#adds

(keep in mind this is my own opinion, my own thoughts, my own interpretation, and my own beliefs, you are free to disagree Just don't be an ass about it. I am making this post because I get annoyed easily and don't want to be a jerk to a random internet person.)

(Also looking back this post is crazy in formatting and reasoning so feel free to just ignore since it probably makes no sense lmao)

There was this post, I made the mistake of coming across, saying that--And I can't believe your making me defend Jiang Cheng again I was supposed to be taking a break from mdzs--- As a sect leader Jiang Cheng was a failure because of three main reasons.

He didn't follow the sect Motto

He refuses to pick a fight with anyone stronger than him

he didn't help the Wen remnants (not really going to go into this one)

Now normally, I wouldn't care. t's not my business what people think at any given time--moreover I'm really not a JC apologist, I like him because he's complicated and crazy---but this post was counted as 'evidence' on reasons that Jiang Cheng wasn't a good sect leader.

Which, it had no evidence aside from one quote, and a vague mention of how the Jiang sect is no better than the Jin Sect. And that, makes me mad, because if you are going to call a random post, evidence, it better have well thought out reasoning and actual evidence.

So to break down my issue with this one by one-

The sect motto.

"Attempt the impossible" , to begin with the motto as seen the text is a way to praise Wei Wuxian, it is in my opinion the motto of Wei Wuxian throughout his entire first life. Jiang Cheng in contrast is constantly pointyed out, literaly, and often through Wei Wuxian's 'thoughts', as not 'showing' this sort of spirit.

Even Jiang Cheng seems to believe this

Jiang Cheng pulled Wei WuXian’s hand away and stood up, letting out his anger, “I know! I know that I don’t have the personality he likes, that I’m not the heir he wants. He thinks that I don’t deserve to be Sect Leader, that I don’t understand the motto of the Jiang Sect, that I don’t have the air of the Jiang Sect in me at all! Those are all true!”

Which wwx doesn't exactly refute.

Wei WuXian, “So what if there’s the motto?! Do you have to follow it just because it’s a motto?…

There's another moment later on

“…” Jiang Cheng murmured, “My mom said that you do nothing but bring our sect trouble. It’s true indeed.” He laughed coldly, talking to himself, “‘To attempt the impossible’? Fine. You understand the YunmengJiang Sect’s motto. Better than I do. Better than all of us do.”

Now I'll split this point into two main ones.

(Just for me) two instances where he does show the motto

The actual reason why what op said bothered me on a personal way.

->

Now first off; there are those who would argue that he showed this when he reformed the Jiang sect, however this opinion is of course based on how you view impossible? To me, impossible is something that reasonably, even you, believe you will fail at. So reasonably to me Jiang Cheng has shown this spirit, in attempting to build his sect again with and without wwx. People may argue that that wasn't all too difficult, however Jiang Cheng unlike other sects, ie; Lan, Jin, Nie- didn't have the established presence, the sect leaders didn't know him, or necessarily care if he rebuilt his sect, and as someone low on people and resources that would be extremely detrimental. He also was only just thrown into this position, so he was bound to make a few mistakes especially when stressed the way he likely was. he was also, extremely young, which is not necessarily an excuse, but to me a point of sympathy.

“… Back then, the LanlingJin Sect, the QingheNie Sect, and the GusuLan Sect had already finished fighting over the biggest share. The rest could only get some small shrimps. You, on the other hand, had just rebuilt Lotus Pier and behind you was the YiLing Patriarch, Wei WuXian, the danger of whom was immeasurable. Do you think the other sects would like to see a young sect leader who was so advantaged?"

(This is then followed up by him blaming jiang Cheng for everything, And you know while he did have a large fault I don't think it was 100% his, considering the majority of the plan to cast out wwx was made by wwx and then furthered by JC. )

Another such scenario is when rescuing wwx from the xuanyu of slaughter (I may be spelling this wrong). When attempting to rescue wwx, it is said that he went not only to get help, but back to give help, in an extremely fast manor, that seemingly, shouldn't have been possible. Not going to go into this one but ehh. Something Wei Wuxian may brush off as what he did is seen as greater, but Jiang Cheng really did go all out to try and save Wei Wuxian back then.

Jiang Cheng, “Are you stupid? You only counted the time to get here and not the time to go back? Let alone the fact that after I got there I had to lead people and search through the entire mountain for the old banyan tree, then dig open the hole that got blocked up by Wen Chao and his people, and rescue you within seven days. Where’s your gratitude?!”

(The last one is just mere opinion and nothing more but-

Believing wwx. Now, that technically doesn't count, but I personally think, that during the war, then after, Jiang Cheng trusted, or at least believed in wwx for longer than anyone else would have. That in my eyes is doing the impossible, especially for someone who is shown to be doubtful of many things, including wwx. )

Now I don't believe JC fully is showing this motto. I am not here to argue that he is. I do believe however that using that as a reason he isn't a good sect leader is somewhat shallow since I didn't see any reasoning showing that JFM did show the sect motto in his actions.

Only that wwx did.

(Note the og post was about how jc vs jfm)

->

Okay, now we can go to the main reason I had a problem with that

It wasn't about upholding the motto.

OP's argument was that Jiang Cheng was a bad sect leader because he didn't uphold the motto, their main line of reasoning was that helping wwx help the wens would be impossible hence upholding the motto.

But here is what makes me have an issue with this.

Supporting the Wens would have been declaring war against the rest of the cultivation world.

I'm not an expert on things-seriously- especially when it comes to Chinese literature and culture.

But as a sect leader, I would think his responsibility is to his sect first, not to the Wen remnants. By helping the Wen's directly, and helping wwx after he 'defected' he would have been putting his sect in harms way. ( Arguably he would have also been indirectly causing problems for Jiang Yanli's position in the world as well, idk.)

As a sect leader your sect should come first. And while the motto, and following it is important, I think making sure he doesn't risk the lives of the many people under his care is far more so.

( I am actually rather upset that wwx didn't consider that in the multiple times he decided to directly threaten people with more power than him. But That is not the point)

I don't think that he has a right, in fact, to call his people to defend the remaining Wen's, innocent or not.

Should he maybe have tried to stand by wwx more, Yes.

Should he have tried to help wwx more? depends on the situation.

But should he have had his people, help the wens, who many of them likely have a personal grudge against for no other reason than his own supposed filial duty and his personal duty? (That was also argued) I don't think so.

If Jiang Cheng was to support the Wens or WWX he would have to do it as a person and not as a sect leader, in my opinion.

Moreover

Wei WuXian, “There’s no need to protect me. Just let go.” Jiang Cheng’s face twisted. Wei WuXian, “Just let go. Tell the world that I defected. From now on, no matter what Wei WuXian does, it’d have nothing to do with the YunmengJiang Sect.” Jiang Cheng, “… All for the Wen Sect…? Wei WuXian, do you have a savior complex? Is it that you’ll die if you don’t stand up for someone and stir up some trouble?” Wei WuXian stayed quiet. A while later, he answered, “So that’s why we should cut ties right now, in case anything I do affects the YunmengJiang Sect in the future.”

When WWX decided to protect the Wen he did it as wwx, not as a member of yummeng jiang. I do think that is an important distinction. (feel free to correct me on this btw I could be wrong_ but also->)

Under Wei WuXian’s command, the fierce corpse Wen Ning struck Jiang Cheng once, breaking one of his arms. Jiang Cheng stabbed Wei WuXian once. Both sides suffered losses. Each spat out a mouthful of blood and left cursing the other. They had finally fallen out with each other.

After the fight, Jiang Cheng told the outside that Wei WuXian defected from the sect and was an enemy to the entire cultivation world. The YunmengJiang Sect had already cast him out. From then on, no ties remained between them —a clear line was drawn. Henceforth, no matter what he did, they’d have nothing to do with the YunmengJiang Sect! —Chapt. 73: Recklessness

Now this could be again brushed off by people saying that wwx only had to do that because JC wouldn't help, and that's true! Because JC was running his sect, and wwx couldn't reasonably help with that anymore.

-> Next point

Refusing to pick a fight with those stronger than him.

(This part specifically is mostly me just ranting so you can ignore)

This one goes back against to the 'attempt the impossible' but seriously????

In what world should any sect leader make his people fight against people he knows they won't win against.

I understand doing your best, and trying hard, but there's a point where you just become dangerous for everyone.

I mean, I don't even know how to address this at any point because what sane reasonable person chooses to pick only battles you're only going to lose??

Not picking on people beneath you is one thing, choosing battles that are even matched and fair is another- But the phrasing of that- was concerning.

(because if my boss decided to keep sending me to fight loosing battles I assure you I would quit. )

->

Final thoughts.

I really shouldn't care what people do, but it pisses me off when people use opinions and label it as evidence because that's just crap.

before anyone shouts at me saying "But you-"

I'm not saying this is a fact. I used 1 quote to show 1 point. It's not evidence. This article is based on my thoughts and my understanding. (not to mention it's been a while)