The Prodigal Son

As Su He posed today's debate topic, the people in the audience immediately began to whisper among themselves.

Should we prioritize virtue or talent?

Having both virtue and talent is definitely the best.

But the question now is, which one is the most important?

Discussions about this issue seem to have never ceased throughout history.

But it seems there has never been a definitive conclusion.

Today, Su He once again brought up this issue as the topic of debate, seemingly wanting to add some difficulty to today's debate!

Luo Qingyi and Nan Que'er both tilted their heads and looked at Qin Yu.

What do you think?

Nan Que'er asked in a low voice.

Qin Yu shook his head and chuckled to himself, "I think they're talking nonsense!"

"what?"

Qin Yu's words immediately piqued Luo Qingyi's curiosity.

This is a proper debate!

How did it become nonsense?

If he were to say that in public, he would probably be drowned in the spittle of everyone present.

"Let's wait and see!"

Qin Yuchong and the two women shook their heads slightly, smiling without saying a word.

While the crowd was still whispering among themselves, a student stood up first, bowed to everyone, and then loudly proclaimed, "In my opinion, the most important factor in employing people is their moral character!"

As an ancient saying goes: "Talent is the foundation of virtue; virtue is the leader of talent!"

Throughout history, countless individuals have used their talents to create chaos. When officials are talented but lack virtue, it is a misfortune for the nation and its people!

As the Sage of Literature said: "One who possesses both talent and virtue is a sage; one whose virtue surpasses his talent is a gentleman; one whose talent surpasses his virtue is a petty person; and one who lacks both talent and virtue is a fool."

"A virtuous person uses their talents for good, while a petty person uses their talents for evil!"

The students quoted extensively from classical texts to express their opinions, and many others nodded in agreement.

However, some people have already started to shake their heads.

Clearly, there are still quite a few people who do not agree with his views.

Nan Que'er listened and nodded, saying, "I think he makes a good point."

"I think so too." Luo Qingyi nodded in deep agreement.

Qin Yu remained silent, but his heart was filled with emotion.

Although these people may seem like armchair strategists, they are indeed knowledgeable.

Putting everything else aside, just the way they draw on a wide range of sources is something that someone who hasn't read books simply couldn't say.

No wonder Zhao Yan wanted to have a debate with him.

As Shangguan Youyi said, this kind of debate is a comprehensive contest of abilities in all aspects.

As soon as that student finished speaking, another student stood up and said, "Brother Chen, I disagree! I believe that talent should be the primary consideration when employing people!"

"Success is achieved through talent, and a career is broadened by talent!"

Throughout history, all those who have achieved great things have prioritized acquiring talent and used laws to supplement the boundaries of virtue, rather than letting virtue negate talent!

As the ancient sages said: "The way a sage appoints officials is like a craftsman using wood; he takes what is good at and discards what is bad at."

"When employing people, we should fill positions based on their abilities and guide them with rules and regulations, rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater..."

This student, too, drew upon a wide range of sources to refute the previous student's viewpoint.

Nan Que'er looked at Qin Yu with surprise and a mixture of amusement and exasperation: "Why do I feel like what he said makes sense?"

Although Luo Qingyi didn't speak, she felt the same way.

Suddenly, they felt like they were fickle people.

Even they themselves don't know which side they should stand on.

Looking at the two women, Qin Yu couldn't help but chuckle.

This is something that has no definitive conclusion, and it's normal for them to be like weather vanes.

Just then, Qin Yu suddenly felt someone staring at him.

When he looked over, he saw Zhao Yan staring at him, his eyes filled with a fighting spirit.

This bastard, isn't he just trying to get me to express my opinion?

Once he has expressed his opinion, he can then refute it.

I'm not going to state my opinion first, I'll just keep you guessing!

Seeing that Qin Yu remained unmoved, Zhao Yan also chose to remain still.

He has his own opinions.

But he wanted to refute Qin Yu's point of view even more!

Time passed little by little.

As both sides explained their viewpoints, the debate gradually became more lively.

More and more people are joining the debate, citing classical texts and presenting their arguments clearly and logically.

The two sides engaged in a fierce verbal battle, exchanging blows and continuously attacking each other. The light drizzle, far from dampening their enthusiasm, seemed to cheer them on.

Qin Yu looked up, and the clouds in the sky seemed to be getting thicker and thicker.

Hmm, this rain is getting worse, we need to end this debate soon.

With this in mind, Qin Yu finally stood up and said loudly, "Chancellor Su, I believe there's a problem with your debate topic!"

As Qin Yu's voice rang out, both sides in the heated debate suddenly stopped and turned to look at Qin Yu.

Is there a problem with the debate topic?

Instead of participating in the debate, he attacked the topic of the debate?

Su He wasn't angry at all, and asked with a smile, "Doctor Qin, what's the problem?"

"Is there nothing else to consider when employing people besides talent and virtue?" Qin Yu asked rhetorically.

"this……"

Su He paused slightly, then asked in a booming voice, "What are your thoughts, Physician Qin?"

Qin Yu's lips curled slightly, and he declared loudly, "I believe that one should employ people based on their interests!"

Using people for personal gain?

As Qin Yu finished speaking, everyone present was stunned.

As the sage said: A virtuous person values ​​righteousness over profit!

To them, Qin Yu's viewpoint was utterly heretical.

When they came to their senses, the scene erupted in uproar.

"Nonsense! A gentleman understands righteousness, while a petty person understands profit!"

"Righteousness is the foundation of profit; greed is the worm that feeds on profit!"

"If you govern the people by laws and regulate them by punishments, they will avoid punishment but have no sense of shame; if you govern them by virtue and regulate them by rites, they will have a sense of shame and moreover become good!"

"Bah! Advocating for appointing people based on personal gain, you are utterly unfit to be an official!"

In an instant, everyone began to refute Qin Yu by citing classical texts.

Many people looked at Qin Yu with disdain.

Even... contempt!

Throughout history, no sage has ever taught people to use others for personal gain.

Those who are solely driven by profit have always been despised by the world!

His Majesty has bestowed upon Qin Yu the title of Palace Attendant and concurrently the position of Director of the Six Ministries. What great favor this shows him!

Now, he actually dares to make such profit-driven remarks, which is a disgrace to the court!

Seeing that Qin Yu had become the target of everyone's criticism, Luo Qingyi quickly pulled him aside, signaling him to tone it down.

Although she didn't need to worry about Qin Yu being beaten to death by the angry students of the academy, it would definitely be bad if his words got out!

However, Qin Yu remained completely calm, giving her a reassuring look.

Seeing Qin Yu being criticized by everyone, Lu Yong, who had a deep grudge against Qin Yu, also stood up and loudly retorted, "If you use people for personal gain, you will only attract petty people who seek profit and avoid harm. In this way, they will come when the profit is there and scatter when the profit is gone, making it difficult to achieve great things!"

"I cannot agree with what Doctor Qin has said!"

After waiting for a long time, Zhao Yan also stood up. "If one puts profit before righteousness, one will never be satisfied! If profit is placed first, those you employ will become insatiable and will stop at nothing to seize power and profit! As an official of the court, how can you not know the principle that 'when superiors and inferiors are both vying for profit, the country is in danger'?"

Zhao Yan's words naturally received the approval of the vast majority.

What they learned was to be indifferent to fame and fortune; how could they possibly put "profit" first?

Qin Yu shook his head and went straight to Zhao Yan: "May I ask, Your Highness, what is the purpose of this?"

"Money, beauty, power, fame—all are forms of profit!"

Zhao Yan stared intently at Qin Yu, "Qin Langzhong, as the Inner Palace Attendant and concurrently the Director of the Six Ministries, you prioritize personal gain in your personnel appointments. Aren't you afraid of betraying His Majesty and the court's expectations?"

"No, no!"

Qin Yu shook his head again, "What the young master is saying is nothing more than petty gains!"

"There are still great benefits to be gained! A prosperous and powerful nation, isn't that a benefit? To command respect from all sides, isn't that a benefit?"

"Isn't establishing a lasting and prosperous foundation for the Great Ning Dynasty also a form of benefit?"