Making you a son-in-law is not about making you conquer the world.

The chubby boy was so frightened that he was shaking like a leaf and had no courage to answer the question. He stammered, "I...I learned...to sell salt."

Lin Ping felt a chill run down his spine, his mind filled with unease and regret for handing over this chance to live to Jiang Yunyu. If the city lord knew that Lin Ping had sold the salt to the Su family, he would probably skin him alive.

Lin Ping coughed incessantly, as if he had a feather stuck in his throat, while his eyes blinked rapidly at Jiang Yunyu.

With nothing in front of him, the chubby boy seemed to have gained some courage and continued to answer, "Today, when I entered the city, I saw many people, or rather, people who couldn't afford salt."

Jiang Yunyu kept his head down, stealing a glance at the city lord with every word he spoke, or rather, stealing a glance at the movement of the whip. Seeing that the whip was still hanging in the air, he continued to answer with trepidation: "My brother-in-law distributed a cart of salt to the people for free, and then all the people on the street knelt down, even those who did not receive any salt, all shouting that the city lord loves the people like his own children."

Upon hearing this, the city lord glared fiercely at Lin Ping. This cartload of salt was worth a fortune, how could it be divided up so easily? However, gaining the people's love and respect was worth it.

"At first, I didn't understand why a bushel of salt could make people so grateful, after all, a man's knees are worth gold."

Jiang Yunyu spoke with great enthusiasm and expression, his expression completely absorbed in the story.

Is a man's knee worth gold?

How could you even say that...

Seeing the chubby boy's knees glued to the ground, Lin Ping rolled his eyes at him, full of contempt.

"Later, I understood that these people were so poor that they couldn't afford to cook or eat. A bushel of salt could save a family, so they would naturally be grateful."

Jiang Yunyu spoke with unprecedented clarity, continuing, "My brother-in-law also said that ordinary people are the most honest and simple. As long as they have a bite to eat, they will be grateful to tears and will fight to the death to protect their homeland."

"Did Ping'er say all of this? And you understood it all?"

The city lord put down the leather whip in his hand and looked at Jiang Yunyu in surprise, as if he had a feeling that the city lord's mansion had a worthy successor.

It's not important what principles Lin Ping understands; what's important is that he can make the Crown Prince understand these principles.

If Jiang Yunyu can truly love the people like his own children, even after his death, the City Lord's Mansion will continue to be loved and respected by the people.

Jiang Yunyu nodded and continued, "I believe this is what Mencius meant when he said: 'He who rejoices in the people's joy, the people will also rejoice in his joy; he who grieves in the people's sorrow, the people will also grieve in his sorrow.'"

What the hell?

Is this still that good-for-nothing chubby kid?

Not only did they understand the principle of loving the people like their own children, but they were also able to cite classical texts!

The city lord was overjoyed. He was about to kneel down and kowtow to his ancestors, telling them that they could rest in peace in the afterlife and that the city lord's mansion had a successor.

People's minds are generally like this: an ignorant person will be praised for doing one meaningful thing, while an outstanding young person who is originally excellent will be taken for granted even if he does ten good deeds.

Of course, the city lord was not complacent because of Jiang Yunyu's modest achievements, but because he saw hope in him.

At this moment, his anger had completely vanished, and he even felt grateful to Lin Ping. However, as a strict father and a city lord, he had to remain serious and asked, as if picking on something, "I will not dwell on this matter for now, but your departure from the city has indeed caused you to neglect your studies."

"What a cunning old fox!"

Lin Ping thought to himself, while also feeling sorry for Little Fatty. It seemed that the city lord was just like his older brother, and the whip he had raised could not fall for no reason.

The chubby boy fell silent, almost burying his head inside his collar. He was most afraid of reciting the Four Books and Five Classics.

The city lord smiled strangely, took a few steps closer to Jiang Yunyu with his whip in hand, and said with a kind face, "Good boy, Yu'er, recite Chapter 20 of the Doctrine of the Mean. Every word you miss will be a lash!"

Lin Ping turned pale with fright and prayed for the other party in his heart. The twentieth chapter of the Doctrine of the Mean has nearly a thousand words. If he couldn't answer this, he would be beaten to death.

Jiang Yunyu was completely bewildered, his mind blank. Just as the city lord was about to give him a loving lesson, the chubby boy's eyes widened suddenly, and a flash of inspiration struck him: Wait, Chapter 20 of "The Doctrine of the Mean"?

Isn't this the passage my brother-in-law made me memorize?

The chubby boy silently thanked Lin Ping's ancestors for eighteen generations before slowly speaking, "Duke Ai asked about governance. Confucius said: 'The policies of King Wen and King Wu are recorded in the books. When the right person is alive, the policies are implemented; when the right person dies, the policies cease. Humanity is quick to govern, just as the earth is quick to plant trees. Governance is like a reed... If one can truly understand this way, even the foolish will become wise, and even the weak will become strong.'"

Listening to the chubby boy's rapid-fire recitation, everyone was astonished. Was this really the idle young master of the city lord's mansion?

After finishing this chapter, Jiang Yunyu felt relieved. He gave Lin Ping a knowing look, as if to say: How was that? I've memorized it, and I haven't broken the bet.

The city lord's wife held a copy of "The Doctrine of the Mean" in her hand and kept comparing it. Finally, she concluded that there was not a single word wrong!

Paji...

The Lady of the City Lord dropped the copy of "The Doctrine of the Mean" from her hand and stared at Jiang Yunyu in astonishment, her eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

The city lord was also extremely surprised and overjoyed, almost jumping up and down. He wished he could run to the street and tell everyone: My Yu'er is knowledgeable about the people's conditions and well-versed in the Four Books. In short, my Yu'er is promising!

These words should naturally not be spoken aloud. On the contrary, the city lord should remain indifferent and must not allow Jiang Yunyu to become complacent.

So, with a forced smile, he asked, "My dear Yu'er, tell your father how you memorized the Doctrine of the Mean?"

The city lord knew his son all too well, and the reason he was reciting the Doctrine of the Mean must have been because he had been stimulated by something.

Upon hearing this, both the chubby boy and Lin Ping panicked, knowing they absolutely couldn't let the city lord know it was because of their bet.

As the heir of the city lord's mansion, one should act with integrity and uprightness. If one were to gamble like those spoiled brats, wouldn't one become a laughingstock?

Cold sweat dripped incessantly from Jiang Yunyu's forehead as he stammered, "It's...it's my brother-in-law..."

Little fatty, can't you have any backbone?

You can't sell me out!

Lin Ping panicked. If the city lord found out that he had encouraged the young master to gamble, he would probably have his legs broken.

"That's right, I did it! I'll beat the young master every day he can't remember my words. After a few lashes, his memory has improved!"

Lin Pingyi said righteously, "Spare the rod and spoil the child. If you don't beat him for a day, he'll climb onto the roof and tear off the tiles. If you don't beat him for three days, he'll squander the money. I'm disciplining the young master on behalf of my father!"

These words required immense courage; assaulting the crown prince was no light offense.

The city lord's face was so gloomy it could drip water. He glared at Lin Ping through gritted teeth, his hand gripping the leather whip tightly, ready to tear Lin Ping's skin apart at any moment.

The city lord's wife was sweating bullets for Lin Ping. She knew that city lords throughout history had a penchant for protecting their own, and this time she was afraid she wouldn't be able to help Lin Ping.

"Hahaha! What a great saying, 'Spare the rod and spoil the child!' Well done, that's satisfying!"

The city lord suddenly burst into laughter, but quickly put it back, not wanting to affect his image. He solemnly handed the leather whip to Lin Ping and said seriously, "This whip was left behind by the city lords of the past, specifically for disciplining unfilial sons. Today, I am giving it to you. As long as the young master is disobedient, you can beat him without worry. Liang will not dare to resist."