Chapter 84: King Cheng Defeats the Bandits (2)

  "This is probably because, when a person goes from being poor to rich, they can't avoid experiencing many hardships and difficulties. As they crawl along the way, they will see through this society, clearly seeing human nature's greed and selfishness, and the darkness and ugliness of society. So, they will also become tired and numb to society."

  Another reason for social fatigue and numbness is that when you sincerely contribute and give, others not only don't know how to be grateful but also continue to make excessive demands and requests, taking it for granted. Over time, you will feel annoyed and gradually become indifferent and numb.

  "Xiao Xiao, your words remind me of a hypothesis I once made. Suppose all the money in the world was gathered together and evenly distributed to everyone. What would it be like one week later, one month later, one year later, ten years later?"

  "What do you think?"

  "I think that maybe a year later, it will recover to the current state, now rich people will continue to be rich at that time, and now poor people will continue to be poor."

  "Maybe it won't take a year, maybe two or three months will be enough."

  "Why?"

  "Because their values and ways of thinking are different."

  "Yes, I think so too. So, I feel that this world will never have a Shangri-La or Utopia, just like there is no absolute perfection in the world. Because to live, no one can avoid the worldly smoke and fire, nor be immune to the worldly influences."

  "Mu Xian, do you know why I think of myself as a realist?"

  I shook my head.

  "When I was sixteen, a friend said something to me that has been deeply etched in my mind ever since and has become the standard by which I judge people and the pursuit of my entire life."

  "What's up?"

  "The King of Cheng defeats the bandits."

  "Cheng Wang defeated the bandits?"

  "Uh, just these four words. Because history is rewritten by the successful, you succeed and others will recognize, respect, and admire you, they will hold you high up, write books about you, erect statues, and build memorial halls."

  "Survival of the fittest has always been the unchanging law of nature. However, I think that as intelligent beings with our own independent thoughts, principles, personalities, dignity, joys and sorrows, we shouldn't just rush through life, but also take a look at the scenery around us and feel the beauty of life."

  "But I think, if a person can't even take care of their own life, can't even support their own family, then that person is truly a failure. This is also why I told you, when someone earns 2,000 yuan a month and donates 1,500 yuan, I not only don't think they're great, but instead think they're selfish and irresponsible."

  "My mother often says a sentence when she encounters unpleasant things, no matter how you live, it's just one life. So, under her influence, I may be more content with the status quo."