Chapter 96: The Old Man Cui

Xiao Ningxun carefully handed the Tuan Tuan in his arms to the nervous Lu Qingjia beside him, then gave a slight nod to the worried Wu Qilin brothers, indicating all was well, after which he adjusted his robe and stepped steadily onto the debate platform.

The green‑clad youth let out a cold hum, then stepped up, and gave Yun Yai Xiansheng a deep bow: "Yun Yai Xiansheng, I am student Zhao Qi; please do not withhold your instruction."

Yun Yai Xiansheng nodded and looked at Xiao Ningxun: "Young master, what you just said from below shows keen insight. The students were just discussing the four characters 'governing the world and aiding the people'; what is your view?"

Xiao Ningxun clasped his hands and bowed: "I am student Xiao Ningxun; I have met Yun Yai Xiansheng."

"In my humble view: governing the world and aiding the people has many paths. Scholars govern the state, farmers till the fields, artisans craft tools, merchants connect surplus and scarcity; none can be omitted."

"Hmph! Absurd!" Zhao Qi shouted, cutting in, "The four classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants—merchants are the lowest! They haggle over every coin, pursue profit alone; how can they speak of aiding the people? It is merely a contest for profit with the people! This is the saint's teaching, an unchanging principle through the ages!"

Many students below, hearing this, nodded in agreement.

Xiao Ningxun's tone grew even steadier: "It is true that merchants have long been at the bottom. Yet do you know, without merchants moving grain from south to north, how could the northern famine be eased? Without artisans improving looms, how could the people obtain cheaper clothing for warmth?"

"Before 'pursuing profit', there is 'benefiting life' and 'convenient for the people'. My elder brother runs a trading house; he repeatedly transports grain to disaster zones, stabilizes rice prices, saves countless lives— is that not aiding the people? The capital is prosperous, goods abundant, daily life convenient; isn't that also the merit of merchant circulation?"

Zhao Qi wore a contemptuous expression: "Just a small favor! It will never reach the lofty halls of refinement! Governing the state and pacifying the world rely on the sages' books, on rites and moral education!"

"The four classes—scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants. Scholars lead! Scholars study to obtain titles and serve the Imperial Court. If every scholar were like your big brother, would the court have no officials? No officials would lead to chaos throughout the realm!"

Xiao Ningxun smiled faintly: "The four classes are merely different divisions of labor. The scholar‑officials in the court certainly handle state affairs better than farmers, but they are not necessarily better at growing crops."

Xiao Ningxun's gaze was clear as he asked Zhao Qi: "If there were no merchants, may I ask where the border soldiers' grain rations come from? How much of the annual treasury revenue is from salt and iron taxes?"

"Without the profit of these 'lowest' classes, might the front‑line soldiers go hungry defending the nation? Might the capital's offices run without salaries? Can rites and moral education conjure money and grain out of thin air?"

A series of questions, like heavy hammers, struck the hearts of every student present who upheld "All trades are lowly; only studying is noble."

Zhao Qi was left speechless, his face reddening: "You are nothing but a spoiled aristocrat shielded by your family! What do you know of the people's hardships? Your big brother trades, sounds flattering, but who knows if it's ill‑gotten wealth extracted from the populace!"

At that remark, a roar of uproar erupted from the audience.

"Young master Zhao makes a valid point; merchants chase profit, how can they be clean!"

"Indeed, the way of merchants is ultimately the lowest."

"Is it true that in young master Xiao's household there is truly ill‑gotten wealth?"

"You're spouting nonsense! You may not speak ill of big brother!" Tuan Tuan's crisp, high‑pitched voice cut through the murmurs.

The crowd turned toward the voice and saw a small child staring at Zhao Qi on the stage, pouting and waving a tiny fist.

Hmph! How dare you badmouth my big brother and bully Third Brother! Tuan Tuan lowered her head and went to fetch her embroidered pouch.

Xiao Ningxun saw his sister's hand reach for the embroidered pouch at his waist and felt a stir in his heart: "Brother is fine, Tuan Tuan, don't worry."

Tuan Tuan lifted her head, looking at him with a worried expression.

Xiao Ningxun gave her a gentle smile and shook his head slightly.

Lu Qingjia whispered in her ear: "Young alliance leader, don't worry; Brother Xiao's words are sharp now, he'll surely defeat that boy Zhao Qi."

Tuan Tuan withdrew her hand and hugged his neck: "Mm!"

Xiao Ningxun looked at Zhao Qi, speaking earnestly: "My elder brother runs a trading house; every transaction is clear, every item traceable, and there has never been any ill‑gotten wealth as Zhao brother claims."

He spoke with a cold edge: "You cannot win the debate, yet you casually slander others; such behavior is unbecoming of a gentleman and further disgraces this forum. In scholarly disputes, each may voice his view, seek common ground while preserving differences; one must not lose the conduct of a scholar."

Yun Yai Xiansheng nodded slightly and said bluntly: "Zhao Qi, watch your words! When discussing the Dao and seeking truth, one should persuade with reason, not spew insults or attack a person's character. You have overstepped; step down."

With those words, Yun Yai Xiansheng both judged Zhao Qi's scholarly victory and determined his moral standing.

In an instant, everyone's gaze fixed on Zhao Qi like needles.

The audience's murmurs continued unabated.

"Although many debated today, this is the first who was personally ordered off the stage by Yun Yai Xiansheng."

"Yun Yai Xiansheng is right; if you or I take the stage and the opponent can't respond, we start attacking their family—how different is that from a street thug?"

"This Third Young Master, silent he may be, but when he speaks, he astonishes!"

"Zhao Qi's scholarship is inferior, and he resorts to slander; such character is intolerable. In contrast, Xiao's Third Young Master remains calm from start to finish, truly winning hearts."

"I have long heard that young master Xiao is inarticulate, but seeing him today, that is not the case."

"Indeed! After this, who still dares to gossip, calling Xiao's Third Young Master a 'little mute' who cannot speak!"

Zhao Qi's face shifted from flushed red to pallid white, embarrassed beyond measure, and he staggered off the stage, slipping into the crowd and leaving in disgrace.

Tuan Tuan didn't understand their words, but seeing Zhao Qi flee the stage, she knew Xiao Ningxun had won and clapped her tiny hands joyfully.

"Third Brother won! Third Brother is so awesome!"

Xiao Ningxun smiled at her, his gaze exceedingly gentle.

Yun Yai Xiansheng looked at him, his eyes full of admiration: "Young master, though youthful, you possess extraordinary insight, and more rare is your clear mind, upholding reason and righteousness."

"The merit of the merchant's way you speak of, though contrary to worldly views, strikes at the current troubles and provokes deep reflection. May I ask, what is the status of your household? From whom do you study?"

Xiao Ningxun replied respectfully: "Master, I am the son of Prince Ning, presently studying in a class at Guozijian. My elder brother often speaks of commerce at home, allowing me to understand the principles governing all things in the world."

He said, "And the greatest inspiration…" He paused, his gentle gaze turning to Tuan Tuan, "comes from my younger sister."

"Though she is young, she often utters childish words that provoke deep thought."

"For example, she once asked me, 'If no one sells anything, what would I buy?'"

"Also, recently the number of displaced people in Jingcheng has risen, with no permanent homes or places to settle; it was my younger sister who advised the Jingzhao Prefecture official Li Daren to cultivate the mountains into fertile fields, giving the displaced land to farm."

"Thus I suddenly realized: 'All things in the world have value when they are useful; suitability is the truth, and one need not cling to empty titles or prejudices.'"

Tuan Tuan, hearing her brother praise her, swayed her small body proudly, "Yes! I am Third Brother's sister!"

Yun Yai Xiansheng, upon hearing this, cast a deep gaze at the jade‑white, adorable Xiao Tuanzi in the audience, stroked his beard and sighed: "Your younger sister's words truly strike the mind like a sudden enlightenment."

"And you," he continued, looking at Xiao Ningxun: "Hearing a child's words and grasping profound truth, observing worldly affairs and seeing the true essence. Young master, your earlier narrowness was not a lack of talent! Well done!"

"You just said you study at Guozijian. My learning does not fall short of that of the Guozijian Jiziu. Would you and your younger sister be willing to take me as your Master?"

The audience erupted again; no one expected that at today's debate, Yun Yai Xiansheng would actually take disciples on the spot!

Gaining a place under Yun Yai Xiansheng is a scholar's honor and pride!

Xiao Ningxun was startled and instinctively looked at his sister.

Wu Qilin whispered quickly: "Our little master is actually the teacher of Cui Jiziu!"

What?! This little brat is the Master of Guozijian Jiziu Cui Daisheng?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Kid! Don't spout nonsense, you'll ruin Cui Jiziu's reputation!

The crowd below were no longer murmuring quietly; this time they all shouted loudly.

Yun Yai Xiansheng also looked astonished: 'Your younger sister is actually the master of Old Man Cui?'