, agreeing with Xu Jiawei's statement.

Giving ordinary people free martial soul awakening will indeed lead to these problems.

Without absolute military suppression, it is inevitable that some bad people will emerge; this is an unavoidable fact.

Especially from Xu Jiawei's perspective, there is absolutely no problem with saying this.

Even on the continent of Teyvat, not everyone possesses the Eye of God; most are just ordinary people.

This is a key factor in the stability of the mainland.

Seeing Zhong Li nod, Xu Jiawei breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought that Zhong Li had raised this question because he wanted to help everyone awaken their martial souls for free. If he didn't agree, he was afraid that he would lose points in Zhong Li's mind.

To everyone's surprise, Zhongli actually nodded!

"The road ahead is long and arduous."

"If you only want to solve people's livelihood issues, you will still affect the interests of many people, including yourself."

"I'll just offer some appropriate suggestions; whether or not to take them is up to you."

"Jiawei is all ears!"

Xu Jiawei cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhong Li and said earnestly.

He was not a fool, and he certainly understood that dealing with the current livelihood issues would inevitably result in the loss of many benefits, but he still wanted to hear Zhongli's advice.

(End of this chapter)