Chapter 232: Hongliang’s Fate! Examination Education and the Imperial Examination System!
Finally, Han Fei spoke.
With deep emotion, “Royal Brother, you tell him, in the next life, Hongliang will wear bridal clothes for him.”
“Royal Brother, you tell him, Hongliang doesn’t want to marry anyone else, Hongliang can’t bear to … boohoo…” (Han Fei mimicked her previous words)
Hongliang’s big round eyes widened even more, and her scalp tingled.
Her delicate face blushed instantly like a red apple.
She suddenly let out a scream and jumped up.
Rushing to Han Fei, she covered his mouth tightly.
“If you… you… if you continue… I’ll fight you to death!”
Hongliang initially thought she really had to marry into Zhao state, thinking she’d lose her chance if she didn’t speak up.
If she knew Li Mo had already arranged for Li Wu to safeguard them, she would never have said such things even if someone threatened her!
She’s still a girl!
Although Hongliang is mischievous, she still has some dignity!
Looking at the anxious and hopping Hongliang, Han Fei finally felt a sense of catharsis.
Competing with me, little girl, you are still too inexperienced!
Li Mo observed with interest as the brother and sister backstabbed each other.
Their current state actually reassured him quite a bit.
After all, Han had just been destroyed not long ago, and it was good that the two could quickly move past the pain of losing their country.
Although Han Fei did not name names, Li Mo knew very well who he was referring to.
After all, they were not the only ones present back then.
There was also Li Wu.
Even though Li Wu was interrupted by Hongliang that day, the two still spoke a lot that night.
Such an important matter would never go unreported by Li Wu.
Being called out by Han Fei, Hongliang felt too embarrassed to stay.
She fiercely warned him,
If he dared to speak nonsense, she would bring Yan Lingji to burn his house down that night!
Then, with a flushed face, she glared evilly at the amused Li Mo.
Li Mo looked innocent.
Glare all you want, one day you’ll squint your eyes at me.
Just like your mentor who couldn’t get out of bed!
“Hongliang.”
Just as Hongliang reached the door, Han Fei suddenly called her back.
The girl instantly bristled: “What?”
Looking at the puffed-up Hongliang, Han Fei said seriously, “Pay more attention to your words in the future.”
Hongliang was taken aback: “What do you mean?”
Han Fei sighed lightly: “Han is gone. You are no longer a princess, and I am no longer a prince. We can no longer refer to ourselves as such or call me royal brother.”
With Han’s downfall, their prince and princess titles naturally no longer existed.
Now, one was a Qin state official, and the other was at most his sister.
If they continued to refer to themselves as before, it would be seen as treason.
In extreme cases, they might even be labeled as having ulterior motives.
Hongliang was momentarily out of sorts.
Her angry and ashamed expression gradually faded.
She then glared at Han Fei and said she understood.
After Hongliang left, Han Fei helplessly shook his head.
Turning to Li Mo, he said, “I’m sorry to make you see such a scene. Hongliang has been pampered since childhood. If she says something wrong or does something inappropriate, please bear with her.”
It was clear that Han Fei genuinely doted on his sister.
Although the Han royal family had survived, they had cut off relations with the brother and sister.
In the vast world, Han Fei and Hongliang were essentially each other’s only relatives.
Li Mo nodded.
“Rest assured, she won’t suffer any grievances with me around.”
Han Fei had no reason to doubt his promise.
Both were smart men.
How could they not grasp the deeper meaning in each other’s words?
One seemed to be saying: My sister is now entrusted to you.
The other confidently assured: Don’t worry, brother-in-law, I’ll definitely bring her happiness!
They came to an unspoken and perfect agreement.
“By the way, the implementation of the rule of law has begun, but what are your thoughts on Confucian enlightenment?”
With Hongliang no longer around to cause trouble, Li Mo and Han Fei could at last discuss serious matters.
In traditional Confucian thought, law is not only a system to regulate behavior but also a means of moral education.
Confucianism holds that human nature is inherently good.
Master Xun, however, disagreed.
He believed that human nature is inherently evil.
This viewpoint sharply contrasts with Confucian tradition.
Perhaps this explains why Master Xun could accept Li Mo’s philosophical teachings and why a major Confucian like him could produce Legalists like Han Fei and Li Si.
The concept of “rule of law, Confucian enlightenment” means using laws to regulate behavior across the nation and using cultural knowledge to educate people.
As Li Mo said, implementing the rule of law can be achieved by enacting laws and strictly enforcing them nationwide.
Confucian enlightenment, however, is not as easy.
Currently, those who can receive education are either wealthy or noble.
But how many such people are there in the world?
Most of the population consists of commoners who can’t afford education and have no means to receive it.
Confucian enlightenment won’t work if it only influences this small group.
To be successfully implemented and to have a long-lasting impact nationwide, it must educate the general public as well!
Han Fei pondered silently for a while.
Han rubbed his face and said, “Educating the whole nation’s people, how difficult is this.”
Li Mo expressed his approval of his statement.
He said, “Indeed it is difficult, and it’s not a matter of overnight success.”
Then he changed his tone, “But if schools are established nationwide, giving ordinary people the opportunity to receive education from this generation, it can start to influence them.”
“In this way, over time, more and more people will receive education, and people’s minds will elevate as well.”
Han Fei glanced at him and said with a bitter smile, “How could I have not thought of such a thing, but there are still many difficulties within it.”
“Although now there is Mr. Paper and printing technology, which greatly reduces the cost of education, it is still not something every family can afford.”
“The most crucial point is that now, for every family, the amount of labor force they have is fundamental.”
“How would they let their children learn Confucianism like this?”
“To the common people, with that time, it would be more practical to plow a few more acres of land.”
Han Fei’s words were not without reason.
The greatest wish of the common people is to have enough to eat.
The amount of labor force in a family directly relates to each family’s harvest.
Now the common people themselves do not have land.
The land is in the hands of those aristocratic landlords.
To farm land, they need to rent it from them.
The harvest from an acre of land, after deducting rent and taxes, the rest is theirs.
So the amount of labor force in a family directly concerns how much land they can rent.
Li Mo calmly said, “What if going to school could be free and furthermore change their destiny?”
Han Fei suddenly froze, staring blankly at Li Mo.
He hesitated to speak, seemingly wanting to ask if he was joking.
Han Fei quickly calmed down.
He knew that Li Mo’s ideas were unique and many were things others could not think of.
There might really be a possibility of implementation.
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