Three Kingdoms: Ten Times Speed, Diao Chan Says I'm Too Fast

As soon as Ren Tang stepped out, the entire hall fell silent.

All eyes were focused on Ren Tang, whose hair was half white and who was dressed in a white scholar's robe.

The story of Pang Can's visit to Ren Tang had already spread far and wide.

He has long since earned a reputation as a scholar of integrity and upright character.

"Lord Duan, I am Ren Tang, and I have a few questions for you!"

Duan Yu glanced at Ren Tang, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he said with a slight upturn of his lips, "Please speak, Elder Ren. I am all ears."

Ren Tang did not answer, but raised his chin slightly and put his hands behind his back.

His gray hair was neatly combed, and he wore a tall crown on his head, exuding the air of a renowned scholar and Confucian master.

"Lord Duan, my first question is: should the way to govern the people be one of peace and happiness, or one of chaos and destruction?"

"Since Lord Duan has just said that an official should bring benefits to the people in his jurisdiction, then what does it mean to bring benefits?" Ren Tang looked at Duan Yu expressionlessly.

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly changed.

Ren Tang's implication was already quite clear.

Duan Yu tapped his fingers lightly on the table in front of him.

If Ren Tang in front of me is truly asking this question for the sake of the people of Liangzhou and the people of Hanyang County.

Duan Yu still held Ren Tang in high regard.

But......

Just yesterday, a piece of intelligence appeared on Duan Yu's desk.

A piece of intelligence gathered by Liu Baitu.

Just as he ordered the county officials and powerful families to come to Ji County, Liang Hu, who had been missing for many days, came out.

Moreover, he went to visit Ren Tang.

Even the content of their conversation was laid out before him without missing a single word.

Ren Tang's question did not represent his own attitude at all, but rather the attitude of Liang Hu, the governor of Liangzhou.

"Since Elder Ren has asked..."

Duan Yu slowly opened his mouth and said, "Then I also have a question. From what perspective and on what standpoint is Elder Ren asking this question, and on whose behalf is he?"

As soon as Duan Yu finished speaking, Ren Tang's eye twitched imperceptibly.

But it still didn't escape Duan Yu's eyes.

"It is only right that I speak for the people of Hanyang County and the commoners of Liangzhou," Ren Tang said, tilting his head with an arrogant expression.

"Oh?" Duan Yu raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "I have long heard that Elder Ren is a man of great learning and a renowned scholar. In that case, may I ask Elder Ren, what is the way to bring peace and happiness to the common people?"

Ren Tang frowned slightly.

The expressions on the faces of Gai Xun, Yang Fu, and the others who sat down under Duan Yu were somewhat surprised.

They all seemed quite surprised to see Duan Yu.

Ren Tang was a renowned scholar of the Qingliu school.

What's most troublesome about these upright and virtuous scholars is that they often use the guise of righteousness to lecture anyone.

Even standing in front of the emperor, these people still acted as if they were in the right.

Actions taken will affect the people of the land and the greater good of the nation.

If they can explain it in great detail, it will make the person asking the question feel uneasy.

Just look at Pang Can, the former governor of Hanyang Commandery, and you'll know.

He took the initiative to visit, but was bombarded with questions by Ren Tang, and left feeling humiliated, leaving Ren Tang with a reputation for being a paragon of virtue.

but......

Duan Yu seems to have taken a different path.

It was clearly Ren Tang who was asking him the question, so how come Duan Yu is now asking him the question after just two sentences?

"Since Elder Ren speaks of the path to peace and happiness, what is the path to peace and happiness?" Duan Yu looked at Ren Tang, his tone extremely calm and his expression unwavering.

"Hmph." Ren Tang snorted and said, "The Book of Documents says, 'Governing the people should be done with benevolence, and the most important thing in governance is consistency.'"

"Peace and happiness, living in peace and working in contentment, raising children and grandchildren, and a peaceful world are considered true peace and happiness."

Ren Tang immediately began quoting classical texts, speaking eloquently and logically.

Duan Yu nodded slightly and replied, "If that's the case, why did I see corpses of the starving everywhere when I arrived in Hanyang County?"

"Are the people starving?"

"I haven't seen the peace and happiness of the people that Elder Ren mentioned, but Elder Ren is."

Duan Yu smiled and looked Ren Tang up and down: "I have heard that Old Ren does not work, yet he owns thousands of acres of fertile land and countless cattle and sheep. His family is happy and at peace."

"If Elder Ren is truly devoted to the people, why doesn't he give away all his wealth, return his fertile land to the people, dismiss his servants, and give them money to seek their own happiness?"

"Of course, I am not just making this up."

"If Elder Ren is willing, then I will certainly set an example. All the cattle and sheep I brought with me when I took office will be donated to the people as an example."

"Then, Elder Ren also gave away all his wealth to the people. What did Elder Ren think of that?"

hiss!

As soon as Duan Yu said this, a collective gasp filled the hall.

this......

That's too...too ruthless.

How is Ren Tang supposed to respond to this?

Spend all your wealth?

This is a joke.

The Ren family is not just Ren Tang's family.

Hundreds of people in the family are waiting to eat. If they give away all their wealth, what will happen to the Ren family?

Ren Tang was also quite surprised by Duan Yu's words.

His mission today is to cause trouble.

That's what ruined Duan Yu's plan to launch a war.

"Is Lord Duan joking?" Ren Tang's expression quickly tightened, and he frowned, saying, "Governing the country and its people is the business of officials; I am neither an official..."

boom!

Duan Yu slammed his hand on the table in front of him and said coldly, "Ren Tang!"

Since you know you're not an official, do I need you to teach me how to be one?

"You keep talking about the common people of the world and the people of Liangzhou, do you really think you can be the master of the world's people?"

Duan Yu's tone changed, and his words became harsh.

The atmosphere in the main hall suddenly turned cold.

"You..." Ren Tang instantly flew into a rage: "Duan Yu, how dare you insult this old man!"

"Humph!"

Duan Yu let out a cold snort.

Clear stream?

What utter nonsense about being a "pure stream".

Even if you, Ren Tang, are a breath of fresh air.

Are you suggesting that the entire Ren family of Ji County are all upright and honest?

If he hadn't been prepared, he would have really been outmaneuvered by Ren Tang today.

Duan Yu glanced at Jia Xu behind him.

Jia Xu nodded slightly.

Then, a person walked out from behind the screen behind Duan Yu.

The slender Liu Baitu was dressed in a black robe and wore a black hat that almost completely covered his face.

He then pulled out a stack of white paper from his wide sleeves.

Something was written densely on the white paper.

Duan Yu didn't even glance at it.

He threw the stack of white paper in his hand away.

moment.

The white paper fluttered down from the air, like a blanket of white snow.

The black ink stains on the white paper are more like the unspeakable filth hidden beneath the great reputation.

"Ren Tang, you keep talking about the people of the world."

"Why don't you look at the snow in front of your own door?"

“Your son Ren Yang bullies and dominates the market, oppresses the people, seizes fertile land, buys and sells slaves and prostitutes, and has a large number of concubines in his household.”

"Liang Hu granted you the right to use your name, and has sent you here to question this official."

"Is this what you call petitioning on behalf of the people?"

quiet!

Deathly silence.

When Duan Yu spoke, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Ren Tang watched as the white papers that filled the hall slowly fell to his feet.

The black words on the white paper seemed to be opening their bloody maws, mocking every word he had just uttered.

Apart from Ren Tang, everyone in the hall was looking at Duan Yu with horrified eyes.

As members of a prominent family, no one could guarantee that their home was clean.

If every grain of money and grain in the treasury had not been stained with the hard work and sweat of others, how could there be a full granary if one relied solely on oneself?

only......

However, Duan Yu had only been in Hanyang County for ten days.

Why are you so clear about the dirty deeds behind the Ren family?

When some white paper covered with black writing fell to the ground in front of everyone, their eyes were filled with fear as they looked at the contents.

The date, event, and location are all clearly stated above.

Although they are just fragments that cannot be connected.

But everyone believed it.

If this stack of white paper were arranged in order, it would be enough evidence to plunge the Ren family into the abyss.

And then there's Duan Yu's line, "Liang Hu promised me a great name."

This shows that Ren Tang's presence here today was not his own intention at all.

It was Liang Hu who was driving him.

How did Duan Yu know all of this?

Some clever people had already turned their attention to the black-robed man who had just stepped out behind Duan Yu.

After putting down the white paper, Liu Baitu raised his head slightly.

Beneath the black brim of the hat, there was only a pair of eyes and pupils that were clearly black and white.

Standing in the middle of the hall, Ren Tang looked like a clown.

The complexion changed from white to red, and then from red to green.

His lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Duan Yu sneered.

Aren't you a breath of fresh air?

Ok.

Then I'll shatter your reputation for purity first.

Don't you share the same name?

Fine then, I'll tarnish your reputation first.

You've managed to establish yourself in this region, owning vast tracts of fertile land and countless servants. I simply don't believe that all that money came from farming and cultivating the land.

Duan Yu waved his hand, and Liu Baitu behind him retreated back behind the screen.

"Ren Tang...do you have anything else to say?" Duan Yu asked coldly, looking at Ren Tang standing in front of him.

Ren Tang raised his head, his aged face full of wrinkles and his eyes bloodshot.

He then tilted his head back, pointed at Duan Yu, and then fell backward with a thud.

People around her couldn't help her in time, causing Ren Tang to fall heavily to the ground.

晕？

Ha ha.

Duan Yu smiled.

If I can't argue with you, I'll pretend to faint.

If I sensed something was wrong, I pretended to faint.

These so-called "pure streams"

Fart is not.

"Guards, take Ren Tang away. Also, arrest and interrogate Ren Tang's son, Ren Yang," Duan Yu said coldly.

Tie Shitou and Wang Hunu, who were guarding outside the hall, rushed into the hall with their hands on the hilts of their swords and dragged Ren Tang out.

Just moments ago, Ren Tang had been arrogant and domineering, but now he was like an old dog.

The hall was completely silent.

Everyone could see that the Ren family was in trouble.

This feather...

The methods of this new prefect are... a bit too ruthless.

After Ren Tang was dragged away.

Duan Yu slowly stood up from the main seat.

His imposing physique immediately exuded a strong sense of oppression.

Even now, those who had initially looked down on Duan Yu upon first meeting him have begun to suppress their disdain.

It seems he's remembered now; this Yu is different from the usual prefects.

He was neither a native of the deeply entrenched Hanyang Commandery, nor a seasoned official who valued smooth diplomacy.

Duan Yu's youth, his lack of association with the powerful clans and gentry of Hanyang County, and his reputation as a tiger general of the world all set him apart from previous governors.

After standing up, Duan Yu's gaze swept across everyone's faces.

Those with guilty consciences naturally lowered their heads.

Taking a deep breath, Duan Yu, with one hand behind his black official robe, spoke:

"I have never been fond of war, nor do I want to start a war."

"But I understand that peace alone cannot bring peace to Liangzhou!"

"Without strong measures, how can we achieve a peaceful and prosperous life?"

"That's just wishful thinking!"

"The only thing they fear is the steel blade in our hands!"

"If we can't subdue them, how can we talk about peace!"

"Your vast wealth is nothing more than fat meat in their eyes."

"What I want is not eternal glory, but true long-term peace and stability in Liangzhou."

"Now, I have one more question."

"Who's in favor? Who's opposed?"

Duan Yu glared at the main hall.

Gai Xun, Yang Fu, and Jiang Xu, who had already chosen their team direction, were naturally the first to stand up.

"We will respectfully obey the orders of the Prefect."

As Yang Fu, Gai Xun, and the others stood up, many county magistrates and county constables also stood up to express their opinions.

Then, one by one, the local powerful clans and gentry, after witnessing Duan Yu's methods, also quickly stood up.

On this day, all the nobles of Hanyang County witnessed a single sentence.

The Records of the Grand Historian, in the chapter on Jesters, states: "This bird, if it does not fly, it will soar to the sky; if it does not sing, it will startle the world with its song."

After arriving in Hanyang County, Duan Yu lay low and did not appear, but when he did, he made a name for himself.