The Prodigal Son

Zhao Yan realized she had been tricked and immediately retorted, "That's sophistry!"

What is sophistry?

Qin Yu countered, "May I ask, Your Highness, why have you participated in the debate at the Temple of Literature today?"

"Of course, it's to meet talented people and to enlighten myself!"

Zhao Yan remained silent about his purpose in wanting to compete with Qin Yu.

"yes!"

Qin Yu nodded and smiled, "Isn't it beneficial to make acquaintances with talented people? Isn't it beneficial to understand principles?"

"you……"

Zhao Yan realized that he had fallen into a trap again and was instantly speechless, but he couldn't help cursing inwardly.

cunning!

This bastard must have known he couldn't win the debate on whether to prioritize virtue or talent in personnel selection, so he adopted a different viewpoint that was more favorable to him.

Therefore, if I want to refute him, I can only stand on the opposite side.

From this point on, he realized he had fallen into the trap set by Qin Yu.

After struggling to calm himself, Zhao Yan shook his head and smiled, "Your point of view is to employ people for profit, but now you're talking about doing things for profit! You're not quite expressing yourself properly!"

Zhao Yan didn't want to be led by the nose by Qin Yu, so she tried to fight back from another angle.

Qin Yu, of course, understood Zhao Yan's intention and said loudly, "Using people for personal gain has two meanings!"

"First, we gather people based on mutual benefit! You and I gather people based on small benefits, while the imperial court gathers people based on large benefits supplemented by small benefits!"

"The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is in turmoil, all for gain!"

"Those who achieve great things all gather people, motivate people, and retain people through profit. Without profit, there is no gathering of talent and no creation of value!"

"Secondly, when hiring someone, you should consider how much benefit they can bring!"

"If we appoint someone who is both virtuous and talented, but who cannot bring any benefit to the court or the people, what use is such a person?"

"Conversely, if a person without talent or virtue can be used to benefit the country, why wouldn't the court use him?"

Qin Yu's voice was booming, and he spoke eloquently.

Zhao Yan wanted to refute Qin Yu's point of view, but she didn't know where to begin.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, he had to admit that Qin Yu's words were indeed reasonable.

Forcibly refuting it is not only a poor choice, but will also make you a laughing stock.

Lu Yong had originally intended to wait for Zhao Yan to refute Qin Yu, but seeing that Zhao Yan remained silent, he immediately shouted, "What you say makes perfect sense, but throughout history, when has there ever been a precedent of someone without talent or virtue being employed by the court? Arguments without concrete examples are all fallacies!"

"Yes, yes!"

Lü Si echoed, retorting, "Since there's no evidence to support it, wouldn't it be correct for me to say that the world is round?"

Uh-huh!

Occasionally, you still need to lend a hand and argue, lest Zhao Yan become suspicious.

Moreover, he was happy to challenge Qin Yu.

Qin Yu was taken aback by Lü Si's words.

What the hell!

You're a fucking genius!

Although the reasoning was completely wrong, the answer was surprisingly correct!

Coming to his senses, Qin Yu shook his head and looked at the two of them: "You two good-for-nothings, just shut up!"

"You're the idiot!"

Lu Si couldn't help but curse under his breath.

That bastard has no sense of propriety whatsoever.

If you want to curse, curse Lu Yong, that good-for-nothing!

He had already infiltrated Zhao Yan's inner circle to help him, and yet he still scolded him?

Lu Yong snorted and said with great arrogance, "If Doctor Qin isn't an incompetent fool, then please provide examples to prove your point!"

Qin Yu laughed and immediately questioned Lu Yong, "Han Deyan, you should know him, right?"

Han Deyan?

Lu Yong's face stiffened, and his imposing manner instantly weakened.

Even people seemed to shrink by half a centimeter.

Is Han Deyan talented or virtuous?

Qin Yu, with a smile, questioned Lu Yong again.

Lu Yong opened his mouth slightly, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not speak.

"If you won't tell me, then I will!"

Qin Yu suddenly raised his voice: "Emperor Xiaowu once said: 'Han Deyan has great ambitions but lacks talent; his virtue does not match his position!'"

"However, Emperor Xiaowu sent Han Deyan as an envoy to Northern Qi. Han Deyan ultimately betrayed his country and remained in Northern Qi, causing chaos and internal strife within the kingdom!"

"It was precisely because Emperor Xiaowu recognized Han Deyan's exceptional value and made good use of him that the foundation for our dynasty's Northern Expedition was laid!"

"Isn't this using people for personal gain?"

Faced with Qin Yu's question, Lu Yong slowly lowered his head.

He could not refute it, nor dared he refute it!

Using Han Deyan to wreak havoc in Beiqi was one of Emperor Xiaowu's proudest achievements.

The effectiveness of Emperor Xiaowu's plan has long been proven, so he can't just say that Emperor Xiaowu was just blindly stumbling upon a dead mouse, can he?

Hearing Qin Yu's words, even those students who had initially scoffed at his "using people for personal gain" approach began to ponder them.

After a long silence, Zhou Huan, who was sitting not far from Qin Yu, stood up. "I have benefited greatly from what Mr. Qin has said. Please accept my bow!"

As he spoke, Zhou Huan bowed deeply to Qin Yu at a ninety-degree angle.

"Please accept my bow, sir!"

Immediately afterwards, several more people stood up and bowed to Qin Yu.

Then, more and more people stood up, and even Su He on the stage bowed in greeting.

"Please accept my bow, sir!"

Soon, the voices of the crowd rang out.

Seeing the people in front of them bowing deeply, Luo Qingyi and Nan Que'er couldn't help but feel their hearts swell with emotion, their eyes sparkling as they looked at Qin Yu.

So many people were convinced by his arguments!

No wonder he was so calm before; he was confident of success!

From today onwards, Qin Yu's reputation will likely grow even stronger.

At this moment, Zhao Yan felt worse than if she had swallowed a fly.

The outcome is decided!

That cunning bastard!

They actually won in this way?

Zhao Yan's face burned, as if she had been slapped hard.

The thought that he had spent 20,000 taels of silver to hire Qin Yu filled Zhao Yan with rage.

But Zhao Yan quickly calmed down.

In the debate, Qin Yu indeed won!

But I will never waste my own money!

His contest with Qin Yu has only just begun!

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Yan immediately gestured for Lu Yong to come closer and whispered in Lu Yong's ear.

Hearing Zhao Yan's words, Lu Yong's eyes lit up and he nodded repeatedly.

"Gentlemen, you flatter me!"

Qin Yu smiled and gently pressed his hand down, "The rain is about to get heavier, and I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now!"

After saying this, Qin Yu bowed to everyone, preparing to leave with Luo Qingyi and Nan Que'er, whose eyes were still full of stars.

It's time to go!

If it weren't for the female demon's prior instructions, he really wouldn't want to get involved in this mess!

"Please wait, Dr. Qin!"

Just then, Lu Yong called out to Qin Yu.

"What do you want now?"

Qin Yu frowned as he looked at Lu Yong, then glanced at Zhao Yan.

It's obvious without even thinking that this guy is Zhao Yan's mouth double.

I just don't know what kind of trouble he's going to cause this time.

"I have benefited greatly from listening to Doctor Qin's words today."

Lu Yong first flattered Qin Yu before continuing, "However, the main topic of today's debate is whether talent or virtue should be prioritized in employing people! Although Physician Qin has won, it was by subtly shifting the focus and using clever tricks! Physician Qin's actions are truly ungentlemanly! It's still early today, so perhaps..."

"I'm not a gentleman to begin with!"

Qin Yu interrupted Lu Yong, saying with a smile, "As a busy person holding seven positions, my appearance fee is quite high! If you want to debate with me again, you'll have to pay more!"