Liu Zihui was the younger brother of Liu Ziwu, the Chief Secretary of the Privy Council, so his words were naturally credible. Hu Quan was a prominent figure in the Imperial College, and Liu Zihui, who was of similar age, also had some contacts with him, so it was normal for him to tell him some political secrets.
As a result, the store became quiet again. Many people pricked up their ears to listen, but the father and son in the corner turned a deaf ear and just lowered their heads to eat as usual.
"What do you mean?" Chao Gongwu was the first one who couldn't hold back.
"The emperor asked him how to deal with the current situation... What he said was to defend Tokyo, promote loyal officials, select talents, and put military affairs first, which could be regarded as the opinions of famous Taoist scholars; persuading the emperor to personally worship the imperial tomb, hold more imperial lectures, and guard against officials forming factions, which could also be regarded as meaningful... But at the end, this man actually urged the emperor to cultivate his qi!" Hu Quan finally showed sarcasm. "The emperor asked him what qi is and what is the use of qi? He said that qi is the Tao, and cultivating qi is cultivating the Tao. The victory or defeat of a war, the strength of an army, and the courage of a general are all directly related to the qi cultivated by the emperor. If the emperor cultivates a strong qi, then his orders will be spread throughout the world, the barbarians will submit, and the four seas will be stable... It's simply ridiculous!"
At this point, Hu Quan was gradually becoming angry, but the people present were obviously a little cautious about the "qi" mentioned by the famous Taoist scholars, and it seemed that some people actually believed it, which made Hu Bangheng completely furious.
He slammed the chopsticks in his hand onto the table and shouted angrily, shocking everyone in the restaurant. "It's so ridiculous that Liu Zihui actually thinks that this kind of energy is useful... If the emperor is surrounded by such useless people who advise him to cultivate energy in the future, and he really cultivates energy, let alone recovering the two rivers, I'm afraid Tokyo will be lost again!"
These words finally startled the two people in the corner and made them look up together. But after a moment, with the old man first, they all lowered their heads and slowly ate their meal.
"It's really ridiculous." The youngest Yu Yunwen also blushed. "The courage of a general depends on whether the government can reward or punish properly; the strength of the army depends on whether the military equipment, food, and money are sufficient, and whether the soldiers are properly trained; as for the victory or defeat of the army, it depends on observing the will of heaven and doing one's best... If you really have the skills to cultivate your energy, you might as well go to the river bank to help dredge the Bian River! No wonder Hu Jinglue has been with the government for a long time, but he is recognized by the world as not knowing how to fight. It would be strange if he knew how to fight with such a father who taught him since childhood!"
"I have made up my mind." Hu Quan saw that except for Yu Yunwen, the others were hesitant, so he suddenly stood up and looked around. "I will face the emperor in the palace examination in three days. I will risk my future and speak my mind to set the record straight!"
The people around were stunned for a moment, but no one dared to persuade them.
"Me too..." Yu Yunwen probably responded excitedly because he had a few drinks and was too young.
"You don't have to do that." Hu Quan said sternly. "Yunwen, I think I have good judgment of people. I have long seen that although you are young, you are a man with great ambitions, unlike me who are mostly good at writing and talking... If I can become a censor in this life, you will be a prime minister... Therefore, I will do it myself in three days, and you should cultivate yourself and concentrate on your official career, waiting for the future... You must know that the country is in danger, and the officials are concerned about the people of the world. Since you and I have the heart to save the world, how can we give up the position beside the official to those pedantic people who are harming the country in vain?"
After these words were spoken, no student dared to remain neutral anymore. They all stood up to offer their condolences. Even the couple who looked like father and son in the corner finally looked up in shock, having been out of control for a long time.
Just like that, a group of energetic students spent half a day having a meal and finally dispersed, but no one knew where they went to hang out next. At this time, the father and son in the corner who had finally finished their meal finally spoke for the first time.
The younger one, Hu Hong, Hu Yin's cousin and adopted brother, spoke carefully: "Dad, should we go to the Bianhe River embankment and hire a woman who can cook?"
The older one was Hu Anguo, Hu Yin's adoptive father and uncle, who was also a so-called "pedantic person who harms the country" who was raised in an official family. He shook his head again and said, "The country is in trouble, and the people on the river are also suffering... The government doesn't believe my theory, and several ministers also say that my theory is absurd. I wanted to return home to teach, but the war in the autumn was unclear, and I couldn't abandon my king and father lightly, so I stayed and accepted the position in the library... At this time, my father and I are powerless and can't help the country. We can just make do with it. Why waste manpower?"
Hu Hong wanted to say something but hesitated, and could only bow his head.
PS: First of all, I would like to thank No.70 Meng. No matter what, I should first thank Shang Meng, which represents the greatest support for both the author and the readers themselves. Tiger Skin King Kong Calabash Brothers is also an old book friend... Thank you.
Then, today is Uncle Xiong’s 30th birthday… I didn’t want to wish him a happy birthday because he already has a family, a wife, a son and a daughter, and a ghost bear (if I remember correctly), while I am the same age as him, but I am just a socially anxious single guy who rents a house… I can’t help but feel jealous.
But after feeling jealous in the middle of the night, I still have to wish him a happy birthday, and then go get a bottle of fat otaku happy water to comfort myself.
Finally, I wish all book lovers in the world can embark on the road of real life...Good night.
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