Seeing him withdraw, Zhao Cheng had him sit down.
The three of them sat leisurely watching the debate.
The previous moment’s Zhao Hanzhang, who had said she didn’t engage in pure conversation, countered her brothers’ arguments left and right.
Zhao Cheng was almost convinced by her, let alone those young men who were inexperienced in worldly matters, had insufficient knowledge accumulation, and were easily influenced.
He couldn’t help but ask Fu Tinghan, “You didn’t give up pure conversation because of Hanzhang, did you?”
“No.” Fu Tinghan said gloomily, “I know that philosophy plays a very important role in the progress of the world. Good thought can advance the entire society. But philosophical research must also be based on reality. Most importantly, thinkers who can invest such enormous energy in research and achieve results are very few. Like now, when nearly all the aristocratic families participate in pure conversation, how many can find the essence they seek?”
“This itself isn’t problematic, but when nearly everyone immersed in pure conversation views practical matters as mundane and disdains doing practical work, then who will handle the practical affairs of this realm?” Fu Tinghan asked, “And these people who view practical matters as mundane still occupy official positions in large numbers, wielding power and influence.”
He asked somewhat sarcastically, “Since they look down on these mundane tasks, why not resign and return to seclusion, seeking the essence of the world in mountains and forests?”
Zhao Ming held his wine cup without speaking, but Zhao Cheng clapped his hands and laughed loudly. “Exactly! That’s why I say those pure conversation advocates at court are all people who fish for fame and reputation. They’ve completely sullied the good name of Laozi and Zhuangzi. Among them, Wang Yan is the most detestable—truly the chief culprit in misleading the nation.”
Zhao Ming glanced at him and put down his wine cup to ask Fu Tinghan, “What is philosophy?”
Zhao Cheng waved dismissively. “Though it’s the first time I’ve heard this term, it presumably means the same as pure conversation.”
Fu Tinghan nodded. “More or less. Philosophy is the study of all questions in the world—the essence of the world, the fundamental laws of development. Um, in this area Hanzhang understands better than I do. Perhaps you could ask her.”
Pure conversation was the same—any question could be brought up for study. So Fu Tinghan felt that the Great Jin was a very magical era.
If only one person researched whether the chicken or egg came first, he would consider that person a prophet.
If only a small number of people researched whether the chicken or egg came first, he would consider that group wise.
But when the vast majority of aristocratic families, scholars, and great houses were obsessed with researching whether the chicken or egg came first, he would consider that group intellectually deficient.
Having learned about pure conversation and the state of this world early on, Fu Tinghan had set boundaries for himself—he must never, ever join them.
He didn’t want to be intellectually deficient.
However…
He looked at Zhao Hanzhang, who was enthusiastically debating with others, feeling somewhat troubled and puzzled. Knowing it was a meaningless debate, why engage in it so happily?
Fu Tinghan soon found out why.
After one round of debate, Zhao Hanzhang and the young men reached no conclusion, but somehow all the young men had muddleheadedly agreed to come help at the county office to seek answers and then use practical evidence to defeat Zhao Hanzhang.
Whether the young men could find practical evidence to make Zhao Hanzhang concede defeat in the future, he didn’t know. But for now, they had lost.
Both Zhao Ming and Zhao Cheng saw through this trick, shaking their heads secretly but not interfering.
Having obtained so many talented people all at once, and all for free, Zhao Hanzhang was delighted. She waved her hand grandly, urging Chengbo, “Quickly go slaughter two more sheep, and bring out the good wine from the household to serve Uncle and Younger Uncle.”
Chengbo smiled in acknowledgment and had the two sheep just purchased slaughtered, ordering people to slice what should be sliced thin and chop what should be chopped into chunks, arranging the bones separately as well.
Zhao Hanzhang sidled up to Zhao Cheng, persistently inviting him. “Younger Uncle, you see the elder and younger brothers are all going. Why won’t you come?”
Zhao Cheng replied, “I’m not interested in researching the role of mathematics among the Hundred Schools.”
“You could research something else. Younger Uncle, traveling abroad to study is the same as entering the world. Entering the world elsewhere is the same as entering it here in Xiping County. Why be particular about distance?” Zhao Hanzhang said, “Younger Uncle, please come help me. With your assistance, Xiping County will surely stabilize more quickly. This would also be a meritorious deed on your part.”
Zhao Cheng frowned and refused once more. “I’m truly not interested in political affairs.”
Unlike Wang Yan, who proclaimed himself above worldly concerns while clinging to power, Zhao Cheng genuinely disliked such work.
Zhao Hanzhang could see this. Just looking at his outer garment with its worn nap, she could tell he was a frugal person.
How wealthy was Zhao Hu? In the clan, apart from her grandfather, he was the richest, even surpassing Fifth Grand-Uncle.
Looking at his daily food, clothing, and expenses, he was more extravagant than both Zhao Changyu and Zhao Song combined. Yet his only son wore clothes with worn nap.
She didn’t believe Zhao Hu wouldn’t give Zhao Cheng money to use. Most likely Zhao Cheng didn’t care about such material possessions.
Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment, then said, “If Younger Uncle doesn’t like those trivial mundane matters at the county office, why not help me teach students at the Charity Hall instead?”
“Being a teacher, educating and nurturing people—isn’t that exactly what Younger Uncle has been doing?” She continued, “I’ll allocate a residence for you in the county seat. That way you won’t have to travel back and forth all the time.”
First get him into the county seat, then proceed from there.
Zhao Cheng, about to continue refusing, paused. “I would live in the county seat?”
“Of course. Living in the county seat, if students have questions they can easily consult Younger Uncle.”
Fu Tinghan lifted his eyelids to look at her. More likely convenient for her to seek his counsel, right?
Those children at the Charity Hall had only just started learning to recognize characters—what questions could they possibly have that would require nighttime consultations?
However, Zhao Cheng seriously considered it. Zhao Hanzhang bit her lip and decided to make a big sacrifice. “At that time, I’ll allocate another residence next to Younger Uncle’s residence for the elder and younger brothers to live in. You can study and engage in pure conversation just as when you travel abroad.”
Hearing this, Zhao Kuan and the others immediately urged Zhao Cheng. “Younger Uncle, let’s go live in the county seat. Though the fortified estate is good, it’s too lively and not conducive to study.”
Though they missed home greatly when away and were very excited upon first returning, after just one night they already felt slight yearning for the freedom of life outside.
Especially for people like Zhao Kuan who had reached marriageable age but hadn’t married or even become engaged.
Several young men looked at Zhao Cheng eagerly.
These young men had studied under Zhao Cheng, and after seven or eight years, they were no different from sons.
His heart softened, and that thread of hesitation dispersed, transforming into determination. He nodded in agreement. “Alright.”
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but make a victory sign to Fu Tinghan, saying happily, “I’ll have people go back to make arrangements right away. Tomorrow Younger Uncle and the brothers can go to the county seat.”
Zhao Cheng asked, “So urgent?”
Zhao Hanzhang countered, “Does Younger Uncle still have business in the fortified estate? If it’s to see relatives and friends, you can invite them to meet in the county seat. After all, the two places aren’t far apart.”
Zhao Cheng thought of the elders in the fortified estate who tirelessly tried to persuade him to reconcile with his father and immediately nodded. “That’s fine then. You make the arrangements.”
After they finished talking, Zhao Ming spoke up. “You want the children at the Charity Hall to read and write?”
—