The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 788 Debate
The fifth year of Chengping.

The square in front of the Imperial College was surrounded by people in three layers inside and outside.

On the high platform ahead, two groups of people were arguing with each other, arguing fiercely.

The focus of the discussion is on which system of selecting talents, Taoism or the imperial examination, is better.

The Imperial Academy was only concerned with the teachings of sages and the laws of ancestors, but their ideas were too high-brow for the general public and the common people were completely confused by their quotations from classics.

The study of Taoism, on the other hand, was much more pragmatic. It talked about making a name for itself overseas and attracting all nations to pay tribute, as well as convenient transportation, people's livelihood, and improved public security, which attracted loud applause from the onlookers.

As Zhang Yun逸 took control of both military and political affairs, his power expanded day by day, and the study of Taoism also rose in popularity. In recent years, it has even suppressed the imperial examinations.

This can be seen from the fact that the debate was held in front of the Imperial College.

Faced with the Xianxue school's active provocation and disruption, the Imperial College had no choice but to fight back.

However, the Immortal Academy came well prepared, and the Imperial College seemed to have the home advantage, but in the face of surging public opinion, it lost the right time, place, and people, and was defeated step by step.

Jia Huan, the leader of the Immortal School on the stage, held his head high and said confidently: "Since His Royal Highness the King of Wei founded the Immortal School, the people have become rich, the people's livelihood is healthy, and the country is strong..."

After moving to a new place to recuperate and to nourish his body, Jia Huan was no longer the mean person he used to be. Facing the thousands of onlookers, he could present facts, reason and speak eloquently.

It’s not that the Imperial College was really at a loss for words. After all, as long as the angle was tricky, there would always be loopholes to exploit.

However, although Wei Wang Zhang Yun逸 kept saying that he would allow people to speak freely, questioning the immortal teachings was tantamount to questioning Zhang Yun逸. He had already lost the right time, place and people, and was restricted everywhere. The result was predictable.

Just as the Imperial College on the stage was at a loss for words, a sudden voice came from the audience: "I heard that Jia Jiancheng is the son of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei. May I ask, is your current success entirely due to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd suddenly became quiet. The onlookers were fine, but everyone in the Imperial College across the street was horrified and looked at Jia Huan in unison.

Although they did not ask this question, but were directed at Jia Huan, the spearhead was vaguely pointing to Zhang Yunyi's dirty deeds, which undoubtedly put them in the spotlight.

Jia Huan, on the other hand, remained calm and showed his arrogance. Facing the audience, he said slowly, "I don't deny that I was taught by my godfather, but who in the immortal school doesn't consider himself a godfather's student? People are not born with knowledge, and there are so many godfathers and disciples. But who else can inherit my godfather's legacy?"

At this point, he looked around the stage with a disdainful look in his eyes, and said in a sonorous and powerful voice: "It is impossible for a person to ascend to heaven by grabbing his own hair. It was Godfather who carried us and Daxia with his own strength, allowing us to barely have the opportunity to reach the height of the immortals. Isn't that enough to prove the point?"

"His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei has indeed enlightened the people, but it is undeniable that his private life... I heard that the Prince of Wei often stays overnight in the harem, and recently the two Queen Mothers both took sick leave and stopped attending court..."

"Who is it! Who is talking nonsense?"

Without waiting for the audience to finish asking the question, or for Jia Huan to stop him, several old scholars from the Imperial College on the stage immediately shouted at him.

The angry look doesn't seem like someone from the Imperial College, but rather a person studying Taoism.

They were also forced into the position out of desperation, and were forced to stand on the opposite side of the Taoism. However, the people in the audience pointed their spearheads at Zhang Yunyi. If Zhang Yunyi misunderstood and thought that they were the ones who secretly instructed them to do so, they would be doomed.

Therefore, they did not care about their own positions and rushed to speak for Zhang Yun逸.

The people on the stage couldn't hear clearly the location of the person who was shouting, but those who were close to him could hear it clearly.

With a "whoosh", the crowd retreated like a tide.

A young man wearing new clothes and holding a pen and paper appeared.

He showed no fear at all, and walked to the front, introducing himself, "I am a reporter from Daxia Newspaper. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei has said that the channels of communication should be opened up and the people should be allowed to speak out. Do you want to question His Royal Highness the Prince of Wei?"

When he said this, the faces of the old scholars on the stage suddenly turned ugly. It was not that they were frightened by this sentence, but the people in the audience might not know it, but they knew it very well. Isn't Daxia Newspaper Zhang Yunyi's property?

For a moment, they couldn't figure out whether Zhang Yunyi wanted to defile himself or had some other intention.

They were secretly worried, but the young man who spoke ignored them and just looked at Jia Huan and said, "Could it be that Jia Jiancheng is at a loss for words?"

"How can a summer insect talk about ice?"

Jia Huan sneered and said, "Food, sex and nature are all part of human nature. It is a matter of mutual consent. I am exaggerating when I say that. Over the years, he has been busy with state affairs and diligently caring for the people's livelihood. Only then can the people of Great Xia be well-stocked and prosperous. How could he have ever bullied men and women?"
Besides, there are so many beautiful women offered as tribute by foreign countries? Has your godfather ever accepted one?
Godfather is the only one who can communicate with the immortals. Daxia needs to develop and progress, and it cannot do without Godfather's guidance. He is laying the seeds of civilization for Daxia. It is ridiculous that a little reporter dares to question him. "

"Is it ridiculous or not? I believe the people will have their own opinions. I will publish Jia Jiancheng's words in the Daxia newspaper!"

"As it should be!"

After a conversation, the onlookers cheered loudly.

However, I don’t know whether they really applauded because of the above conversation, or they just wanted to have something to eat.

……

Prince Wei's Mansion, Grand View Garden.

Holding a newspaper, Lin Daiyu leaned into the arms of Zhang Yunyi, who was surrounded by a group of beautiful women, and said puzzledly: "One word of praise is more honorable than a gorgeous robe, and one word of criticism is more severe than an axe. Even if the two ladies are pregnant, they can just give birth quietly. Why did your husband announce it to the world? Aren't you afraid of future history books..."

What was published in the newspaper was naturally a conversation in front of the Imperial College.

Truth cannot be hidden, and the news that the two Empress Dowagers are pregnant has spread secretly.

As long as you throw dirty water on your own head, others will not be able to throw it again.

It is better to open up than to block. Now that the rumors are spreading, it is better to admit it openly.

You can also guide and control the direction of rumor discussions.

Therefore, Zhang Yun逸 specially arranged this.

However, he originally had some follow-up plans, but he didn't expect that Jia Huan's response was even better than he expected.

Xue Baochai frowned and said, "Could it be that there is some unfavorable news that makes you want to defile yourself?"

Xue Baoqin's focus was different from Baochai's. She blinked and said, "Those Western beauties are no less attractive than the girls from Zhenzhen Country that I have seen. Are you really not attracted to them at all?"

When she said this, all the girls looked at Zhang Yunyi at once.

Only Tanchun said proudly, "Brother Huan is right. The people of Great Xia now have enough food and plenty of food. Isn't that enough to prove the point? Even if someone makes a comment, it may be a minor omission. As long as the major omissions are not compromised, they will be drowned in the surging public opinion."

Zhang Yunyi shook his head and smiled: "Don't listen to what I say, look at what I do. Don't you know me well enough?"

Seeing that the girls were not giving him face and shook their heads at the same time, Zhang Yunyi quickly changed the subject and turned to Tanchun and said, "Your idea is good. Later, write an editorial titled: Abandon the inherent thinking and embrace the people's historical perspective."

……

(End of this chapter)