From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 710

After all, this is the most grand festival in Shuixi. People come to participate with the greatest expectations, so they are very energetic. The singing and dancing continue until midnight.

Zhou Yuan took Xiaoying's hand and walked down the mountain and returned to Xiangshui Beach.

Under the moonlight, in the swaying of the flames, in the atmosphere of people singing and dancing, he saw the girl sitting by the fire.

She held her cheeks with both hands, with a faint smile on her face, wearing beautiful Miao costumes, quiet and sweet.

Xiaoying said: "Brother, I'm going to find grandma! I'm hungry and want to eat."

She disappeared in a few steps. I don't know where this girl got so much energy.

Zhou Yuan smiled and shook his head softly: "Xiaoying has grown up too."

He did not hesitate, but strode forward and finally came to Guan Caixi's side.

Guan Caixi looked back and saw Zhou Yuan. He was obviously stunned for a moment, then stood up, his eyes rolling, looking at each other without words, not knowing what to say, just a slight bow.

Zhou Yuan said, "Do you like it here?"

Guan Caixi didn't answer in a hurry, but cast her eyes to the fire in front of her. She smiled slightly when she heard the singing and laughter.

"Well... I like it..."

She whispered softly and in a soothing tone, "It's beautiful here, just like I said in the letter, there are the best mountains and rivers, the best flowers and plants, and the most delicious fruits."

"Of course, there are also the best people."

Zhou Yuan also followed her gaze, feeling a little emotional: "Caixi, you have changed a lot, even the way you speak has changed."

"Because I have awakened."

Guan Caixi was not proud of this, but just used a normal tone to say the most ordinary things: "I live too carefree."

"My sister is nine years older than me. When I was very young, she had already entered the palace."

"When I was sensible, she was already the emperor."

"I have never lacked money, let alone been bullied. I can have whatever I want."

Speaking of this, she shook her head and smiled: "How should people like me live?"

"I have never thought about this question, let alone worry about it. Pride, stubbornness, liveliness, self-centeredness... These seem to be born into me. I never think I am wrong, and I never think I am annoying. After all, in addition to my noble birth, I am also beautiful."

"I think everyone should like me."

Zhou Yuan was silent for a moment, but said: "In fact, you... when you were in Yangzhou, you said you were not wrong, and I agree with this statement."

"Pride, stubbornness, liveliness, self-centeredness, these are indeed not wrong, let alone sins. Everyone has their own nature, which is not the same."

Guan Caixi smiled: "In the past six months, I have lived a simple life. There is no vanity around me. On the contrary, And I figured out a lot of problems. "

"Yes, I was not wrong before, I was just a little annoying."

"During that time, I was always wondering why I was annoying. I didn't do anything, I didn't hurt anyone, and I was even kind to everyone."

"Later I understood that in this chaotic world, as your majesty's sister, I enjoyed the glory and wealth she brought us, but I didn't take any responsibility for the world... Ha, if you don't deserve your position, you will naturally be annoying."

"Especially for you, you are all working hard for this world, but I only care about my own fun. In contrast, I seem even more annoying."

Zhou Yuan whispered: "It's not that I really hate you, but... human nature is like this."

Guan Caixi smiled and said: Actually, I hate my old self now. I can't find any advantages of me at that time. "

"Although I still have nothing now, I have at least learned a lot of things. At least I see the suffering of this land and my heart hurts."

"It's not the inexplicable pain when we were selling private salt, but... I feel sad."

Zhou Yuan narrowed his eyes and said, "Can you summarize this sadness in one sentence?"

"Unfair."

Guan Caixi said, "Unfairness is the most essential sadness here."

She seemed to have really realized something and talked freely, "We are all people living in this world, and everyone lives by their own labor."

"But it's unfair. People here are very hardworking and hard, but in return they are even more poor and more difficult."

"This is unfair, the unfairness of the whole world."

Zhou Yuan patted her shoulder and said, "I am very pleased that you can say this. The whole world is indeed unfair. Some people are born rich, and some people will never live a good life. ”

“The strong can bully the weak, and men can bully women.”"And what is the meaning of the ruling body, that is, what we call the court, what should it do?"

"Try to be fair, that's the meaning."

He also sighed with emotion: "So when I was in Kaifeng Prefecture in the Central Plains, I witnessed the crimes of Apang Palace, but I didn't use any tricks to let Li Yu'an kill people, or let Zhang Bailong kill people, but I killed them myself."

"Because only by killing them with the law can we restore a little bit of justice, show the meaning of fairness, warn others, and give victims a little care."

"A complex world needs rules to support it. It is the chivalrous people in the rivers and lakes to take revenge, but I can't do that."

"As an official appointed by the court, I have to think more about it. The fundamental thing is to classify one thing into one category, find the contradictions of one category, and solve the problem from the root. "

"Otherwise, even if those big families are killed, others will only think that those families are unlucky, rather than thinking that what they did is wrong."

"The meaning of justice is to tell everyone that some things cannot be done, and some things must be fair."

Guan Caixi smiled and said, "So, is this why you came to Shuixi? You could have sent troops to suppress the Tusi Mansion directly. After all, you are not afraid of the Donglu people, so what is Tusi."

Zhou Yuan said, "If you don't solve the problem from the root, then if you eliminate one Tusi, there will be another Tusi."

Guan Caixi sat down, still on the wooden bench.

She looked at everything in front of her with a little sadness, and whispered: "In fact, I am still empty. Although I have realized a lot of things, I can't find my own way."

"Zhou Yuan, I want to do something, but I have wasted myself. In fact, I can't do anything."

"You are a hero in my heart. Although I didn't realize the justice in your heart before, I always criticized you for being too cruel, but now I understand a lot."

"As smart as you are, can you show me a way?"

Zhou Yuan thought for a while, pointed to the front, and said: "Why are they suffering?"

Guan Caixi said: "Hardworking, kind, and have fertile land, but... the chieftain treats them like pigs and dogs."

Zhou Yuan said: "Then why don't they resist the chieftain, but treat the chieftain as the master?"

Guan Caixi frowned and said: "Because they were deceived, and they were deceived very thoroughly. Their resistance was turned to the court."

Zhou Yuan said: "Then why were they deceived so thoroughly?"

Guan Caixi opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. Should I say that these people are born stupid? This is obviously not right.

Zhou Yuan gave the answer: "Because they are isolated from the world, they have simple values ​​in their hearts, but lack the knowledge of the rules of the world."

"We really want to solve the Tusi problem and solve the poverty here. Changing Tusi and reducing taxes is just a beginning."

"We should give them the opportunity to receive education, let them read and write, let them have more wisdom, and participate in this world."

"Let no one deceive them, this is the fundamental."

"Enlightenment and education are one of the greatest causes in the world, far more meaningful than chivalry and robbing the rich to help the poor."

The firelight was swirling, illuminating Zhou Yuan's face.

Guan Caixi just looked at him, looking at the outline of his cheeks and the shadows of his facial features.

Zhou Yuan said softly: "It is better to teach a man how to fish than to give him a fish. Everyone knows this truth."

"And education is the ultimate and most essential way to teach a man how to fish. It is the ultimate way to salvation."

"Cai Xi, you have traveled all over the world for so many years and have seen all kinds of things in this world. It's time to return to Shenjing."

"The Imperial Academy will be restructured. In addition to literature, it will also teach science, medicine, engineering, martial arts and other courses."

"We need teachers and elders who are good at various fields. We need them to compile textbooks, serve as teachers, and complete the basic construction of the Imperial Academy."

"We must absorb students, let them do what they are good at, cultivate them into talents, fulfill their lives, and let them fulfill the world."

"As the sister of His Majesty, you are of noble status and should bear this responsibility."

He looked at Guan Caixi and said slowly: "Let education spread all over the world and let everyone have the opportunity to gain knowledge. This is a great cause for thousands of years and your path."

Guan Caixi still looked at him, with fire and tears in her eyes.

She held her mouth tightly and tried not to cry.

She just said in a trembling voice: "Thank you, I know what I should do."

"I found myself."