Zhuo Zifang and the others felt their hearts skip a beat.
Did this brat actually invoke righteousness and morality?
Liang Xiao asked, "Then I ask you, why is it our vast nation that bears the cost of appeasing for peace between two countries?"
Ouyang Sheng's expression changed, and he defended, "That is merely the necessary expenditure of wealth to appease the barbarians!"
Liang Xiao sneered, "Our vast nation, which claims to be the central kingdom at the heart of the world, has to present tribute of money and grain to enemies dwelling in barren lands, to avert disaster with wealth? Can this still be called a vast nation? Is the root of this mockery not precisely because of your faction of surrenderists!"
"You!!" Ouyang Sheng's face turned ashen, and he was speechless.
Liang Xiao glanced at Ouyang Sheng and continued, "Do I still need to tell you what constitutes a vast nation?"
Ouyang Sheng's face flushed and paled, his eyes fixed on Liang Xiao as he contemplated a response.
Liang Xiao declared loudly, "A nation rich and its people strong, its armies mighty and horses spirited, with all nations paying homage. Wherever the sun shines and rivers flow, all shall be territory of the Great Qian! Only then can it be called a vast nation!"
"Well said!" Cheers and applause erupted from below.
Dugu Xiao and the other two were in a dilemma, looking to Gongyang He for help.
Gongyang He, with a dark expression, signaled to the eight hundred Confucian scholars in the audience.
One after another, Confucian scholars, representing their friends, raised their hands and stood up to debate with Liang Xiao. In total, forty representatives for the eight hundred scholars were all rendered speechless by Liang Xiao's arguments.
Throughout the entire process, Liang Xiao only drank a few cups of pre-prepared water.
Originally, Yunxiu Zhaizhu, Liu Feng, Li Xunfeng, Zhuo Xiong, and others also stood up, intending to support Liang Xiao, but before they could speak, Liang Xiao's sharp words had already silenced these scholars into utter speechlessness.
The eight hundred Confucian scholars hung their heads in dejection, with not a single one able to refute Liang Xiao!
Gongyang He's eyes widened in disbelief.
Liang Xiao alone, through sheer eloquence and without a single coarse word, had utterly defeated his eight hundred disciples!
The entire audience, initially cheering incessantly, eventually grew tired of cheering, their voices hoarse. They could only nod incessantly for Liang Xiao, expressing their profound agreement.
Jian Qinwan, Yue Lian, and Zhuo Xun gazed at Liang Xiao's solitary, peerless figure on the stage with starry eyes, their hearts aching.
He had endured such an intense debate…
The talented men and women of Great Liang across the city watching from afar were even more dumbfounded, their faces etched with disbelief.
This individual not only handled matters swiftly and decisively but could also defeat Gongyang Clan's eight hundred Confucian scholars with mere words?
Ye Qingyi gazed at Liang Xiao blankly, hiding behind He Qiushui and covering her face as she wept.
Yunxiu Zhaizhu and the other two were equally stunned.
Zhuo Zifang and He Jingyun had wiped their tears several times, but each time they urged Liang Xiao to rest, he refused.
"All eight hundred of you have only a mouth that spews nonsense and a backbone that buckles before barbarians. What use is eight hundred of you combined? You are not even fit to carry Liang Xiao's shoes!!" Zhuo Zifang, uncharacteristically losing his composure, almost roared.
Liang Xiao simply smiled and waved his hand, "Lord Zhuo, please calm your anger, it was merely a bit of talking."
Hearing Liang Xiao's voice clearly hoarse, Jian Qinwan, Yue Lian, and Zhuo Xun could no longer hold back their tears.
Despite the eight hundred Confucian scholars, he was unafraid!
It only caused them heartache and worry to witness it!
"Marquis Anguo, please rest for a moment!" He Jingyun also quickly suggested.
The talented men and women below sighed with emotion and wept, yet dared not disturb Marquis Anguo.
Hong Jie and the other two's feelings grew increasingly complex, as if they could foresee something.
The chapter of rectifying the essence of Jiangnan begins today!
Liang Xiao waved his hand, offering a calm smile, and said, "No hurry, I still have one last word for these cowards."
With that, Liang Xiao turned resolutely, picked up a brush from the table, and hung a sheet of Xuan paper on a wooden board.
Zhuo Zifang understood and immediately ground ink for Liang Xiao.
Then, with a bold stroke, Liang Xiao wrote:
[Your lives and reputations shall perish, yet the rivers shall flow eternally!]
As the final stroke landed, the entire venue erupted in thunderous cheers!
"Good! Well said!!" Zhuo Zifang's veins bulged on his neck with excitement, explaining, "In the future, these Confucian scholars will be forgotten, while righteous individuals like Liang Xiao will be remembered in history, flowing eternally like the rivers!"
The eight hundred Confucian scholars below lowered their heads in shame, and some even covered their faces and wept.
This single sentence had slapped their faces like a thunderous blow, making them like rats crossing the street, despised by the talented men and women of the Jiangnan Spring Banquet!
Gongyang Long and the other two on stage were extremely uneasy, wishing they could disappear into a crack in the ground!
Gongyang He's face grew more and more grim.
He wanted to say something, but could find no suitable words!
Even the slightest misstep would lead to ridicule!
At this moment, he realized that silence was the best strategy?
As the Grand Tutor, he was accustomed to wielding power in Jiangnan. When had he ever felt so stifled!
A large portion of the talented men and women in Jiangnan, who had been neutral, could not help but cheer for Liang Xiao, their minds made up.
After taking a sip of water, Liang Xiao declared loudly, "Since ancient times, dignity has only been found at the tip of a sword. If we cannot even protect our territory, how can we have a rich nation and strong people? However, relying solely on soldiers is not enough to make Great Qian rich and strong; it requires all talents in the world to fulfill their roles and perform their duties."
"We shall engrave this in our hearts and serve the nation, working for the people's welfare!" Liu Feng and others below responded with near roars, feeling immensely exhilarated!
Gongyang He, utterly helpless, had no choice but to lead the Confucian scholars away prematurely.
Unexpectedly, over four hundred Confucian scholars remained where they were, refusing to leave.
"Marquis Anguo, it is we who were shallow in our understanding and selfish. From now on, we shall reform ourselves and rediscover the true spirit of scholarship!" A representative scholar, who had previously debated fiercely with Liang Xiao, admitted his mistakes tearfully.
Gongyang He was enraged, "You are all my disciples, what does this mean?!"
"Grand Tutor, we should look to the nation and rediscover our true spirit!" a scholar responded resolutely.
More than four hundred Confucian scholars echoed his sentiment.
Gongyang He almost fainted from anger, stammering, "Fine! Very well!"
Finally, Gongyang Long and others helped the nearly unconscious Gongyang He away.
Yunxiu Zhaizhu and the other two trembled violently, their hands hidden in their sleeves, as if they had personally experienced the most unbelievable grand event of their lives!
Ye Qingyi, like the other talented women, continued to wipe her tears, no longer possessing the demeanor of the Bai Chun Tower Master.
Zhuo Zifang choked back a sob, "It seems I need not elaborate further. All of you should already have your own thoughts."
The talented men and women below voiced their opinions, "We hope to participate in Marquis Anguo's selection soon!"
At this moment, they regarded Liang Xiao's unconventional "examination" as a selection process more sacred than the imperial examinations.
After cupping his fists in thanks to everyone, Liang Xiao, under their adoring gaze, left the banks of the Qinhuai River with Jian Qinwan and the others.
As they exited the venue, Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian could no longer restrain themselves and hugged Liang Xiao tightly, whispering, "You've worked too hard…"
Liang Xiao smiled gently and was about to reply when an anxious call came from behind.
"Marquis Anguo, please wait!"
Liang Xiao turned to see Yunxiu Zhaizhu and the other two hurrying over.