"Earlier, I already stated that you do not wish for war, and that is everyone's desire. However, war always erupts at unexpected moments and cannot be avoided! Therefore, it is not something you can escape. Currently, insects worldwide are mutating, and it's possible that insects may appear in Yuzhou as well. By then, Yuzhou will not have time to respond! It's better to deal with the nearby threatening insects, and only then can everyone be safe!" Qian Bufei explained earnestly.
After Qian Bufei finished speaking, some people actually nodded, finding his words reasonable. Qian Bufei saw hope, believing that if things continued this way, he could successfully persuade these people.
However, persuading a group of stubborn people is inherently very difficult. Qian Bufei had already presented almost all his reasons. If he continued, he would only be repeating himself, making it very challenging to succeed.
Seeing Qian Bufei still speaking, Yang Ye coldly smiled and said, "Mr. Qian, you do like to joke. The crisis has not yet appeared, but in your words, it has already become a danger that must be guarded against. If you continue speaking, won't the crisis of all humanity emerge? You've said so much, but it all boils down to wanting us to help you solve a crisis. However, you've forgotten one thing: the will of the people. Our City Lord is an intelligent and decisive person, and he cherishes his people like his own children in normal times. Your request to mobilize us now is likely futile because it will not receive support."
After saying these words, Yang Ye was trying to prove one thing: that he stood with the people and that everyone would support his decisions. Therefore, even if Qian Bufei spoke until he was blue in the face, he would not gain their approval.
Qian Bufei was momentarily silenced by this argument, clearly stumped. He then spoke, "The so-called public sentiment should not be spoken by you. You say that most people do not wish for war, and I agree. However, saving lives is fundamentally different from war. As the saying goes, 'When a bird is killed, its companion grieves.' We are all human, and moreover, we are like brother provinces. At such a time, it is not just the people of Yuzhou and Chuan Province who have public sentiment; the people of Dian Province also count, do they not?"
Yang Ye frowned and then said, "Although you are eloquent now, it cannot change the truth that you will not gain support. Even if a survey were conducted on-site now, the results would be as I stated."
Upon hearing this, Qian Bufei understood that if he wanted to successfully persuade them, Yang Ye was an obstacle he had to overcome. Judging by his seating position, only three people sat at the head of the table, and Yang Ye occupied the central seat. Zhou Xiaoxiao and Tu Xuhuai had remained silent until now, indicating that Yang Ye was essentially the leader. Only by convincing Yang Ye could he proceed smoothly with other matters.
Therefore, Qian Bufei thought for a moment and said, "I have long heard of Mr. Yang's reputation. Previously, I thought you were an extraordinary figure, but now it seems you are nothing more than that, because you only know how to obey those around you and have no independent consideration. Therefore, in my opinion, the public opinion you speak of is merely pandering to the crowd! As an important official of Yuzhou, you should always have your own genuine thoughts; otherwise, you are just an echo!"
Hearing this assessment, Yang Ye sneered and said, "What's the use of you saying these things now? You have your own ideas, but your ideas do not receive support. Now you are going to blame the environment for being unfavorable?"
Qian Bufei took a deep breath and said, "It is not difficult to refute Mr. Yang's statement. You think you are the representative of public opinion and therefore invincible. But I want to remind you of one thing: the majority is not always right, because many times, what you perceive as the majority is ultimately just a misleading option. I have heard about Yuzhou's strategy towards refugees, which is to accept them all. Have you considered that if Dian Province ultimately fails to resist the insect invasion, I estimate that five million disaster refugees will flood into Yuzhou and Chuan Province. At that time, if handled poorly, Mr. Yang, who made today's decision, I wonder what your fate will be?"
"Are you threatening us? Do you want to achieve your ulterior motives through threats? I'm telling you, your methods are destined to be useless!" Yang Ye immediately frowned, but at the same time, he felt a sense of unease. He realized that he might have overstepped his bounds today.
Qian Bufei smiled and said, "Of course, I am not threatening you; I am merely pointing out the existence of this problem. Once disaster refugees invade and you do not have sufficient means to deal with them, it will inevitably lead to chaos. At that time, if you want to side with the common people and act with the majority, it will likely be impossible. Therefore, it is better to look further ahead and consider it carefully!"
Yang Ye fell into thought upon hearing this. He was not easily persuaded, as he had not changed his previous stance. The reason he remained silent was that he was contemplating the content of what the other party had said.
"The situation Qian Bufei described is indeed something to guard against. If I lead the opposition to his suggestion and later the situation changes, with countless disaster refugees impacting Chuan-Yu, I will be branded a sinner by the people. If someone incites trouble, my position may not be secure. Don't look at my current glory; it may not last in the future!" Yang Ye thought to himself.
Seeing Yang Ye lost in thought, Qian Bufei breathed a sigh of relief. If it were a normal debate, he would have found it very challenging, as most people present were intelligent and wise, making it difficult to win them over. Moreover, his side was at a disadvantage. Fortunately, he could distract Yang Ye through other means, hinting at a miserable future to make him understand that one should not be too extreme.
Buddhism says that one should not be too extreme in anything, nor too absolute in pursuing anything. If one pushes things too far, the fate will inevitably end prematurely.
While Yang Ye was contemplating, Zhou Xiaoxiao quietly said to him, "If you don't want to be the one to stick your neck out, then let your subordinates continue to trouble him. After all, asking him questions one by one can waste half an hour of his time, and if a group of people takes turns, the whole day will pass. Even a war of attrition can make him surrender!"
Zhou Xiaoxiao clearly saw Yang Ye's concerns and was very clever, coming up with an "off-board" strategy. An "off-board" strategy is to find solutions outside the chessboard, to use underhanded tactics outside the board to make the opponent surrender.
Yang Ye frowned and said nothing. His thoughts had been completely disrupted. He had previously intended to show off in front of everyone, but now it seemed that instead of gaining prestige, he might be bringing immense disaster upon himself in the future.
Tu Xuhuai then said lightly, "You should sit down now, and let me persuade him!"
Tu Xuhuai was actually the head of the civilian officials in Yuzhou, as he was in charge of personnel. All personnel movements in Yuzhou required his approval to proceed. Therefore, he was effectively the chief civilian official of Yuzhou.
Tu Xuhuai's greatest strength was self-preservation. He would generally not undertake anything that was not a sure thing. His greatest skill was to discern the intentions of his superiors and formulate corresponding plans. In the past decade or so, his position had never wavered.
When Tu Xuhuai stepped forward, everyone was surprised, thinking, "I didn't expect this guy to make a move too. Does he also oppose this request?"
After standing up, Tu Xuhuai calmly said, "Mr. Qian, to be frank, I am quite fond of Taoist teachings. Among Taoist teachings, there are several aspects that require attention, including the fact that every sage is good at formulating policies. Once these policies are formulated, they are implemented, bringing tangible benefits to the people, yet the people do not feel it – that is the benefit of the policy. Therefore, I detest it when, despite established policies, there is a sudden 180-degree turn. Such policies only harm the common people."
Qian Bufei did not quite understand what he meant and cautiously inquired, "What do your words mean? Are you not planning to change future policies? Every policy needs to adapt to the demands of the times; there is no such thing as an unchangeable strategy that can be used indefinitely!"
Tu Xuhuai smiled and then said, "Let me give you an example. There was a region that was always very conservative and rejected outside intervention, as it could meet its own needs by remaining isolated. At that time, the people had become accustomed to this way of life. Suddenly, you need these people to go out and fight, and to actively accept outsiders. This is like suddenly changing from a policy of isolation to one of openness and welcome. This might enhance your presence, but ultimately, it only harms the people."
"Are you alluding to something? Speak clearly!" Qian Bufei thought of something and then questioned.
Tu Xuhuai smiled and said, "I never allude to anyone; what I say is merely a fact, but you are unwilling to accept this fact, aren't you? Mr. Qian, I admire your courage, because you want to change the policies that have been implemented in the Chuan-Yu region for over a decade with just your words. This is no different from a mantis trying to stop a chariot."
Qian Bufei now understood what Tu Xuhuai was trying to convey. What he wanted to say was about policy. Regardless of the policy, it was best not to make drastic changes, because policy implementation requires a transition; it is impossible to suddenly shift from conservative to open. Forcing such a policy would inevitably infringe upon the interests of the people.
Qian Bufei then said, "The Chuan-Yu region, due to its previous conservatism, has gained over a decade of time for recuperation, leading to its current prosperity. Although in the midst of the apocalypse, these places can be considered havens. But have you ever considered that such an environment will not last forever? Currently, insects worldwide are mutating. If we do not actively prevent it, by the time you want to change policies, it will be too late!"
Shen Feng, hiding in a corner, had heard everyone's debate. Therefore, Qian Bufei was the sole protagonist of the debate, but facing dozens of important figures alone, he did not fall behind. This made Shen Feng feel very surprised, thinking that this fellow's eloquence was truly remarkable, and he hadn't expected him to hold his own for so long.
However, Shen Feng was unaware that he had been discovered by several ability users. He still believed he was hidden in a secluded corner and would not be detected, but in reality, he had already been found.
After Yang Chang alerted Lu Xian, Lu Xian also used his abilities to scan the surroundings with infrared detection. Sure enough, he found two people hiding in a corner. These two appeared to be a man and a woman. Needless to say, the man was naturally Shen Feng.
Lu Xian cautiously looked out the window and happened to see half of Shen Feng's face. Shen Feng also realized that he had been exposed.