Chapter 314: Entering the Tiger’s Den
Following the principle of not wasting food, both sides eventually compromised, eating the steamed buns and flatbread together.
After the meal.
Xu Zhiqian helped Gao Wenyin clean up, not because she had suddenly become enlightened and wanted to learn frugal household management from Gao Wenyin, but because she could see that Xu Zun had matters to discuss with Zhang Fei.
While they were cleaning up, Zhang Fei accompanied his father-in-law Xu Zun alone for a walk in the front courtyard. “Father-in-law seems to have something on his mind.”
Xu Zun glanced at him and smiled slightly. “I suppose you also know what’s troubling me.”
Zhang Fei nodded and asked, “I wonder what Father-in-law thinks of the New Policies?”
Xu Zun said, “Of course I support them. Sigh, actually everyone in the court knows clearly what corrupt practices exist. Whether it’s Sima Guang or Lord Fu and Lord Wen, they all want reform and new policies. But in my opinion, only Wang Anshi may succeed.
It’s not that Lord Fu and Sima Guanglack ability, it’s just that they look ahead and behind, indecisive and hesitant – they simply cannot handle this task.”
The current conservatives weren’t opposed to reform and new policies – they too wanted reform and to eliminate corrupt practices, but their philosophies differed. However, after working with Sima Guang for the past year, Xu Zun had discovered that Sima Guang wasn’t suited for this work.