Chapter 24: People of the same mind
This topic is really jaw-dropping. I had never thought about it carefully, but once it was mentioned, it was so shocking!
Fan Xian had never had such a thought in his mind - his family was actually related to "pornography, gambling and drugs"?
However, facing Li Chengze's clear analysis, he was speechless and couldn't find any room for refutation.
"Leave aside the issue of pornography, gambling and drugs. If we put it in modern times, it would just be a violation of the law."
Li Chengze changed the subject, "But your Barrett is now in the hands of Fan Ruoruo?
This is no small matter. Hiding arms secretly is a serious crime in modern society! Your use of the word ‘punishment’ is so apt! "
Li Chengze shook his head and sighed, his words full of joking and helplessness, as if to say that this family is really "versatile".
Hearing this, Fan Xian felt mixed emotions in his heart and could only smile bitterly:
"Your Highness, your sharp words are not in line with your gentle image. Let's change the topic."
Li Chengze raised the corner of his mouth slightly, as if he didn't intend to give up:
"I can also say nice things, but it depends on whether you can listen to it or not."
After saying this, he changed the subject and began to praise: "Fan Xian, your family is truly a hidden dragon and a crouching tiger. All the members of the family are top talents, and ninth-grade talents are everywhere."
When Fan Xian heard this, he immediately became interested: "Oh? I would like to hear the details." Li Chengze continued: "For example, Lin Wan'er, the contemporary female gambling god, is self-taught without a teacher. She is said to have a talent for nine-level gambling skills, but in fact Well deserved, right?”
When Fan Xian heard this, he smiled bitterly with a hint of helplessness. Is this a compliment or a disservice?
"And your sister Fan Ruoruo has a rock-steady hand. She is said to have a ninth-grade surgical talent and a ninth-grade sniper talent. This must be a real compliment, right?"
Li Chengze continued. Fan Xian recalled Fan Ruoruo's amazing stability, which even put him to shame, and couldn't help but nod in approval.
"Any more?"
Fan Xian asked expectantly. Although he was slightly critical of Lin Wan'er's gambling talent, Fan Ruoruo's talent made him feel proud.
"What about yourself?
Ninth-level martial arts talent is recognized." Li Chengze did not forget to mention Fan Xian himself.
Fan Xian smiled bitterly and nodded. Although he had not reached the ninth level, his strength at the peak of the eighth level was enough for him to confidently admit this talent.
"And Fan Sizhe, his ninth-grade business talent cannot be ignored."
Li Chengze added. Fan Xian thought for a moment and finally nodded in agreement.
Although Fan Sizhe may seem cynical at ordinary times, his acumen and talent in the business world are a force that cannot be ignored in the family.
This conversation gave Fan Xian a deeper understanding of his family, and also made him realize that each family member has his or her own unique shining point. Even if they have talents that may seem "out of the ordinary" to outsiders, they are their own talents. The embodiment of charm.
Unexpectedly, His Highness the Second Highness would have such a high opinion of his brother Fan Sizhe, calling him a ninth-grade business talent. This is indeed surprising and amazing!
Fan Xian thought to himself that even though he had long been aware of Fan Sizhe's extraordinary ability, it seemed that he still underestimated his potential.
"Haha, what His Highness said makes sense. Compared with those jokes about pornography, gambling and drugs, your compliments really make me feel better.
Fan Xian responded with a smile, feeling relieved at Li Chengze's comments.
When Li Chengze heard this, a smile appeared on his lips, but he did not forget to tease:
"It's easy for you to be satisfied with such 'superficial' pleasure." Fan Xian didn't care at all, but said smugly: "You have to have some hobbies, and I just like to listen to something that is pleasing to the ears. Superficial is superficial. Well, just be happy!”
Seeing Fan Xian's shameless look, Li Chengze shook his head helplessly, then picked up a piece of pastry and tasted it, as if he was showing by his actions that he was "too lazy to argue with you."
"What are you going to do about the incident in Shijia Town after Chunwei?" Li Chengze turned the focus of the conversation to the core issue.
"Are you asking me what I think personally? But that's what the prince did!"
Fan Xian looked a little surprised, and then he pretended to be aloof from the incident. "You don't think that I will directly confront the prince, do you?"
There was a hint of joking in Fan Xian's tone, and it was obvious that he had understood Li Chengze's intention.
"How could I be that stupid?"
Fan Xian shook his head in an exaggerated manner, showing obvious resistance.
“Well, the prince is indeed trying to use this matter to drive a wedge between us.
Now that we've had a frank conversation, his plan has failed.
So, how about we just pretend that this never happened? "
Seeing that Fan Xian was unwilling to get involved, Li Chengze took advantage of the situation and proposed a compromise plan. He himself seemed quite free and easy.
However, Fan Xian was a little surprised by Li Chengze's indifferent attitude. He couldn't help but ask: "The prince is so secretly hurting others and targeting you specifically. Can you really let it go without feeling aggrieved?"
"I have not been substantially harmed, so why should I be upset about it?
Li Chengze asked back, with an indifferent smile on his face, "Furthermore, although he intended to harm me, he failed to succeed. From a certain perspective, this is my victory, isn't it?"
Fan Xian stared into Li Chengze's eyes, trying to read his true emotions - whether he was sincerely relieved or pretending to be strong. Li Chengze looked back calmly, without any flinching in his eyes.
In the end, it was Fan Xian who broke the silence first: "Okay, we don't have to continue testing like this. To be honest, I can be responsible for the investigation on this matter, but even if the truth is found out, , I am unable to bring down the prince.
You should be aware of my capabilities. "Fan Xian's words revealed a hint of helplessness, but they also made clear his position and bottom line.
"I don't expect that this matter alone can bring down the prince. As the crown prince, he is a symbol of the country. Your Majesty will naturally protect him with all his strength."
Seeing that Fan Xian had opened his heart, Li Chengze also expressed his views sincerely.
"However, Fan Xian, how could those innocent souls disappear silently like this?
Seeking justice for them is our unavoidable responsibility."
“I don’t intend to make any grand statement that ‘the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility’.”
Li Chengze continued, "But in the face of the loss of thousands of lives, if we know and do nothing, how can our conscience be at ease? In the dead of night, can we sleep with peace of mind?"
Fan Xian stared at Li Chengze with a determined light in his eyes:
"Your Highness, do you intend to conduct an in-depth investigation and reveal the truth?"
"check!"
Li Chengze answered briefly but resolutely. This word, like a heavy hammer, struck their common aspirations.
This word made Fan Xian feel a surge of warmth in his heart. He felt unprecedentedly relieved, as if he had finally found a soul that could resonate with him in this strange ancient world.
He knew very well that in this feudal society, the lives and deaths of the people at the bottom were often ignored. Just like what happened to him when he protected Teng Zijing, no one in Kyoto really cared.
This is not only because of Teng Zijing's humble status, but also because in the eyes of the powerful, the lives of people at the bottom seem not to be worth mentioning.
But Fan Xian is different. He carries the memory of modern society and knows the true meaning of equality for everyone.
Faced with thousands of innocent lives, he could not sit idly by and do nothing, let alone collude with those powerful people who ignored life.
As for Li Chengze, the Second Highness who also came from another world, his stance coincided with Fan Xian's.
In their view, no matter whose life it is, it is precious and deserves to be respected and protected.
Therefore, Fan Xian firmly believes that in this ancient feudal society,
only a time traveler like Li Chengze who also has a modern soul can truly understand his mood, fight side by side with him, and seek justice for those innocent lives together. .
(End of chapter)