Chapter 669
Adding Firewood
Chapter 669 Adding Firewood
Someone said, "I must say, the list of these twenty-four classes is very detailed. I've been thinking about it for a long time but I can't think of any that haven't been included yet... But I think some of them could be grouped under merchants and artisans... For example, if the number of performers is small, they should be classified as artisans, but if it's a troupe of performers, they should be classified as merchants. What do you think?"
"...I don't think that's appropriate. Wouldn't it be difficult to categorize them like that? It would be better to categorize them by miscellaneous plays."
"But if the official ranks of craftsmen are all counted as those of scholars, why can't the ranks of miscellaneous actors be divided in the same way?"
The crowd had completely forgotten what question the scholar had asked, and they were all discussing the division of the twenty-four classes, whether the division was reasonable, and whether there was a better way to divide them.
There are several different opinions on each issue, and they argue endlessly, seemingly about to reach a conclusion on the spot.
More and more scholars emerged from the back gate of the garden party, and seeing the lively discussion, they naturally wanted to join in.
Not to mention the ordinary people who were just there to join in the fun.
When scholars argue about something, it's rare to find something they can understand and also express an opinion on, so they always have to say something.
More and more people are getting involved.
Ranxiangju was now completely surrounded and bustling with noise.
Mr. Songshan stood there, hands behind his back, occasionally asking a few questions loudly, or interjecting with his own observations from his travels, sometimes offering a few rebuttals, keeping the candidates engaged and prompting them to continue. He truly resembled a teacher instructing young, eager students.
Qin Yuan chuckled inwardly at this sight.
Isn't this much better than she had planned?
After tonight, Mr. Matsuyama will surely become famous.
This is because the "four classes of people" are the cornerstone of the nation, and after several generations, this cornerstone has become unstable.
No one in the court could contain this change, nor could they come up with any effective measures.
As for reform? Some people have said that if the previous dynasty had not reformed, it might have been able to prolong its existence for some time. Naturally, the current emperor would not dare to act rashly, for fear of leaving a bad mark on history.
Mr. Matsuyama sparked this debate, and whatever the outcome, it will certainly attract attention.
Moreover, Mr. Songshan has traveled extensively among the people for many years, is familiar with local geography, customs, and people, and speaks with substance and conviction.
Qin Yuan took a step back and instructed Qin Siyuan, "For now, it's enough that you have the teacher. Later, I'm afraid some important people will be coming, so it's best if I hide. You stay here to help the teacher, be careful, and don't be reckless."
Qin Siyuan asked in bewilderment, "Since you also intend to come out and offer your advice, why not do it together with the gentleman?"
After all this preparation, wouldn't it be better to make a grand appearance with a large audience?
Qin Yuan said, "Now is not the time to compete on numbers. It is enough for you to stand out alone, sir. There will be a grand review later, and the discussion on the four classes of people cannot be resolved in just a few hours."
It would be better to let Mr. Matsuyama fully display his talent. What she seeks is not fame, but to influence the business of scholars.
Qin Siyuan still felt a little regretful.
"Why don't you go back inside and listen? There might be an opportunity when we need you to step in. Everyone's talking about this now, but they might start talking about something else later."
Qin Yuan nodded and then left the crowd.
Yang'er and Hehua, disguised as pageboys, hurriedly followed.
At this moment, the scholar who had asked the question first tried to steer the discussion back on track, but the crowd was so engrossed in their discussion that they completely ignored his attempts.
The scholar's companions had already been drawn into the discussion, leaving him in a dilemma, unsure of what to do. So he stood on tiptoe and turned to look at the manager of the Book Sea Pavilion in the crowd. But the manager looked blank, as if he hadn't expected this situation either. When he met the scholar's gaze, the manager trembled, as if waking from a dream, and quickly withdrew from the crowd to seek advice from his master.
The owner of Shuhaige stood in the shadow cast by the towering pavilion in front of Ranxiangju across the street, gritting his teeth and cursing, "Useless, all of you are useless."
They were clearly looking for trouble, but ended up adding fuel to the fire.
What a piece of trash!
The main reason they couldn't compete with the Marquis of Dingbei was that his subordinates were simply too incompetent.
They can't even handle the smallest things.
It serves no purpose other than loyalty.
At that moment, the shopkeeper approached the owner of the Book Sea Pavilion and cautiously asked, "Master, what should we do now?"
The owner of Shuhai Pavilion was furious and cursed the innkeeper with words like "useless servant" until the innkeeper turned pale and was about to collapse. He said sullenly, "Quickly call him back and stop him from adding firewood for others."
The shopkeeper forced a smile and asked, "If we don't let him do anything anymore, then our money will have been wasted?"
The owner of Shuhaige angrily said, "What else is there to do? Tell him to leave quickly. If he can't get away and the education officials remember his name, it will ruin his future. Don't blame me."
“Yes,” the shopkeeper said, shrinking back.
The owner of Shuhaige added, "Tell him to keep his mouth shut and not to say anything he shouldn't."
The shopkeeper immediately replied, "He wouldn't dare."
The owner of the Book Sea Pavilion didn't even bother to look at him: "Get out of here, don't get in my way. I can live a few more years."
The shopkeeper, with a blank expression, pretended not to notice the strange looks coming from all around, and dejectedly prepared to retreat.
Three children passing by stopped and started mocking them.
One of them said, "Hey! Look who I see here. Isn't this the manager of Shuhai Pavilion? What brings you here to watch the fun?"
Another said, "How strange! I heard that Shuhai Pavilion spent a lot of money to invite famous craftsmen from Cangzhou to make lanterns, and they are going all out to surpass Ranxiangju. Why is their manager here looking at lanterns?"
Another person said, "What's so strange about that? Our clinic is doing well, and people from other clinics pretend to come and spy on us, thinking that nobody knows. Actually, my master and I have seen it all, and we just think they're putting on an act for us to see."
These words made the manager and owner of Shuhaige feel very embarrassed.
What's the difference between this and pointing at a monk and calling him a bald donkey?
The owner of Shuhai Pavilion was unwilling to enter the court to become an official because he couldn't stand the arrogance of those who had passed the imperial examinations. He couldn't bear it any longer, so he squinted at them and said, "You are still young, how could you understand the affairs of scholars? I heard that Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang were coming, so I naturally had to come and see your demeanor."
"Really?"
Gu Baozhu burst into laughter, showing him absolutely no mercy.
"I've heard that Shuhai Pavilion is envious of the Dingbei Marquis's poetry collection business. They sent invitations to Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang several times, but were turned away and even threatened with rudeness. The Lantern Festival is so important, why aren't you guarding your own shop? What kind of logic is that?"
“What’s there to be confused about?” Xiao Dong immediately exclaimed, “They obviously want to come here to do bad things.”
Qin Heng exclaimed in surprise, "What? Mr. Songshan is so learned and knowledgeable, even my father repeatedly told me to consult him more often. How dare the people from Shuhai Pavilion? Aren't they supposed to be cultured people?"