The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 87

Chapter 87: A Tongue Battle Against All Heroes

Impersonating a prestigious family lineage was a serious crime, and this person’s seemingly playful question had already pushed Xiao Jinyu into a desperate situation.

Fenghuang, who had also disguised himself as a guard of Prince of Lanling, couldn’t help but clench his fists in worry. At this moment, Gao Changgong retorted sternly, “Her identity is most clear to this Gao. Whether she is impersonating or not, it’s not up to you all to judge!”

At this time, Cui Heng and Li Mi walked out from the crowd.

“If you want to know if he is impersonating, it’s not difficult. The brilliance of the descendants of the Wang and Xie clans is rare in the world. We are here today to debate. If he can win against everyone, his talent will be self-evident!”

Cui Heng said, then looked worriedly at Xiao Jinyu, who had disguised herself as Xie Zhen.

“And what if he can’t win?” Yuwen Hui asked with a sneer.

“Then he will be punished for impersonating a prestigious family lineage!” Chen Shuling added.

Gao Changgong’s expression darkened, and worry also appeared in Xiao Xian’s eyes.

“The Pure Conversation Gathering is a place for scholars to express themselves freely and showcase their talents. Why is the Prince of Shixing so aggressive?” Li Mi couldn’t help but retort.

Chen Shuling snorted coldly and was about to say something when he heard Xiao Jinyu’s cold sneer, “Alright! So, all of you are going to question me today?”

“Then who will go first?”

She actually agreed! She actually asked who would go first so calmly and confidently, so self-assured, so arrogantly invincible!

Xu Ling couldn’t help but look over curiously, as if waiting for a good show.

“Then let’s start with the matter of Xiao Xian defending Han Zigao just now. Since when are male favorites and flatterers worthy of praise?”

The questioner was still the same scholar who had questioned Xiao Xian earlier. Xiao Jinyu glanced coldly at the scholar, knowing that he was deliberately trying to trap Xiao Xian in a situation of disloyalty and unrighteousness. After all, Han Zigao was executed by the current Emperor Chen Xu for the crime of treason.

“Those in high positions are not necessarily virtuous, even if they encounter opportunities; those in low positions are not necessarily foolish, even if they lack opportunities. In the past, Wang Chong wrote the 《 *Lunheng* 》 to tell the world that those in high positions are not necessarily wise, and those in low positions are not necessarily foolish. This is self-evident.

Yi Yin was the prime minister of a country, but he was once a slave of the King of Shen. Han Xin led millions of soldiers, but he also suffered the humiliation of crawling between someone’s legs. Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was born into a farming family. Even the Emperor of our Chen Dynasty was born from humble beginnings.

This esteemed sir, where do you place His Majesty with your question?”

The scholar was immediately horrified, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

At this moment, Xiao Jinyu continued, “A hero does not ask about origins. General Han was loyal to the Chen Dynasty until his death. Yi Yin once said, ‘Appoint officials based on their talent, choose advisors based on their character. With virtuous conduct, the world thrives; with corrupt conduct, the world perishes.’ The Emperor of our dynasty is also a wise ruler who appoints talented individuals. How could he be as narrow-minded as you, sir, judging people by their appearance or status?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Xian felt both joy and shock in his heart: She had even silenced His Majesty!

And indeed, the entire mountaintop fell silent again, no one daring to refute. Who dared to say that His Majesty was not wise?

Even Chen Xu, who was hiding in a secluded spot listening, couldn’t help but clench his hands, his gaze piercing through the gaps in the leaves towards the figure dressed in black, “Xie Zhen”!

“Your Majesty, should we go out and summon that Xie Zhen for questioning?” a nearby attendant asked.

Chen Xu waved his hand, “No need, let’s see first if she can, like Fan Zhen of old, refute all arguments and silence a thousand voices in a day?”

“Is there anyone else who wishes to question me?”

At this moment, Xiao Jinyu asked the crowd in a clear voice, her gaze sharp and clear as it swept over the scholars and young masters present.

“Dare I ask this Young Master Xie Zhen, is it true that women can bring ruin to a nation? In the past, there was Daji and Baosi who caused the downfall of their kingdoms. In the previous Southern Qi Dynasty, there was also Consort Pan who misled the country. Is it true that all those who perished were due to the influence of women?”

It was a young master who asked the question.

His question made Xiao Jinyu chuckle softly.

“The idea that women can bring ruin to a nation seems plausible, but ultimately, isn’t it the ruler’s indulgence in pleasure and lust for beauty that is the root cause? If a ruler can control his desires, conduct himself righteously, be close to virtuous officials, and distance himself from villains, how could there be incidents like the ‘Wine Pond and Meat Forest’ or the ‘Beacon Fire Signal’? How could there be an Emperor Houfei of the Southern Qi Dynasty who indulged in extravagant construction projects, causing the people to suffer, and who killed recklessly, forcing his officials to rebel?

Therefore, it is clear that if a ruler is unjust, tyrannical, and cruel, it will inevitably lead to the alienation of the people, the decline of national power, and ultimately, divine retribution!”

As the last four words were spoken, everyone held their breath: This young master was really daring!

Wasn’t this teaching the ruler of a nation how to conduct himself?

At this point, even Gao Changgong’s expression darkened. In fact, when Xiao Jinyu uttered her first eloquent argument, the shock in his heart could only be described as a stormy sea.

Unrighteous conduct, tyranny, and cruelty, wasn’t this describing the ruler of his own Qi Dynasty?

“Then how do you explain the fall of the Xiao Liang Dynasty? Emperor Wu of Liang abstained from entering the imperial harem and from women after the age of fifty. He ruled the country with Buddhist principles and was a truly benevolent ruler. Why did his kingdom perish?”

Mentioning the Xiao Liang Dynasty, Xiao Jinyu fell silent for a moment, a sharp pain stabbing at her chest.

Xiao Xian also looked downcast and lost in thought.

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“Benevolence also has two sides. Ruling with Buddhist principles does not necessarily equate to true virtue, or rather, whether this virtue is applied where it is most needed. Emperor Wu of Liang, though devoutly Buddhist, couldn’t bear to wear clothes made from silkworms, but he was ruthless in waging war. The Battle of Mount Fu alone resulted in the drowning of one hundred thousand people in floods.

Did his mercy towards Hou Jing, towards his enemies, towards his noble relatives bring him any reward?

Not to mention the construction of over five hundred Buddhist temples, extravagant and grand, with over one hundred thousand monks and nuns, their assets abundant. Yet, these Buddhist followers, while occupying the Emperor’s land, did not pay taxes to the court, leading to an empty treasury and heavier taxes on the common people.

While the wealthy feasted on meat and wine, the poor froze to death on the streets. Countless people died of hunger in the alleys, unable to bear the burden of labor and taxes.

Can this also be considered compassion in Buddhist teachings?

Can this be called ruling with benevolence?”

These words were spoken eloquently and resonated deeply, once again silencing the crowd.

Many began to contemplate, and Xiao Xian’s face was filled with astonishment.

“Then, according to Young Master Xie Zhen, what is compassion?” someone couldn’t help but ask.

“Those who are compassionate should prioritize all living beings, prioritize the common people. Therefore, saving one life is not compassion, saving a hundred lives is not compassion.

Only by delivering all sentient beings can one achieve true compassion!”

When these words were spoken, Xiao Xian finally understood the meaning of the phrase Xiao Jinyu had told him before.

So that’s it!

So this was her purpose in coming here today to make a name for herself!

For a moment, everyone fell silent again, all of them stunned by the phrase “Only by delivering all sentient beings can one achieve true compassion.”

During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, Daoist thought was prevalent, and scholars often discussed the teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi in their Pure Conversations. By the time of the Southern Liang Dynasty, with the Buddhist Emperor Xiao Yan at the helm, many officials and scholars followed Buddhism, and naturally, Buddhist teachings became the main topic of their discussions.

“Young Master Xie Zhen truly possesses remarkable eloquence. Your conclusion is well-reasoned and supported by evidence. I cannot refute it!”

Finally, after a moment of profound silence, someone exclaimed with admiration.

“Indeed, such eloquence, I am convinced!”

At this point, everyone began to voice their agreement, most of them with expressions of genuine admiration. Only a few, like Chen Shuling, still had dissatisfaction and resentment on their faces.

Xu Ling also stroked his beard and sighed, “The Chenjun Xie Clan has a worthy successor!”

“Then, is this Young Master Xie the champion of this Pure Conversation Gathering?”

Cui Heng walked towards Xu Ling and asked with a smile.

“If no one dares to challenge this Young Master Xie, then he is naturally the champion of this Pure Conversation Gathering!” Xu Ling replied. “Does anyone else object?”

The scholars bowed to Xiao Jinyu one after another and retreated.

But at this moment, Chen Shuling suddenly shouted, “This Prince objects!”

His shout stopped everyone in their tracks.

He continued, “Although he has eloquence, it doesn’t prove that he is a descendant of the Chenjun Xie Clan. It is said that the Wang Clan excels in calligraphy and the Xie Clan in poetry. The poetry of the Xie Clan was even praised by Emperor Wu of Liang, who called it the best among poems.

I have heard that Cao Zhi could compose a poem in seven steps. Then I will give Young Master Xie seven steps to compose a poem and let everyone hear it!”

Chen Shuling said, his gaze fixed on Xiao Jinyu, as if trying to dampen her spirit, his eyes filled with smugness.

To his surprise, Xiao Jinyu calmly replied, “Alright, then please, Prince of Shixing, provide me with brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. There’s no need for seven steps. I can compose a poem before a single leaf falls!”