Chapter 37: Reputation
Even though he was well-educated, he couldn't help but get a little excited and opened his mouth to ask more questions.
Zhu Yuanhao asked for them: "If we can follow this 'one law', can the world be governed?"
"Of course not."
"oh?"
Li Dongyang and others were all surprised.
I thought that since Jiang Zhou said this, we should press on to win.
Now you want to overturn what you said?
Jiang Zhou smiled and said, "What I just said is a fallacy. It is because this is not the right path."
"Don't you know that when the granaries are full, people know etiquette; when they have enough food and clothing, they know honor and disgrace. If they don't have enough food, who cares about etiquette? If they don't have enough clothes to cover their bodies, who cares about honor and disgrace?"
"If we don't allow the people to have enough food and clothes, do we want them to be hungry and naked and talk about etiquette and benevolence?"
"That brother said that people in the world don't know how to study and serve the country. How could he know that there are so many people in the world who are struggling to make a living, and even can't afford food or clothes? Where can you let them study? How can they serve the country?"
"good!"
A burst of applause broke out.
It turned out that when Jiang Zhou and the students were talking, they had attracted the other guests in Yanbo Tower.
Some people were even more surprised when they recognized that those present were great scholars from Nanzhou such as Li Dongyang and Dai Yougong.
Calling friends attracted more people.
It was surrounded tightly from top to bottom.
But gradually they were attracted by Jiang Zhou's remarks.
At this time, I couldn't help but shout out good things.
This is because most of the onlookers were what he called ordinary people.
"Confucianism can educate the people, law can discipline the people, business can enrich the people, the military can strengthen the country, agriculture can provide sufficient food, and industry can make its tools sharp. All schools and industries are indispensable."
"If you want to govern the country and the world by relying solely on the words of one family and benevolence and courtesy, please forgive me for speaking frankly."
Jiang Zhou said firmly: "That's just a foolish dream."
“…”
After he finished speaking, there was silence all around.
Yan Xiaowu looked left and right behind him.
He had been educated, but he considered himself not to be a scholar, otherwise he would not have become a black-robed constable.
He only understood half of what Jiang Zhou said.
But judging from the expressions of the people around him, they were shocked.
He couldn't help but smile from ear to ear, and was eager to mock those pedantic scholars.
He pointed at Xu Wenqing and said, "How is it? You, wasn't it you just now? Didn't you say you wanted to fight with words?"
"Now that my brother has drawn the line, what can you do? What do you have to say? Or are you going to admit defeat? Hahaha!"
The students came back to their senses, and someone immediately said angrily, "Humph, heresy!"
"The word rite is the foundation of our country, Ji. Back then, the Holy Emperor gathered the might of the mountains and rivers, and the destiny of humanity, and cast the Ji Ding, established the Ji Li, and the Ding ruled the world!"
"The prosperity of our country, Daji, has lasted for 8,000 years!"
"The word 'benevolence' represents the brilliance of the wisdom of the past and present gathered by the seventy-two saints of our Great Ji. It is a great spirit that is engraved on the heaven and earth, making the heaven and earth dry and manifesting the great river, shining through the ages! It will stabilize the destiny of our humanity for thousands of years!"
"It is the beginning of our great Ji's eight thousand years of unfailing literary fortune!"
"You are just a lowly official, but you are so eloquent that you want to destroy the two foundations of Daji with just one word. This is simply treason!"
Unlike those onlookers, most of them could not understand what Jiang Zhou said.
They cheered simply because these words sounded heartwarming to them.
What they objected to was not whether the statement was right or wrong.
But as they said, this is shaking the foundation of Daji.
What is the foundation of Daji?
They are Confucianists, aristocratic families, and powerful families.
The word "people" is not included in this.
In the perception of these students, the art of governing a country is the art of governing the people.
One word "Mu" is enough to say it all.
The people are just animals.
The "people" who really need to be rich are the aristocratic families, who are the foundation of the great country.
Jiang Zhou's words were like playing the lute to a cow to them.
In fact, Jiang Zhou himself knew it very well.
He had been a refugee for only a few days, but it was enough for him to see some of the goings-on.
The reason why I dare to speak so freely here is that I know that most of what I say will not be taken seriously.
But it's enough to bluff people.
Jiang Zhou smiled calmly and said, "I am just a small demon patrol guard in the Sujing Division. I haven't read many books. I am talking nonsense and making a fool of myself. You gentlemen can just listen and laugh at me. How can I destroy the foundation of the country?"
The man snorted: "It's good that you know it. You still have some self-awareness."
While they were talking, they did not notice that several teachers and commanders beside them were all silent.
Li Dongyang and Dai Yougong looked at each other, and they did not hide the surprise in each other's eyes.
Zhu Yuanhao stroked his black beard, and from time to time a trace of struggle and confusion flashed across his face.
They naturally knew that Jiang Zhou's words were not that simple.
These students are just quibbling or simply don't understand.
But after all, there is a difference between close and distant relatives. They admire this Demon Patrol Guard, but they will not help him to damage the reputation of Bailu Academy.
Hearing the student's words, he could not help but frown slightly and asked, "Wen Qing, what do you think?"
Xu Wenqing bowed to him and said: "I am ashamed. Although I don't know whether what you said is right or wrong, I know a person by listening to his words. When it comes to reason and writing, Wenqing is ashamed to be inferior to me."
He turned to Jiang Zhou and said, "Brother, could you please tell me your name?"
Jiang Zhou clasped his fists and said, "I am Jiang Zhou."
Xu Wenqing said sternly: "Brother Jiang, I am not as good as you in writing and reasoning."
"But this is related to the reputation of Bailu Academy. Xu is not convinced and still wants to compete with you again."
Yan Xiaowu said sarcastically, "Tsk, you are a fool who wants to save face, right? Fine, let's compete. Not to mention one match, you will lose even if we compete ten times!"
"Tell me, what do you want to compete in?"
Xu Wenqing didn't have Yan Xiaowu in his eyes, he just looked at Jiang Zhou and said:
"Poetry is a minor art, which cannot be compared with Brother Jiang's profound theories, but it is the only art that Xu is best at in his life. For the sake of Bailu Academy's reputation, Xu can no longer care about this face."
How could Jiang Zhou write any poem?
Although it was not difficult for him to copy dozens or hundreds of poems, he was thick-skinned enough and it was also a very satisfying thing for him to show off in front of others.
But he has already been in the spotlight enough today, and too much is as bad as too little.
He immediately clasped his fists and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. I am a simple man, how can I understand poetry? I was just afraid that my friend might offend you, so I was anxious and said something nonsense. You can't take it seriously."
"If Brother Jiang is not good at poetry, I dare not force him. I will write a poem. If the gentlemen and elders, and everyone present, do not have any disparaging intentions, then we will both win."
However, Xu Wenqing just thought he was being modest and had no intention of giving up.
His expression was serious and firm: "I hope Brother Jiang can help me."
Jiang Zhou said helplessly: "Brother Xu, I really don't understand."
Xu Wenqing folded his hands and bowed: "Please teach me, Brother Jiang."
“……”Why is this person so stubborn?
When the two were at a stalemate, Zhu Yuanhao tried to smooth things over by saying, "Since this young man doesn't want to be public, Wenqing, don't force him."
Then he changed the subject and said, "Weren't you going to write a farewell poem for Mr. Dongyang just now? Take this opportunity to recite it and ask this young man to comment on it for you."
Although he had no complaints against Jiang Zhou, as a doctor of Bailu Academy, he still sided with Xu Wenqing and wanted to save some face for the academy.
