Chapter 176: Open

Why me?

This was a very interesting attitude.

This had happened throughout history many times before. For example, say that an enemy force had invaded deep into a country’s territory and was knocking on the capital’s front door. If the emperor asks the rich merchants and nobles to use their resources and manpower to defend the capital at all costs, then despite the dire predicament, the response would usually be lackluster.

Was it that these nobles were blind and couldn’t understand the consequences of a successful enemy invasion?

Of course not.

There were many other factors at play. For example, just because the country was going to fall didn’t mean that their clan necessarily would. It was possible that they could survive by paying a relatively small fee to the invaders. Others might think that they wouldn’t be of much help and that the country would surely be able to withstand the invasion on its own. And yet another very important reason was, “Why me?”

Why should I pay ten thousand when the Ji Clan is only paying three thousand? Why are they not doing anything, but I am required to make a sacrifice? I can provide assistance, but only if they do as well. So what if we’re doomed? Then we’ll all...