...

The sun shone brightly, casting a glow on the fields, which were neatly divided into squares and shimmering with water. Xu Zhen squatted to observe the crops around her, noting how the rice looked sparse and weak, leaning in various directions and appearing unhealthy. However, since this was ancient times without hybrid rice, she reminded herself not to judge by modern standards.

After a while, the students who had gone to inquire returned.

Xu Zhen stood up to discuss their findings.

They approached with dirt on their shoes and gloomy expressions, indicating they had encountered some trouble.

Xu Zhen asked, "What did you find out?"

One student showed their arm, which was red and bruised, and said, "We couldn't get any answers; we got beaten."

Xu Zhen was shocked, "What did you ask to get beaten?"

They replied angrily, "We just asked directly, what else?"

A few other students came over, looking calm and even slightly amused, standing under the shade of a tree. Among them was Li Sanlang.

Xu Zhen waved him over, "Did you find out the reason?"

Li Sanlang hurriedly came to her, "I found out! It's because—"

Before he could finish, Xu Zhen asked, "How did you ask?"

"How? Just by asking," Li Sanlang said straightforwardly, "I gave them some money. They told us everything after that."

Xu Zhen thought: This kid truly embodies Legalist thinking—first using force, then offering bribes.

These are the two methods, "two handles," of Legalism: punishment and reward, a stick followed by a carrot.

Indeed, he had the makings of a villain...

The students who had been beaten looked disgruntled upon hearing Li Sanlang's explanation. They approached Xu Zhen, asking, "Is money the only way to get things done?"

Xu Zhen smiled, "Of course not. What's important is that you tried your best."

Their expressions improved slightly, but they still seemed unsatisfied and turned away, presumably plotting how to trouble Xu Zhen, only to be quickly subdued by Li Sanlang.

Soon after, the student from Class B returned.

Once all the students were gathered, Xu Zhen brought them under a large tree and raised her voice to ask, "What did you find out?"

The first student to return said, "I asked the farmers and found out that it's because of unequal land distribution, so everyone gathered to argue."

Xu Zhen nodded and asked another student, "What did you find out?"

The student hesitated, looking around nervously, unsure of what to say.

Xu Zhen encouraged her, "Just speak up."

The student finally said slowly, "It seems there was a fight between neighbors over an in-law issue, and everyone went to watch."