The government was sending out wives, and I ended up with a princess from the previous dynasty!

Upon hearing that Liu Ruyan was going to ask him a few questions, Jia Daoshi began to have doubts.

If you can't answer the question, you lose.

Does this woman want to play truth or dare with me?

But if we don't accept it now, wouldn't that be a sign of weakness?

Of course, we cannot show weakness.

"Alright, Miss Liu, please ask!"

Shen Li chimed in from the side, "Sister Ruyan, ask a few tricky questions!"

Liu Ruyan thought for a moment, smiled gently, and then said to Jia Daoshi, "In this world, all things are created by nature, including us humans and birds and beasts. But people's hearts are treacherous, full of deceit and treachery, while beasts never lie or deceive each other, and are much more sincere than us humans. Shouldn't we humans also learn from beasts, follow our own hearts and be sincere, in order to eliminate the barriers and harm between people?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Daoshi's face immediately showed a strange expression. He hadn't expected that a talented woman like Liu Ruyan would delve into such a question.

It seems that the philosophy of this era is still quite backward!

He immediately cleared his throat and said, "Miss Liu, what you just said is a big problem. There is a fundamental difference between humans and beasts. Human nature is good or evil, and it is only a matter of a single thought. At birth, human nature is good. As for beasts, in order to survive and fill their stomachs, they take other animals as food, and sometimes they don't even spare their own kind! If humans were to learn from birds and beasts, wouldn't the world be in chaos!"

Liu Ruyan said, "Don't people kill each other? Besides, how much of our daily diet consists of meat?"

Jia Daoshi laughed heartily: "Humans do kill each other, but there are many reasons for it: grudges, affections, and various interests. As for fighting, it ranges from individual swords and spears to battle formations of tens of thousands of people. These are not things that beasts can do. As for their daily food, most of them are domesticated animals. Do beasts understand these things?"

Liu Ruyan continued, "According to what you've said, if we don't want grudges and hatred between people, could we ask the court to implement benevolent policies and influence the people? The current court governs the country by law and punishment; isn't that just deceiving and fooling the people?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Daoshi suddenly understood what Liu Ruyan meant.

This woman seems to be searching for a way to govern the country.

So I used this question to test myself.

Am I so talented that I deserve such a test from a talented woman?

Seeing that Jia Daoshi remained silent, Liu Ruyan continued, "The current Great Jing Dynasty is waging war on all sides, implementing laws and policies in the court, and abolishing the virtuous policies of the former kings. If this continues, wouldn't it be abandoning our roots and forgetting our ancestors? It's like a tall building with an unstable foundation, which will inevitably collapse in the storm."

When Liu Ruyan spoke of these things, the women around her were unusually quiet, their beautiful eyes all staring blankly at Jia Daoshi.

Jia Daoshi felt a chill run down his spine from the stare.

Could it be that some people in the Great Jing Dynasty are very dissatisfied with the current Empress?

The group of people in front of me is probably a small clique.

However, no one knows who the leader of this small group is.

He doesn't know how to answer this question now.

He immediately coughed lightly: "Miss Liu, times are bound to change. Just like in the past, when people fought wars, they might have only used wooden sticks, hoes, and simple knives. But now, we have cavalry, archers, chariots, and siege weapons. So, it is not advisable to cling to the old ways."

Shen Li snorted: "I know more about leading troops into battle than you do, but that's not what Sister Ruyan asked. She was talking about principles, while you're talking about methods. How can you confuse the two?"

Liu Ruyan continued, “As laws and regulations become more stringent, so do thieves. As the ancient sages said, ‘If you govern the people with laws and regulate them with punishments, they will avoid punishment but have no sense of shame. If you govern them with virtue and regulate them with rites, they will have a sense of shame and become upright.’”

"What I'm saying is that governing a country requires virtuous governance in order to influence the people, bring peace and prosperity to the nation, and ensure tranquility and peace in the seas and rivers."

Seeing that this young girl was serious, Jia Daoshi felt helpless.

Having only recently arrived in this world, how would I know how to govern a country?

Let him manage a company or an army, that's fine, but to ask him to be an official would be asking too much of him!

"Sir, please say something!" Yi Qianxiao urged from the side. "Is the gentleman hiding his abilities and unwilling to express his opinion?"

"From this perspective, it seems that reading these classic texts is of little use to you, sir."

Liu Ruyan smiled and said, "Mr. Jia, just tell me, which is better, benevolent governance or rule of law? Don't worry, our conversation today will not be known to the eighth person."

Seeing the other party pressing him relentlessly, Jia Daoshi decided to go all out: "It's not a matter of which is good or bad, but whether it's feasible. Purely benevolent governance is merely an ideal state in the hearts of the people. If there were only good people and no bad people in the world, then everyone could live and work in peace without any punishment. But in reality, this is just an ideal that can never be reflected in reality. We must have a set of legal standards to constrain everyone and ensure that everyone abides by the law. Only under such conditions can we implement benevolent governance."

What Jia Daoshi said was common sense before time travel; adults and children alike knew it.

But in this era, it is very unique and novel.

Liu Ruyan's eyes lit up.

A thoughtful look appeared in Xia Wanlian's eyes.

After a moment of silence, Liu Ruyan continued, "If our dynasty only uses criminal law to govern the people, wouldn't those in power be able to cover up everything?"

Nangong Yu, standing to the side, said: "If the ruler values ​​propriety, the people will not dare to be disrespectful; if the ruler values ​​righteousness, the people will not dare to disobey; if the ruler values ​​trustworthiness, the people will not dare to be unfaithful. If those in power can only resort to punishment, what will the people do? Please enlighten me, sir."

Upon hearing this, Jia Daoshi laughed heartily and said, "Actually, what you're saying is simply that the rule of law isn't being implemented comprehensively enough. All power is handed over to the emperor. But if, before the law, all people are equal, and the emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people, even if the emperor kills the wrong person, he will still have to pay with his life, then who would dare to kill indiscriminately? I'm not saying to completely abandon morality and righteousness, because those are the foundation of the law! Only by combining the two can we truly achieve the great way of the nation. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"Of course, it will take time to realize what I've said. Perhaps it will work when people are more educated and open-minded."

After these words were spoken, the girls present turned pale and their eyes showed horror!

This statement was like a thunderclap out of nowhere in the Great Jing Dynasty, making them deafened!

Jia Daoshi knew that his skill level was limited, so he immediately laughed and said, "Miss Liu, I was just rambling, so you don't need to take it to heart. But hasn't our competition gone a bit off-topic?"

Liu Ruyan sighed: "Sir, I think there's no need to continue today's competition. Ruyan has lost!"