Hai Rui had not touched a single bite of the lavish food and wine on the table.
Tian Youlu advised, "Your Honor, it's only some food and wine. It's no big deal."
"It is a big deal, a very big deal! If I take this bite today, will I be eating people tomorrow?" Hai Rui snorted, still glaring at Wang Yan, who was stuffing himself with food, his mouth gleaming with grease.
Wang Yan felt helpless. "My lord, whether you eat is your own business, but you can't stop me from eating, can you? Second Master, from now on, we brothers can eat together without inviting First Master."
Tian Youlu smiled obsequiously. "Third Master, you enjoy yourself. I still have a wife and children—I truly can't keep Third Master company."
Before Hai Rui arrived, Tian Youlu had eaten and drunk along with them every day. Not only did he indulge himself, he even took food home for his wife and children to eat. It was as if he had turned his grief and indignation into appetite, as though every extra bite he ate meant one less for Wang Yan.
Wang Yan shook his head with a smile and had someone make Hai Rui a bowl of vegetarian noodles. Then he changed the subject. "What does Your Honor think of replacing rice with mulberry trees?"
"It cannot be done! If it is done, the people will lose their livelihoods. They say the people should grow mulberries, raise silkworms, reel silk, and weave cloth—but won't they still be exploited by the great households? In less than three to five years, the people of Chun'an will surely rebel."
"This subordinate thinks the same. As long as the people have land, they can live in peace. If most people have land, there should not