The group dismounted at the entrance of the alley, and the followers stayed there. Yang Feng led Juanhou into the depths of the alley.

The alley was not wide, with footprints on the snow, but there were no horseshoe prints or ruts. In front of a dilapidated door, Yang Feng knocked on the door knocker twice, then retreated to the bottom of the steps, waiting silently, Han Ruzi stood beside him, feeling like he was visiting a hermit.

After waiting for a while, the door was finally gently pushed open. A boy in his teens walked out and saluted the two of them, "Please wait for you, please wait in the Houlu."

Han Ruzi suddenly noticed something interesting. The people of Jianghu clasped their fists and looked casual, with their hands almost close to their chin, and their elbows were lowered to their side, which seemed to be humble and guarded. They could change from being polite to being fist-footed at any time. The etiquette of scholars was much more complicated. Even if they were just a child, they did it in a good manner: their hands were closed, almost half a foot away from their chest, and their arms were spread as much as possible, like the wings of a young bird.

After posing, the people in the martial arts world take action, keep their mouths and heads, and their eyes should be kept to observe the other person's reaction, but the scholars are the opposite. They do not move their hands and mouths, and only their heads and waists are slightly bent and their heads and waists are straightened before they speak.

The etiquette of scholars may be somewhat rigid, but it is these rigid postures that show that they have no threat and absolutely no intention to use force.

Han Ruzi and Yang Feng were led to the backyard. There was really a house here. After entering, there was a mat but no tables and chairs. Han Ruzi remembered his experience of listening to classes in the palace and thought that retro was really a tiring thing.

There were a few small thin mattresses on the mat. Han Ruzi knelt in the guest room. Yang Feng was a little later than him to show the difference between master and servant. The door was half open, and the sound of reading came in with the cold wind, as if it was from a group of children.

"Is this a private school?"

"Yeah." Yang Feng responded.

Han Ruzi was not surprised that Guo Cong’s friend was a teacher, but he didn’t expect that this person taught a group of children.

In the following time, the two of them waited silently. Han Ruzi was bored thinking about the difference between the people in the martial arts world and scholars, wondering which kind of people Yang Feng prefers.

The book boy came a few times and brought about fifteen or sixteen kinds of tea sets such as stoves, charcoal, pots, water, tea, cups, spoons, etc., but he did not cook tea, but apologized politely and asked the guests to wait for a while.

When the cold wind made the inside and outside the hut become as cold as before, Guo Cong came and was about to sit on a stool. At this time, he was kneeling on the opposite side. After saying hello, he cooked tea by himself. His movements were slow, but his steps were not messy.

Yang Feng walked forward and turned slightly to assist Guo Cong in making tea. The host and guest were clearly distinguished, but they cooperated with each other, as if they were cooking tea together every day.

This is a means of communication between scholars, like the incision of the Jianghu people, which Han Ruzi couldn't understand.

Yang Feng brought a cup of cooked tea to Juanhou. Han Ruzi sipped it, nodded a long time, and said with a smile: "I understand why I have to open the door. I have to be in the cold winter to taste the beauty of hot tea."

"Haha." Guo Cong laughed. Here he no longer showed the image of a corrupt scholar, but instead became a little full of spirit. "The so-called "I know pine and cypress only when I get poor and humble, but I get the best friends. I have a unique taste when I have a long time to taste tea."

Han Ruzi smiled, held the teacup in both hands, drank water in small sips, and felt a little sweet, and could not say more.

Yang Feng only served Jue Hou and did not drink tea himself.

Guo Cong took a sip and seemed to want to savor it. After hesitation, he gave up and chatted casually.

After about two quarters of an hour, the sound of reading outside disappeared, and soon after, the master finally appeared.

This is a middle-aged man in his thirties. He has a thin figure, wide robe and big sleeves, which is exactly the same as the image of a scholar in the minds of ordinary people. His skin is darker and his demeanor is slightly reduced.

Han Ruzi heard Yang Feng introduce that this man was named Qu and named Zi Xi. Although he was not old, he was a famous Confucian scholar. He was a Jinshi in the late years of Emperor Wu and is currently a doctor of the Imperial College.

What Yang Feng didn't say is that Qu Zixi was more interested in teaching children than adults.

Qu Zixi gave a great gift to Juanhou at the door, apologizing for his late arrival. After giving humble condolences to each other with Guo Cong, he sat down.

Shutong opened the doors and windows completely. Only then did Han Ruzi notice that there were two plum trees in the corner of the yard, with red heads all over the head, which made people's eyes shine, and there seemed to be a slight fragrance floating in his nose. Then he remembered that the smell of the tea was indeed somewhat similar to that of the plum fragrance.

The best time to praise the tea has passed, and Han Ruzi did not come for this, just wait for the other party to speak.

The courtesy ended. Qu Zixi stood up straight, holding the cup with one hand and holding the cup with the other, and gently took a sip of tea, as if it was a unique wine in the world. Then he slowly put down the tea cup, remained silent for a moment, and began to "teach".

He was indeed speaking in the tone of lectures, as if he had just changed his class, and there were still a group of students waiting for his teachings in front of him. Although his expression was solemn, his words were not awkward.

"Does Juenhou believe that studying can make a person smarter?"

"Believe." Han Ruzi benefited a lot from historical books, but he only regretted that he read too late and too little.

"Does Juenhou believe that studying can make a person kinder and kinder?"

"This... may not be."

"Well, there are many shameless and vicious people among scholars, so reading can make a person smarter, but it may not make a person kinder and kinder."

Han Ruzi didn't know what to say.

Qu Zixi didn't expect to answer, and said to himself: "There are these two people who are both vicious, one is dull and the other is smart. Which one is more threatening?"

Han Ruzi already understood what the middle-aged scholar wanted to say. He had seen similar statements in history books. The emperor "was enough to refuse advice, and words enough to pretend to be wrong." Therefore, he was even more evil than an ordinary foolish monarch and could be called a tyrant. In the eyes of scholars such as Qu Zixi, Juehou, Donghai King and the Champion Hou are not qualified emperors. In comparison, the less intelligent champion Hou is the best choice.

Han Ruzi smiled and said, "There are two teachers, both mediocre people. One is extremely strict. They do not require students to read according to their own methods and the other is extremely lenient. Let the students read by themselves. Mr. Qu thinks which teacher teaches students more likely to be outstanding?"

Qu Zixi laughed a few times, his expression was less solemn. Like Guo Cong, he had a little more spirit.

He also understood what Juenhou’s answer meant. A scholar is a teacher. He thought he had seen through everything about students, but in fact he had short-sighted eyes. If he was looser, students might stand out. If he was too strict, it would be difficult for a good disciple to be a mediocre teacher. Qu Zixi, Guo Cong and others interfered in the election of emperors, which was tantamount to a mediocre and strict teaching teacher.

Han Ruzi would never admit that he would be a fool or a tyrant.

Qu Zixi also did not admit that they were mediocre teachers and said, "There are two fields, one is barren, but the location is safe, and there must be output every year. The other is fertile, but the location is shallow, and it is often affected by floods. It has a bumper harvest in a year, but there are no grains for three years. Juanhou thought which piece is better?"

Feitian refers to Emperor Wu, who was wise and powerful, but also exhausted the people of Da Chu. Scholars did not like to have another similar emperor so soon, and would rather have a mediocre king to rest and recuperate.

Of course, Han Ruzi refused to admit defeat. "With these two ships, one is small and new, there is no problem, the other is big and old, or there are loopholes. If there is a small wind and wave, you will naturally have to use a small boat, but if there is a flood, there is only one chance to escape to the highlands by boat. At this time, should you take a small boat or a big boat?"

A small boat seems safe, but it is small to carry people and is easy to overturn in the huge waves. The big boat is worn out, but it carries more people, and may be able to withstand the huge waves. If there is only one chance, a big boat is of course a better choice.

Han Ruzi and Qu Zixi faced each other in a tit-for-tat way. Guo Cong and Yang Feng attended the audience, added tea to the cup, and delivered it to two controversies. In order to ease the atmosphere, Guo Cong smiled and said, "It's better to use the two ships together."

His words were inappropriate. Han Ruzi looked at him coldly, but Qu Zixi had no good expression. He looked up and down at Guo Cong's eyes, and seemed a little disappointed with him.

Among the four, Guo Cong was the oldest and most famous, but at this time he blushed, which was a hundred times more awkward than Han Ruzi's previous beauty. He pressed his hands on the mat and bowed his head to admit his mistake.

Qu Zixi asked: "Although there have been no good weather in recent years, there have been no major disasters. Most of them are man-made, and there are no big ships, just small boats to pass by safely."

There were Huns outside the Great Chu, and there were refugees who caused chaos inside. However, these were not unprecedented disasters. The court did nothing, which made the situation worse and worse. Only a mediocre emperor who did not do anything or make trouble, or fight or rob could solve these problems and restore everything to normal.

"The wind rises at the end of Qingping. How many people can recognize it when it is not yet prosperous?" Han Ruzi didn't want to use metaphors anymore and said directly: "The palace is in chaos, the queen mother plays with wisdom and power, and introduces sorcerers to control the ministers. If you want a mediocre emperor, what you will get in the end is a mud-worn puppet. How can you cut it off?"

"We have our own way to let the Queen Mother hand over power and let the witchcraft warlocks return to the gangland." Qu Zixi said, but there was no detailed explanation. This was their secret.

"The Huns have been divided for a long time. The Western Huns had already lived in a wilderness. They suddenly moved eastward and conquered the Eastern Huns in a battle, which is enough to show that their power has not declined. Their soldiers are strong, but they are as anxious as dogs that have lost their families. Because there are more powerful enemies behind them. This powerful enemy vowed to fight with the Chu people. Even though the huge waves are far away, they will destroy the house and pull out the trees. Can you guys have a way to deal with it?"

Qu Zixi shook his head and smiled, "Although Da Chu is sick, he is not afraid of the barbarians in the north. The martyr has a strong enemy out of nothing. This is the wisdom we fear."

Han Ruzi said seriously: "Why do scholars forget history? The Great Chu has been established for more than 120 years, and it has only been a few decades since it defeated the Huns. Thirty years ago, it was stalemate with the Huns. Thirty years ago, it was even necessary to ask for peace and pay tribute from the Huns. When is the current Great Chu more like?"

Today's Great Chu is definitely not as good as the heyday of Emperor Wu, and no one will deny this.

Qu Zixi was silent for a while and said, "There is no basis for empty words."

Han Ruzi said: "A strong enemy from afar will be aware of something in the Western Regions. The head of the Ministry of Rites may have something to hear. Within a few days, the Xiongnu envoys will enter the capital, and they will know more."

Qu Zixi smiled slightly, picked up the teacup, indicating that he would give him a visit.

In the alley, Han Ruzi asked, "Am I dealing well?"

"Very good." Yang Feng said.

"But I don't think I'm convinced these two people."

"No need, just let them know what kind of person Juanhou is."

"But the last thing he wants is someone like me. Forget it, I just hope you tell me one thing: can these scholars really turn the world around?"

Yang Feng kept a secret again, "Who flocks to you in front of you? Over the past thousand years, more and more scholars have been studying, and it is not for no reason. If Juehou is a little patient, he will soon see the strength of scholars." (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!