They only knew how to adapt Confucianism and Mencius' teachings to suit their own needs, thus becoming stagnant and complacent, trying every means to strengthen their own families while putting the country in danger and treating the people like ants.

Liu Yu frowned slightly. He could understand some of what Zhao Hao said, but he couldn't agree with others.

The pursuit of self-interest is human nature; does that mean everyone should be selfless and dedicated?

Zhao Hao noticed the doubt in Liu Yu's eyes and then spoke.

"It's understandable that those in power have some selfish motives. But look at those powerful families and those corrupt officials."

Do they want just a tiny bit?

The people would rather breach the dikes and flood the fields than leave the fertile land uncultivated.

They would rather burn the extra cloth they produced than let the poor, cloth-poor people wear it.

Some families even had millions of bushels of surplus grain, yet they still tried every means to squeeze a single grain of millet, a piece of cloth, or a piece of meat from the people.

Uncle Liu, young man, how dare you ask such a question? You really haven't seen such a prestigious family before?

Are such aristocratic families really rare in our Han Dynasty?

Liu Yu swallowed hard, and after a long while, he nodded in response.

"You're right, but after Emperor Guangwu, the Han Dynasty shared power with aristocratic families, and that's something we can't change..."

"No, I can change!"

Zhao Hao's words were firm and unquestionable.

It was as if this was something that should be taken for granted and that could be done without question.

"If people in the world say they are powerless to change things, then I can understand."

But I, Zhao Hao, will absolutely not allow myself to be a coward, and I will not allow myself to forget my original aspirations!

As long as these powerful families exist, the number of soldiers who fight bloody battles on the border for months without receiving any help will not decrease, but will only increase.

I, Zhao Hao, can tell you directly and clearly, Uncle Liu.

As long as I, Zhao Hao, am alive, their aristocratic families will never be able to share the world with the Han Dynasty!

As long as I, Zhao Hao, live, they will never again treat the people like ants, exploiting them to the point of death!

...