Zhao Rong became serious after hearing this, and looked at Zhang Huizhi, who was serious, with some curiosity.

Didn't speak right away.

Zhang Huizhi stared into Zhao Rong's eyes and continued:

"I heard that Junior Brother Lin, in order to overthrow the Chongxu Temple, which was a huge mountain that was hanging over the heads of the people of Zhongnan Country, pretended to marry the daughter of the master of Chongxu Temple. I heard that this woman was also his childhood sweetheart, but in the end... Ziyu should know... Junior Brother Lin broke the engagement, and on the day of the wedding, he destroyed the woman's innocence for her entire life, and she became an abandoned woman before she even got married..."

"Although I admire Junior Brother Lin's patriotic spirit, his actions are indeed immoral. I heard that he was despised by the people of Zhongnan at the time."

"However, from the perspective of national justice, he lost his personal morality, but in the end, the facts proved that he was right. There is only one way to go, which is beneficial to the country and the people and can realize his ambitions..."

For some reason, today, the young scholar, who always had his hair neatly tied up whether he was outside or in front of his wife and children at home, now had his black hair draped over his shoulders.

“Tzuyu.”

At this moment, Zhang Huizhi leaned forward beside the table, stared directly into Zhao Rong's eyes with his sharp eyes, and spoke in a deep voice.

"I don't understand how to choose."

Zhao Rong was silent.

Zhang Huizhi paused for a moment, then continued:

"None of the teachers at Siqi Academy taught me how to do these things, and the sages in the books also avoided talking about them. I know that I should sacrifice my life for justice, but I don't know how to choose between the greater good of the country and my own small justice. If I were Lin Wenruo at this moment, and faced with this choice, should I pledge my loyalty to the country, or... to you?"

"I... want to hear Tzuyu's answer."

Zhao Rong had already put down the wine jug and was looking at him the whole time without looking away.

He listened quietly, nodded, then tilted his head back and took another sip of the spicy drink.

"actually."

Zhao Rong glanced at Zhang Huizhi's solemn expression, raised the wine pot towards him, and said calmly:

"Brother Huizhi already has the answer in his mind, doesn't he?"

"I……"

"Brother Huizhi, don't explain yet. Just listen to me."

Zhao Rong interrupted calmly.

"In fact, this is just a question of private morality and public morality."

"If private morality and public morality can be taken into account at the same time, that would of course be the best, but such people are almost saints in books."

"As for us mortals, if our private morality conflicts with public morality, then... look at your own heart and choose the one that is most right. As long as you don't regret your choice and can bear all the consequences, then it is right. No matter what those nagging people say!"

Zhang Huizhi was stunned: "Cultivate oneself, govern the country... private morality, public morality..."

Zhao Rong looked at him and nodded. "Wen Ruo made his own choice at the beginning. I never mentioned this to him because this is his way. He can bear the consequences of this choice. If it happens again, he will make the same choice. As an outsider, I have no right to interfere."

"Brother Huizhi, I don't know what you are struggling with, but you have already made a choice. Although you are hesitant and ask for my advice, what you have done so far has been moving in that direction silently, right? Why ask others?"

Zhang Huizhi, dressed in black and with black hair, lowered his head and murmured, "Do I already have the answer in my heart... Then what is it..."

Zhao Rong was an outsider and saw things more clearly. He felt that before leaving, he could help this friend who he got along well with to clarify things so that he would feel less hesitant.

"Brother Huizhi has always admired Wen Ruo's deeds. After he inquired about his deeds and learned that he had flaws in personal morality, he hesitated instead of decisively spurning him... This is actually Brother Huizhi's answer."

Zhang Huizhi fell completely silent.

Zhao Rong stretched out his hand and pushed the wine jug that Zhang Huizhi had put down forward. The latter reached out his hand blankly, groped for the wine jug, picked it up, and took a swig.

"Public morality... I... I understand."

Zhang Huizhi exhaled a large breath of alcohol.

As if relieved, the hand that was holding the jade wall under the table completely loosened its grip.

"Tzuyu, I understand, but I'm still curious about one thing."

"What's up?"

"If it were you, what would you choose?"

Zhao Rong smiled, drank leisurely and said: "I only promise you, because... I have no country to promise."

Zhang Huizhi was stunned for a moment, then laughed and shook his head.

"Ziyu only cultivates himself and is only responsible for the ladies... No wonder he rejected the invitation of His Majesty and the Queen without looking back... However, Ziyu does live a clear and happy life."

He glanced towards the kitchen with emotion, where a pretty and lovely girl was tasting food for her sweetheart.

She was brought here by Tzuyu, so she must be his beauty.

Zhao Rong nodded, then shook his head, "It's just a little cleverness... at least until now, it's been like this, I don't have to worry about the choice, but if I really meet it, I must choose..."

The young scholar shook his head and said nothing more.

Zhang Huizhi nodded and said seriously: "I understand, thank you Tzuyu."

Zhao Rong smiled and waved his hand, ready to continue, but the young scholar in front of him suddenly turned around and shouted towards the west kitchen:

"Yunniang, I suddenly feel like eating braised beef in soy sauce. It's a good opportunity to let Ziyu have a taste. Brother Qi's house at the end of the village seems to have some left. Last time I went to his house for a drink, I brought some dishes to share, and left quite a few there. Go get them for me."

In the kitchen, Yunniang, Xiaoqian'er and a group of old servants turned around and looked over.

Yunniang, who was dressed in plain clothes, nodded, wiped her hands on her apron after washing vegetables, and was about to leave.

Zhang Huizhi smiled again and said, "Wait a minute. Miss Qian'er, how about you go with me and get some of your favorite food?"

Yunniang also invited with a smile.

Zhao Qian'er turned her head and looked at Zhao Rong, who nodded at her.

But the little girl still shook her head and refused. Without any explanation, she continued to wander around in the kitchen.

She never left Rong'er's side and would not let him out of her sight.

Zhao Rong was helpless and shrugged at Zhang Huizhi.

The latter was not angry, and instructed the simple woman: "Then take all the dishes back."

Yunniang nodded and went out.

Zhang Huizhi turned around, put down the wine jug, and didn't look at the kitchen again.

Zhao Rong glanced at the sky and it was already 3 p.m.

He moved his stiff butt and changed his sitting position.

Zhang Huizhi seemed to see that Zhao Rong was looking for an opportunity to leave, and said softly:

"Tzuyu, if you are not in a hurry, there are still a few dishes for you to try before leaving. In addition, I actually have one last question and a story to tell you today."

Zhao Rong coughed a little embarrassedly and said seriously, "What's the problem? Well, there's no rush. I'd like to hear the details of Brother Huizhi's story."

Zhang Huizhi turned his head and looked towards the sky, with some longing in his eyes:

"Tzuyu is very knowledgeable. Can you tell me what you think the public morality of our Confucian scholars is like?"

Zhao Rong raised his eyebrows.

Oh, so you are just asking about the ultimate wish of us Confucians?

If you ask me that, I won't be polite.

This is an assist question.

He nodded quietly.

The next second, I saw someone sitting on a couch in the yard where the autumn wind was sweeping the bamboo leaves.

A young scholar bowed his head, straightened his sleeves, sat upright, raised his hand and said seriously:

"Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world for all eternity!"

These deafening words echoed throughout the yard, causing everyone in the kitchen to glance at them.

Even Zhang Huizhi, who had already had great expectations, was stunned after hearing the "Four Sentences of Hengqu" at this moment.

Shocked and astonished.

He stared at Zhao Rong and couldn't help but repeat himself softly.

"To establish one's mind for the world, to establish one's destiny for the people, to inherit the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, to bring peace to the world for all eternity? What a Confucian virtue! Zhang Huizhi, a distant man, would like to follow his example!"

Zhang Huizhi slammed the table and stood up, looking up and laughing three times.

Immediately he turned his head and said towards the north room:

"Fu'er, copy Mr. Zhao's enlightening words three thousand times."

"Yes, father."

In the north room, the dull young man who was concentrating on practicing calligraphy and oblivious to the noise outside put down his pen and responded.

The young man stood up, bowed respectfully towards Zhao Rong, and then continued to work at his desk, beginning to copy down "Mr. Zhao's Quotations".

Three thousand times.

Zhao Rong put down the wine jug and scratched his head.

"Ahem, Brother Huizhi, there's no need to be so exaggerated. It's fine as long as the child can remember it. There's no need to write so much."

Zhao Rong felt a little embarrassed for a moment.

My goodness, he just wanted to quietly show off, but he never thought that he would add a heavy burden of homework to the children.

This is really a matter of conscience.

Zhao Rong was a little afraid to look at the north room.

Hey, who wasn't a kid? I hate being given extra homework all of a sudden.

Zhang Huizhi shook his head. "You have to learn more from teachers like Ziyu. It is my son's life's fortune to be able to listen to Ziyu's teachings. He will understand when he grows up."

Having said this, he paused, and said loudly without turning his head:

"Three thousand more times."

"Yes, father."

The dull young man in the north room nodded seriously without looking away.

Zhao Rong: “…”

Zhang Huizhi raised the wine pot and took a swig, "Zi Yu's good words should be made public."

The two of them toasted happily.

Zhang Huizhi raised his hand to wipe his mouth, then waved his sleeves, sweeping away all the withered yellow bamboo leaves on the table.

Boom!

The young scholar gently placed the wine jug on the table.

"Ziyu, do you remember what I told you about not being accepted by Linlu Academy?"

Zhao Rong smiled and nodded, saying casually: "I remember that later on, Brother Huizhi went all the way south, gained experience and grew up, and finally successfully entered Siqi Academy, didn't he? It can be considered a blessing in disguise."

Zhang Huizhi nodded, then shook his head, raised his glass to him and said softly:

"Tzuyu is only half right. In fact, many more stories happened to the failed scholar named Zhang on his way south."

"oh?"

"But right now, time is limited, so I can only briefly talk about the most important one."

Zhang Huizhi looked at Zhao Rong and said, "Ziyu, I was down and out on the road until... I met a noble man who encouraged and funded me... I was finally able to enter Siqi Academy and fulfill my dream."

Zhao Rong was curious, "Who is this noble man?"

Zhang Huizhi suddenly stopped talking and just looked at him...

Just when the atmosphere in the yard became quiet.

In the kitchen, a dish to go with wine was prepared first and was taken out of the pot.

It was exactly the dish prepared by the disfigured old servant who smoked a pipe.

The old man skillfully put the long noodle-like dish into the plate. In the middle of the process, he was hit by a coughing fit. He covered his mouth and coughed a few times. With trembling lips, he held the copper pipe with a hanging pipe in his mouth and took a few deep puffs.

A blush of sick comfort welled up on the face that had been destroyed by the fire.

The disfigured old servant picked up a plate of hometown food and walked towards the yard, but he was only halfway there.

"Wait, let me do it, let me do it."

Xiao Qian'er, who was wandering around the kitchen bored, came running over.

Zhao Rong and Zhang Huizhi, whose atmosphere was just cooling down, were attracted by the noise and turned their heads to look.

Zhao Qian'er stopped in front of the old servant and took the plate of food from him without saying a word.

"I'll serve it, you go back and get other dishes... By the way, what's the name of your hometown dish... Spicy noodles, right? Hmm, what a strange name."

Zhao Qian'er shook her head, muttering something, while holding the plate and walking towards Zhao Rong, whose smile was gradually fading.

Behind her, the disfigured old servant stood there, smiling and nodding in the direction of the pretty girl and the young scholar.

He turned around and walked in the opposite direction of the kitchen, but after he had taken a few steps, the disfigured old servant, with a smile on his face, naturally took out the copper pipe.

This time, there was no coughing.

The old scholar lowered his head and quietly untied the bulging pipe hanging from his old pipe.

He spread out a bony palm.

The pipe fell over, and out rolled a small blood-red bead engraved with four sky marks.

The old man who escaped death but was disfigured by the flames raised his head and swallowed a fourth-grade golden pill.

The air suddenly became dead silent.

The old man with his back to everyone in the yard looked like a greedy old man stealing a candy bean in the eyes of everyone behind him.

However, the moment this "sugar bean" rolled out of the pipe, it quickly emitted an extremely terrifying and dangerous aura, covering the small courtyard.

At the same moment, Zhao Qian'er, who was carrying a plate on the way, suddenly turned back and tried to stop her...

However.

The old scholar had calmly swallowed the golden elixir.

Zhao Qian'er's head only turned halfway before her whole body froze in place.

Not moving at all.

Also immobilized like her was a small crystal sword that had reached one foot behind the head of the old scholar who had swallowed the pill.

It’s a pity that it’s still one foot short.

The woman and the sword, who were confined to their homes, formed a strange scene in the yard where the autumn wind swept the fallen leaves.

The old scholar tilted his head slightly, closed his eyes, and moved the back of his head closer to the "swing". The trembling sword tip almost touched his scalp with sparse white hair.

But in the end, it was impossible to move forward even a little bit!

Zhao Qian'er was fixed in place, unable to turn back, and her slender body and the sword of the swing began to tremble together.

There's no way to break free.

The old scholar who had returned to the Golden Elixir realm closed his eyes and took a deep breath of fresh air. There was a sickly blush on his ugly and twisted face.

It was as if he was tasting the most delicious dish in the world... no, the second most delicious one.

The first delicious thing, of course, is the despair that is about to be revealed by the silent Confucian scholar not far away.

The old scholar lifted his sagging eyelids, turned around on the spot, raised two dry fingers, pressed against the sword, moved the swing away, and walked slowly forward, passing by the pretty girl with a stiff smile and wild eyes, and took the hot "hometown dish" in her hand.

Bamboo leaves are falling and the yard is silent.

The old scholar held his pipe in one hand and a plate of food in the other, and walked to the table where Zhao Rong and Zhang Huizhi were sitting, under Zhao Rong's silent gaze.

Zhang Huizhi, who had been silent since then, glanced at the old Confucian scholar. Then he turned his head slightly and looked towards the direction of the Wei Dynasty in the south, without looking at Zhao Rong.

"Zi Yu, this old man Qin is the noble man that my brother met... When I was down and out and went south, it was the Qin family of the Great Wei who helped me..."

Zhao Rong seemed not to have heard what the young scholar in black said. He tilted his head and silently looked at the hunchbacked and disfigured old man who looked completely different now.

The young scholar had no expression.

No reply either.

Qin Jianfu bent down and placed the plate of "spicy strips" that he had worked hard to find and roughly restored on the table in front of the young Confucian scholar.

Then.

The old man smiled.

"Try it."

The whole place was silent, with only the sound of a young man writing at his desk in the north room, the rhythm of which did not change at all.

The young scholar lowered his eyelids slightly.

He stared silently at the plate of Wei specialties on the table that he had "searched hard for" and was finally brought to him by an old friend. At some point, he nodded slightly.

"Thanks."