Peach Garden Oath
When Boss Zhou heard Wang Yue's words, he couldn't help standing up. As if in a trance, he recited each word slowly: "When a dynasty thrives, the people suffer; when it falls, the people suffer! What a line—'When a dynasty thrives or falls, the people suffer'! It captures the plight of the people through the ages. Young Master Wang, you're a genius! I, Zhou Ye, am nowhere near your equal!"
Among those present, Ye Yun'er's family belonged to the scholarly gentry, so she had always been expected to study hard. Boss Zhou's family were military men, so naturally he had to be well-versed in military texts. Gu Jiusi's family were merchants. Although he was unlearned, he had also studied at White Deer Academy. Liu Siyu's family belonged to the aristocracy, and like Ye Yun'er, she was never without a book. Though Liu Yuru was born into a merchant family, she had studied under her mother, who came from an aristocratic family, and was well-read too.
So Boss Zhou wasn't the only one deeply moved. The others felt the same, and when they looked at Wang Yue, their eyes held a little more admiration.
Wang Yue had thick skin. Under the gazes of so many people, he said with great conviction, "One day, when I'm in charge of Qingzhou, I plan to put my ideas to the test there: survey the land anew, redistribute it, and equalize the taxes. I hope that one day, I can spread this idea throughout the country."
These people had studied poetry and song lyrics in depth, and could discern the sentiments within them. They had already been deeply moved and greatly admired the emotions expressed in the poem.
Hearing Wang Yue's plan, Gu Jiusi was the first to ask, "Eldest Brother, if