The process of laying out the foundation is quite boring.

After the ceremony for the Holy Master began, the crowd of scholars from the state became silent in tacit agreement.

After all, the face of the most holy master must be given.

Ouyang Rong led them through a series of complicated rituals.

The ceremony is over.

Ouyang Rong turned around and spoke in public according to the manuscript he had stayed up late last night to draft.

The general content is to first review the experience of studying hard in the cold window based on my own experience, then praise the outstanding model students in the state school in the past few years, and finally encourage the corporal students to continue their efforts and become a high school Jinshi next year.

Well, look back on the past, grasp the present, and look forward to the future.

Everything is complete and you can leave satisfied.

But the excited students gathered today would not let him "leave satisfied" so easily.

During the speech, Ouyang Rong glanced at Yue Ziang in front of the crowd below, who had a determined expression on his face.

There was a burst of boos from the audience, and in the din, a scholar shouted: "Don't do Tai Chi for us. As a parent official of Jiangzhou, why do you want to help the emperor do evil!"

The sickly fox-white fur-stained man's eyes were not squinting, and his slow and gentle tone remained unchanged.

During this period, the scholars continued to boo in response.

Ouyang Rong finished what he needed to say without missing a word.

Then, after he finished speaking, he silently looked at the excited crowd of scholars below.

Ouyang Rong did not wear official robes today, and his face was pale and weak, but his calm eyes seemed to carry some unpredictable majesty in people's hearts.

The noise of the crowd quickly stopped.

But soon some scholars seemed to be dissatisfied and booed loudly, and the sporadic boos attracted the majority.

Ouyang Rong glanced at the scholars in the audience who raised their heads, and pursed his lips.

He suddenly set off and walked down the "condescending" high platform.

"Mingfu, it's not safe down there." Yan Liulang stepped forward.

Ouyang Rong said nothing and pushed away the arm he blocked.

Xie Lingjiang took the skirt knife that his senior brother had handed over and kept it temporarily, and followed his back with the sword in his arms.

Ouyang Rong walked to the stage dressed lightly.

The crowded scholars were stunned, and the crowd quickly backed away to make way for a small space.

"I have finished speaking. Now I want to listen to you. Don't worry, I will not interrupt you rudely."

The noise in the crowd suddenly dropped for a few beats.

In the open space, Ouyang Rong stood tall, his calm eyes swept around them, and he pointed at a round-faced scholar who was shouting hard:

"Your Excellency seems to be very dissatisfied and has a lot to say." He nodded with a serious expression on his face: "Why don't you talk to everyone."

The round-faced scholar who was accused immediately looked around with a slightly flustered expression, as if he didn't expect to be chosen by Ouyang Rong to speak first.

He took a few steps back and waved his hands to express his refusal. However, under the direct gaze of Ouyang Rong and the stern urging of Yue Ziang and others around him, he had no choice but to stand up and said bravely:

"I heard that Jiangzhou Hall and Xunyang Prince's Palace accepted the edict to build the Donglin Buddha. Is... is there such a thing?

"Forget about the others, but, as the official of Jiangzhou's parents, Mr. Chang Shi is also a well-known gentleman in the world! I regarded you as a role model at first, but now why do you want to help Zhou do evil and agree with the two kings of the Wei family, and create statues that hurt the people!"

The round-faced gentleman who was pushed out stuttered at first, but later on, he became more and more excited as he spoke.

Ouyang Rong listened calmly and nodded: "It is indeed necessary to undertake the construction of Donglin Buddha."

Amid the din that exploded in the audience, he said calmly:

"It is true that it can help Zhou to commit tyranny. The Jiangzhou Hall is a statue for Her Majesty the Queen. It does not agree with the King of Wei and Liang. The so-called assisting Zhou to commit tyranny is nonsense.

"This is one of them."

Ouyang Rong said slowly and calmly, facing the scholars:

"Secondly, the Jiangzhou Hall has already made thorough preparations for this statue, and is trying its best to avoid wasting state funds and not using up people's resources."

The round-faced scholar looked suspicious: "Really?"

"A gentleman has no jokes."

Some scholars in the crowd questioned:

"No, you are lying. Xunyang City only has such a small area. Where can the Donglin Buddha be located without affecting the people's livelihood?"

Ouyang Rong immediately replied: "It will fall on the top of the twin peaks."

"Shuangfengjian? Isn't that the top of a mountain? It's in the wilderness."

"This is where Jiangzhou Hall will dig a canal at the peak of the twin peaks, build grottoes on both sides, and set up giant Buddhas. This is what I have been busy with during these days."

"What about the money needed to build the Buddha? It can't appear out of thin air. It's not like the wool comes from the sheep."

"The money for digging the canal and building the grottoes has been raised. Thirty-two Jiangnan merchants will advance the payment and then operate it in partnership with Jiangzhou Hall...

"Jiangzhou Hall will not collect any additional tax revenue for statues, or even dig canals, and the large number of labor positions required to build grottoes will all be fed back to the people of Xunyang. Recruitment will begin at Xunyang Ferry in the near future. Please supervise

, wait and see.

"After completion, the grotto attractions can also attract tourists from all over the world, promote Xunyang's commerce, and achieve the goal of hiding wealth among the people."

Every time the scholars asked a question, Ouyang Rong answered immediately.

After some questions and answers, Ouyang Rong acted quickly and decisively without pausing in the middle.

It seems that he has a plan in advance and his posture is clear.

The crowd of excited scholars suddenly fell silent, and looked at each other, as if trying to digest the amount of information in the words of the sick long history.

Ouyang Rong faced the silent crowd and spoke in a calm and firm tone:

"Most of you are from Jiangzhou. I understand that you love your hometown and have your original aspirations for the common people. I can assure you that the new Donglin Buddha will never be left in Xunyang City and become a burden to the people.

.

"After they are completed according to this blueprint, they will become a scene in Xunyang, a wonder in the south of the Yangtze River and even in the world, and the foundation for the prosperity of Jiangzhou."

The crowd was silent, and the scholars looked sideways.

"Is this really the case? Why didn't Mr. Changshi and Jiangzhou Hall explain earlier that they would not forcibly build it, which would waste people and money..."

Ouyang Rong looked at the scholar who made a sound with a strange look on his face, and asked:

"Isn't it the duty of every parent and official who reads the books of sages to safeguard the people's foundation? What's there to show off and publicize? If this requires reward and credit, I really don't know what to say."

All the scholars suddenly choked.

Yes, it seems that it is indeed the duty of an official to read the books of sages. Didn't someone say that "the books of sages are for people to read, and they are useless when used to do things." Good guy, did you really use them to do things?

Moreover, before this, everyone was naturally suspicious and distrustful of Ouyang Rong and Jiangzhou Hall.

The originally excited scholars calmed down a little, but there were still many problems.

After the round-faced scholars sat down obediently, another group of scholars stood up and asked sharp questions one after another.

Ouyang Rong answered one by one, and when he encountered disputes over his authority as a long history officer, he asked Xie Lingjiang to get paper and pen, and he wrote them down one by one.

After some communication, from beginning to end, Ouyang Rong's words were sincere and as gentle as jade.

As if infected by his attitude, the crowd of excited scholars who had been booing gradually calmed down.

However, this is obviously not the answer and scene demanded by some of the leaders of the extreme protests.

"Ha, after all, Mr. Ouyang still sits on the side of the court. After all, the official positions are awarded by the court, but is what the court did right?"

Yue Ziang stood up and said impassionedly:

"Nowadays, there are evil villains in the palace who are bewitching the saints, and there are two kings of the Wei family in the court who are stealing power. The villains are in charge of the court."

The spittle flew from his mouth, and he raised his head and stared:

"Lord Ouyang, let me ask you, even if your Donglin Buddha is properly handled, can you ensure that the other statues in the four continents are properly handled and the plan is complete without wasting people or money?

"Master Ouyang manages the ten acres of land very well, but I don't know whether he is deaf or is deliberately covering his ears and turning a blind eye to the outside world. He cherishes his life and is afraid of death, but he is wise to protect himself.

"I am ashamed to be associated with you!"

Yue Ziang sneered, then looked around and said loudly:

"Brothers, do you also want to keep to yourself and turn a blind eye to the righteousness of the world outside Jiangzhou?

"Is it true that the so-called center of praise for all nations of the Great Zhou Dynasty built by the imperial court and forced to collect copper for praise of virtue from all states in the world is false? Lord Ji, Governor Li and others wrote a letter to speak out about the persecution they encountered. Is it right for you to do the same?

To imitate someone and turn a blind eye?

"Then the blood of the righteous men in the world and the sacrificed men of Liuzhou has been wasted, isn't it?"

Ouyang Rong turned his head, a little surprised by this person's extremely inflammatory words. Facts have proved that it is not unreasonable to be an opinion leader of this kind of protest movement.

Sure enough, after saying this, the whole audience suddenly erupted in support, and the familiar hustle and bustle returned.
To be continued...