"Alas, listening to the rustling bamboo amidst the official quarters, suspecting it to be the sound of people's suffering."
"Indeed, one day the official army collects taxes from the sea, driving cattle, eating beef."
"Talented Yuan's 'Farr's Song,' didn't expect the young master to be well-versed in poetry and prose," Su Hongtao remarked in surprise.
"Taught by my wife, though I've only mastered a few lines, my skill is just so-so."
Su Hongtao swayed with intoxication, his spirits rising, babbling on: "Yuan Zhen, Yuan Weizhi, lacked morals in their early years, later in office they appeared to cozy up to the powerful eunuchs, but what of it? Punishing lawlessness, addressing contemporary issues, positioned at the center, serving as Minister of the Left, ultimately beca loyal ministers and virtuous officials in the annals of history... Immortalized, renowned for generations."
Chen Yi nodded slightly, "Anshan Gong also has a clear reputation, surpassing Yuan Zhen."
Su Hongtao drank deeply, sighing, "But when will I beco Yuan Zhen, a minister in the Emperor's court?"
"Not long now."
"Really not long?" Su Hongtao's emotions were intense, as if he would be carried away by the wind, ascending to the Emperor's grand hall.
"On my journey through Hu-Guang, I recalled a line of poetry."
Chen Yi smiled, and this ti he picked up the green porcelain wine jug, pouring for Su Hongtao, speaking slowly:
"'Last year I passed this county town, where no citizen was silent about their grievances. This year the county magistrate has donned crimson robes, it's the blood of the people staining them.'"
Su Hongtao paused slightly.
Unaware of why Chen Yi would recite such inappropriate poetry, but a person's dying words, however absurd and rebellious, Su Hongtao could tolerate.
Su Hongtao laughed heartily, "The freezing of a river three feet deep is not from one day's cold. Young master, do not bla for failing the people."
"Alright, let apologize to Mr. Su first."
The cup was full,
Su Hongtao raised the bowl and drank.
Puff.
A sudden sharp pain in his abdon, Su Hongtao widened his eyes in disbelief as scalding liquid flowed from his belly, yet inside it was icy cold.
Trembling, he raised his head to face a calm visage.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Su, I killed your family and friends."
With a clang, the wine bowl shattered on the ground, Su Hongtao fell along with his chair, a dagger protruding from his abdon, he fearfully tried to muster strength to escape.
Chen Yi's hand gripped his neck, pressing him down forcefully, holding the dagger, another "puff" followed.
Blood turned the surroundings red, Su Hongtao in panic tried to resist, summoning his strength, striking a palm, but could not surpass Chen Yi's hand.
"Let go... Get away, get away!"
Chen Yi did not negotiate, stabbing again, "I'm sorry, I cannot let go, this is my apology to you."
Su Hongtao struggled with all his might, every second felt slow.
Blood welled up in his throat, he coughed out: "I should be the one to apologize, it's who should apologize, I, I... I wasn't trying to fra you, let go, let go..."
The man paused, unexpectedly saying: "You want to use as your scapegoat?"
Su Hongtao stalled for a mont, the next mont, the knife broke the flesh again.
"I'm sorry, I killed the Su Family's people and the True Martial Taoist you hired," Chen Yi said sincerely.
Su Hongtao propped himself up, kicking to leave, his breath was weak, yet he still wished to live,
"You, what you saw in Hu-Guang... the chaos, I saw it too... I am restoring order... I hear the people's suffering, I am a clean official, I am a good official, let go... let go..."
"I'm sorry, whether a clean official or a corrupt one, evil deeds make want to kill."
Su Hongtao trembled all over, unable to walk, only watching as Chen Yi stabbed.
Puff.
"I'm sorry," Chen Yi said as he stabbed, "this stab was too deep."
Puff.
"I'm sorry," Chen Yi stabbed again, "this stab was too shallow."
Puff,
"I'm sorry this stab hurt you."
"I'm sorry, this stab lacked force."
......
Su Hongtao's eyes were veined with purple as he faced the empty ceiling, seemingly unconvinced.
The man's silhouette disappeared from the unconvinced gaze, offering a bow, leaving with the words,
"I apologize for killing you, this is my apology."
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