The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 301

Gu Zixian sighed and said, "Then it's not good to make things too tense, after all, you are the eldest grandson of the main branch."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Xin shook his head and said, "Brother Gu, I did not intend to fall out with my family. It is just that a family needs fresh blood. Otherwise, Lanling will become stagnant and withdraw from the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families."

Upon hearing this, Gu Zixian nodded and said, "In that case, I will not disturb Brother Xiao from copying the book any longer."

Lanling Xiaoshan quickly won the competition, and unexpectedly, the poem he wrote won everyone's favor. Although Bailu Academy lost, the teachers seemed to have their eyes on Xiao Xin every day, keeping a close eye on him and wanting to recruit him to their Bailu Academy.

Xu Tian couldn't find anyone at all. When they asked Xiao Xin, they discovered that Xiao Xin had no intention of going to Bailu Academy at all.

Three days later, the people from Bailu Academy and Hongwen Academy reappeared at the martial arts arena.

"The second round is a contest of national policy, and this round is between Yuan Lishu of Chenjun and Wang Kao of Bailu Academy."

The vice president of Bailu Academy immediately stepped forward and said, "Everyone knows that Master Xu is a renowned Confucian scholar. A few days ago, there was a flood in the Hebei area, and it was Master Xu who offered his opinion."

The Emperor then ordered the Ministry of Works to repair the water conservancy project and subsequently guided the disaster relief efforts, which brought an end to the imprisonment in the Hebei region. Although the disaster has passed, the people's livelihood urgently needs to be restored.

How can we restore people's livelihoods and help the people of Hebei recover from the disaster more quickly? Please feel free to share your opinions on how to do this. Let's have a debate on this topic.

Wang Kao of Bailu Academy immediately stood up, shaking his head and saying, "Although the people now have clothes to wear and rice to eat, their broken homes urgently need to be repaired. There are many wealthy families in the Hebei area; they should be asked to contribute money and grain to help the disaster victims."

Yuan Lishu thought for a moment, then said, "I don't think we should contribute money and grain. If we make wealthy households contribute money and grain, it will surely incite public resentment."

Moreover, these wealthy families may well be displaced as well. I think we should appease the people and send high-ranking officials from the court to comfort them. If the emperors personally visit the disaster area to offer their condolences, the disaster victims in Hebei will feel at ease.

Master Xu had already proposed the work-for-relief program. Everyone could support themselves, so life was tough, but at least it was a belief.

If the wealthy are asked to pay, it will inevitably disrupt the balance and reignite the conflict. The most important thing now is for everyone to survive, not to live well or become wealthy.

“Brother Yuan, you are mistaken. As the saying goes, ‘When you are rich, you should help others; when you are poor, you should protect yourself.’”

Wealthy households should help their neighbors rebuild their homes so they can live a peaceful life. What's wrong with that? If the amount of money offered is too much, the wealthy households will naturally refuse.

To offer help within one's means is the greatest act of human kindness.

As they spoke, Yuan Lishu and Wang Kao both looked at the examiner.

Chu Liang and the vice dean of Bailu Academy exchanged a glance, and then they both nodded.

Chu Liang stood up: "I am the teacher who instructs in national policies, and I declare this game a draw."

At this moment, the entire academy was in an uproar.

"Wang Kao has always been dedicated to national policy, but unexpectedly he lost to Yuan Lishu of Hongwen Academy this time?"

"you do not say."