Travel through Shen Meizhuang to open the system and walk sideways in the harem

Soon, the news that the emperor was going to set up a debate arena in the street at Zhengyang Gate in the capital to hold a debate became a major news in the streets, and many people were skeptical.

In a restaurant, several scholars were drinking and chatting.

"I heard that the emperor has issued an imperial decree this time, an open debate competition, and you can even sign up on the spot!"

"Isn't it? Zeng Jing and Zhang Xi committed treason, but the emperor not only did not have them imprisoned, but he even held a public debate?"

"This has never happened in any dynasty!"

"Whoever wins the debate competition might be able to get a job!"

"Then let's prepare well?"

A young man not far away said with disdain, "How foolish and ignorant!"

"Sir, why do you say that? I heard that the emperor is a wise ruler who is open to advice, so this debate is held!"

"It's just a show. He is an emperor admired by all. He can find a large number of anti-Qing scholars by listening to the debate. He doesn't have to investigate. Isn't this convenient?"

The young man's name was Cao Zhan. After his family fell into poverty, he traveled around studying just to make a living.

He happened to be traveling to the capital from the south that day, and since he encountered a public debate competition, he planned to stay a few more days to see the excitement.

In the court, some Manchu nobles strongly opposed this strange debate and suggested that Zhang Xi and Zeng Jing should be killed directly, instead of holding a debate.

A minister stepped forward and said:

"Your Majesty, why not just kill the literati and scholars in Jiangnan area with a single blow and put an end to it all? Why bother mobilizing so many troops?"

The emperor asked sullenly:

"Then tell me, what is the reason for killing people? It is easy to kill a person, but it is difficult to destroy an idea. If we cannot refute these literati and make them convinced, how can we have peace in the future?"

Yiqing Wang Yunxiang bowed and said:

"Your Majesty is right. The most powerful thing about writers is their pens. If they secretly write books to slander the court, there will be no way to find out. Why bother to let people talk about them?

I think the public debate is a great idea! Let these scholars express their dissatisfaction, and then let the historians record it, and then print it out and send it to all parts of the country for publicity. The key is to make the scholars convinced. "

The emperor nodded slightly, and glanced around. "Who else wants to express their opinions on the debate? Please speak up as soon as possible, so that I can hear your true thoughts."

There was silence below, and all the ministers seemed to be thinking with their heads down. At this time, Zhang Tingyu bowed and said:

"I have one thing I don't understand. The representatives of the imperial court in this debate are me, Lord Ortai, and Lord Li Wei. But Lord Li can barely read. How can he refute those learned scholars?"

Li Wei was very unconvinced. He stepped forward and saluted:

"Your Majesty, quarreling is bullshit. I am not afraid of anyone. If Lord Zhang doesn't believe me, can we have a debate in the court?"

Although Li Wei did not have much knowledge, he had a quick mind and did not follow the routine, which always confused the other party. That was why the emperor arranged him as one of the three representatives.

The emperor laughed loudly. "Well, Li Wei, why are you so vulgar in the court? I have my own reasons for employing you. When the time comes, you can just act on the spot without having to be picky about words."

Outside the capital, three carriages were moving one after another, followed by many people. Even in such a snowy day, those people were not afraid of the cold.