Ling Jinhua chuckled and did not refuse to answer Luo Ziling’s question: "Ma Zhou came from a poor background. After helping Lieutenant General Chang He with a memorial, he gained Emperor Taizong’s trust and ultimately rose to the position of Minister of the Central Secretariat. Although a Tang Dynasty Prime Minister was not the highest official under the emperor, it was still an esteemed position. In terms of both character and political talent, Ma Zhou was very commendable, a renowned minister for his governance born under the rule of a wise emperor. Talented individuals were rarely overlooked. Did Emperor Taizong not once say that he put all the talented people in the world to good use?"
"Wei Zheng served as an exemplary figure established by Emperor Taizong. He was outspoken and fearless. Although his political abilities were not outstanding, he left a well-regarded name in history, also serving as a model for ministers. Alongside Ma Zhou, Fang, Du, and other renowned ministers of the early Tang Dynasty, he worked hard to support Emperor Taizong, contributing to the emergence of the Zhenguan Prosperous Era. Without these famous ministers, the governance of Zhenguan might not have emerged."
"Great Grandfather’s evaluation is very conventional!" Luo Ziling laughed and asked Ling Jinhua again: "Does Great Grandfather prefer Ma Zhou or Wei Zheng?"
"Ma Zhou!" Ling Jinhua responded without hesitation and explained his reasoning: "Ma Zhou’s abilities were commendable, with almost no blemishes. Coming from a humble background, he serves as a role model for many people. Aside from being frank and fearless, Wei Zheng is indeed lacking in other aspects."
"I think that those who are straightforward and fearless deserve admiration. A thousand conformists are not as valuable as one who speaks out truthfully." Luo Ziling remarked seriously: "I believe that a crucial reason for the emergence of the Zhenguan Prosperous Era was the presence of numerous straightforward and outspoken ministers by Emperor Taizong’s side, not just Wei Zheng, but also Xiao Yu, Wen Yanbo, Cen Wenben, Dai Zhou. These individuals dared to speak out in anger, criticizing Emperor Taizong for his faults even in front of the entire court. Such scenarios occurred frequently during Emperor Taizong’s reign but were rare in other dynasties."
The reason the Tang Dynasty saw the emergence of a prosperous era just a few years after its founding is principally because of many outspoken ministers and an emperor with a genuine openness. Looking across history, ages where social ethos is open, and people can freely comment on the successes and failures of government, are those of prosperity. During Zhenguan, Wei Zheng, Wen Yanbo, Xiao Yu dared to rebuke Emperor Taizong to the point where he covered his face and ran away, even chasing him into the harem to continue scolding. Bai Juyi dared to write the story of Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan as the ’Song of Everlasting Regret’. Haha, in truth, we pale compared to the ancients."
The sigh following Luo Ziling’s final "haha" made Ling Jinhua’s expression change.
"What do you mean by that?" he asked Luo Ziling with an expressionless face.
He realized he misunderstood Luo Ziling’s intentions.
Luo Ziling restrained his laughter and replied seriously: "Tang poetry is a pinnacle of Huaxia’s cultural development, difficult for later generations to surpass. The magnanimity from top to bottom during the Tang Dynasty is something subsequent generations find unattainable. Nine heavens open the palaces and all nations bow. Great Grandfather, do you think that your generation, despite lifelong efforts, has reached the heights of the Prosperous Tang?"
"How could it not?" Ling Jinhua’s face seemed a bit displeased, "Could the lifestyle during the Tang Dynasty compare to now?"
"I meant a horizontal comparison; vertical comparisons are meaningless. As times progress, technology advances, things are bound to get better in all aspects." Luo Ziling shook his head, "I feel the qualities that made the Great Tang praised by later generations are not present in our era. Great Grandfather, before you retired, were there people who dared, like Wei Zheng, Xiao Yu, Wen Yanbo in the past, to point out your mistakes to your face and scold you in front of others?"
"I’m not Emperor Taizong!" Ling Jinhua replied stiffly.
"Your whole institution represents Emperor Taizong, yet none of you can achieve his magnanimity. Our entire society lacks the tolerance and breadth found during the Great Tang, and certainly lacks the genuine openness from the top down. Everyone loves to hear compliments, cannot accept criticism, nor does anyone dare to criticize. Everywhere, it’s mutual agreement to superficial harmony." At this point, Luo Ziling paused and revealed his ultimate viewpoint: "I think if this situation continues, our dream of surpassing America is nothing but a fantasy. Present-day America is akin to the Prosperous Tang, capable of accommodating the world’s..."
"Do you think it’s appropriate to talk like this?" Ling Jinhua interrupted Luo Ziling.
"Yes, it’s inappropriate, because now is not the Zhenguan of the Great Tang, and what’s needed are obedient individuals, not diverse opinions. The old adage of ’good medicine tastes bitter, faithful words jar on the ears’ has long been forgotten." Luo Ziling said, pointing to Ling Ruonan, "Honestly, I think my mom exceeds most people because she dares to speak the truth. Because of this, I hope she can go further, to a position where she can influence all of Huaxia. If that day truly comes, I will certainly urge my mom to take ’A thousand conformists are not as valuable as one who speaks outright’ as the highest principle of governance. I also believe that if one day I step into officialdom, what I hope to do is to transform societal ethos into one that adheres to this."
Ling Ruonan did not expect that as soon as Luo Ziling met with Ling Jinhua, he would start talking nonsense and even dragged her into it, making her feel amused yet helpless. But after looking at both Ling Jinhua and Luo Ziling’s expressions, she refrained from intervening, allowing Luo Ziling to continue rambling.
Ling Jinhua was not angry, just somewhat agitated, and the situation was not beyond redemption.
Moreover, she also acknowledged what Luo Ziling said.
Her personality is relatively straightforward, though the degree of frankness has somewhat "receded" with age and rise in status, yet she still admires those who dare to tell the truth. She hopes for loyalty from her subordinates but dislikes those who ingratiate themselves, believing that those who never offer critiques aren’t truly loyal. A truly loyal person is one who dares to point out your mistakes and offers their suggestions.
She also understands Luo Ziling’s personality.
Her son, while somewhat slick in his dealings, innately is also a candid person.
If he weren’t such a person, he wouldn’t have faced off against other Ling Family descendants at Ling Jinhua’s ninetieth birthday banquet.
Nor would he dare say such straightforward things to Ling Jinhua and Ling Mingrui.
She also wanted to see how Ling Jinhua reacts after Luo Ziling candidly voices these concerns.
"You’re too idealistic." Ling Jinhua was not angry; after looking at Luo Ziling a couple of times, he glanced at Ling Ruonan, chuckling, "Nannan, your son is an idealist. He oversimplifies matters, and if he doesn’t change this personality, he’s bound to suffer in the future."
"Great Grandfather," Luo Ziling interjected before Ling Ruonan could respond: "I won’t change, and I think, this isn’t idealism, nor is it an impossible aspiration. Since you’re reading history, particularly early Tang history, then you can see what the atmosphere in court was like back then. As long as those in power set an example, the top-down influence can be profound. I think that if you can tolerate me spouting nonsense before you, then I’ll surely share more of my suggestions and tell you more truths; conversely, you’ll hardly hear any truths from me. I believe most people prefer speaking the truth to others and detest feigning affection when interacting with others, right? Since everyone is like this, why insist on hypocrisy?"
"Are you hoping to use this approach to gain more support for your mother from me?" As he asked, a sharp gleam appeared in Ling Jinhua’s eyes.