"We pay our respects, Governor-General." More than ten officials bowed in unison to Fang Yun, who sat on a stone stool. Without even looking at them, Fang Yun set a tea tray and teapot on the stone table and began boiling water, leaving out only one cup.
The officials straightened and exchanged helpless looks. Everyone knew that Void Sage Fang was different from other men. Even seasoned veterans of officialdom could not fathom his thoughts.
Dong Wencong knew Fang Yun well, so he stepped forward with a smile. "I truly never expected you to visit the Northern Workshop District in person, sir. I am ashamed."
"Listening to you gentlemen discuss this, you sounded as though it was none of your concern, something you could hang high above your heads and forget. Where would any shame come from?" Fang Yun said calmly.
The officials present flushed with shame. Their earlier arguments had seemed perfectly normal: preserve order in Xiang Prefecture, save the Zhao Clan Trading Company's face, and promote Baling City's development. They had treated those common people entirely as troublemakers and had no intention of listening to what they had to say, as Fang Yun had.
Fang Yun raised his head toward the night sky and said slowly, "The world has enjoyed peace for so long that the rise and fall of dynasties seems to have nothing to do with you or me. And so no one fears those common people who carved a bloody path through the years of war. You are not actually wrong. The common people can endure more than anyone. As long as they have enough food and warm clothing, they will not rebel. So you sit high above them and regard them as servants, and there seems to be nothing improper about that."
Sweat soaked