Fang Yun's tone was calm, but every word struck the ground with ringing force. Everyone present who was sober kept nodding, compelled to admit that this Licentiate made excellent sense.
Shame appeared on several faces.
"And the third reason?" Zhang Zongshi asked.
Fang Yun set down his wine cup and smiled faintly. "Third, this matter is subtle. It can be called a dispute between two kingdoms, or merely a madam losing her mind. Thus, many people in high places will keep their mouths shut, either afraid of making enemies or of drawing fire upon themselves. But anyone who steps forward now to support Hua Qingniang will be delivering charcoal to her in the snow. Ge Yiming is, after all, only a Metropolitan Graduate, only Ge Million's nephew. If he wants to carve a large chunk of meat out of the Qing River Trading Company someday, if he wants to avoid being casually brushed aside by the powerful, he must make his stance clear at a moment like this. His words and actions now amount to announcing to the world: whether he previously built up his literary reputation or befriended young scholars from humble families, it was all for personal gain. At critical moments, he will always support the great and powerful and his own people. As for humble scholars like us, in his eyes, we aren't even worth a chicken rib."
Silence filled the restaurant. Even the stairs leading to the second floor were packed with people.
Several people kept watching Fang Yun, strange gleams flashing in their eyes.
Fang Yun picked up a peanut with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth. After chewing it, he continued, "You could even say that his position is much like Hua Qingniang's, except that he comes from a better background. Of