Hsu Fengnian pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Today's chaos in the Central Plains is hard for the imperial court to absolve itself from the blame. Li Yang removing the feudal vassals and suppressing the power of the local generals are two things in the right direction, but the specific methods used are too cruel. For example, Yan Zhenchun and Yang Shenxing, these old men who hold military power, are undoubtedly loyal to the Zhao clan. And that Zhao Ying, the Duke of Huainan, actually didn't need to die on the battlefield at all. On the contrary, these people are the source of Li Yang's vitality. Letting them die of old age and illness, although sloppy, is far better than using a deliberate Guangling War to cleanly seize power from the dead. Also, the civil and military officials of Li Yang are not fools. If my father's evil title is still within the acceptable range, then the old Grand Secretary Zhang Julu's failing in his old age is especially bitterly disappointed. The current Son of Heaven can't be called a fatuous ruler, he should be called a ruler of resurgence. All kinds of measures, such as building a new pavilion, making an exception to promote Yan Zhenchun, and so on, can be considered to have greatly comforted the civil and military officials of the imperial court. Unfortunately, there are some things that as a subject, Zhang Julu can do well, but as a ruler, Zhao Zhuan may not be able to do well. At the very least, he doesn't have enough time. "
Hsu Fengnian calmly said, "Now the chaos in the Central Plains, where is the chaos? It's just the chaos in the people's hearts. Zhao Ying, the Duke of Huainan, died with a grudge, Zhao Sui, the Duke of Jiaodong, retreated gloomily, the King of Jing An, Zhao Xun, trembling with fear, took Mei Tai 'an City, the Duke of Guangling, Zhao Yi, tarnished his own reputation to seek hereditary succession. Then the Duke of Yan Chi, Zhao Bing, marching north is also within reason. The military generals of Li Yang, not to mention those old men like Yan Yang, among the younger generation, Lu Shengxiang, Cai Nan, Tang Tieshuang, and so on, I believe these people also have some indescribable hidden pain. If Zhang Julu hadn't died, even if he had already left the imperial court and retreated far away from Jianghu, or even if he didn't end up losing his reputation, the Central Plains definitely wouldn't be in chaos today. "
Yao Baifeng's face was filled with pain as he said with a trembling voice, "No matter what, the people are innocent!"
Wei Tieshan shook his head slightly while Liu Yuanji rolled his eyes. These Beiliang veterans who had survived piles of corpses all snorted disdainfully at this scholarly attitude.
Hsu Fengnian said calmly, "Ever since the founding of the Great Qin Empire, for the past eight hundred years, there have been constant wars. Which dynasty's people are not innocent? Moreover, the teacher's words of "no matter what" were too understated. Even if the Emperor Zhao Zhuan had thousands of excuses, as long as he was still sitting on the dragon throne, this disaster would have to be borne by him. Just like how I, Hsu Fengnian, blocked the Beimang's horse hooves and didn't allow them to drive straight into the Central Plains, I don't care if the imperial court doesn't care about my good intentions. If I couldn't block them and lost the second battle of Liang Mang, I wouldn't care if I was cursed in the annals of history or if the people of the Central Plains were to curse me behind my back. "
Xu Beizhi, who was crouching not far away and flipping through books to dry them, turned his head and coughed heavily. He said unhappily, "These big words, bullshit, and unlucky words, don't say too much. You, the King of Beiliang, don't care, but I, Xu Beizhi, do! Also, Teacher Yao is the dean of our White Horse Academy, so you'd better be more polite! "
Hsu Fengnian was speechless and somewhat deflated.
Yao Baifeng laughed loudly and said happily, "It's fine, it's fine. Today, Your Highness is willing to say these unpleasant words. This old man whose neck is buried in the yellow earth is very happy, very happy!"
Liu Yuanji chuckled and said, "Of course! Our Prince is a true Beiliang man, an honest man. He's never said the bullshit bureaucratic words of the Liyang imperial court! "
Lin Doufang laughed and scolded, "Your Highness's ancestral home is Jinzhou of Liaodong! Moreover, you weren't born in Beiliang! You, Liu Laosan, have flattered countless times in your life, but you've never been able to show your face. "
Liu Yuanji wasn't afraid of the heavens or the earth, and he respected and didn't fear General Xu Xiao. He was only afraid of Lin Doufang, his old brother who had gone through fire and water with him. Otherwise, in the entire Beiliang, only Lin Doufang had rewarded Liu Yuanji with a few punches. If it weren't for Wei Tieshan and the others desperately stopping him, Liu Yuanji would probably have been kicked countless times.
Wei Tieshan wanted to say something but stopped.
Hsu Fengnian's eyes were sharp. He said gently, "Old General Wei, if you have something to say, say it."
Wei Tieshan gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, is our Beiliang really going to rely on those young people? Are we going to leave the 300,000 cavalry and the survival of Beiliang to the war in Liuzhou? "
This time, it was Yao Baifeng's turn to cough. He secretly threw a glance at Xu Beizhi.
After all, the scholars of the academy who were drying books nearby were all crooks and honest folk. They had to be careful when dealing with matters at the border.
Hsu Fengnian waved his hand and smiled. "It's fine. Talking about this now won't reveal military matters."
Hsu Fengnian looked straight at Wei Tieshan. "Before Xie Xibian left for Liuzhou, he asked me a question in private. Do you hope that the 300,000 cavalry of Beiliang will all die in battle outside the pass and then wait with a clear conscience and regret for the fall of Beiliang's four prefectures? Or should I take a gamble? Maybe I'll bear the infamy of a thousand years and be scolded as a border protector who doesn't understand military affairs but is greedy for merit and advance rashly, and be regarded as a classic example of an armchair strategist by the historians of the later generations, fighting for a chance of survival for Northern Liang? "
The group of old generals fell into deep thought.
Lin Dufang was the first to come back to his senses. With a serious expression, he said, "If Your Highness says so, then I didn't come here in vain. When I go back, I'll drink two pounds of Green Ant Wine. I'll put aside my stomach full of curses for now. If I lose, I'll go to Mount Qingliang's Stele Forest and point at that tombstone. I'll pick up the things in my stomach and curse again."
Liu Yuanji said resentfully, "Lin Dufang, you're cursing Your Highness like that?"
Lin Dufang said fiercely, "Since you're the King of Beiliang, and you have the world's strongest elite troops, then it's natural for you to win a great battle! In the past, the General even conquered half of the Central Plains. Why can't Your Highness stop the Beimang barbarians now? "
Yao Baifeng's face was filled with disbelief. Was there such a logic in the world?
Xu Beizhi gloated, "Old General Lin's words are sincere."
Wei Tieshan, who had the most peaceful temperament, hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Old Lin, we haven't even drunk yet. Why are you already talking about drunken talk? Your Highness, don't lower yourself to the same level as this stubborn bull. Old Lin has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. In fact, among us old fellows, when we're not in front of Your Highness, he's the one who protects Your Highness the most. "
Lin Dufang, who was exposed, glared at Wei Tieshan.
Hsu Fengnian narrowed his eyes and smiled sincerely. He joked, "Old General Wei, I know. After all, Old General Lin almost became my father-in-law. It would be strange if he doesn't side with me."
Liu Yuanji said, "Your Highness is so handsome. Look at Old Lin's ugly appearance. Even if he has a daughter, she's definitely not good enough for Your Highness."
Lin Doufang, who had long been accustomed to punching and kicking Liu Yuanji in his military life, almost wanted to kick Liu Laosan, who had nothing good to say. However, the young lord and Yao Baifeng were present, so he managed to hold himself back.
Hsu Fengnian suddenly said softly, "Mr. Yao, I have a suggestion. Can the White Horse Academy arrange for some scholars to go to the private schools in the villages outside Liangzhou City regularly to give lectures to the poor children? The content of the lectures doesn't need to be too detailed. First, it won't delay the scholars' studies in the Academy. Second, the children won't understand the profound content. Because I hope that the future scholars in Beiliang can understand the local customs of the Central Plains as early as possible. I hope that they will know that there are many strange things in the world outside their hometown of Beiliang. I hope that they will have the ambition to read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles. Therefore, the scholars of the Academy can give lectures at will. Even if it's just casually telling the children about the local food of the Central Plains, it will be fine. "
Hsu Fengnian was silent for a moment and said tentatively, "Maybe it's a little overkill. If the scholars of the Academy are not willing to do it, I can give the Tide-listening Pavilion's collection of books as a reward for the lectures."
As soon as the words came out, Yao Baifeng was in a daze and didn't say anything for a long time.
In the open space in front of the library, the young scholars helping to dry the books in the autumn sunshine might not be able to hear the content of the conversation, but everyone could see the scene.
An old scholar sat at the head of the table with a clear conscience.
The generals of Beiliang who had killed countless people sat on his left and right.
A King who had the power of 300,000 cavalrymen sat quietly on the edge.
Then, the young people saw another scene.
The Confucian grandmaster who had students all over the world slowly stood up and bowed respectfully to the young King. He lowered his head with tears in his eyes and said in a trembling voice, "I, Yao Baifeng, from the White Horse Academy, greet the King of Beiliang on behalf of all the scholars of Beiliang!"
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.
