After calming his emotions, Mu Cheng sighed, "Then, after a thousand years, can it be realized…"
Liang Xiao nodded gravely, his tone more serious than ever.
"I once dreamt I visited the Divine Realm. This matter is widely known, but people don't know where I was then. There, I witnessed the historical development of a nation. The common folk of that land endured thousands of years of exploitation and oppression by emperors, officials, landlords, and merchants. But later, countless righteous individuals led the people through hardships, like forging a new world, overcoming all obstacles. They finally achieved a state where everyone had food to eat and everyone could study."
"Their descendants continue to strive, building upon the past, and one day they will surely usher in an eternal, true era of peace and prosperity. The red flag representing the interests of the people will be planted all over the world. The common folk will no longer need to bow and scrape to officials or merchants. At that time, everyone will be prosperous, and there will be no wealth disparity, no social hierarchy, only true equality for all, fairness in all matters, and universal harmony…"
Liang Xiao stopped here, unable to bear telling Mu Cheng the cruel truth.
Humanity's most primal greed could not be saved by a mere system. Even in the era he witnessed, there was no eternal, true pure land, no paradise…
Only when productivity develops to its extreme, capable of surpassing human greed and ensuring everyone's prosperity, so that no one needs to scheme for wealth or status, and everyone is willing to contribute their efforts, can true…
But before that, the world is a zero-sum game. Humanity's boundless greed and arrogance will incite endless wars and upheavals across the globe, possibly even leading to the destruction of civilization worldwide, returning everything to zero, all efforts wasted.
Unless there is an organization that remains perpetually clear-headed and can win the people's trust, or a universally revered sage, who holds supreme power for centuries to rectify any unforeseen circumstances during development, ensuring a margin for error and leaving no room for treachery…
This is as difficult as ascending to heaven!
But before that, one cannot go against the tide and achieve the opposite.
The current Da Gan has the foremost productivity in the world, but compared to the modern world, it is still low. It temporarily lacks the fertile ground for new systems to emerge. This situation will likely continue for another century, several centuries, or even millennia upon millennia.
Mu Cheng exclaimed excitedly, "So, as our era develops, can we also, like the Divine Realm you saw, one day achieve universal harmony, prosperity for all, and equality for all?"
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly, "In a thousand years, this land will be like the Divine Realm. There will be countless machines in the heavens and on the earth. Two people separated by thousands of miles can communicate at any time, even see each other's faces and hear their voices. People will be able to travel tens of thousands of miles a day. At that time, the people's nominations, the promotion and adjustment of policies, can be transmitted across the entire country in a matter of breaths!"
Seeing Mu Cheng finally break into a smile, Liang Xiao held his hand again, offering comfort.
"So, we were simply born at the wrong time. Do not despair, because you have already left the spark of enlightenment. With historical development, it will surely become a prairie fire. Your descendants will certainly realize your vision."
"In the future, I will definitely tell my descendants, and the common folk of later generations, that the ones who first proposed this concept were Mu Cheng and Liang Anguo, and they also had a staunch supporter, Li Pin. The world will not forget you. Even if your physical bodies decay, your thoughts and spirits will continue to inspire the people of later generations. Everyone is working towards your vision!"
Everyone listened to Liang Xiao's impassioned speech and felt as if the clouds had parted, revealing the sun.
"I understand! We have already done our best in our time. The rest, we will entrust to the future generations to strive for," Mu Cheng finally regained his usual spirit, his eyes burning, and sighed, "If people truly have reincarnation, I only wish that in the future, when we achieve true universal harmony, I, Anguo, and Li Pin can meet you, even if we no longer remember our past lives…"
"Father Emperor, and us too," Zhi Rou said softly.
"Of course, and you too!" Mu Cheng looked at Qin Feng, Zhi Rou, and the tearful Su Wanqing with deep affection.
Su Wanqing then came to Mu Cheng's side and threw herself into his arms.
Liang Xiao nodded and smiled, "So, the most prideful experience of my life is today. Let me also tell you quietly, my Emperor and I have also discussed the future of the Divine Realm and Da Gan's nation in a thousand years, and she also understands."
Mu Cheng was finally relieved and laughed heartily.
"Anguo has a son like you, and I can be friends with you father and son. It is truly a life well-lived! It is a pity that, to prevent the noble families from causing chaos and bloodshed, I cannot hand over the ancestral foundation to you. The entire country will surrender. When you return to your country, you need not have any reservations."
"I also hope that one day, even if you hear of my death, you will not dwell in sorrow, but remember your original intention. As long as your actions benefit the common people, then my path is not solitary!"
Liang Xiao finally felt a burden lifted, shook hands with Mu Cheng, and said solemnly, "It's a deal!"
"Your Majesty, I am not worthy…" Su Wanqing sighed with shame.
Mu Cheng comforted her, "You are! Because you are just Su Wanqing, my wife."
Su Wanqing understood and nodded with tears in her eyes, "Your subject will, like the Empress, steadfastly support Your Majesty until death…"
Liang Xiao looked at Su Wanqing and nodded slightly.
Since Mu Cheng chose to trust her, he should also trust Mu Cheng's judgment.
Qin Feng could no longer hold back and grasped Liang Xiao's hand, his voice slightly choked, "Thank you for resolving my father Emperor's doubts. When the time is ripe in the future, I will definitely tell our descendants too!"
Liang Xiao smiled and nodded. Everyone finally shook off the gloom in their hearts and resumed laughter, maintaining a tacit understanding, and no longer discussing the day's events. After paying respects to the two Empresses, they walked out of the imperial study together.
Now, Liang Xiao is still the Marquis of Anguo in Da Gan, Mu Cheng is the Son of Heaven of Da Liang, Qin Feng is the Marquis Zhenguo of Da Liang, Zhi Rou is the Eldest Princess of Da Liang, and Su Wanqing is the Imperial Consort of Da Liang.
However, in everyone's heart, the seed of enlightenment has been planted. This seed has made them the first comrades and allies in this world, passed down eternally.
Leaving the imperial study, Liang Xiao and Mu Cheng still had to face the harsh reality, diligently and conscientiously treat the common people well, and resolve current conflicts.
Ye Chengxiu, after seeking instructions from Mu Cheng, finally withdrew the Xuan Guards surrounding the imperial study.
"Now, we should first eradicate the Spring Return Cult to prevent them from harming the country and its people," Mu Cheng said with a beaming face and surging spirit.
Whether Da Liang will be annexed by Da Gan in the near future is no longer important. What matters is whether the common people can live better lives.
If not for worrying about burdening the common people, he had even considered using his military power to eliminate all the noble families and landlords in the country, but alas…
Mu Cheng led everyone to Liang Xiao's temporary residence in the Honglu Temple. Zuo Wushang, Zuo Wuji, and Yue Hongxiu had been waiting there for a long time.
Mu Cheng dismissed the attendants, leaving only those who had been in the imperial study, along with Zhuo Zifang, Zuo Wuji, and Yue Hongxiu.
Zuo Wuji looked apprehensive, awaiting Mu Cheng's judgment.
Mu Cheng then said, "Esteemed Yue, when Liang Xiao returns to his country, you, along with Hongxiu and Wenxin, will accompany him. But before that, I hope you will exert your final value for me and Liang Xiao."