Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

"Student Chen Chao boldly proposes: Value righteousness over profit, and prioritize righteousness over profit!"

The middle-aged man who had offered his seat to Gao Zhao glanced at the other ten people, smiled slightly, and spoke first: "A gentleman establishes himself solely on righteousness! A petty person establishes himself solely on profit! Righteousness is the correct principle of Heaven, while profit is the selfish desire of man..."

Chen Chao spoke eloquently, explaining the difference between righteousness and profit, his voice loud and clear, with a passionate and impassioned tone.

Gao Zhao was astonished and quickly looked around. It wasn't that he thought what he said was good, but rather that he was shocked by how brave this brother was!

The Emperor is now using Cai Jing to implement the new laws, and the new learning is the orthodox learning. How dare you openly talk about sacrificing personal gain for righteousness in front of the Emperor? Isn't this going against the court?

No wonder you're still hanging around in the Imperial Academy at your age! You're so out of touch with the times, you deserve it!

He secretly glanced at Zhao Ji, only to see that the emperor on the high seat was completely calm and showed no anger. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking that this foolish emperor was indeed a very shrewd person who never showed his emotions.

He turned to look at Cai Jing, only to find that Grand Tutor Cai was dozing with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought.

He thought to himself, "That old treacherous minister is no ordinary man; he really knows how to keep his composure!"

With a foolish emperor in power and treacherous officials in charge, loyal and virtuous people like myself should be careful in the future and avoid showing too much talent, lest we bring trouble upon ourselves!

He then looked away, but suddenly felt someone watching him. Gao Zhao turned his head and saw Gao Qiu staring at him with an unfriendly gaze. He was startled and quickly stood up straight, keeping his eyes straight ahead.

At this moment, Chen Chaolao had finished explaining his argument, and immediately another person stepped forward and said loudly, "I, Chen Dong, disagree with this argument. I believe that righteousness upholds the people's hearts, benefits the country and its stability, and that righteousness and benefit go hand in hand for practical application!"

"You gentlemen only know that the sage spoke of righteousness, but you do not know that the sage also spoke of profit. Half of the entire 'Rites of Zhou' is about financial management! When the Duke of Zhou governed the world, did he ever abandon profit?"

Then someone else retorted: "This is sophistry and not worth discussing! The Great Learning says: 'A state should regard righteousness as profit, not profit as profit! Once the mind is set on profit, all kinds of evils will arise.'"

No sooner had he finished speaking than another scholar retorted: "Absurd! This is the talk of a corrupt scholar who is misleading the country! Our Great Song Dynasty is plagued by three excesses; without cultivating wealth and profit, how can we establish a nation and ensure peace? Without cultivating practical benefits, how can we enrich the country and strengthen the army? Without cultivating merit and profit, how can we defend the borders and keep the people safe?"

"These remarks are full of self-interest and utterly devoid of morality!"

"Abandoning the trivial for the essential, valuing righteousness over profit, and allowing selfish desires to run rampant will lead to the demise of the Great Way!"

……

The ten students in the hall debated more and more fiercely, and in an instant, they entered a chaotic battle mode, verbally attacking each other.

Gao Zhao, however, watched the battle unfold as if he were a complete novice!

At first, he was secretly criticizing Chen Dong. This man seemed upright, but he was actually the most cunning. He was the first to stand up against Chen Chao Lao and even revealed his own name, hoping that the emperor would remember him.

Then they analyzed the situation on the field. The two groups were tied 60-40, with the new school having a slight advantage.

This is quite remarkable. Ever since Emperor Zhezong assumed personal rule, he has restarted the new laws. Apart from the time when Empress Dowager Xiang caused trouble and a period of minor Yuanyou, he was always implementing the new laws!

With such a huge advantage, how can you still not achieve a crushing victory? Tsk, Grand Tutor Cai, you're not good enough!

If it were me, I'd start by spreading rumors and slandering them... Oh, you did that, Yuan You Party membership monument!

However, that's still not ruthless enough. For this kind of thing, you have to start with private morality. First, spread some lewd rumors, like saying that Ouyang Xiu committed incest...

As Gao Zhao continued arguing, he suddenly realized something was wrong; the other ten people were debating heatedly, their faces flushed.

But I remained completely silent, as if I had only come on stage to listen to others debate...

It's not that Gao Zhao didn't want to participate, but his theories were different from those of both groups, so he couldn't get a word in edgewise!

What should we do?!

Or should I just say that everyone here is trash?

That's too arrogant, it doesn't fit my image as a gentleman, gentle and refined!

Gao Zhao was shy and couldn't say anything, which made him very embarrassed. He felt like the students behind him were watching him and laughing at him, making him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

However, while he was fidgeting, he did not notice that Emperor Huizong of Tang was looking him over from the chairman's seat.

The debate among the ten students was brilliant, filled with quotations and witty remarks, demonstrating their extensive knowledge.

However, this was rather bland for Zhao Ji.

He was born in the fifth year of the Yuanfeng era, during the reign of Emperor Shenzong, who was vigorously promoting the New Laws. Later, Emperor Shenzong died, Emperor Zhezong succeeded him, and the Empress Dowager ruled from behind the curtain. The Yuanfeng era brought about a change in the political landscape, abolishing the New Laws and reinstating the old faction.

Then came Emperor Cheoljong's personal rule, the Shaosheng School of Buddhism, the restoration of the new laws, and the crackdown on the old faction.

Therefore, he grew up amidst the struggle between the old and new factions!

Both parties are filled with learned scholars, each a master of verbal sparring, every move a deadly weapon.

There were even learned scholars who published their arguments in the official gazette, engaging in a heated debate with scholars from all over the world.

How could someone who has seen such grand occasions possibly be bothered by the childish antics of these kids?

He was already tired of hearing those same old platitudes, but he kept putting on a brave face out of consideration for his status as emperor!

He's actually doing well; the Grand Tutor Cai down below is practically asleep!

Just then, he noticed Gao Zhao. There was no other reason than that this guy was the most special. After going on stage, he didn't say a word. He was just a charlatan, but there was no way he could pass himself off as someone else!

You should at least say something, whether it's good or bad, but you should at least show some attitude!

What's up there? Did you come up here to hear things more clearly?

Upon seeing that Gao Qiu was also staring at that fellow, Zhao Ji immediately knew who this guy was!

I had long heard that Gao Qiu's adopted son was unruly and ignorant, so it was really too much for him to be asked to debate with these imperial students!

But who told you to act recklessly and arouse Cai Jing's suspicion? You only have yourself to blame!

Thinking of this, Zhao Ji glanced at Gao Zhao, who was looking around, and a mischievous thought suddenly arose in his heart!

Taking advantage of a pause in the students' debate, he raised his hand and tapped the table.

"Thump!"

A soft sound suddenly silenced everyone, and they all looked at him.

Emperor Huizong pointed at Gao Zhao and said calmly, "That scholar, since you've come up on stage, why don't you participate in the debate?"

Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Gao Zhao.

"broken!"

Qin Hui, Fan Tong, and the others felt a chill in their hearts, realizing that Gao Zhao had actually been singled out by the Emperor!

If you give the wrong answer, you could be in deep trouble!

What should we do?!

Gao Qiu's heart tightened, and he quickly looked at the Emperor, ready to apologize immediately should Gao Zhao make a fool of himself.

However, Gao Zhao was not as nervous as everyone had imagined. On the contrary, he breathed a sigh of relief, as he actually had a chance to speak!

He immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, the reason I, Gao Zhao, hesitated to speak earlier was because I believed that the words of my fellow students were all greatly wrong!"

"Whoosh!"

The Dunhua Hall was immediately filled with uproar.

This guy is far too arrogant!