Xia Taikang and Jiang Yuzhen stood up at the same time. Their characters were to strive to be the first in everything.
"You are a guest. Please!"
As the princess of the host country, Jiang Yuzhen showed her sincerity.
"Thank you!"
Of course, Xia Taikang wouldn't allow it.
Soon, a eunuch took Xia Taikang's essay and placed it on a projector. Shortly after, the essay was projected into the air.
The handwriting was majestic like dancing dragons and phoenixes. Each and every one of them was like an ancient ferocious beast, emitting a vast, ancient, and heavy aura.
"He must have put in a lot of effort to be able to compose a seal script to this level!"
"Why does he know seal script? Is there something wrong with his brain? "
"Weird!"
Seal script was an ancient script. Because its structure was too complicated and there were too many strokes, it was time-consuming and difficult to compose. Nowadays, the countries in the nine prefectures didn't use it anymore.
It would only be used when forging ceremonial vessels, national ceremonies, or when worshipping the heavens.
But soon, no one cared about Xia Taikang's seal script anymore. They were shocked by the words in his essay.
What is this guy writing?
Unify the nine prefectures?
Is he crazy?
While everyone was reading the essay, Xia Taikang took over the sound amplification stone. He was supposed to read the essay, but he didn't. Instead, he started to give an impromptu speech.
"One chopstick is easy to break, but a bunch of chopsticks isn't easy to break. I'm sure everyone has heard of this. This is what parents use to teach their children to be harmonious and united. In fact, this principle is also applicable between countries."
Xia Taikang spoke with confidence and composure.
"There are more than two hundred countries in the nine prefectures. There are more than a hundred languages, over a hundred words, and countless dialects. Everyone lives in their own little world. From birth to death, they can't even leave their homes. Don't you think this kind of life is very boring?"
"The food, minerals, and land in the nine prefectures are limited. After seizing a portion of it, each country uses it to propagate and do their own things. I think it's a waste. For example, King Qi likes beautiful women and is fond of singing and dancing, but he doesn't have any achievements in politics or martial arts. He has been on the throne for thirty years. Although Qi is prosperous and its people are at peace, if it doesn't move forward, it will be regressing."
Xia Taikang's words were merciless, causing King Qi's expression to turn awkward. However, this was the Five Nation Mock Competition, and he could not stop it.
"I want to unify all the countries in the Nine Prefectures, unify the written language, unify the language, unify the measurements, unify the size of the ruts, and build a huge road network. This way, ordinary people can also watch the sunrise in Xijing in the morning, and go to Jinling at night to enjoy the beauty of the Qinhuai River."
"I want to gather the strength of all the countries in the Nine Prefectures and see how far this country can go!"
Xia Taikang's words stunned everyone.
It was not that they agreed with him, but that they had never thought that the world could be like this.
"Nonsense! No matter what he says, it's all for the sake of becoming the king of the Nine Prefectures!"
Li Xiu was worried.
Due to the existence of the Darkness Continent, the various countries of the Nine Provinces no longer waged large-scale wars. Hence, there was no competition between them. Everyone was just eating and waiting for death.
This was also the reason why the feudal slavery system of the Nine Regions had existed for so many years, but still could not produce the germination of capital.
If Xia Taikang were to become Emperor Xia, it would definitely trigger a war in the Nine States.
"I hope that in the future, there will be no more people from Xia, Qi, or Chu. Everyone will be people from the Nine Prefectures. In that case, there will naturally be no discrimination, disputes, and killings!"
Xia Taikang ended his speech.
Honestly speaking, his main thought was that the resources of the Darkness Continent weren't endless. What would happen when the resources were all mined out?
War would definitely erupt between the various countries.
At that time, his descendants might not be able to help Xia Country continue to rise in the Nine Prefectures War. Hence, he might as well do it himself.
After all, the strongest country in the Nine Prefectures was Xia Country. No matter who it was, they would want to take a gamble!
"Such a person is a tyrant!"
Sun Mo heard someone in the crowd saying this, but he didn't express his opinion. On the contrary, he felt that Xia Taikang had great foresight.
The second person to go up was Jiang Yuzhen.
Her official script was very stable and conformed to the norm.
"The head of a silkworm and the tail of a swallow. Princess Yuzhen's official script already has the demeanor of a grandmaster!"
"However, what does this article mean?"
"I don't understand!"
Let alone ordinary people, even the experienced great teachers were dumbfounded.
What was Jiang Yuzhen's ruling philosophy?
She felt that there would definitely be conflicts between countries. If they wanted to coexist peacefully, they had to establish a powerful armed force that transcended the various countries.
Every time there was a dispute between countries, this armed force would intervene and conduct arbitration.
Martial strength could be used for protection, but it could also be used as a form of deterrence!
"Zhen 'er, you..."
Even Qi King was stunned.
(I'm such a Buddha-like ruler, how could I give birth to a daughter like this?)
"Your Highness Yuzhen, how do you maintain the fairness and impartiality of this army? You must know that absolute authority would lead to absolute corruption. If you allow this army to arbitrate all countries, corruption would surely be born. "
Sun Mo was curious.
Jiang Yuzhen's method shouldn't be able to be done in any era.
"Great Teacher Sun, aren't you looking at human nature too darkly?"
Jiang Yuzhen retorted, but a glimmer of light flashed in her eyes.
Absolute fairness would lead to absolute corruption?
These words were truly brilliant.
"In other words, you can only pray that this army is honest and just?"
Sun Mo sighed.
"Great Teacher Sun, please guide me!"
Jiang Yuzhen sought guidance.
"Pay high salaries to support honesty, or let secondary saint and above great teachers take turns to train these soldiers. Even if the great teachers have selfish motives and are unable to guide these soldiers for a long period of time, they can still form restraints!"
Sun Mo casually mentioned two solutions. "However, these are only treating the symptoms and not the root cause. After a long period of time, they would be useless."
"I understand!"
Jiang Yuzhen had a disappointed look on her face.
"It's very good that you can have such thoughts. The era is developing, and there might be a solution when the time comes."
Sun Mo encouraged her.
Jiang Yuzhen was an idealist. If such a person became a king, at the very least, he wouldn't be too harsh on the commoners.
Next, the crown princes and princesses submitted their essays one after another. Although their words weren't bad, most of them conformed to the norm and there was nothing eye-catching about them.
Finally, it was Xiang Zhao's turn.
This fellow directly wrote a piece of cursive calligraphy that was filled with his own style. Honestly speaking, even a calligraphy grandmaster like Sun Mo wouldn't be able to recognize many words.
The first feeling he had when he saw this was the fear he felt when he went to the hospital to see a doctor.
At that moment, Sun Mo, who had received nine years of compulsory education, suspected that he was illiterate.
"It's not good to fight and kill. I feel that art has no boundaries. It can make people forget their troubles and cultivate their character. That's why we need to vigorously develop art. When everyone becomes a person of universal love, the world will be happy."
Xiang Zhao scratched his head and introduced his philosophy. There was an awkward smile on his face.
He had never thought about where he would lead the country to.
Because he was the only son, he definitely wouldn't run away from the throne.
"Pffft!"
Li Xiu couldn't help but laugh.
The Chu Country's crown prince was really naive and adorable.
Qi King looked at Xiang Zhao with gratification. After this fellow became the Chu King, he would definitely be more muddle-headed and useless than him.
"The Chu Crown Prince is really unrestrained and unrestrained!"
Qin Yaoguang chortled.
"Sun... Teacher Sun, what do you think of my words?"
Xiang Zhao couldn't stand the gazes of these people as if they were looking at trash. Hence, he looked toward Sun Mo for help. He felt that Sun Mo was a great teacher and would definitely have a higher level of thinking and would be able to understand him.
"Art has no borders, but artists do!"
Sun Mo consoled. "You might not be able to become the greatest king, but you can become a great artist. I feel that you might as well give up the throne and indulge in the scenery, pursuing the pinnacle of art."
Xiang Zhao fell silent. He didn't expect Sun Mo to say this.
Give up the throne?
He had thought of this before, but he didn't dare to do it. If not, he would lose the foundation of his ancestors and become an unfilial descendant of the Xiang Clan.
The commendations continued until only Wei Wuan and Li Ziqi were left.
"Royal sister, please!"
Wei Wuan was older and had the qualifications to address Li Ziqi as his royal sister.
"Royal brother, please go first!"
Li Ziqi modestly declined.
In the end, Wei Wuan was the first to speak.
His beautiful regular script that was imposing and elegant appeared before everyone's eyes.
"I share the same ideals as Prince Tai Kang. I also feel that the countries of the Nine Provinces should be merged!"
Wei Wuan spoke vehemently, "Far away, there are the countries of Taixi, and close by is the Darkness Continent. The civilizations they gave birth to would surely be different from ours. I believe that one day, everyone will definitely clash. In order to survive at that moment and become the strongest country, I feel that the Nine Provinces must be unified."
"However, I don't agree to unify the Nine Provinces through war because it would cause the people to be plunged into misery and suffering. As for how to do it, I still have no idea!"
Wei Wuan said this to gain favorable impression points. After all, no one liked tyrants. However, he knew that war was the only way to solve problems.
Some great teachers discussed.
Among these people, only Wei Wuan's was reasonable. After all, the dangers were real.
"Lastly, it's our favorite, Her Highness Ziqi!"
After the ceremonial officer announced, many people looked over with anticipation, hoping that she would be number one again.
It wasn't because they liked Li Ziqi. Rather, it was because everyone had bet on the Great Tang Empire to be number one.
When the equipment displayed the words in the air, many people immediately exclaimed in shock.
Regardless of the rarely seen seal script or the incomprehensible cursive script, everyone had seen it before. However, Li Ziqi's calligraphy was a brand new font that was incomparably beautiful.
"What calligraphy is this?"
"Skinny Golden Body. I've seen Li Ziqi's examination paper before. It's simply too shocking!"
"Isn't this a little too beautiful?"
Li Ziqi's words were quick and agile. They were thin but didn't lose their flesh. One could see the strength of their bones, and they possessed a unique charm.
For top-notch beauties, regardless of whether they were from the country or overseas, men would feel that they were beautiful the moment they saw them. It was the same for beautiful calligraphy as well.
Many people's calligraphy wasn't good, but when they saw good calligraphy, they would be able to recognize it and feel joy.
"Eldest martial sister, what is this writing?"
Qin Yaoguang was shocked. (Why can't I understand?)
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
