I am not a deposed emperor of Han Dynasty

[Author's words] This plot will be divided into upper and lower parts, so Liu Bingji does not appear in this chapter until the next chapter. The title can easily mislead everyone.

But it is not about the imperial examination system, but about the Shiqu Pavilion debate.

The edict was written eloquently, with more than a thousand words.

Most of it is about praising Heaven, "The Emperor's invitation to the great scholars to gather in Chang'an is an unprecedented sacred event in the world", while the other half is about the process of debating scriptures.

However, what is most eye-catching is the directory of the Shiqu Pavilion Confucian Debate Group attached to the edict.

Through the vigorous publicity of the senior officials and word of mouth, this list spread throughout Chang'an City.

There are a total of nineteen members in this Shiquge Confucian student group, all of whom are very famous Confucian students, both young and old, and they are very impressive.

Although not all great Confucians are included, it can already represent the current atmosphere of Confucianism.

They were invited to Shiqu Pavilion to debate the scriptures, and no one dared to dissent from the final result, whether it was the subjects or the Confucian scholars in the world.

Ranked in the first part of the list are Kong Ba, Wei Xian, Wang Shi, Hou Cang, and Xia Housheng. They are the great Confucians of the time.

Ranked in the second part of the list are Tian Wangsun, Xue Guangde, Yan Pengzu, Cai Qianqiu, Xiao Wangzhi and other eight people, who are the prime generation of scholars.

Ranked in the third part of the list are Wei Xuancheng, Liu Anmin, Shi Yan, Meng Xi, and Liang Qiuhe. They represent the new generation of scholars.

What surprised the common people and Confucian scholars most was that there was a familiar yet unfamiliar name written at the end of the list - Liu He.

After a quick glance, people thought this was another up-and-coming young Confucian scholar.

But soon, they realized what kind of Confucian scholar this was? It's obviously the emperor's name today.

At the beginning of his accession to the throne, the emperor issued an edict to allow the people not to avoid the taboo word "he". Over time, people forgot the emperor's real name.

The Emperor is the lord of the world, and he is also the one who promotes Shiqu Pavilion's debate on scriptures. It is also said that he has a lot of attainments in Confucianism, and his ranking in the list is normal.

What surprised people was that the emperor used his real name and was willing to put his own name at the end.

The intention could not be more obvious: the emperor wanted to participate in the Shiqu Pavilion debate on scriptures as an ordinary Confucian scholar.

This goes beyond the scope of being a polite corporal and shows that the emperor wants to convince the world of the results of this Shiqu Pavilion debate.

After all, according to the current orderly social rules of hierarchy, the emperor should be ranked in front of everyone.

In addition to this list, what is eye-catching is naturally the process and rules of debate and comparison.

The process was unremarkable, but the voting method was refreshing and caused a great response.

From officials to common people, from Confucian scholars to Bai Ding, almost everyone thinks this method is very mysterious.

The emperor has the final say in the world, the government officials have the final say, and the head of the family has the final say... As long as someone has the final say, there will be no trouble.

However, there are still many things that cannot be decided by one person.

For example, whether a jujube tree in the alley should be cut down, whether a husbandless son should be included in the family tree, or whether the grain shop guild's pricing of rice...

Ruling on these matters may appear to be beneficial, but it may also be unprofitable or even cause disaster.

Even if the village head, clan leader, and leader can make decisions alone, they are always unfair and prone to criticism.

Now with this voting method, everyone can make decisions and everyone takes risks. Of course, it is very easy to use.

The people of the Han Dynasty are actually very smart. When they see something useful, they will try it without hesitation.

As a result, under the superposition of all these factors, Shiqu Pavilion's reputation soared rapidly.

A few months ago, Shiqu Pavilion became the place where the cabinet handles government affairs. At that time, not many people paid attention to this remote Shiqu Pavilion.

But this time it was different. Shiqu Pavilion and the debate on scriptures had become a topic of conversation after dinner.

Whether they were Confucian scholars or illiterate villagers, they all talked about it.

……

The main room in the backyard of Kong Mansion was extremely quiet, with only the occasional chirping of birds outside the courtyard.

Like a newly enlightened Confucian scholar, Kong Ba sat at the top of the table, extremely respectful.

Sitting on top of the table was a tall, but already somewhat huddled old man.

The old man's beard and hair are all white, without a trace of color.

The wrinkles on his dissatisfied face are like thousands of gorges, silently telling the vicissitudes of life that the old man has experienced.

Under these wrinkles, there is a bit of a sick look, but it cannot hide the wisdom under his eyes.

This old man is none other than Kong Anguo, the greatest scholar in the world.

Kong Anguo took a copy of the edict copied by Kong's descendants and read it silently without making any mistakes or omissions.

After a long time, he slowly placed the edict in his hand on the case. Before he could speak, a violent cough came out of his throat.

Kong Ba, who was sitting at the bottom, quickly stood up and poured Kong Anguo a cup of hot tea in a panic.

After drinking half a cup of hot tea, Kong Anguo's red face gradually turned yellow, and his cough finally subsided.

Although Kong Anguo stayed at home these past few days, Kong Ba conveyed in detail what had happened and what was happening in Chang'an City.

Therefore, this [-]-year-old Confucian has a clear view of the situation in Chang'an City.

"Two more days?" Kong Anguo said slowly.

"Yes, two days." Kong Ba replied.

"The county magistrate is extremely smart and talented. He is really a strange person." Kong Anguo praised.

"It's just that he is too crazy and behaves a bit wildly. Wang Shi is a king's master and I don't know how to teach him." Kong Ba complained quite a bit.

Kong Anguo didn't answer. He didn't think the emperor was crazy about Meng Lang, but he was just doing things too hastily.

"Well, this name is well decided. Have you seen all these Confucian scholars in the past few days?" "Not all of them have seen it. Many people either closed their doors to thank guests or stayed at home to fear the power of heaven." Ba said.

Kong Ba spoke very tactfully. He had been in Chang'an for three to five days, and he had a clearer understanding of the Confucian scholars' intentions.

He did not expect that this Confucian scholar did not share the same hatred as he thought.

On the contrary, many Confucian scholars supported the emperor's new policy and the implementation of the popular version of the classics.

Of course, Kong Anguo also knew about this situation.

"Ci Ru, do you think we have any chance of winning this time?" Kong Anguo asked calmly.

"If uncle doesn't come, we have a six-point chance of winning. If uncle comes, we have a nine-point chance of winning." Kong Ba said with some pride.

This is not Kong Ba’s flattery, he is telling the complete truth - the truth from his perspective.

Although many great scholars stay behind closed doors, they still think they are on the side of the Confucian community.

At the critical moment, Kong Anguo's appearance in Shiqu Pavilion could not only convince Wang Shi and others in a spiritual sense, but also force them to defeat them in terms of prestige.

The emperor of the Liu family was the ruler of the Han Dynasty, and the great scholars of the Kong family were the pillars of the scholarly community.

"I hope the county magistrate can see the hard work of the Confucian scholars in the world." Kong Anguo sighed.

"Your Majesty is a holy king, and he will definitely repent." Kong Ba Lian Lian agreed.

……

In the north city wall, in Ping'an Li Jiazilu, Meng Ban called Meng Xing to the main hall.

Today is Meng Xing's Tang Mu holiday, and Meng Ban takes an unprecedented leave to accompany him back.

The atmosphere in this hall was a bit depressing. Meng Xing obviously felt that his father was particularly serious today, so he felt uneasy.

"You will be sixteen this year, and you should be successful." Meng Ban said with a high air.

"Father, I really don't want to marry the daughter of the Guan family...can you..." Meng Xing thought that his father was going to talk to him about this again.

"If you don't want to marry, forget it. I'll go to the Guan family to reject the matter." Meng Ban said.

"Really?" Meng Xing was overjoyed. The strong daughter of the Guan family was really not liked by Meng Xing.

"Well, a man should have ambitions in all directions. He doesn't have to get married so early, but he must start a career as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, father, I will work hard as a work officer!" Meng Xing promised with some excitement.

"Huh, what's the future if you work all day long like your father and brother in the work force?"

"What father means..." Meng Xing looked at Meng Ban with some confusion. His father used to be proud of his work as a work officer.

"From today onwards, after you leave work, you will not stay overnight at the work officer. You will return to Chang'an. Then go to Gaoting to find your uncle Zhou Shi. He will teach you how to read scriptures."

"Reading the Bible?" Meng Xing was even more puzzled.

"Well, the imperial examination will be held this year, and there is a subject of [Metalworking and Woodworking] that is suitable for you, but Bible reading is your weakness, so you must study hard and memorize it well."

"Your uncle Zhou Shi is also a hard-luck man. He was also a Confucian scholar when he was young, and he was almost promoted to become a doctoral student in Taixue..."

"But a cunning family in the village wanted to replace him with their own son, so they framed him for stealing cattle, broke one of his legs, and sent him to the county jail for several months..."

"Then he spent all his money before redeeming his sentence and escaping..." When Meng Ban said this, he couldn't help but sigh.

"So, he wants to help you pass the imperial examination, which can be regarded as a way to vent his anger."

"Being a father doesn't require much. All you need to do is pass the county examination. Then you can directly serve as an envoy with two hundred stones. It will be much faster than slowly working as a work officer."

Meng Xing finally understood that this was the "future" arranged for him by his father.

If the imperial examination only tests things related to metalworking and carpentry skills, then he would not be afraid at all.

But reading the Bible gave him a headache. When he was still able to read as a child, he felt a headache when he saw the densely packed words.

So after only learning half of the Analects of Confucius, I stopped spending that wasted money.

Now, even half of the Analects of Confucius has been forgotten by him.

"But, I'm afraid I won't pass the exam..."

"If you don't pass the exam this year, you can take the exam next year; if you don't pass the exam next year, you can take the exam again the year after that; if you take the exam for ten or eight years, you can always pass the exam..."

"You have to work hard. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the old Meng family to grow. Your grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-grandfather are all watching you from above!"

"If you don't pass the exam, you will be an unworthy descendant of the Meng family!"

Meng Ban reprimanded harshly, with a hint of cruelty flashing in his little eyes.

"It's just a one-way trip. It's twenty or thirty miles away. I'm afraid I won't be able to come back..." Meng Xing made excuses again.

"Don't worry about this. I will go to the horse market tomorrow to buy you a horse. I can ride back and forth, so I can make it in time."

Meng Xing looked at his old father in disbelief, as if he was facing a stranger.

This gesture is a bit too big.

You know, a rogue horse costs tens of thousands of dollars, and the Meng family only has one lame donkey.

Meng Xing looked at Meng Ban's angry look. Although he was still a little reluctant, he could only accept the arrangement and no longer dared to object.

……

Not only in these two places, there was also a group of people discussing the imperial examination system and the Shiqu Pavilion debate in Beichengguo, where the naughty boys gathered.

The first person is none other than Liu Bingji! (End of chapter)