The Three Kingdoms: The Oath of the Peach Garden, the Rise of the Han Dynasty

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Everyone was looking at Kong Rong.

This is a very serious problem.

If you don't answer correctly, the Confucius family's centuries-old reputation will be ruined!

"You...you're spouting nonsense!"

My family, the Kong family, are descendants of the sage and have served the Han dynasty for generations!

How could we possibly submit to a foreign race?!

Today I solemnly swear: the descendants of Confucius, generation after generation, will all be Han Chinese, and we would rather die a glorious death than live a shameful life!

If any foreign tribes ever invade from the south, the Kong family will fight to the death and will never surrender!

He spoke passionately and with resounding conviction!

The disciples roared in approval!

Li Chang smiled, then immediately changed his expression and bowed deeply.

"Mr. Wenju is a man of noble character."

With these words from you, sir, all the people under heaven are blessed.

When Yuan Shao usurped the title of King of Wei, he coerced Mr. Wenju to support him.

Even when he was in Beihai and threatened by Yuan Shao's army, Mr. Wenju refused to submit to the rebels and even wrote articles to denounce Yuan Shao on many occasions!

I have the utmost respect for you!

Li Chang bowed again, offering a way out.

Kong Rong actually accepted the greeting, and after returning the bow, he immediately reflected on his actions:

"Alas, I am ashamed of Dean Li's respect and my ancestors!"

He could neither stop the traitor Yuan from overstepping his bounds nor protect the people!

I feel ashamed!

Jia Xu watched from behind and couldn't help but shake his head.

The Grand Commander has won again.

I won't debate scriptures with you; I'll debate people's hearts and the greater principles.

No matter how talented you are, in the end you still have to go along with what he says.

In the words of the Grand Commander, this is pointing fingers from a moral high ground!

This trick always works.

No wonder no one debated with the Grand Commander!

However, Jia Xu stroked his beard and thought, "Kong Rong is a good person, so why is the Grand Commander targeting him? Is it to suppress the Kong family?"

Although there were some minor frictions, once Li Chang was out of the picture, the group was generally harmonious.

But at this moment, Bian Rang and Ni Heng stepped forward!

Everyone took a deep breath when they saw the two stand up!

Bian Rang cupped his hands and faced Kong Rong:

"Brother Wenju, everyone in the world knows him."

As a descendant of a sage, his writing was exceptionally elegant and outstanding, and his ability to cite classical texts and argue profound truths was unmatched in his time.

Even when the city was in peril, he was still able to sit at his desk and read, chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened. He remained calm and composed in the face of great calamity. His integrity and character are comparable to those of Kunyu Qiushuang.

He always cherished the ambition to restore the Han Dynasty and refused to submit to the King of Wei. This noble character deserves our respect.

Upon hearing this, Kong Rong's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

This was not just polite talk; it was genuine public opinion among scholars and a reputation he valued highly throughout his life.

Bian Rang shifted his tone, moving from praise to criticism, not insults, but pointing out the root of his problem:

"The problem with Brother Ke is that he has broad ambitions but lacks talent, and he values ​​fame over practical matters."

He harbored a grand ambition to bring peace to the world and was appointed governor of Beihai, but he was negligent in his duties and employed mostly frivolous and superficial people.

He was good at preaching Puritanism, but inadequate at pacifying refugees and strengthening city defenses. When the Yellow Turbans besieged the city, people within its borders resorted to cannibalism. He could maintain the demeanor of a scholar, but he could not protect the people under his rule.

Fearlessness in the face of danger is a virtue, but a county with tens of thousands of people cannot survive on virtue alone. Integrity can establish oneself, but it cannot stop locust plagues, fortify city defenses, or defend against bandits.

You know the way of the sage is to love the people, yet you do not know the art of bringing them peace; you can swear an oath to die for your country, yet you lack the ability to defend the land. This is not a fault of character, but rather a deficiency in your governing talent!

Kong Rong bowed his head and clasped his hands, saying, "Brother Wenli is right!"

These words were insightful, yet they did not smear him.

He did indeed talk and read books when the city fell, but it was also a fact that the people of Beihai were displaced. He could not refute the assertion that "his integrity was genuine, but his governance was incompetent."

Mi Heng stepped forward. He now admired Kong Rong even more for his humility in accepting such advice at this time!

Head held high, his gaze fixed directly on Kong Rong:

"Bian Wenli is right. Brother Wenju, Heng has always respected you."

Your writing is spirited and unyielding, refusing to bow down to vulgarity.

Many famous figures in the world would attach themselves to powerful families when they saw an opportunity, but you dared to face the treacherous Yuan Shao directly, and you would rather break than bend!

This integrity has always been highly praised in my heart, and calling you "eldest son" is not an empty compliment.

The room was slightly startled. Everyone thought that Mi Heng was about to denounce Kong Rong, but unexpectedly he first admitted that he had always admired Kong Rong!

Kong Rong was also taken aback. This guy didn't criticize him? He'd heard that this guy didn't even spare Li Chang!

Mi Heng's tone immediately turned somber, tinged with regret, followed by sharp criticism and a barrage of insults:

"However! He has the ambition to save the Han dynasty, but lacks the talent to do so; he cherishes the heart of benevolence towards the people, but lacks the skills to bring them peace."

You enjoy discussing classical texts and value the empty reputation of scholars. The people you employ are mostly good at empty talk but lack practical skills.

He resided in Beihai and held power over a prefecture, but in the end, the city was ruined, the people suffered, and he alone escaped.

When danger looms overhead, you can calmly study with your pride; but the common people below the city have no chance to calmly discuss philosophy with you.

Integrity is a bottom line, not a panacea. Debating classics is a matter of scholarship, not a strategy for defending territory.

Your biggest regret: You mistook the refined character and literary talent of scholars for the sole ability to quell chaos in the world.

Mi Heng said something similar to Bian Rang, but he wasn't satisfied with just criticizing one person!

His gaze swept over Zheng Xuan, Cai Yong, Xun Chen, Yue Yin, and Li Chang.

He began by saying, "And you lot, you usually argue like it's a bustling marketplace over the differences between modern and ancient Chinese texts, and between the meanings of the classics and the laws, but today, with Brother Wenju here, you've all huddled together."

Jixia Academy? I think it's more like a Jixia opera troupe! They all go on stage, put on a show, then slink off the stage in disgrace, and in the end, they have to rely on Dean Li, who knows nothing about Confucianism, to clean up the mess!

Ni Heng looked at Zheng Xuan:

"Mr. Kang Cheng devoted his life to collating and deciphering the classics, analyzing ancient and modern texts, and preserving the literary tradition. His contributions are indelible and will last for thousands of years."

The gentleman devoted himself to classical texts, his mind free from worldly desires. His sole aim was to transmit the scriptures; he had no intention of governing the people. His inability to bring peace to the people was not a shortcoming of his, but rather a difference in his choices.

Zheng Xuan stroked his beard and nodded, accepting the criticism: "Zhengping understands me."

Mi Heng turned to Cai Yong:

"Mr. Bojie was a man of exceptional talent in his time, well-versed in music and ancient history, and kind and compassionate. Despite a life of hardship, he never changed his true nature."

Cai Yong: "???"

Silently agree.

Mi Heng looked towards where Lu Zhi should be, but unfortunately Lu Zhi was no longer there. However, he still considered Lu Zhi to be there.

"Zigan Gong is deceased, but he is different. He can study the classics and spread the teachings, and he can also wear armor to quell rebellions. He is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and he cares about the people."

However, his upright and unyielding nature made him ill-suited for courtly maneuvering, leading to repeated slander and framing. His talent was wasted in this corrupt world, not due to a lack of ability, but because the world had failed him!

Lu Zhi's disciple bows respectfully to Ni Heng!

Mi Heng looked at Xun Chen:

"Mr. Youruo is exceptionally intelligent and insightful, adept at planning to preserve his clan. Such vision is rare in this world."

However, in their schemes, they always prioritized the interests of the Xun family. They were more than capable of securing their own clan's safety, yet they were insufficient to dedicate themselves to saving the common people.

Xun Chen remained silent.

Ni Heng looked at Yue Yin:

"Mr. Le was dedicated to education, teaching and nurturing people, and guiding them toward goodness. In times of peace, he was a great teacher to the nation."

But when war breaks out, the traditional moral and ethical education is the first to collapse. Education can nurture people's hearts, but it cannot stop the slaughter of weapons.

Yue Yin nodded in acceptance.

Mi Heng then looked at Li Chang!