Chapter 77 Look at Her Dad
Not long after Emperor Kang Cheng arrived, the boxing match began. After all, the emperor's time was precious and it was not good to keep him waiting for too long.
On the stage, the great scholar Zhang Yong quickly announced, "Today's debate topic is: Was the governance of the Tang and Yu dynasties difficult?"
As expected, Fan Quan took the opposing position.
Lu Desheng curled his lips. What a boast! How dare a mere scholar discuss the difficulty of maintaining political integrity?
Most of the other ministers shared the same sentiment as Lu Desheng and thought that this scholar was arrogant.
Lu Songli wasn't surprised by this topic. During the sixth round, several potential debate topics had been offered, one of which was "The Reign of Tang and Yu." This referred to an ideal era of political order and peaceful people in ancient times, essentially asking whether achieving a prosperous era of political order and harmonious people in the current dynasty would be difficult.
Lu Songli revisited the debate topics for the competition, having previously debated whether human nature is inherently good or evil, whether establishing a family or career comes first, whether loyalty and filial piety can be achieved simultaneously, whether knowing is easier than doing, or whether knowing is easier than doing, and finally, "Can a hero be judged by his success or failure?" A careful consideration reveals a certain logic to the topics, a gradual progression.
This group of debate topics highly summarizes the process of talent growth. If one experiences these life trials and tribulations, and can achieve unity of knowledge and action during growth, then this talent is qualified for officialdom. Not to mention the saying, "Those who excel in learning will become officials." Fan Quan already possessed the qualifications for officialdom before his mourning period, but luck was unfavorable. Today's debate topic, his discussion on the difficulty of achieving a prosperous era, is flawless.
If someone who has never heard a single performance of this song hears it today, they will feel disconnected and think that this person is too crazy.
Emperor Kang Cheng was very calm. Apparently, someone had already informed him about the content of the previous boxing matches, which allowed him to smoothly step into the role of an audience member.
Lü Songli now carefully observed the reactions of Emperor Kangcheng and the ministers present, and could draw the above conclusion. Thinking deeper, the person who formulated these debate topics had a certain understanding of Emperor Kangcheng.
Fan Quan won all of the above debate topics. He didn't always take the affirmative side; sometimes he would take the negative side, but he was just as eloquent and could defeat his opponents. These debate topics also fit his growth pattern. From this, we can conclude that he is a mature talent, not just a good student. If she were Emperor Kang Cheng, she would definitely be willing to meet this person. Because if nothing unexpected happens, Fan Quan has almost become a talent that can be used right away.
Thinking of this, her eyes unconsciously swept over Xie Zhan, and she couldn't help but sigh in her heart. The Xie and Zhao families were still very powerful. The process of their two families working together to create and package Fan Quan was very well-organized. Most people couldn't withstand their series of tricks.
In a flash, Fan Quan was already standing on the stage with the debater on the affirmative side, starting a fierce debate. From their box, they could clearly see the performance of each debater on the stage.
Fan Quan spoke passionately on the stage, and Lü Songli listened intently, finally catching some key points. "What kind of governance was it during the Tang and Yu dynasties? Sages used their hearts, soldiers obeyed their orders, and officials rectified their own conduct... Human power has its limits, but successors never do... Fortunately, my teachings are not alone..."
Distilled down, Fan Quan's message is that achieving the vision of a prosperous era is easy. The emperor works diligently; the soldiers obey orders and defend the country; the officials act with integrity, uphold integrity, and set a good example. If the entire Dali people are united, then prosperity is not far away. The efforts of one person or one generation are limited; the vision of a prosperous era may require more successors or future generations to carry on the work. Well, that's the general idea.
After hearing this, Lu Songli felt relieved. Fan Quan was just making empty promises to the emperor. Wasn't this guy a painter in his previous life?
Look, this cake is big and round, and it looks delicious. If this were said to Emperor Kang Cheng, who was young, strong and ambitious 20 years ago, it would definitely work. Unfortunately, Emperor Kang Cheng is old and has bad teeth, so I'm afraid it won't be very attractive.
But as long as Emperor Kangcheng remained emperor, he couldn't blatantly show he didn't want to eat this pie. After all, an emperor who didn't want to create a prosperous era wasn't a good emperor. Furthermore, Lu Songli knew that the point wasn't to paint a pie; the point was to introduce the successor. As long as the emperor was still in a state of mind, he had to always carry the label of being eager to seek talents.
Because of this debate competition, Fan Quan can be seen as a talented person in governing the country and a talented eloquent speaker, at least that's what it seems on the surface.
Now it depends on whether her father is capable enough to keep Fan Quan out.
Lu Songli saw that before the real protagonist arrived at the battlefield, Yan Hua, who was also an imperial censor, could not help but tease her father.
"Lord Lu, it seems to me that Fan Quan has some of the style of Lord Lu back then. What do you think of him?" Yan Hua said in a teasing voice.
Everyone present knew that it was during an argument that Lü Desheng was spotted by the emperor, brought back to the palace, and promoted. Wasn't Fan Quan following the same path he had taken?
Even if those present didn't know the inside story as well as some others, they could at least make out something. Officials are not stupid, and those who were summoned by the emperor to accompany him were even more cunning. Stupid people should not be allowed near the emperor.
Zhou Chengzhong thought that whether or not they would have a new colleague in the Censorate depended on Lu Desheng.
Lu Desheng curled his lips. They had good vision. This kid had some of his demeanor when he was young, but he was no longer the same person. He had advanced and was no longer the A'mon of Wu. Fan Quan was showing off his skills in front of Guan Gong and was overestimating his own abilities!
Everyone was waiting for his answer, so Lu Desheng said stiffly, "Nothing special. Compared to me, he is far worse. There is no comparison at all." His evaluation was not polite at all. It was a joke. When dealing with enemies, one must be as ruthless as the autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves. Who would still be polite?
"You are so immodest." Yan Hua mocked him.
Lu Desheng: "I'm just telling the truth!"
Others thought: That’s all, I don’t understand how he could be so shameless as to say such a thing.
Others also advised, "Master Lu, it's very good for a young man like Fan Quan to be able to perform like this. We should be more tolerant."
Lu Desheng glanced at these people and found that each of them was taking sides.
Yan Hua was very proud. "Everyone has sharp eyes. No matter how much you say he's not good, you can't deny Fan Quan's excellence. In this debate competition hosted by Zhang Daru, he won six games in a row and is known as Fan Liusheng."
Lu Desheng's eyes widened instantly. The emperor had praised his name more than once in private, saying that it was a good choice, Lu Desheng, and he won repeatedly.
What does this old man want to do? He even wants to tarnish his name? Shameless!
"Fan Quan, Fan Quan, you've committed every crime and every taboo, what a rubbish name!" And you even dared to touch him! The word "touch porcelain" was taught to him by his daughter, and he felt it was very appropriate to use it here.
"You—" Yan Hua gritted his teeth in anger, "Anyway, she is excellent. If you don't admit it, it means you are intolerant!"
Except for those who died, most of the ministers who were present with the emperor had stern faces and watched from the sidelines.
Everyone dislikes Lü Desheng for no other reason than that golden medal of immunity from death. Lü Desheng, oh Lü Desheng, the Emperor may favor you now, but who hasn't had a honeymoon period with the Emperor? Why do you have one more life than us?
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