Chapter 10

Listen to Li Qingzhao's "Dian Jiang Chun," the content is very similar to the situation Meng Ruoying was in the garden! For some reason, when it came to poetry, Lin Zhao couldn't help but recite this one.

A short poem, just a few dozen characters, yet the description is so delicate, vividly portraying the demeanor of a young girl.

Chen Xuan, upon hearing it, felt a pang in his heart. He had to admit it was a good poem, especially the lines "leaning against the door, looking back, and sniffing the green plum," which were truly classic!

He had heard before that Lin Zhao was just a bookworm, not skilled in poetry. He didn't expect... sigh! Lin Zhao had once again ruined his plans, and upon reflection, he realized it was his own fault.

That was one thing! What Chen Xuan was more concerned about was the content. When he saw Meng Ruoying in the garden today, wasn't it exactly this scene? Was Lin Zhao trying to express his feelings to Meng Ruoying? A toad dreaming of eating swan meat? Chen Xuan thought this was simply a wild fantasy!

But he couldn't help but worry a bit. Would Meng Ruoying be swayed by this young man's sweet talk? His gaze fell on Meng Ruoying, and he noticed that the always strong and composed Miss Meng was blushing. Could it be...

Chen Xuan's heart instantly turned cold!

That's right! Meng Ruoying had misunderstood. She was convinced that Lin Zhao's poem was about her. Although there were inconsistencies, it wasn't unusual for poetry to have some exaggeration and fiction. After swinging on the swing... sniffing the green plum... it was clearly about her, and the description was beautifully unique, making her innocent heart flutter...

He had been hiding and secretly watching all along? She had thought he just happened to appear to help, but it turned out to be premeditated! Upon further thought, Meng Ruoying felt a bit angry, but deep down, she wasn't really that angry...

What did he mean by writing this poem? Could it be... Meng Ruoying's heart raced as she looked at Lin Zhao, and she couldn't feel any disgust or rejection...

Very dangerous! Meng Ruoying shook her head forcefully, trying to calm herself down. She reminded herself: No, he's just having impure thoughts, so frivolous, a lecher...

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Professor Zhu Xueli of Jiangning Prefecture did not know the mindset of the parties involved. Seeing Chen Xuan silent and gloomy, he assumed it was due to feeling inferior. He thought it was necessary to help!

He had come today not only out of respect for the Meng family but also because Chen Xuan had asked him to speak up. Chen Xuan's uncle, Chen Qi, was the magistrate of Qiantang County in Hangzhou, and they were fellow scholars with a deep friendship. He couldn't refuse a request from a friend's child, especially when it was just a matter of speaking up, which would earn him some goodwill. Why not?

Amidst the exclamations and praise, Zhu Xueli shook his head and said, "The poem is light and frivolous. Even with the talent of Liu Sanbian, it still can't be considered high art. At this time, Su Shi hasn't yet taken the name Dongpo, and Xin Qiji is not even mentioned, so it's still the era of delicate and refined poetry. This is somewhat reasonable."

However, the current setting was casual, and his pretentious words made people feel it was unfair. Many people were unconvinced but didn't directly contradict him due to his status.

Zhu Xueli, who cared about his reputation, felt a bit awkward when he saw the reactions. He cleared his throat and continued, "Poetry may not be high art, but it can be enjoyable... However, no matter what one studies, one should be down-to-earth. Moaning without reason, plagiarizing, and copying are all useless. What's not yours will never be yours..."

He then shifted to questioning Lin Zhao's originality, feigning a sigh, "It's hard to believe that a servant could write such a wonderful poem. Even if Liu Sanbian were reborn, he would be ashamed... Today, I have truly seen something extraordinary!" It seemed like praise, but it was a very malicious and sarcastic accusation!

"Right, did he write it himself..."

"Exactly, he's just a servant..."

Jealous onlookers began to whisper, questioning whether Lin Zhao had plagiarized, and their faces showed disdain due to his servant status...

What the hell! Lin Zhao was very angry. He could accept being accused of plagiarism, as he had indeed copied a famous piece from the future. But why did they have to look down on him like this?

Lin Zhao had drunk a lot today, thinking that the Song Dynasty's wine was mild and weak. He didn't expect it to have a strong aftertaste, making him a bit drunk. His head was hot, and his emotions were very agitated. Hearing such insults, he couldn't hold back and stood up, saying, "What do you mean? Look down on servants? Accuse me of plagiarism? Fine, who has seen this poem before? If no one has, then shut up, because you're not even as good as a servant..."

A slap in the face, a naked slap in the face!

At this time, Li Qingzhao's grandfather had probably just been born, so there was no way to prove plagiarism. Lin Zhao was in an unbeatable position from the start!

Zhu Xueli angrily said, "Speaking rudely and using coarse language, you are indeed a servant, and too impolite!" Professor Zhu had only meant to say it, never expecting a small book boy to have the nerve to retort. Without evidence, he could only attack Lin Zhao's status and manners.

Lin Zhao was already hot-headed and couldn't stop, especially after being repeatedly mocked and despised. His anger rose. He coldly said, "What's wrong with being a servant? Yi Yin was just a servant in a dowry, but he helped Shang Tang overthrow Xia Jie and became a model of a great minister; Wei Qing, a general of the Han Dynasty, was just a horseman in Princess Pingyang's household, but he led the army to defeat the Xiongnu and was ennobled and appointed as a general!

Heroes don't ask about their origins, are princes and generals born? Sparrows don't understand the aspirations of swallows. Who knows what achievements I, Lin Zhao, will have in the future? You look down on me!"

The people present were stunned and began to reassess this so-called servant. It seemed he had great ambitions and might one day make a name for himself...

"Cousin, don't talk nonsense!" Gu Yuelun, though impressed by her cousin's image, was more worried. She didn't know what the professor did, but she knew he was an official. Her cousin had insulted an official today, which was a big trouble!

Meng Ruoying wanted to stop him but didn't want to wrong Lin Zhao. She didn't know how to persuade him and was at a loss.

Meng Ruoying, however, heard clearly. She was sure this poem was Lin Zhao's "original" work and was very dissatisfied with Zhu Xueli's questioning and insulting behavior. She didn't want to interfere and even thought Lin Zhao's insults were justified and satisfying!

The Meng siblings didn't speak, and the old lady Meng hadn't fully recovered. Plus, Lin Zhao's eloquence had made her feel gratified, and she subconsciously wanted to protect him.

With the host not intervening, others naturally couldn't speak up. Without anyone stopping, the conflict inevitably escalated.

Being retorted by a book boy servant, Zhu Xueli felt deeply humiliated and said disdainfully, "Young boy, you don't know your place. With your arrogance, you will surely accomplish nothing!"

Lin Zhao coldly laughed, "Accomplish nothing? I'll tell you... in a few years, I will be a wealthy merchant, the richest in the world. I will be..."

He wanted to be a merchant, which was indeed his current plan. He believed that with his "knowledge" and modern marketing techniques, he could do very well in business.

However, Zhu Xueli seemed to hear a huge joke and immediately interrupted Lin Zhao's list, coldly mocking, "So you have no great ambitions, just dreaming of being a merchant!"

Lin Zhao, though excited from drinking, was still thinking clearly. In ancient times, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants were ranked, and merchants were indeed at the bottom. Zhu Xueli was right, but in this context, he was completely wrong.

You're dead!

Lin Zhao had a plan and coldly said, "What's wrong with being a merchant? I think merchants are noble and great!"

Zhu Xueli, blinded by anger, coldly said, "In the four classes of society—scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—merchants are at the bottom. They make a lot of money but are full of the stench of copper... Merchants are greedy and profit-driven, and over time, they corrupt the people, making them base and lowly..."

The Meng family had made their fortune through business, and many of the guests who came to celebrate the birthday were also merchants. Zhu Xueli's words offended most people. This kind of pretentious scholar had a twisted sense of superiority and was completely unaware of the offense, even ignoring Chen Xuan's constant hints and warnings, jumping into the trap Lin Zhao had set!

The merchants in the courtyard were enraged, and even the old lady Meng showed displeasure!

Seeing him fall into the trap, Lin Zhao coldly smiled, straightened his back, and said with righteous indignation, "Look down on merchants? What's wrong with being a merchant? The Book of Han says: 'Food refers to crops that can be eaten, and goods refer to cloth and silk that can be worn, as well as gold, knives, tortoise shells, and cowrie shells, which are used to distribute wealth and facilitate trade. These two are the foundation of the people...'

'When food is sufficient and goods are circulated, the country is prosperous and the people are wealthy, and education is successful. Agriculture is important, but the production of cloth and silk and the circulation of goods are equally fundamental!'

The sages said, 'Without agriculture, there is no stability; without commerce, there is no wealth. The sages never looked down on merchants and never said that merchants corrupt the people. Where did Professor Zhu learn such twisted logic? Ignoring the teachings of the sages and defaming merchants!'

The merchants present agreed, and psychologically, they were already on Lin Zhao's side!

With rising momentum, Lin Zhao steeled his resolve and continued, "Our great Song Dynasty is vast and rich, with different products from north to south and east to west. Without merchants, goods cannot be traded, and resources cannot be fully utilized. Southerners lack the use of carriages, horses, and leather, while northerners lack the convenience of