Chen Ji finally understood why Lord Bai Long had sent everyone else away.
He spoke calmly, "Isn't Lord Bai Long afraid that I'll accuse you of grave disrespect?"
Bai Long no longer placed his pieces, instead he continued speaking to himself: "With civil servants as a counterbalance, at least it keeps the Eunuch Party and the Foreign Relatives from acting recklessly and running amok."
He shifted his tone: "But civil servants are often shameless. In the earlier years, civil ministers still had a noble and dignified bearing, but over the years they've all turned into actors, performing morality dramas on the surface—filial piety and integrity have become mere stepping stones in politics, while impeachment has turned into a business behind the scenes."
Chen Ji frowned, "What exactly is Lord Bai Long trying to say?"
Bai Long looked up at him, "What about the common people?"
Chen Ji remained silent.
