Moral Benchmark - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The next day, I hired someone to attend morning court in my place. Substitute court, for short.

I figured my presence was so weak that no one would notice. Unfortunately, a plague broke out in the army, and all the strategists were at their wits’ end. Jiang Ming asked me to offer a plan, only to find I wasn’t there. And just like that, my absence from court was exposed.

“My lord, I merely went to the privy and was delayed,” I said, arriving fashionably late before kneeling in front of him.

He didn’t believe me, but he didn’t call me out either.

“A plague is spreading through the army. Does my dear minister have any strategy to offer?” Jiang Ming looked at me as though it had taken him tremendous resolve to say those words.

The moment he said that, the crowd below erupted in an uproar, everyone rushing to dissuade him.

“My lord, we haven’t fallen on such desperate times yet!”

“A gentleman stands between heaven and earth, and death is the worst that can befall him. But if Jia Yue is allowed to offer a plan, death is merely the tutorial difficulty.”

Jiang Ming frowned, seemingly hesitant. But after a few seconds of thought, his gaze still landed on me, and he repeated, “My dear minister, do you have a strategy?”

Heh. Looks like my talents finally had a chance to shine again. See? I told you the army couldn’t do without me.

With that thought, I gave a light cough, strode past the gathered strategists, and stood before him with fighting spirit blazing. “In my youth, I once studied medicine and have some slight knowledge of the healing arts. As luck would have it, a nearby village produces an abundance of Huanggan herb. This herb is exceptionally effective in treating mild cases of plague!”

“What did you say?” everyone asked in unison. Even Jiang Ming’s eyes were filled with astonishment.

Seeing that they seemed not to believe me, I huffed indignantly. “Don’t doubt me. It really can treat them.”

The surroundings instantly fell silent. The entire command tent was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

After a long moment, Jiang Ming’s deep voice rang out. He narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief. “You mean… treat them?”

I nodded. “Yes?”

At that, Jiang Ming let out a breath, looking somewhat relieved. “My dear minister has been worshiping Buddha lately. You truly have become much gentler.”

As soon as he finished speaking, one strategist asked in confusion, “Then what about the severe cases?”

Without even thinking, I answered, “The severe cases can’t be saved. But that doesn’t mean they’re useless. Severe cases can be hurled into the enemy ranks like stones, causing the enemy army to become infected. Then our army can win without even fighting.”

The moment those words landed, the tent once again sank into deathly silence.

One swordsman looked at me and abruptly muttered, “I knew there was no way you could be that kindhearted.”

“My dear minister, perhaps you should stop worshiping Buddha. It doesn’t seem to be doing much,” Jiang Ming’s voice suddenly drifted down from above.

Useless bastard. He wasn’t even going to use me.

“My lord, if you won’t listen to me anyway, why bother keeping me around? Isn’t it a waste of money?” I once again expressed my desire to resign. I didn’t want to work anymore. I wanted to travel.

“You are a mirror. So long as I look at you, I feel like a good man,” he said slowly, his voice cool and crisp.

Me: …

“For the mild cases, we will follow her plan. As for the severe cases, Minister Jia, do you have a more gentle approach?” Jiang Ming looked at me, his expression seeming to soften a little.

I hadn’t expected to be called on so many times today. I felt valued in the workplace, so I happily stood up. “My lord, I-”

“Forget it. The rest of you, my dear ministers, handle this,” he interrupted before I could finish, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

I pursed my lips and sat back down, grumbling curses under my breath. What a useless jerk. I was just about to say I needed to think it over.