allonlinenovel Chapter 198 Su Panpan's Rebuttal
Chapter 198 Su Panpan's Rebuttal
Those who try to restrain women with old rules and old concepts are simply afraid that the powerful strength displayed by women after breaking free from the shackles will shatter their fragile sense of superiority into pieces.
Su Panpan took a deep breath. She wanted to use facts to shatter these groundless doubts and let everyone see that a woman's wisdom and creativity are enough to support her own sky.
At that moment, Erniu suddenly stood up, his eyes wide open, and shouted, "What do you know? Panpan designed a great house. It has running water, a clean and sanitary bathroom, and you can even grow flowers and vegetables in the yard. How could it be like what you said? You guys who can only talk, if you have the ability, you can build such a good house! Stop yelling here, it's embarrassing!"
"That's right, there are so many of us building this house together, what could go wrong? Stop yelling here and get out of here!" The other craftsmen also echoed, their faces flushed with anger, and shouted in unison.
Zhao Genlai couldn't help it any longer. He pointed at Liu Xiucai's nose and cursed, "Humph, Liu Xiucai, you've read so many books, but why haven't you designed anything good for our town? You just sit here and make sarcastic remarks. Who do you think you are?"
But Liu Xiucai and the others were not willing to give up and wanted to continue making things difficult for them.
Liu Xiucai was refuted by everyone like this, his face turned blue and red, and he was so angry that he stiffened his neck and argued:
"Hmph! What do you uncouth people know? Building a house requires more than just a few fancy things. Running water and a yard for growing flowers and vegetables—what's so rare about that? Ancient architecture is all about feng shui layout and the harmony of yin and yang. How can you just tinker with it like this? Su Panpan, a mere woman, can understand the profound meaning behind this?"
"Besides, how can you, artisans who can only use brute force, understand the abilities of scholars? What I have learned is the classics, history, astronomy, and geography. It is the great path to self-cultivation, governance, and peace in the world. How can I be like you, who only focus on this small house and a few acres of land? The peace and prosperity of this town depends on the planning of scholars like us, not just building a few houses!"
Liu Xiucai began to roar at Zhao Genlai again, "And you, you dare to point your finger at me and curse me? You are so disrespectful! I have read more books than you have eaten salt. Don't think that you can do whatever you want just because you have more people. In this world, we must always abide by propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame. Aren't you afraid of retribution for your unruly behavior?"
Liu Xiucai was shouting with saliva flying everywhere, trying to save his face and continue to make things difficult for Su Panpan and others.
Then Liu Xiucai frowned again, looking at Su Panpan with disdain, and said sarcastically, "Humph, you woman are so ignorant of your own limitations. Look at you, with your clumsy hands and hands, and you still dream of coming up with something special to design a house?"
As he said this, he deliberately spat on the ground, looking as arrogant as he could be.
Mr. Wang also chimed in, grinning and mockingly saying, "That's right, seeing how unruly she is, she should just stay home and stop embarrassing herself here. She's even designing a house! It's hilarious!"
His two men also laughed, and the laughter echoed in the air, which was particularly harsh.
Doctor Li, standing by, also joined in the commotion, shaking his head and saying, "This woman should be following the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. How can she be so out in the open and messing around like this? It's totally unbecoming and unwomanly!"
Even the private school teacher stroked his beard and said with disdain: "Look at this Su Panpan, she behaves so perversely and completely disregards the gentleness and grace that a woman should have. She is really corrupting the morals and should be taught a lesson."
They talked to each other, and their words shot towards Su Panpan like sharp arrows.
Su Panpan originally thought that since she had just arrived in Baoxing Town, she didn't want to make the situation too awkward, nor did she want to offend anyone easily.
But today, she really couldn't stand the anger and had to argue a few words.
A flicker of determination flashed in her eyes. She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and retorted in a clear and loud voice:
"Liu Xiucai, please don't try to deceive me with your high-flown speeches and all sorts of abstruse theories about feng shui and yin and yang. Ancient architecture certainly had its own particularities, but times are changing, and the functions of houses must also evolve with them. I designed this house to provide running water for the convenience of the people, and to plant flowers and vegetables in the yard to add to the fun of life. All of this is to make life more convenient and comfortable. What's wrong with that? Besides, although I'm a woman, I've been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood, and I'm well aware of the saying 'women are as capable as men.' So what's wrong with me, Su Panpan, designing this house?"
"Rich Mr. Wang, you laugh at me for being unruly, but you only care about money and don't understand that the beauty of life should be created by ourselves. I designed the house with my own ability, so how can it be shameful? Don't judge others' actions with your narrow vision."
"Doctor Li, you constantly preach the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, but have you ever considered that women also have their own ambitions and pursuits? 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent' is a saying that restricts women. I refuse to be trapped in these outdated shackles. I'd rather use my talents to create a better place for my family. This is a virtuous act, so how can it be considered unseemly?"
"Teacher, you say I'm acting eccentrically, but I'm just doing what I believe is right. Gentleness and quietness aren't the only ways for a woman to be. Bravely displaying one's talents and adding color to life is the true demeanor of a woman in this new era. How can you casually belittle that?"
Su Panpan's words were well-reasoned and powerful, and everyone was stunned when they heard them.
They originally only knew that Su Panpan was capable, but they did not expect that she had such profound talent and could refute these people who were making things difficult by citing classics.
Those who had originally followed Liu Xiucai and others to make a fuss now looked ashamed and kept silent.
Villagers, craftsmen, and masters also gathered around. They watched Su Panpan deal with these difficulties fearlessly, their eyes full of admiration.
"Oh, I didn't expect that Miss Panpan is not only good at designing houses, but also so knowledgeable. I really underestimated her before." Aunt Wang sighed.
"Panpan is not someone you can easily mess with. She used to argue with Zhao Cuihua in the village and she always won ten times. Now they've been humiliated." Gou Zi said with a look of anticipation.
"Hahaha, yes, I remember now." Tiezhu recalled.
"In that case, Sister Panpan is really scary. Fortunately, I didn't offend her." Shi Tou pretended to be scared.
Erniu, Tiezhu, Gouzi and Liu Shunzi were all amused by Shitou's expression and wanted to laugh but didn't dare to.
The craftsmen and masters were already stunned by Su Panpan's eloquence. It was the first time in their lives that they saw a woman so eloquent and able to handle the siege of this group of people so well.