The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"...Sir, I...I don't understand what you mean."

Li Chengqian found it hard to imagine the scene Chen Huai'an described. He only knew that the topic was very heavy, so heavy that just listening to it made him feel suffocated.

"I don't know..." Chen Huai'an wasn't disappointed and said gently, "You're too young, it's normal that you don't know."

"Don't overthink it. Focus on your studies, read more, learn more, and think more, because you may have to face these things yourself."

"The student has remembered." Li Chengqian nodded solemnly.

Cheng Chumo leaned closer and asked, "Sir, was what you just said true? Was it really just a hypothetical situation?"

"You clearly don't lack money, nor do you like money, yet you're leading us into business. Is it because you want to do something?"

Chen Huai'an glanced at him: "I already said it was a hypothetical, why are you taking it so seriously? Who can predict the future? I'm not a god who can see the future."

"It's just better to be prepared."

Cheng Chumo thought about it and agreed.

They were all certain that Chen Huai'an was very capable.

However, no matter how capable Chen Huai'an is, he is still an ordinary person who cannot see the future. How could he possibly predict that there will be constant natural and man-made disasters in the future?

Even the Grand Astrologer doesn't have this ability.

However, Cheng Chumo felt that something was not quite right; Chen Huai'an's words were somewhat contradictory.

Li Chengqian shared the same idea as him.

However, both of them wisely refrained from asking further questions.

"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore." Chen Huai'an changed the subject. "For the next few days, you all have to listen to me regarding business matters. Do exactly what I say, understand?"

"Okay." Everyone nodded in unison.

Chen Huai'an remembered something: "By the way, I remember that selling wine in the Tang Dynasty seems to require some procedures. I'm not too clear on the specifics, so you can handle that yourselves. These things shouldn't be a problem for you."

"Don't worry, sir," Li Zhen said confidently without hesitation, "You don't need to worry about these things."

"I'll just talk to that spendthrift woman at home later."

Chen Huai'an: "..."

Li Chengqian was speechless. How could these people be even more intoxicated than if they had drunk fake alcohol?

They kept calling him "Old Deng" and "spendthrift woman."

"Sir!" Li Chengqian ignored them and said, "May I ask you a question?"

Chen Huai'an looked at him and said, "Of course, you can ask me anytime if you have any questions. I will answer you as long as I know the answer."

Li Chengqian paused for a moment, then said, "That's right. Yesterday you said that scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants should not be ranked in order of seniority, nor should they be distinguished by social status."

"These are the four most important sectors of a country, and each one is indispensable to the country."

"I don't quite understand this sentence. Could you please explain it to me?"

As he spoke, Li Chengqian stood up, bowed deeply, and behaved very respectfully.

Chen Huai'an was somewhat surprised that the other party would ask this question. After pondering for a moment, he nodded slightly: "Since you've asked, I'll just give you a brief explanation. However, please don't go around telling everyone what I'm about to say, as many people don't like to hear it."

Cheng Chumo and the others' eyes lit up.

We really don't like listening to grand principles.

But if you're going to say something that others don't want to hear, then I'll have to listen carefully.

Li Chengqian's face turned serious, and he was prepared to remember everything Chen Huai'an said next.

He doesn't expect to understand now, he only asks to remember.

Chen Huai'an spoke slowly and deliberately: "Leaving aside those of you who come from privileged backgrounds and are born at the top, let's talk about ordinary people. I'm sure you've all heard this saying."

"Of all professions, only studying is noble!"

"Is it right?"

The group nodded in agreement. This wasn't just their conclusion; it was the consensus of the entire world.

Take Chen Huai'an as an example. The Chen family risked their lives to send Chen Huai'an to school, hoping that he could change his destiny through education in the future.

Chen Huai'an continued, "Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, with scholars at the top, followed by farmers, artisans, and merchants in that order, and merchants at the very bottom, even being looked down upon."

"You read the books of sages and listen to the established opinions of the world, so it's natural that you have such deeply ingrained ideas. This is an inherent prejudice in the world today, and it's not surprising."

"Think about it carefully. If a country does not have scholars who can read and understand principles, assist in governing and bring peace to the people, the court will be ungoverned, the laws will not be enforced, and the local areas will be unguarded, then chaos will break out and order will collapse."

"This is of utmost importance to a scholar!"

Chen Huai'an first explained the term "shi" (士), then asked, "And what about 'nong' (农)?"

Li Chengqian answered without hesitation: "I once heard my father say that food is the most important thing for people."

"If farmers did not work hard in spring and autumn, cultivating the land, the people would have no food to eat and no clothes to wear. In the midst of hunger and cold, there would be no peace and prosperity in the country."

Agriculture is the foundation of food and clothing for all people and the basis for the survival of a nation.

"Well said!" Chen Huai'an exclaimed sincerely, "That's exactly right, which is why the importance of agriculture is self-evident. Throughout history, wise rulers have generally valued farmers and developed agriculture."

"Because agriculture is the foundation of everything, the basis of a nation."

"Then what about the work?"

"This..." Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment before giving his answer, "Works should also be very important. There is a Ministry of Works among the six ministries of the imperial court."

"They are needed to repair water conservancy projects, city walls, official roads, and so on."

Chen Huai'an smiled and said, "You see, your attitude has changed now that we're here. You're saying that the Ministry of Works is very important, and you're even citing the Ministry of Works, one of the six ministries, as evidence."

"This proves that you acknowledge in your heart that labor is indeed important, but it cannot be compared to the roles of scholars and farmers, right?"

Li Chengqian remained silent.

Li Zhen asked doubtfully, "Sir, shouldn't it be like this? Labor is important, but it can't be compared to that of scholars and farmers, can it?"

"Wrong! Utterly wrong!" Chen Huai'an stood up, his voice ringing out, "The importance of workers is no less than that of scholars and farmers."

"Simply put, without artisans' meticulous craftsmanship and the creation of industries, without anyone to forge agricultural tools, weave cloth, fire porcelain, or build houses, people would have no means of livelihood, and food, clothing, shelter, and transportation would all become problems. Where would peace and convenience come from in this world?"

"Industry is a resource that benefits the people and is the foundation of a strong nation!"

At this point, Chen Huai'an paused, pondered for a moment, and then continued, "If we were to explain the importance of craftsmanship at a deeper level..."

"Hehe, all I can tell you is that every advancement in technology has a revolutionary impact."

"For example, our earliest ancestors invented stone tools, which transformed us humans from scavengers into makers, giving us the ability to influence the world."

"Why did the Stone Age end? What appeared that rendered it obsolete? And what rose to prominence?"

"..."

P.S.: Guys, I have to take a day off today. I can't take time off during the recommendation period, so I'm also taking this opportunity to build up a backlog of chapters!

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