My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 258 Republic

Kong Sheng and the others stood up and said, "Uncle Meng."

Lin Ziping nodded slightly to him, and Uncle Meng smiled, and the two greeted each other.

"Why didn't you all go to listen to Mr. Shaoqing's lecture at the Imperial Academy today?" Uncle Meng asked, wiping the table with the white cloth draped over his shoulder. "Mr. Shaoqing has rarely shown his face in recent years."

"I remember the last time Mr. Shaoqing gave a lecture was about half a year ago," Chen Keqing said as he stood up, took the white cloth from Uncle Meng, and wiped the table.

Xia Yu said, "What do you mean half a year ago? The last time was close to New Year's Eve, so it's been almost eight or nine months now."

“It’s a pity that Master Shaoqing only lectures on the Analects.” Zhang Xiang shook his head as if regretful, then asked, “What were you talking about just now?”

Xia Yu briefly recounted the conversation that had just taken place among the group.

As Zhang Xiang listened, he placed the teacups and saucers on the table.

Kong Sheng pushed the plum blossom pastry in front of Lin Ziping and said, "Brother Shaoying, eat some to fill your stomach."

"Let's all do it together." Lin Ziping took the serving chopsticks from the side, placed the plum blossom pastries on a plate, pushed it in front of the group, and then poured a cup of tea for each person.

Lin Ziping picked up a plum blossom pastry and took a bite. It was too sweet and not to his liking. He swallowed the pastry in his mouth, put the rest on the plate, and took a sip of tea.

The tea was quite good, with a faint plum blossom fragrance.

"Since Brother Shaoying comes from Fuchun, what are your thoughts on this?" Zhang Xiang asked.

"Cough cough..." The sudden question made Lin Ziping realize what was happening, and he coughed, looking up at Zhang Xiang with a puzzled expression.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiang added, "Brother Shaoying, do you think the officials of Fuchun have pleaded with the people of Fuchun?"

Officials?

Aren't I one of them?

Lin Ziping couldn't help but think to himself: The highest official I had ever met before coming to the capital was Magistrate Wei. Should I plead for the people with Magistrate Wei?

"I don't know what Brother Shida means by requesting this?" Lin Ziping replied.

"Haha, Brother Shaoying, you jest. Let me put it another way: 'To stand up for the people'?" Zhang Xiang said.

Lin Ziping frowned slightly. How did an academic exchange turn into a political interrogation? His tone carried a hint of displeasure: "It seems that the laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty do not explicitly state that officials are required to speak up for the people and advocate for them?"

Upon hearing this, the group looked at Lin Ziping in surprise. Liu Wanfu murmured, "Shouldn't we scholars do the same after entering officialdom?"

Lin Ziping looked around at the group. They were still too young and inexperienced, and their eyes still held a hint of innocence.

Thinking of this, Lin Ziping softened his tone: "The article we just discussed about the Fuchun riots, although it analyzed the reasons since the Qin Dynasty, I think it overlooked the most important point: human nature."

Kong Sheng asked, "What do you mean by this, Brother Shaoying?"

Lin Ziping took a sip of tea and said, "There are many rebels, but few who succeed. Look at Chen Sheng, Wu Guang, and others; they rose up very quickly in the early stages, but what happened next?"

Seeing that the group seemed to be deep in thought, Lin Ziping paused for a moment and then continued, "And then there was nothing more. They became the new exploiters, indulging in extravagance and debauchery, and being ambitious and eager for quick success. It was they who changed. The others seemed to have returned to the time when they were oppressed by the court officials, only the oppressors had changed. This has been the case for thousands of years."

Lin Ziping looked out the window and saw a leaf fall onto the water, causing ripples to spread across the calm lake surface.

After a long pause, Kong Sheng asked in a hoarse voice, "Then is there no way to change this?"

Lin Ziping looked away and stared at him intently before answering, "Yes! When the will of the masses outweighs the will of the individual and they continue to strive for it, change can occur."

Kong Sheng looked up at Lin Ziping.

Lin Ziping continued, “As Brother Wanfu just said, we scholars believe that serving the people is our duty after entering officialdom. But may I ask how exactly we should do it? What should we use to restrain ourselves and others? The law? Or the simple moral values ​​in your hearts?”

Cai Jiang and Chen Keqing's eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment: "Isn't there anyone who can help us?"

Lin Ziping sighed: "That's human nature. Placing your hopes on others is like a reflection in a mirror or a flower in the water."

Kong Sheng said, "Can't we make our own decisions? The people don't ask for much, just enough to eat and wear!"

Lin Ziping looked out the window again and replied in a barely audible voice, "It's possible."

"Is that alright?" Kong Sheng asked. "The people can have enough to eat and wear, and we can make our own decisions?"

Lin Ziping turned to look at Kong Shengxi's gaze and nodded slightly.

"Hehe!" A laugh came from the side. "What a bunch of young lads, so naive and innocent. I'm fifty-eight years old, almost sixty, and I've never heard of anyone being able to make their own decisions."

Lin Ziping and the others looked at the person speaking. It was Uncle Meng who had just brought water. The group was so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't even notice someone beside them.

Meng Shu said, "I have watched the sun rise and set tens of thousands of times, and the fact that people are well-fed and clothed is only mentioned in books when describing prosperous times. Young man, are you talking about the Great Harmony?"

"Uncle Meng." Lin Ziping stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said firmly, "I firmly believe that the day will come when the people are well-fed and clothed, and when everyone is in charge of their own destiny. The will of the people can only be represented by the people themselves!"

Lin Ziping took out a silver ingot from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and turned to leave.

As I stepped down from the Dream Pavilion, the sunlight broke through the clouds.

Lin Ziping narrowed his eyes slightly, stood guard and gazed into the distance for a moment, and then left.

"Brother Shaoying—Brother Shaoying—"

A voice calling for Lin Ziping came from behind.

Lin Ziping stopped and turned around.

Zhang Xiang came running toward him, panting, with Kong Sheng following behind.

"Brother Shida, Brother Ziyi." As the two approached, Lin Ziping bowed and asked, "Is there anything else you two can help me with?"

Zhang Xiang, with his hands on his knees, panted heavily. After a while, he said, "Brother Shaoying, why are you walking so fast?"

"Yes—yes." Kong Sheng caught up and said, "We—we—we called you several times but you didn't answer."

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you," Lin Ziping said apologetically.

Zhang Xiang waved his hand, took out a silver ingot from his sleeve and stuffed it into Lin Ziping's hand: "We were all speaking very aggressively just now. If there was any offense, please forgive me, Brother Shaoying. It is fate that we met. How could I let you spend money?"

"How can I do this? We've only just met, and you're still students. Besides, this is the food I ordered. How can I let you pay for it?" Lin Ziping repeatedly declined.

Kong Sheng said, "Brother Shaoying, please don't refuse. After listening to your words today, I have suddenly become enlightened. As the ancients said, 'If one hears the Way in the morning, one can die content in the evening.' What does a pot of tea and a plate of snacks matter?"

Zhang Xiang nodded: "Ziyi is right. This is one of the reasons why we have come here. We also want to confirm with Brother Shaoying whether a utopian society where people are well-fed and clothed and everyone is in charge truly exists."

“Of course!” Lin Ziping nodded affirmatively, “but it’s not called Datong, some people call it Gonghe.”

"Republic? Republic?" Zhang Xiang and Kong Sheng murmured repeatedly.

Zhang Xiang looked up blankly and asked, "Then how do I get to the Republic?"

Lin Ziping was speechless upon hearing this, stammering and unable to utter a word.

After a long pause, he replied, "I don't know either."

Upon hearing this, the two couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, and the light in their eyes dimmed somewhat.