After the man in gray left, Su Ziji stood lost in thought for a while before opening the wax-sealed oilcloth wrapping. He unfolded its contents and skimmed them. Tiny, meticulous characters densely recorded public opinion among crowds at particular places and dates, with names, addresses, and backgrounds all fully listed.
It was precisely the survey of public opinion about himself that he had asked Xie Hongdao to compile.
"Well done." A faint smile touched Su Ziji's lips, but as he read more closely, it faded, replaced by surprise.
"An approval rating of around fifty-eight percent?"
"Is the Literary Heart Carving Dragon ability really this effective?"
The result left Su Ziji slightly stunned. Even though he had been working steadily toward this, he had never dared hope for such a high level of support.
After all, how many years had it been since he first entered the Capital City?
This fifty-eight percent excluded neutral respondents and counted only those who openly expressed support. Even an emperor generally might not attain such a figure.
Su Ziji settled into an armchair, holding the letter, and closed his eyes in thought.
His eyes moved beneath his lids, as though he were weighing something.
Public opinion and the hearts of scholars can never be relied upon.
Anyone who thinks he can win the realm through public opinion and scholarly support alone will be taught a harsh lesson.
Let alone such hollow declarations of support-nothing but duckweed floating on water.
Attitude and action are still a hundred and eight thousand miles apart. But what I need is simply for everyone not to turn against me when the decisive upheaval comes. As long as they have already accepted the possibility of my upheaval, I can maneuver within the Capital City.
Getting things done still depended on strength,