CHAPTER 208: CHAPTER 203 INVITATION SUCCESSFUL

Zhao Cheng saw him come out, so he had him sit down.

The three of them sat leisurely watching the debate unfold.

A moment ago, Zhao Hanzhang said she wouldn’t engage in fanciful discussions, yet she skillfully countered every point her brothers made.

Even Zhao Cheng was almost convinced by her, let alone those young and inexperienced boys who were easily influenced.

He couldn’t help but ask Fu Tinghan, "Did you vow to avoid fanciful discussions because of Hanzhang?"

"No," Fu Tinghan said gloomily, "I understand that philosophy plays a crucial role in the progress of the world. Good ideas can drive societal advancement. But the study of philosophy must be grounded in reality. More importantly, very few thinkers can invest enormous energy into research and yield outcomes. As for now, nearly all the gentry are engaged in fanciful discussions. How many have truly grasped the essence of their pursuit?"

"This isn’t inherently problematic, but almost everyone indulging in these discussions regards practical affairs as trivial and disdainful. So, who will handle practical matters? And those who look down on practical matters hold significant positions in office," Fu Tinghan said sarcastically, "If they despise these affairs, why don’t they resign and retreat to the mountains to search for the essence of the world?"

Zhao Ming held his wine cup in silence, while Zhao Cheng clapped and laughed, "Exactly, that’s why I say the debaters in the court are after fame, tarnishing the reputation of Laozi and Zhuangzi. Wang Yan is the worst, truly the chief misleader of the nation."

Zhao Ming glanced at him, put down the wine cup, and asked Fu Tinghan, "What is philosophy?"

Zhao Cheng waved dismissively, "It’s the first time I’ve heard this term, but I suppose it’s similar to fanciful discussions."

Fu Tinghan nodded, "Almost. Philosophy is the study of all the world’s questions, the essence of the world, and the fundamental laws of development. In this regard, Hanzhang understands more than I do, maybe you could ask her."

Fanciful discussions are similar; any problem can be brought up for study, making Fu Tinghan feel that Great Jin is a remarkable era.

If only one person is studying whether the chicken or the egg came first, he would consider that person a prophet;

If only a few people are exploring whether the chicken or the egg came first, he would regard them as wise men;

But when the majority of the gentry, scholars, and elite are absorbed in studying the chicken or the egg issue, he thinks these people are fools.

Having understood the status of fanciful discussions and the current world, Fu Tinghan set a boundary for himself: he must not join them.

He doesn’t want to be a fool.

However...

He glanced at Zhao Hanzhang, who was energetically debating with others, feeling both headache and confusion. Knowing it’s a futile argument, why is she so engrossed in it?

Fu Tinghan soon found out why.

Because after a debate, Zhao Hanzhang and the youths didn’t reach a verdict, but they all agreed in confusion to help Zhao Hanzhang at the county government to seek answers, intending to defeat her with tangible evidence later.

Whether the youths can find concrete proof to make Zhao Hanzhang concede, he doesn’t know, but for now, it seems like they’ve lost.

Zhao Ming and Zhao Cheng also noticed the trick, shaking their heads silently but not intervening.

Zhao Hanzhang was overjoyed to have gained so many talents, all for free. She waved her hand and urged Uncle Cheng, "Quickly slaughter two more sheep and bring out the good wine from home to serve Father and Uncle."

Uncle Cheng agreed with a smile, slaughtering one of the two newly bought sheep, slicing the meat thin where needed, cutting into chunks where necessary, and organizing the bones properly.

Zhao Hanzhang leaned toward Zhao Cheng, persistently inviting him, "Uncle, you see brothers and the younger ones are all going, why don’t you come too?"

Zhao Cheng: "I’m not interested in studying the role of technical arts among the Hundred Schools."

"You can study something else. Uncle, when you travel for learning, you enter the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Xiping County or elsewhere, why be fixated by distance?" Zhao Hanzhang said, "Uncle, please help me. With your assistance, Xiping County will stabilize faster, and that’s a merit of yours."

Zhao Cheng frowned, once again refusing, "I’m genuinely not interested in governmental affairs."

Unlike Wang Yan, who flaunted aloofness while clinging to power, Zhao Cheng truly disliked it.

Zhao Hanzhang noticed too, seeing the worn-out edges of his outer garment, she knew he was a frugal person.

Zhao Hu was very wealthy, second only to her grandfather within the family, even wealthier than the Fifth Uncle.

Observing his daily consumption and lifestyle was much more extravagant than Zhao Changyu and Zhao Song’s, but his only son wore frayed clothes.

She didn’t think Zhao Hu would withhold money from Zhao Cheng; it’s more likely Zhao Cheng didn’t care about such material belongings.

Zhao Hanzhang thought for a moment and said, "If Uncle doesn’t like the mundane tasks at the county government, why not help me teach the students in Yushan Hall?"

"Being an instructor, teaching and nurturing has always been what you do, right?" she added, "I’ll allocate a courtyard for you in the county town, so you won’t have to shuttle back and forth."

Her plan was to first entice him to the county town.

Just as Zhao Cheng was about to reject again, he paused, "I will live in the county town?"

"Of course, living in the county town allows the students, when puzzled, to seek your guidance easily."

Fu Tinghan lifted his gaze to her, suspecting it was for her convenience in seeking answers?

Those children in Yushan Hall had just started learning characters. What questions could they have that warranted overnight consultation?

Zhao Cheng seriously considered it, Zhao Hanzhang gritted her teeth and decided to make a generous offer, "I’ll also allocate a courtyard next to yours for your brothers and younger ones to live in. You can study together like when traveling."

On hearing this, Zhao Kuan and the others immediately urged Zhao Cheng, "Uncle, let’s stay in the county town. Wu Castle is good, but too lively, not conducive to studying."

Although they longed for home while away, and were excited to return, after just one night, they missed the freedom outside.

Especially someone like Zhao Kuan, who is of marriageable age but neither married nor engaged.

Several young men looked expectantly at Zhao Cheng.

These youths had been learning under Zhao Cheng for seven or eight years, almost like sons to him.

Their hopeful gazes softened his heart, and his moment of hesitation dissipated, replaced by determination as he nodded in agreement, "Alright."

Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t help but make a victory sign at Fu Tinghan, happily saying, "I’ll have people prepare immediately. Uncle and brothers can head to the county town tomorrow."

Zhao Cheng: "So soon?"

Zhao Hanzhang asked, "Does Uncle have anything left in Wu Castle? If it’s about visiting relatives, you can invite them to the county town. The two places aren’t far apart."

Zhao Cheng, thinking of the persistent elders of Wu Castle urging him to reconcile with his father, immediately nodded, "Alright, you make the arrangements."

After they finished talking, Zhao Ming asked, "Do you want the children in Yushan Hall to study and learn characters?"