Chapter 114 Ancient Debate
The two walked side by side on the streets of Nanyang. Along the way, Wang Buzhi kept introducing the local customs and culture to Zhao Yushu. Nanyang was indeed the seat of a large county. Although it was not as prosperous as the Eastern Capital, it was far beyond the reach of ordinary small cities.
"Brother Wang, there is something I don't understand." Looking at the busy flow of people on the carriages and the cavalry patrolling everywhere, Zhao Yushu felt a little confused.
"Brother Zhao, please speak."
"I see that Nanyang City doesn't look dilapidated at all, so why are there so many refugees around it? And as far as I know, the army is not allowed to enter the city except in times of war, so why are there cavalry patrolling everywhere?"
Wang Buzhi gave a bitter smile, "Brother Zhao has a sharp eye. The refugee issue is hard to explain. Last year, there was a severe drought in the south, and the grain production was reduced by half. This winter, a heavy snowstorm in Nanyang County froze most of the young crops to death. If this were the case, everyone could rely on stored grain, tighten their belts and hold on, and the court could reduce taxes and it would be over. But who would have thought that when it was not yet time to collect grain, the court suddenly imposed additional taxes, emptying the last grain of rice in the bottom of the jar. Isn't this, alas."
Zhao Yushu originally thought that the driver was exaggerating, but after getting confirmation from Wang Bushi, he couldn't help but be speechless. This kind of thing of increasing taxes in a year of disaster would be the behavior of a tyrant no matter which dynasty it was. No wonder the aura of the mountain god declined so quickly.
On the other hand, if this kind of natural disaster or man-made calamity had occurred in previous lives, there would have been war everywhere. But now there are only victims of the disaster, and no large-scale deaths or plagues. The productivity of this world is really ridiculously high.
On the other hand, with such high productivity, refugees still appeared. This royal family is so stupid that it is outrageous.
Well, it’s a closed loop.
"As for these cavalrymen, do you know the Red Lotus Sect, Brother Zhao?"
Red Lotus Sect? I know about the White Lotus Sect, but I don't know if they are the same thing.
Zhao Yushu shook his head, and Wang Buzhi lowered his voice, "It's a sect that has emerged in Ganzhou. They are threatening the government by taking refugees under the banner of using the Red Lotus Fire to purify the world. This grain collection is nominally to fight the Liao Kingdom, but in fact it is to prepare for a possible rebellion. You and I know about this, so don't make it public."
Zhao Yushu immediately understood that this was gossip among the top leaders and nodded immediately.
"The Red Lotus Cult is behind the Nanyang refugees this time. The new governor specially requested an imperial decree to take up his post and directly transferred General Sun to lead 500 elite cavalry and 2,000 infantry into the city just in case."
Zhao Yushu's heart sank. Lan Ling's father was the new governor. He dispatched troops into the city before anything happened. If he stood on the side of the court, he could be said to be preparing for a rainy day and serving the king wholeheartedly. If he stood on the side of the refugees, he would have regarded them as enemies long ago. If they knew that he was openly distributing porridge outside the city in violation of orders, I am afraid their attitude towards him would be much worse.
The natural buttocks are opposite.
Nanyang City is neither big nor small. The two chatted along the way and slowly walked to the entrance of the academy. The Nanyang Academy was much inferior to the Baima Academy in terms of appearance and grandeur, and it looked newer overall.
Wang Buzhi greeted the doorman and led Zhao Yushu in. He seemed to guess what he was thinking and explained with a smile, "Nanyang is too close to the Eastern Capital. All the scholars who can go to Baima go to Baima. My father was once a professor at Baima Academy. He returned home a few years ago and saw that Nanyang Academy was in a state of disrepair, so he funded its reconstruction. Although he is the dean now, it is just a title. He still likes to teach. He has taught for a lifetime and cannot sit still."
No wonder the senior brother asked me to stop by and see him. It turned out to be the old professor from Bai Ma. Wait, should I bring some gifts?
It was too late to think about these things now. Wang Buzhi led him through the houses and corridors and arrived at a large classroom. Dozens of scholars were sitting in a circle in the room, debating fiercely about something. Among them were several elderly people with gray or completely white hair.
"The one with the big white beard is my father. He loves to bring students here to discuss world affairs. He always says that if you don't argue, you won't understand the truth. We can't just listen to the teachers and their family's opinions. In this room, there is no right or wrong. Everyone can express their own opinions."
Zhao Yushu immediately felt admiration for the old professor. Such open-minded teachers were not uncommon in his previous life, but they were extremely rare in this era where people still followed the principles of Heaven, Earth, the Emperor, Parents and Teachers. People who could withstand secular views and pressure and carry out their own beliefs were worthy of admiration wherever they were.
"I think what Senior Sister Chen said is wrong. The refugees are pitiful, and it is reasonable to open the warehouses to release food. But there are also reasons for opening the warehouses. For example, how much is the daily expenditure in the city, how much food is stored in the warehouses, and how much food can be allocated into the city every day. If these are not calculated and the warehouses are simply opened to release food, aren't we afraid that if we are not careful, the food in the city will be cut off and hundreds of thousands of refugees will be added?"
A young scholar stood up, as if to refute the views of a certain lady who had spoken earlier. They were talking about disaster relief. As soon as he finished speaking, there was a burst of applause.
"Brother Wang, do you think what he said makes sense?" Zhao Yushu remembered that the young master next to him was distributing porridge in the morning, and couldn't help asking.
"Well, that makes some sense. What do you think, Brother Zhao?"
"There is truth in this, but there is also selfishness in it."
"Oh, how do you say this?"
"What is the difference between people inside the city and people outside the city?"
Wang Buzhi’s eyes suddenly widened and he was speechless.
"Who is whispering outside? If you have any ideas, come inside and speak." An old professor sitting by the window heard the conversation between the two, turned his head and looked out the window and asked.
Wang Bushi hurriedly pulled Zhao Yushu to open the door and said, "Greetings to the dean, professors, and seniors. Brother Zhao is a scholar from the White Horse Academy. He was ordered to visit the dean, and I brought him here specially."
Dean Wang was sitting among the scholars. Hearing this, he glanced at Zhao Yushu and said, "So you are a disciple of an old friend. Come in and sit down. If you have any ideas, feel free to speak freely. Don't be restrained."
"Student thanks the dean." Zhao Yushu respectfully performed the disciple's salute and followed Wang Buzhi to find a place to sit down.
After they sat down, Zhao Yushu found that the scholars around him all cast curious glances at him. Come to think of it, Baima Academy is the most secluded academy among all the academies. It would be strange if they were not curious. But please don't make things difficult for me, Old Zhao. I really don't understand this kind of policy essay.
As the saying goes, what you fear will come true. It seems that Lao Zhao’s prayers have never been effective since he traveled through time. It may be that the gods in this world are different from those in his previous life, and he prayed to the wrong god.
"Brother Zhao has come from afar, so I shouldn't bother you. But I've heard a lot about the White Horse Academy, and today's opportunity is rare. I wonder if Brother Zhao agrees with what Brother Zhou just said to refute me?"
Well, this should be Senior Sister Chen. The last time I was called on by my teacher to do advanced mathematics was in my previous life.
"Brother Zhao, speak boldly. It doesn't matter if you say something wrong." Wang Buzhi whispered to encourage him.
Zhao Yushu glared at him. Why do you think I will be wrong? Didn't we agree that we don't care about right or wrong here?
Zhao Yushu stood up, coughed twice, turned around and looked at all the scholars around him: "May I ask, how many of you have been outside the city and seen refugees?"