Chapter 078: Huang Yu

“I can’t say I’m fond of your remark, Elder Sun. Why not just come out and say it—that women and petty men are difficult to deal with in this world?” Among the few elderly women in the conference room, one spoke up, her expression less than pleasant.

Because the overwhelming majority present were men, the few elder women usually just listened, rarely participating in the discussion. Yet this time, Elder Sun’s words clearly targeted Qin Qing’s identity as a woman, perhaps even implying something about all women, which left these women displeased.

“I meant nothing against women specifically, only towards Qin Qing herself. Don’t you think she was far too calm when she killed Zhao Ming? That’s not something an ordinary person could do,” Elder Sun replied, glancing at the old woman and then sweeping his gaze over the rest.

The room fell silent. They had all watched the footage of Qin Qing killing Zhao Ming. Her composure and coldness were indeed unlike that of ordinary people—she was ruthless and decisive.

The old woman sneered. “Elder Sun, perhaps many here don’t know the full story behind her personality, but surely you do, don’t you?”

Elder Sun’s expression shifted slightly. “If you have something to say, then say it directly.”

The elderly woman fixed him with a steady gaze. “Very well, I’ll say it. This young woman, Qin Qing, I actually think quite highly of. Before this meeting, I took the time to look into her background. In doing so, I uncovered some rather interesting things, some of which, Elder Sun, are connected to you.

“Just now, Major General Zhu mentioned the murder case, saying only that Qin Qing was involved with the Wang family of the northeast, but didn’t mention anything about your Sun family—I suppose out of respect for you. But the person Qin Qing killed, as far as I know, was a distant relative of your family.

“I believe the fundamental reason for Qin Qing’s unusual temperament is directly tied to a young man from your family, one Sun Hao’an. And as for what kind of person your junior is, I suspect you know better than I do.”

At these words, the others began to whisper among themselves, many casting furtive glances at Elder Sun.

Elder Sun’s face changed, but he still tried to appear calm, as if the matter had nothing to do with him. Still, he did not openly object to the old woman’s words, so everyone understood that she was most likely telling the truth.

As for what kind of person Sun Hao’an was—everyone here was a seasoned old hand, well versed in power; they understood perfectly. After all, many of their own descendants had become scoundrels in society.

“Major General Zhu, please explain in detail what exactly happened between Qin Qing and Sun Hao’an,” ordered Elder Xiao without concern for Elder Sun’s feelings.

“Yes, sir,” Zhu Yinglong replied.

During the explanation, Elder Sun’s complexion changed several times, as if wanting to speak, but after glancing at the calm-faced elder at the head of the table, he held his tongue. Although Sun Hao’an was not a direct descendant, he was still family. To have such scandals discussed in front of him by so many people was deeply unpleasant. Still, with the top leader silent, he could hardly say more.

Zhu Yinglong then gave a detailed account of Sun Hao’an, including his habitual depravity and even the number of confirmed deaths at his hands. Only a few in the room showed visible anger at these revelations; most remained unmoved.

Next, Zhu Yinglong recounted the series of events: the Wang family’s second son hosting a banquet, Sun Hao’an showing up uninvited, the subsequent “selection of concubines,” Qin Qing being chosen, her escape, and finally, Sun Hao’an dying miserably in his room.

Zhu Yinglong’s narration was vivid, as though he had witnessed the events himself—a testament to his thorough investigation and preparation, down to the smallest details.

“Well done! She’s got courage and cunning—truly a heroine who’s the equal of any man. If she joined the military, she’d be a fine candidate!” General Xiao exclaimed, slapping the table in approval.

The previously calm room was startled by this outburst.

“Is there anyone this man doesn’t praise as a good candidate for the army?” some elders couldn’t help but think, recalling his recent praise for Li Gang.

“But General Xiao, Qin Qing is a murderer. How can someone like that serve the nation? Could we really entrust the safety of our country and people to a killer?” Elder Sun protested, still shaken.

“Oh? So, in your view, Qin Qing is unfit for the military, but your outstanding junior, Sun Hao’an, would make an excellent soldier?” General Xiao shot back, eyes narrowed.

“You—” Elder Sun could only utter a single word, falling silent.

He knew full well that after Zhu Yinglong’s evidently biased account, Sun Hao’an was seen by everyone as worse than a beast. To defend him now would be to take the wrong side from the start.

“All right, we’re not here to discuss whether Qin Qing is fit for the military. The real question is what impact her presence will have on Huang Feng going forward—whether that influence is for better or worse,” said the elder seated beside the main leader, giving Elder Sun an opening.

His words also signaled that the matter of Sun Hao’an was now closed.

Everyone returned to the main topic: the potential impact of Qin Qing’s emergence on Huang Feng. This sparked another half hour of heated debate, but no consensus could be reached. The arguments were evenly split, with neither side able to convince the other.

Thus, the meeting ended on a discordant note.

Earth.

The day several months prior when God erased all humanity from the planet.

In the city of HZ, ZJ Province, at the School of History, ZJ University.

ZJ University is a comprehensive national key university directly under the Ministry of Education. The School of History was split from the School of Humanities more than forty years ago. All students majoring in history-related fields study here.

The school upholds the motto “Broad Learning and Specialization, Understanding Principles and Application,” adheres to the academic pursuit of “integrating the ancient and modern, blending Chinese and foreign,” and is committed to cultivating talent and preserving culture, with a global vision and a quest for excellence, rooted in tradition and forging ahead with determination.

Here, winding paths lead through tranquil surroundings, bearing a classical charm utterly distinct from the bustling city just beyond the wall.

Class One of World History consists of eight students—all postgraduate students in the field, set to graduate this year.

At this moment in the classroom, their advisor was delivering their final lesson as graduate students.

“Today is your last class as master’s students. You have all studied the histories of various nations, and in some areas, your research far surpasses my own. For this final session, I’d like to return to the basics and discuss: What is world history? Who would like to begin?”

A professor with graying hair sat at the lectern, smiling at the eight students before him as he posed this final question. He hoped that, on this day, his students would revisit the original purpose of their chosen field.

Among them, a handsome, bright-faced young man confidently raised his right hand.

“Huang Yu, you may start,” the professor said, smiling at the eager student.

“World history generally refers to the sum of human history on Earth since the advent of humanity. Of course, history itself existed before the emergence of human civilization, but it was only in modern times that people began to truly study and narrate history under this concept,” Huang Yu replied, remaining seated, his face alight with confidence as he spoke at ease.

Here, discussion was informal—there was no need to rise to speak. They were both teacher and students, but also fellow scholars engaged in academic exchange.

“Very well said. Would anyone like to add to that?” the professor asked, nodding.

“What Huang Yu said is correct, but early ‘world history’ couldn’t possibly include the histories beyond one’s own civilization. Only after the great geographical discoveries in the modern era did true world history begin to emerge. After all, most history depends on records—without records, it’s all conjecture,” another male student added.

The professor nodded repeatedly in agreement.

“Wang Lin makes an excellent point. To expand on that, world history can be divided by era—ancient, modern, or contemporary history. It can also be categorized by region or by subject, depending on the focus of study,” a female graduate student contributed.

The classroom grew lively, with everyone joining the discussion. As graduate students specializing in world history, all with undergraduate backgrounds in related fields, they navigated discussions of the past and present with ease, drawing upon an abundance of historical knowledge.