Chapter 609: Ma Su Vs. The Scholars
In January of the 17th year of Jianxing's reign, on the occasion of the Spring Festival, Prince Liu Xuan of the Ji Han Dynasty officially gave lectures outside the Luoyang Palace.
It was Ma Su's little thought to choose to give lectures during the off-season. He hoped to let the prince give lectures when the head of Guizhou was most idle, so as to recruit more poor families.
However, Ma Di was still careless. He underestimated the prosperity of Luoyang, the eastern capital.
When Liu Xuan gave lectures, as many as three thousand Confucian students came to attend. With the exception of some poor families and concubines from wealthy families, the entire lecture hall was packed to the brim.
As for Qianshou...most of them can't even see the door.
This is the prosperity of Luoyang. Such a big place can accommodate so many Confucian scholars. Most of these Confucian scholars are the legitimate sons of wealthy families on earth, and they are all proficient in Confucianism.
There was nothing Ma Su could do about it, and even if he came, there was nothing he could do to prevent them from listening.
Thus, Prince Liu Xuan's first lecture began with the support of Qin Mi and others.
Facts have proved that Liu Xuan's foundation in Confucianism and Classics is indeed very solid. And because I studied Confucianism under Zhuge Liang and Qin Mi and did extra homework, I was able to teach with ease.
This prince is not only good at horseback riding and archery, but also has excellent knowledge in classics.
However, giving lectures requires more than just good knowledge. When your academics are looked down upon by others, giving lectures becomes a nitpicking meeting.
So, when Liu Xuan was talking about a controversial passage, suddenly a Confucian scholar stood up from below and said loudly,
"Your Highness the Crown Prince! Anyone who commented on this paragraph should be killed! Otherwise, his arrogant interpretation will cause ridicule to the world and undermine the majesty of the Heavenly Family!"
After speaking, the Confucian scholar immediately began to explain his own comments.
This man was born in the Cai family of Luoyang, and in terms of seniority, he should be regarded as Cai Yong's nephew. He is equally proficient in Confucian classics and has richer polemic experience than Liu Xuan.
Liu Xuan was startled when she was suddenly interrupted. But he soon came to his senses and opened his mouth to argue with him.
"you……"
"Your Highness, this person is proficient in Confucianism, so let me do it." Before Liu Xuan could speak, Qin Mi stood up and came to the rescue.
"As the prince, if you end up arguing like this, it will lose the majesty of the heavenly family. It is better to let my ministers argue on your behalf to convince the Confucian scholars in Guandong!"
"This... then let Qin Qing go." Liu Xuan pondered for a moment and nodded.
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Qin Mi nodded, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
Confucianism in the Han Dynasty was quite active, and it was common for two great Confucians with different theories to publicly debate Confucianism. However, Qin Mi has always lived in Yizhou, and it is difficult for him to participate in the debate in Luoyang. He has always admired him.
Now that he finally found an opportunity, he must have a good debate.
Especially since there is not only one person on the opposite side, there are a lot of people behind who are eager to try. Qin Mi planned to have a verbal battle with the Confucian scholars this time, and he would silence all the dissenters by himself.
This is the ultimate ideal of a Confucian scholar, and it is also what Qin Mi has always longed for.
"you……"
"Zi Chi, please go back first, I have to do this!" However, before Qin Mi could say anything, Ma Di also stood up at the right time, and simply snatched Qin Mi's right to debate.
"You all have no experience in this matter, so you still have to let me do it!"
"You Chang! This matter..." Qin Mi was a little reluctant. He finally found the opportunity. However, Ma Su patted him on the shoulder and said,
"Zi Chi, I will give you another lecture in two days, and you can argue as you please. But right now, the prince is giving a lecture, and the prince's disciples are waiting, so I will do it..."
"Okay." Qin Mi sighed helplessly, then stepped aside to let Ma Su come on.
After Qin Mi retreated, it was Ma Su's turn to fight the Confucians. He glanced at the Confucian scholar who interrupted the prince's lecture and asked calmly.
"Are you the descendant of the Cai family in Luoyang? The nephew of the great scholar Cai Yong?"
"Of course." The Confucian scholar held his head high and answered contentedly.
"Since you are the nephew of Master Cai, you have always been proficient in Confucianism." Ma Di nodded, and then suddenly changed the subject.
"I wonder if your Excellency knows what kind of crime it is to interrupt the prince's speech?"
Confucian scholars: "???"
Aren’t we debating scripture? Why did it suddenly turn to what crime should be committed?
It's just that Ma Di didn't give them a chance to speak at all, and said directly with a gloomy face and a barrage of fire,
"You are all natives of Luoyang. I heard that in the puppet Wei court, you all had official positions. The reason why the Later Han Dynasty was usurped by thieves was because there were too many villains, and you did not want to serve the country with your life, but committed yourself to thieves."
"Is this what your Confucianism teaches you? Back then, you also had the fortune of the Han Dynasty, and you were a talented man who had been supported by the Han Dynasty for four hundred years. How did you become such an unfaithful, unfilial, shameless and unjust person?"
"With such villainous behavior, how dare you speak when the prince is giving a lecture?"
A barrage of questioning almost broke the Cai scholar's guard. His face turned red with anger, and he opened his mouth to confront Ma Su.
But before he opened his mouth, Ma Su was already satisfied with the scolding, and turned back angrily,
"Where are the guards on the left and right? How did you let such a villain in? Are the gatekeepers lazy?"
"Hurry up and take it out for me!"
"Wei!" The guards on the left and right were all Ma Su's confidants, and they immediately stood up without hesitation.
Poor Cai family scholar didn't even have a chance to reply, so he was thrown out by a few strong guards...
Obviously, Ma Su did not intend to debate with them in a proper manner. After all, the essence of this lecture was to make the prince recruit people from humble backgrounds, so he had no intention of caring about what you Confucian scholars thought.
Rather than convincing you mentally, Ma Su would rather convince you physically.
Ma Su's move immediately ignited the anger of the Confucian scholars. Several Confucian scholars stood up angrily and said angrily,
"Such people who do not follow the rules of etiquette! They are people who bring disaster to the country!"
"The Han Dynasty is unfortunate! Such lunatics actually control the government!"
"Son of Heaven! Look! We are the loyal ministers and righteous men!"
…………
The Confucian scholars were filled with righteous indignation, and some even wanted to die on the spot. However, Ma Su sneered and said coldly.
"What a loyal minister! You are loyal to Wei when you are in the pseudo-Wei, and loyal to Han when you are in the Han. Your loyalty is really unpredictable!"
"What are you still standing there for? Get out!"
Although the Confucian scholars of this era are not so old-fashioned, most of them are still very lively. But in order to end the monopoly of the aristocratic families, Ma Su has no time to care about you.
And obviously, although these Confucian scholars also learn the six arts of a gentleman, compared with the elite veterans who crawled through the mountains of corpses and seas of blood...
Well, there is no comparison at all.
So, while Liu Xuan and others were confused, hundreds of Confucian scholars were thrown out directly.
Ma Su fought against the Confucian scholars and won!