Chapter 59: Being a Widow is Not Unjust

  Zhou Bu said with a smile, "Mr. Xu's words are quite right, Emperor Xiaowen is naturally not wrong, and in times of disaster, the victims also need relief. However, Mr. Xu's insight is really too shallow."

  During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, the country was unified and the people's hearts were at peace. However, after three generations of the Great Han Dynasty, the country had become impoverished, agriculture and animal husbandry had reached an extreme state, and only wealth and goods were lacking, so commerce and finance naturally became necessary.

  But at this time, if a farmer can produce food for several people, and a spinner can spin clothes for several people, then it is not impossible to promote commerce. However, in today's chaotic world, with continuous wars and a sharp decline in population, refugees flooding into Sichuan, I fear that even if everyone engages in agriculture, there will still be insufficient food, yet we would waste human labor on commerce that cannot fill our bellies or keep us warm, but only allows for speculation and profiteering. How absurd is this?

  In a year of disaster, what the refugees need is food. No matter how developed your business is, the amount of grain produced by farmers is the foundation. Without enough grain, what can you use to relieve the refugees? Jewels or agate? And if there is enough grain, isn't relieving the disaster easy?

  Talking about mutual benefit, taking the long and supplementing the short, is a huge joke. I've said that sages valued agriculture and suppressed commerce because they had true knowledge and insight, knowing that people would always pursue profit and that commerce would never be cut off. Generally, transactions of rice and grains would not be obstructed, but generally luxurious goods like pearls and jade, which are useless for eating or wearing, only a nobleman like Mr. Xu could afford to use, right? Merchants sell Shu products outside, but buy jewels inside, corrupting themselves, the people, and even the ruler. Does Mr. Xu want to turn Ba-Shu into a rotten and stinky place?

  Xu Jing is now thoroughly regretful, hating himself for choosing to defend the opposing side. He originally didn't approve of Xing Shang, yet he still had to argue in his defense, and now he's ended up with a reputation in tatters. Isn't that unjust?

  But Zhou Buji had not finished, stood up and said loudly: "In the ancient times of the sage kings, the people were simple and valued their origins, peaceful and content with few desires. Nowadays, under Heaven, the Han court is in decline, the world is in turmoil, the common people are suffering, if farming is not strong then there will be nothing to fill the empty granaries, if weaving is not strong then there will be nothing to cover the body."

  "The art of commerce is clever, but it seeks to gain without labor and will bring disaster to the country and its people. If allowed to develop, it will surely lead to great chaos. My sister saw that your methods are harmful to the country and spoke out against them, trying to stop you. I hope you won't be offended, sir."

  Zhou Bu Yi finished speaking and pretended to give Xu Jing a courtesy, but his words had already finalized the debate: "The business world's cunning tactics are trying to gain without labor." This label is too terrifying. You're not even a worker anymore, what's the point of being enthusiastic about it? Are you going to let farmers raise a group of parasites? With this said, all businessmen should be despised and scolded, not to mention being enthusiastic about business.

  Xu Jing thoroughly lost, under the gaze of everyone, a great Confucian scholar of the time was actually defeated by a child. This disparity made Xu Jing completely unbearable, his face turned pale, he closed his eyes, shook his head, and was about to faint. The two scholars beside him hurriedly supported him.

  Zhou Bu Yi sat on the recliner, Xiao Fu Rong said excitedly: "Bu Yi, you're so awesome! Look at that old man getting angry."

  Zhou Bu Yi smiled slyly and said: "I'm awesome now, but your future husband is in trouble."

  Those scholars were also shocked, but after a while, some people whispered to each other, and the scholars slowly showed a happy expression. Although the great Confucian scholars of the time had been refuted, the emphasis on agriculture and suppression of commerce had been upheld, wasn't this what they had hoped for? Moreover, even children could refute the great Confucian scholars of the time, which further showed that the emphasis on agriculture and suppression of commerce had penetrated deep into people's hearts. In this way, the policy of promoting commerce that had just been implemented in Yizhou would likely be retracted.

  Fa Zheng smiled and said: "A child's tongue can defeat the world's best scholars, Zhou will surely make a name for himself in the world."

  "You still have the mood to speak sarcastically." Wang Fu's scalp was almost worn out, and he was so disturbed by Zhou Bu that he didn't know how much trouble he would encounter in opening a workshop and setting up a business in the future. Originally, there were many things to deal with, and if the government order was opposed again, and today's Zhou Bu had evidence to testify, then his position as the county magistrate of Chengdu would be useless.

  Liu Zhang patted Wang Fu's shoulder, indicating that he didn't need to worry too much. He stood up and was about to walk onto the high platform when a soldier came running from afar and walked up to Liu Zhang, saying: "Your Excellency, something's gone wrong! A fight has broken out at the martial arts examination and it's turned into a big brawl."

  "What?" Wang Fu was startled and said to Liu Zhang: "Shall we go take a look?"

  "Wait a minute."

  Liu Zhang stepped onto the stage with his sword, and immediately everyone fell silent. His personal guards stood on both sides of the stone steps. Liu Zhang spoke in a loud voice: "Today's debate is truly a classic for the ages. Qin Miao has a quick mind and exceptional bravery, surpassing ordinary people. Xu Jing is erudite and talented, worthy of being called a great scholar of our time. Zhou Bu Yu's words are as sharp as knives, cutting through to the heart of the matter, deserving of being called a child prodigy of our time."

  "The presiding judge now declares that the proposition has won this debate."

  "This......" Wang Fu did not expect Liu Zhang would say this, announce like this, isn't it equivalent to slapping himself in the face?

  But Liu Zhang's expression slowly rose with a chill, coldly gazing at the whole scene. "The art of debate is a treacherous path. This official will not stop commercial activities because of this debate. This official firmly believes in a strong commercial nation, taking its strengths and suppressing its weaknesses. As a member of the Han imperial family, it is my duty to support the Han dynasty. If there are merchants like those from Qi who want to manipulate the government in the future, I will take up this sword and execute them."

  Liu Zhang drew his sword, looked up to the sky and shouted: "I can no longer bear the treacherous heroes and rebellious thieves who have stolen my Han court. All the heroes of Shu are urged to return my rivers and mountains. As the governor, I take an oath in front of all the military and civilians of Yi Province that until the day the Han dynasty is restored, this sword will never be sheathed again. Three months later, troops will be dispatched to Hanzhong."

  "Punish the rebels and return my rivers and mountains." The soldiers below all shouted in unison. Those scholars who were still rejoicing just now were all stunned, and only then did they realize that under the mighty power, their small minds were not worth mentioning.

  Zhou Bu Yi smiled faintly and said to Xiao Fu Rong: "From this moment on, your future husband can be considered a figure."

  "What's considered a big shot... uh, no, what future husband, stop talking nonsense or I'll tear your mouth apart." Xiao Furan said with a menacing grin.

  "Don't worry, with my help, Liu Zhang will definitely beg you to be the prefect's wife. Being able to be evaluated by me as a person is not common from ancient times to now. If you marry such a person, even if you become a widow in the future, it won't be unjust."

  "Xiao Furan threw a punch at Zhou Buyi, who immediately ran away."

  Liu Zhang handed the sword to Wang Xiu and took a group of officials directly to the martial arts arena, he wanted to see who was so bold as to come here and cause trouble.

  The officer came forward, bowed to Liu Zhang and said, "Sir, I don't know where a big Han man came from, he injured dozens of martial arts students who were taking the exam, and many soldiers were also injured. We didn't dare to really take action, so we haven't called in the crossbowmen yet."

  "Oh?" Liu Zhang smiled, "There are still people as formidable as this, after all."

  As he walked down to the arena, he saw a crimson-faced big man standing on the stage with a long knife in hand, majestic and powerful. He pointed at those people lying horizontally and vertically on the stage and shouted loudly: "You don't allow me to take the exam, but you are all drunkards and gluttons! Do you think Wei Yan would resign from office and come here, only to be treated so coldly? I see that the four subjects of Yi State's imperial examination, which claims to recruit talents from all over the world, is just a mere name. I'm leaving!"

  "Wei Yan?" Liu Zhang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately ordered Wang Xiu: "Stop him."

  Wei Yan walked down the steps, and Wang Xi was leading his personal soldiers to rush over, but before he arrived, a big man rushed ahead of him. This person was only about five feet tall, with a bald head like a winter melon, copper bell-shaped eyes, ears that flapped in the wind, a large mouth and thick nose, looking both fierce and comical at the same time.

  "Wei Yan, let me ask you something. Are you going to come with us or not?" Winter melon head shouted loudly, like a bomb exploding, and Liu Zhang felt his ears ache even from a distance.

  The comment section is so desolate... fellow book lovers, really, don't you have any opinions at all? ... seeking votes, seeking collection.