History of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Chapter 33: When big countries fight, small countries suffer.

"A small country paying tribute?"

Feng Yun exclaimed, "I hope so."

However, Feng Yun didn't really believe that the Yue State would take care of small countries and treat Dazai politely, otherwise many of the previous incidents would not have occurred.

What's more, according to the theory of luck, the Yue Kingdom only had a few months of power. How could he give up invading other countries just because of a small profit before completing his goal?

Sometimes being rude is also a reason to start a war.

People who pay attention to etiquette often take into account all aspects.

"Brother, please tell Uncle Zong that I can see you tomorrow."

"No." The guard left.

Feng Yun also got up to give lectures.

Because of the previous reputation riot, more and more people, even visitors from foreign lands, rushed here just to see the sergeant giving lectures.

"It's like cooking oil on a fire." Feng Yun knew clearly that he had been pushed to this position.

But had to go.

"Yunfu Zian."

Under the willow tree in Laidejingshui, Feng Yun sat down on his knees, waiting for the time to come to start teaching...

……

"Guan Zhong, hurry up, let's go listen today too."

"Wait, wait, I'll get the bamboo slips I wrote last night."

In front of a cart of goods, I saw a young man rushing into the messy cargo room and rummaging around.

This cart was pulled by an ox, and the rear was just two wheels and a big wooden board. It looked very shabby, but this was the current situation of ordinary traveling merchants at this time.

Soon, Guan Zhong grabbed a bamboo slip with nearly half written on it.

The other one looked at Guan Zhong's embarrassment and said with a smile: "You, it's not etiquette. When I see you later, I will let you sit at the end."

Guan Zhong snorted coldly, pretending to be proud.

"If you are making fun of me in the way I am now, so superficial, then I won't go."

With that said, Guan Zhong hurried forward.

"Hey, you guy, our goods have to be pulled over too!" Helplessly, the people behind could only pull the old cow to the well.

Guan Zhong, who was holding the bamboo slip, quickly ran to the well. It was not full at this time. He hurriedly found a good seat. After sitting down, he saw the appearance of Chairman Feng Yun and was surprised.

"This master is so handsome. No wonder he can knock on the door of the noble family at such a young age."

Guan Zhong's eyes were clear, and he did not mean to slander what he said. Instead, he was full of praise.

The color of a gentleman in the Zhou Dynasty is also his own virtue, even the most intuitive one.

Even people who are born ugly will try their best to dress themselves up in order to be energetic and dignified. Therefore, good-looking people are more popular in the Zhou Dynasty and are more likely to be favored by the nobles. This is due to national conditions.

Of course, good looks are not enough, you also need to be talented.

……

Not long after, the mouth of the well was already full of people, old and young, all looking forward to it.

Feng Yun, who was sitting at the top, knew that most of the people came to watch the excitement. This was due to his reputation, and very few people actually came to listen.

Feng Yun's thoughts on teaching have faded a lot.

"Let's talk first today..."

Feng Yun made a sound, and the wellhead quickly became quiet, except for Feng Yun's voice that slowly entered his ears.

Wait until the speech is over.

Before Guan Zhong could react, he saw the two original young masters standing up in a hurry. "Master, please teach me to wait." After saying that, he asked the guard to take out two pieces of bacon served on a wooden plate.

Feng Yun thought: Sure enough, it's here.

"You two are young masters in the court, how can you worship your master at will?"

When Feng Yun asked, the two people had no intention of retreating. Instead, they said loudly: "Master is a virtuous man who lectures for all the people in the court. He also said that 'under the king, all are people', and 'common people can also rely on their own learning. Shi's remarks were so inspiring that he was like waking up from a dream. My brother and I were impressed by Master's talent and learning, so we came to practice."

"Master, please don't be upset. We are a member of the Great Court clan, but we have already informed our uncle that we can worship Master."

Feng Yun nodded slightly, but said: "You two have reached adulthood, but it will take a test to learn again. Just keep it to yourself and listen first."

Of course, Feng Yun knew that these two people wanted to be accepted as disciples of Feng Yun rather than worshiping their master.

After hearing this, the two people, although it did not meet their expectations, bowed hurriedly and sat down looking at each other.

Others are eager to move, hoping to worship the Master.

But Feng Yun said: "I am a ceremonial master. Uncle Zong allowed me to take a break from bathing and study at home. I think that self-study is not as good as giving lectures. It can not only spur myself but also enlighten the people... But when I take a break from bathing, my disciples' affairs will be difficult." Let’s not express it for now.”

Feng Yun first belittled himself and suppressed his reputation, and then refused Shu Xiu.

No matter how disappointed he was, Feng Yun said: "I have been teaching for nearly half a month, and I should return to the court tomorrow. You have been listening to the lecture for a long time, do you have any questions?"

The nature of the lecture has changed. If this continues, Feng Yun himself will not be able to get off the stage. After he has finished speaking the part of "Rituals" that the common people can listen to, what else can he say next.

"Book of Changes", "36 Hexagrams of Da Ting" and "Six Tao"?
Isn’t this something that common people need in their lives?

As for teaching calligraphy, distant water cannot quench local thirst. It is enough for these adults to listen to one or two lectures. Let them learn calligraphy day and night. I am afraid they will not be as simple and easy to accept as children.

While Feng Yun was still waiting to be asked, there was a commotion below. Feng Yun's words just now were obviously meant to end the lecture.

Many of them were reluctant to leave, but most of them felt that the fun was over and there was one less interesting thing to do in the fields.

"Okay, Guan Zhong, leave me the bullock cart and come here to listen to me..."

"Don't talk yet, I have questions to ask."

With that said, Guan Zhong pushed away the scoundrel guy beside him, saluted hurriedly, and asked Feng Yun, "Master Yun, Zian."

Feng Yun nodded.

Guan Zhong immediately asked: "I am a traveling merchant. This time I am doing business in the Kingdom of Wu and am heading to the Kingdom of Yingfang."

Guan Zhong first explained his identity.

Feng Yun's eyes moved slightly, thinking about it, but he didn't express it for the time being, and listened to Guan Zhong's words.

Guan Zhong then said the question: "I entered the Great Court from the State of Wu. Along the way, the small countries were like a large court. The people were panicked and prepared treasures to pay tribute to the two dynasties..."

"A small country is helpless. It is not the opponent of a big country, so it can only be like this." Guan Zhong also sighed.

When Feng Yun heard this, his heart moved. It turned out that not only the small countries surrounding the Yue State paid tribute to the Yue State in search of stability, but the small countries surrounding the Wu State also took into account Wu's ideas and paid tribute to its dynasty.

If you think about it - when big countries fight, small countries suffer.

Just listen to Guan Zhong continue: "The small countries around Wu are different from the small countries like Dating around Yue."

"The State of Wu did not ask for tribute from small countries, nor did it reject or express its stance on the actions of those small countries."

"As for the surrounding areas of Yue, it was Yue who took the initiative to ask for tribute, and they asked for it again and again..."

"May I ask Master Yun how you view this matter and how to resolve it?"

Guan Zhong was not a native of Da Ting, but at this time he was very concerned about the affairs of Da Ting, and he used this to discuss matters with Feng Yun.

Feng Yun didn't know for the moment that this man was called Guan Zhong, but he looked deeply at this man. When he saw that his eyes were not filled with compassion, but an excited fighting spirit, he seemed to understand something.

What some scholars learned can only be fully revealed in troubled times.

It turned out that I wanted to use the big court affairs as a chessboard to express my inner knowledge.

(End of this chapter)