Thousand-year-old family: its rise began with Shang Yang’s reforms

Chapter 428 All These Years [End of this Volume]

Autumn of the thirty-seventh year of Jianwu.

There is a lot of mist and rain in the south of the Yangtze River.

Specks of smoke and raindrops fell lingeringly on the lake. The willow trees on both sides of the lake waved in the wind, like thousands of weeping pigtails, which were lightly nodded after being stained by a little lake water.

A small boat floats on the water.

The faint sound of the Jiangnan folk tune was overflowing from the lake, and the students and scholars passing by all felt a little comfortable.

Everyone was guessing that the person on the boat must be a handsome man, otherwise how could he win the favor of the beauty on the boat?
Many students were discussing this.

The lake continued to ripple. The academy in the distance stood in the mist and rain, attracting attention with its hazy appearance.

"gentlemen--"

When the boat docked at the shore, the maid who had just sung the Jiangnan tune looked quietly into the boat and said in a gentle voice, "We have arrived at Wushan Academy."

After saying this, the maid didn't dare to disturb him any further and just continued to wait.

The green mist from the sky continued to fall on the boat, and the person lying in the boat seemed to be awakened by the sound of the rain and slowly sat up.

There was a hint of sleepiness on his face, and he stretched lazily as if he had just woken up. He looked quite lazy.

Chen Xiao shook his head and neck, feeling as if he was about to fall apart in his sleep.

He stood on the edge of the boat, looking at the rippling lake water and the little ripples on the lake, his gaze far away, as if he had returned to more than thirty years ago.

At that time he was still young, and he went boating in this Jiangnan water town just to kill people. But now, many years have passed, and he has already lived in seclusion in this Jiangnan water town for fifteen years.

With the help of his attendants, he got off the boat, slowly looked at the scenery on both sides, and finally came to the front of Wushan Academy.

Then he raised his head.

Wushan Academy was an academy founded by Xie Xuan and Wang Xianzhi five years ago after they resigned from their official positions. However, the two men had different founding philosophies and parted ways. Wang Xianzhi left and re-established the "Panshan Academy", while Wushan Academy still stands here.

After the two academies were established, Chen Xiao was often invited to give lectures.

After all, since the death of Chen Xiao's father Chen An, Chen Xiao, the current head of the Chen family and King Zhenguo, has been the most proficient in political science in public, without a doubt.

Maybe it’s an extra talent.

When it comes to the understanding of political science, the Chen family always seems to have some special ideas, and these ideas are in line with the ancestors who founded this theory. No matter how other great politicians study, they seem to lack this most authentic flavor.

Of course, this does not mean that other political scientists are bad. On the contrary, it is precisely because they do not have this "flavor" that many political scientists have found their own way.

Those roads were also recognized by the Chen family and the court.

Fifteen years ago, Dayu held its first imperial examination. From the county and township examinations to the Dayu imperial examination, many talents emerged, and these people gradually became the backbone of Dayu.

During these fifteen years, Dayu underwent a total of seven imperial examinations, and the court gradually became more staffed with talented people.

Although the noble families gradually understood the murderous intent contained in it, they were powerless and unable to reverse it. They could only lie dormant temporarily, hoping to reverse the situation later.

But no matter what the aristocratic families think, the court is now dominated by "imperial examinations".

A strong reading trend also formed in the world of Dayu. People no longer thought about doing business or relying on wealthy families. Instead, they thought about reading more and waiting to make a splash in the imperial examination.

The imperial examination system also gradually became more "regular".

The examination still had the same nine parts as the Jianwu Ceremony, but it was divided into nine subjects. Any of the nine subjects could be taken, and the examination was no longer simply divided into county, state, and court examinations.

Instead, it was divided into the "preliminary examination", which was still organized by the county and township, and those who passed the preliminary examination became "tongjusheng"; then came the "county examination", which was changed to be held uniformly by each state. The county examination was divided into three times, "county, county, and state", and those who passed all three examinations were called "county juzi"; after that was the "state examination", which was divided into "state, capital, and court", and those who passed all three examinations were called "shiqing"; after that, the top ten outstanding students were selected to meet the emperor, but it was not a normal practice.

As a result, the academic atmosphere flourished.

As a result, many academies were opened in Dayu, specializing in teaching the contents of the Jianwu Ceremony.

After all, there is still a gap between self-study and being taught by a famous teacher - this also provides a study place and job opportunities for some students who have passed the county exam but feel that they cannot pass the state exam and want to continue their studies.

In general academies, one can become a teacher after passing the county examination, and the monthly salary is very considerable.

However, the requirements of world-famous academies are even more stringent.

For example, the four major academies in the world today.

Guandu Academy, Wushan Academy, Panshan Academy, and Yanbei Academy.

Among them, the Wushan and Panshan academies were opened by the Wang and Xie clans, while the Yanbei Academy was opened by an official of poor origin who retired eight years ago. Their requirement was that the teachers in the academy must be students who passed the top three in the state or county examinations.

Guandu Academy was founded by the Chen family, and the requirements were more stringent - they required students to pass the provincial examination and rank among the top in the examination.

It is an open secret that several major academies would invite famous people from time to time.

"Hey, Brother Yaoyou, the class is about to start, why are you still taking your time here?"

Xie Xuan walked over with a complaining look on his face, but there was an obvious smile in his brows.

Since resigning from his official position, he felt that his waist pain was gone, his whole body felt relaxed, and he felt like he was reborn.

"Just came from Zijing's place?"

"Is everything okay over there, Zijing?"

As Chen Xiao was being pulled away by Xie Xuan, he answered Xie Xuan's question helplessly: "Everything is fine, everything is fine."

"Zijing also told me to tell you that his academy will definitely not lose to you in this year's imperial examination, so you should be prepared - to see his disciples pass the imperial examination."

As they walked, the two chatted about things that had happened over the years.

"How is it going, Your Majesty?"

Chen Xiao was a little worried.

Xie Xuan's situation was different from Wang Xianzhi's. When he resigned from office, he had already been appointed as a clerk in the Prime Minister's Office and concurrently an official in the office of the Prime Minister. He was in a high position and had a lot of power and affairs to deal with. Even the emperor could not let him go easily - at least not before finding someone to replace him.

So Xie Xuan continued to hold official positions in these two places.

This is also one of the reasons why Wushan Academy was able to soar from a third-rate academy to one of the four largest academies in the world in just five years.

As for Panshan Academy, it was because Wang Xianzhi's son also held an important position in the court.

Moreover, Wang's power is huge.
It's all about human nature.

Xie Xuan sighed and shook his head and said, "Your Majesty's situation is not bad, but it is a little pessimistic. After all, Your Majesty is already old."

"You have been overworked for many years. Bian Que and the chief physician said that if Your Majesty could put aside all the trivial matters and take care of your health, you can live for several more decades. If you continue to work so hard, it will be like an oil lamp that is not extinguished all night, and the oil will surely run out."

Chen Xiao fell into silence, and finally sighed.

"Your Majesty is such a person. As his subjects, we can only try our best to persuade him. There is no other special way."

"I will go back to Kyoto in a few days to see if I can persuade His Majesty."

Xie Xuan nodded, and then went to the academy with Chen Xiao.

Kyoto Imperial Study

Zhang Wan coughed lightly a few times. His head was full of white hair and he looked extremely old.

He ascended the throne at the age of twenty-six and reigned for thirty-seven years. He is now sixty-three years old, which is considered a long life compared to the emperors before him. After all, his workload is much heavier than that of the previous emperors.

"Your Majesty, your body"

Chen Biao looked at Zhang Wan with a worried look, and there was a hint of caution in his brows. Zhang Wan waved his hand and said to Chen Biao: "It's okay, after all, he is old."

"As for you, your father is about to come back from Jiangnan. You two haven't seen each other for a long time, right? Why don't you go and see him early today?"

Chen Biao smiled, just like the moonlight hanging in the sky.

"That's not necessary."

Without hesitation, he looked at Zhang Wan and said, "Believe it or not, after father returns to Kyoto, even if it is evening, he will go directly to the palace instead of going back to the Zhenguo Palace first."

Chen Biao's voice was light and gentle, flowing like water.

Zhang Wan laughed out loud. This was indeed in line with Chen Xiao's personality. Although that lazy man was too lazy to do anything, he was more afraid of trouble - he hadn't been back to Kyoto for many years, so when he came back, he would definitely go to see this old man first.

He looked at Chen Biao and said, "Then wait."

"I received a secret letter. King Zhenguo has already entered the capital an hour ago."

Chen Biao glanced at Zhang Wan with some surprise, but then lowered his head, his expression showing nothing.

His Majesty has been in power for thirty-seven years, and his power and awe have grown stronger and stronger. Now he has the demeanor of Emperor Wu of Han in his later years. Just a glance from him can shock countless people.

Of course - the difference between Zhang Wan and Liu Che is that Liu Che launched countless wars during his reign, while Zhang Wan was a thoroughly "civil" emperor. Even if he is given a posthumous title in the future, it will probably be a "civil" one.

After half a stick of incense
There was a sound of hurried footsteps, followed by a very steady voice.

Zhang Wan raised his eyebrows and looked at Chen Biao: "It seems that you are right. Your father came directly to the palace to see me."

Chen Xiao did not need to report to the palace before entering it. This was decided many years ago.

When Chen Xiao entered the imperial study, he saw two people, one old and one young, sitting there. He held his forehead helplessly and said, "Zhilin, why are you here too?"

Then he waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, let this kid go back. I haven't seen him for many years, but I still feel annoyed when I see him."

Zhang Wan looked at Chen Biao with a smile on his face, and said teasingly, "Look, look, your father doesn't like you at all."

Chen Biao was somewhat helpless: "Father has never liked my temper. Now that he has met His Majesty, he has even less regard for me."

Zhang Wan just shook his head, pointed at Chen Biao, cursed him and said, "Alright, alright, go back first."

"Don't bother me here."

After Chen Biao left, Chen Xiao sat down where Chen Biao had just sat.

"Your Majesty, I heard that you were not in good health. Are you okay now? What did Bian Que and the Imperial Physician say?"

Zhang Wan picked up the teacup and took a sip: "I still have half a year to live."

He said lightly: "Of course, the rumor spread to the public is that I still have several decades to live."

When Chen Xiao heard this, he paused, then stood up and wanted to leave.

Zhang Wan snorted coldly: "Leave? Can you still leave now?"

Chen Xiao wiped his face and said, "After all, I couldn't escape."

He fell into "Zhang Wan's" trap.

Chen Xiao gnashed his teeth and said, "Does Youdu know about this?"

Zhang Wan blinked like an old naughty boy: "Of course - this is one of the requirements for me to agree to his resignation."

He stood up, walked to Chen Xiao and patted him on the shoulder.

"Okay, don't be so angry."

"I apologize to you?"

Chen Xiao calmed down, and after a quick thought he understood what was going on.

After all, although Chen Qillang is still serving as an official in the court, it is difficult for him to control the situation alone, and his status is also somewhat problematic. If it were his father, Da Qillang, Chen Jiaozhou, it would be about the same, but Chen Jiaozhou has died of illness for many years.

However, Chen Biao was still young and could serve at most as an internal clerk in the Prime Minister's Office - he was not even qualified to be the Prime Minister, the head of all officials.

Can't convince the public.

Being too young is sometimes a disadvantage. You don’t have much experience and are naturally unable to deal with so many enemies.

"What does your majesty want me to do?"

Zhang Wan looked into Chen Xiao's eyes, with some determination and guilt in them.

He also didn't want to drag Chen Xiao into this quagmire, but his reforms were now at their peak, and he was afraid that after his death, his policies would be tampered with by his successors - just like how Emperor Muzong tampered with the government.

With such an old precedent, how could he not be worried?

"Take care of this country for me."

"I really don't trust the prince."

Zhang Wan had tears in his eyes: "If possible, please teach the crown prince in person and teach him to be an upright person."

"A determined man."

"Take him on the right path."

He had half given up on the prince.

Looking into his friend's eyes, Chen Xiao let out a long sigh.

He closed his eyes and finally said, "Okay."

"I promise you."

The 38th year of Jianwu, spring and summer.

The emperor collapsed.

He was known in history as "Emperor Jianwu", and his posthumous title was "Wensheng", also known as "Emperor Wensheng".

He created the first prosperous era of Dayu.

"The prosperous Jianwu era".

Late winter of the thirty-eighth year.

Crown Prince "Zhang Yun" ascended the throne.

The following year, the reign title was changed to Chengwu.

Known in history as "Emperor Chengwu".

After Emperor Chengwu ascended the throne, the first edict he issued was to confer the titles of Prime Minister, Grand Marshal, and Grand Tutor on Chen Xiao, the head of the Chen family.

A magnificent and prosperous era came to an end.

What will greet Dayu?
neither knows.

For many years, history has continued to move forward.

(End of this chapter)