Asked if the playboys have been fooled into being crippled?

The answer is: not yet.

But it’s coming soon.

After all, some of Wei Yu’s words really hit the playboys right in their hearts.

For example, those days when they were young and didn’t study well, often chased and scolded by elders and teachers as blockheads and useless people — even the playboys who have been lying flat for a long time would, at some moment, recall those unpleasant experiences.

Then, they would feel wronged and hurt.

Who wants to be called useless by others?

Even if they really are useless.

But that doesn’t mean they like to hear it!

Especially since almost every family has one or two representative talents, and by comparison, it only makes these guys look even more useless.

Take Sun Zhao, for example. He has two legitimate elder brothers at home. The eldest once ranked second in the imperial exam, and the second brother was third in the second division of the jinshi exam.

Both brothers are absolutely outstanding, but Sun Zhao himself is a useless person who can’t even fully memorize the Four Books and Five Classics.

When the three brothers go out together, the attention of others is always on the two elder brothers. Praise, advice, making connections — Sun Zhao is completely left out!

Bathing for a long time in the halo of his two elder brothers, sometimes Sun Zhao even wonders whether he really is a useless person who has achieved nothing…

Sun Zhao was the first to doubt Wei Yu’s words.

“Your Highness, are you joking? People like us, leaving our names in history and being praised by future generations?”

“Little Sun! Look at you, belittling yourself again, aren’t you?”

Sun Zhao, called Little Sun: …?

Little Sun is not confident, and Wei Yu gave a disapproving look directly.

“What’s wrong with you all? You have the looks and status, literary talent and family background — you are definitely candidates who can accomplish great things! Just being able to stand in this garden means you are already far better than those outside who can’t even get in!”

You could only say that His Highness the Wise King is very good at flattering people. Even the playboys who often hear flattery couldn’t help but feel a bit elated after hearing so much.

Someone shyly picked at his face and asked, “Your Highness, do you really think we’re capable?”

“Of course!”

Wei Yu was very certain, “Even if you don’t believe in yourselves, you have to believe in my judgment! My judgment never fails. If I say you’re good, if I say you can succeed, then you definitely can accomplish some earth-shaking achievements!”

So blunt, so eager!

The playboys had never experienced such unwavering confidence in their lives.

After being useless for so long, suddenly hearing such firm encouragement made their feelings quite complicated — a bit sour, a bit bitter, and a little flattered.

Even Sun Zhao felt his face flush.

His lips murmured, just about to speak, but his chance was taken by someone else nearby.

“Your Highness, what is it about us that you like? I’ve grown up and truly haven’t found any potential in myself!”

These words resonated with the group of playboys.

“Yeah, I really wasn’t good at studying since I was little. I get dizzy just looking at books! At most I can throw a pitchpot…”

“Well, I’m probably a bit better. I’m pretty good at cuju (ancient football), but don’t ask me to seriously learn martial arts.”

“Yo, you guys are better than me. I only know how to fight crickets.”

“……”

They really are all pretty useless.

Before the topic completely derailed, Wei Yu quickly clapped his hands to bring everyone’s attention back.

“Hey, alright, alright, I know you’re all rough jade who haven’t found your own place. It’s fine to know what you’re not good at. As the saying goes, ‘correct your faults if you have them, and if not, strive to improve.’ Now let’s talk about what we are good at!”

Suddenly the group quieted down.

Sun Zhao asked curiously, “What are we good at? What is it?”

Wei Yu looked around and gave a mysterious smile, “Little Sun, that’s a very good question, right on point. But before I answer that, I have to ask you all — do you know why people study literature, learn martial arts, and work hard?”

Huh?

Everyone frowned and started thinking.

“Studying and learning martial arts, isn’t it all for the imperial exam and to become officials?”

“My dad forced me to study before, just to get a degree.”

“Pfft, basically just to stand out!”

“Heh, I think it’s to be remembered in history…”

Someone said “remembered in history,” and Wei Yu immediately shouted:

“Yes! It’s to stand out and be remembered in history!”

The playboys were stunned by Wei Yu’s shout.

Wei Yu looked at them with a serious face, “Don’t tell me you don’t want to stand out. Although everyone here has a pretty noble status, is that nobility really yours? You can still enjoy life here now only because those in power still favor you!”

“What if one day the ones in power change, replaced by people who don’t get along with you — will you still be able to live as happily and freely as now? First thing is, you won’t have money!”

“How hard life is without money, you should understand by yourselves. Of course, if any of you can live through days wearing hemp clothes and eating salted vegetables with cornbread, then just ignore what I said.”

“But can you tolerate being despised and ridiculed after falling into poverty? Can you tolerate outsiders insulting your parents? Can you tolerate people saying your family is unlucky and your ancestors disgraced?”

Damn it.

No!

Absolutely can’t tolerate it!!

The playboys’ emotions stirred, some faces reddened.

They had been indulging in the beautiful idea of being remembered in history, but now they felt as if they were living the miserable reality where their whole family and ancestors were despised.

“Your Highness, please stop! I’ve had enough of being called useless all these years, but my parents are innocent. I can’t let them suffer the contempt with me!”

Wei Yu smiled at the furious young man.

Turns out this kid still cares that his parents are innocent. No one knew how much ridicule his parents had endured behind their backs.

But Wei Yu couldn’t say that.

He nodded, “Well said, you have ambition. Among the great achievements that will be recorded in history, people like you — unyielding young men — are exactly what’s needed!”

One young man stood up, then another.

“Your Highness, what you say is good, I, Sheng Hongxin, trust you! Although I don’t know what great things I can do, as long as you don’t make me study, I’ll do whatever you ask!”

Wei Yu felt deeply gratified, as if he heard a voice ringing in his ear:

Ding, little lamb +1

“Your Highness, me too! I’m also willing to follow you!”

Ding, little lamb +1

“Me too, I’m also willing to do it!”

“……”

Little lamb +1, +1, +1…

The playboys stood in a circle, almost everyone chose to follow Wei Yu.

Except Sun Zhao and Chang Ning.

Sun Zhao won’t act without proof — he needs to know what kind of big things to do before deciding.

Chang Ning purely felt this scene was too familiar.

That kind of falling into a trap as if possessed, Chang Ning thought he was foolish to fall for it a second time!