The so-called "conversation meeting" is actually a kind of lively discussion that originated in the Han Dynasty and was a favorite among literati. It was initiated by one person and echoed by many others, with endless discussions on a single point of view, drawing on the past and present.
This even led to a unique game called "Floating Wine Cups," where people sit on both sides of a canal, place wine cups upstream, and let the cups float downstream. Whoever the cup stops in front of has to take the cup, drink the wine, compose a poem, quote a passage, or express their opinion.
Wang Fufeng, of course, could not drink alcohol, and there were no hot springs to enjoy the wine cups in the dead of winter, so he simply chose an open space at the city gate as the location.
The reason it is located at the West Gate is because Anshui County is located to the west.
The city defense department had made prior arrangements, and chairs and benches had been moved there in advance. A high platform was set up in the middle, and scholars and ordinary people who came to watch the excitement sat around it.
As the year draws to a close, Fengjing is even more festive than Anshui County. Bright lanterns hang from the beams of the streets, and red ribbons flutter in the wind. More than 90% of the people are wearing new clothes and carrying cloud cakes and pastries, as well as the essential candied hawthorns.
Upon receiving the news, the young students took their seats early, looking expectantly at the high platform, then turning their heads to look around, trying to find Young Master Fufeng as soon as possible.
The division commanders from Anshui County also had their own seats and huddled together whispering.
Master Qian said, "Fengjing is much richer than Anshui County; even the lanterns there are much bigger."
The scholar said, "What you're saying is utter nonsense. Fengjing is the richest place in the Dayu Dynasty."
The advisor stroked his beard. "But I still love Anshui County the most."
Who doesn't love their hometown?
Perhaps I won't stay long, perhaps I'll occasionally feel tired of it, but the familiar living environment, the streets and alleys I can find with my eyes closed, will be memories I'll never forget, no matter where I am.
The teachers exchanged smiles. Qian, being younger and more observant, spotted the street immediately and exclaimed, "They're here! They're here!"
The host of this conversation has arrived.
Despite the bustling crowd and the intermingling figures, it's still possible to clearly distinguish one from the crowd.
The one wearing a white long coat with a fox fur collar around her neck is Fufeng.
The one in the blue robe, always standing straight as a pine tree, is Xu Mo.
Their loved ones followed on both sides, their steps varying in size, but their determination remained the same.
"Young Master Fufeng has arrived!"
"Young Master Qingzhu has arrived as well!"
The crowd stirred again, and the students of literature seemed to want to stand up, but were restrained by each other and sat down again.
They looked up with longing, watching Fufeng Gongzi slowly walk up the high platform with his guqin in his arms, and watching Qingzhu Gongzi stand beside them with his younger siblings.
One step at a time, one step at a time, one high platform at a time.
Halfway there, Wang Fufeng seemed a little tired, but after taking a deep breath, he regained his energy and sat cross-legged on the high platform.
He didn't speak or greet anyone, but instead, he fiddled with his fingertips, producing a calm and peaceful tone that dispelled the surrounding noise.
The guqin has five strings and a simple, clear tone. It has a power to penetrate people's hearts, and even unsuspecting passersby feel at peace.
The only ones who were truly surprised and uncertain were probably those secretly observing.
When the piece ended, Wang Fufeng picked up his guqin again and began, "Today's topic is whether social classes can transcend boundaries."
All the scholars and students fell silent, even Xu Mo, who stood upright, was surprised.
Discussing class in Fengjing, I don't know whether to say that Young Master Fufeng is bold or that he is detached.
"So-called class is created by money and status. Commoners are one class, small families are another class, and large families are yet another class, which are respectively the lower class, the middle class, and the upper class."
“I know some people may feel unhappy and think that commoners shouldn’t be considered inferior, and aristocratic families shouldn’t be considered superior. But ask yourselves honestly, isn’t the difference between the lives of the inferior and the superior?”
"Powerful families are so powerful that people have to swallow their pride and dare not fight back. Commoners are isolated and helpless, struggling their whole lives without achieving their ambitions, and they cannot rest in peace."
"Because of their immense power, the family can pass on their legacy, making it difficult for ordinary people to have any opportunities. The lives of the upper class are monopolized, and the lower class has no choice but to accept their fate. But who would accept their fate?"
His eyebrows curved into a smile as he looked around and his gaze settled on a slender student. "May I ask, brother, are you willing to accept your fate?"
How many people who participated in the imperial examinations accepted their fate? Ten years of hard study were all for the purpose of changing their destiny.
"No," the student replied firmly.
Wang Fufeng smiled more gently, his fingertips twirling, producing two clear, melodious sounds.
"If we were to be precise, I could barely be considered a middle-class person. I am well aware of the thoughts of the upper class. I am wary of the efforts of the lower class, because compared to not being able to get something, losing it is the most painful thing."
"A hundred taels of silver is dirt to me, a thousand taels of silver is nothing to me, and I can even take out ten thousand taels of silver. With my annual income, I can live comfortably for half a lifetime as a family of five."
"And I am nothing more than a superior person who can be found anywhere in the vast land. Above me are even more noble and superior people who use their power to oppress others, who seize by force, and who manipulate the truth."
His voice was so captivating that his bland narration was enough to enrage those around him. The hot-blooded young man clenched his fists, ready to stand up and retort at any moment.
This assertion is too dangerous. Although it alludes to aristocratic families, royalty are also upper-class and need the lower classes to serve them.
If someone with ulterior motives were to deliver these words to the ears of the imperial family, the young master of Fufeng would be in grave danger.
Xu Mo's face turned ashen, ready to interrupt at any moment.
“You live in this world, and you can’t cross the social class. Ten years of hard study won’t work, three generations of effort won’t work, and even if you try your best, it won’t work. In the end, it’s the upper class who’s keeping you out.” Wang Fufeng still spoke slowly. “But if hard work is meaningless, then who would be willing to put in the effort?”
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