Xiao Jing's words were very cold and harsh, but she never meant to look down on Wang Jing.
Although the Wang family in Taiyuan belongs to seven sects and five surnames, has a long heritage, and has been a member of a famous family for generations, is the Xiao family in Lanling not good enough as one of the "four great overseas Chinese"?
Of course, in terms of long-term inheritance, the Lanling Xiao family is far inferior to the Taiyuan Wang family, which started from Prince Jin of the Zhou Dynasty, but in terms of current momentum, the Taiyuan Wang family is slightly inferior.
Ever since Wang Shichong forced Emperor Huangtai to issue an edict to abdicate, usurp the throne and establish himself, and then was defeated by Li Er in one fell swoop, the Wang family in Taiyuan was in a state of decline, and its power was much weaker than before. On the contrary, although the Xiao family in Lanling was destroyed, it was always a good example for the world. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, Both dynasties affirmed and treated Youlong with courtesy.
Therefore, even if the Wang family of Taiyuan wants to ask for an answer from the Xiao family of Lanling, such words should be asked by the current head of the Wang family. Among the aristocratic families who attach great importance to seniority and rules, Wang Jing's behavior is very unacceptable. Appropriate.
Especially for an old man like Xiao Jing, who was once a member of the Nanliang royal family and was used to seeing the world and experiencing extreme power, this kind of transgression was simply intolerable.
He respects the Taiyuan Wang family, but it does not mean that he can be suppressed by the Taiyuan Wang family.
He had to let the kid in front of him know that this was Jiangnan, not Guanzhong, and certainly not Taiyuan!
Wang Jing's expression remained calm and he was not moved by Xiao Jing's anger. After Xiao Jing's words, he pondered for a moment and then slowly said: "The words of the seniors are slightly inappropriate to the juniors. The so-called Qingtuzhi It is blue, but it is greener than blue; ice is made of water, but it is colder than water. As we are late in learning, we naturally respect our predecessors, but we should also work hard to excel, and each generation will become stronger than the previous generation. Otherwise, we will only be trapped in the light of our predecessors. If we can't make any progress, won't we disappoint our seniors even more?"
Xiao Jing frowned and said calmly: "In my life, I am most disgusted by those who show off their rhetoric. Mencius's "Encouragement to Learning" is not just the sentence you just said. The tree is straight in the rope, and the thread is like a wheel. The rule is in the song. Although there are those who are violent and no longer upright, it is because they are made to be so. Therefore, if the wood is supported by the rope, it will be straight, and if the metal is sharpened, it will be beneficial. If a gentleman is knowledgeable and reflects day by day, then he will know clearly and act without mistakes... ... Learning to make progress requires certain rules. Without rules, there will be no success. If you forget the rules, how can you achieve excellence? Moreover, besides being knowledgeable and memorizing, a gentleman must also examine himself three times every day, so that he can be wise and clear without any omissions. He is definitely not ambitious and ambitious, and as soon as he enters the country, he will look around in all directions."
Even if you are excellent, so what? Rules are the foundation for a gentleman to establish himself in the world.
How can such people be so arrogant and ignore the heroes of the world after they achieve even a little bit of success? What real future can they have?
Wang Jing's qi-nurturing skills were quite good. Even though he was almost scolded by Xiao Jing, he did not change his expression and said with a smile: "Six years ago, Jiaci died of an illness. The younger generation was so sad that we married in front of Jiaci's grave." , six years of filial piety. During these six years, I studied thousands of books day and night, without stopping, and never wasted a moment, just to benefit the people and make contributions one day. The younger generation will keep the teachings of the elders in mind, and they should still uphold it from now on. I don’t dare to forget for even a moment what I have accomplished while observing filial piety... However, I still want to ask you, are your words just now the reply of the Xiao family of Lanling to the Wang family of Taiyuan?"
He has a thin figure, three long strands of black beard under his chin, neatly built, and a pair of deep and bright eyes. He exudes a gentle and jade-like temperament, but the words he asks are like an unsheathed sword, moving forward indomitably and absolutely. No turning around.
In his opinion, whatever answer Lanling Xiao gave represented the position Lanling Xiao stood on. He was not willing to quote scriptures and beat around the bush like ordinary Confucian scholars. He just wanted Lanling Xiao to give an answer. Clear answer.
Whose team are you on?
Prince, or King of Jin?
Xiao Jing has experienced countless storms and waves in his life. The ultimate power in the world and the fragmented sorrow of the destruction of his country and his family have already tempered his dying heart to be extremely strong. Naturally, he will not get angry because of Wang Jing's attitude. .
He stared at Wang Jing closely, but said nothing.
To be honest, he had previously thought that Wang Jing came to Jiangnan in person to have a game with Fang Jun in Jiangnan and completely invalidate the plan that he had promised to compensate Fang Jun. However, he has just realized that the main purpose of the other party's trip is The purpose was to win over the Jiangnan nobles for the King of Jin.
As the head of the Jiangnan gentry, the Xiao family of Lanling naturally bore the brunt.
However, what he never expected was that Wang Jing had the guts to go straight into the situation and ask the Lanling Xiao family to express his stance aggressively.
Anyone who is proficient in politics will not be so stupid.
Because even if I clearly promise to stand behind Prince Jin now, if my interests are harmed and I weigh the importance and switch to the prince's sect when the time is right, what can you do to me?
In the final analysis, the promises made by the family members are nothing compared to the real interests...
Then there can only be one answer, and that is that Wang Jing hopes to use the Xiao family's position to influence the orientation of the rest of the Jiangnan gentry, and achieve the purpose of integrating the Jiangnan gentry through vertical and horizontal alliances, so as to create a better position for the King of Jin among the Guanlong nobles. In addition, get another powerful ally.
But if this is really the case, the question arises again, why did the Wang family of Taiyuan leave Song Guogong Xiao Yu in the court without looking for him, but why did he travel thousands of miles to the south of the Yangtze River and visit in person to get an answer?
Everyone knows that although Song Guogong Xiao Yu is not the head of the Xiao family, the political stance of the entire Xiao family has always followed Xiao Yu's lead, and even the head of the family has never refuted...
With her mind spinning, Xiao Jing said slowly: "I have already said that Lanling Xiao's answer is not something you can just ask for."
Wang Jing stared at Xiao Jing for a moment, then suddenly smiled, as if the spring breeze was blowing on his face. The fierce aura just now suddenly disappeared, and he nodded and said: "Thank you, senior, for your reply. I am very grateful to you. I am in a hurry today." Come, I didn’t prepare a generous gift in time, which is really rude. I hope the seniors won’t blame me. When the work is done one day, the juniors will definitely come to visit again and make up for the etiquette owed today. The juniors have accepted the orders from their fathers, and there are still some things to do. I have something to do, so I won’t bother you too much and say goodbye now.”
Xiao Jing frowned, but did not stop.
Until Wang Jinggong bowed respectfully and left, Xiao Jing looked at the figure under the oil-paper umbrella outside the door walking farther and farther between the bamboo leaves, and her heart became solemn.
He knew that his statement that he seemed to require equality of status before giving an answer was not necessarily hidden from Wang Jing, but he did not expect that the other party would be so keen to capture the essence of his evasiveness and avoidance of answers.
Prince or Jin Wang, this choice is too big, Xiao can't afford to gamble, it can be said that he is unwilling to gamble.
Unlike those officials in the court who had a keen sense of taking sides, the Xiao family was far away in the south of the Yangtze River, where the court's power was weak. Even if both parties tried to please them, they would not suffer much suppression and retaliation from the imperial power. In other words, that was Watching the fire from across the bank or watching the tiger fight from the mountain, Xiao will be loyal to whoever wins in the end.
As long as he still controls the leadership of the Jiangnan gentry, no matter who becomes the emperor, the worst-case scenario will not be worse than it is now.
As for Xiao Yu, because his status is too special and his qualifications are too deep, no one can do anything to him.
Therefore, Mrs. Xiao's current position is apparently to stand behind the prince, but in fact she has reservations.
But it is obvious that this stance of protecting oneself wisely outside of the struggle could not be concealed from the Dukes of the Manchu Dynasty. Even the Wang family of Taiyuan could see through the Xiao family's plan at a glance, otherwise Wang Jing would not have come all the way to the door. Forced into the palace.
It can be seen that both the prince and the king of Jin can clearly see this kind of trick. If things go on like this, not only will they not be able to please both sides, but they will offend both sides. They are not human beings inside and outside...
Xiao Jing thought of Fang Jun even more.
Wang Jing in front of him can capture the Xiao family's true intention, so what kind of pressure will Fang Jun, who has left the capital and come to Jiangnan, put on the Xiao family?
Compared to Wang Jing, Fang Jun must be more difficult to deal with.
After all, Wang Jing only used his mouth to analyze his interests and state his interests, and he was able to make excuses with him. However, Fang Jun held military power and his acting style was simple and crude...
The drizzle was falling outside the window, the bamboo leaves were rustling, and the air was cool and moist. However, Xiao Jing's mood was not good. On the contrary, it was even messier than the rain.
Nowadays, the Jiangnan nobles are like snakes and scorpions to avoid Fang Jun. He doesn't think that just one marriage can make Fang Jun look at the Xiao family differently. How can personal favors be tolerated when the battle for the reserve is at stake?
Marriage is a bond that can make a relationship closer, but it cannot essentially change anything.
Xiao Jing didn't think Wang Jing was too hard to deal with because of his sharp edge, but just thinking about Fang Jun's simplicity and rudeness made Xiao Jing feel her temples twitching.
Fang Jun is not as eloquent as Wang Jing in citing scriptures. That fellow simply doesn't care about such power of words.
Not afraid of big fists, but afraid of being unreasonable...
