…
"Your Majesty, are you saying that the life and death of the people of Jingdi has nothing to do with the imperial court? Are we, the scholars who have read the books of sages, the ones who are really responsible?"
Wang Daofu finally came to his senses and realized that he could not be led by Liu Ce, so he immediately started asking questions.
How could Liu Ce be taken over by Wang Daofu? He immediately asked in a deep voice: "I am asking you now! Wang Daru, you keep saying that you care about the people of the world, but have you shown the sincerity of caring for the people of the world to comfort the people affected by the disaster?
Do you dare to say that you did not take advantage of the Jingdi disaster and the Xuanwu Pass War to secretly hoard food and grass, intending to sell them at high prices and then make profits from them? "
Wang Daofu was so excited that he retorted loudly: "No! Absolutely not! How could I, a dignified Confucian scholar, do such a thing? If your Majesty doesn't believe it, just send someone to investigate. A gentleman is magnanimous. I have acted openly and aboveboard throughout my life, and I am worthy of the honor." Heart!"
Liu Ce slapped the table: "You have not done anything to make the country rich, but don't your people do the same?
The Intelligence Department has long since reported to me the secrets that your Jinling royal family is currently doing. Your people took advantage of the stalemate at Xuanwu Pass to purchase large amounts of grain from farmers at low prices.
Now they are hoarding manors in various suburbs of Jinling, waiting to be sold at high prices when the imperial court expropriates them. Wang Daru, is this what you call an upright and upright gentleman?
In my opinion, you are an out-and-out hypocrite! "
Wang Daofu was scolded by Liu Ce, and he was trembling with anger and shock, and cold sweat kept falling down his forehead.
It is true that Wang Daofu, as a scholar in the world, has not participated in the business of buying low and selling high, but his people are not so sentimental. As long as there is a profit, the sage's way must be put aside.
"Your Majesty, I am asking now, does the imperial court care about the victims of the Jingdi disaster? Do you want to watch the people starve to death in the wilderness!"
These words were spoken by Wang Daofu, who was leaning on crutches regardless of his manners and almost shouting. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this great scholar was obviously in a hurry.
Liu Ce replied: "The victims of the Jingdi disaster starved to death in the wilderness? Wang Daru, do you know what the crime of spreading rumors is in this dynasty?"
Wang Daofu said angrily: "I am spreading rumors? What is known to the whole world, what crime is there!?"
Liu Ce: "Then let me ask you? Did you see the victims of Jingdi starving to death with your own eyes?"
Wang Daofu was startled, then shook his head: "Although I haven't seen it with my own eyes, I can imagine what kind of tragic scene in Jingdi is now, all caused by you, a foolish king!"
"Presumptuous!" Xu Wenjing couldn't bear it anymore and shouted loudly, pointing at Wang Daofu: "Old man Wang, how can I allow you to talk nonsense in this court? I went to court the day before yesterday..."
"Don't Wang Daru read the Han Times?" Liu Ce grabbed the question and asked, "New policies of the court will be announced to the whole world in a timely manner through the publication of newspapers.
The Ministry of Household Affairs has shipped the grain and grass needed for the relief to Jingdi the day before yesterday. These are written in black and white on the newspaper. You won't be so rude even if you take a look! "
Wang Daofu snorted coldly: "How can I believe such one-sided words? The newspaper is just a fig leaf to cover up your evil deeds."
Liu Ce was so angry that he asked with a smile: "According to Wang Daru's point of view, what form can truly convince the public?"
Wang Daofu was about to answer, but when he thought about it carefully, he didn't know where to say it. For a moment, he turned away and stopped looking at Liu Ce.
Liu Ce sneered in his heart and issued an expulsion order with a wave of his hand: "If there is nothing else, Wang Daru should go back to Jinling as soon as possible. You have traveled across mountains and rivers to pray for the people at your age. No matter what the purpose is, I will remember it."
This sentence was extremely uncomfortable in Wang Daofu's ears, as uncomfortable as choking a fly.
No, absolutely not. I want the Emperor's son to find his way back. How can I just go back like this?
Thinking of this, Wang Daofu immediately asked: "Since Your Majesty said that he has begun to transport relief food, do you know how long it has been since the locust plague occurred in Jingdi? It has been two months. Do you know how many people have starved to death in these two months?"
"No!" Qin Mo stood up and said, "Mr. Wang's words are wrong. Every government office in Jingdi has grain storage institutions. Once a disaster occurs, they can ensure that the people's families and lives are safe as soon as possible.
Although there is a locust plague in Jingdi, the people affected by the disaster can be properly resettled, and no people have starved to death as Mr. Wang said. If you don't believe it, just go to Jingdi to check it out in person. "
Qin Mo's words were very elegant, but it was like a loud slap on Wang Daofu's face, making him even more embarrassed.
Qin Mo continued: "What's more, so far, in addition to the official offices in Jingdi and surrounding areas reporting to the court, pleading for the allocation of grain to expand food reserves to meet unexpected needs,
We haven’t seen any victims leaving their homes to go to Beijing. Mr. Wang, these days are different from the past, so you should look further ahead..."
Wang Daofu found out after Qin Mo said this that he had indeed not seen a single disaster victim in Chang'an on the 6th or 7th day. If there had been a drought in the previous dynasty, there would have been refugees all over the place.
It stands to reason that Qin Mo and Liu Ce both gave Wang Daofu a step forward, and those who know better should admit their mistakes, say goodbye, and leave the capital.
But Wang Daofu didn't do that. His goal hadn't been achieved yet, so how could he leave like this?
Since the disaster card was miscalculated, let’s start directly with the Han-Mongolian War.
"Hahaha..." Suddenly, Wang Daofu laughed, shook his head at Liu Ce for a long time and said, "Your Majesty, I want to ask you, do you ever regret that I went to war with the Hunu outside the Great Wall, causing the loss of life?"
As soon as these words came out, not only did Liu Ce and Xu Wenjing look strange, but even the technical geek Yang Sicheng looked at Wang Daofu in surprise, thinking, why does this old man's thinking jump so fast? Did you suddenly switch from a disaster situation to a war level?
Liu Ce narrowed his eyes: "What does Wang Daru mean by this?"
Wang Daofu said: "Your Majesty, you are good at launching wars, but only the innocent people are harmed. I beg your Majesty to stop the war with the Mengluo people and restore peace to the world!"
"Wang Daru is really interesting. Now the Mengluo people are invading my Han territory. Do you want me to take the initiative to negotiate peace with these bandits?" Liu Ce asked in a deep voice.
Wang Daofu said: "The reason why the Munro people invaded our territory is because your Majesty took the initiative to provoke the Munro people in the past few years.
I heard that there was a general in our dynasty named Bai Qi. He slaughtered millions of innocent people across the Western Regions in one battle.
The Western Region belongs to the Mengluo people. How can the Mengluo people not be angry when Your Majesty condones Bai Qi's wanton behavior?
In addition, I heard that Huo Qing, Song Zhaoyi's younger brother, actually took the Hu chief's daughter as his wife, and also harmed Mengluo Liangban in the north, making it impossible for herders outside the Great Wall to make a living.
How could the Munro people not take revenge? Therefore, I believe that your Majesty is the main cause of the current war between the Han and Mongolian armies. I sincerely request your Majesty to issue an edict to cease the war with the Mengluo people and restore peace to the world! "
