"Hahaha."
"You're quite smart. I enjoy working with smart people the most." Li Tianze looked at Chen Jinzhao.
Chen Jinzhao shook his head and said, "If you knew me, you would also know that I don't easily cooperate with others. I have my own principles."
Li Tianze said with a smile, "Don't be so quick to refuse."
His gaze shifted from Chen Jinzhao's face, and he continued to gaze at the night view of Jiangning, looking at the myriad lights and murmuring, "Do you know that if your ideas were put into practice, they would easily cause social unrest? After all, these families have grown into monsters. The reason they can become aristocratic clans is not because they are greedy, but because they hold immense power!"
"They are not sheep to be slaughtered, but wolves armed to the teeth!"
"Fighting them, do you dare to say you have the ability?"
Chen Jinzhao wanted to speak but stopped.
Li Tianze chuckled, "You don't need to refute me. Once upon a time, my ambitions were as grand as yours. But later I found out that these clans are truly too powerful. Unless they are made to fall into chaos from within, once an external force targets them, they will unite! This is a force powerful enough to change the heavens and earth. Do you still think your own strength is great?"
"Are we just going to let them grow unchecked? If we don't have the heart to eliminate them, this imperial court will collapse!" Chen Jinzhao's tone was cold. If it truly came to that, these clans would still live well, and it would be the common people who suffered.
"Yes, it's a dead end no matter what," Li Tianze sighed.
Chen Jinzhao fell silent.
Undeniably, although Li Tianze's words were harsh, they carried practical weight.
Chen Jinzhao's power was still too insignificant!
Li Tianze seemed to know what he was thinking, his smile turning sinister, "Xu Hanchen holds considerable power, doesn't he? But over so many years, the influence of the clans has continued to expand. The old problems still exist and have become more acute. Why is that?"
Chen Jinzhao was speechless, unable to answer.
It wasn't that he didn't know the answer, but the answer was too realistic, making it hard to face.
"Your ideas are too idealistic and may not be realized. After all, everyone's thoughts are different; how can they be unified? The more one experiences, the more one understands the flaws in human nature, sometimes being overly self-centered." Li Tianze continued to speak his mind, while Chen Jinzhao did not refute, but listened attentively to his words.
Perhaps he could gain some inspiration from it.
Chen Jinzhao suddenly said, "Even if it cannot be realized, I am unwilling to aid the wicked."
Li Tianze burst into laughter.
"How do you know you would be aiding the wicked? Just because I am from an aristocratic family? They say heroes come from all walks of life; you should know this better than I do."
In front of Li Tianze, Chen Jinzhao seemed unable to argue. He made sense no matter what he said.
"I can't out-argue you," Chen Jinzhao sighed.
Li Tianze shook his head and said, "It's not that you can't out-argue me, but that the facts are as they are. I seek your cooperation because I see you as a talented individual, and I wish to forge a strong alliance."
Chen Jinzhao looked at Li Tianze deeply, "From what you're saying, it seems you've found another path?"
"Exactly!"
"This path might allow us to break free from our shackles and no longer be constrained." Li Tianze spoke with great spirit, outlining his ambitions to Chen Jinzhao, which made Chen Jinzhao's heart race.
Li Tiannan was not wrong; Li Tianze's ambition was even greater!
His philosophy was to lie low for the next ten years, then with concerted effort, prepare to strike beyond their borders, rather than engaging in internal conflict!
The small nation of Dongying bore historical responsibility for this land, making them the best target. Then, using this as a starting point, they would shatter the existing world order and construct a new one centered on this land.
This was simply too bold, making Chen Jinzhao think he had gone mad.
"Do you know that if you fail, you will be crucified on the pillar of historical shame, becoming a historical sinner reviled by all?" Chen Jinzhao, having emerged from the hail of bullets, understood the cruelty and ruthlessness of war.
Li Tianze's smile grew brighter, his eyes sparkling with an awe-inspiring light that even Chen Jinzhao found somewhat blinding!
"Don't you see, a hundred years ago, Shenzhou was submerged, and eight jackals trampled on the backbone of our nation. Did they pay the price they deserved? A hundred years later, we, the people of Shenzhou, still live in the third world, exploited by the descendants of those who invaded us a century ago!"
"If history were just, why have they not been punished?"
"Good and evil will eventually be rewarded is a joke."
Chen Jinzhao's mouth gaped open, but he found it difficult to answer this question, because history was inherently unjust.
"This world has always been a jungle law of the strong preying on the weak. Peace alone cannot rebuild a new order. Even if I fail, I will provide inspiration for future generations to draw on the achievements of six generations, sweep across the land, and conquer all directions!"
"The responsibility will be mine, but the merit will last for a thousand years!"
Chen Jinzhao's breathing almost stopped; he looked at Li Tianze in disbelief.
This—
Was this the grand vision within his heart?
For Chen Jinzhao, it was indeed difficult to comprehend. But from Li Tianze's perspective, it seemed to make sense.
"Is doing this truly the right thing to do?" Chen Jinzhao asked in return.
Li Tianze laughed, "If you win, you are right; if you lose, you are wrong. It's that simple. From ancient times, the victor becomes king, and the vanquished becomes a bandit. And I will never consider failure!"
"So, are you interested in striving with me?" he looked at Chen Jinzhao.
Chen Jinzhao was about to speak.
Li Tianze, however, said, "You don't have to answer me now. We have time, and I can wait for you. Oh, and I must remind you, I've learned about your past and believe that you are too kind, even indecisive, in certain matters. And for someone who wields immense power, indecisiveness can sometimes be a fatal flaw."
After saying this, Li Tianze patted his shoulder and left.
Chen Jinzhao stood in the night, silently digesting Li Tianze's words. In the end, he couldn't figure it all out. However, he did agree with the flaw Li Tianze mentioned; he was indeed too kind sometimes.
Not decisive enough in his actions!
A gust of night wind blew, clearing Chen Jinzhao's head a little. He shook his head, no longer dwelling on it, and turned back to the venue.
At this moment.
Su Hao suddenly appeared and blocked Chen Jinzhao's path.
Chen Jinzhao frowned, "What do you want?"
"I want to know what you discussed with that person from the Li family. Young Master Qin asked me to inquire." Su Hao spoke directly, as Qin Fengwu was worried that Chen Jinzhao might get too close to Li Tianze, which would disrupt the existing balance.
"Young Master Qin also said that if you agree not to align with Li Tianze, he can promise you some benefits."
Chen Jinzhao smiled faintly, "What I discussed with him is none of your business, nor is it Qin Fengwu's. Tell Qin Fengwu that I don't need him to dictate my actions."
Su Hao's expression changed, "You're speaking too boldly, aren't you?"
"Looking around this venue, who isn't from a prominent family? Most of them are Young Master Qin's allies. Ask yourself, what capability do you have to challenge Young Master Qin?"
"Are you finished?" Chen Jinzhao asked back.
Su Hao's expression froze. Chen Jinzhao continued, "If you're done, then get lost."
"You, you don't know what's good for you!" Su Hao gritted his teeth.
Chen Jinzhao smiled without speaking.
Su Hao was unwilling to say more to Chen Jinzhao and turned to leave. Chen Jinzhao suddenly remembered something and called out to Su Hao, who turned back to look at Chen Jinzhao in confusion.
"Do you have anything else to say?"
Chen Jinzhao said meaningfully, "Su Yuan's talent is slightly inferior; you can replace him."
Su Hao's pupils suddenly constricted, his expression filled with shock, but he quickly returned to normal and snorted, "I don't know what you're talking about. My ability is far inferior to my elder brother's; he is the heir of the Su family."
Chen Jinzhao's smile widened, he did not refute Su Hao's statement.
Su Hao did not say any more and quickly returned to Qin Fengwu to report Chen Jinzhao's decision.
Qin Fengwu fell into contemplation, pondering what Chen Jinzhao and Li Tianze had discussed.
Su Hao, also deep in thought, vaguely guessed the deeper meaning of Chen Jinzhao's words—the two of them would join forces to bring down Su Yuan. On one hand, Chen Jinzhao could weaken the Su family's strength; on the other hand, Su Hao could achieve his wish of becoming the primary heir of the Su family.
This deal was more beneficial than detrimental for Su Hao.
Su Hao glanced at Su Yuan, who was skillfully navigating the party, and realized that this opportunity was fleeting. He gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it, people die for wealth and birds die for food. Let's do it!"
Playing with a tiger, success or death!