Xu Rao laughed and said, "I'm used to it. I can't return to the capital without an imperial edict. Besides, I have a lot of things to do here. I wouldn't feel at ease if I left."
Xu Bai sighed deeply and said, "Thinking about it now, it was better when I was a child. Although I was managed by my parents and supervised by my teacher, learning this and that, I didn't have so many worries. I just had to take care of myself. Dad, I feel so sorry for you now, really." Those last few words were truly from someone who felt sorry for his father.
Seeing how heartbroken her youngest son was when he talked about her, Xu Rao smiled and said, "People can't just live for themselves all the time. They have to do something. Otherwise, if you don't do anything and I don't do anything, what will happen to this country? Children, life is actually quite simple. It's just about having three meals a day and being well-fed and clothed. But people can't live so selfishly. They have to put what they've learned into practice and bring convenience and benefits to more people. That way, we won't have wasted what we've learned."
Xu Bai had heard a lot of inspirational quotes like this, but Chen Yuyuan had heard very few. Xu Rao's words gave his still not very strong heart a strange feeling. He felt that there was something he could reach out and grab, but when he focused his mind to grab it, he found that the thing had disappeared without a trace. Although he felt a little regretful, he knew very well that these words had left a shadow in his heart.
Xu Bai laughed and said, "Dad, isn't it just about fulfilling your duties in your position? You're putting it in such an elegant way that I'm a little taken aback."
Seeing Xu Bai's smiling face, Xu Rao naturally understood that Xu Bai knew all these principles, but there was someone else sitting at the table who didn't. So he put down his chopsticks and explained seriously, "The saying 'one should fulfill one's duties in one's position' sounds simple, but it is very difficult to actually do it. Just in terms of fulfilling one's duties, how do you define it? Everyone has their own interpretation, and there is no standardized quantitative standard. How can we judge whether an official is a good official?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Bai became interested and put down his chopsticks to listen attentively as Xu Rao continued.
Xu Rao said, "Our country has gone through so many dynasties, each with its own proud achievements and prosperous times. But why is it that in the end, each dynasty is always replaced by a new one?"
Xu Bai raised his hand and said, "The old system is no longer suitable for social development, so it must be replaced by a new system."
Xu Bai's words deepened Chen Yuyuan's doubts. Xu Rao patiently explained, "Yuan, what A-Bai means is that as dynasties develop, many things also develop along with them in ways we can't see. If a ruler turns a blind eye to these developments and changes and doesn't come up with a new path to adapt to them, then he will be eliminated by history and replaced by a new dynasty."
After hearing Xu Rao's explanation, Chen Yuyuan finally understood. However, he still couldn't understand why so many things were slowly changing and developing behind his back.
After Chen Yuyuan raised this question, Xu Rao pondered for a while and finally found a more appropriate explanation.
Xu Rao, a renowned professor, used a variety of eloquent and sophisticated vocabulary to deliver his lectures, citing classical texts and speaking fluently. Every lecture and seminar he gave was met with enthusiastic applause. Who would have thought that he would be somewhat at a loss for words when explaining a few terms at this moment?
As Xu Rao pondered, he said, "A-Yuan, do you know about farming?"
Seeing Chen Yuyuan nod, Xu Rao said, "From the beginning of farming, the tools used by farmers have evolved from stone to bronze, and now to iron. This is development. Of course, all industries have developed in this way, such as textiles, and many other aspects of life."
Chen Yuyuan nodded thoughtfully. Xu Rao said, "That's a bit of a stretch. Just know this background. Let me tell you two about fulfilling your responsibilities in your positions."
Chen Zhaoci said reproachfully, "Eat first, then we'll clear these dishes away. I've made tea for the three of you, can't you talk slowly?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Rao laughed heartily and said, "It's my fault, it's my fault. Let's eat first. After we eat, I'll tell you both slowly." After saying that, she picked up her chopsticks and continued eating dumplings. Chen Yuyuan, on the other hand, was thinking about what Xu Rao had just told her, finding it tasteless. She managed to finish a plate of dumplings, helped Chen Zhaoci brew a pot of tea, and quickly sat down opposite Xu Rao, ready to listen to Xu Rao begin.
Seeing that Chen Yuyuan was willing to listen, Xu Rao was naturally willing to talk as well. He started by explaining the difference between diligent and lazy governance, and analyzed it for Chen Yuyuan step by step according to his own ideas. He talked until the third watch of the night, when Wu Muyue's Ah Jin came to urge him to stop. Only then did Xu Rao reluctantly end his lecture.
After washing up, Xu Rao lay in bed, looking at the shadows of the dry branches in the yard reflected on the window, and sighed deeply. She said to Chen Zhaoci, "Zhaoci, time flies. It's been almost ten years already."
As Chen Zhaoci watched Xu Rao become more and more excited as he talked that evening, he naturally understood what Xu Rao was thinking and said, "That's right, our Brother Bai is almost ten years old."
Xu Rao placed his hands on his chest and abdomen, listening to the faint sound of the wind outside, and said, "I really didn't expect to be in this place. I also never thought that I would be an official here. Zhao Ci, actually I miss those days. I still prefer to be a teacher who educates people. Being an official is not my forte."
Chen Zhaoci turned to the side and said, "But you've done a great job. Look, under your governance, the people's lives are getting better day by day. You're a good official."
Xu Rao didn't reply for a while before softly saying, "But I still enjoy those days standing on the podium more."
Perhaps sensing that his wife was worried about him, Xu Rao smiled and said, "Look at me, why am I telling you all this out of the blue? We're doing great now, we have a son and a daughter, and we'll be able to hold our grandchildren soon. If it were before, Xu Di was already in his thirties and still didn't have a girlfriend. We wouldn't have dared to even think about it. We wouldn't have even dared to ask when we'd become parents-in-law."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhaoci couldn't help but laugh and said, "That's really true. This is probably what parents like the most. The marriage is arranged by the parents and the matchmaker. The important matter of marriage is in the hands of the parents. Parents feel really at ease."
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