Sheng Fu

Chapter 1034 Without Debate, Nothing Is Clear
Zhang Ren angrily turned and left. He knew he couldn't continue arguing with Jiang Ping; if he did, he would probably get deeper and deeper into trouble.

Current public opinion is not favorable to conservatives.

Cheers erupted from the crowd, and Jiang Ping, with great poise, bowed and clasped his hands in greeting to the crowd.

Duanmu Zhi smiled knowingly and said, "Young friend Jiang Ping is quick-witted and courageous, but he has never entered officialdom, which is a pity for the country."

Duanmu Zhi's words still carried considerable weight.

Not just in the northern regions, but throughout the entire human realm, everyone knows that Duanmu Zhi is a true Confucian scholar.

Although his talent and strategy are far inferior to those of the prime minister who had just entered the Wuji realm, if the Eight Visits Banquet had not been marred by so many twists and turns, Duanmu Zhi would still be the vice prime minister today.

Even after serving as an official in the capital and being relegated to a remote and backward place like Hao'an City, he still remained dedicated to serving the people. Such magnanimity naturally won over the hearts of the people.

Jiang Ping bowed and replied, "You flatter me, sir. The northern region has always been known for its talented people, and I was merely fortunate to be here tonight."

Duanmu Zhi smiled but remained silent in response to Jiang Ping's modesty.

This young man is very ambitious and, although he is a scholar, he has the potential to be a military general.

Perhaps he is a polymath.

The banquet for returning to the sea had just begun when such a talented person emerged, which gave many people greater hope for the future situation.

However, an elderly man coughed twice at an inopportune moment.

Following the sound of coughing, everyone looked towards the source and saw an elderly man, about sixty years old, dressed in simple clothes, slightly hunched over, walking out unhurriedly.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ping's eyes flashed with a hint of disdain.

Older people tend to stick to old ways.

This old man was no exception.

"May I ask your esteemed name, senior?" Jiang Ping bowed slightly and asked the old man gently.

Although the old man's face was weathered, his eyes were bright and piercing. His voice was neither humble nor arrogant, but full of profound knowledge. He nodded and replied, "I am Zhou Jun, a native of Taicangzhou."

"Young friend, your words are eloquent and insightful; I have come to seek your guidance."

The entire courtyard fell silent once more, and many hot-blooded young men cast unfriendly glances at the old man.

Jiang Ping smiled calmly and said, "I hope you can enlighten me, senior."

Zhou Jun's expression hardened, and he asked, "As the saying goes, without rules, there can be no order."

"Although the new policies are generous and inclusive, and everyone is equal, if everyone is truly equal, wouldn't even commoners dare to criticize the government? And wouldn't ignorant people, once angered, be able to rise up in rebellion?"

“Once equality is achieved, rules will no longer be enforced, and without enforcement, order will collapse.”

"Equality means having no scruples."

“Once there are no scruples, ambition will grow unchecked, leading to all sorts of chaos.”

"May I ask, young friend, what is the interpretation of this situation?"

The old man's eyes were dark and unfathomable. Even though he knew that many people wished they could kill him, he was not afraid at all, and he seemed to have the spirit of a scholar.

Whether it's due to someone backing them up or just putting on a brave face is hard to say.

Fu Cheng, Jing Hanqing, Duanmu Zhi, and the others also frowned at this moment.

If Zhang Ren was merely seizing on some sensitive issues and judging others by his own petty standards, then Zhou Jun was truly resorting to ruthless tactics.

At least, these few episodes are of a high standard.

While the old policies were flawed, they did suppress many self-important and ambitious individuals. In many things in the world, there is no clear right or wrong; whoever wins is considered right.

Many talented people were mediocre under the old government, but if they were to actually make progress, how can we guarantee that they had no selfish motives or ambitions?
All the kings and generals who achieved great things relied on their deep-seated perseverance.

But was that persistence for his own ambition or for the sake of the people?

Jiang Ping frowned slightly and pondered, "What you say is absolutely right, senior."

"However, the new policy is based on the rule of law, not the rule of man."

"After equality is achieved, everyone has the opportunity to make a difference."

"When some people have a stroke of good fortune, they can indeed become unstoppable and stand at the forefront of the trend."

"However, the new policy focuses on systems rather than personal obsessions."

“Even if there are those with wolfish ambitions who happen to gain power, they should be eliminated once their bottom line is crossed.”

"The older generation may worry that once someone gains power and becomes uncontrollable, it will lead to various chaotic situations. However, the new policy focuses on balancing nature. Even if someone truly stands at the top, they will not be able to stand out alone in the face of the overwhelming trend."

"Furthermore, under the new political system, who holds a high position and who holds a low position will be determined primarily by the results of assessments and trials."

"If the system is reasonable and the materials are sourced fairly, then even if there are occasional mistakes, there is nothing to worry about."

"Because people's hearts are different and their ideas are all kinds of strange, some people think the world should be square, some people think the world should be round, and some people think the world should be neither square nor round."

"Unless the majority of people are moving toward the same goal, and in the process a great leader emerges, the chaotic scene that our predecessors feared will not occur."

"Just like how most people yearn for new policies right now."

"If this happens, it means that a more reasonable system and framework has emerged."

"Renewal and replacement are the natural order."

This time, few people in the Northern Prince's Mansion cheered for Jiang Ping's remarks. Most people fell into deep thought, carefully considering his words.

Ultimately, those who support the Northern King hope that his faction can rise to prominence. Once the Northern King establishes a firm foothold, many of his subordinates will become beneficiaries.

What is the purpose of human life?
It's all for the sake of enjoying more and having more resources.

If one is truly selfless, it seems that many people have lost the motivation to strive for it.

But on second thought, since the new policy gives everyone a chance to achieve something, these people naturally feel at peace with it.

Because neither the old nor the new policies will affect anything.

That is, human nature has never changed from ancient times to the present.

Even if the new policy is implemented, many girls from poor families will still prefer to marry rich men as concubines rather than marry a poor young man of equal means.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jun also fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

After a long while, Zhou Jun solemnly bowed to Jiang Ping and said, "Young friend, your talent and strategy are all-encompassing. I admire you and have learned a lot from you."

Jiang Ping was also slightly surprised, as he had thought the old man would continue to make things difficult for him.

Jiang Ping then returned the greeting with great ceremony.

Zhou Jun left with a smile, satisfied with Jiang Ping's answer.

Jiang Ping then cupped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd and asked, "I wonder if there are any other experts who have come to offer their guidance?"

For a moment, there was complete silence; it seemed no one would accept the challenge...