Chapter 675
Watch His Building Collapse
Chapter 675 Watch His Building Collapse
Only after the nobles were escorted into Ranxiang Residence by their attendants and maids did everyone rise.
Mr. Matsuyama waved his long, thin arm and said, "Let's continue."
The crowd grew even more excited.
If you are favored by that influential person, your future career will surely be smooth.
Lin Ziqi's heart began to stir again.
The leader of Black Wind Stronghold and his brothers exchanged glances and retreated into the shadows.
……
After entering Ranxiang Residence, King Qi and his entourage separated to rest.
Shen Changle busied herself entertaining the guests, serving tea and then quickly presenting gifts prepared by Ranxiangju.
"Ah, how exquisite!" Even through the veil, Princess Fuyun's delight was evident.
The Ninth Princess flipped through the poetry collection in her hand and asked, "Hasn't Young Master Nantang arrived yet? I came here with my sister without staying in the palace to accompany my grandmother and mother, just to see this talented man who is famous throughout the capital. He is truly a rare sight."
Lord Gu did not respond.
King Qi was also very curious, so he asked, "I've heard that the young master of Nantang rarely sees people. Will he come tonight?"
Lord Gu said irritably, "Your Highness Prince Qi is asking me, but who am I supposed to ask? Since Young Master Nantang is so reluctant to see people, it's lucky if we see him tonight, and it's perfectly normal if we don't."
Princess Fuyun quickly smoothed things over: "Talented people are all a bit arrogant. Young Master Nantang doesn't pursue fame and fortune, so there's nothing we can do about it. It's indeed a bit difficult to invite him."
The Ninth Princess pursed her lips, handed the poetry collection to Brother Ximen, and the two of them huddled together, casually flipping through the collection, chattering away and laughing non-stop, no longer paying much attention to what was happening on their end.
Seeing Shen Changle blinking at him repeatedly, Lord Gu stood up and said, "Mr. Songshan is discussing strategies outside. Why don't we go out and listen together?"
Princess Fuyun wanted to go to the garden to guess riddles, so Prince Qi went out with Marquis Gu to listen to the scholars discussing strategies, leaving Gu Baozhu and others to accompany the Ninth Princess.
The hall was quickly emptied out.
Seeing that the Ninth Princess and her companion were having a great time and didn't care about anyone else, Xiao Dong bypassed the maids guarding them and slipped into the private room. A little while later, he slipped out again and called Shen Chang Le over.
After fussing around for a while, he finally came over with two sachets in his pocket, tossed them into Gu Baozhu's arms, and winked at her.
Gu Baozhu suddenly realized and asked quietly, "Is this okay?"
Xiao Dong nodded and gestured a couple more times.
Gu Baozhu tossed one to Qin Heng and kept one for herself.
Qin Heng: "..."
Gu Baozhu exclaimed, "Let's go outside and take a look!"
The group then slipped out, where a lively scene was unfolding.
All this was because the scholar saw the King of Qi come out and stand aside listening, so he stepped forward and asked Master Songshan: "I am not talented, but may I ask you, sir, since scholars are the head of the four classes of people, why are scholars not allowed to participate in discussions, while other people are allowed to?"
The implication is that since a scholar is a member of the literati class, why is he considered inferior to other commoners?
So, was Emperor Taizu wrong?
The prohibition against scholars discussing state affairs was a strict order issued by the founding emperor, and the inscription was engraved on a horizontal stele within the Imperial College so that students would remember it.
Other state, prefecture, and county schools also had similar steles reminding scholars not to discuss politics.
Since the founding of the dynasty, there have been scholars who risked their lives to submit memorials, but nine out of ten were severely punished, and only a very few were able to gain the court's favor through this.
As soon as the question was posed, everyone gradually quieted down, eager to hear Mr. Matsuyama's answer.
The King of Qi was also somewhat curious.
Many ministers in the court spoke out in defense of the scholars, arguing that scholars were also entitled to participate in discussions. After all, a scholar had once offered a very pertinent suggestion on water conservancy, and local officials had taken the risk of adopting it, thus saving their jurisdiction from floods.
If we have to wait until this person passes the imperial examination to submit a memorial, wouldn't that be a loss for both the court and the students?
But the emperor still adhered to the ancestral precepts.
The reason is quite simple: Emperor Taizu had issued many edicts, but only this one was engraved on the stele to show that it could never be changed. Furthermore, the scholars played a significant role in the downfall of the previous dynasty.
This question once again cornered Mr. Matsuyama.
Lin Ziqi looked at the thin Mr. Songshan standing in the crowd, his eyes full of schadenfreude.
It's not that easy to gain attention.
Mr. Songshan, who was soon being highly praised by the Marquis of Dingbei's family, was about to become the target of public criticism.
It's truly a case of watching his towering building rise and then watching it crumble.
It was my own foresight that led to the neglect of the Book Sea Pavilion.
King Qi whispered to Lord Gu, "This is a difficult question to answer. This scholar is quite cunning."
Lord Gu, not understanding this, asked, "Are you saying that scholar was deliberately making things difficult for me?"
King Qi laughed and said, "By pushing him out, aren't you just inviting the scholars of the world to make things difficult for you?"
Lord Gu nodded.
"Yes, it's like a boxing match."
King Qi said, "That's about right. Speaking of which, I've always had a question: Third Brother, are you the best in the world at martial arts?"
Lord Gu laughed and scolded, "How could that be? I wouldn't even dare to think that way. At most, I'm the best in martial arts among those who understand military strategy, and the best in military strategy among those who know martial arts."
The King of Qi covered his mouth with his fan and chuckled incessantly.
Lord Gu coughed and said, "You are a man, why are you acting like a woman?"
King Qi retorted angrily, "Third brother, are you lying through your teeth? What kind of girl hides her laughter with a folding fan?"
Lord Gu shook his head: "There really is one, my wretched child."
King Qi couldn't help but laugh again.
Lord Gu said with some disdain, "Stop fooling around, listen carefully."
King Qi: "..."
That's just too much.
However, King Qi's mouth simply couldn't be shut up when he encountered Brother Gu.
"Third Brother, where did you hide the Prince of Jin?"
Lord Gu withdrew his gaze and stared coldly at Prince Qi: "How do you know?"
King Qi sensed something was amiss and immediately smiled apologetically, "I hadn't noticed that Third Brother wasn't here, and that fellow was up to no good, so I had someone keep a close eye on him. I didn't expect Third Brother to arrive without me lifting a finger. I must say, sister-in-law is quite capable; she and Third Brother are a perfect match."
Lord Gu's breathing immediately eased considerably, and he asked in a low voice, "You think so too?"
"what?"
The King of Qi was puzzled.
You said...they're a good match!
King Qi suddenly realized: "Yes. Yes. They are a perfect match."
I don't know what's wrong with the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion, it's full of vicious women.
He had also secretly inquired about Qin Yuan's background. She was an unknown illegitimate daughter of the Imperial Sacrificial Minister's family, who made a living under the mistress's rule. But after entering the Marquis of Dingbei's mansion, she changed drastically.
She's a perfect match for this cold-faced demon.
Upon hearing this, Lord Gu's face immediately softened, and spring arrived.
King Qi was somewhat lost in thought, completely unaware that the scholar with a bright red mole on his face was extremely disappointed in him and felt that he had no potential to be a wise ruler.
Indeed, as the leader of Black Wind Stronghold, asking this question in public was by no means an attempt to embarrass Mr. Songshan. As the saying goes, Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was aimed at Liu Bang, and his main purpose was to demonstrate his outstanding talent and ambition to this dignified prince.