Joy of Life: Starting from Teacher Fan Xian

Chapter 44: Intoxicating Questions

The scent of sandalwood wafts through the room.

This policy paper was taken out from the library, and Lin Ruo's annotations were clearly left on it.

His annotations have always been about some interesting issues or obscure ancient texts and classics, and they are not just written casually.

Lin Ruo calmed down and looked at the questions in the book.

The spring examination mainly tests classics, poetry and policy questions. This is an eternal rule regardless of whether it is the Kingdom of Qing or the Northern Qi Dynasty.

However, this article is unique in that it adheres to the theory that poetry and prose are useless, believing that poetry and prose are just entertainment for literati to relieve worries and difficulties, and are actually useless to the country. Therefore, it is proposed to replace poetry and prose with history books, learn from the past to look at the present, and cultivate practical talents.

Lin Ruo did not make many annotations, only putting forward a few brief points, without writing a long article.

Could it be that Shu Wu came here to discuss academic matters... Lin Ruo guessed in his heart that he might be interested in the answer to his question and wanted to discuss it in depth.

Lin Ruo was silent for a while, retracted his bored gaze, and listened quietly. He heard the crisp footsteps coming from afar and stood up.

"I have met Mr. Shu."

Shu Wu, dressed in a white coat, walked into the study, drank a sip of tea to relieve his dry mouth, and then looked at Lin Ruo.

"I heard of your name when I first entered Kyoto Academy."

Lin Ruo exhaled and said, "It's just an empty title. I don't deserve it."

"It's not a false reputation." Shu Wu took the essay from Lin Ruo's hand, turned to the page with ease, and went straight to the point, "Regarding the dispute between history books and poetry, the viewpoints you annotated are independent, bold, and daring to be novel. It really makes my eyes light up."

"Ordinary people would take one of the two arguments, but you rejected both and argued that history books and poetry are compatible. You did not reject either one, but analyzed the pros and cons, and proposed innovative points. That is..." Shu Wu seemed to think that this essay did not reach the perfection in his mind, and said, "It is just that you have a long-term vision and it does not quite fit the current reality of Qing Kingdom."

Shu Wu looked at Lin Ruo, seeking the answer.

"Every development requires a period of pain." Lin Ruo said calmly.

"Having said that, the Qing Kingdom has just enjoyed peace, so it is not appropriate for major changes." Shu Wu shook his head.

Lin Ruo nodded, and Shu Wu continued to comment: "If this essay were put in the Spring Examination, it might get a high score, but it would definitely not be a masterpiece that everyone would like."

"I have written a policy paper to address the problem. You can take a look. Although you and I have different opinions, we share the same appreciation." Shu Wu handed over the manuscript expectantly. He really hoped that Lin Ruo would come up with some ideas after reading it.

Lin Ruo raised his head bitterly, thought for a moment, and refused: "Thank you for your concern, Master Shu, but I just wrote it on a whim, and I really don't have the ability to discuss this question in detail..."

"Well, it seems that you are not too keen on this policy question." Shu Wu looked disappointed and put away the light in his eyes. He changed his mind and said, "In this case, can you write an article for me based on your point of view? I will owe you a favor."

It seemed that he really wanted to see how his novel ideas would be put into practice. Lin Ruo thought about it and nodded in agreement.

He did not like to discuss too deeply with Mr. Shu. Staring at his eyes full of curiosity, he knew that if they really started discussing, it would be endless and the sky would turn dark and their mouths would become tired.

However, it is still necessary to write a complete policy paper based on the viewpoint to satisfy Mr. Shu's loyal scientific research heart.

Lin Ruo agreed, walked out of the study, stared at someone's shameless behavior with a little disdain, and smiled it off.

Wu Bo'an looked around at the door for a while, and only dared to go in and greet Lin Ruo after he left.

"Mr. Shu."

"What's up?" Shu Wu asked as she packed up. "The lecture is over, and I'd like to thank Wenyuan Pavilion for its help on behalf of all the students and my parents." Wu Bo'an said with a smile.

Shu Wu looked calm, nodded and smiled, "That's not necessary. If you are really sincere, remember to ask Master Lin to treat me to a drink some other day."

"Of course, of course." Wu Bo'an nodded and looked outside the study. "It seems that Master Shu really appreciates this student Lin Ruo."

After a moment's silence, Shu Wu said with emotion: "My Qing country is weak in literature and has always been mocked by Northern Qi. Today, I finally see a student who is interested in literature. Naturally, I have to pay more attention to him."

"That's right, this boy is extremely talented, but..." Wu Bo'an pretended to sigh, and the disgust in his bones grew very quickly. At this moment, he was sure that Lin Ruo was the person on the carriage going to Beijing, and he couldn't help but speak ill of him, trying to tarnish his impression.

"It seems his behavior is a little worse."

Shu Wu's expression remained unchanged: "You have a conflict with him?"

"It's not a big contradiction, but it's enough to explore people's hearts." Wu Bo'an said.

Shu Wu smiled contemptuously, his face darkened, and suddenly said: "What does the conflict between you and him have to do with me, Shu? I'm afraid Mr. Wu is meddling too much."

"I dare not, but I heard that he and Lord Lin seem to have some conflicts." Faced with the ridicule, Wu Bo'an looked embarrassed and quickly added.

Shu Wu was silent for a moment before he said, "Are you talking about the case on the street outside the academy?"

"That's right. I am also considering Mr. Shu." Wu Bo'an said sincerely.

Unexpectedly, Shu Wu just glared at him with disdain, then walked out of the study as if nothing had happened, and said indifferently: "Shu is not very close to your master, but he has some knowledge of people. You think too little of your master."

Wu Boan's mouth twitched, his face flushed. He thought that Shu Wu, who was the most disciplined, was a man of propriety, and he should at least give Lord Lin some face...

Turning his head to look at the question and opinion in the book, Wu Boan closed it angrily, "Humph, it's just a fallacy."

……

"Sir, why are you out so late?" Teng Zijing was driving the carriage and his waist was sore after sitting for so long.

"I ran into an old acquaintance."

The two exchanged glances, and Lin Ruo said, "Do you still remember Wu Bo'an on the way to Beijing?"

"It's actually him. Such a person is worthy of entering the academy." Teng Zijing was a little indignant when he heard this.

Lin Ran smiled calmly and said teasingly: "You still see it superficially. He didn't enter the academy, but entered the Lin Mansion."

Lin Ruofu's disciple! Teng Zijing was greatly surprised and complained uncomfortably, "Sir, you can still laugh. You have made a great enemy before you even start your career. I'm afraid this kind of villain will target you everywhere in the future and never give up until you die."

"You are right. Wu Bo'an is indeed a vengeful person. He has already started targeting me. He just got a glimpse of me, and at this moment, I am afraid he is tirelessly slandering me in front of Mr. Shu." Lin Ruo thought.

Teng Zijing felt a little confused. Why did he seem to hear a hint of gloating in the gentleman's words? Who was actually playing tricks on whom?

"Sir, aren't you worried?" Teng Zijing asked again.

Lin Ruo shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry: "His methods and actions are too despicable. I can't worry about it even if I want to."

It is really stupid to speak ill of others in front of a person of high moral character.

(End of this chapter)