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Fei Qian's words left everyone momentarily silent, each lost in thought.
Xu Shu, in particular, sat up straighter, a new light in his eyes.
Pang Tong nodded slowly. "Ziyuan, there's logic to what you say. But this perspective... some noble families would find it hard to accept."
Zao Zhi chimed in, "I think it's the correct view. Those who don't meet this standard don't deserve to be called noble families." Though not from a prominent clan himself, Zao Zhi had an upwardly mobile spirit and naturally agreed with Fei Qian's reasoning.
Tai Shi Ming still looked puzzled, deep in contemplation. Xu Shu started to explain but caught Fei Qian's subtle headshake and sat back down.
Fei Qian believed such matters were best pondered independently. Premature explanations could color one's understanding. For someone like Tai Shi Ming, reaching his own conclusions might prove more valuable.
The issue of Han Dynasty noble families was indeed complex.
Fei Qian's words carried both implication and test. The current reactions—aside from Tai Shi Ming's ongoing deliberation—showed no outright rejection of his viewpoint. This suggested most of the younger generation still valued upward striving.
"So we return to the original questions," Fei Qian said. "What defines a noble family? What defines a commoner?"
Pang Tong snorted and pointed at Fei Qian. "You're thinking too far ahead, Ziyuan. I know the answer, but I won't say it."
Zao Zhi muttered something under his breath before admitting, "Put that way... I don't dare say either."
When Fei Qian looked to Xu Shu, the latter gave a wry smile. "Ziyuan, this... really isn't something easily put into words."
As for Tai Shi Ming—well, he was still mentally wrestling with the previous question. Fei Qian shook his head inwardly. This fellow disciple of Master Liu Hong was intelligent enough but lacked mental agility. Then again, such temperament suited astronomical studies—those dry, numerical disciplines required precisely this kind of patient focus.
"Alright, alright," Fei Qian conceded. "Let's table that. Then the final question—answer this and we'll go eat!" He said it like a playful challenge.
Pang Tong jumped up. "In that case, I choose eating now!"
Xu Shu laughed. "You're doing this on purpose, Ziyuan! Sometimes I truly admire how your mind works—who even thinks of things this way?"
"Only sometimes? I thought you admired me constantly..." Fei Qian shot back shamelessly, sparking another round of laughter.
When the mirth subsided, Zao Zhi wiped tears from his eyes and said, "Ziyuan always poses these impossible questions. Following your earlier logic, the answer would be 'both are and aren't'!"
Pang Tong shook his head. "That's Ziyuan's interpretation. In reality, noble families still dominate."
Xu Shu nodded silently, agreeing yet uncomfortable. His own hardships—the exile, his mother selling their possessions—stemmed precisely from not being born into privilege.
"Have none of you considered," Fei Qian asked curiously, "that one day, commoners might guide this world?" He wondered if any present possessed such ahead of time thinking.
Pang Tong scoffed. "Impossible! If that happened, could we even call them commoners anymore?" He dismissed the notion as unrealistic.
Yet Fei Qian admired Pang Tong's sharpness—the boy had instantly pinpointed the core issue.
Indeed, by that stage, the label "commoner" would no longer apply.
Even in Fei Qian's original time, the distinction persisted. How much longer would it endure?
Fei Qian laughed. "Actually, I agree with Shiyuan—but only if the first question's conditions are met..."
Pang Tong considered this. "On that point, we concur."
Zao Zhi nodded earnestly. "That's how it should be!"
But Xu Shu shook his head. "Yet in my experience, few meet Ziyuan's standards..."
"Who says none do?" Fei Qian pointed at Pang Tong. "Isn't he one?"
Then at Zao Zhi: "And him?"
Finally at Xu Shu himself: "Are you not?"
Xu Shu straightened, formally saluting Fei Qian. "Should I ever achieve anything, I shan't betray your words today."
Fei Qian waved it off. "Ah, I was just speaking casually. If you take it so seriously, I'll hesitate to speak next time..."
Just then, Tai Shi Ming suddenly slapped his knee. "Aha! I've got it!"
Pang Tong teased, "Oh? I thought you'd fallen asleep..."
"Shiyuan! Zijian, don't mind him—Uncle Pang is joking," Fei Qian interjected.
Pang Tong chuckled something undoubtedly uncomplimentary. Fei Qian ignored him, asking Tai Shi Ming, "What did you realize?"
Tai Shi Ming saluted. "Earlier, Master Uncle used scrolls to illustrate—the key difference between commoners and noble families lies in knowledge. Those with more knowledge become noble families; those with less remain commoners..."
"Correct. What else?" Fei Qian encouraged.
"You said we're in the middle stage—meaning commoners stay commoners by not striving to learn, not bettering themselves diligently. Thus from the same origins, some become noble families while others remain commoners..."
"Right. Any further thoughts?"
"Well... your reasoning isn't wrong, Master Uncle, but..." Tai Shi Ming hesitated.
Fei Qian smiled. The man had clearly been stuck on the first question throughout—proof that while slow, his mind was keen.
"No matter, Zijian. We've already discussed that aspect without resolution. Now—it's late! Let's eat! In fact, we should meet more often like this, posing questions to learn from each other. What say you all?"
The others readily agreed.
"Next time, Shiyuan, you'll pose the questions!"
"Fine! I'll make sure to astonish you all"