Chapter 330 A Word Can Be the Law of the World
The process of offering sacrifices is quite tedious.
After the sacrificial ceremony for the Sage Confucius began, the group of scholars from the state school fell silent in unison.
After all, we must give face to the most revered teacher.
Ouyang Rong led them through a series of complex rituals.
The ceremony is over.
Ouyang Rong turned around and, referring to the speech he had prepared while staying up all night, began to speak in public.
The gist of the speech was that he first reviewed his own experience of studying hard for years, then praised the outstanding students in the state school in recent years, and finally encouraged the students to continue their efforts and pass the imperial examination next year.
Yes, let's look back on the past, seize the present, and look forward to the future.
Everything is included, so you can leave satisfied.
But the excited students who gathered today will not let him leave so easily "satisfied".
During his speech, Ouyang Rong caught a glimpse of Yue Zi'ang in front of the crowd below, who had a determined expression on his face.
A chorus of boos erupted from the audience. Amid the uproar, a scholar shouted, "Stop playing games with us! As the official in charge of Jiangzhou, why are you aiding and abetting the wicked?"
The sickly-looking chief clerk in his white fox fur coat kept his eyes straight ahead, his slow and gentle tone unchanged.
During this time, the scholars continued to boo.
Ouyang Rong finished speaking without missing a single word.
After he finished speaking, he silently looked at the excited crowd of scholars below.
Ouyang Rong was not wearing his official robes today, and his face was pale and weak, but his calm eyes seemed to carry an unfathomable majesty.
The noise from the crowd quickly stopped.
However, some scholars, seemingly dissatisfied with the lack of wit, began to hiss louder, and the scattered hissing led the majority to join in.
Ouyang Rong glanced at the scholars below the stage who were looking up, and pursed his lips.
Suddenly, he got up and stepped down from the "high platform" where he had been looking down.
“My lord, it’s not safe down there.” Yan Liulang stepped forward.
Ouyang Rong remained silent and pushed away the arm that was blocking his way.
Xie Lingjiang took the skirt knife that her senior brother had handed her and temporarily stored away, then followed his back with the sword in her arms.
Ouyang Rong, dressed lightly, walked off the stage.
The crowded passengers froze, and the crowd quickly moved to the side, making way for a small open space.
"I have finished speaking. Now I will listen to your side of the story. Rest assured, I will not interrupt you in a rude manner."
The murmur in the crowd immediately subsided by several beats.
In the open space, Ouyang Rong stood tall, his calm gaze sweeping over them, then casually pointed at a round-faced scholar who was shouting enthusiastically:
“You seem quite dissatisfied and have a lot to say.” He nodded, his expression serious: “Why not share your thoughts with everyone?”
The round-faced scholar who was pointed at immediately looked around, his face slightly flustered, as if he hadn't expected Ouyang Rong to choose him as the first to speak.
He took a few steps back, waving his hand in refusal, but under Ouyang Rong's direct gaze and the stern urging from Yue Zi'ang and the others around him, he had no choice but to step forward and say, forcing himself to speak:
"I heard that the Jiangzhou Grand Hall and the Xunyang Prince's Mansion accepted the imperial edict to build the Donglin Buddha. Is that true?"
"I can let the others go, but, but you, Chief Secretary, as the magistrate of Jiangzhou, are a renowned gentleman of integrity! I once regarded you as a role model, so why are you now aiding and abetting the evil Wei brothers, creating statues to harm the people!"
The round-faced scholar who was brought out initially stuttered, but as he spoke, he became more and more excited.
After listening calmly, Ouyang Rong nodded and said, "It is true that he undertook the construction of the Donglin Buddha."
Amidst the deafening roar of the crowd, he calmly stated:
"The claim that they aided and abetted the wicked is utter nonsense. The statue in the Jiangzhou Hall was erected to honor Her Majesty the Empress, not to echo the King of Wei or the King of Liang. The so-called aiding and abetting the wicked is utter rubbish."
"That's one point."
Ouyang Rong spoke slowly and deliberately, facing the assembled scholars:
"Secondly, the Jiangzhou government has made thorough preparations for this statue-making, striving to avoid wasting state funds and mobilizing too many people."
The round-faced scholar looked doubtful: "Really?"
A gentleman does not speak in jest.
A scholar in the crowd raised a question:
"No, you're lying. Xunyang City is such a small place. Wouldn't it affect the lives of the people if the Donglin Buddha were placed there?"
Ouyang Rong immediately replied, "It will land on the twin peaks."
"Twin Peaks? Isn't that a hilltop, in the middle of nowhere?"
"It is here that the Jiangzhou government will excavate a canal at Shuangfengjian and build grottoes on both banks to house a large Buddha statue. This is what I have been working on these past few days."
"Then where will the money needed to build the Buddha come from? It can't just appear out of thin air; it's all coming from the people themselves."
"The funds for digging the canal and building the grottoes have been fully raised. Thirty-two merchants from Jiangnan will make an initial payment, and the project will be jointly operated with the Jiangzhou government..."
"Jiangzhou Hall will not collect any additional taxes on the construction of statues. In fact, the large amount of wages and jobs required for the excavation of the canal and the construction of the grottoes will all be returned to the people of Xunyang. Recruitment will begin at Xunyang Ferry soon. You are welcome to supervise and wait and see."
"The completed grottoes will attract tourists from all over the world, promote commerce in Xunyang, and ultimately enrich the people."
Every time the scholars asked a question, Ouyang Rong would answer it immediately.
After a series of questions and answers, Ouyang Rong acted swiftly and decisively, without pausing in the middle.
It seemed as if they had planned ahead of time, and their posture was perfectly prepared.
The excited crowd of scholars fell silent, exchanging bewildered glances as if trying to process the information conveyed in the sickly chief secretary's words.
Ouyang Rong faced the silent crowd, his tone calm yet firm:
"Most of you gentlemen are from Jiangzhou. I understand your love for your homeland and your original aspirations for the common people. I can assure you that the new Donglin Buddha will never be built in Xunyang City and become a burden to the people."
"Once built according to this blueprint, they will become a scenic spot in Xunyang, a wonder of Jiangnan and even the world, and the foundation for the prosperity of Jiangzhou."
The crowd fell silent, and the scholars all turned to look.
"Is that really the case? Why didn't the Chief Secretary and the Jiangzhou Grand Secretary explain earlier that they wouldn't force the construction, causing hardship and waste of resources..."
Ouyang Rong looked at the scholar who had spoken with a strange expression and asked in return:
"Isn't upholding the people's welfare the duty of every official who has studied the classics? What's there to boast about? If this is something to be rewarded or commended for, I really don't know what to say."
The scholars were immediately speechless.
Yes, it seems that reading the classics is indeed the duty of officials. But some people say that "the classics are for people to read, and are useless for doing things." Well, you actually used them to do things?
Moreover, everyone had previously harbored suspicions and distrust towards Ouyang Rong and the Jiangzhou Grand Hall.
The initially agitated scholars calmed down somewhat, but many questions remained.
After the round-faced scholar sat down obediently, another group of scholars stood up and raised a series of sharp questions.
Ouyang Rong answered each question one by one. When he encountered a dispute or problem that was beyond his authority as the chief secretary, he asked Xie Lingjiang to bring him paper and pen, and he wrote them down one by one.
Throughout the conversation, Ouyang Rong's words were sincere and gentle, like jade.
Seemingly influenced by his attitude, the booing crowd of scholars gradually calmed down.
However, this was clearly not the answer and scene demanded by the leaders of a few extreme protests.
"Heh, in the end, Lord Ouyang is still on the side of the imperial court. After all, the official positions were bestowed by the court, but does that mean the court is always right?"
Yue Zi'ang stepped forward and spoke with great passion:
“Nowadays, there are treacherous villains in the palace who are bewitching the emperor, and the two princes of the Wei family are seizing power in the court. The court is ruled by villains.”
He spat as he spoke, head held high, eyes glaring:
"Lord Ouyang, let me ask you this: even if your Donglin Buddha statue is handled properly, can you guarantee that the other statues in the four continents will also be handled properly with complete plans, without causing hardship to the people and wasting money?"
"Lord Ouyang handled his small plot of land quite well, but I don't know if he's deaf or deliberately covering his ears, turning a blind eye to what's happening outside, fearing death and trying to protect himself."
"I am ashamed to be associated with him!"
Yue Zi'ang sneered, then looked around and shouted:
"Brothers, do you also intend to remain aloof and ignore the greater good of the world beyond Jiangzhou?"
"Is the so-called Great Zhou Dynasty's Ten Thousand Nations Praise Heavenly Pivot built by the imperial court, which forcibly levies praise copper from all the states under heaven, a lie? Are Lord Ji and Governor Li right to submit their petitions to speak frankly about the persecution they have suffered? Are you also going to turn a blind eye like someone else?"
"Then wouldn't the blood of righteous men across the land and the scholars who sacrificed themselves in Liuzhou have been spilled in vain?"
Ouyang Rong turned his head, somewhat surprised by the man's highly persuasive words. It proved that there was a reason why he could become an opinion leader in this kind of protest movement.
As expected, after he finished speaking, the entire audience erupted in cheers of support, and the familiar clamor and passion returned.
Yue Zi'ang led the way, glaring angrily at Ouyang Rong.
Ouyang Rong wasn't angry at all. He knew that Yue Ziang probably didn't do it on purpose. He wasn't deliberately picking on him. He probably thought he was right from the beginning, so he was naturally passionate and fearless, even self-satisfied.
Other scholars were more or less the same, which is why this wave of protest and opposition was so infectious, sweeping through state schools in every prefecture across the country.
Therefore, Ouyang Rong displayed extraordinary patience, refraining from debate and argument. With a serious expression, he directly asked Yue Zi'ang:
"So, Yue Zi'ang, what do you want to do?"
Yue Ziang's face flushed red:
"The imperial court rescinded its order, forbidding the construction of any celestial pivot or four-directional Buddha statues, and at the same time welcomed back Master Fu and Lord Ji."
"Lord Ouyang and the Jiangzhou governor must understand the greater good and take the lead in petitioning against the construction of the Donglin Buddha, setting an example for all the states under heaven. This is what a righteous person should do, and this is the true meaning of righteousness!"
Ouyang Rong nodded and asked softly, "What if we can't achieve that?"
"Can't it be achieved?"
Yue Zi'ang said excitedly, "Lord Ouyang, don't forget this after becoming a high-ranking official. I can give you a little reminder here."
"Do you still remember what Emperor Taizong said back then? Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. Emperor Taizong always felt deeply afraid of this and governed the country with trepidation, just as the imperial edict said. But now, well, hehe."
"I have never forgotten those words, nor could I ever forget them."
Ouyang Rong chuckled softly, his surprised expression silencing the crowd for a moment. He asked with a smile:
"Then I'll ask you a question: where did this phrase originally come from? Can any of you here recite it?"
All the scholars, including Yue Zi'ang, were stunned. Ouyang Rong looked around, shook his head with a hint of disappointment, and before they could explain or answer, he turned his head, his eyes fixed on the clay statue of a kind-faced, hunched-back old man on the high platform, and said softly:
Duke Ai of Lu asked his son, “I was born in the deep palace and raised by women. I have never known sorrow, worry, toil, fear, or danger.”
Confucius said: "The questions asked by a ruler are the questions of a sage ruler..."
The square of the Temple of Confucius gradually quieted down, until only the fluent recitation of one person remained.
Yue Zi'ang and all the scholars in the room stared in astonishment at his calm face.
Xie Lingjiang, Yan Liulang, and the others following behind also stared intently at his retreating figure.
Many other people from the city who had heard the news came to watch, and all eyes were on him.
All eyes are on us.
Ouyang Rong's tone was varied and rhythmic, and his intonation was very well controlled.
"...Confucius said: 'When a ruler goes out of the four gates of Lu and looks out over the four suburbs of Lu, he will surely find that the state is in ruins. If the ruler thinks about this and is afraid, then fear will not come to pass.'"
"Furthermore, it is said that the ruler is the boat, and the common people are the water. Water can carry the boat, but it can also capsize it. If the ruler considers this danger, then how can danger not befall him?"
Among the crowd, a learned scholar suddenly remembered that this obscure and difficult-to-understand ancient saying seemed to come from a certain chapter of Xunzi, which was about a dialogue between the Sage Confucius and Duke Ai of Lu. It was a very obscure and uncommon text.
Since the current imperial examinations don't test this information, naturally no one cares. However, Emperor Taizong's words and deeds are more widely known, and through constant exposure, everyone knows about them and assumes that this is the true source.
The entire text was very long, and Ouyang Rong read it down word for word without pausing at all.
As if no one else was around, he finished reading the last word, turned to face the entire audience, and sincerely asked:
Do you understand the deeper meaning of the words of the Sage Confucius? You only know the surface meaning, but are you clear about the background when these words were spoken?
"How does the State of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period of Duke Ai compare to the current Holy Zhou Dynasty? If we use the standards of you, Brother Yue, then the 'boat' of Duke Ai's time should have been destroyed long ago. But was the Holy Teacher Confucius overturning this boat back then?"
The entire room fell silent. Ouyang Rong casually pointed to the outstretched clay sculpture and asked with a smile, "Do you know what he was working so hard for all his life?"
"Now you, with only a superficial understanding, are raising this statement in an attempt to threaten us... I think how disappointed the most holy teacher would be if he knew that you were using it in this way."
"You scholars of the state academy, you clearly possessed a path and hope that even the most revered Confucius envied back then, yet you did not cherish it, and were even willing to risk your lives, destroying everything..."
He paused, then painstakingly compared Zhou and Lu, before launching into a preemptive question:
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it." This saying is true, but if one only has a superficial understanding, one will never know how weighty it truly is.
"Tell me, if this boat under your feet capsizes, can you replace it with a better one? If so, please tell me. If not, why are you so determined to destroy this boat?"
"And gentlemen, don't forget that this boat beneath your feet, in a sense, was built by the very Emperor Taizong you admire, who braved wind and rain, and maintained it with utmost care. How long has it been since then? Before that, three hundred years of turbulent strife were necessary to support this new boat."
"It is easy to destroy a boat, difficult to build one, and even more difficult to repair it."
"Yue Zi'ang, is this your reasoning? Just for a moment of pleasure, a moment of glory, or a moment of righteousness, you disregard the lives of all of you. If you can only distinguish right from wrong, then beat your chest and stamp your feet."
"Then you are nothing special."
"I..." Yue Ziang was immediately short of breath, his face turning pale and bruised, speechless after being refuted.
Ouyang Rong shook his head, no longer looking at the man. Seeing that the silent crowd seemed to have no questions, he turned to leave.
The entire room was silent.
The scholars stared blankly at the tall, slender figure of the young man in the white fox fur coat as he slowly walked away...
Brothers, please keep your mouths shut and don't send Xiao Rong to jail...
(End of this chapter)
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