With the release of Hou Junji and the others, the agitated Imperial Court regained its calm. The magnificent Western Expedition finally came to an end. Although there were some flaws, it did not affect the overall situation.
However, it caused a stir among the people and did not stop there. The Great General of the Imperial Court and the Minister of War were imprisoned. Mo Jiazi asked for forgiveness in Taiji Palace in order to save his comrades. Every matter was discussed enthusiastically by the people.
"Is Mo Jiazi guilty or not?"
For a while, it became a hot topic among the people of Chang 'an.
"Of course Mo Jiazi is not guilty. Not only did he keep himself clean and did not participate in the robbery, but he also restrained the Firearm Army. None of the soldiers of the Firearm Army robbed. He is the only face of the Western Expedition. How can he be guilty?"
"That's right! Mo Jiazi asked for forgiveness just to save Hou Junji and the others. Later, he even offered to reform the military system to atone for the crimes of the generals of the Western Expedition. "
"Mo Jiazi is loyal and righteous. Of course he is not guilty!"
The people of Chang 'an who supported Mo Jiazi said one after another.
"No! Mo Jiazi is guilty! "
"One of his crimes is to rob Gao Chang of his secret techniques. In terms of the value of the secret techniques of wine and weaving, I'm afraid that they are far more valuable than the stolen goods that Hou Junji robbed. In my opinion, Mo Jiazi was just a little smarter and did not take the money directly." A businessman snorted coldly.
As the prohibition on alcohol took effect and the wine produced by the Mo Clan under the Yantai Mountain of Dengzhou was put on the market, it immediately attracted the attention of the people of the Great Tang. It could be said that the Mo Clan was making money every day, which made people jealous. For a while, the rumor that the Mo Clan had robbed Gaochang spread like wildfire.
"The second crime is fishing for fame. Mo Jiazi used Gao Chang's secret technique to defile himself in order to protect himself. When he returned to the Tang dynasty, he pretended to beg for forgiveness and pleaded for mercy on behalf of his generals. In fact, he did it for his own reputation." A scholar snorted coldly.
When someone asked them what they should do if they put themselves in the shoes of the Mo Family's disciple, they didn't know what to do.
"Die for justice!"
The scholar said righteously.
Everyone was speechless, but they couldn't help but sneer in their hearts. Everyone knew how to boast, and Mo Jiazi's method was probably the smartest.
"Mo Jiazi's third sin is his warmongering!" A middle-aged scholar berated loudly.
"The sin of belligerence. Hasn't the School of Mo always advocated non-aggression?" Everyone was stunned.
"Non-aggression!" The middle-aged scholar snorted coldly and said, "That was the School of Mo in the past. Now, the School of Mo has nothing to do with non-aggression. You can calculate that since the School of Mo came into being, it has never missed a battle. What's more, the School of Mo, which claimed to be non-aggression, is in charge of the School of Mo and has developed a method to destroy a city with one shot. There is also a rumor that Mo Jiazi has a peerless weapon in his hand, and whoever hit it will die. Such a Mo Jiazi is not only warmongering, but also a sinner of the School of Mo. He will lead the School of Mo astray."
Suddenly, there was an uproar. Some people wanted to defend Mo Jiazi, but they were speechless. Because these were all facts. Under the promotion of people with ulterior motives, Mo Jiazi's greed, love of fame, and warmongering were extremely popular in Chang 'an.
Naturally, the Confucian magazine didn't let go of this opportunity. It seemed to be a fair report of this debate, but in fact, it added fuel to the fire. In a short time, Mo Jiazi's reputation was greatly damaged.
"Hahaha! Mo Jiazi, you also have a day like this! " In the Confucian magazine, Wei Sian laughed wildly. He had always disliked Mo Jiazi. Now that he had been instructed by the Confucian School, he naturally spared no effort to smear Mo Jiazi's reputation.
"As the saying goes, if the heavens want a man to die, they must first let him go mad. Mo Jiazi was too arrogant, which led to today's disaster. Besides, we didn't make up stories about Mo Jiazi. What the Confucian magazine published is the iron-clad truth." Chief Editor Ma sneered.
"This time, I'd like to see how Mo Jiazi will quibble." Wei Sian said proudly.
In the Mo Mansion.
"Greed, love of fame, and warmongering! It seems that there are experts in the Confucian School. They actually attacked the Mo Family with their reputation. " Meton looked at the Confucian magazine in his hand and shook his head with a smile. Whether it was economic or political, the Confucian School and the Mo Family had already fought each other. This time, the Confucian School unexpectedly attacked Mo Jiazi with their reputation.
"Master, this disciple will inform Martial Uncle Mochi and have him correct master's name in the Mo Magazine." Wu Meiniang said angrily. It was she who had discovered the article in the Confucian magazine and had immediately reported it to Meton.
Meton shook his head and said, "How can this kind of thing be explained? In the end, it will only make things worse. If the Mo Family explains in the Mo Magazine, it will be exactly what the Confucian School wants. They were just worried about how to make this matter bigger."
"Then sue the Confucian School for slander. Have them apologize in the newspaper and dismiss the previous report. Di Renjie, you write the complaint." Wu Meiniang directed Di Renjie.
Di Renjie glanced at Wu Meiniang and said cautiously, "The Mo Magazine only mentions what Merton has done. Although the position is a bit biased, it's all true. I'm afraid they can't use slander to convict him."
"I told you to write it, so just write it. Just whose side are you on?" Wu Meiniang was still angry. Hearing Di Renjie's words, she immediately became angry.
Di Renjie couldn't help but droop his little face. He had a helpless expression.
"There's no need to write the complaint. Just as Di Renjie said, it won't help at all." Meton waved his hand.
"But we still can't let them slander Master's reputation!" Wu Meiniang said anxiously.
Merton: "These are all facts. How can you say that it's slander!"
"Ah!" Wu Meiniang couldn't help but be surprised. She didn't expect her master to admit his guilt so straightforwardly.
Meton said unconcernedly, "I'll use this opportunity to teach you another lesson!"
"Merton's lesson!" Di Renjie couldn't help but be shocked. If Mo Jiazi was a master teacher, no one would doubt it. His lessons for Wu Meiniang were all talked about enthusiastically, becoming classics.
Unfortunately, he wasn't Mo Jiazi's younger brother, but a disciple of the school of Legalism. Di Renjie immediately cupped his hands and said, "This kid will withdraw for now."
"No need. Today's lesson is about sin. Today's lesson will be very beneficial for you in the future." Meton raised his hand to stop him.
"But this kid is a disciple of the school of Legalism," Di Renjie said gloomily.
"So what? I'm Mo Jiazi's younger brother. Back then, didn't I also listen to Han Fuzi's lessons and learn the law?" Merton said.
Wu Meiniang said proudly, "That's right. Self-taught schools only know how to build a cart behind closed doors. Only by learning the strengths of other schools can one's own teachings be carried forward."
Di Renjie was also a smart person. He immediately cupped his hands and said gratefully to Meton, "Many thanks to Merton for teaching me!"
Meton nodded and continued, "Actually, I don't only have these three deadly sins. I also have seven deadly sins: pride, jealousy, wrath, sloth, greed, gluttony, and lust."
The seven deadly sins of the future were summed up by Dante in the Divine Comedy. The west was still shrouded in theology, and the Renaissance was still far away. Today, Meton had even brought up the seven deadly sins six hundred years in advance.
Meton looked at Wu Meiniang and Di Renjie, who were deep in thought, My greatest sin is probably greed. I want to leave the best knowledge in the world in this great land.
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