Wenfu, guest hall.
A table full of food and wine was brought up, and Wen Xingzhou looked at Xiao Yulou who was still angry and laughed again.
"Sir, even if you really tear down my mansion, it won't help, right? Come, come, I've specially prepared a table of wine and food, just to apologize to Sir Xiao for my two ridiculous sons."
Xiao Yulou can't be arrogant in front of Wen Xingzhou, he is Wen Xingzhou's student!
"Disciple... I have been reckless. Please forgive me, Master."
"It's not your fault, but I have another opinion on this matter."
"Teacher, please speak."
"First of all, this edition of the newspaper was the idea of Your Majesty. Since I published this first issue, I must send it to Your Majesty for your review."
Xiao Yulou was shocked. "So His Majesty knows about this too?"
"Your Majesty must know, but what does it matter? You were lucky to fail. This wouldn't be included in the Censorate's evaluation. Besides, there's another benefit."
Xiao Yulou felt that these two junior brothers had dragged him into an abyss, so how could anything good come of it?
Although intellectuals are thick-skinned, and he has become even thicker-skinned now that he has reached his current position, he still can't stand everyone teasing him, right?
Not to mention anything else, how can we appease the tigress at home?
It’s impossible that you would really raise a child outside and not come home!
"Yulou, come on, let's eat some food and have a couple of drinks first."
Xiao Yulou couldn't eat any more. He raised his glass to toast Wen Xingzhou, and then heard Wen Xingzhou stroke his beard and say, "Your Majesty, what are you doing with this newspaper?"
"He wanted to let the people know Daxia's major policies so they wouldn't be deceived by local officials."
"Then why did he allow such news to be published in this newspaper? It's because His Majesty believes that this newspaper should be close to the people, and our officials in Daxia should also be close to the people."
"What's the best way to be close to the people? To be like them. What do ordinary people love to hear and talk about? It's the fun things they do after dinner. It's the lively and elegant stories."
"What will they think after reading this newspaper? They'll think the Shangshu is a human being with emotions and desires, not some high-altitude, untouchable god thousands of miles away from the people. Then the sense of mystery will disappear. They'll think the Shangshu also eats grains, and that local officials are no different from the Shangshu."
"By removing the mysterious veil of officialdom, they can communicate and exchange ideas with officials on an equal footing. They will even dare to correct mistakes made by local officials."
"Your Majesty said, 'The relationship between officials and the people should be harmonious and harmonious, never antagonistic.' Daxia officials should come from the masses and return to the masses. There's no question of status here; it's simply a matter of different divisions of labor."
"But ever since I introduced the sacred teachings, a chasm has opened up between officials and the people. The people are afraid of the officials, and the officials only want to get promoted and don't want to care about the people they rule."
"That's absolutely wrong. Your Majesty is currently working to bridge that gap. This newspaper... I believe it's the divine artifact that will bridge that gap. So, this is Your Majesty's good intentions. What's the point of you being wronged?"
Master Wen's words left Xiao Yulou speechless.
He even felt elevated by these words - that bad thing seemed to have turned into a good thing, and his absurd behavior could actually produce such a great effect. In this case, not only would he not be punished by His Majesty, he might even be praised by His Majesty?
Just as he was thinking this, Wen Xingzhou poured him a glass of wine and said, "But... let's have a drink first."
Xiao Yulou drank another cup with Wen Xingzhou and looked at the teacher with anticipation.
"However... your case also has negative consequences and may lead to moral degradation."
Xiao Yulou was startled, "Teacher, what do you mean?"
"Think about it, you're a third-rank minister, a role model for the people of the world. Even if you didn't succeed in this, what if the people followed your lead... wouldn't that mess up morality? Honestly, this involves Article 103, Section 76 of the Criminal Law... If it's attempted, you can be sentenced!"
Xiao Yulou's face turned pale. Wen Xingzhou patted Xiao Yulou on the shoulder and said, "This happened before the promulgation of the Criminal Law, so you won't be sentenced."
Xiao Yulou finally felt relieved. If he was sentenced according to the criminal law, he would definitely go to jail, and he would lose his official position!
"I think this matter involves the moral issues of Daxia. His Majesty might use it to teach the people of Daxia a lesson on the law. You should be mentally prepared."
Xiao Yulou's heart began to tighten again. "Your Majesty, are you trying to make an example of someone?"
"It's not that serious. It should be said that it serves as a warning to others."
Isn’t that almost the same?
Xiao Yulou was in a terrible state. After all, his little troubles had been forgotten by the people in Guanyun City, but now they were dug up by his two junior brothers, leading to the current situation.
"What I'm saying is that His Majesty might punish you... probably something like a six-month salary deduction. Then, he'll publicize it in the next issue of the Great Xia Weekly, letting the people know through your example that this is illegal."
I'm just a target anyway?
"Come on, Yulou, have some food."
"Teacher, Your Majesty's actions are damaging to your reputation!"
"Yulou, you said that it's not uncommon for civil and military officials in the court to go to brothels, and it's not against the law. But you are different. Others go to brothels to drink and listen to music. Even if they enter the brothel, they have obtained the consent of those women."
Wen Xingzhou looked at Xiao Yulou with a serious expression.
It's already the hour of Xu, and my two sons still don't dare to come out to eat. Shouldn't you just have a couple of drinks and eat a few bites and go back?
"Yulou, are you short of that little silver? You're the Minister of Rites, you should know the etiquette. Why did you do something so ridiculous after drinking a little?"
"You're talking about your reputation now. Why didn't you think about your own reputation when you wanted to take off your pants? Your Majesty, please take this as a warning. Don't do it again. Also... you need to go back and make sure nothing happens at home. It would be even worse for your reputation if it gets on the news again."
Xiao Yulou was ashamed and lowered his head, "Disciple knows his mistake."
"No one is perfect, but knowing one's mistakes and being able to correct them is the greatest virtue. Go back."
"Disciple dare not!"
"What are you afraid of?"
"I'm afraid my wife will beat me to death!"
"...Don't be afraid. If I kill you, your wife will have to pay with her life."
Xiao Yulou looked up at the teacher's rather sacred old face and felt that something was wrong.
Isn't this two people dying at the same time?
Just then, the doorman came in with Xiao Changqiu.
"Dad, Mom asked you to come home for dinner!"
"I'm eating here at my mentor's place!"
Wen Xingzhou took Xiao Yulou's bowl and chopsticks.
Xiao Yulou: “……???”
"You, go back and eat!"
I bought two pounds of meat today and spent twenty cents... Wen Xingzhou felt a severe pain in his flesh.
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