Way of Overlord
Chapter 187: Reputation

Chapter 187: Reputation

And Xu Shu is different from Xu Bailong in this regard.

In all of his life, he lost more than he won.

But each lost teaches him something and because of that he knows the people of the world, he knows the world and not forget the people, he sees the forest, but he also sees the leaves, he sees the horizon but did not forget the ground he is standing in

He is stable, and Xu Bailong is flamboyant.

He is cautious and prudent, Xu Bailong take risk.

"That is why I blame you" Xu Shu thought to himself, close his eyes and sigh for a moment

"Xu Bailong is truly an outstanding talent. Whoever gets him would get the world. But for someone to get the world, the world first has to be in chaos."

Xu Shu knows the current affairs of men and he studied the History of Xun and Rise of Yan, the Rise and Fall of Empire and many other books

But books is not alive.

The one creating history is the people of this era and so, the knowledge in the book are nothing but written words unless the reader knows how to change the words into practical means

And Xu Shu is that kind of talent.

He could see that the imperial court is in disarray, the people are suffering, noble families are stocking up provision and gathering soldiers

The weakness of the Yan dynasty is now brought forth to the forefront and it would not be long before it would erupt

All it needs is a small spark to turn a small fire into a prairie fire.

Xu Bailong probably could also see this and the reason he offer advice to Qiao Meng probably because he anticipated the chaotic years ahead.

Xu Shu believes that Xu Bailong wanted to offer his advice to Qiao Meng and then when Qiao Meng implement his plans and he won, his name would be famous all over the Yan empire.

Then Xu Bailong, relying on the fame that he had built, simply needs to wait until the world is truly at a great chaos and the warlords that would spring from that chaos would surely needs great talent around them

Great chaos also means great change.

The aristocratic family oppression of the common people, would surely come back to bite them and this era of great chaos would surely birthed heroes among the common people

Jiang Han led his village people to rebel against the Xun dynasty, a small status person and he fought all the way to the Dragon Throne.

That was an era of great change.

And this time, another era of great change would surely happen.

Xu Bailong knows that when the warlords rises most of these military men would need a strategist like Xu Bailong who is adept in tricks and schemes and internal management.

He has the talent of Guan Zhong, Xiao He and Zhang Liang. So, Xu Shu could understand that when the city is being attacked, Xu Bailong get the idea to brush up his fame.

Otherwise, why would Xu Bailong offer advice to Qiao Meng someone he clearly disdain.

But this is probably to gain a reputation of benevolence, of a scholar that would ignore personal grievances and look at the big picture

That is probably the kind of reputation that Xu Bailong wanted to show to the world.

But, Xu Bailong knows the world like it is the back of his hand but he does not know the human heart.

No, it is not quite accurate to say he did not know human heart.

Instead, it is more accurate to say that he underestimate the pettiness of the human heart.

Xu Bailong believes as long as he says the right word, people will listen.

As long as he gives great strategy and advice and that advice could lead to victory, people would follow his advice.

But human heart is not that simple

And that is why he failed to persuade Qiao Meng. Instead, what he did only made it worse.

Xu Bailong clearly knows that he and Qiao Meng had great feud.

If Xu Bailong is really sincere in saving the city, why should he be the one to give that advice to Qiao Meng.

Seeking fame, wanting fortune, love for power.

This is what Xu Shu felt Xu Bailong true intention

If he is not the one giving that advice, then how could Xu Bailong prove to the world that he is a great talent?

So, it must be him that gives the advice and no one else

At this Xu Shu only scoffed. Xu Shu is not like those hypocritical scholars. Genius envies each other. But Xu Shu has always been loyal

He is loyal to the people. And he is not ashamed to the Heaven and not ashamed of the world.

Xu Bailong needs to show to the world how smart he is and the sacrifice is the city of Nurshira.

At least this is Xu Shu opinion of Xu Bailong

Xu Shu is confident that when the city of Nurshira falls, the story of how Xu Bailong gives advice would spread all over the Yan empire

People would scold Qiao Meng and Xu Bailong would get the reputation of a great strategist.

But the sacrifice?

The sacrifice is this city.

If Xu Shu had the idea that Xu Bailong had, instead of being the one who came to the city wall and give the advice, he would give the stratagem to any other person and let that person to give that advice to Qiao Men.

For example, if Xu Bailong had given the advice to General Xi Yan in secret, and then General Xi Yan proposed this idea toward Qiao Meng, Qiao Meng may accept it

And knowing Qiao Meng, Xu Shu is sure that if any other person proposed the same idea that Xu Bailong had proposed, Qiao Meng would accept it.

Xu Shu admit that Qiao Meng is not exactly an enlightened lord.

He is not good at governing the city but he is not entirely stupid and he does listened to the advice of the people

If he is really that stupid, Nurshira would have fall into chaos a long time ago.

If Xu Shu had to give Qiao Meng an evaluation, it is that he is mediocre. Mediocre in ability but grand in his ambition

Qiao Meng is a lackey of the Ji family and he is a social climber. That is the kind of person he is.

Using such person could be done but it must be used at the right role and position.

Ji family could leave the city to Qiao Meng because they know that Qiao Meng would not betray them as long as Ji family is still the strongest family in the north

Qiao Meng could govern the city and maintain the status quo, and the Ji family evaluation is right.

But what the Ji family could not have expected is that the Steppe warriors that have been for decade did not attack the south, suddenly amassed such a huge number of Steppe warriors and began attacking the Yan empire

In time of peace, Qiao Meng could be the best lackey for the Ji family.

But in times of war, that quality of Qiao Meng is useless.

If the Ji family is here, with their capable descendant taking over the control of the city, there is always a chance to repel the Steppe warriors back to the Great Steppe.

But Qiao Meng has no experience in dealing in battle like this and so, the ending of this battle has been written in the stars

Of course, people will say that if Qiao Meng had listen to Xu Bailong advice, the battle would not be like this and the ending would not be like this.

To that Xu Shu believe if that if it’s not Xu Bailong that said those advice, then the ending of the battle would probably change.

But because it is Xu Bailong that said those advice, the ending of the city is destined

Xu Shu believe if any other person proposed the same advice, Qiao Meng probably would accept it.

But if Xu Bailong present it, no matter whether the advice has merit or not, he would not accept it.

There is suspicion that the Xu family might want to usurp the authority of the Ji family and undermine Qiao Meng and supplant the Ji family.

At least this is probably what Qiao Meng had been thinking when Xu Bailong proposed the idea in front of him and even praised General Xi Yan

With this consideration, no matter how brilliant the plan that Xu Bailong proposed, Qiao Meng would never accept.

Because he is a person on the side of the Ji family.

If he accepts the plans of Xu Bailong, even if he won the battle, when the Ji family returns, how could they trust Qiao Meng again.

Qiao Meng look at it like a political battle, but this is a real battle with iron and steel clashing.

Not only that. Xu Bailong came to offer advice, but he acts unruly.

Xu Shu had seen Xu Bailong before.

He is very polite and he knows his etiquette and manners but when he talks with Qiao Meng, he talks like a teacher, and commanding this and that, ignoring Qiao Meng.

This is probably because the familiarity between them and the feuding relationship that they had.

Xu Shu doesn’t blame this attitude. After all, Xu Shu himself is a very honest man. And he shows his like and dislike without too much deceit.

But, if Xu Bailong wanted to really offer advice, he should have taken a more respectful stance.

Qiao Meg has never liked Xu Bailong, coupled with Xu Bailong attitude, how could Qiao Meng who values face would ever accept Xu Bailong advice?

So, from the beginning, Xu Shu could tell that Xu Bailong advice would never be implemented by the city lord

And now, the city is broken and Xu Bailong got his wish.

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