Chapter 6, Leveraging Momentum

Ning Jiang smiled and said, "I went to do a little something." He looked down at the nearly empty bowl of tofu pudding in his hand, scratched his head, and said apologetically, "I didn't know you got up so early, and I didn't bring anything for you. How about I ask someone to help prepare breakfast for you first?"

Ning Ji's first question was naturally an angry inquiry about what he intended to do by intruding. Then, Ning Jiang would directly expose his ambition to vie for power and seize property. As he had expected, Ning Ji immediately countered by accusing him of "ruining the family tradition." Following this, Ning Jiang leisurely mocked him, saying, "First take care of your own son before you come to teach others about family values."

Ning Jiang coldly laughed and said: "According to the clan's rites and laws, having completed the coming-of-age ceremony yesterday, I am already the head of the Ning family. The head of the Ning family is also the leader of the clan. If you wish to deal with me as the clan leader, I must ask you, what do you intend to do? I would like to know what you plan to do."

At that time in Ningjiang, it seemed that everyone stood by Ning Ji, assisting him in plotting against him. However, in reality, that was impossible. The internal relationships within the Ning family were complex, and there were many frictions among the local gentry. If Ning Ji could truly unite all the surrounding people to conspire against just one person, forming an unbreakable alliance with no flaws, would such a capable Ning Ji still regard the Ning family's modest assets with any interest? If he truly possessed such unity and charisma, where would Ning Ji not be able to establish himself?

And being a bystander is indeed a common flaw of humanity

The reaction of Ning Ji triggered by the sudden intrusion of the crowd can be said to be entirely within Ning Jiang's calculations

However, in reality, the vast majority of people have no grievances or enmity with Ning Jiang. On one side, they occupy the positions of "public opinion" and "ritual law," while on the other side, they are weak and easily bullied. Is there any need to think about which side to stand on?

... ...

Little did they know that they had "burst in" along with Ning Jiang, as Ning Jiang's mockery of Ning Ji elicited loud laughter, inadvertently bolstering Ning Jiang's arrogance. With this as the backdrop, Ning Jiang walked with his hands behind his back, staring down at Ning Ji and the others.

She had a nightmare, in which she and her brother were exiled to the Western Ridge. A group of savages captured her brother, intending to roast him for food, while she could only crawl in the mud, crying incessantly, crying endlessly

Uncertain of her brother's whereabouts, she felt a deep sense of anxiety. She wanted to inquire with others, but then recalled that even Lian Kui'er had been bought off by Uncle Ji and his son. In the vast Ning residence, she did not know whom she could trust, which only heightened her distress

Ningjiang Youyou's Way: "Uncle Ji, you should first take care of your own son before teaching others about 'family values', alright?"

Ning Ji angrily said: "Ning Jiang, you are ruining the family reputation..."

The two siblings sat in the room conversing, while outside, the sky gradually began to brighten. The sunlight spread across the land at an astonishing speed, and the eastern sky, still holding onto the fiery red glow, was soon pierced by golden rays of light

Brother! Little Meng looked at her brother, her face pale

If Ning Jiang does not strive or compete for himself, can he really expect others to help him fight and seize?

"You got up so early?" Ning Jiang looked at her in some surprise

Then the great fire blazed fiercely, engulfing her brother, and she kept screaming, continuously screaming, until she cried herself awake

It is not human nature to be kind to the weak and fearful of the strong

It is human nature to bully the weak and fear the strong

First, he told them that he was wronged, and then he informed them that he did not need them to stand by his side against Ning Ji; he merely hoped they could come this morning to "take a look".

"Brother, where have you been?" Upon seeing her brother return, Xiaomeng let out a sigh of relief

Then, Ningjiang asked them to secretly assist in connecting, with only one purpose... Please everyone come and watch.

At this moment, there are more than twenty people in the hall, some of whom are elders from the Ning family, while others are local gentry of repute. As Ning Ji begins to elaborate on the topic, others also start to chime in, criticizing Ning Jiang. Some say they could tell from his childhood that he was not a good person, while others are filled with righteous indignation, as if they would gladly take it upon themselves to punish Ning Jiang for the sins of his deceased father

In reality, the so-called "joint petition" involves only those who are currently with Ning Ji, who share a common purpose with him, and who stand to gain benefits alongside him. After reaching an agreement, they go out to coerce others under the guise of so-called "public opinion" and "ritual law." The vast majority of people are unaware of the truth, believing instead that Ning Jiang has indeed committed the disgraceful act of "summoning prostitutes before the spirit." Some are motivated by a sense of justice, while others are reluctant to offend anyone, or simply follow the crowd due to a herd mentality, and they all sign the petition. From Ning Jiang's perspective, it seems as though everyone is opposing him. After reaching an agreement, they go out to coerce others under the guise of so-called "public opinion" and "ritual law." The vast majority of people are unaware of the truth, believing instead that Ning Jiang has indeed committed the disgraceful act of "summoning prostitutes before the spirit." Some are motivated by a sense of justice, while others are reluctant to offend anyone, or simply follow the crowd due to a herd mentality, and they all sign the petition. From Ning Jiang's perspective, it seems as though everyone is opposing him

"Brother? Older brother?" She lifted the curtain and got out of bed, putting on her embroidered shoes, calling softly.

However, how could a person who has done nothing have enemies everywhere, with everyone wanting to harm him? Ultimately, it is merely a reflection of one's own lack of confidence

Unexpectedly, Ning Jiang, who had fallen into the lake yesterday and had not woken up by evening, suddenly brought in such a large group of people at this critical moment. Ning Ji slammed the table and questioned: "Ning Jiang, what do you intend to do?"

Um! With her forehead resting gently against her brother's chest, Xiao Meng responded softly

Xiao Meng woke up suddenly from her dream

Because of my incompetence, those who want to help me do not dare to do so

Ning Jiang set down the tofu pudding and walked over to his sister, gently patting her head: "Don't worry, everything is fine"

It is precisely for this reason that when Ning Ji and his group were having discussions here, preparing to be the first to sign and then go out to rally "public opinion," they were unaware that a large crowd had already begun to gather outside to "watch the spectacle." Among these people, there was a small portion who were thugs secretly hired by Ning Jiang. This group was paid to act, and he had only two requirements of them: one was to assist him by forcefully pushing past the gatekeeper, and the other was to burst into loud laughter after he stepped inside and finished his second sentence.

Yes, he did not ask them to help him, nor did he request their support; he merely asked them to...! ... observe!!!

It was precisely because he understood this that, before dawn, Ning Jiang went to knock on several doors, some belonging to his father's friends from his lifetime, and a few were associated with Ning Ji in a disreputable manner

Although everyone was there to watch, when Ning Jiang was the first to charge in, those who wanted to see the excitement could not help but follow him in. Everyone wanted to secure a good position, and from Ning Ji's perspective, it seemed as if Ning Jiang was leading them all into the fray.

"Not bad, not bad!" Several elderly individuals responded in agreement beside him

Ning Jiang was well aware that Ning Ji had been planning for so long, and his momentum had already been established. If he suddenly approached these individuals, asking them to stand by his side, everyone would hesitate and consider their options. However, he merely invited them to "observe," which changed the nature of the request. It was just observation; he was not asking them to openly oppose Ning Ji and his group. Moreover, this was a request from Young Master Ning Jiang. After realizing that Ning Jiang intended to counterattack those individuals, they were already filled with curiosity. If they did not go to take a look, they would feel uncomfortable themselves. It was just observation; he was not asking them to openly oppose Ning Ji and his group. Moreover, this was a request from Young Master Ning Jiang. After realizing that Ning Jiang intended to counterattack those individuals, they were already filled with curiosity. If they did not go to take a look, they would feel uncomfortable themselves.

Ning Ji suddenly felt his face flush with embarrassment, and those behind Ning Jiang also realized what Ning Ji's son had done last night. The thought that Ning Ji's own son was a murderer, yet he scolded others' sons for being "unfilial," made them all burst into laughter.

At yesterday's coronation ceremony, while it is true that many were bribed by Ning Ji, even more were completely unaware of the underlying circumstances, deceived by the "evidence" presented by the suddenly intruding Ning Ji, and intimidated by the "ritual laws" and "great righteousness" that he repeatedly claimed to represent. Even if someone wanted to speak up for Ning Jiang, his own display of weakness and lack of composure made those who wished to support him ponder whether it was necessary to offend the powerful Ji Laoye for the sake of an incompetent young master. Even if someone wanted to speak up for Ning Jiang, his own display of weakness and lack of composure made those who wished to support him ponder whether it was necessary to offend the powerful Ji Laoye for the sake of an incompetent young master

Those ruffians had long received the explanation from Ning Jiang, who said, "As soon as I finished the second sentence, I burst into laughter." They immediately began to laugh. It is indeed quite amusing that Ning Ji's own son committed rape and murder, yet he points fingers at others' sons for "ruining the family reputation." Under the influence of someone leading the way, the others couldn't help but join in the laughter.

Because I am both incompetent and weak, in my eyes, there are enemies everywhere, everyone wants to harm me, no one can be trusted, and there is no one to rely on

She waited in the room for quite a while, and as the sky brightened a little, she finally saw her brother entering while holding a bowl of tofu pudding, eating as he pushed the door open

The crowd burst into loud laughter as Ning Jiang entered with his hands clasped behind his back. Beside Ning Ji, the elderly individuals who had initially intended to join in cursing Ning Jiang suddenly found themselves at a loss, staring in astonishment and confusion at the people behind Ning Jiang.

Only because the one who originally wanted to contend for the position of the head of the family was Ning Ji, and since Ning Ji did not speak up, naturally, others would not say anything either

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However, as he experienced more of the world, he finally understood that this world is neither as simple nor as complex as it seems. In life, if everyone is oppressing you, perhaps you should consider why you allow them to do so. Is it because you do not fight back? Is it because you appear to be easy to bully?

Ning Jiang, however, let out a cold laugh and said: "So you have come again!"

Certainly, in order to prevent Ning Ji from being informed in advance, the individuals invited are either those who would suffer losses due to Ning Ji becoming the patriarch of the Ning clan, or those for whom the outcome of who becomes the head of the family would have no impact, or individuals who have no connection to the Ning clan itself. This is because Ning Jiang's purpose is merely to invite everyone to "observe" and to connect behind the scenes, which naturally poses no issues.

Ning Ji observed that everyone spoke in unison, all standing on his side, nodding their heads, and said: "The Great Zhou governs the world through Confucianism and Daoism, with loyalty and filial piety as the foremost principles. Ning Jiang has committed this grave sin of unfiliality. I wish to join with the elders to submit a petition to the authorities to rectify the principles of filial piety. I wonder if anyone has any objections"

The "Classic of Filial Piety" states: Filial piety is the principle of Heaven, the righteousness of Earth, and the reason of humanity. Ning Ji sat in a large armchair made of rosewood and slowly said, "Adhering to the rules is the foundation of Confucianism. My family, the Ning family, is known for loyalty and integrity, passing down poetry and literature through generations. The great Confucian says: One should fulfill three years of filial duty and always harbor a sincere heart. Yet, Ning Jiang, this fellow, is courting trouble in front of his deceased father's memorial, acting against his father's wishes, being unkind and unfilial, and tarnishing the reputation of our Ning family. If such a person were to become the head of the Ning family, what face would we have to stand in this county?"

Xiao Meng shook her head, and tears flowed out uncontrollably again

Ning Jiang stood in the hall, coldly observing Ning Ji, whose face was flushed with embarrassment, against the backdrop of the loud laughter from the crowd behind him. The others began to feel increasingly uneasy, as if they were sitting on pins and needles. Those people behind him, although merely invited to watch, had, under his intentional or unintentional manipulation, become the "power" he leveraged and the "public opinion" he coerced.

At the summit of Mount Tai in Ningjiang, he jumped into the void without hesitation. In his previous life before his rebirth, when he had just encountered a tremendous upheaval in his family, with his fortune seized, his sister deceased, and himself exiled to the Western Ridge, he faced life and death situations. At that time, he felt as if everyone in the world was against him, that every person he encountered sought to harm him. He was cynical, blaming the heavens and resenting the earth, feeling that fate was unjust and the world was unfair. At that time, he felt as if everyone in the world was against him, that every person he encountered sought to harm him. He was cynical, blaming the heavens and resenting the earth, feeling that fate was unjust and the world was unfair

It is not human nature to bully the good and fear the evil, but it is a human tendency to bully the weak and fear the strong

She suddenly sat up in the canopy bed, the new candle on the candlestick had already burned down halfway, and outside the window was merely a dim light. In this scorching summer of July, such a sky could at most be just the beginning of the fourth watch, and it was even possible that it had not yet reached that time.

Because I am weak, I do not want those who care for me to be harmed by me

Ning Ji was rendered speechless by a single remark from Ning Jiang. Although the old fellows beside him wanted to speak up, upon seeing so many people rush in alongside Ning Jiang, they were taken aback as the crowd erupted in cheers at Ning Jiang's words. Their expressions changed, as they were unaware that these individuals had merely been invited by Ning Jiang to "watch the show"; they mistakenly believed that everyone was on Ning Jiang's side. Furthermore, as Ning Jiang entered with his hands clasped behind his back, calm and composed, it was evident that he was confident and assured. If he had not garnered the support of the crowd, how could he possess such courage and ease? In that moment, no one dared to utter a word.

Ning Jiang had already calculated that after he barged in, the first to speak would definitely be Ning Ji

However, the house was empty except for her. She felt a surge of panic in her heart and ran out into the courtyard, which was also deserted.

Young Master!" An old woman rushed in, "Master Ji has summoned many people and wants everyone to jointly submit a petition..."

I have an opinion! A voice suddenly rang out from outside the door. A young man stepped in, followed by a large crowd of people, including neighbors, uninvited small landlords, scholars who had spent ten years in study, and even some ruffians who helped the young man break through the guards at the courtyard.