klisemfg Chapter 1313
Chapter 1313
But now this matter is about to erupt at any moment.
Based on their understanding of Zhu Yunwen's character, Zhan Hui would certainly try every means to oppose and hinder this matter in the next few days—for him, this was the time to seize the opportunity and contact some people in advance.
Fu Youwen stopped pretending and, after a moment of silence, advised, "Lord Zhan, you're too attached to appearances. Power and wealth can be alluring, but His Majesty is unlike any other emperor. I've come here... still to advise you not to go astray."
Fu Youwen stroked his beard, his expression and gaze exceptionally sincere.
In a way, he, Zhan Hui, and Liu Sanwu had established a revolutionary friendship. Although the three of them had different feelings and pursuits, they had witnessed each other's journey together from the very beginning, when they were always on tenterhooks and walking on thin ice.
Therefore, Fu Youwen came here for no other reason than to persuade Zhan Hui.
“You are younger than me and Liu Sanwu, two old men. You are intelligent and capable. His Majesty is a wise and powerful ruler with extraordinary talent. If you wholeheartedly assist His Majesty, you will achieve great things in the future and leave behind a lasting reputation,” Fu Youwen earnestly advised.
Zhan Hui chuckled dismissively: "Lord Fu, isn't His Majesty's meaning clear? He wants to completely destroy the greatest benefit and interest of us scholars! Since the Hongwu era, officials' salaries have been incredibly meager. If His Majesty pulls this stunt, we won't be able to make a living! How will we pass on our family legacy in the future? His Majesty... shouldn't have even considered this!"
"But His Majesty has indeed had this idea."
Fu Youwen said in a deep voice, "You and I know His Majesty's temperament. If you go against His Majesty in this matter and try to hinder him, you will completely lose His Majesty's favor. We have known each other for a while, so I would like to advise you to pull back from the brink."
Zhan Hui said coldly, "It is His Majesty who is losing the hearts of scholars throughout the land!"
Fu Youwen said, "Do you still think His Majesty is just a reckless teenager? What he does is always carefully considered and meticulously planned. You say this move will lose the hearts of scholars across the land? You can think of that, but does His Majesty not? Yet His Majesty is still determined to do this, which shows that His Majesty is confident!"
Zhan Hui retorted, unconvinced, "Then, Lord Fu, may I ask, what is His Majesty's confidence? How does he refuse the nobles of Huaixi? There are countless scholars in the world, how can His Majesty appease them?"
Fu Youwen was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "I don't know."
Zhan Hui smiled: "That's it then."
Fu Youwen said firmly, "Just because I don't know doesn't mean it doesn't exist." He had been proven wrong by his own arbitrary judgments too many times before, and now he understood one thing perfectly: His Majesty's abilities could not be guessed or assumed based on conventional methods!
Zhan Hui was now in a state of confusion and clearly hadn't listened to any of Fu Youwen's advice. He even tried to persuade Fu Youwen to continue: "Lord Fu, this is a benefit and interest that belongs to all scholars in the world. We should fight for it together. If we both remain silent, His Majesty might actually carry it out. Then we'll really regret it—even if we gain fame and become officials, we'll only live a miserable life. In the end, we'll probably leave very little to our descendants."
Having lived to such an old age, Fu Youwen knew the saying "you can't wake someone who's pretending to be asleep." Zhan Hui was too ambitious and valued power too much, so he probably wouldn't listen to any reasoning he had.
He could only sigh helplessly and say, "Stubborn to the end... I've done my best, but there's nothing I can do..."
Zhan Hui seemed a little annoyed that he was talking too much, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, I won't waste any more time with you. I know that with our friendship, you wouldn't do anything to cheat me. Let's leave it at that for today, and just pretend we didn't say anything."