The lives of the Three Northern Provinces' people are merely coerced by Great Jin's oppressive power, forced to yield. You, the creators of harsh policies, sit high above, benefiting from the offerings of the common people, yet still turn around to accuse them of inherent evil, cloaking your harsh policies in legal justification. No matter how grandly you speak, it cannot change the perception of Great Jin held by the people of the Three Northern Provinces, and indeed, of all the provinces in The World.

Zhuge Yuan's theory of inherent evil was labeled as heretical by the Master a thousand years ago, and he himself was expelled from the academy. The eccentric views of an expelled Confucian sect member, you really have the audacity to spout such nonsense here, what a joke!

No wonder the deans Meng Xun once said, Legalist, is the study of chaotic times."

......

The entire Zhaoyang Palace has become the venue for Zou Ziqu and Yuan Zhen to advocate their respective stances, filling the minds of thousands with their impassioned speeches, and most faces reveal expressions of contemplation.

Since the Great Yu lost the deer, the ten Holy Lands have divided Shenzhou for over a thousand years.

In more than a thousand years, everyone in The World has hoped for peace, countless doctrines emerged, yet only Confucianism has endured and thrived, dividing into three factions: Zhuge Yuan's Legalist Confucianism, Meng Qu's Loyalist Confucianism, and Xun Mu's Populist Confucianism.

Though the three families come from the same school, their beliefs are differently focused, and essentially everyone knows the struggle among the three has lasted for centuries without resolution.

Zou Ziqu and Yuan Zhen's debate may not have a resolution.

Everyone present is aware, and they themselves are aware.

Hence, after meeting each other's gaze for a long time, they both turned their heads towards Hou Yuxiao, who sat at the head, with eyes full of a clear sense of inquiry.

Even knowing there'd be no result, they chose to argue in this setting for a reason—Hou Yuxiao's choice, or rather Hexi's choice, was their point of contention.

What is today's banquet about?

It's about Great Jin and the alliance vying for Hexi.

Everyone is well aware, so when the two turned their gaze towards Hou Yuxiao, everyone else did too; instantly, thousands of eyes in Zhaoyang Palace focused on Hou Yuxiao.

Since the beginning of the debate, Hou Yuxiao has been quietly in a state of Nourishing Spirit, showing no expression whether Zou Ziqu or Yuan Zhen spoke, but suddenly being all eyes upon, he knows he cannot continue pretending to be deaf and mute any longer.

"Today, hearing the profound insights of two Great Confucians, Mr. Hou is deeply honored..."

"Master of Hou Family, no need to dither. Our mighty army of Great Jin is already in Hexi. This great war is inevitable; your Hou Clan, like New Moon Cult, cannot remain neutral. It's best to make a decision soon!"

"The alliance places great hope on Hexi, Mr. Zou sincerely hopes the Family Head can make a wise choice!"

The two unceremoniously interrupted Hou Yuxiao, almost throwing the problem directly in his face, the words full of threat, as if transferring all the argument's anger onto Hexi.

Hou Yuxiao's brow furrowed deeply, his facial expression a bit struggling; everyone could see his heart must be suffering deeply. Though a few understood his predicament and felt some sympathy.

Yet those gloating were still the majority.

Hexi becoming a battlefield is already a foregone conclusion, and the Hou Clan's power isn't on the same level as Great Jin and the alliance, no matter which side they lean toward, they will be forced onto the battlefield, becoming cannon fodder. Thus, no matter how chosen, it is a doomed situation.

Clear-sighted people understand, and even know that Hou Yuxiao certainly understands too, but knowing what can be done—this is the tragedy of entering the game without being able to become a player.

Hou Yuxiao's face slowly showed a trace of sorrow, he gradually stood up and took two steps forward, he did not speak immediately but first bowed respectfully to Tuoba Zun and Jing Tianyu, then said with an emotional voice: "This time, Great Jin and the alliance have set the battlefield in Hexi, my Hou Clan is powerless to change. As the two Great Confucians said, both sides aim for peace in The World, Mr. Hou does not want to be the villain blocking peace's arrival, thus, when faced with choosing between two sides, Mr. Hou cannot refuse..."

He paused here, then changed the tone to continue:

"However, Mr. Hou hopes everyone understands—Hexi becoming a battlefield, the most tragic is not my Hou Clan, but rather the eighty million people living on Hexi Land. My Hou Clan lacks the position to stay outside like New Moon Cult; why up to now haven't I stated my stance, many feel Mr. Hou is biding time, in fact, it's not; what Mr. Hou worries about is once war starts, tens of millions of civilians, how many will die; how many families will be displaced; how many blood-related relatives will be separated by heaven and earth. What Mr. Hou cares for is certainly not my Hou Clan, but these tens of millions of common people!"

...… Sourced directly from NovelBin.

Hou Yuxiao's tone is very moving, even his expression is solemn.

Everyone present looked surprised, Tuoba Zun and Jing Tianyu's originally expectant expressions suddenly froze, and the two Great Confucians, Zou Ziqu and Yuan Zhen, appeared deeply ashamed.

"Everyone thinks that Mr. Hou is hosting this banquet to declare Hexi's stance, but little do they know that Mr. Hou's main purpose today is for the civilians of Hexi. The Great Jin and the Alliance are at odds, and whichever side the Hou Clan chooses, it's not really a big deal. But think about the 80 million people of Hexi, what should happen to them?"

Hou Yuxiao said solemnly, bowing to Tuoba Zun and Jing Tianyu, with a look of compassion: "Heaven has the virtue of nurturing life. Although Mr. Hou is not a good person, I am willing to seek a path of survival for these 80 million people. I wonder if the Great Jin and the Alliance are willing to agree?"

...

Jing Tianyu and Tuoba Zun's expressions froze, seeing that everyone's eyes were focused on them, their faces immediately darkened.

The two of them exchanged looks with Zou Ziqu and Yuan Zhen and instantly realized that they were in a bit of a bind.

The words of the two Great Confucians just now were full of righteousness. Now, Hou Yuxiao brings up the 80 million people of Hexi, isn't he also standing on the moral high ground? You are all for the peace of The World, so what about the peace of these 80 million people, will you give it or not?

"If it's for the people, the Great Jin is duty-bound!"

"The violent Jin is like this, needless to say the Alliance should be too."

Seeing the two of them express their positions successively, Hou Yuxiao was suddenly overjoyed. To outsiders, this joy was for the sake of the people of Hexi, and many people immediately started respecting him.

"Our Hou Clan's five million troops are all stationed in Xingnan Prefecture, which both of you must be aware of. The world thinks that Mr. Hou deliberately places his troops in the middle to avoid favoring either the Great Jin or the Alliance, while in fact, Mr. Hou made these preparations in advance for today.

The affairs of The World, to put it bluntly, are matters of us, the major forces, and have nothing to do with these ordinary civilians. Mr. Hou proposes to make Xingnan Prefecture the neutral zone of this Hexi battlefield for a period of one month, during which our Hou Clan will send troops everywhere to escort all civilians back to the cities within Xingnan Prefecture. After one month, our Hou Clan will make a choice, and the Great Jin and the Alliance can then officially go to war. May I ask both of you, what do you think?"

...

So, that's how it is!

After listening to Hou Yuxiao's words, everyone present had an epiphany-like realization. It was no secret that Hou Clan's five million troops were stationed in Xingnan Prefecture. Everyone thought that Hou Yuxiao's action was to maintain the same distance from both the Great Jin and the Alliance, so as not to offend either side.

Now they understood, Hou Yuxiao did this for the 80 million people of Hexi Dao; Hou Clan sent troops to bring all the civilians of Hexi Dao to Xingnan Prefecture.

Instantly, everyone looked at Hou Yuxiao, their hearts filled with respect.

"Master of Hou Family, your great righteousness, I admire!"

"The great justice of Hexi, the Great Jin and the Alliance should agree."

"Saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. If the Great Jin and the Alliance can agree with Master of Hou Family's action, it would really be of immense merit..."

...

Voices of praise filled the audience, overwhelmingly supporting Hou Yuxiao's proposal. Some were so emotionally stirred that they even demanded the Great Jin and the Alliance to agree.

Seeing the public indignation throughout the venue, even the expressions on the faces of the five people behind them showed clear approval of Hou Yuxiao's proposal, Jing Tianyu and Tuoba Zun were silent for no more than ten breaths before they spoke.

"The great justice of Hexi, the Great Jin will naturally support."

"The Alliance came for the salvation of the people of Hexi!"

...

Agreed!

Hou Yuxiao was moved, giving the two a heavy bow, bending at a ninety-degree angle with gratitude: "Mr. Hou thanks the Great Jin and the Alliance on behalf of the 80 million people of Hexi..."

No one noticed, in that moment when he bowed his head, the expression previously filled with gratitude instantly turned into a deep, gleaming smile.