Chapter 39: Li Ru's Disappointment

  One sentence made all the guests in the living room change color.

  Those Confucian scholars all changed their expressions, their eyes gazing at Wang Can, one after another revealing a look of surprise, never expecting that Wang Can would have such broad-minded ambitions, worrying about the world's troubles before others and rejoicing in the world's joys after others.

  Humble in status, but never forgets the aspiration to serve the country.

  How great is Wang Can!

  This is naturally the view of Confucian scholars in the living room towards Wang Can, but in Wang Can's heart, he was laughing loudly, finally deceiving this group of people who were confused all day. He just borrowed Fan Zhongyan's words and didn't expect to shock these people, the effect was quite good.

  "Hoo-hoo~~~~"

  Wang Cai let out a long sigh of relief and looked at Li Ru, his eyes showing a sense of being freed from a heavy burden.

  Because of Li Ru's meddling, Wang Can's identity as a Yellow Turban was exposed, but because of Wang Can's words, the Confucian scholars in the living room accepted him.

  These people are mostly Confucian scholars in Luoyang, and once they accept Wang Can, his future path will not be difficult. As the saying goes, "many mouths make a golden voice", with more people talking about it, the news spreads far and wide, and under the sacred halo of loyalty to the country, Wang Can's identity as a Yellow Turban can almost be ignored. With this conversation, it becomes easier for Wang Can to recruit talents in the future, and he will not be attacked by the crowd because of his identity as a Yellow Turban.

  Li Ru's expression was complex, his gloomy eyes making people feel a chill.

  He let out a soft hum, his eyes gleaming with a chilling light. But in the end, he could only shake his head helplessly and sigh. By now, he also understood that it was impossible to discredit Wang Can, because Wang Can's words were simply unrefutable by Li Ru.

  Cultivate oneself, put one's house in order, govern the state, and bring peace to the world. This is the lifelong creed of Confucian scholars.

  To empathize with the worries of the world before they arise and to rejoice in its joys after they have occurred is already a very high state in Confucian thought.

  This is no longer a simple governance, but a kind of childlike heart to serve the country, without any desire for impurities. Wang Can threw out Fan Zhongyan's words, which was a big killer move, and instantly shocked everyone, including Wang Yun, Cai Yong, and Lu Zhi...

  Li Ruwang saw the Confucian scholars shaking their heads in surprise, and felt a wave of annoyance in his heart. It was truly a case of losing the rice while trying to steal the chicken.

  Not only did it fail to pull Wang Can into Dong Zhuo's camp, but it also made Wang Can's reputation soar and thoroughly won over the hearts of all Confucian scholars. After this incident, Wang Can, who was originally unknown, quietly gained a reputation as a successor to Cai Yong and showed signs of becoming a great master of Confucianism in his generation.

  Those who teach are advanced.

  Wang Can was young, but his words made the Confucian scholars present dare not underestimate him.

  "Mr. Boji, I have a lot of official business to attend to in the Li Mansion and there are still important matters that need to be dealt with, so I must take my leave. Please forgive me for any disrespect." Li Ru said coldly, bowing slightly to Cai Yong.

  At this time, Li Ru's whole body emitted a cold and gloomy aura, making people feel a chill.

  Cai Yong came back to his senses, and a smile spread across his wrinkled face. He repeatedly waved his hand and said: "Since Lang Zhongling is busy with official duties, I won't detain you any longer. There are many guests in the mansion, please forgive me for any impoliteness."

  "Alright, alright." Li Ru forced a smile on his face, but his eyes were filled with deep disappointment.

  Come with joy and leave with sorrow.

  Li Ruyu left, and the atmosphere in the living room became lively. Everyone was chatting and laughing, it was a joyful gathering of host and guests.

  Hero Building, 2nd floor.

  Two scholars sit by the window, whispering to each other.

  "Zhong De Gong, Wang Can is indeed an extraordinary person. As soon as he entered Luoyang, in just a few days, he managed to get Cai Bojie as his teacher. This is truly a great blessing and a stroke of good fortune."

  The man was wearing a green robe, holding a fan in his hand, gently shaking it as he spoke. At this time, it was the middle of winter and the weather was extremely cold, but this person was actually holding a fan and occasionally shaking it, which was truly unusual. This person was none other than Xun Yu, also known as Xun Gongda, who had followed Wang Can to Luoyang along with Cheng Yu.

  Cheng Yu stroked his long beard under his chin, and a smile appeared on his cold face: "Gong Da, I've said it before that this person is not simple. Hmph, Wen Ruo didn't believe me, but instead pulled Feng Xiao along to go to Ji Zhou to join that young master Yuan Shao. I really don't know what Wen Ruo is thinking in her heart."

  Xun Yu heard this and smiled bitterly.

  Cheng Yu can openly and unscrupulously criticize Xun Yu, but Xun You cannot.

  Even though Xun Yu was nearly forty years old, five years older than Xun You, Xun Yu's generation was that of Xun You's nephew, and it was only natural that he could not be his superior.

  Cheng Yu was also a perceptive person, and upon seeing Xun You's expression, he naturally understood. He changed the subject and said: "Gong Da, what do you think of Wang Can's words 'to worry before the world worries, and to be happy after the world is happy'? How should this be interpreted?"

  Xun Yu said without hesitation: "Isn't it worrying about the country and the people? What other explanation is there?"

  Cheng Yu shook his head: "Gong Da, your expertise lies in military strategy, exceling at assessing battlefield situations and devising tactics to defeat the enemy. As for me, my knowledge comes from the School of Law, which is closely tied to the emperor's rule. I have spent more time with emperors and am better attuned to their thoughts. Wang Can's phrase 'to worry before the world worries, and to rejoice after the world rejoices' may seem like loyalty and patriotism to Confucians, but to you, it's just a literal meaning. However, in my eyes, this is not simply about loyalty and patriotism..."

  "If it were a peaceful and prosperous era, Wang Can's words would be considered sincere. However, in today's chaotic world, Wang Can is just a Yellow Turban bandit occupying Runan. Do you think he has the ambition to worry about the country and its people? I suspect this is just Wang Can's way of deceiving those corrupt Confucians. To use Confucianism as one's skin and Legalism as one's internal organs, with an external show of Confucianism and an inner reality of Legalism - this is the true way of the emperor. In my observation, Wang Can is probably another Cao Cao, a hero of chaos in these tumultuous times."

  Xun Yu's face was shocked, and his fan in his hand kept shaking: "Zhong De Gong, I'm afraid you're exaggerating."

  Cheng Yu smiled but didn't say anything.

  "Haha... I knew it, Zhong De Gong and Gong Da would definitely be here. Didn't expect to actually run into them! Eh, this journey has been so dull, no wine to drink, no beauties to see, but it's starving me to death."

  The voice was a little hoarse, with a hint of frivolity in his tone.

  As the voice fell, a young man in a gray robe with wrinkled clothes and disheveled hair came up. The youth's face was pale, but his eyes were as bright as the starry sky, shining brightly and deeply.

  "Filial piety, how are you here?" Xun You's face was shocked, seeing Guo Jia dusty and exhausted, with a haggard look, he hastily asked: "Why is it only you alone, where is my uncle?"

  Guo Jia grumbled and ignored Xun Yu.

  He hastily sat down and grabbed the wine jug on the table, pouring it directly into his mouth.

  Gurgling, Guo Jia poured a few more mouthfuls of wine into his mouth before letting out a long sigh and shaking his head: "Good wine and beautiful women, these are the two greatest pursuits in life. Having good wine to drink is truly wonderful."

  Xun Yu grabbed hold of Guo Jia and asked again: "Fengxiao, where is your uncle? Why isn't he with you?"