Great Tang Dynasty

Chapter 406
In the early morning of the next day, many people gathered on Zhuque Street to watch the excitement.

Many of these people may not be able to read, but after they heard that there was a debate on Zhuque Street and in front of the palace today, they still came excitedly.

Gossip is human nature, whether you understand it or not, you just want to join in the fun.

Time passed slowly, and after the hour of Chen, a group of scholars, Qin Tian, ​​and Ma Zhou stopped in front of the palace gate.

The two sides looked at each other, and a scholar who was elected asked, "How do you want to argue?"

Qin Tiandao: "Simple, in order to prevent you from accusing us of cheating, you discuss a topic, and Ma Zhou will debate it."

"That's a big tone. Since this is the case, let me come to one first. Let's debate what is loyalty to the emperor?"

The scholar who stood out was thin, but his lips were a bit thick. At first glance, he looked a bit like a person with a smooth tongue.

After he mentioned the topic of loyalty to the emperor, Ma Zhou stood up and said without timidity: "Yes, I will listen carefully first."

The scholar smiled slightly and said: "In my opinion, being loyal to the emperor means being absolutely loyal to the emperor. Only in this way can government orders be issued better and everything in the country can run better..."

This scholar muttered a lot. His idea of ​​loyalty to the emperor is very simple, that is, they listen to what the emperor says, so that there will be no inconsistent government orders, and many things can be implemented well.

Moreover, in this way, the country will be more stable and there will be no rebellions. Otherwise, no one will listen to the emperor and be so loyal to the emperor. Wouldn't the world be in chaos?
After the scholar finished speaking, he was recognized by many people, which made him a little proud. After he finished speaking, he looked at Ma Zhou and said, "Now it's your turn."

Ma Zhou smiled slightly and said: "In my opinion, being loyal to the emperor is a good thing, but you can't be foolishly loyal. As you said just now, it is foolish loyalty. Loyalty to the emperor is not just what the emperor says. If some of the emperor's policies are wrong , should we obey? At this time, as a loyal minister, we should stand up and point out these mistakes, so as to avoid unnecessary troubles, just blind obedience is not called loyalty, but flattery..."

After what Ma Zhou said, even ordinary people who had never read a book couldn't help but applaud.

They haven't read the book, but it doesn't mean they don't understand some truths.

It is obviously wrong, but you still listen, how can it work?

The two sides were arguing back and forth, and the entire palace was bustling with noise, and all kinds of hustle and bustle disappeared from time to time, which was very loud.

Li Shimin was reviewing the memorial in the side hall, when he suddenly heard various voices outside the palace, he couldn't help but frowned: "What's going on outside?"

"His Royal Highness, those scholars..."

Upon hearing those scholars, Li Shimin snorted immediately: "Why, are those scholars still making trouble with the court?"

"His Royal Highness, they are not looking for trouble with the imperial court, they are looking for trouble with Ma Zhou."

"Ma Zhou?" Li Shimin was a little familiar with this name, but he couldn't recall seeing him there for a while.

"Yes, he is the teacher of Qinjia Village. He approached the Imperial College yesterday. Those who failed the exam suspected that Ma Zhou had gone through the back door, so we have to have a debate with him to prove Ma Zhou's ability."

Hearing this, Li Shimin was taken aback for a moment, he didn't expect that Ma Zhou was actually from Qin Tian.

"Go find Ma Zhou's test paper."

The eunuch quickly responded, and brought Ma Zhou's paper after a while. Li Shimin didn't read it carefully yesterday, but after reading it today, he couldn't help but marvel at it.

"Talents, talents who govern the country."

Ma Zhou's policy questions are very well written, and the analysis of how to govern the Tang Dynasty and some problems existing in the Tang Dynasty is very reasonable. After reading it, Li Shimin suddenly became enlightened.

"Talent, what a talent, what are Ma Zhou discussing with the scholars now?"

"Loyalty."

"Oh, loyal to the emperor?" Li Shimin was a little curious. He wanted to know how Ma Zhou was loyal to the emperor, so he asked the eunuch to tell him. After hearing what Ma Zhou said, Li Shimin's face turned slightly pale.

In fact, he prefers what the scholar said, because what he said, the people below will do what he said, which made him feel that being an emperor is enjoyable. What's the point?
But after listening to it, Li Shimin still felt that what Ma Zhou said was better.

Human beings are not sages and sages can do nothing, even sages must make mistakes, and the emperor is no exception. If the emperor makes mistakes and no one corrects them, it will be a disaster for the people under the emperor's rule.

Since ancient times, true loyal ministers are those who dare to speak ill.

Li Shimin knew this, although it didn't sound good, it was the most correct.

"Go down and report the results of their debate later."

Ma Zhou, he remembered, if Ma Zhou failed to debate those people, he would make an exception and transfer Ma Zhou to the Imperial College, and when the time is right, let him be an official directly. Today's Tang Dynasty needs this too much talent.

The debates on Suzaku Street and in front of the palace continued until almost noon.

Ma Zhou felt like he was fighting with the Confucianists with his tongue. At the end of the debate, his mouth was dry and his voice was almost hoarse.

That feeling is uncomfortable, as if there are thousands of ants crawling on the throat.

Fortunately, he won.

The faces of those scholars were a bit ugly at this time, they didn't expect that there are so many of them, they can't argue with Ma Zhou alone, and these debate topics are all proposed by them.

They felt ashamed. Of course, what made them feel even more ashamed was that in fact, when Ma Zhou won consecutive victories after debating two or three debate topics, they had already determined that Ma Zhou had real talents and practical learning, and that he relied on his own ability to test him. Entered the Imperial Academy.

But they were still unconvinced, so they continued to argue with Ma Zhou, thinking that the crowd would drag Ma Zhou down.

This approach is shameless, being pointed at by people around.

"Admiration, I admit defeat, and leave."

Seeing Ma Zhou's appearance, finally, people with a little conscience stood up and surrendered, and when one surrendered, the others followed suit.

A group of scholars quickly dispersed, Ma Zhou showed a slight smile, Qin Tian patted him on the shoulder, this battle was fought beautifully, presumably, Li Shimin knew everything in the palace at this time.

In the palace, Li Shimin was about to go to eat, when the little eunuch he sent out hurried over.

"His Royal Highness, there is a result..."

"Oh, did Ma Zhou win?"

"Win, win, this debate is really exciting, it's never seen before..." the little eunuch muttered, Li Shimin touched his chin.

"The prince still underestimated him."

(End of this chapter)