Chapter 21 The Debate on Etiquette, A Fiery Rebuttal to Chen Fu

Wei Shuyu looked constipated.

Bowing is fine.

Being forced to bow by name is very unpleasant.

"What will happen if we don't perform the ceremony?" Wei Shuyu asked.

"Do you know the meaning of 'Without learning etiquette, one cannot stand'?" Kong Yingda asked, stroking his beard.

“If you don’t learn manners to respect me, I’ll beat you until you can’t stand up!” Wei Shuyu clenched his fist.

"..."

The entire audience was stunned.

They have concluded that Wei Shuyu was completely ignorant of the Analects.

"This means that by learning etiquette, one's character becomes clear and one's virtue becomes firm, thus enabling one to stand firm," Kong Yingda replied calmly.

"I still don't understand, what does it mean?" Wei Shuyu blinked.

Even Kong Yingda is dumbfounded now. He's seen stupid people before, but never anyone this stupid.

Is this guy really Wei Zheng's son?

"What are you looking at?" Wei Shuyu glared at him. "Isn't it normal that you don't know?"

Just then, a scholar stepped out from behind Kong Yingda and sternly rebuked Wei Shuyu, saying, "Does this mean that if a person doesn't know etiquette, what difference is there between him and a beast!"

Are you insulting me?

Wei Shuyu narrowed his eyes: "And who do you think you are? I'm talking to Director Kong, do you have the right to interrupt? Don't you know any manners?"

Well……

The scholar in blue was stunned, unsure how to refute him.

"Stop trying to change the subject," Kong Yingda said with a smile. "Chen Fu is well-versed in the Analects and will join the Imperial Academy as an instructor this year. He is simply explaining the principle that one should be mindful of etiquette."

When Wei Shuyu questioned Chen Fu about who he was, Kong Yingda immediately gave him the title of instructor.

This was to show that Chen Fu was qualified to reprimand Wei Shuyu.

With just a few words, Chen Fu's embarrassment was resolved.

Wei Shuyu pursed his lips.

This old man is difficult to deal with.

For a moment, Wei Shuyu was in a real predicament.

But if he were to bow to Kong Yingda like that, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting defeat?

No, absolutely not.

"This... Chen Fu, right? You just said that if a person doesn't learn manners, he's no different from a beast?"

Wei Shuyu pretended to be stupid and stuck to this point no matter what others said.

Anyway, I'm only eleven years old, which is the cutest age.

"I'm explaining to you the meaning of 'Without learning etiquette, one cannot stand on one's own feet,'" Chen Fu explained, but his tone softened considerably.

"So you're admitting that not learning manners makes you no different from a beast?" Wei Shuyu raised an eyebrow.

Is there a problem?

Chen Fu cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the void: "The reason why humans are superior to all beasts is because humans have wisdom and understand etiquette."

"If a person doesn't even understand basic etiquette, what's the difference between him and a beast or an animal?"

Chen Fu's voice was loud and clear, and his words were firm and resolute.

He felt that his remarks were absolutely flawless.

She even secretly glanced at Kong Yingda, hoping to gain his favor.

Upon hearing this, Kong Yingda nodded in agreement.

Chen Fu was overjoyed and immediately straightened his posture even more.

"How dare you!"

Wei Shuyu slammed his hand on the table and reprimanded him sternly.

This sudden outburst startled everyone who was watching the spectacle.

"This is the Imperial Academy! How can you behave like this, shouting and yelling like that!"

With Kong Yingda backing him up, Chen Fu immediately became bolder.

Although he has not yet become a teacher, he already has the air of one.

"What are you yelling about?" Wei Shuyu sneered. "You intend to overthrow the foundation of the Tang Dynasty, who gave you the audacity to rebuke me!"

"I'm telling you, you're dead!"

"I'll tell my father when I get home tonight, and he'll have him report you to His Majesty!"

Wei Shuyu pointed at Chen Fu.

We have a father who is a prime minister!

Isn't that exactly what it's used for bullying people?

"Wei Shuyu, I know you are Wei Zheng's son, but you must provide evidence to support your claims!"

"I, Chen Fu, have devoted myself to studying the classics. I have a clear conscience before the Tang Dynasty and the common people. Today you have insulted my reputation. Even if it goes to His Majesty, I will seek justice!"

Chen Fu had an upright demeanor, and his words carried an unyielding spirit, a fearlessness of power, and a willingness to sacrifice himself.

His remarks resonated with many people, who echoed and supported them.

“Big brother…” Choi Shin-ki slipped to Wei Shu-yu’s side and tugged at the latter’s clothes.

"What?" Wei Shuyu was in the middle of arguing and had no time to pay attention to Cui Shenji.

"You can't argue with scholars head-on; you have to deal with them privately..." The Cui family, being one of five prominent clans, understood the mentality of scholars very well.

Life can be lost, but reputation cannot.

Wei Shuyu's actions are practically uprooting the very foundation of scholars.

"What's there to panic about?"

Wei Shuyu looked at Chen Fu again: "A bunch of bookworms who have gone stupid, I'm going to teach them a lesson today."

Choi Shin-ki wanted to say something more, but Wei Shu-yu pushed him away.

Wei Shuyu's actions completely enraged everyone.

Kong Yingda also frowned. He had a feeling that Wei Shuyu was not so easily subdued and must have a backup plan.

"What evidence do I need to deal with a fool like you?"

Wei Shuyu stood with his feet on the table; an eleven-year-old boy, yet his roguish aura was exceptionally strong.

He pointed at Chen Fu and said, "I'll ask you one question. If you can answer it, I, Wei Shuyu, will bow down and become your disciple, and obey your orders for the rest of my life!"

Chen Fu's eyes lit up.

Taking Wei Zheng's son as his teacher—that's quite an achievement.

This will greatly benefit his future reputation and career.

"Tell me," Chen Fu said, flicking his sleeve and looking up to listen.

"Ninety-nine percent of the people in the entire Tang Dynasty were illiterate. Do they know any manners?"

boom.

Although it was just a soft remark, it sounded like a thunderclap to Chen Fu's ears.

His lips moved slightly, as if he understood what Wei Shuyu was about to say.

Wei Shuyu did not disappoint him and continued to tell his story...

"The common people don't understand etiquette. Aren't they the beasts and animals you're talking about?"

"His Majesty has always adhered to the principle of loving the people like his own children, treating them as his own children!"

"And you, a mere scholar who knows nothing, dare to call His Majesty's children beasts!"

"Speak! Are you a spy sent by an enemy country to spread treasonous words? What is your intention?"

Wei Shuyu's words were sharp as knives, leaving everyone stunned.

Chen Fu staggered two steps, his face deathly pale.

Once these remarks spread, he will become a pariah.

Who dares to call the common people beasts?

No one in the entire world dares to do that!

Many intellectuals secretly curse the ignorant masses, but who dares to say it openly?

"You...you're talking nonsense." Chen Fu was breathing rapidly, and he explained in a panic, "I was just using a metaphor."

"Can a metaphor be used to trample on the dignity of ordinary people?" Wei Shuyu pressed aggressively.

“Ignorance is no excuse. It’s understandable that ordinary people haven’t learned etiquette,” Chen Fu hurriedly replied.

"So you're saying that if you criticize the common people for not knowing manners, they should thank you for forgiving them?" Wei Shuyu pressed again.

"Enough!"

Seeing that things were getting out of his control, Kong Yingda shouted angrily, interrupting the two of them.

thump.

Chen Fu finally succumbed to his fear and collapsed to the ground.

"Old man, do you want to get involved too?"

Wei Shuyu grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth.