Peace Order-Chapter 796 - 95: Academy, Various Scholars, Great Confucians, Distinguished Scholars, Qilin_3

Chapter 796: Chapter 95: Academy, Various Scholars, Great Confucians, Distinguished Scholars, Qilin_3

"Let’s not talk about how many victories or defeats there have been,"

Feng Xiao saw it very clearly and chuckled, "The scholars have legs, and with the Lord here, they dare not flock to the feet of the aristocratic families. However, once they set out into the world, there will naturally be talented individuals from all over heading to Jiangnan."

"The aristocratic families are like dry bones in a tomb, paper tigers that can only oppress others with their power."

"The more they suppress the scholars now, the greater the backlash will be once you, my Lord, leave this place,"

"Hahaha, let’s drink, let’s drink."

Li Guanyi felt that this fellow would sooner or later die drowned in wine.

After pondering for a moment, he said, "After returning to Jiangnan, you might want to seek out Lei Laomeng."

Feng Xiao asked curiously, "Lei Laomeng?"

Li Guanyi nodded and said, "And Shi Dalin. They can surely develop..." Li Guanyi wanted to say a medicine for treating alcoholism, but after a thought, he phrased it differently: "A medicine, no, I mean, a fruit that lets you drink more."

Upon hearing this, Feng Xiao was overjoyed.

Delicious, delicious.

He thought about asking beneath Su Wang’s crown what that loudly crowing chicken actually was!

Then he would go to Jiangnan to find Lei Laomeng and Old Shitou.

To eat those fine fruits that let you drink more!

"Splendid, truly splendid. When the time comes, I’ll seek out that Mr. Old Shitou, act smart, earn his favor—I am the Lord’s Military Sacrificial Wine, after all. Won’t he readily hand over the fruit?"

Another day passed.

The Qilin had still not returned.

Fang Ziqiao came to invite Li Guanyi to the Academy, saying that Mr. Wang Tong had extended an invitation. Li Guanyi gladly accepted, planning to also check on the Qilin, though he believed that Old Qilin, being one of only two Qilins in this world, would not harm the little one.

But this good fruit had been consumed for too long.

Just how many of these fine fruits were there?

As summer was nearly passing, Li Guanyi and Fang Ziqiao went to the Academy, where they once again saw Mr. Wang Tong. Mr. Wang Tong’s expression was calm and serene. He invited Li Guanyi to sit down. On the table there was a small bronze incense burner, with wisps of smoke curling upwards from it.

It was pine resin incense made by Mr. Wang Tong himself.

Confucian gentlemen are not incapable of diligence in physical labor or ignorant of agriculture.

Mr. Wang Tong’s voice was gentle as he asked, "Couldn’t find anyone from the Heavenly Strategy Mansion?"

Li Guanyi, holding his tea, felt somewhat embarrassed. The news had apparently spread far and wide. Mr. Wang Tong smiled and replied with a question, "What do you think is the reason?"

Li Guanyi said, "The aristocratic families."

Mr. Wang Tong nodded and said, "That’s partly correct, yet it still seems to lack something. It’s not just because Ji Daochun, for the sake of his own reputation, has set up the royal family and the aristocratic families against you, making you their enemy. The bigger problem is..."

"Don’t view them as a monolith."

"Focus on the individuals."

Mr. Wang Tong, maintaining his calm and serene demeanor, said, "Aristocratic families are a massive entity. They have prospered up to this day, for eight hundred years, perhaps even before the era of the Red Emperor. They too have many intelligent people, and these intelligent people, because of their own backgrounds..."

"Immediately choose to help the aristocratic families."

"The flaws of the aristocratic families are visible to you and me, and they see them too."

"Thus, they too will try to find ways to save their own clans."

"Recruiting talent is one of these ways."

Mr. Wang Tong poured more tea for Li Guanyi and said, "There are many students in the Academy, broadly divided into two kinds: those born to aristocratic families and those born to commoners. Some might feel that those born into aristocratic families would look down on those from commoner backgrounds."

"But the truth is, they don’t."

"Noble family’s sons will be kind to those commoner students who manage to enter the Academy on their merit, they will give them silver coins to support their living, provide clothes, food, and help their families, change their place of registration, and exempt them from land and field taxes."

"They will even treat their parents with due respect."

"And the spoiled sons of wealth will not offend the promising students, as the so-called profligate of noble families only refers to those disciples who cannot establish themselves in scholarship or martial arts. They will take talented individuals born to commoners on excursions everywhere."

"The aristocratic families are even willing to marry daughters of suitable age from their clan to these talented individuals, weaving a web of talent through personal bonds, financial support, and marital ties to strengthen their family."

"In such a situation, if you stand against the aristocratic families, it’s only natural they wouldn’t choose you."

Li Guanyi, holding his tea, suddenly said, "It’s truly fraught with difficulties."

He felt the enormous resistance to pursuing his goals.

These are chaotic times, but not yet the time of utter chaos.

The existing order and the rules among the aristocratic families aim to block him at every turn, cementing the barrier. Mr. Wang Tong said, "But still, if there is ambition in one’s heart, pure ideals, and a vision for why one studies..."

"There will be common-born students who join aristocratic families for favors, for wealth and honors."

"And there will be noble sons who, for the sake of the grand vision of harmony, will come under your command."

"People are complex."

"The Academy debates determine the paths these students take."

"The noble families will resist what you aim to accomplish, but beyond that, there are also those scholars who have made names for themselves."

Li Guanyi said, "Prominent scholars?"

Mr. Wang Tong said softly, "Yes, after they have gained fame, their students and grandstudents exert tremendous influence throughout the Academy. Often, even pursuing studies is not entirely free from restrictions."

"Once they are celebrated for their scholarship, the noble families honor them, Chen Country and Ying Country admire their doctrines, and then they have many followers. Thus, they can establish their teachings to pass on to future generations. The conflicts between you and them are very direct."

"They will all be your adversaries."

"And they will have considerable impact on the students of the Academy."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢