Chapter 352: Our Han family has its own system, fundamentally blending the Hegemon's Way

Jia Jing finished listening to Daiyu's discussion, the hand that had lifted his tea cup paused slightly, and his expression grew slightly solemn.

He did not reply at once, only slowly setting down the teacup in his hand; the celadon cup base touched the sandalwood tabletop, making an extremely soft sound.

Daiyu's words seemed, on the surface, to be a reflection from reading.

But upon careful thought, each point was actually aimed at Jia Jing's current situation, giving his own view in an extremely obscure way.

Especially this third point, she said Lu Zhi valued virtue over technique, law over power, being overly upright.

Within this, there was no lack of reminding Jia Jing, as a top martial official holding great power,

To remain prosperous long-term, perhaps one cannot rely solely on ability, loyalty, and integrity; one also needs to understand tactics and maneuvering, and know how to cultivate one's own political power.

Of course, this is not to advise Jia Jing to become a power-hungry minister, but to point out the cruelty of political struggle; to serve the country, uniting one's own people is essential!

Perhaps it is also because Jia Jing's usual outward image gives her the impression of being too majestic and righteous, making her worry that he is too rigid and upright, disdaining scheming and power.

In the sunlight, Jia Jing looked at Daiyu's illuminated, fair-skinned face,

Her bearing was graceful and elegant, exuding immortal, pure, and spiritual aura, her dark eyes bright, she wore a serious expression, yet could not help letting out a soft laugh.

"Huh?"

Daiyu frowned at the laugh, feeling somewhat doubtful.

Especially Jia Jing's stern, clear countenance, when he suddenly smiled, gave a strong sense of contrast, like the first light of dawn breaking forth.

Daiyu's willow-shaped eyebrows twitched slightly, and she spoke in a soft, reproachful tone:

"Third Brother, what are you laughing at? Could it be that I said something wrong, or even too childish, provoking laughter?"

Jia Jing spoke softly:

"Miss Lin, with your intelligent nature and pure heart, your perceptive insight, to derive this reasoning from Duke Xuan Lu's writings and person, is truly beyond my expectation!"

After saying this, Jia Jing paused, reflected briefly, then spoke solemnly and instructively:

"Actually, Duke Xuan may not lack understanding of the way of tactics; rather, he understood the stakes too well, which is why he sought to balance everything everywhere."

"He had to maintain the court's dignity, protect the officials, and balance rewards and punishments; the result was that, trying to satisfy all sides, he often accomplished nothing."

"Han Feizi said: 'Law, tactics, and power—none can be absent; these are the tools of emperors.'"

"Duke Xuan's discussions on law, on trust, and on the fairness of rewards and punishments were all exquisite; but when discussing tactics, he urged Emperor Dezong to 'sincerity', 'sincerity', merely hoping to move people through sincerity alone."

"But is the ruler's art of governing ministers something he disdains to speak of, or to practice?"

"Governing a great state is like cooking a small fish; if one does not master the art of employing people, nor skillfully distinguish loyalty from treachery and divide and rule, how can one ensure good laws are implemented? This indeed is the narrow-mindedness of the Confucian official you mentioned."

"But the Legalists are different; after discussing law, they also discuss power. Power is the sovereign's authority, surpassing a million troops."

"Duke Xuan spoke at length throughout his life; Emperor Dezong of Tang listened respectfully at the time, then promptly forgot."

"He offended Lu Qi, offended the close attendants of Emperor Dezong, was demoted again and again, from chancellor all the way to assistant prefect of Zhongzhou."

"Even with vast knowledge, once he lost power, his very life and property were barely preserved; how could he then save the world?"

"His policy proposals were not adopted, his policies could not be implemented, simply because he held no power and had no influence at court."

"He did not believe in power; but since he did not use it, it was left for his enemies. In the end, Lu Qi and Pei Yanling, whom he despised, united people's hearts and turned against him."

"Duke Xuan's memorials, word for word on concrete matters, were all precious advice."

"Unfortunately, he was too Confucian and disdained law, and did not know that our Han family has its own system, basically mixing the Hegemon's Way, yet he purely relied on moral teaching."

"Confucian outward, Legalist inward, using rites and law together, substance and form both complete—this is the basic strategy for governing the state."

At first, hearing Jia Jing's praise, Daiyu's heart fluttered slightly, joy welled up unbidden, feeling that her months of hard study were not in vain.

But later, hearing Jia Jing explain the outward Confucian, inward Legalist governance from the Legalist perspective, she realized she was ultimately somewhat shallow.

The principles she understood, Jia Jing also understood, and even practiced well, to the point that her outward strong-willed character 'confused' her.

However, upon reflection, it's also true that Third Brother could attain such a position not merely through outstanding ability,

but because he is accustomed to solemn dignity daily, and rarely shows scheming or tactics before us, leading us to think he is only firm and not flexible, lacking some cunning in court!

Previously, Third Brother had judged that Baoyu was Confucian, himself Daoist, while claiming to use both Confucianism and Daoism!

Now it seems he is far more than simply Confucian and Daoist!

Having read only a few months of reports, I actually thought I could offer him some pointers—truly a lack of self-awareness, like the man of Ye Lang boasting!

Seeing Daiyu fall into silence, Jia Jing feared discouraging her enthusiasm for study, and comforted her:

"Miss Lin, don't undervalue yourself; with your current insight and learning, not to say you already far surpass ordinary ladies of the boudoir."

"Even compared to ordinary court officials, you are in no way inferior!"

This is not merely Jia Jing's empty consolation; rather, the political wisdom and vision Daiyu inherited from her father Lin Ruhai are indeed not low.

Lin Ruhai came from a marquis family, yet through genuine talent and learning he entered the civil service via the imperial examinations, attaining the rank of third-place laureate.

Furthermore, he held the important post of Inspector of Salt Transport, dealing with state livelihood, and naturally often discussed at home the court's salt policies, grain transport, and other affairs.

As his beloved daughter, Daiyu was from childhood treated as a 'pretend adopted son', enabling her to read and write, and receiving the elite education initiated by scholars like Jia Yucun, who held the jinshi degree.

Moreover, growing up in such an environment, her understanding of officialdom's workings far surpassed that of ordinary ladies from wealthy families, and her political sensitivity and vision were essentially different from theirs.

Besides, speaking only of the sisters among the women of the Jia Mansion, perhaps only Yuan Chun, who has long been immersed in the palace, could match her; the others would likely fall short.

From the original work, Daiyu's 'political mind' is a kind of latent wisdom deeply rooted in her background, upbringing, and sensitive nature.

It does not show off, yet it reveals itself fully in precise perception of economic trends and thorough grasp of worldly affairs.

From her first entry into the Jia Mansion, 'step by step attentive, always mindful', to her observation of rewards given to eunuchs presenting gifts and of Yuan Chun's provincial visits,

All this shows she is deeply versed in human relations, perceptive of social warmth and coldness, and possesses the potential to manage a large household.

Especially her poem 'Looking Forward to the Apricot Curtain,' which outshines all others,

Apricot curtains invite guests to drink, in the distance lies a mountain villa. Water caltrop and duckweed, goose-pond water; mulberry and elm, swallows' beam. A patch of spring leeks green, ten li of rice blossoms fragrant. In a flourishing age, no famine, why bother with the toil of plowing and weaving.