fake gentry

Everyone on Huangshi Rock looked at Zhai Tang.

Zhai Tang remained silent.

His eldest son, Zhai Zhuang, glanced at him with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Father, what's wrong? The Zhai family owed the Marquis of Xinwu a favor, and this is to repay it. Moreover, to promote Tu Xiu, Tu Qin even enlisted Wang Dun's help. If it weren't for Wang Dun, how could Gu He and Zhu Faqian possibly have come to support a member of the Tu family?

Zhai Tang finally posed the question: Transcend Confucianism and embrace nature.

"Yue" means to transcend and break free. "Mingjiao" refers to the official system of Confucianism, with its core principles of rites, laws, and ethics since the Han Dynasty. "Ziran" refers to the true nature of human beings and the state advocated by Laozi and Zhuangzi, which advocates breaking free from the rigid constraints of Confucianism and conforming to individual nature.

This question is both incredibly simple and incredibly complex.

Because this statement is essentially the general outline of all metaphysical discussions.

This proposition was put forward by Ji Kang and Ruan Ji, and it was also the core spiritual banner of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. It was subsequently inherited and practiced by other prominent figures of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, such as the Eight Worthies of Jiangzuo, and became the core ideology of the Wei-Jin style.

To put it simply, it opposes using a unified Confucian code of conduct to forcibly discipline everyone, advocates for each person to follow their own nature, respects the natural development of different individuals, and pursues spiritual transcendence and liberation.

It was the same old routine and formula: sycophantic young nobles took the stage one after another, and in the end, Tu Xiu once again stood out, full of vigor and confidence.

"The so-called 'each according to its nature' can be explained in the first chapter of the inner chapter of the Zhuangzi. To follow one's nature is to roam freely. The roc has its freedom, and the sparrow has its freedom. Both can be free. All things follow their nature and fulfill their duties. As long as all living beings in the world follow their nature, they can be free."

Tu Xiu's words immediately drew cheers from the audience, and even Ge Hong and Xi Zhong showed a look of surprise.

A strange look flashed across Xi Xuan's face beneath the veil, and she thought to herself that there were indeed countless talented people in the world. Although Tu Shizi's demeanor was not as refined as the guy she had met a few days ago, he was so young yet he already seemed to have a thorough understanding of Confucianism and Taoism, and his future was immeasurable.

Lu Na, standing beside Xie Hong, exclaimed excitedly, "The Lu family of Wu County will surely befriend them!"

Xie Hong rolled his eyes dramatically. This guy wants to befriend everyone? Is he a public bus?

His impression of Zhai Tang as a renowned scholar was greatly diminished.

That's it?

A famous scholar?

And what about those of noble character?

Are they some kind of sycophantic, self-righteous people?

The Zhuangzi is Laozi. The first chapter of the inner chapter is "Free and Easy Wandering: There is a fish in the Northern Sea." Even I, a semi-literate person, know that. So why is this guy carrying a schoolbag?

Old man Zhai, don't make me look down on you.

Everyone looked at Zhai Tang, waiting for his final judgment on Tu Xiu.

Suddenly, Zhai Tang's expression turned wistful, and the gathering gradually calmed down, causing everyone's hearts to skip a beat.

This is because the comments from famous scholars were too damaging.

A good review can propel you to great heights. A bad review can make it difficult to get ahead.

The assessments by Gu Gong and Zhu Gong were all full of praise. Why did Dao Yuan Gong fall silent?

Zhai Tang hesitated for a moment, then looked at Tu Xiu and said, "Lord Wensi is a man of high moral character and great prestige. You are his grandson, with a dignified appearance and extraordinary demeanor. Your scholarship is undoubtedly excellent. Very good, very good!"

Zhai Tang stopped talking after he finished speaking.

Gu He and Zhu Faqian were both stunned.

Finished?

Are you kidding me?

The expressions on the faces of the other prominent figures present also became somewhat subtle.

Intelligent people understood the meaning behind Zhai Tang's words.

Tu Xiu was incredibly excited, as if he had been injected with adrenaline, and even forgot to bow to Zhai Tang.

A strange expression appeared on Xi Xuan's pretty face behind the veil.

The young noblemen around Tu Xiu seemed to share in his pride, laughing along with him and almost dancing with joy.

Xie Hong, who had been disdainful just moments before, now laughed.

It seems that Old Man Zhai probably has some kind of leverage that Tu Qin has over him, or perhaps the Zhai family owes the Tu family a huge favor, so he's forced to repay it. But he really can't go against his conscience, and he certainly can't give the old man a bad review, so he can only say it's very good.

But what does "very good" mean?

The scholars like Ge Hong, who were qualified to sit down and drink, naturally understood to some extent, but they couldn't point it out, so they all laughed along.

This evaluation shouldn't be taken too seriously. To put it nicely, it means Tu Xiu is a very good person. As for what makes him good...

Anywhere is fine.

But in reality, the evaluation was meaningless.

Handsome and dignified?

Radiant with extraordinary energy?

Excellent scholarship?

What does that have to do with character?

In this era, moral evaluations play a significant role.

A more malicious person might directly sow discord by saying that Zhai Tang thought Tu Qin's grandson was talented but lacked virtue. The Tu family would immediately sever ties with the Zhai family.

After learning the whole story, Tu Qin could only manage a bitter smile.

But that's enough, since Gu He and Zhu Faqian are still backing each other up.

Zhai Tang, you old fox.

Xie Hong was filled with admiration.

Okay, I admit you're a person of high moral character.

He took out the invitation, looked at it, and prepared to put it away and return to visit after this gathering, then give it to Zhai Tang privately.

Let's save face for the Zhai family and not resort to the old trick of disciplining their son in person.

The premise is that the other party doesn't cause trouble.

Just then, Lu Shi squeezed through and saw Lu Na following Xie Hong. He was furious and his face darkened as he coldly shouted at Lu Na, "Zu Yan, you have truly disgraced the Lu family. Come with me now!"

Lu Na could only smile wryly and bow to Xie Hong: "Your Excellency, my elder brother is impulsive, please don't mind. Oh, is this an invitation from Lord Daoyuan?"

Xie Hong didn't care whether Lu Shi looked down on him or not. He smiled at Lu Na and was about to take back the invitation when Lu Shi suddenly looked at him and sneered: "Zu Yan, this person is a cunning and deceitful person."

Xie Hong was furious.

Screw you! If you said Lu Na was your sister, and you were worried I'd seduce her, I'd tolerate your harsh words towards me.

I'm not a troublemaker!!

He pocketed the invitation, then spread his sleeves, crossed his arms, and coldly looked at Lu Shi: "Want to fight?"

Lu Shi was not tall, probably only 1.7 meters, a full head shorter than Xie Hong. He was not exactly thin, but he was definitely not sturdy either. He was intimidated by Xie Hong's imposing presence and dared not speak for a moment.

Lu Na quickly bowed deeply to Xie Hong again: "Please calm down, my elder brother..."

Just as he was about to apologize to Xie Hong, he heard Dao Lushi suddenly shout loudly, "Uncle Gu, Lu Shiyan requests an audience. Someone here has forged Daoyuan Gong's invitation."

Xie Hong's body stiffened.

I freaking...

Among the crowd, Zhai Qian, Zhang De, and others, who were the instigators of the forged invitations, were taken aback.

Apart from Ge Hong and Xi Zhong, everyone else at the gathering looked on in surprise.

"Feng Zhi was actually despised by the Lu family."

Xi Zhong said to Ge Hong with a worried expression.

Ge Hong snorted coldly: "Lu Shiyao is an unfilial son and a narrow-minded person."

He knew Xie Hong's character very well, and it was absolutely impossible that Xie Hong had taken the initiative to provoke Lu Shi.

The three clan leaders of the four Yuzhang families, seated at the front, exchanged a knowing glance. Meanwhile, the ultimate mastermind behind the scenes, Luo Shao, remained calm and collected, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Unexpectedly, there was a pleasant surprise. This brat actually offended the eldest son of the Lu family of Wu County?

It seems that even God is on my side.

Gu He hadn't expected the Lu brothers to come, so he smiled and waved for them to come forward.

"Shiyan, Zuyan, why are you two hiding behind others?"

Lu Na bowed respectfully to the three renowned scholars: "Greetings, Master Zhu, Master Zhai, and Uncle Gu."

Lu Shi kept staring at Xie Hong and said loudly, "That man forged Zhai Gong's invitation. I suspect he is a Northern barbarian."

These words immediately caused many people present to change their expressions slightly, and even Zhu Faqian, a man of unconventional ways, had a hint of displeasure in his eyes.

Gu He flicked his whisk somewhat awkwardly, then looked at Zhai Tang with a faint smile and said, "Lord Zhai, please don't mind Lu Shi's unruly behavior." He then frowned at Lu Shi and said, "Who dares to forge Lord Zhai's invitation and commit such a despicable act?"

Luo Shao, who was standing to the side, coughed lightly and said, "Lord Zhai, I also have something to say."

His gaze shifted to the edge of the crowd, landing on the strikingly handsome Xie Hong. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes, and he sneered loudly, "Where are you? Seize this madman!"

Chen San's legs buckled, and Liu Chong angrily drew his sword: "Who dares to touch my brother!"