Chapter 128 A promising young man
Have you ever heard the saying?
"What did you say?" Qiao Bai's interest was piqued.
"It's better to have no books than to believe everything in them." Xiao Qing paused. "You should be selective when reading. You should read good books, but even among good books, there are those that suit you and those that don't. For example, if you're preparing for the provincial examination, shouldn't you read some orthodox classics and works by famous authors that have been passed down through the ages?"
Qiao Bai nodded. That was exactly what he was looking at, and he had copied many of them from the library because he couldn't afford to buy them. His mother had scolded him many times for secretly saving money to buy books.
"So, do you think those storytellers and opera singers in teahouses actually read those books, or do they read more of the opera excerpts and storybooks circulating in the market?"
"Of course, it's the latter."
"So you think everything written in those plays and storybooks is correct?"
Qiao Bai pouted, "Some of these are absurd and misleading."
He is a promising young man.
"You see, so books can be good or bad, right or wrong. This is why it's better to have no books than to believe everything in them."
"But how could those classic and orthodox books, passed down through generations, be wrong?"
Xiao Qing gave him a big thumbs up, "See, you've learned to think now."
Qiao Bai was unhappy. It was as if he didn't think things through normally.
"That's right. Classic works that have been passed down through generations are certainly good books, otherwise they wouldn't have become classics and been remembered for thousands of years. However, times change, and even if they are classics, are every word and sentence in line with the present situation?"
Xiao Qing continued, "For example, you just said that if something illegal is happening right in front of you, you will definitely stand up. That's certainly true. But look at you, you don't know martial arts, and you're not confident you can persuade your opponent. If you stand up, it only proves you're morally upright and have a sense of justice. Does that help resolve the matter?"
Qiao Bai was dumbfounded.
That's not what the book says.
But damn it, he felt that Xiao Qing was right.
The matter remained unresolved, and the result of his stepping forward was that they were all imprisoned here.
Xiao Qing shrugged, thinking that he could take the teacher qualification exam when he went back.
"This illustrates two points: first, your abilities haven't yet developed to the point where you can handle these kinds of situations; second, the current situation isn't suitable for you to step in and resolve this matter, or it's not suitable to use the approach you just took."
Since the topic has come to this, Xiao Qing has no intention of holding back her words.
"And as you can see, the two people next to me are quite skilled in martial arts. Just imagine, if you hadn't come out, wouldn't we have been able to deal with those three people much faster, instead of prolonging the battle and attracting so many people?"
Qiao Bai was somewhat disheartened, so he stepped forward with great enthusiasm, only to harm someone instead of helping them.
"sorry."
Xiao Qing shook her head. "This isn't your fault. I was just describing a normal situation." She couldn't tell him that these people were likely after her.
"I'm using this example to tell you that books are inanimate, but people are alive. People read to enlighten their minds and become stronger, but not every sentence or word in a book has this effect. You also need to think about things in a timely and appropriate manner."
Xiao Qing couldn't see Qiao Bai's expression; if he didn't speak, she couldn't judge his emotions.
She thought for a moment and said, "There's a way. Isn't it said that knowledge and action should go hand in hand, and that you should read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles? Besides reading, you should also go out and travel more, interact with people, and see the world. The more you see, the more you'll know which parts of the books are suitable for you and which are not."
"While parents are alive, one should not travel far." Qiao Bai reacted quickly this time.
Xiao Qing nodded. "Your mother's health does need to be considered. So this matter needs to be discussed by your family. However, I don't mean for you to travel thousands of miles immediately. Your little tavern is actually a small world. Running a tavern is also a way of participating in worldly affairs."
She couldn't help but add a few more words: "If you want to buy or sell wine, you need to interact with people. If you want to understand the market, you need to go to the city and take a look around. If you want to expand your business, you need to talk to your peers, and so on. Even if you're not interested in any of these things, at least you need to make sure that this business is enough to cover your family's living expenses. Of course, what I've said isn't the only way to improve your life. If you want to study and take the imperial examinations, that's also a good option. You'll have to make your own judgment."
Qiao Bai learned a lot this time.
He went through all of Xiao Qing's words in his mind and felt a sudden sense of clarity.
Xiao Qing was unaware that it was in this small, dark carriage that she inspired a teenager who had long been struggling with confusion, bewilderment, and a mix of pride and inferiority.
Qiao Bai's name was inscribed in a significant chapter in the court of the Great Xiao Dynasty because of these words he heard today.
In the midst of this silence, the carriage came to a stop.
A hearty laugh came from outside.
"Haha, lad, you've got some knowledge, unlike those pedantic scholars."
Xiao Qing calmed down and sat up straight, knowing that all her doubts were about to be resolved.
The door opened, and the sudden burst of bright light made her involuntarily close her eyes. But she remained seated, unmoved.
The old man outside carefully examined Xiao Qing and then nodded silently.
He was indeed a person of excellent character and appearance, it's just a pity...
Qiao Bai released his hand from his eyes and this time refrained from speaking.
Xiao Qing's instruction just now had some effect.
"You've gone to so much trouble to invite us here, is there something important?" Xiao Qing opened his eyes, his gaze bright and piercing.
The old man felt even more regretful, and unconsciously shook his sleeves, clenched his fists, and performed a traditional salute.
"I am Jiang Tianba."
Xiao Qing thought to herself, "So this skinny, shrewd old man is Jiang Tianba."
It really doesn't match his name.
However, I heard that he started out in the casino business, so he must be quite shrewd.
Even though Qiao Bai was a bookworm, he had heard of Jiang Tianba's reputation, and his eyes widened in astonishment.
Xiao Qing nodded and returned the greeting, saying, "I am Xiao Qing."
Jiang Tianba nodded, only glancing at Xiao Qing without saying a word.
Xiao Qing remained calm and let him see, her expression unchanged.
"Are you kidding me? She's been through the motions of court with a bunch of old men, why would she be afraid of one old man?"
If all else fails, it's a lose-lose situation.
Jiang Tianba smiled, turned his head and winked at the person next to him, who nodded and went up to pull Qiao Bai away with a fierce look.
"What are you doing!" Qiao Bai was startled and finally couldn't help but shout.
Xiao Qing frowned slightly. Although she knew she couldn't be weak in front of Jiang Tianba, the other party was clearly not someone to be trifled with. He was using Qiao Bai to force her to submit.
This is outside the city, and it looks like a road leading into the mountains, but I don't know which part of the mountains it is.
We don't know what happened to Mr. Wu and the secret guards. Why did Jiang Tianba capture them?
Jiang Tianba chuckled again, "I think your name isn't Xiao Qing."
Xiao Qing's heart skipped a beat.
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