I am not a deposed emperor of Han Dynasty

Whether it is Xiahou's "Shangshu" or Kong's "Shangshu", they all follow Fu Sheng's teachings. There is not much difference in the general direction, let alone superiority or inferiority.

Although Xiahou has always been the doctoral officer of "Shangshu", it does not mean that Xiahou's "Shangshu" is better.

To put it more seriously, the Kong family did not bother to compete with other families for the position of "doctorate officer".

If we really want to fight, all the doctoral officers in Taixue may be descendants of the Kong family.

If today's people do not propose to publish a popular version of the Confucian classics, do not elevate the status of official schools, and do not squeeze the space for private schools, the Confucius family will still be dormant among the people.

Be a "vegetarian king" with peace of mind.

Following the panic-stricken defeat in the first round of debate, the implementation of the popular version of Confucianism has become a certainty.

The situation has undergone earth-shaking changes.

If the Confucian family cannot occupy a place in this popular version of the Confucian classics, then no matter how respected their previous status is, they will gradually be abandoned by Confucian scholars.

By then, the reputation and influence of the Kong family in Qufu will plummet. How can the children of the Kong family see Zhongni's spirit in heaven?
  Therefore, under the current situation, Kong Ba must fight for it - even if it doesn't look good.

Among the various Confucian classics, the one in which Confucius was most certain to gain the status of an official school was the Book of Documents.

However, to promote Kong's "Shangshu" as the popular version of the Confucian classics would be equivalent to taking the position of official learning from the "teacher" Xia Housheng.

This drastic approach is actually somewhat contrary to the Confucian family tradition of believing in moderation and observing etiquette.

It will also be mentioned in front of the world, which will affect the status and reputation of Master Zhongni.

Therefore, after Kong Ba came to Chang'an, he sent people to visit him several times, hoping to see Xiahou Sheng as his disciple and to persuade him not to come out to fight.

After all, if the Xiahou family and the Kong family fight like monkeys in front of the world's Confucian scholars, no matter they win or lose, they may be the butt of laughter.

But for some unknown reason, Xia Housheng always thanked guests behind closed doors and did not reveal any information.

So, this made Kong Ba very angry.

At this moment, the Confucian scholars present focused their attention on Xia Housheng and Kong Ba, which was meaningful and they all wanted to watch the fun.

After seeing the funeral, how could it be considered a big deal?
  "How about it? Is there any beloved minister who would like to present the Shangshu Sutra?" In this silence, the emperor spoke again and asked.

Kong Ba looked in the direction of Xia Housheng, who was sitting on the couch as before, without making any move.

Could it be that after Xia Housheng was punished once by the emperor, he was really frightened and did not dare to say a word in the court again?

Or is there any backup plan left?
  Kong Ba was a little displeased. The emperor insisted on letting people compare scriptures in public. Wouldn't it be tempting to fight?
  It actually made me worry about gains and losses.

"Huh? Why hasn't anyone dedicated the scriptures yet? Could it be that the Book of Documents has been cut off? That would be a great loss to the cultural context!" The emperor's joke aroused a burst of laughter.

Kong Ba knew that he couldn't wait any longer, otherwise he would lose face, so he stood up.

"Your Majesty, my humble minister Kong Ba has submitted the "Biography of the Master Kong"." Kong Ba bowed and said.

"The descendant of Master Zhongni must have some exquisite annotations on the scriptures. Please ask Kong Qing to present the scriptures." The emperor praised lightly.

"No!" Kong Ba stood up, opened the cloth bundle on the case, and then placed the five handwritten books on the table in the hall.

"Who else wants to present the Shangshu Sutra?" Liu He continued to ask.

Kong Ba couldn't help but feel a little nervous. If no one presented "Shangshu" again, then "Shangshu Kong's Biography" would become an official study without having to compare scriptures or vote.

This is the best result.

There was silence for a while, and just when Kong Ba thought he was going to pass easily, the voice that he absolutely didn't want to hear came out.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have a Book of Documents to present." Xia Housheng stood up, knelt down stiffly, and saluted the Emperor.

Looking at Xia Housheng with a solemn expression, Liu He felt a little emotional. This Confucian scholar who was the first to be "killed" by him could still see the overall situation clearly.

As Xia Housheng stood up, there was a disturbance in the hall, and Kong Ba's face became even more ugly - today, his face has never looked better.

"Xiahou Gong, please also present the "Shang Shu" scripture you annotated." Liu He said calmly.

"Your Majesty, the scripture I presented to you is not actually the Book of Documents, nor was it annotated by the old minister." Xia Housheng said stiffly.

"Huh? What is the profound meaning of Xiahou Gong's words? Then what scripture are you going to offer?" Liu He said suppressing his excitement.

"What I want to present is the 'Thirteen Classics'!" Xia Housheng straightened his body and looked at the emperor with eyes that were neither humble nor overbearing.

The stone in Liu He's heart fell to the ground, and other people in the hall were a little confused.

What are the "Thirteen Classics"? Have you never heard of this scripture? Is it another ancient text?

However, this doubt lasted for a moment, and they thought of a possibility, and the only possibility.

These ‘Thirteen Classics’ wouldn’t be the Thirteen Confucian Classics, right? !
  The eyes they looked at Xia Housheng became complicated, ranging from unkind to mocking. If this is the case, is Xia Housheng too greedy and self-righteous?
  You want one family to monopolize all the government schools?

This is simply delusional!

At this moment, even the great scholars like Hou Cang and Tian Wangsun, who were "indifferent to the world", kept frowning and shaking their heads.

And Kong Ba was extremely angry.

Even the Confucian family dared not talk about "unifying the Confucian classics". How could the Hou family be so virtuous? Could it be that he ate too much food in the prison and became dizzy?

"What are the Thirteen Classics? I have never heard of it." Liu He asked further.

"The Thirteen Classics are the Thirteen Confucian Classics. I want to present the Thirteen Confucian Classics to Your Majesty!" Xia Housheng's voice was trembling, and he didn't care about Zhou's unkindness.

"Thirteen Classics? Xiahou Gong means that you have thirteen Confucian classics to present?" Liu He sat up straighter and seemed to be looking forward to it.

"Exactly!"

"Xiahou Gong, if you say this, do you think that the thirteen Confucian classics you have annotated can surpass all other classics? Have they all been established as official schools?"

"Exactly!"

Xia Housheng's categorical words caused an uproar in Shiqu Pavilion. This was not only insane, it was extremely insane!

Suddenly, voices of mockery and discussion surged out from all corners, sweeping toward Xia Housheng like ocean waves.

Not only the Confucian scholars and officials in the hall, but also the disciples and servants in the courtyard were alarmed, and they all gathered in front of the main hall.

At this moment, the main hall of Shiqu Pavilion became dark, and dark clouds seemed to block the sun.

"Your Majesty, Xia Housheng's words are simply outrageous and even deceptive. He should be expelled from the hall immediately!" Wei Xian hurriedly knelt down and said.

Wei Xian was the benchmark figure among the opposition Confucian scholars in this Shiqu Pavilion debate. He should have led the opposition's joint response.

But today, from the beginning to now, everything has been completely messed up, and nothing has gone as planned.

First, Yan Pengzu was greedy for power and advanced rashly, causing the opposition Confucian scholars to lose their city and territory, and lost the good situation of resisting the emperor.

Now I don't know what confusion Xia Housheng has made. He actually wants to "unify Confucian classics and monopolize official learning". It is simply understandable.

If this nonsense continues, there will be no end to the situation today - Confucian scholars are fighting and killing each other, and they will lose all face.

"Wei Chen seconded Wei Gong!" Tian Wangsun, Meng Qing and others also stood up and attacked Xia Housheng one after another.

However, under the waves of condemnation, Xia Housheng, who was kneeling straight, remained unmoved, with a rather tragic atmosphere.

At this moment, he was like a mainstay in the Yangtze River, but also like a lone boat in the huge waves. Although he was weak, he could not sink or collapse.

"Your Majesty, Xiahou Gong is old and confused for a moment. Please forgive him for his sins." Kong Ba was good at winning people's hearts and stood up and pretended to plead.

In the past, Xia Housheng was Liu He's rival and enemy, so he naturally had to be suppressed hard.

But today, Xia Housheng is his helper, so he has to protect it, and he must protect it to his death.

Amidst the noise, Liu He stood up again and took two steps forward uncertainly.

When the people in the hall saw the emperor's actions, they closed their mouths and all looked at the emperor.

They seemed to be waiting for the emperor to issue an edict again, and then throw Xia Housheng into prison for the second time.

However, the words they waited for were not what they wanted to hear.

"Kong Qing said that he wanted me to forgive Xiahou Gong's sins, but there is one thing I don't know... What is Xiahou Gong's crime?"

"I just said that as long as you are comparing scriptures and debating scriptures, you will not be punished for your words. Although Xiahou Gong's words are shocking, he is still comparing scriptures. What crime is there?"

"I have not convicted Xiahou Gong, who dares to convict Xiahou Gong?" Liu He said coldly, his eyes scanning the embarrassed faces of everyone one by one.

The audience was silent at first and then stunned. They chewed on what the emperor said, and they could only read a few words - Xiahou Sheng, I protect him!

Everyone didn't know why the emperor returned to protect Xia Housheng, but at least no one dared to question it anymore. Wei Xian and others who were kneeling on the ground were even more embarrassed.

"Sit back, compare scriptures, and get angry casually. What's the difference between you and the naughty boy in the north of the city? Isn't it a loss of face for a Confucian scholar?"

Liu He did not forget to make a sarcastic comment and felt much more relaxed.

Wei Xian and others' faces turned red, so they had no choice but to stand up and sit back on the couch in silence.

"Xiahou Gong, but what you said is too shocking. Stand up and say it clearly without any mistakes."

"No!" (End of this chapter)