The small group did not invite anyone else, and no one else approached their pavilion. Amidst the lively atmosphere all around, the quiet within their pavilion was so profound that even breathing seemed to grow softer.
No one touched the wine, fruits, or pastries on the table. They simply listened to the surrounding commotion until the appointed time arrived.
Wei Jing stood triumphantly in the highest pavilion, leaning against the railing as he surveyed the scene. From this distance, Hua Zhi faintly discerned that there were others present there as well.
"The Wei Family is honored to host this grand gathering. Please forgive any oversights on our part," Wei Jing proclaimed loudly. "In such prosperous times and at such a splendid assembly, I hope everyone will speak freely. Who would like to begin by offering some modest opinions to attract valuable contributions?"
At this, someone responded with a hearty laugh, "I, Xia, though lacking in talent, shall make a fool of myself to start."
"We are all ears."
"Listening attentively to your esteemed views."
"..."
The scholar surnamed Xia gazed out at the lake and spoke eloquently, "This year has been one of disasters—drought in the north and floods in the south. Yet, our great Qing dynasty remains prosperous, and the Emperor, a wise ruler, has exempted the land tax in both regions, giving the people a chance to recover. What I wish to discuss is related to this."
Only the sound of the wind could be heard across the grounds. Both Scholar Xia and those in the high pavilion, including Wei Jing, were exceedingly pleased with this opening.
"In previous years for disaster relief, the court merely allocated silver, which trickled down through layers. Regardless of how much actually reached the people, the skyrocketing grain prices alone were beyond what ordinary folk could afford. This year, however, the court used stored grain for relief—saving funds and curbing grain prices. In principle, this should have been ideal. Yet, at this critical juncture, granaries across various regions have repeatedly been found with issues. I wish to openly discuss with all of you how to prevent such situations from recurring."
Another voice chimed in, "Brother Xia has voiced precisely what I intended to say. The Emperor is sagacious. Though stored grain is aged, it poses no harm as food—most grain shops sell aged grain anyway. Having come from the south, I often hear the people expressing gratitude for the Emperor's benevolence, with many bowing in the direction of the capital."
Yet another added, "The north is no different. I've heard that some, on the verge of despair, were about to turn to banditry when relief grain arrived just in time, saving them from a desperate path. They now say that no matter how hard it gets, they will endure until next year. Once the land thaws, they will diligently reclaim wasteland, adding more fertile fields to our great Qing..."
Chen Dayi was dumbfounded. He turned to Hua Zhi and asked uncertainly, "Is this really a Pure Conversation Gathering?"
Hua Zhi looked toward the pavilion where Wei Jing stood. There must be others there—likely members of his faction. The first few speakers were undoubtedly arranged by Wei Jing. This topic and these praises were all for the Emperor's ears, indicating that the Emperor must have sent observers.
The scholars invited by the Wei Family had been carefully selected. Aside from those associated with the Hua family, they were all new graduates who had never attended the Hua family's Scholarly Discussions. They would assume that Pure Conversation Gatherings were exactly as they appeared now: uninhibited and frivolous.
As graduates eligible for official posts, they were, in a sense, already half-stepping into the bureaucracy. Such a gathering probably suited their tastes perfectly.
With this realization, Hua Zhi dismissed all further thoughts. Since this was no longer the Hua family's Scholarly Discussions, whatever form it took was no longer her concern. Why should she meddle?
Chen Dayi continued to seethe with indignation. Yet, no matter how angry he was, he refrained from drawing attention to their group. Even if he shed this layer of identity, he could not sever his ties with the Hua family. And behind him stood the Hua family's eldest young lady. Though his principles were offended, he had to consider the circumstances.Though they wished to settle matters peacefully, the other side insisted on directing the fire toward them. Hua Zhi hadn’t even been paying attention to what the other party was saying when she heard someone call her name: “I’ve heard that the eldest young lady has also been invited. I wonder what her opinion on this matter might be?”
The surroundings immediately fell silent, and everyone’s gaze shifted toward the pavilion that had remained quiet until now.
After a moment, a clear voice rang out: “This is a Pure Conversation Gathering. According to the rules, political matters are not to be discussed.”
The Pure Conversation Gathering had such a rule? Many people looked at Lord Wei in confusion. No one had informed them of this earlier; they had assumed that the gathering was truly a free exchange where anything could be discussed, including current events and political affairs.
But according to the Hua family’s eldest young lady, this was clearly not the case!
A commotion arose in the pavilion. Wei Chenze quickly signaled to a scholar in a nearby pavilion. The scholar, thinking quickly, asked, “According to the eldest young lady, what exactly constitutes a Pure Conversation?”
“It seems this gentleman is quite confident in himself, having thoroughly mastered the Four Books and Five Classics. Surely, his name will be on the list in next year’s Spring Examination.”
“…” Who would dare respond to such a remark! If one were truly to pass the imperial examination and become a scholar, it would be one thing. But if one were to agree with this statement today and then fail the Spring Examination, there would be no face left to show in society!
“Pure Conversation is meant to resolve doubts. If there are no doubts to resolve, why gather here at all?” Hua Zhi stood up. “Shall we disperse?”
Seeing the situation turning sour, Wei Chenze quickly interjected, “The eldest young lady is right. Since this is a Pure Conversation, it should be for resolving doubts. Please, everyone, continue.”
The scholar spoke again: “The eldest young lady comes from the Hua family and must have a deep understanding of Pure Conversation Gatherings. Why not let her lead the way and show us how we should conduct our discussions?”
“That makes sense.”
“Indeed.”
Some, however, were skeptical. “Are women even allowed to participate in Pure Conversation Gatherings? Why are you making things difficult for her?”
Everyone intentionally or unintentionally ignored this question, and naturally, no one answered. At the moment, they were more interested in seeing how the eldest young lady would resolve the current predicament.
“Then I shall make a fool of myself,” Hua Zhi said with a smile, shaking her head at Chen Dayi, who was about to stand up and defend her. While this was not her forte, picking out a few questions to pose was not beyond her ability.
“I dare not compare my knowledge with any of you, but I do have my own doubts. The Great Learning states, ‘If one follows the Way, one will attain it; if one does not follow the Way, one will lose it.’ This suggests that goodness will inevitably bring opportunities, while lack of goodness will cause one to lose them. Yet I have personally witnessed good people toiling to death without receiving the slightest favor from heaven, while lazy individuals live to eighty without illness or calamity. Worse still, some who have blood on their hands seize opportunities to rise as local gentry or tyrants, untouchable by ordinary people. By this logic, does it not seem that evil is rewarded? I wonder if anyone can resolve my doubt and explain the reasoning behind this?”
Her crisp, clear voice carried across the lake, but for a moment, no one responded.
Hua Zhi was in no hurry. She picked a longan from the plate and rolled it leisurely from one end of the table to the other."Goodness brings peace of mind." After a moment, the voice rose again from the same pavilion. Yu Xiasheng bowed deeply to Hua Zhi. "What we call a good person is one who refrains from evil deeds, but this could also mean inaction. For instance, if a child were drowning before his eyes and he neither extended a helping hand nor pushed the child further into the water, would that be good or evil? Conversely, so-called evil people might have helped others or been filial to their parents. Therefore, I believe there is no absolute good nor absolute evil. Although evil individuals may have more opportunities, as long as one persists in good intentions and deeds, from a long-term perspective, destiny will surely be favorable."
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