Chapter 240: Debate made me cry

Xu Wan was also surprised by the performance of the little devil. This kid has a good ability to grasp the key points. The idea of ​​raising treacherous ministers is not even mentioned in history books. Most of it is speculated by later generations. But Jin Cheng seized this point to attack instead of defend, completely disrupting the argument of the affirmative side, and Wen Xiu was about to collapse.

She couldn't make up her mind for a moment, so she turned to look at Baili Weihong, but unexpectedly saw Baili Weihong nodding and smiling, agreeing.

From ancient times to the present, all schools of thought have been teaching people to be loyal ministers in different ways, and people think that this is the right thing to do, but loyal ministers do not get the good ending they deserve. She doesn't want Wenxiu to follow the old path of his grandfather, and it would be good for him to learn from Jincheng to be more careful.

Seeing that Baili Weihong had no objection, Xu Wan nodded towards Zong Jincheng, motioning him to continue.

The little devil blinked, listed the books on the table and said: "He Zheng and I sorted out the silver taels of the great treacherous ministers in history after their property was confiscated. Among them, Liang Ji of the Eastern Han Dynasty embezzled the most, 3 billion taels of silver, which was half of the tax revenue of the entire treasury. You may not have an idea of ​​such a large amount of silver. Let me give you an example: 20 taels of silver can feed the brothers and sisters for eight years, and 3 billion taels can feed 16 million people for eight years."

Zong Wenxiu was the first person to explain this silver conversion problem to him. At that time, it reshaped his concept of silver and made him understand the hardships of life for the lower-class people.

Now, he skillfully applied this method and explained it to everyone present. He spread out numbers, history books, and articles one after another on the desk, and everyone was shocked again. Looking at each other, they felt like they were dreaming.

Shen Yibai approached Wei Xinglu and whispered, "Brother, last time you asked someone to spray Jincheng with talisman water, was it true that the ghost who endorsed him didn't show up?"

Is this kid in front of him really the leader of their four little dandies?

Judging from the way he argues with so much logic and evidence, people would probably believe that he is the leader of the four young talents.

Wei Xinglu's mouth twitched as he said, "I tried, but he didn't show up. Maybe he is the real person."

Shen Yibai: "..."

No, as long as he doesn't believe it, it must be false.

Zong Wenxiu was still arguing, his face flushed with anger: "I know how much money 3 billion taels is, but isn't this all the result of the pig-raising theory you just mentioned? Why do you have to raise a traitor? Wouldn't it be possible to avoid these things if you cut off all the people from the beginning? Can eight years of food, which is exchanged for the disappointment of everyone in the world, save us for a while or for the rest of our lives?"

He didn't understand, didn't understand why he should do this.

He simply couldn't accept it.

The little devil raised his head and said, "Brother, you are too naive. Such a scandal will not be exposed. As long as the superiors keep the matter of supporting treacherous officials secret, when the treacherous officials are killed, the good officials and the people will only be grateful for the court's wisdom. The good officials will naturally not know about it, and the people will be even more grateful and happy. Everyone will be satisfied."

There is one thing he didn't say, which is what the prince taught him: the existence of treacherous ministers can become a knife in the hands of those in power, doing things that those in power dare not do openly.

Zong Wenxiu trembled as he said, "Even if the good officials don't know, even if all the people in the world don't know...but when you think of those people who were harmed by the treacherous officials, don't you feel a little guilty?"

The little devil said seriously: "Brother, saving the lives of 16 million people or feeling guilty about them, what do you choose?"

"I..." Zong Wenxiu was asked again.

Good officials are willing to sacrifice their lives for the court and the people. Between dying for 16 million people and dying themselves, they will choose the latter without hesitation.

But dying in such a miserable way at the hands of treacherous officials was more like being cooked as food, being exploited, being forced to feed the pigs with one's own body, and was an honorable sacrifice.

But just as my brother said, the imperial court can keep it a secret, and good officials will think until their death that they just didn't live to see the day when treacherous officials were brought to justice, history books can still praise good officials and spit on bad officials, and talented people in the world can continue to embark on this path without looking back.

Tears rolled down my eyes.

Zong Wenxiu closed his eyes and admitted defeat: "I shouldn't know so much. It's good to die as a fool."

…

The three debaters on the affirmative side, who stood on the moral high ground, all admitted defeat.

The bad officials team on the opposing side won.

"Wow! Big brother! We won! We actually won! We won!" He Zheng was the first to jump up excitedly to celebrate.

But the little devil had a stern face and only stared at his crying brother. Although he won the debate, he was not in a good mood.

Shen Yibai and Wei Xinglu went over to comfort Zong Wenxiu: "Brother Wenxiu, you are already very good. Don't cry, we lost, we can win again in the future, we can wait for the next debate."

Zong Wenxiu wiped his tears as he cried madly. The tears in his eyes fell like beads from a broken string, and they kept piling up.

Baili Weihong also went to comfort him, but the child was already grown up, and it was not convenient to hold him in front of so many people, so she could only pat his shoulder and accompany him silently.

Xu Wan stood up and announced: "The opposing side won this debate. I reiterate once again that the words I expressed during the debate do not represent my actual position. Please do not take it personally."

"Got it." The kids said in unison.

Xu Wan nodded and continued, "This debate was very exciting. I will leave you an after-class assignment. Everyone should write it independently within three days and hand it in to me. The topic of the essay for the opposition team is: How to be a good official; the topic of the essay for the affirmative team is: How to govern bad officials."

The article is the opposite of today's debate topic, allowing them to overturn their own statements and then make a summary.

The four young dandies were not afraid. No matter how bad the writing was, they could still come up with a few nonsense sentences. However, Zong Wenxiu's heart of Taoism had collapsed, and he probably wrote this topic as a will of a good official.

As soon as it was over, Zong Wenxiu couldn't help but rush out. The others were still laughing and chatting. The little devil kicked He Zheng, who was still laughing, and chased after him.

He Zheng's smile hadn't stopped yet. He was confused and asked, "Why did you kick me, big brother?"

Shen Yibai crossed his arms over his chest and snorted, "You're laughing too arrogantly. Do you think you've stolen his limelight?"

Wei Xinglu nodded in agreement: "That makes sense. Jincheng loves to be in the spotlight. He was the one who led the team to victory this time. Why are you, a little follower, laughing so exaggeratedly?"

He Zheng said blankly: "Ah? Is that so? Then I will wait until Big Brother finishes laughing before I laugh next time."

“…”

After the debate, the maids put all the desks back to their original places, and the private tutors were busy summarizing their experience and formulating their next study plan based on the words of the little ancestors they were in charge of.

Baili Xi walked up from the podium slowly and said to Xu Wan with a smile: "This child you raised is amazing."

He watched Zong Jincheng transform step by step. Bailixi had lived for so many years and had never seen a child grow at such an amazing speed. Even though Xu Wan's teaching method was indeed very advanced, there was a clear gap between Zong Jincheng and other children.