Chapter 46: Install a sophisticated one! Uncle is truly the epitome of wisdom

Mother-in-law released Jin Mucun and said, "For the sake of Lang'er's face, I'll let you off this time. If you dare show the slightest disrespect to your brother-in-law, I'll skin you alive."

As she was leaving, she truly felt that if her son had half the wit and cleverness of Shen Lang, that would be great.

...

"Brother-in-law, I won't forget your kindness today," Jin Mucun patted his fat chest and said, "If you need any help in the future, just ask. I'm a man of my word."

Shen Lang said, "Then tell me, who instigated you to come and attack me?"

Jin Mucun shrank his head and shook it, "No, no, I absolutely won't be a traitor. Even if you kill me, I won't tell. The most important thing is to be loyal."

Shen Lang looked at this unlucky kid and finally understood why his in-laws always couldn't resist the urge to beat their own son.

It's unavoidable to vent their frustrations by beating a son this stupid every day.

But Shen Lang didn't ask again.

Though the eldest son's loyalty is foolish, it's still a good virtue.

He's showing loyalty to that person now, and in the future, he'll show loyalty to himself as well.

When the time comes, if there's any trouble, he'll conveniently pass it on to him.

So, he mustn't break this traditional virtue of his.

At once, Shen Lang gave a thumbs up and said, "The eldest son is indeed loyal and admirable."

The eldest son firmly patted his chest and said, "Once you get to know me, you'll know that I'm a true friend."

Then this fat guy stayed in Shen Lang's study for a while before immediately yawning and going back to sleep.

...

Shen Lang closed all the doors and took out a bag of black wheat, which was slightly moldy, and scraped off the ergot fungus on top of it.

If anyone knows, they would be scared and wonder who Shen Lang is planning to harm with this stuff.

He was preparing for the worst. This could turn the tables at a critical moment.

...

The next morning, Shen Lang got up, and Mulan still hadn't returned.

His wife's military affairs were just too busy.

It was still Xiaobing who helped Shen Lang wash up.

"Bingbing, I have a question for you," Shen Lang said.

Xiaobing said, "Please ask, sir."

Shen Lang asked, "Do you know why the white tiger is so rare and precious?"

Xiaobing widened her eyes and thought for a moment before saying, "Because most tigers are yellow?"

Shen Lang said, "No, because time is gold, and gold can't buy time."

Xiaobing's beautiful eyes were filled with confusion. What's the connection between the two?

Master is just making things up.

Seeing that his joke didn't have the desired effect, Shen Lang felt lonely in his heart.

Ah!

It's scary when a girl lacks education and doesn't even know when she's being teased.

Xiaobing said, "I'll ask Miss in the evening what this means."

Shen Lang couldn't help but feel a tingling scalp.

But Mulan is so innocent, she shouldn't understand it either.

So, he shouldn't get beaten up.

Shen Lang remembered something.

Yesterday, the eldest son, Jin Mucun, came to fight him, claiming Shen Lang had bullied Xiaobing, so he came to beat him up.

So, he casually asked, "Xiaobing, did you cry yesterday?"

Xiaobing was surprised and said, "No, why would I cry?"

...

After breakfast, the Count's confidant, Jin Zhong, appeared in front of Shen Lang.

This person never seemed to smile, but his gaze at Shen Lang was much gentler, unlike before when he looked at Shen Lang like he owed him a thousand gold coins.

"The master ordered that the young master study together with the young master, and not neglect his studies," Jin Zhong said before leaving.

Study?

Can't I help myself?

I, Shen Lang, am already very knowledgeable, do I still need to study?

But his father-in-law is still angry, so he shouldn't touch his sore spot and just pretend for a couple of days.

And it's also a good opportunity to find out more about the eldest son, Jin Mucun.

Who exactly is hostile towards me and encouraged the eldest son to attack me?

...

The count's mansion had a dedicated school with over a hundred students.

There were over a dozen students in the class studying together with the eldest son, Jin Mucun. The youngest was fifteen and the oldest was twenty, roughly the same age as Shen Lang and Jin Mucun.

Upon entering, the whole classroom became lively.

A dozen pairs of eyes stared at Shen Lang, openly showing their hostility and jealousy.

The reason is simple: because Shen Lang was with Mulan.

Mulan is the dream girl of all the boys, from eight to twenty-eight.

After exchanging glances with each other, the dozen or so teenagers were about to surround them.

These youngsters were so straightforward and violent, ready to beat someone up!

"What are you doing?" Jin Mucang, the eldest son of the noble family, approached Shen Lang, put his arm around his shoulder, and said, "He's my brother-in-law. You guys better show some respect to him in the future, or else I'll beat you up."

Then, he waved his chubby fists.

It seems that Jin Mucang still had some influence in the academy, after all, he was the nobleman's son. The dozen or so teenagers dispersed, but their looks towards Shen Lang remained provocative.

This is probably the equivalent of "Don't leave after school" in this otherworldly version.

"Shen Lang, let me have your back." The nobleman's son patted his hefty chest and said, "Sit next to me, I guarantee no one will dare to touch you."

After a while, the teacher arrived, an old man with half of his white beard and a very thin figure, probably weighing less than eighty jin.

Everyone called him Master Lin.

He was not only the tutor of the nobleman's son but also one of the confidants of the earl. His knowledge was extremely profound.

Today's lesson was about "I Ching".

This is a great philosophical work from ancient China, encompassing all aspects of heaven, earth, and humanity.

The more one studies "I Ching", the more one realizes their own shallowness.

So, Shen Lang listened quietly with great interest, but the others had already lost interest long ago.

Obviously, the teachings of "I Ching" were too dry and boring for them.

After more than half an hour of teaching, the old man suddenly said, "Today, there is actually a new student?"

Shen Lang was speechless, you just noticed?

"So handsome, what a pity to be a man," the old man said.

Shen Lang was even more speechless, you're so old yet not serious.

"You're the Shen Lang who studied at the academy in Hanhu Town for ten years without finishing your enlightenment, but instead being driven back home?" the old man said. "A few of us teachers privately say that you are probably a disgrace to the scholars of Xuanwu City."

Shen Lang narrowed his eyes. Was this old man trying to provoke him?

"Have you studied 'I Ching' before?" the old man asked.

Shen Lang said, "I have some understanding."

With a scrutinizing look, the old man asked, "Heaven's movement is vigorous and unceasing. How do gentlemen interpret this?"

Shen Lang said, "Heaven's way runs in endless cycles, never stopping. No one can hinder it. Gentlemen should emulate the ways of heaven, standing on their own and striving continuously."

The old man asked again, "The dragon soars too high, and it will certainly regret it, because when excessive, there will be a reverse. People should not pursue perfection excessively; there should be some regrets left!"

The interpretation was completely correct, without any difference.

The old man was slightly surprised. Was this the supposedly ignorant and untalented boy?

The rumors were ridiculous.

However, it's not enough to just interpret, it's crucial to comprehend and apply it in reality.

That's the real wisdom, not just rote learning.

So, let's give this handsome young man a difficult problem to solve.

The old man asked, "Nowadays, with the new policies in full swing, the old and new powers are changing, and many old noble families have lost their fiefs and military powers. If you were to choose a sentence from 'I Ching' to explain the essence of this major event and advise the earl, which sentence would you choose?"

This question was both difficult and easy.

"I Ching" is truly a magical book, one can almost find sentences in it that relate to any current situation, whether it's two thousand years ago or two thousand years in the future.

But to be very precise and to hit the core of this new policy, that's difficult.

The commonly used sentence for this purpose is often "The dragon soars too high, and it will certainly regret it."

Even Master Lin often uses this sentence to describe the new policy.

However, that sentence had already been mentioned.

After thinking for a while, Shen Lang quickly thought of a sentence.

Only this philosophical sentence could best describe the state of affairs in the Yue Country's new policy and peel back the layers of truth and essence.

The old man said, "It's alright if you can't think of it. This question is too difficult and profound to begin with."

Shen Lang spoke up, "Everything will have a return; the heavens and earth see to it."

The old man was initially astonished, showing a look of disbelief.

"Good, good!"

Then, the old man slammed the table.

He seemed particularly excited, walking up to Shen Lang and said, "The rumors are too ridiculous. Is this a low-intelligence person? It's just the jealousy of those mediocre people. Shen young master, you are truly intelligent and wise."

"The words you just said cut to the bone, making it hard for me to believe that they came from a young person. I can't even think of a better piece of advice for the Count after hearing what you said." The old master continued, "But after hearing you say that, I realized there is no other statement that better describes the current situation of the Count's Manor and the state of the Yue Kingdom's new policy."

"Good, good..." the old master clapped, "Such a clever child, shouldn't be in this classroom."

The old master's praise lasted for several minutes.

The other dozen or so people in the classroom were completely bewildered, whispering to each other.

"What are they talking about? I can't understand a word!"

"I have no idea!"

"What did Shen Lang say? What does it mean?"

"Shen Lang said what?"

"The old master has never praised anyone like this before. I'm afraid he's gone mad."

"He must be mad, and also a madman who likes pretty boys."

However, the old master was not exaggerating.

Shen Lang's statement in the "Book of Changes" completely hit the essence of the Yue Kingdom's new policy.

Inexhaustible, the universe is also limited.

What does this sentence mean?

The myriad things between heaven and earth, what goes out must come back. People have ups and downs, expansions and contractions, things have their pros and cons, often changing.

Simply from the explanation, Shen Lang's statement seemed nothing special.

However, this statement is not about the Count, it's about the sovereign of the Yue Kingdom.

Your Majesty, through your new policies, you continue to strip the old aristocrats of their land and military power, consolidating all power in your own hands.

But there are two sides to everything.

Don't forget, although the Yue Kingdom is very powerful, it is just a vassal state of the Great Yan Dynasty.

Today, you are stripping the old aristocrats of their land and power, but do you realize that the future Great Yan Emperor might do the same to the vassal lords like yourself?

Today's hunter, won't he become the prey tomorrow? By doing this, aren't you creating your own downfall?

So, Your Majesty, don't be too extreme in your actions!

That's why Shen Lang's words really hit the essence of the new policy, it's truly brilliant!

That's why the old master praised him so much.