The Sincerity of an Alliance!

Though there had been some twists and turns, the outcome was satisfactory.

Yan Lingji did not think her actions were extreme.

Every era had its own prevailing theme.

Every region also had its own customs and culture.

Such as the ritualized warfare of the Spring and Autumn period.

In the Battle of Hongshui, Duke Xiang of Song would rather suffer defeat than attack the enemy while they were halfway across the river.

Such as the annexations of the Warring States period.

Chu Kingdom destroyed Yue, Qi Kingdom, and Cai Kingdom; Han Kingdom destroyed Zheng; Wei and Zhao destroyed Zhongshan Kingdom.

Such as the righteous cause of Qin's destruction of the six kingdoms.

Standardized carriage tracks, standardized writing, standardized conduct—launching a war to end all the chaotic wars of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods that had lasted for centuries, giving people's unsettled hearts an answer.

Thus, as the times changed.

The people living through those times also changed.

From "when the ruler worries, his ministers are shamed; when the ruler is shamed, his ministers die," to receiving the ruler's salary and serving the ruler faithfully.

From visiting a thatched cottage three times and humbly seeking worthy men, to summoning them at will and dismissing them with a wave.

It was hard to imagine that the man who said, "Since ancient times, who has escaped death? Let me leave behind a loyal heart to shine upon history," and the man who called himself "the water was too cold, my scalp itched," were both civil officials.

The soil and water of a place raised its people.

Baiyue naturally had Baiyue's own customs.

Yan Lingji did not like Tian Ze, nor was she sure whether Tian Ze liked her. But a person had to have some principles, some beliefs. Otherwise, they