After shooing away the others, Xiao Rui just stayed with the dazed Cui Shouzhen in the living room.
After an unknown amount of time, Cui Shouzhen gradually came back to his senses. Xiao Rui smiled, "How about it? Let everyone in the world have books to read, and even everyone can read. Isn't it a lie?"
Cui Shouzhen did not answer, but said with a wry smile: "There are rumors in Chang'an that the Marquis is not an ordinary person, but a star from the sky. We didn't believe it at first, but from now on, no one will say otherwise. Cui was the first to object. .”
Um...it doesn't have to be like this, right?
Xiao Rui joked: "Master Cui, if you admit that I am a god and you can marry your daughter to Cheng Qian, then Xiao Rui will admit it now."
Cui Shouzhen rolled his eyes, meaning: If you don't mention your daughter-in-law, we are still good friends.
He personally poured a cup of tea for Xiao Rui and motioned for everyone to sit down and chat.
Cui Shouzhen said with emotion: "I originally thought that the Marquis's talk of war on paper was just to scare people, but I didn't expect it to be true. The ideal of Confucius to enlighten the people's wisdom seems to be realized in the Tang Dynasty. The Marquis's merits are immeasurable."
"Thank you, since I came here, I will naturally do something for the people of the world." Xiao Rui said humbly and without any humility.
"I just have something unclear."
"Master Cui, please speak."
Cui Shouzhen said: "Why is the Marquis so determined to help the emperor overthrow the five surnames and Qiwang to the ground?"
"The emperor wants to take back his power and consolidate his monarchy. But Lord Marquis, you should not be a simple eagle or dog. With your status and ability, you should be a man of great courage who can do things for the world. .Why do you have to be at odds with the nobles?"
"Is it just because you are the emperor's son-in-law?"
"Cui doesn't believe it. You must have seen that even if they vigorously support the rise of Hanmen and overthrow the old nobles like us. Then these newly rising people will slowly become a new generation of nobles, and they are not willing to give up. Power will make the same choices as we do now. Restrict the court and monarchy, control power, strengthen oneself, and transfer power hereditary..."
"If that's the case, wouldn't it be pointless for you to do all this?"
After listening quietly, Xiao Rui did not rush to answer, but thought for a moment, nodded slowly and said: "Yes, I admit that it is true. But it does not mean that all this we do is meaningless."
"Master Cui, no matter what happens, class will always exist. I don't want to overthrow class, but recognize and face it."
"The purpose of all of this is that we cannot overthrow classes, but we can keep replacing the people in each class, thereby preventing the solidification of classes. Once each class is completely fixed, the people in the upper class will be in the upper class as soon as they are born, and the people at the bottom will be in the upper class throughout their lives. If we don’t go up, there is no hope of recovery, and then this country is not far from destruction.”
"What does this world want? It's not about annihilating anyone. Even if ordinary people hate the nobles, it doesn't stop them from being envious and wanting to be like us. And there is such a way for them to become nobles A road, a hope that can change the destiny of oneself and future generations, is what the world wants - a kind of limited fairness."
"The mediocre will be eliminated and the capable will be promoted. Talents from all walks of life in the world will have the opportunity to display their talents and talents. In this endless cycle, the country will move forward steadily in this constant competition. This is what the emperor wants need."
"Of course, this is what I, Xiao Rui, want. I have long wanted to ask for the poor people in the world: We are born to live at the bottom of society, but why do we have to stay at the bottom in this life and every life?"
"Xiao Rui is not a good savior, nor does he want to make this world absolutely fair. He only hopes that all the people of the Tang Dynasty who are unyielding can control their destiny in their own hands. They can live their own lives with their own hands. The life you want.”
Cui Shouzhen murmured: "Created equal... everyone is like a dragon?"
"It turns out that the inscription on the stone tablet at the entrance to the Censorship Terrace was written by the Marquis. No wonder, no wonder..."
oh?
Xiao Rui quickly denied: "That is His Majesty's handwriting, everyone knows it."
Cui Shouzhen chuckled and said: "It is true that it is written in your Majesty's handwriting, but the wording of the inscription is true, and it was definitely not written by your Majesty. I, the Cui family of Qinghe, have dealt with many generations of emperors, including the current emperor. I dare not say that I fully understand it, but I dare to conclude that , he doesn’t have that kind of courage and ambition.”
"Today we found out that Mr. Hou has hidden his merits and fame. He doesn't even want a reputation comparable to that of a sage. Cui admires him!"
Xiao Rui's old face turned red. He didn't make the inscription by himself. He plagiarized it from his previous life. How could he be so embarrassed to accept it? So he quickly changed the subject.
"Hey, Patriarch Cui, don't always flatter me, but be practical. Xiao Rui has spent so many days with you and came here with a mission. How about you marry your daughter to Cheng Qian for my sake?" Bar."
"Xiao Rui is Cheng Qian's teacher. As a parent, I promise you today that your daughter will be happy when she marries you and will never be wronged in the slightest. Even though Cheng Qian is the prince, if you dare to treat your daughter poorly, I will stop you at any time. beat him."
Sigh... She is really persistent and never forgets about getting married.
Cui Shouzhen sighed: "Today is probably the first time in this world that a Marquis can condescend to ask for help. I, Mrs. Cui, am honored. The Marquis came to intercede on behalf of the Crown Prince. You really have the honor."
"Forget it. Cui knows that he is no match for the Marquis. Sooner or later, this girl will be taken away by you, so he gives the Marquis face and agrees to marry his daughter to His Highness the Crown Prince."
What? real? Really agreed?
"Master Cui? What does a gentleman say?"
"It's hard to chase a horse!" The two high-fived each other.
Xiao Rui was so happy that he got up and was about to go out to greet Li Chengqian, but was grabbed by Cui Shouzhen.
"Wait a minute, Cui has something else to say."
"Okay, if you have the conditions, just ask for betrothal gifts or whatever. As long as we can get it, please ask. If the palace doesn't have it in the treasury, I, Xiao Rui, will find a way to get it." Xiao Rui patted his chest and agreed.
Cui Shouzhen waved his hand and said: "It's not those vulgar things. The Marquis needs to agree to two conditions."
"Simple, don't mention two, just...wait a minute, why don't you ask me to give up supporting the poor family." Xiao Rui almost made a wrong promise.
Cui Shouzhen smiled, "No, one code is the same. The daughter is given to the prince. Our business is our business."
"First of all, if my daughter is promised to the prince, the emperor is afraid that he will take the opportunity to divide the five surnames and the seven hopes. We, the Cui family of Qinghe, don't want to be ridiculed for clinging to the royal family and carrying the reputation of a traitor. So I asked the Marquis to come up with a clever plan. , can preserve the reputation of the Qinghe Cui family, prevent other families from being suspicious, and prevent the emperor from taking the opportunity to suppress divisions."
"If you can do it, Ning'er, you can take it away."
this……
Xiao Rui rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and suddenly smiled, "I'm not afraid of Master Cui's jokes. I thought of a bad move before I came here. If you insist on not giving it, I have nothing to do. I can't lead my troops to rob it. But. Well, I can’t watch you promise your daughter to someone else.”
"Then let me tell you: Cui Ning'er is attracted by the prince. Anyone who dares to come forward to marry Cui Ning'er will be my enemy, Xiao Rui. I, Xiao Rui, will kill them everywhere in the world!"
"With my bad reputation, Xiao Rui, I'm afraid no one will dare to marry your daughter. Sooner or later you will have to give in. Haha, it's ridiculous, there is really no other trick."
Pfft... Cui Shou really wanted to vomit blood. Fortunately, he had a good temper. If he had a hot temper and drove Master Xiao Rui away, I am afraid that this trick would have appeared in the world long ago.
"Ahem, although it's a bit vicious, it's still effective. I've wronged the Marquis and defiled myself." Cui Shouzhen cupped his hands in annoyance.
"Ahem, you're too polite. Xiao Rui's reputation has long been ruined. It doesn't matter." Xiao Rui blushed and waved his hands in embarrassment, "Tell me the next thing."
