Liu Yin was shaken.
He knew nothing of the German Third Reich or the Khmer Rouge, much less the debate between moral absolutism and moral utilitarianism, but he was shaken nonetheless.
He had to admit that this youth thought things through more thoroughly than he did, and looked far further ahead.
He had vaguely felt lost before, without being able to articulate why. Now that the youth had laid it out, he felt as though a door had opened before him.
Many great calamities began with someone trying to do great good.
There was profound insight in those words.
Unfortunately,
he could no longer turn back...
Actually, there was nothing unfortunate about it. At least he was now the chief clerk of a province, wasn't he?
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Composure returned to Liu Yin's face. "Enter."
"My lord, everything is ready." The messenger said only those few words.
Liu Yin hesitated briefly, then waved a hand. "Do it."
"Yes, my lord."
The messenger withdrew. Liu Yin straightened his clothes and turned toward Wang Yang, his gaze complicated. "I cannot walk the path you've chosen. I respect you. But respect is one thing, and taking action against you is another. You brought this upon yourself."
His expression hardened, and he called loudly:
"Guards!"
A group of black-clad constables who had long been waiting outside rushed into the room and surrounded Wang Yang. Two of them carried a cangue and iron chains.
Wang Yang waved his fan and smiled. "Now that's more like it. You started out as a petty legal clerk, Chief Clerk. Why debate principles with me?"
Liu Yin's face was expressionless, his voice cold:
"Wang Yang of Langya, you hold an order from the Prince of Badong appointing you, without official rank, to assist