Zhao Lin said without hesitation: "The government is clean and honest."
Mi Moli asked: "Why?"
Zhao Lin explained: "The common people are not worried about scarcity but about inequality, not about poverty but about insecurity. If..."
"etc!"
Mi Moli said anxiously: "Say what you just said again."
Zhao Lin said: "The common people do not worry about scarcity but about inequality; they do not worry about poverty but about insecurity."
"What a pity! It's not the scarcity that worries us, but the inequality; it's not the poverty that worries us, but the insecurity!"
Mi Moli was greatly surprised. She stood up and walked around, repeating this sentence in her mouth. She was so excited as if she was struck by lightning, and danced with joy.
Zhao Lin understood very well.
This sentence was said by Confucius.
For people like Mi Moli, it is as exciting as a pervert seeing a beautiful woman or a gambler seeing dice.
After a long while, Mi Moli sat back down and looked at Zhao Lin with a complicated expression: "You shouldn't be an official."
Zhao Lin was stunned.
Mi Moli said, "You should write a book and spread your ideas throughout the world."
Zhao Lin laughed and said, "The ancients said that the three immortals are to establish virtue, to achieve merit, and to establish words. My virtue is not established, and my merit is not achieved, so how can I talk about establishing words?"
Mi Moli was shocked again: "What does it mean to establish virtue, merit, and speak out? Why have I never heard of it? Which ancient person said this?"
Ahem…
Zhao Lin coughed dryly twice and quickly said, "This is what I summarized from a book. The so-called 'establishing virtue, establishing merit, and establishing words' means cultivating one's own noble character, making outstanding contributions to the people of the world, and proposing one's own theories and doctrines, and writing books to pass them down to future generations. These are the three immortalities."
"Cultivate moral character, make achievements, and write books. These are the three immortals, the three immortals..."
Mi Moli muttered to himself, and for a moment he was immersed in his own thoughts and couldn't extricate himself.
"Mr. Mi? Mr. Mi?"
Zhao Lin called softly.
A young woman in her twenties walked out from behind the bookshelf behind Mi Moli and said, "Grandfather is just like that. Sir Zhao, don't worry."
Zhao Lin quickly stood up and asked, "Who is the girl?"
The young woman bowed and said, "My name is Mi Banxia, and I am honored to meet you, Lord Zhao."
Zhao Lin quickly returned the greeting: "Hello, Miss Mi."
Mi Banxia said, "Grandfather, every time he hears good words, it's like drinking fine wine. He becomes intoxicated and takes a while to come back to his senses. Lord Zhao, please wait a moment."
"No rush. It's not easy for Mr. Mi to have such profound literary accomplishment." Zhao Lin praised.
Mi Banxia said: "I..."
Zhao Lin said, "Miss Mi, there's no need to be so polite."
Mi Banxia smiled and said, "Okay, I won't be polite. I want to ask Master Zhao, aren't you afraid of what others will say about you for acting so recklessly?"
Zhao Lin smiled calmly: "I just want to have a clear conscience. As for others, their mouths are theirs. They can say whatever they want. Just don't let me hear it."
"Do you have a clear conscience?"
Mi Banxia murmured to herself, then finally smiled and said, "Master Zhao is indeed a wonderful person."
Mi Moli finally woke up, slammed the table, and praised: "Brilliant, brilliant, these three immortals are indeed not simple. Zhao Lin, you can actually draw such a conclusion from the book. It's a pity for you to be an official. What a pity."
Mi Moli said it was a pity twice.
Zhao Lin smiled and said, "Reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles is like having experiences first, then summarizing them. Didn't Mr. Mi also gain enlightenment after serving as an official, and then resign and retire to concentrate on studying?"
Mi Moli nodded repeatedly: "Not bad, not bad, it's a very good idea. You should first make meritorious contributions, and then you must resign and retire immediately after completing your meritorious services. Don't waste time."
Zhao Lin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and said, "Mr. Mi is right."
Mi Moli asked, "Where were we talking about just now?"
Mi Banxia reminded him, "The most important thing Lord Zhao has done in Qingzhou is to maintain a clean and honest administration."
"Yes, that's right. With clean and honest administration, we don't worry about scarcity but inequality, and we don't worry about poverty but instability. Go on." Mi Moli said.
Zhao Lindai said, "It's actually very simple. Without clean governance, officials can bully the people at will. Without a safe and secure environment, the people can't live a normal life. Over time, Qingzhou won't prosper. Instead, it will continue to lose population and eventually become a dead city."
"And when the government is clean and honest, officials won't bully the people. They'll do their best to address the people's needs. The people can live peacefully, and then it'll be much easier to implement other policies. Therefore, I believe that clean and honest government, and the peace of mind of the people, is the most important thing."
"Yeah, that's right, that's right." Mi Moli nodded. "You make a lot of sense. The people can't even survive, so doing anything else is pointless. Survival is the most important thing. You're able to see that, and you're already better than many officials."
Mi Moli made no secret of his admiration: "With your abilities, being the Governor of the River is a waste of your talent. You should join the cabinet."
Mi Banxia covered her mouth and laughed, "Then Lord Zhao is the youngest cabinet minister in history."
Mi Moli said disapprovingly, "A mere cabinet minister is nothing. When Zhao Lin writes a book, that will be the real honor."
Zhao Lin smiled and said, "Mr. Mi is too kind to me."
Mi Moli waved her hand and said, "It's good for young people to be humble, but being too humble is hypocritical. Come, let's talk about other things..."
Mi Moli held Zhao Lin's hand and talked until dawn, and then she left reluctantly.
"Banxia, what do you think of Zhao Lin?" Mi Moli asked warmly.
Mi Banxia said, "He is not an ordinary person."
"Only extraordinary people can do extraordinary things. You take the people from the academy to help him." Mi Moli said.
"Am I going?" Mi Banxia was surprised.
Mi Moli said: "Aren't you very interested in him? It's a good opportunity to take a closer look."
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