After hearing the scholar's request, Chu Fan took the initiative to ask, "I wonder what is confusing you, so please speak frankly."
After receiving Chu Fan's promise to answer his questions, the scholar began to explain his doubts: "Sir, in my opinion, the reason why the people of Wei can enjoy such an improved life today is entirely due to the new policies implemented by Your Majesty.
However, I have a major question in mind: why has Your Majesty's new policies been implemented so smoothly and without hindrance? In the past, the imperial court always encountered numerous difficulties in implementing new policies, but with Your Majesty, it seems to have become unusually easy. What is the reason behind this?"
Chu Fan himself found it difficult to give a definitive answer to the scholar's question. After a moment's contemplation, he slowly spoke, "Perhaps it's because the Emperor of Wei and the ministers in the court all share a common wish, which is to hope that Wei will become more prosperous."
After hearing Chu Fan's answer, the scholar didn't seem completely satisfied. A look of dissatisfaction appeared on his face. He shook his head slightly and continued to ask, "Sir, your answer seems too broad. I sincerely hope to hear more specific reasons. Don't you know the details?"
Chu Fan looked gently at the scholar's eyes full of thirst for knowledge, a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and then he explained in a calm tone:
"In reality, there's no particular reason. The people are the foundation of a nation. Whether it's the emperor or the ministers, they are essentially the people of this nation. Therefore, any policy that improves the living conditions of the people and enhances their well-being will naturally be supported by the general public."
After hearing Chu Fan's words, the scholar's eyes were filled with disbelief and shock. He couldn't imagine that in his own country, if someone dared to say that the emperor and court officials were no different from ordinary people, they would most likely be arrested immediately by the guards. The emperor was regarded as a sacred and inviolable being, so how could he be compared to those lowly people?
The scholar was shocked and began to deeply understand why the Wei State had undergone such a dramatic change in just one year. He realized that his country lacked such a wise monarch and court officials who truly cared about the welfare of the people.
The scholar's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He said with emotion: "If all officials could truly regard themselves as one of the people, then many tragedies might not have happened."
After hearing what the scholar said, Chu Fan clearly felt that some unfortunate events must have happened to this scholar, and these misfortunes were probably related to those officials who were not sympathetic to the people.
Chu Fan could not tolerate the corruption among officials in the State of Wei. Not only did he hold a firm attitude towards it, but he was also more interested in learning more about the story behind the scholar in front of him.
Chu Fan asked in a gentle tone: "From your words, I can sense that you seem to have something difficult to talk about. If you don't mind, could you share your story with me? Perhaps I can provide you with some help."
After hesitating for a moment, the scholar finally decided to open up: "Sir, I must be frank. This is my third time taking the imperial examination. However, I have failed every time. The first time, I thought it was because I was not knowledgeable enough, so I studied even harder. The second time, I was disappointed because the quota was taken by the children of the powerful. And this time, I was directly denied admission, the reason being that my family background was not prominent enough."
When Chu Fan heard the scholar mention the imperial examination, he immediately realized that this was not happening in the Wei Kingdom. Because the Wei Kingdom had never implemented the imperial examination system in its history, it was about to implement the academy system, not the imperial examination system. Therefore, Chu Fan concluded that the man before him was not a student from the Wei Kingdom.
Chu Fan pointed out directly: "Young man, you are not from our Wei State. Our Wei State has never implemented the imperial examination system, and if an official abuses his power for personal gain or commits fraud during the selection process, he will be severely punished. Because Wei State has the Royal Government Affairs Office, it is almost impossible for any official to openly abuse his power for personal gain or commit fraud."
He continued, "The Imperial Government Affairs Office is composed of members of the imperial family, who have no connection to officialdom. Since they are all members of the imperial family, they will better protect the interests of the royal family and will not collude with court officials. This will make Wei's government affairs more transparent and the interests of the people are truly protected."
The scholar raised his own question: "Isn't the Emperor of Wei afraid that the princes in the Royal Government Affairs Office will become too powerful and threaten the imperial power?"
Chu Fan replied with a hint of melancholy, "Do you think it's easy to become a qualified emperor? Perhaps our emperor is hoping that those princes will openly jump out and cause trouble, forcing the emperor to abdicate so that he can live a carefree life."
When the scholar heard the man in front of him comment on the emperor of his country so unscrupulously, he couldn't help but laugh, and he had a new understanding of Wei's philosophy of governance.
The scholar hesitated and said, "Isn't it inappropriate for us to discuss the Emperor of Wei like this? After all, he is the ruler of a country and is deeply loved by the people. Let's not discuss the emperor here."
The scholar didn't want to be arrested and imprisoned by the State of Wei for overhearing a few words. After all, in his own country, if someone discussed their monarch in public, it was a crime of disrespect. Anyone overheard would be arrested immediately, and in serious cases, beheaded.
However, the man in front of him did not seem to be afraid, and from his words, the scholar could tell that he did not seem to have much awe for the Emperor of Wei. Instead, he spoke casually as if he was talking about his friend.
The scholar couldn't help but sigh inwardly, no wonder the people of Wei lived such a happy life. It turned out to be because they had such an enlightened and wise monarch. If his own country could have such a monarch, perhaps his own fate would be different.
Chu Fan said, "If a country requires utmost respect whenever its monarch is mentioned, then that country is too oppressive. Furthermore, if the people of Wei are arrested and imprisoned for discussing their emperor, then this reflects the lack of confidence of court officials and the royal family. If a monarch truly ensures the happiness of the people, then the people will naturally respect and love him, rather than being constrained by laws."
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