Chapter 394: Lin Beifan, Spreading Positive Energy!
Putting aside the invitation, Lin Beifan retrieved a fine wine from the wine cellar, walking out with a smile on his face. At this moment, in a private room of the restaurant, Yao Zheng, the director of the Imperial Academy, sat side by side with an elderly man.
What was surprising was that Yao Zheng, usually fearless and unyielding, was now remarkably humble and respectful in the presence of this frail old man. “Teacher, this time you’re returning for good, right? After all, Great Wu is your roots!”
The old man chuckled, “Naturally, I won’t be leaving. After years of wandering, witnessing the splendor of various places in the world, I’m still most attached to this place! Perhaps, as one grows older, they yearn to return to their roots. I want to live and die on this piece of land! Haha…”
“Teacher, with your robust health, you can probably live for several more decades. How can you talk about death? It’s not at all auspicious! But, Teacher, your decision to stay makes me so happy. I can listen to your teachings anytime!” Yao Zheng said with joy, shaking his head, his beard swaying.
“Little Zheng, you’re an official now. How can you be so impetuous?” the old man scolded. “If others see you like this, it’s disgraceful!”
“Please forgive me, Teacher. I understand,” Yao Zheng immediately lowered his head in apology.
“Decades have passed, but you haven’t changed a bit!” the old man said with a smile, though not without irritation. “But when you meet the Prime Minister later, you must show proper respect. I’ve heard that you’ve caused him trouble more than once. If not for his magnanimity, you would have been dismissed long ago!”
Yao Zheng forced a smile. “Teacher, I was ignorant in the past. My eyesight was failing, and I thought he was like other corrupt officials. But who knew…”
“Knowing your mistakes is good,” the old man said, stroking his beard. “By the way, I’m really looking forward to meeting this Prime Minister. I wonder what kind of person he is! I really want to see him!”
Just then, the door creaked open.
The old man turned to look and saw a young man in splendid attire, exuding an extraordinary aura, walking in with a bottle of wine, smiling. He was taken aback and asked, “Young man, did you enter the wrong room?”
Lin Beifan glanced at Yao Zheng beside the old man and replied, “I don’t think I did.”
The old man kindly advised, “Young man, you should leave quickly. We are preparing to receive an important guest. If you disturb him, it might affect your future…”
Yao Zheng was sweating profusely. “Teacher, you misunderstood. This is the current Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the military, Loyalty and Valor Duke Lin Beifan!”
“Ah?” The old man was almost jaw-dropped.
He hadn’t expected that the young man before him was the most powerful man in Great Wu today! Although he knew he was young, he didn’t expect him to be this young, even younger than his youngest students. Moreover, the young man’s behavior and demeanor were nothing like that of a high-ranking official. When had a high-ranking official pushed the door himself and walked in with a bottle of wine?
“So, you’re the Prime Minister,” the old man said, apologetically. “I’ve misunderstood, and I apologize.”
Lin Beifan smiled and clasped his hands. “I see we used to be colleagues. My apologies for any disrespect.”
“Prime Minister, you’re too polite. I’m just an ordinary man now, not worthy of such courtesy,” the old man humbly replied.
Lin Beifan chuckled. “Deserving! If I remember correctly, you were the relentless Yama twenty years ago, standing above the emperor and below the officials, renowned among the people! In the end, disappointed with the court, you resigned and traveled to foreign lands. Your integrity and character are truly admirable!”
The elderly man modestly waved his hand and said with a bitter smile, “A hero doesn’t dwell on past glory. Back then, I was just an idealistic scholar with aspirations but lacked the ability to bring about change. That’s why I resigned from my official position and escaped from reality. Compared to Prime Minister, I’m truly far inferior.”
With admiration in his eyes, the elderly man continued, “Prime Minister, you entered the court alone, battled corrupt officials and greedy bureaucrats, quelled rebellious regional lords, resisted foreign invaders, and helped the common people while supporting the collapsing government. You are our role model!”
Lin Beifan humbly replied, “Old Sir, you’re too kind. I haven’t done much, really. Most of the time, I’m just dealing with corrupt officials, handling unruly regional lords, and occasionally going to war. My days are quite ordinary.”
Both old men were astonished.
What he described sounded far from ordinary!
Every step he took was extremely perilous!
If he made a wrong move, losing his position would be the least of his worries. It could lead to beheadings and the punishment of entire families. It was not just about him losing his job; it was about people losing their lives and families being ruined.
“Not to mention, the food is getting cold. Prime Minister, please have a seat quickly!” Lin Beifan said.
“Of course, please, both of you!” They all took their seats.
Lin Beifan naturally sat at the head, followed by the elderly man, Luo Guanghai, and Yao Zheng.
With a loud thud, Lin Beifan directly opened the seal on the wine and poured it for the three of them.
Yao Zheng quickly grabbed the wine pot. “Allow me, let me…”
So, Yao Zheng turned into a dedicated wine pourer. Then, the three of them enjoyed their meal and chatted.
Old man Luo Guanghai watched Lin Beifan’s manners from beginning to end and couldn’t help but exclaim, “I’ve been an official for over a decade, and I’ve traveled far and wide, but I’ve never seen someone as down-to-earth as you!”
He sighed, “Prime Minister, you truly are people-oriented! There’s not a strand of pretentiousness in you.”
Both old men nodded repeatedly. “That’s right, that’s right…”
Lin Beifan took a bite of the succulent abalone and sipped a bit of the exquisite palace wine. He said emphatically, “The most important thing is not just to talk but to act, to always keep the people in mind. By doing so, we can promote positive energy and rejuvenate society!”
Both old men nodded again, agreeing, “Indeed, indeed, Prime Minister, your words are absolutely correct!”
Lin Beifan rinsed his mouth with bird’s nest soup and spoke with deep conviction, “As officials of the court, we must not only know what the people need and what they’re concerned about, but we must also lead by example. Only then can we spread positive energy and bring about social renewal!”
Both old men nodded once more, saying, “That’s right, that’s right, what Prime Minister says is absolutely right!”
Lin Beifan picked up a juicy chicken leg and started eating. “And most importantly, we not only need to talk the talk but also walk the walk. Should we invite those young ladies with thin clothes who looked a bit pitiful when I entered earlier to join us? Let’s give them some warmth.”
Both old men agreed with enthusiasm, “Sure, sure, that’s a great idea…”
Lin Beifan grinned.
But then, the two old men suddenly realized something.
“No, no, no!” Yao Zheng blushed. “Prime Minister, we are scholars and high-ranking government officials. How can we engage in such improper and unethical activities?”
Old man Luo Guanghai, his face redder than ever, echoed, “Yes, yes!”
Lin Beifan burst into laughter. “I thought you two had aged gracefully!”
The two old men gave him a glare; they realized they had been played for fools!
Lin Beifan continued to chat and enjoy the meal. During their conversation, Old man Luo Guanghai was amazed. No matter what he talked about, Lin Beifan could always follow along and provide insightful responses.
You should know that after years of traveling and broadening his horizons, he gained such insights and knowledge. But Lin Beifan, at such a young age, without even leaving Great Wu, knows so much. It’s truly remarkable!
No wonder he rose to become the top figure in the court!
“I returned this time for two reasons. First, as one gets older, they become attached to their homeland, hoping for a return to their roots. Second, seeing Great Wu prosper and thrive fills my heart with comfort. I hope to serve the court once again with this aging body, and I kindly ask Prime Minister for this opportunity,” the old man said sincerely, bowing.
Yao Zheng, who was standing nearby, added, “Prime Minister, my teacher has always been loyal to Great Wu, and his abilities are exceptional. He just lacked the right opportunity. I hope you can give him a chance.”
Lin Beifan nodded. “I’ve seen the sincerity and capabilities of the old sir. I will recommend you for an official position and allow you to pursue your ambitions.”
The old man waved his hand repeatedly. “Entering the court as an official is one thing, but back when I resigned, I considered myself a failure in the court’s eyes. Now, they are becoming even stronger, and I’m getting older. I won’t be able to compete with them, so being an official again doesn’t hold much appeal. Besides, it might just harm my health without much gain.”
Lin Beifan was puzzled. “So, old sir, are you saying…”
The old man smiled and said, “After traveling far and wide for many years, I’ve realized how vast the world is, and I’ve come to understand my own insignificance. At my age, there are only a few years left, so I simply want to pass on all the knowledge I’ve gained in my lifetime, so that everyone can benefit and broaden their horizons. This way, I can rest easy.”
“Old sir, your sense of righteousness is admirable,” Lin Beifan said with deep respect.
The old man waved his hand again, modestly saying, “Prime Minister, you overpraise me, and I don’t dare to accept it.”
Lin Beifan asked, “Old sir, what have you learned over these years? Could you share it with me?”
“Of course, it would be my honor,” the old man sighed. “Over these years, I’ve learned many things, and they are quite different from what we learn from books. ‘Reading ten thousand books is not as useful as traveling ten thousand miles’ holds true. Some of the knowledge I’ve acquired is unconventional, but it is based on facts. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“Please, go ahead, I’m all ears,” Lin Beifan said with a serious expression.
“Very well, I’ll tell you. Please forgive me if I don’t explain it well,” the old man said, his face becoming serious. “Prime Minister, do you know that the world is actually round?”
Lin Beifan: “Haha!”
