Zichan heard Li Ran hesitate to speak, and there was obviously something behind his words, so he immediately asked.
After receiving Zichan's instructions, Li Ran gained some courage and continued:
"If Weiguo provokes a civil uprising because of this and the people plunder food, then just imagine how the Weiguo government should deal with itself? Is it to seek justice for the Ji clan? Or is it to discuss the matter and come to question Zhengguo? So,
Such seemingly beneficial things may turn out to be a loss of fame and fortune in the end!”
As soon as Li Ran said this, both Zichan and Jixian were confused.
Obviously, none of them had ever considered this aspect. And if it really came to that point, the Weiguo Office would naturally never help the Ji family "seek justice."
Moreover, the most terrible thing is that no matter how high the price of the grain is, the Weiguo people will always be unable to afford it. Then when these people gather to make trouble, it will indeed be a foreseeable dilemma for the Ji family. In the end, doesn’t Jishi have to carry this shit basin himself?
"Besides, let's talk about this righteousness, the people of Zheng are human beings, and the people of Wei are also human beings. If we compare ourselves with others, if the disaster-stricken country is Zheng, how should Zheng treat such actions? Such actions are not the same as massacring people.
What's the difference?"
Indeed, the great disaster spread across the entire territory of the Wei Kingdom. Jishi's move to transport and sell grain was tantamount to taking advantage of the fire. And the most important thing is that what Jishi robbed this time was not just money, but the lives of the people of Weiguo. Li Ran really doesn't have the heart to be a "Madonna", and he feels that he doesn't deserve it either.
But after being awakened by Sun Wu's words today, his sense of justice emerged spontaneously.
He couldn't sit back and watch, let alone the hypocrisy of Ji Shi who held a sickle high but spoke words of justice.
It is said that human life is at stake, what is the bottom line? Human life is the bottom line.
These days, the lives of these common people may not be worth mentioning in the eyes of people like them, but this is not the case in Li Ran's eyes.
Even when he asked Sun Wu to go to Juchu to lead the army, he repeatedly wrote to Sun Wu to remind him that when planning an attack, he must reduce casualties and not treat the lives of soldiers as nothing.
This is how we treat war, let alone natural disasters?
After he finished speaking, Zichan's face was filled with astonishment, and he immediately fell into silence.
In fact, since his son was born in the state of Zheng, he really loved the people as much as his son.
If not, I would not insist on braving the disapproval of the world, be determined to reform, and attack the powerful and powerful people who hold large amounts of land.
However, in Zichan's subconscious mind, he still could not treat himself and others, and treated the people of Wei State as the people of Zheng State.
Are the barriers and gaps between countries so obvious? Is the difference between the people of Wei and Zheng so big?
Not really.
When Zichan followed Li Ran's thoughts, he immediately discovered after some self-examination that it was indeed his own thoughts that were somewhat "incorrect".
The reason for this phenomenon can only be attributed to the fundamental limitations brought about by the current feudal governance.
The emperor cares about the people all over the world, but the princes only need to care about the people within their own area. As for the ministers, they only need to manage their own families. What if you are neither the emperor nor the princes and ministers, but just ordinary people?
?Then just take care of yourself.
And this is what is called "cultivating one's character, managing one's family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world." If one is not in one's position, one does not plan for political affairs, that is all.
As an insider, Zichan would naturally not be able to see through this without the guidance of others. This is because he cannot escape and overlook the entire history and civilization of mankind from the perspective of God.
The reason why Zichan fell into silence was because he didn't know what language to use to refute Li Ran.
Moreover, he couldn't find anything to refute. Even after carefully savoring Li Ran's words, he felt that what Li Ran said was very reasonable.
"Presumptuous! How dare you do this in front of the doctor!"
"I'm transporting grain to sell. It's a kind intention! How can it be an act of massacre!"
Ji Xian became so angry that he immediately slapped the table and stood up. His two black and white eyebrows kept trembling, obviously he was very angry.
However, Li Ran only said lightly:
"If the Ji clan transports grain to Weiguo this time, even if everything goes well and can be sold at a price higher than the market price, if there are still people in Weiguo who can't feed themselves, they can only sit and wait for death while watching the food in front of them. Let me ask the old sect leader,
Is there any more cruel way to kill people and torture people's hearts than this in the world?"
"Although he is not from Wei, nor is he from Zheng, he really can't bear the tragic death of millions of people, nor can he bear to see the Ji clan bear such infamy. Today, Li Ran boldly begged the old clan leader to give up selling grain and actively donate to Wei.
This will serve as the lintel of the Ji family for hundreds of years and continue its glory."
As soon as these words came out, Ji Xian immediately froze on the spot, motionless, eyes wide open, staring at Li Ran closely.
If the big principles Li Ran said before are just foils, then Li Ran's last sentence is the finishing touch.
How much is the food shipped to Weiguo for sale this time?
What does this little money mean to him?
What really matters is not money, but Jishi's reputation, the glorious lintel that Jishi has inherited for centuries!
You must know that the sacrifice of Zhong and the princes of the Zheng Kingdom in the three dynasties did not rely on righteousness. Thinking about the glory and majesty of the lintel of the sacrifice family back then, no one dared to look directly at it!
Now, only a hundred or two hundred years have passed, has the Ji clan fallen to the point of making a fortune from misfortune? Has it fallen to the point of taking advantage of others' misfortune? Has it fallen to the point of being despised by everyone in the world?
He Ji Xian supported the Ji clan through the spring and Autumn period for decades. What was he doing? Isn't it the reputation that has been passed down for centuries?
If after this incident, the centuries-old reputation of the Ji family is completely destroyed by his hands, how will he face his ancestors? How will future generations view him?
It is the nature of a businessman to be profit-seeking, but it is also his unshirkable duty to protect his family and his ancestors.
It’s really inappropriate to put aside your righteousness for such a small amount of money.
Thinking of this, Ji Xian was like a deflated rubber ball, and his whole body suddenly softened.
Only then did he realize that what Li Ran had just said was actually for the sake of the Ji clan. But he still stubbornly thought that Li Ran had designs on the Ji clan.
At this time, Zichan saw Ji Xian, who had nothing to say for a moment, and knew that Li Ran's words had awakened him, so he immediately motioned Ji Xian to sit down first.
Then he continued to comfort him and said:
"What Ziming said is very reasonable. You need to think twice about offering sacrifices to your elders."
"The reputation of the Ji family is well-known all over the world. If the reputation of the Ji family is damaged and stained by this incident, wouldn't it be worth the loss? The people of the Wei Kingdom are struggling in the fire and water, but we take advantage of it. It is indeed unethical..." At this point, Zichan let out a long sigh, seeming to blame himself.
After all, he had known about this for a long time, but he could not see it as clearly as Li Ran did, and almost asked Ji to transport food to Weiguo for sale.
If this is really the case, how will the people of that country view his Zheng Guo clan?
"Doctor..."
As soon as Ji Xian's words left his mouth, Zi Chan stopped him with a wave of his hand. After all, Ji Xian had to give Ji Xian a step down.
Just listen to the birth canal:
"In my humble opinion, when offering sacrifices to the elderly, we should follow what Ziming said. All the grain transported to the Wei State this time will be donated. Don't let the people of the Wei State think that we, the people of the Zheng State, are just people who are greedy for money and do not know the righteousness." p>
These words were very sonorous and unwavering. Ji listened to them first and immediately accepted them.
"Thanks to Zi Ming for what happened today, it can be said that the words awakened the dreamer! If Zi Ming's words were not so inspiring, I am afraid that I, the State of Zheng, would never have the face to face the people of the world in the future."
"Mr. Ziming is indeed of high righteousness!"
Zichan stood up and bowed his hands to Li Ran respectfully.
Li Ran hurriedly helped him up and said:
"The doctor's words are serious."
"How can I not know how to repay the kindness I received from the master of Ji Lao Sect and the doctor? I really couldn't bear to see the reputation of Ji Shi and Zheng Guo being damaged, so I spoke arrogantly. If there is anything wrong, please ask Dr. Zichan and Ji Lao
Sect Master, please forgive Haihan."
After Li Ran said this, he bowed and saluted again, which was regarded as an apology to the priest.
At this time, Ji Xian had already reacted. When he saw this, his face suddenly felt hot, and he hurriedly said:
"I'm ashamed that I almost brought shame to my family and country... It's me who should forgive me."
As he spoke, his face was full of guilt, and he seemed to have aged a few years in an instant. He sat slumped and sighed.
Zichan spoke up at the right time to smooth things over:
"There is no need to blame yourself too much when offering sacrifices to the elderly. In business, there is nothing wrong with the plan of offering sacrifices to the elderly. It's just that Zi Ming's view is far-sighted and unconvincing."
This is a very high praise for Li Ran.
However, Li Ran did not answer, but asked Ji Xian again:
"But... there is still something unclear. I would like to ask the old master, is this plan to transport grain to Weiguo for sale really your idea?"