"Brother Liu is right. Which school of thought are you from? Do you also agree with Shen Xiangbei's evil theory?"

"The rites and music of Zhou Dynasty collapsed, but only the two sages Cheng and Zhu preserved the principles of nature and destroyed human desires, so that the words and deeds of the saints could be restored. How can we allow you and other evil words to deceive the public!"

"Well said, we should defend the dignity of the right way. This is the natural duty of literati!"

Almost as soon as the middle-aged scribe finished questioning him, the literati from various schools of thought present responded in anger.

There is a "decent" look on everyone's face, and Shen Yichen really looks like a "villain" against the background.

To be honest, Shen Yichen really didn't expect such a scene to happen.

After all, the capital is a large officialdom with a strong political atmosphere. Even if there are academic disputes, everyone carries the official status and is relatively restrained, and will not become red-faced or thick-necked in the quarrel.

Even Kedao officials who are known as "big trolls" still have their own selfish desires for career advancement. Shen Yichen's academic views do not touch the core interests of the officialdom, and most people just let it go.

As long as you don't "brainwash" me in front of me, whatever you say is up to you.

But Jiangnan is different. Scenes of literati gatherings such as elegant gatherings are closer to the pure flow of scholars than to officialdom.

This group of literati are obsessed with academics and defending the orthodoxy of Neo-Confucianism, and often even value it more than their own lives.

Once others come into contact with the teachings of the saints that you have believed in all your life, you will never tolerate any "tarnishment"!

"Dear brothers, Brother Xiangbei is..."

Xu Donghai saw that Shen Yichen was being rallied and attacked because of the conversation, so he planned to reveal his identity as Shen Sanyuan.

But midway through his words, Shen Yichen interrupted: "What you all said makes sense and is right. You are all right."

Debating scriptures is not a quarrel in the market. It is not yet time for the gathering to begin, so Shen Yichen does not bother to argue too much.

Another point is that he will not use his fame and official status to oppress others.

Thoughts and mouths cannot be sealed. You can rely on your status to silence the other person for a while, but you cannot make them accept your point of view forever.

Writing books and establishing opinions relies on being deeply rooted in people's hearts, not false flattery.

Shen Yichen had no intention of arguing, but the middle-aged scribe named Liu had no intention of stopping there.

"No wonder he agrees with the fallacies. It turns out he is a supporter of Shen Xiangbei. Even the words are the same."

The other party made a sarcastic comment, saying that the word "Xiangbei" was given by the emperor and represented the emperor's desire to conquer Mongolia in the north.

Ordinary literati would not use words that favor martial arts. It is obvious that the young man in front of him is Shen Yichen's "brainless fan".

Hearing this, Shen Yichen smiled helplessly, not knowing how to refute.

Because after returning from the town to control floods in Shandong, Shen Yichen experienced a whole summer of exposure. Shen Yichen's current appearance is indeed not related to the second generation of honorable relatives with rich clothes and good food, but more like a farmer's son from a poor family who studied hard.

The other party did not think of the young man in front of him above Shen Yichen at all, so he made such a bitter irony.

But at this moment, an old man appeared behind the crowd and said to the middle-aged scribe named Liu: "Jing Ren, the West Lake Elegant Gathering is a grand gathering of literati. It should be argued based on orthodox principles, rather than judging people by their words." .”

"What's more, the word "Xiangbei" is a gift from His Majesty, so be careful what you say."

As soon as this old man appeared, everyone present looked in admiration, and they all bowed their hands and said, "I have met Mr. Kang Zhai in my late life."

Even Liu Jingren, who was facing Shen Yichen's arrogant attitude, immediately said humbly and respectfully: "It's because I was born late in life that I was rude. Mr. Kang Zhai taught me a lesson."

Shen Yichen had never seen this old man before, but the name "Mr. Kangzhai" was familiar to him.

The old man in front of me is the famous Wu Yubi, the founder of the Chongren School during the Zhengtong Dynasty, whose courtesy name was Zifu and whose name was Kangzhai.

Because he should not take the imperial examination and give lectures in his hometown, the scholars respectfully called Wu Yubi Mr. Kangzhai.

The Chongren School was an important Neo-Confucian school in the early Ming Dynasty and played an "enlightening" role in the rise of academic trends in the Ming Dynasty.

Wu Yubi himself was inherited from a scholarly family. At the age of 19, he became a student of Yang Pu, one of the "Three Yangs". He learned both Zhu and Lu's academic skills and worked hard to become self-reliant. For the Ming Dynasty's academic concepts, he learned from Cheng Zhu's Neo-Confucianism Turning to Lu Wang Xinxue served as a link between past and present and promoted development.

"Wan Sheng met Mr. Kang Zhai."

Shen Yichen also raised his hands and saluted with great respect.

Even though Wu Yubi never participated in the imperial examinations in his life and had no achievements in his life, he was famous all over the world and had many disciples, many of whom were very successful in their studies.

Even Emperor Zhu Qizhen called Wu Yubi to Beijing three times, which can be called "three visits to the thatched cottage".

It's just that Wu Yubi devoted himself to Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism and had no interest in fame and fortune. He resigned from the emperor three times and was awarded an official position, which aroused the admiration of the world's literati and further contributed to his legend.

"This little friend handles things calmly. I would like to ask where he studied under?"

Wu and Bi have never met Shen Yichen, but even if they don't know each other's identity, they can feel that they are different in many things.

Compared with the previous young scholars who were red-faced when arguing, Shen Yichen was able to remain calm in the face of the crowd's ridicule, and even showed a faint smile.

This kind of mature and prudent demeanor is rarely seen among young literati. Wu Yubi was curious about who Shen Yichen studied under, and he was unfazed by favors and humiliations at such a young age.

"The late-born gentleman's name is Li Tingxiu."

Li Tingxiu?

Wu Yubi thought about it carefully in his mind, and it seemed that there was no one named Li Tingxiu among the great Confucians in the south of the Yangtze River.

It seems that I am overthinking it.

"It seems that famous teachers give birth to great disciples, so I won't bother you, little friend."

Wu and Bi exchanged polite words, then cupped their hands and turned to leave.

After all, with his identity and status, he could pass by to stop a dispute and be called a polite corporal. There was no way he would still be hanging out with a group of juniors.

"Mr. Kangzhai, walk slowly."

All the young literati also gave him away one after another.

When Wu Yubi's back disappeared into the cabin, Liu Jingren snorted and walked away.

After all, he was warned by Wu Yubi about this dispute, and it was a disguised way of setting off the calmness of the boy in front of him. Of course he felt unhappy after suffering a big secret loss.

However, the literati who can participate in the West Lake Gathering still have a basic tolerance and do not look for trouble like scoundrels.

If a woman loses the battle of words, she will win back in debate!

"I heard the truth. I would like to thank Brother Xiangbei for speaking up."

Liu Jingren left, but the young scholar who had argued with him came to Shen Yichen and thanked him.

Faced with the stigmatization of quotes taken out of context, no one among the scholars dared to say a fair word. Only the scholar in front of him dared to stand up and refute. He Wendao felt extremely grateful in his heart.

What he was grateful for was not that there was someone who stood up for him, but that there was someone who understood Shen Yichen's academic concepts and that I am not alone!

He Wen Dao?

Hearing this name, a playful smile appeared on Shen Yichen's face.

If you hear the Tao in the morning, you will die in the evening!

If you can take this sentence as a word, no wonder you will face ridicule from everyone and still stand up and stick to the truth you believe in.

Words are like people.

"I'm Zhu Xiangbei. I've met Brother Wen Dao."

"My little brother is only twenty, so I don't dare to take the role. I wonder how old Brother Xiangbei is?"

"The virtual year is twenty-one."

"That's a coincidence. Brother Xiang Bei not only has the same name as Shen Sanyuan, but he is also the same age."

He Wendao had an expression of surprise on his face. This was really too much of a coincidence.

"Maybe I have a fate with Shen Sanyuan."

Shen Yichen smiled and replied, isn't this just fate?

"I heard Brother Wen Dao's argument earlier. What do you think of Shen Sanyuan's teachings?"

Shen Yichen took advantage of the situation and asked. He really wanted to know how the outside world viewed "applying wisdom and seeking truth through debate".

"My younger brother believes that Shen Sanyuan's theory is a warning to the world. Empty talk about moral principles will harm the country, but it can only be used to rejuvenate the country!"

When he said this, a look of determination appeared on He Wendao's face.

He strongly agrees with Shen Yichen's ideas and believes that blindly retrospecting Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism has led to a dead end in ideas.

The scholar-officials only talk about ancient morals and etiquette, but regard the suffering of the people close at hand as nothing. Knowledge must be beneficial to family affairs, national affairs, and world affairs!

"But there are too many sleepers in the world, and only a few can be awakened. Is it worth it to face the criticism of thousands of people and become the target of public criticism?"

"worth!"

Without the slightest hesitation, He Wendao gave the answer.

"If I'm lucky, I'd like to be a pioneer like Shen Sanyuan, so I don't have to worry about being criticized!"

"I trust you."

Shen Yichen put away the smile on his face and replied with an extremely serious expression. At the same time, there was an indescribable feeling in his heart.

In this world, there is one more traveler with me, and I am not alone!

"Thank you, Brother Xiangbei, for being the first person willing to believe in me."

When He Wendao said this, there was a trace of sobs in his tone. After walking alone in the darkness for a long time, he seemed to suddenly see a ray of light!
To be continued...