The Resolute Cannon Fodder Teaching In Ancient Time

Chapter 15: Fifteen Treasures ✨

That night, Xu Zhen didn't sleep well. Her mind was filled with the image of Little Beggar approaching at dusk. The next day, for some inexplicable reason, her eyes were swollen as she got up and headed to the academy to teach.

She first collected the students' assignments and found them filled with questions about how to increase the population. Bewildered, she set them aside and decided to take the students out to observe local life.

"Since you aim to become officials, you'll start as local magistrates," Xu Zhen said, leading the group. "What do you think your jurisdiction should be like?"

A student from Class B confidently replied, "Under my governance, it would be peaceful and the people content."

Li Sanlang, not to be outdone, declared, "If it were me, I'd emulate Lord Cao, using authority to keep the powerful in check."

His followers applauded, saying Li Sanlang spoke well.

A girl who had previously debated with Xu Zhen about Cao Cao's actions was also part of the outing. She disagreed with Li Sanlang, arguing, "If you govern like that, how are you different from the oppressive Legalists?"

Li Sanlang, although well-read recently, lacked the experience to counter her argument. He only knew about using authority and was clueless about the nuances of Legalist oppression, leaving him at a loss for words.

Seeing this, the girl turned her head forward and said, "Governing with virtue should apply to the counties as well, not just through authority."

Unimpressed, Li Sanlang ran to Xu Zhen, asking, "Teacher, how do you think a county should be governed?"

Xu Zhen smiled but said nothing.

Li Sanlang pressed on.

After a moment's thought, Xu Zhen replied, "You all have valid points."

The girl disagreed, running over to ask, "Teacher, you previously mentioned Cao Cao had both merits and faults, which I can accept. But with the brutal Qin as a precedent, how can you endorse governing through punishment?"

Tired from the mountain path, Xu Zhen couldn't be bothered to engage, so she picked up a stone from the ground to humor the girl.

The girl examined the stone and asked, "What do you mean by this, Teacher?"

Xu Zhen asked, "What do you think this is?"

The girl replied, "A stone."

Xu Zhen said, "No, it's jade."

The girl was taken aback, "How can it be jade? It's clearly a stone."

Xu Zhen insisted, "It's jade."

The girl maintained, "It's a stone."

Their debate continued as they finally reached the foot of the mountain. Xu Zhen, aching and tired, looked around and quickly chose a path leading to flat ground.

The girl persistently argued that it was just a stone.

Once Xu Zhen caught her breath and saw the girl's eagerness, she earnestly said, "How can you be sure it's jade or stone without cutting it open?"