Uneasy daily life

"Today's daily ranking list is out!"

The classroom immediately erupted in excitement, and soon groups of two or three people had divided up the stack of flyers.

[The ultimate battle for supremacy! Daily assessments of victory and defeat. Among all the warlords under heaven, who will reign supreme?]

Shiromaru glanced at the top line of text, and his eyes twitched involuntarily. The crooked, twisted handwriting resembled that of an indescribable reptile...

Apart from the font, the rest of the text is very exquisite, listing the candidates from top to bottom, with each candidate accompanied by a photo in a different pose.

Chitanda Eru stood upright, looking as if she were having her ID photo taken, with her comments next to her.

Victory and defeat, rise and fall, are not bound by fate; fortunes rise and fall with the changing winds. A pawn, unwilling to look back, sees the world as its chessboard and itself as a piece.

A heart as pure as jade, outwardly gentle yet inwardly firm; affection as enduring as water, flowing without ceasing.

Does being ranked at the very top mean that you think she's the most likely candidate for student council president?

Shiromaru continued looking down thoughtfully. Was this Yukinoshita? Although she looked expressionless in the photo, there was a subtle sense of disdain in her eyes…

Mountains high enough to accumulate deep snow, seas wide enough for fish to leap. Naturally pure and bright, there's no need to borrow the sun to create a perfect night.

[Those who rise high can serve as role models for the world, but those who follow the crowd will inevitably find themselves trapped in their own group.]

Hmm... that's quite an accurate assessment. Yukinoshita and Haruno-senpai are ultimately different. Yukinoshita is better suited to leading others through superior abilities, rather than through building relationships like Haruno-senpai. If she doesn't have opportunities to demonstrate her abilities, she can be difficult to get along with. It's only when she faces difficulties head-on that she truly earns respect and admiration...

Shiromaru found this list quite interesting; below are contenders such as Miura Yumiko, Isshiki Iroha, and Sagami Minami.

Are there really that many participants in this student council president election?

Yumiko Miura was ranked third, and the photo didn't look very friendly.

[Gathering soil to form a mountain, I stand as its peak; merging streams to form the sea, the waves rise high. Where can I find a valiant general to conquer all directions, whose commands echo like a great wind?]

[A leader may be a hero for a time, but a lone pillar brings ruin.]

Why does it feel like the complete opposite of Yukinoshita?

Cheng Huixun vaguely sensed a whiff of someone stirring up trouble.

The evaluations of the subsequent feudal lords... ahem, the candidates were rather concise.

Such as Sagami Minami's saying, "Peaceful and complacent life leads to cholera and the devastation of the people," and Iroha Isshiki's saying, "Success or failure is not up to us; rise and fall are in the hands of others."

Turn the flyer over; it contains some comments and dialogues evaluating the student council election rules.

For example, conversations about how each person can only run for one position and cannot change their target if they fail to win, how student council positions cannot be arranged by the student council president, how the student council needs time to work out, and how occasional personality and activity conflicts among members can prevent the student council from fulfilling its functions.

It's somewhat similar to an interview transcript.

For example, this promotional leaflet features "The White Scholar and the Queen's Dialogue".

[Bai Mingshi: If a ruler does not select his ministers, if a ruler does not know his ministers, if a minister does not know his ruler, then a minister will not advise his ruler. Is this not a fallacy?]

[Queen: People say so.]

[Bai Mingshi: A monarch cannot select or appoint his ministers, let alone directly appoint scribes or accountants; he doesn't even have the right to nominate them. The monarch doesn't know the ministers' abilities or what kind of work they can do, and the ministers don't know the monarch's character or ambitions. If they discover the monarch's mistakes, they are hesitant to offer advice directly due to unfamiliarity with the monarch. Isn't this absurd?]

[Queen: What a mess! What's wrong with that?]

[White Scholar: If the Snow Emperor were the ruler, Yuihama the queen, and you were the subject, what would you say?]

[Queen: They must be executed!]

[Bai Mingshi: This is a case of "two tigers cannot share the same mountain." (This is a parody.)]

[Imperial Nephew: If we do not select virtuous and capable individuals, wouldn't that be the way of arbitrary and tyrannical rule?]

[Bai Mingshi: Would it be acceptable for a monarch to appoint the capable and for the people to select the virtuous?]

[Imperial Nephew: Good.]

"?"

Cheng Huixun leaned back involuntarily. Putting aside the seemingly chaotic and interesting story, she felt that something was wrong, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

She thought for a moment and asked her classmate, who was also reading the daily reviews, "What do you think of the election rules for student council members?"

"Hmm? Is Xun Di referring to this interview story?" his friend said casually. "It really does need some revisions. If the student council president can't even assign roles, it would be awkward if they elected a few students with whom they have conflicts..."

Shiromaru pondered for a moment, recalling some of the teachings that Hino-senpai had given him.

If the election rules are amended to give the student council president some sense of participation, people will not agree to arbitrarily change the established rules. However, if the student council president is to be given centralized and arbitrary power to decide other positions in the student council, people will find it acceptable to give the student council president some voting rights.

Putting aside the seemingly troublesome and amusing appearance... does the white figure seem to be up to something?

Do you have any of these daily fortune-telling articles from the previous issues?

"Yes, yes, they're all quite interesting. One of them even mentions the Emperor's selection of a successor," her friend said while searching. "I don't know where Baiying found out, but she even dug up the story of how Senior Yangnai helped you with your election..."

Cheng Huixun pondered for a moment, his expression strange.

I had indeed thought Yukinoshita was a good candidate for student council president, but with Shirokage pulling this stunt... it's really not good for me to get involved now. In fact, it would be best if I didn't participate in the election, so as not to make the student council president election seem unfair.

Could this be part of his plan?

Bai is the type of person who tends to make a big deal out of small things and a small deal out of big things.

Shiromaru felt it was very likely. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that a huge net was being spread out, covering the entire Soubu High School and capturing most of the students, so much so that everyone was talking about the student council president election.

The one who brings chaos to the world is Bai.

Chapter Fifteen: The Theory of Strength

boom!

The gavel is slammed on the table.

"Countless heroes of the Three Kingdoms, Yukino Miura Eru. The Three Kingdoms stand in a tripartite balance of power, victory and defeat are decided by the hands of their foes."

"Martial prowess, fame, and virtue—the feudal lords vie for supremacy endlessly. Who can define elegance with a single word? Beauty and ugliness are judged by those directly opposite."

"The Ninth Chapter of 'The Legend of the Generals'! Plum blossoms, bamboo, orchids, and chrysanthemums vie for beauty, while lords from all directions rank themselves according to their looks!"

The white figure swung her folding fan open, revealing the words "Beauty is Justice" written crookedly on it.

The audience was very familiar with the place; they formed a circle below, and a string of people clung to the railings of the teaching building, some even bringing their own small stools.

Jiuchongyun carried the camera, skillfully pointing it at the storyteller, occasionally also filming the listeners' reactions.

Angelina remained calm, holding her small basket and waiting to receive the tips. Her face seemed to say, "I'm used to it. As long as I don't panic, I won't panic, so there's no way I'd be surprised..." What a load of rubbish!

Sir! Have you finally run out of ideas and don't know what to ramble on about anymore? Think carefully about what you're rambling about! Are you already pushing the battle towards a confrontational scenario?!

Clearly, Bai Ying wasn't afraid at all, and spoke fluently and confidently.

"Continuing from the previous chapter: The feudal lords of the world are fighting each other. Today she criticizes the shortcomings of the law, tomorrow you will discuss governance. Suddenly, dark clouds gather, and a storm is brewing... Chitanda, having gained the title of the emperor's nephew, advises on reforms to centralize power and govern the world. Yukinoshita speaks frankly, pointing her sword at the throne with a determined heart. Miura remains as steady as Mount Tai, and heroes flock to him, showing signs of a great future beginning to emerge..."

One day, the Snow Emperor invited the scholar to a meeting.

The scholar asked, "Do you wish to discuss the affairs of the world?"

The Snow Emperor said arrogantly, "The world? Miura lost his courage; his momentary anger made it difficult to last. Chitanda lost his wisdom; though his mind was resolute, he was easily led astray. As for the rest, such as Isshiki, they are not worthy of consideration. The world will surely be mine; they are not worth discussing."

The scholar then asked, "Leaving aside the affairs of the world, let's only consider romance—of all the feudal lords under heaven, which one does the Snow Emperor find beautiful?"

The Snow Emperor pondered for a moment, then asked, "What do we consider beautiful?"

The scholar said, “True beauty must first be in the bones, refined and elegant, harmonious and graceful, like bamboo with joints, upright and humble, tall and unyielding. Next, beauty is in the flesh, plump and graceful, neither too much nor too little, like branches bearing fruit, round on the outside and solid on the inside, full of vitality. Then, beauty is in the skin, soft, white and smooth, overflowing with color and flawless, like solidified jade, moist on the outside and warm on the inside, like silk and satin.”

The Snow Emperor said, "According to your opinion, who is more handsome, me or the other lords?"

The scholar said, "..."

Snow Empress: "Say something!"

The scholar said, “Snow Lord is more beautiful than the gods. His eyes are like morning stars, full of righteousness, and his eyebrows are like the sky, lifting up the universe. He is as awe-inspiring as snow, but when touched, he melts away, turning into a drizzle, which is the ultimate beauty.”

The Snow Emperor showed no sign of sorrow or joy, and nodded, saying, "You may share my bed tonight."

The following day, the scholar visited the Queen and her nephew, recounting the events of the previous day.

The emperor's nephew agreed, saying, "Solemn and lofty, imposing even without anger, one cannot approach from afar, yet up close the snow is as fine as sand. Cold on the outside but warm on the inside, the snow is truly beautiful."

The Queen scoffed, "Ace? I can't afford that."

The scholar commented: "The beauty of the Queen lies in her majesty. Her hair is like golden silk, her eyes like green stones. She stands tall above all others, giving orders to the heavens. She is like the rumble of spring thunder, which, though deafening and flashing, nourishes all things and makes all flowers flourish."

Queen: "Climb."

The emperor's nephew asked curiously, "And what about me?"

Upon hearing this, the scholar glanced sideways at the small memorial behind the emperor's nephew: "I wonder what your opinion is, sir?"

Xiao Zhezi said, "My lord's beauty lies in... in..."

The scholar, fanning himself, said, “My nephew’s beauty is both outwardly refined and inwardly intelligent. His hair is as black as clouds dyed the sky, a single, seamless color; his cheeks are like newly blossoming peaches, appearing and disappearing; his eyes are deep and swirling, captivating the eye; his brows are like the rising sun, radiating boundless vitality. There is a poem that says: ‘A river of green water embroiders the green mountains, two spring flowers bid farewell to the winter chill. Perhaps it is the east wind that heralds the coming of spring, for with a glance, all the beauty is returned.’”

“Father-in-law, you can’t even do your job of flattery properly. You should retire and go back to your hometown as soon as possible.”

Just as the scholar was about to leave, a person suddenly appeared.

It was one of the feudal lords, with feathers of one color.

Isshiki Iroha asked with a smile, "And what about me?"

The scholar said, "She's really cute at such a young age."

Yise Yu smiled and agreed, though her expression remained unchanged. In her heart, she was furious and immediately prepared to issue a kill order to the scholar.

Suddenly, a message arrived.

"The emperor, who had been traveling abroad seeking immortality and enlightenment, has returned to the capital, suffering from illness!"

boom!

"Has the emperor returned from his inspection tour? Is he there to support others, or to observe the election? Has he achieved enlightenment and is preparing to ascend to heaven, or is he still resentful and vainly seeking to regain control of the world? The day of the election is approaching; who will emerge victorious? Stay tuned for the grand historical program, 'The Legend of the Generals'!"

The white figure closed the folding fan: "To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next chapter!"

Angelina consciously carried a small basket around, collecting the audience's tip coins, maintaining a poker-faced expression throughout.

It can only be said that after doing so many outrageous things, one actually starts to feel that nothing is wrong... The adaptability of humans is truly terrifying.

"If we're talking about who's prettier, isn't it definitely Yukinoshita?"

"Huh? Come to think of it, aren't all the student council president candidates girls? Why isn't a single boy running?"

Boys at this age are naturally addicted to playing and can't extricate themselves, which would be a real hassle for the student council president.

Angelina pricked up her ears, eavesdropping on the students' conversations.

"I think Chitanda is prettier. Come to think of it, Chitanda and Yukinoshita are quite similar, aren't they? Long black hair, and their demeanor is always very composed and elegant, with a literary girl vibe. And Chitanda is a bit taller than Yukinoshita..."

"That's not right. I saw them walking together before, and Xue Di was a little taller than the Imperial Nephew."

"Ahem, I mean another aspect."

Ugh, she's a female pervert.

"When it comes to beauty, it's definitely the Queen! She's taller than Yukino, and her blonde hair is more gorgeous than her black hair. No matter how you look at it, the Queen is number one!"

"Ha! Heretic! Beauty is not just about appearance, but also about temperament and demeanor! Miura has a volatile temper, and when she gets emotional, it's like she's speaking into a microphone. I can hear her talking even from the noisy classroom next door. How can she compare to the elegant and quiet Chitanda?!"

"I can accept what you said about Yukinoshita, but Chitanda? Didn't you see Chitanda running around in the corridor like a whirlwind?"

"That's called being true to yourself!"

Oh, so today's standard for strength is beauty?

Angelina ate some melon seeds and returned to the filming crew with the coins she had collected.

"Are we discussing appearance?" Jiu Chongyun asked, checking the footage taken today. "None of the candidates look bad. If we have to rank them, we'll have to see how we define aesthetic standards, right?"

"That's too shallow; your perspective is too limited."

Bai Ying shook his head and said, "What do you think is the point of lists like the Ten Sages of the Martial Temple or the Ten Great Beauties of Ancient Times?"

Jiuchongyun thought for a moment: "Should we select those outstanding people and list them together?"

"NO! The significance of a list isn't how it's ranked, but how people see it!"

Bai Ying waved her folding fan and spoke eloquently: "Japan has the legend of Princess Kaguya, and China has stories of Diao Chan and Xi Shi using beauty to seduce women. Are they really that beautiful, existing only in oral tradition? They are merely the embodiment of abstract concepts such as treasures, thrones, and wealth. The audience watches the disputes, characters, and stories surrounding these things, rather than truly believing how beautiful they are. The ranking of beauties is essentially a debate and definition among the audience."

"Because there is no definitive definition, any definition will spark controversy. Once the controversy begins, both sides will cite sources to argue their own definition, thus initiating a protracted discussion..."

Bai Ying chuckled: "Now, the students have another topic to debate, and the student council election is going to flourish as a result."