Ruan Miaomiao said, "We need a ruler. We are not gatekeepers, and we are unable to get the support of the masses. We can only place our hopes on you all. You all have emerged victorious in the selection and are considered to have passed the gatekeeper's assessment."
Shen Qianshu asked, "You all have a selection once every four years. How many people have had to die because of this?"
"This is our rule."
"We also never force anyone to take part."
"If you want to change this kind of system, you can be our gatekeeper."
…
The few of them spoke their minds and each had his or her own reasoning.
Ye Ling had been silent all along.
Shen Qianshu asked, "Why were your gatekeepers' lives so short?"
