"Ha ha ha!"
With a hearty burst of laughter from the study, Minister Wang strode out.
He looked somewhat disheveled, his hair unkempt, his eyes bloodshot, his expression wild, as though he had taken medicinal powder.
But he was in an excellent mood. Kong Chao hurried to bow, only for him to haul him upright.
"Master Kong, go invite the ministers at court to my residence. Tell them we have made progress on the important matter."
"Yes, sir!"
Kong Chao hurried away, while Wang Su went to wash and dress.
Through his efforts, Wang Su had finally forged... authenticated the Sage's classics!
That was right. The Sage had considered the present situation long ago.
By the time Wang Su had cleaned himself up, changed into fresh clothes, and entered the great hall, the ministers had already assembled there.
Seeing Wang Su arrive, everyone rose to bow and greet him.
Wang Su smiled and returned their greetings, then took the seat of honor.
"Gentlemen," he began, "I previously asked you to study the classics and seek ways to govern the realm. Have you formed any ideas?"
He looked first at Zhuge Dan. When it came to the classics, Zhuge Dan knew something about everything, but not much about anything.
He always said more than he did. Zhuge Dan immediately began speaking, laying out his understanding.
As a long-established eminent scholar, Zhuge Dan did have some skill with words. He discussed many proposals and cited many classics, making everything sound perfectly reasonable. Clearly, he had prepared for a long time and even memorized many classics. Polished compositions flowed from his mouth, every expression a classical allusion.
It merely sounded impressive.
Put simply, his words amounted to this: the classics must be studied. Not studying them would never do. Without studying them, how