Shen Shuren listened calmly and showed no signs of getting angry at all.
It seems that his academic point of view is being questioned. In his opinion, it is just a common thing like drinking water and eating.
Fang Ziling's tone when questioning was originally calm, and it was just a purely academic discussion. But considering Shen Shuren's official position, she originally thought that the other party would be shy and angry, but he was so calm in the end, which made her a little embarrassed.
"Don't you think these prophecies need to be revised?" Fang Ziling felt anxious and couldn't help but ask one more question.
Chen Shuren then smiled calmly: "What can be changed? I said that sooner or later there will be a merger between the three thieves, and Li Zicheng has the advantage, but I didn't write when they will merge, and the deadline has not expired. "
Fang Ziling was taken aback, but her words were quite clear. They were just useless talk. She felt a little fooled, and added a few points of slight anger:
"... According to this, isn't it true that Brother Shen's opinions will never be wrong? If they don't harm each other for ten years, they can't verify it for ten years?"
Chen Shuren took a sip of tea: "That's true, but does Miss Fang really think that bandits can still be rampant for another ten years? We will naturally find out by then."
Fang Ziling raised her eyebrows and thought for a few seconds: "It's not unthinkable to delay it for ten years. The intruder Zhang Ni has been in trouble for thirteen years. Who knows when peace will be achieved."
Chen Shuren sneered: "How can this world withstand ten years of repeated killings! The extremes of things must turn against each other, chaos must last long, and our Ming Dynasty must be revived."
The last few words of Shen Shuren are politically correct and cannot be ignored.
He could only say that within ten years, the world would definitely regain stability. But in whose hands this stability would be, he did not dare to say, so he understated it by saying "revival is bound to happen".
Fang Ziling is also a smart person. He knows the importance and will not get entangled in those sensitive topics, so he tilts the building back:
"Since Brother Shen thinks that the world will not be in chaos for ten years, can you set a more specific time limit for the previous hypothesis?"
When asked this question, there was an expectation in Fang Ziling's eyes that she hoped the other party would give up despite the difficulties.
She wasn't very familiar with Shen Shuren. She had only met him a few times before, and her understanding of him was mainly based on reading his books, so she didn't have any grudges.
She also admitted that Shen Shuren was very thoughtful and occasionally had shocking talents. However, she still hoped that he would be more modest and leave a good reputation among scholars.
But Shenshu people obviously don't need the reputation of being humble.
You have to become famous as early as possible. Those who are capable are in a hurry to make meritorious deeds and establish trust. Of course, they are crazy as they should be!
What's more, in this private chat situation, there is no need to consider the consequences.
Chen Shuren directly increased the pressure and said proudly: "This is also easy. I think it will definitely happen if a thief tries to harm his colleagues in a few months or in a year or two!"
When Fang Ziling heard this, she couldn't help but be surprised.
Why is this guy so crazy? Isn't he afraid of being ridiculed by the world after his prediction breaks out of the gang?
Fortunately, she reacted quickly and immediately realized that this was just a private chat and would not be spread out.
She couldn't help but smile and said: "Brother Shen, the most important thing about learning is sincerity, bragging is pointless. Do you really think so, or is it because you are keeping your words to yourself at the moment and no one else can hear you, so you won't be afraid of being embarrassed in the future if you make mistakes?"
Chen Shuren dusted off his sleeves: "There are many people but few people, that's my opinion. If you had asked me earlier, I would have written it directly into "The Theory of Flooding Thieves", but then I would have to adapt to circumstances and break the gap." The thieves’ strategies have also been adjusted.”
Fang Ziling's level of surprise could not help but be refreshed again. This guy actually dared to write anything in the book.
She was also a little nervous, so she continued to fire:
"Brother Shen's self-confidence is something I've never seen before in my life. I admire you. Can you allow me to write down what I just said in my notes? If it doesn't come true in the future and this note is accidentally spread, Brother Shen won't blame me for not doing so." Shall I cover it for you?"
"As you wish." Shen Shuren took another sip of tea nonchalantly.
Fang Ziling felt more and more incredible, like a hundred claws scratching her heart. She really wanted to know where Shen Shuren's confidence came from. She adjusted her mood and said in a relatively sincere tone again:
"Can I ask how you specifically made your guess? It can't be just a blind guess, right?"
Chen Shuren said calmly: "It's not impossible to tell you the process of deducing the strategy, but the intruder has not yet attempted to harm his colleagues. Some things are too clear. If they are leaked, wouldn't they lead to targeted responses by the intruders, causing delays? A military plane?
However, seeing that you are Fang Futai's beloved daughter, you can be considered a family member of a feudal official, and you are well-educated, so you should not deliberately leak the secret.
If you really want to know, make a vow to ensure that my analysis will never be leaked until the matter is settled. If the two-year period expires and the intruders have no intention of harming any of my colleagues, then it will be considered as a failure of my strategy. Yes, this agreement is void, and I will spread it around as you wish."
Fang Ziling thought this was very reasonable, so he agreed:
"Okay! I'll make a bet with you! No matter what you say for a while, I will just keep it in my heart, never leave any notes, and will never spread it to the outside world until the two years expires or this matter comes true. If you violate this oath, ...I am like those foolish women who will never study again in their lives!"
Chen Shuren listened to the solemnity of the first half of what she said, and actually praised it.
But the price of breaking the oath really dazzled him.
Even though he had been calm and calm tonight, he finally broke the skill and spit out a mouthful of tea, coughing and choking: "What kind of poisonous oath is this? Is not studying for a lifetime considered a punishment?"
Fang Ziling was a little overwhelmed by his sudden violent reaction:
"This...isn't this price enough? Brother Shen, you are also a second-ranked Jinshi. You are famous for your talent in the world. You must be a person who loves to learn and is determined to learn. Don't you actually understand the pain of not being allowed to study for a lifetime?"
Chen Shuren was stunned for a moment when asked, and was too embarrassed to admit it. He unknowingly agreed with Xini:
"That's it, let's do it. In my opinion, Li Zicheng has not tried to harm Luo Rucai and Ma Shouying. It was just that he was too smooth sailing before, so there is no need to use thunderous methods. If he can be conquered by other methods with less internal friction, of course he Also happy to see.
However, it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to go from luxury to frugality. Especially this time after the fall of Luoyang, the tens of millions of taels of wealth gained by King Fu and the Luoyang gentry were obtained by thieves, and they were used to win people's hearts and recruit troops.
In just a few months, Li and Luo's troops had grown from tens of thousands to more than 100,000. Ma Shouying also had nearly 100,000, including those who had fled after the destruction of the remaining five battalions of Gezuo. To rely on Ma Shooying.
After the thieves become powerful, they will definitely have more long-term plans. The current attack on Kaifeng and the desire to take over the entire territory of Henan is a manifestation of the thieves' ambition. If Li Zicheng can lead the thieves to slaughter and rob the wealthy feudal kings, he will support the war with war. The road to plundering and expanding the army has been going smoothly. He can certainly expect to gradually and peacefully acquire and annex the Roman and Ma subordinates.
But the imperial court and local kings would also learn lessons. This time, the King of Zhou had given so many property to reward the army, forcing the officers and soldiers to defend. Li Zicheng did not understand the changes, and just wanted to use the same tricks he used in Luoyang to break Kaifeng again. In addition, winter is about to enter, which is not conducive to attacking the enemy, and the first battle will definitely be unfavorable!
After he is frustrated, internal voices of seizing power will surely arise one after another. When the time comes, it will be too late for him to conquer Luo and Ma in a hurry, and he will only end up with internal strife and bloodshed! And as long as the situation reaches this point, Luo and Ma will have heirs but Li Zicheng will not. Son, Li Zicheng can share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers, and his ability to win people's hearts is definitely better than the two thieves!"
Chen Shuren said these details without any psychological burden. After all, he could predict Li Zicheng's pride and complacency, and the King of Zhou's wisdom and generosity in spreading wealth.
These factors have not changed now. Historically, it took Li Zicheng one and a half years and three fierce attacks to capture Kaifeng. It will certainly be difficult now.
History does not simply repeat itself.
Any commander who hopes to simply copy the successful experience of the last battle will generally suffer as long as his opponent learns from it.
And once Li Zicheng's absolute authority is challenged again, how can he not kill people to unify people's hearts?
Fang Ziling felt dizzy after hearing this. It was obviously a very mysterious bragging preview. It mixed the two logics of "It is easy to move from frugality to luxury, but it is difficult to move from luxury to frugality" and "History will not simply repeat itself", and used big words to exaggerate it. , it seems to sound quite reasonable...
But she always felt that reasoning should not be so conclusive and specific.
At this time, she had no way to refute, and could only verbally express her willingness to wait and see, wait for the results to come out and see if they were fulfilled, and then decide her attitude.
No matter how nice it sounds, if it cannot be realized, it will still be a slap in the face.
Shen Shuren didn't care whether he could convince the other party right away. It was originally an academic discussion, and people had to bet on him to have fun, so he just gave it up:
"You should think about it slowly by yourself. History will prove everything anyway."
After chatting with Fang Ziling for a few more times about his views on history and academics, the atmosphere relaxed a little, and the dinner for the Fang family was ready.
Fang Kongzheng came to invite Shen Shuren to the table in person. Then he noticed that his daughter had been asking for advice and arguing. He quickly said a few polite words to ask Shen Shuren not to mind.
"Let me make my nephew laugh. My tutor is no more rigid than those from famous families in Donglin. I am good at calculations and calendaring. Quanzi and his sisters are also influenced by me and like to argue with others. My nephew, don't take it to heart."
Chen Shuren responded with a smile: "It doesn't matter, scholars all over the world value humility. There are very few people like me who dare to speak and act."
Seeing that everyone was familiar with each other, Fang Kongzheng did not stop his daughter from entering the table, and everyone had the dinner together. Shen Shu and Fang Ziling were also chatting and laughing at the table, with no hint of the confrontation they had just had.
After the banquet, Fang Kongzheng left his daughter alone and asked her about the academic topics discussed today. Fang Ziling kept his promise and did not tell the detailed analysis of Shen Shuren. He only said that Shen Shuren dared to predict that the intruder would harm his colleagues. , only within a year or two.
This conclusion naturally surprised Fang Kongzhen again.
He sighed helplessly: "When young people suddenly become famous and occupy a high position, they will indeed feel that they are omnipotent, which is considered a flaw in the world. Ling'er, what do you think of this Brother Shen's character and talent?
The Shen family and our family are getting closer and closer now. His family is the richest man in Suzhou, and Mr. Shen also proposed the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing. At first, we could still talk about friendship as equals, but in the future, I am afraid that we will have to The family is so high up with their Shen family."
Fang Kongzheng had never spoken to his daughter like this before, and he had obviously put his thoughts into it today before officially testing her.
However, Fang Ziling bit her lip and said with great disappointment: "What are you talking about, father! Do we still want to cling to wealth and honor in our family? My daughter is still young and doesn't want to think about those things! Besides, what my daughter admires is a humble gentleman who is practical and pragmatic. Those arrogant people No matter how much money or status a person has, he is not a gentleman after all."
Fang Kongzheng frowned: "He may not be arrogant. Maybe he is really talented and farsighted, and can strategize and win thousands of miles away?
Some words may sound like big words to ordinary people, but as long as the person who says them can do it, they are not big words.”
Fang Ziling: "Then let time prove that he can really calculate accurately."
Fang Kongzhen couldn't help but shook his head and smiled bitterly: "You will be seventeen after the Chinese New Year! Your eldest sister was already married late at that time, and she married into the Sun family at the age of seventeen. This kind of dispute of temperament has to wait for proof. Isn't this nonsense! Besides, if he really has this kind of talent, he will definitely be a giant in the Ming Dynasty, and how can he get the chance of our Fang family!"
Fang Ziling: "If you don't get your turn, you won't get it. The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. My daughter is just asking for advice from him."