Xu Jiang picked up a copy of the Donglingzi Collection and looked at it. He asked, "Why do you praise Donglingzi so highly?"
Yuan Zuzhi looked surprised. "Madam Xu, what you asked is strange. Who among the officials these days doesn't respect Dong Lingzi?"
Xu Jiang glanced at Hu Xu, and Hu Xu lowered his head slightly.
"Although most scholars today admire Dong Lingzi, it's rare to find someone like you willing to spend so much effort and money. And you're not one to follow the crowd, so I asked this question."
Lou Jing laughed heartily. "This young lady is quite perceptive. Although we all have great respect for Dong Lingzi, none of us are as obsessed with him as Brother Yuan. Furthermore, this set of 'Dong Lingzi Collection' is expensive, putting us in a difficult position. It would be a shame not to buy it, but it would also be a shame to buy it. Only Brother Yuan dared to spend a fortune without hesitation. If he didn't truly love it, how could he be so willing to spend so much money?"
"Spending a fortune?" Xu Jiang's heart skipped a beat. "Excuse me, Mr. Yuan, how much did you spend on this collection?"
Before Yuan Zuzhi could answer, Du Hui made a gesture first.
Xu Jiang saw this and secretly gasped, but still held on to a glimmer of hope and asked carefully, "Two hundred taels?"
Yuan Zuzhi said: "Two thousand taels."
Xu Jiang stared at him, feeling the words "sucker" slowly rising from above his head.
She was about to speak when Hu Xu interrupted her and asked, "Excuse me, I have some questions for Mr. Yuan."
Yuan Zuzhi was in high spirits, so he said amiably, "Ask."
"Donglingzi advocated 'relying on the classics and seeking the sages,' advocating the use of the Five Classics and the words of the sages as norms and models. He also advocated 'restoring the old ways,' demanding a restoration of the old rituals. But students argue that times change, and each generation has its own learning and systems. If we blindly follow the old ways, wouldn't that be like trying to catch fish by climbing a tree, seeking perfection?"
When these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.
Yuan Zuzhi pondered for a moment and replied with a smile: "This is reasonable, but it is not in line with worldly affairs."
With just one sentence, he demonstrated his magnanimity and broad-mindedness, which convinced Hu Xu. He humbly asked for advice: "Please teach me, sir."
"You just said that each generation has its own literature and its own systems, and that's not wrong. It's just that the previous dynasty was dominated by a culture of frivolity and pleasure-seeking. From the emperor to the officials, all focused on superficial splendor and indulged in extravagance, turning the bones of scholars into succulent skins. As a result, the court was weak and its noble spirit withered. Faced with powerful foreign enemies, it only knew how to compromise, regardless of the hardships of the people." At this point, Yuan Zuzhi almost burst into tears. He took a sip of tea to suppress his anger, then said, "Fortunately, Donglingzi revived the teachings of the sages, reforged the character of the scholars, and recreated the rituals and music of the prosperous era. He taught us a strong and extraordinary hero like our current Emperor Gaozu, overthrew the old dynasty, rebuilt the new capital, and finally brought us today's peace."
Hu Xu opened his mouth, unable to refute.
"Although the old dynasty has been overthrown, that frivolous trend persists. The court's support for Donglingzi's teachings isn't to reject other schools of thought, but to warn against repeating the mistakes of their predecessors." After saying this, Yuan Zuzhi sighed, "I guess the younger generation is advocating for Prince Wencheng."
Hu Xu was silent for a moment and nodded.
"I also greatly admired Prince Wencheng's teachings when I was young, but only after entering officialdom did I realize they were inappropriate for government. As you said, each generation has its own culture and its own system. Old systems and rituals are not dead things. As long as they benefit the people and contribute to the world, why not renew them?"
Having said this, not only Hu Xu, but even Xu Jiang was convinced.
"I am deeply grateful for your teaching, sir." Hu Xu knelt down and performed an old etiquette towards Yuan Zuzhi.
"He is teachable, he is teachable, get up quickly." Yuan Zuzhi also looked at Hu Xu with admiration.
As they were talking, a strange fragrance suddenly emerged from nowhere, captivating everyone.
Du Hui tilted his head and sniffed, "What's that smell? Why is it so fragrant?"
Li Tongxue even covered his stomach and cried out, "I didn't eat much earlier, so I didn't feel hungry. But after being tempted by this aroma, I felt so hungry that I could eat a whole cow."
The other two were also drooling over the delicious taste.
"Oh my!" Xu Jiang quickly stood up and ran to the kitchen, "Duck is really going to get confused."
Several people looked at each other.
"Duck is confused? Duck's duck, or Crow's crow?"
"What is that?"
“Never heard of it.”
Hu Xu explained on Xu Jiang's behalf, "The host knew you gentlemen were coming, so he made a list and said he would host a banquet to thank you for your contributions. This duck paste is one of the dishes at the banquet."
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Du Hui spoke with saliva in his mouth. He stood up and was about to go and take a look, but was held down by Lou Jing.
"You're just a freeloader. It's like you haven't eaten for eight hundred years. You can't even wait a moment?"
After hearing this, several people burst into laughter.
Hu Xu hurriedly said, "Sir, please sit down. The food will be here soon."
Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Xu Jiang came up with a food tray and distributed snacks such as bamboo shoots, magnolia slices, and apricot curd to several people.
"Gentlemen, please try my cooking and see if it's edible."
Li Tongxue was the first to pick up a bowl of apricot curd, pried a spoonful and put it into his mouth. The soft, sweet and tender taste immediately captured him. He was already hungry, and after a few spoonfuls, the apricot curd was gone.
"Delicious!" After finishing his meal, he looked towards Yuan Zuzhi again and said, "Brother Yuan, I know you don't like sweets. Why don't you let me share your worries?"
Yuan Zuzhi quickly protected his bowl and said, "Who said I don't like it? I like it very much." Then he put the spoon into the bowl of apricot curd.
Xu Jiang smiled and stopped him, "Mr. Li, if you use too much apricot curd, it will ruin your appetite. If you want to eat more, you won't be able to eat the rest of the dishes."
Li Tongxue was a man who listened to advice. He immediately stopped clamoring for apricot yogurt and instead took a piece of magnolia slice and threw it into his mouth.
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