After the old man had two more drinks, Shen Jing continued, "If you ask me, the so-called art of governance is not as mysterious as those sages make it out to be. It's simply eight characters!"
"Which eight characters?"
Zhou Yi asked with interest.
Shen Jing took a sip of wine and said with a chuckle, "The ruler cherishes his people, and the people love their ruler!"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yi fell silent again.
A moment later, Zhou Yi picked up the wine pot, poured himself a cup, and drank it all in one gulp.
"Excellent drinking, old man!"
Shen Jing gave a thumbs up with a face full of admiration, but was met with a warning look from the servant.
Shen Jing was unfazed.
You dig a pit for me, and you don't let me fight back?
Where's the logic in that?
"None of your business!"
Zhou Yi glared at the servant. "These eight characters of yours are easy to say, but as difficult to do as ascending to heaven!"
"What's so difficult about it?"
Shen Jing shook his head and smiled, "'The ruler cherishes his people,' any qualified Emperor should be able to do that! 'The people love their ruler' is even simpler! What the common people seek isn't that complicated, just enough food and clothing! As long as the common people have enough food and clothing, they will naturally love their ruler!"
"To be frank, that's just nonsense!"
Zhou Yi sighed, "Under natural disasters and man-made calamities, just those four words, 'enough food and clothing,' have stumped how many Emperors throughout history!"
"No, no!"
Shen Jing shook his head again, "Natural disasters, the common people have nothing to say! Man-made calamities are the root cause. Throughout history, why have so few dynasties lasted three hundred years? In the final analysis, it's a problem with resource allocation..."
Shen Jing began to speak eloquently, shifting the blame onto the powerful and noble.
If this old man told his words to Emperor Zhou, and if Emperor Zhou decided to take action against the powerful and noble, he could gloat.
Zhou Yi also said nothing, just quietly listened to Shen Jing's lofty talk.
This young man indeed has foresight, and his analysis of the problems is incisive.
It wasn't until Shen Jing finished speaking that Zhou Yi slowly opened his mouth, "Do you think Emperors throughout history didn't understand this point?"
"I know, many Emperors understood, but dared not act rashly."
Shen Jing chuckled, "If an Emperor wants to prevent land annexation, he must touch the interests of the powerful and noble. Many of these powerful and noble are pillars of the state. If not handled well, the situation could spiral out of control, or even lead to the downfall of the nation, right?"
"You do see things clearly."
Zhou Yi looked at him approvingly.
Shen Jing's lips curled up, revealing a profound smile, "Actually, this matter is both difficult and simple."
"Oh?"
Zhou Yi's interest grew even stronger, "From what you're saying, you have a brilliant plan?"
Shen Jing grinned mischievously, "I wouldn't call it a brilliant plan, but I do have a nasty trick."
"Tell me!"
Zhou Yi's appetite was whetted.
"I can't say that!"
Shen Jing quickly shook his head, and said solemnly, "This matter is too offensive. If the old man leaks it, those powerful and noble will surely chop me into mincemeat!"
"Don't worry, this old man will definitely not speak carelessly." Zhou Yi solemnly promised.
"It's not that this junior doesn't trust the old man, but this matter truly cannot be spoken of lightly!"
Shen Jing sighed, then suddenly slapped his head, "Old man, weren't we fishing and drinking? What are we two common folk doing discussing these things? Come, come, drink, drink!"
With that, Shen Jing raised his cup to invite him.
Zhou Yi's heart was itching, but he couldn't resist Shen Jing's warm invitation, so he could only drink with him again.
After that, no matter how Zhou Yi pressed him, Shen Jing wouldn't say.
Zhou Yi had no choice but to temporarily give up.
After several consecutive drinks, Zhou Yi was already a little tipsy.
Zhou Yi gently shook his head and asked Shen Jing again, "This old man sees that you, young man, are also a talented person. If you have a good plan to offer to the court, this old man can recommend you for an official position through that friend."
Shen Jing chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Old man, please don't flatter me. How could I be material for an official!"
Zhou Yi shook his head, "This old man has always been accurate in judging people. If you were an official, you should achieve something."
"Then why don't you become an official yourself?" Shen Jing retorted.
Zhou Yi paused slightly, and said with a bitter smile, "This old man feels that being an official is too tiring!"
"I don't agree with that."
Shen Jing teased, "Let you, old man, farm for a few months, and you won't feel that being an official is tiring!"
Being an official is tiring?
However tiring, is it more tiring than facing the yellow earth with your back to the sky?
"You don't understand."
Zhou Yi sighed, "Being an official is a skill! You have to deal with both superiors and subordinates. As long as you are in officialdom, many things are beyond your control! You have to think about the court, and you also have to think about yourself..."
"That makes sense, I'll drink a penalty cup!"
Shen Jing said, immediately downing a cup of wine, and said with emotion, "To be an official, to be a person, to think of oneself seven parts, the court two parts, and then one part for others, is already extremely rare!"
How many truly incorruptible officials are there in this world?
If officials don't serve for power or profit, are they supposed to toil like oxen and horses for the common folk?
Hmm?
Listening to Shen Jing's words, Zhou Yi couldn't help but ponder.
These words, though simple and direct, were incredibly insightful!
"I didn't expect you, at such a young age, to see things so clearly!"
Zhou Yi looked at Shen Jing with a face full of approval, "Just for that sentence, this old man will drink a cup with you!"
Seeing this, the servant quickly tried to dissuade him, "Master, you really can't drink anymore! Your health is important."
"It's rare for this old man to meet someone so congenial. What's wrong with having a few more drinks?"
Zhou Yi glared at the servant impatiently, ignored the warning, and drank another cup. At the same time, he poured himself more wine and asked Shen Jing with a smile, "What do you think is the biggest dilemma facing the court right now?"
"Ah?"
Shen Jing was a little dumbfounded, looking at the old man with a wry smile, "Old man, you think too highly of me, don't you? I'm just a commoner, how would I know the court's dilemma!"
Digging a pit!
He must be digging a pit for himself!
Not to mention he didn't know, even if he did, he wouldn't say!
Zhou Yi shook his head and smiled, "This old man believes your insight far surpasses that of ordinary people; you should be able to see some things."
"I really can't see anything!"
Shen Jing said with a bitter face, "You have to believe one thing: if you and I can see it, then His Majesty and many officials in the court can certainly see it! It's meaningless for you and I to discuss these things, don't you agree?"
"This..."
Zhou Yi paused slightly, secretly cursing the young man's cunning.
Going around in circles, but throwing the problem back to himself.
However, what he said was the truth.
It's not difficult to identify the dilemma; the challenge lies in how to overcome it.
"Alright, this old man was too focused on appearances!"
Zhou Yi chuckled to himself, and sighed, "I didn't expect that today, while stealing a moment of leisure, this old man would unexpectedly meet a young man of extraordinary insight..."
"What insight, there's no such thing."
Shen Jing said humbly, "My so-called insight is merely what is clearly written in historical records! These historical records, anyone who can read can understand, but few can act upon them! Ten thousand volumes of history cannot overcome a single thought in a person's heart!"
How complicated are the affairs of this world!
What's complicated is the human heart!
"Ten thousand volumes of history cannot overcome a single thought in a person's heart..."
Zhou Yi savored Shen Jing's words, then clapped his hands and laughed loudly, "Just for that sentence, you surpass countless people!"
As he spoke, Zhou Yi again picked up his wine cup and drank heartily...