Looking at the stunned crowd, Jia Xu smiled slightly.
For all the literati in the world, the destructive power of these four lines is no less than that of an atomic bomb.
"Hahaha! I never imagined that after thirty years of hard study, I still hadn't grasped the true mystery! The Duke of Zhenguo has truly awakened me from my dream!"
"That's right! That was the ambition of scholars back then!"
"To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations. How wonderful! How wonderful!"
"Life is finite, but learning is infinite; the way of reading lies within this!"
Suddenly, bursts of hearty laughter echoed throughout the Pei family compound.
Everyone present felt as if the clouds had parted and the light had appeared!
Those students who wanted to curry favor with the Pei family were now blushing with shame.
A thin, Confucian scholar stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Please convey my gratitude to the Duke of Zhenguo on my behalf. From this day forward, I will take these four lines as my guide, and study for the sake of heaven and earth, for the people, for the sages of the past, and for all generations!"
After saying this, the man bowed to the exhausted Pei Liang from afar, then turned and strode away.
Everyone present was moved and reminded of their original intention for studying.
As the first person turned around, the scholars and Confucian masters who left followed in droves, like a swarm of locusts crossing a river.
Upon seeing this, Pei Shaoqing was furious.
"Fine! Fine! You ungrateful wretches! My Pei family has taken such good care of you, and now you want to abandon my Pei family?"
Upon hearing this, the departing scholar turned around and said coldly.
"The Pei family controls the imperial examinations; who would willingly bow down unless they were desperate!"
"Now that the Duke of Zhenguo has found a way forward for us, we might as well give up this official position! At worst, we can go home, write books, and educate the people. That would not be a bad thing."
"That's right! We'll go together!"
A hint of frost appeared on Pei Shaoqing's face! He picked up his sword from the ground and roared.
"Let's see who dares to leave!"
Upon hearing this, everyone stopped in their tracks and glared angrily at each other.
"Does the Pei family intend to imprison scholars like us?"
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Pei Liang felt as if all his strength had been drained away.
"You unfilial son! Get out of the way! Do you intend to place the Pei family in a position of injustice and depravity?"
After saying that, Pei Liang looked at Jia Xu, who was standing under the plaque that read "Upright and Just".
"The Duke of Zhenguo truly has remarkable skills! With just a few words, he has dismantled the foundation of my Pei family."
"But all the people in this world are driven by profit! They leave today, but others will come knocking tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, Jia Xu smiled without saying a word, then got up and walked towards the door.
As Jia Xu passed by Pei Liang and Gu Xizhi, he paused and laughed.
"At the poetry gathering on the painted boat that day, Young Master Pei promised the winner a prize of 100,000 taels of silver. I suppose the Pei family wouldn't go back on their word."
To kill someone is to destroy their spirit! Jia Xu's words were more venomous than poison itself.
Pei Liang's breathing became rapid, and then his vision went black as he fainted.
Jia Xu laughed heartily and left with Zhao Yun in a cheerful manner.
Only the Pei family members remained, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Gu Xizhi looked at Pei Liang, who had already fainted, and then at Pei Shaoji, who was curled up on the ground in a frenzy. She sighed and then turned away dejectedly.
As the students who had attached themselves to the Pei family left, Mu Zian's four sentences instantly spread throughout the entire capital.
The area in front of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, which had been quiet for a few days, became lively again.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Jia Xu explained everything that had happened in the Pei family.
"I'm afraid that from today onwards, the Pei family's reputation will be completely ruined."
Mu Zian stopped writing and put down his pen.
"The Pei family has been cultivating their influence in the imperial court for many years; this is merely a matter of crippling one of their arms."
As he spoke, Mu Zian shifted his gaze to the memorials on the desk regarding the reform of the imperial examination system, which was the real killer move to destroy its foundation!
Reforming the imperial examination system was no easy task, and Mu Zian naturally understood this.
But some things have to be done by someone.
As night fell, the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Imperial Palace was brightly lit.
Xiao Yu's brows were furrowed at the moment.
Because in front of him was a memorial presented by Mu Zi'an regarding the reform of the imperial examination system.
Xiao Yu never expected that he had only intended for Mu Zian to try and use the imperial examination to restrict the Pei family.
Unexpectedly, Mu Zi'an now intends to sever the roots of the aristocratic families.
Xiao Yu could already imagine the upheaval that would ensue if this memorial were leaked tomorrow.
Just then, Xiao Xiuning, dressed in palace attire, walked in from outside the door.
"Greetings, Father Emperor."
Upon seeing Xiao Xiuning, Xiao Yu's weariness immediately dissipated.
"Xiao Jiu, what brings you here?"
Xiao Xiuning stepped forward with a slight smile on her face.
"Four proverbs have been circulating in the capital today. I found them interesting, so I sent them to my father tonight."
Xiao Xiuning waved her hand, and a young eunuch immediately stepped forward and handed a sheet of Xuan paper to Xiao Yu.
The four lines written on the Xuan paper are Zhang Zai's poem.
Xiao Yu took the Xuan paper and examined it carefully. The next moment, his expression turned slightly serious.
"Who wrote these four maxims? And who had such aspirations?"
"It was made by the Duke of Zhenguo."
Xiao Yu was startled upon hearing this.
"I never expected that Mu Zian not only possesses such poetic talent, but also such lofty ambitions."
Xiao Yu's gaze involuntarily fell on the memorials on the desk.
Looking at the four lines of Hengqu in my hand, I recall the imperial examination reform mentioned in the memorial to the throne.
Even Xiao Yu, the emperor of Dali, had to admit that Mu Zian's schemes were far too ambitious!
Suddenly, Xiao Yu's gaze fell on Xiao Xiuning.
"Xiao Jiu, what do you think of Mu Zi'an?"
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