Chapter 119: Are There Sheep in the Prairie?

When the Manchu Dynasty heard Xu Qing's question, they also pricked up their ears and listened carefully. Xu Qing is the first genius in Chang'an, and even the first genius in the world, the sect of the Tang Dynasty literary circle, what good questions will come out of the dispute between the two countries now? The generals are interested, Xu Qing has written funny words about the swollen body of the white dog before, and it is inevitable that such interesting questions will come up this time.

Li Yuan also pondered at this time, he knew the question, but Xu Qing sold a pass in the answer, at this time, he thought for a long time, but he couldn't find the answer. Of course, if he could think of it, he would definitely not let Xu Qing take it out to test others.

I saw Xu Qing groaning and said: "From time to time, there is a broken wood, the two ends are the same size, the middle is straight, now I want to know which end of its head and tail is, dare to ask the Turkic envoy, is there a wonderful way?" ”

Everyone present was stunned, why, Wenzong Xu Qing didn't take the test, but took the test, what is the reason? In any case, the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty all thought about Xu Qing's problem, and even the eunuchs around the emperor also showed deep thought. This question is fascinating enough at first glance. The root of the tree is the head, the branch is the tail, the root is large and the branch is small, usually you can see it at a glance, but at this time, it is a broken tree of the general size of two ends, how can you see the head and tail?

The Turkic envoy frowned, bit his lip, and was also blindfolded for a while, unable to say a word. At this time, Cheng Yanjin laughed: "Haha, Xu Xiaozi's question is funny, and the Turks can't answer it!" Later, you tell my brother that I am alone, and I will teach those bird civil officials a lesson, and see that they are stunned! ”

The civil officials collectively ignored Cheng Biting Jin and still pondered, when the Turkic envoy shouted: "Oh, I know! ”

Xu Qing turned his head to look over, but saw the Turkic envoy say: "This wood has no head and no tail at all, or it is a tail at both ends, and it is a head at both ends!" This is the way of yin and yang change! ”

Those civil officials were all frightened, it turned out that this was the case, it was over, this Turk was not simple. Xu Qing said with a smile: "This wood has a head and a tail, and the head and tail are the name of the strong, not yin and yang." If a tree grows smoothly, it will be prosperous, and if it is placed upside down, it will wither, how can it change? ”

Oh, but it's not true, the ministers are relieved. The Turkic envoy was slightly disappointed, and then remembered a little and said: "Could it be that you don't know the answer yourself, and deliberately make things difficult for you to do nothing?" ”

Xu Qing smiled: "I am a big country, how can I need that kind of pseudo-skill, I have this question, naturally there is an answer, you might as well think about it." ”

The Turkic envoy thought about it again, but, like the ministers, he thought that Xu Qing would produce some classics and cultural knowledge, but he didn't expect Xu Qing to take a piece of wood to talk about things. On the eve of the change, the Turkic envoy didn't come up with it when he wanted to break his head, so he deceived Xu Qing and said: "Then tell me, how should you look at the head and tail of this wood?" ”

Xu Qing would not say it easily, he asked, "Does the envoy mean to admit defeat?" ”

The Turkic envoy said: "No, no, no, you are fabricating facts, this question is not counted or not." ”

Xu Qing asked, "Then what if I tell the answer?" ”

Seeing that Xu Qing didn't let him go, the Turkic envoy also said: "Don't you have two more questions, if you can answer it, then the envoy will admit defeat on this question!" ”

Xu Qing said with a smile: "Don't hide it, this first question is the easiest, if you can't answer it, the last two questions can't be answered, it's better to admit defeat." ”

The Turkic envoy said impatiently: "Hugh wants to talk nonsense, you can tell the answer!" ”

Xu Qing said a good word, and then said slowly: "Listen, the trees grow, the roots are on the paper, and the head is on the bottom." Everyone knows that the roots of trees are dense and the branches are sparse, Turkic messengers, do you know? ”

This is a small hint, the ministers listened to it and quickly thought about it. However, everyone's eyes were still blank, and they didn't understand what Xu Qing meant. The Turkic envoy also nodded and said, "So what? ”

Xu Qing continued: "The roots are dense and the branches are sparse, and the two ends are the same size, so the head must be heavy and the tail light. Placed in still water, the one who sinks more is the head, and the one who sinks less is the tail. Put it in the flowing water, let it flow, the heavy one flows first, it is the head! ”

Hmph, after Xu Qing finished speaking, there was silence in the Taiji Hall, and the needles could be heard. The topic of the Manchu Dynasty's civil and military affairs is so simple, if you want to judge the head and tail, you only need to judge its importance! At this time, an official asked: "Lord Xu, if you divide this wood into two and weigh it separately, can you also judge its head and tail?" ”

Xu Qing nodded, and at this time, another official came out and said, "Lord Xu, can you tie the rope and the broken wood, and the lower one is the head?" ”

Xu Qing smiled and nodded again, and at this time, Cheng Biting Jin also shouted: "According to my old Cheng's meaning, it is better to split an axe, the deep one is the tail, and the shallow one is the head." ”

The method that Cheng Biting Jin said is also feasible, but if he is asked to split an axe, there is nothing to say, and it is all broken. However, Xu Qing still smiled and said: "Grandpa Cheng is wise," Cheng Yanjin couldn't help laughing when he saw Xu Qing nodding, today is the first time he has not dozed off in the court.

Xu Qing looked at the Turkic envoy, and his eyes were saying, See, my country is full of talents, draw inferences from one another, and you still want to make a profit in our hands? Xu Qing opened his mouth and said, "What, Lord Messenger, I don't have a problem with you, right?" ”

The Turkic envoy boasted just now, no matter how thick-skinned he was, he didn't dare to play tricks at this time, but said: "Okay, okay, this round, you win." But I lost, not on you, but on the question itself! ”

"Oh? What do you mean by that? Xu Qing looked at Horqin with interest.

"Everyone knows that there are no trees in my grassland, and there are no rivers. Therefore, it is human nature to not know the weight of this wood...... "The Turkic envoy said: "If you can use something from the steppe to solve the question, then if I can't answer it again, I will really be convinced!" ”

Everyone present secretly scolded the Turks for being shameless, although there are no trees on the grassland, but north of Mobei is a big jungle, besides, it is ridiculous to say that they have never seen trees. The Turkic envoy was completely unaware of the angry glares of the people around him, and looked at Xu Qing with a smile, meaning, do you dare?

Xu Qing sighed: "Okay, the Turkic envoy came from afar, I am the host, naturally I want to let some guests, okay, I won't come up with the question I thought of, just use the things of the grassland to solve the problem." ”

After Xu Qing finished speaking, the officials persuaded one after another:

"Lord Xu, think twice......"

"Lord Xu, how can you say such a light thing about the country......

"Lord Xu, don't be arrogant, be cautious."

The Turkic envoy snorted: "Is it you who made the question or Lord Xu who made the question, aren't you a state of etiquette?" ”

The ministers looked at the Turkic envoy and became more and more angry. Xu Qing stopped and said: "Don't be surprised, the Turks lost a question, so it doesn't hurt to let him take a step." ”

After Xu Qing finished speaking, he said to Horqin: "Okay, dare to ask the messenger, are there sheep on the grassland?" ”