Fei Wenyuan was also astonished; he felt that Xu Xian really regarded beauty as more important than his own reputation. It was indeed true that lust blinded one's intellect. His impression of Xu Xian immediately worsened. He made up his mind that he must knock him down a peg or two.
Even an erudite scholar like him could not help but be trapped by the times!
Xu Xian suddenly pointed his finger at the challenge stand and loudly said, "I said this not because I am looking down on the scholars of the world, but because the scholars of the world are looking down on the people of the world."
The crowd quieted down and the atmosphere became even more heated.
"You are slandering me!"
"You're talking nonsense!"
"Shameless!"
Who could bear to be slandered like this? They came here because of Xu Xian's arrogance, how did it suddenly turn into them looking down on the people of the world?
Pei Wenyuan was still able to keep his composure. He frowned and said, "What do you mean?"
Xu Xian boldly said, "My wife went up on the stage only because she was a woman and was looked down upon by the crowd. As her husband, naturally I can only love and protect her.
If a man cannot even protect a woman, how can he talk about the country and the world! "
Pei Wenyuan was not willing to follow his train of thought and asked, "What does this have to do with the people of the world?" He wanted him to give a reason.
Xu Xian replied with a question, "I heard that Master Pei was once the teacher of the Emperor and later founded the Academy, with students all over the world. May I ask what is a teacher?"
The crowd saw that Xu Xian actually dared to ask such a question and they were even more furious.
Pei Wenyuan said, "Confucius said: When three people walk together, there must be a teacher.
There are people who know but I do not, there are people who are capable but I cannot.
Those who are accomplished are the teachers, those who are capable are the teachers. "
Xu Xian said, "Then how should one treat a teacher?"
Pei Wenyuan naturally said, "Treat them with courtesy!" He frowned as if he understood what Xu Xian wanted to say.
Xu Xian said, "For me to be able to get the Tanhua Exam, other than the Emperor's favor, it is also because of my wife's contributions. I often ask her for advice when I have problems in learning, so to me, she is not only a loving wife but also a teacher that needs to be treated with courtesy.
If Master Pei was looked down upon by others, would Brother Tang just stand by and do nothing? "
Tang Mingxuan stood below the stage and immediately retorted, "This is sophistry!"
Li Siming shook his head and laughed, "This guy usually doesn't speak much but he is so eloquent!"
In this way, he would be able to get rid of his lecherous reputation. However, this was not enough. Pei Wenyuan was not so easy to fool.
Indeed, Pei Wenyuan said, "What does this have to do with the people of the world?
Xu Xian said, "Master Pei, please listen to me. With my wife's talent, not only can she be my teacher, she can also be the teacher of all the scholars in the world.
Even if you prove your talent, you will not be treated with courtesy. Who knows where the word 'teacher' has been thrown?
This kind of arrogance is not limited to women. If I find a peddler to come on stage, I am afraid he will be treated the same way.
This kind of arrogance wasn't limited to women. If I were to find a peddler to come on stage, I'm afraid that he would also receive the same treatment.
Of all the people in the world, less than one-tenth of them are educated, and less than one-tenth of them are successful in learning.
However, this less than one percent of the people, just because they had read a few books of the Four Books and Five Classics, felt that everyone else was a crude and laughable commoner. Could it be that there was really nothing worth learning from the vast masses of people?
If you think there is nothing, I will let my wife give you some pointers.
Not only did you not come to take her as your teacher and treat her with courtesy, but you attacked her as a group.
Instead, they ganged up on him. Wasn't that arrogant?
And where did you throw away the teachings of the saints?
My words are to warn the scholars of the world not to forget the existence of the saints because of a moment of narrow-mindedness! "
These words were said in an open and aboveboard way.
Xu Xian had transformed from an arrogant brat into a well-intentioned, saintly, and tragic hero who fought to warn the people of the world. Everyone was dumbfounded when they heard this.
Xu Xian heaved a sigh of relief. He finally came around.
If he talked about women's liberation or how much he loved his wife, he would be asking for trouble.
He even used Kong as a shield. I am not a pervert, I am a respected teacher. You are either looking down on women who are stronger than you or going against the words of the saints.
I scolded you to warn you. Be happy, don't thank me.
Although he did not care much about his reputation, it was not bad to have a good reputation in this world. He took the opportunity to turn the world upside down and shut their mouths.
Xu Xian bowed to the ground. "It is because the scholars of the world have looked down on the people of the world for a long time that I have no choice but to stand up for the saints. I hope Master Pei can understand!"
Pei Wenyuan was not a fool. He knew that Xu Xian's words contained some truth and some lies. In short, it was mostly nonsense.
But he had to admit that his words did make some sense!
If he were to argue with him here, there would be no end to it.
"So you're saying that you have good intentions."
"Yes!"
Pei Wenyuan said, "From your words, you must have some understanding of the saints. Do you dare to use this as an essay for us to investigate? If you can do it, it proves that you are prejudiced.
If not, it means that you are lying and trying to argue. "
He knew that poetry could not stump Xu Xian. But he had seen the essay that Xu Xian wrote during the court examinations. It was not a good piece.
He knew that this was his weakness. Before he came, he decided to test him on the essay instead of poetry. He wanted to make things difficult for him.
What good essay could he come up with in a hurry? He just wanted to take the opportunity to beat him up and kill his arrogance. This would appease the anger of the public and it would be good for him.
But he didn't expect that before he finished speaking, Xu Xian would say, "Student, please write 'A Teacher's Speech' to correct the opinions of the world!" Xu Xian really wanted to slap his thigh. I was waiting for you to say that!
If he wanted these people to admit it, just a few empty words wouldn't do. No matter what, he had to take out something real. He had led the conversation all the way to this point because he was already prepared. Even if the old man didn't say it, he would still take it out and show it off. It couldn't be better if the old man brought it up.
Everyone was secretly delighted by Pei Wenyuan's question. They were waiting to see Xu Xian make a fool of himself. An essay was not like a poem. It required not only a flash of inspiration but also daily accumulation.
Yin Hongxiu looked worried. Yun Yan patted her hand and said, "Teacher, don't worry. My husband already has a plan."
Yin Hongxiu was surprised. "You know?"
They had been together since they knew that Pei Wenyuan was coming. They did not discuss anything.
Yun Yan smiled. "I don't know either. But it must be a bad idea." After spending so much time together, how could she not see through Xu Xian's thoughts?
Yin Hongxiu looked at her face that was full of trust. She felt inexplicably depressed. "I hope so!"
Yun Yan moved closer to her ear and whispered, "When you spend more time together, you will be able to see it. My husband's thoughts are easy to guess."
Yin Hongxiu blushed. "Don't talk nonsense. What can I guess?" But she was still worried.
The emcee fetched a pen and paper for Xu Xian. He set the long table and waited for Xu Xian to write.
Yin Hongxiu gritted her teeth and suddenly stood up. "I'll go take a look!" She quickly walked up the platform and bowed to Pei Wenyuan. "Duke Pei."
Pei Wenyuan returned the bow. "Princess!"
Then, Yin Hongxiu took over the emcee's work and naturally ground the ink for Xu Xian.
Pei Wenyuan was slightly startled. It was rumored that Xu Xian had a close relationship with this princess. It seemed that it was true. She wants me to show some respect to Xu Xian and not be too harsh with my words later.
She was a noble by the empress's side. He had to have some scruples.
Everyone was stunned as well. As a princess, she was actually grinding ink for Xu Xian personally.
Xu Xian also looked up at Yin Hongxiu. He saw the worry on her face and understood her thoughts. He could not help but feel slightly touched.
Yin Hongxiu lowered her head and ground the ink. She did not look at him.
When the ink was ready, Xu Xian picked up the brush and started writing. "There must be a teacher for the ancient scholars.
The teacher is the one who preaches and dispels doubts. "
The emcee sang loudly. Pei Wenyuan sat at the side and listened. He shook his head and said, "This is a cliche. Everyone knows it!"
The emcee reported again, "People are not born with knowledge. How can they be free from doubts?
If they are confused and do not follow their teacher, they will eventually be dispelled. "
Pei Wenyuan said, "This is also a common saying. There is nothing special about it!"
Yin Hongxiu glared at him. She was afraid that he would disturb Xu Xian's thinking. However, Pei Wenyuan only smiled.
However, Xu Xian did not seem to be disturbed at all.
The emcee reported again, "Born before me, his understanding of the Dao came before me, so I am his teacher. Born after me, his understanding of the Dao also came before me, so I am his teacher."
Pei Wenyuan said, "This is the right saying."
The emcee reported, "My teacher is Dao. Do you know who was born before me?"
Pei Wenyuan was silent.
"Therefore, there is no nobility or inferiority, no age or age. The existence of the Dao is the existence of the teacher."
Pei Wenyuan said, "This person's meaning is in line with my view!"
The emcee reported, "The sage benefits the sage, and the fool benefits the fool."
Pei Wenyuan nodded and said, "This person's writing is actually commendable!"
Xu Xian wrote faster and faster. The emcee reported again and again but could not keep up, "The age is similar to that of the other, and the Dao is similar.
A low position is shameful. A high position is flattering.
Alas!
The teacher's Dao is no more. "
Pei Wenyuan was secretly amazed. He listened to the content and sighed in his heart. Such an opinion was in line with the current situation. Perhaps those words just now were not just quibbling!
When Xu Xian wrote the last sentence, "Therefore, the disciple does not need to be inferior to the teacher. The teacher does not need to be better than the disciple. There is a seniority in understanding the Dao, and there is a specialization in the field. That is all."
Pei Wenyuan listened and could not help clapping and praised, "It is indeed a wonderful piece of writing!" He went forward to take the article and read it!
This piece of writing was opposite to each other. It was written in one breath. It was majestic and meticulous.
It was definitely the demeanor of a great master. It was not an easy writing.
The emcee took the article and showed it to all the scholars from top to bottom.
All of their faces were ashen. They prostrated and could not say a word.