I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 2 Don’t guess the emperor’s thoughts

Hongdu School was established by Emperor Ling in order to compete for the right to speak and change the current situation in which Confucian classics were dominant. It specialized in the study of poetry, calligraphy and painting, and awarded senior officials to those who achieved success. Most of the people who could stand out here were also scholars, but they were not accepted by traditional scholars and could be called non-mainstream in the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Liang Hu was less than forty years old. Before the teaching began, he first examined what Liu Bian had learned from Shi Zixuan.

Liu Bian did have an impression, such as Lu poetry, The Analects of Confucius, Spring and Autumn Period, etc. Shi Zixuan did not have high requirements and did not ask for a deep understanding of reading.

Later, Liang Hu began to teach Liu Bian to read and write.

Although Liu Bian did not want to be trapped in the study of Confucian classics for the next two and a half years, he also understood that he must at least show his willingness to learn first.

Especially his handwriting that looks like a dog crawling, really needs some practice. As for Liang Hu, he was able to stand out in Hongdu School, and his literary accomplishment was not bad.

Even though Emperor Ling was not very good at governing the country as an emperor, he was still good at writing poems, poems, and calligraphy.

In this way, after five or six days, Liu Bian read every day and met with Queen He every day. Zhao Zhong, Guo Sheng and others also had a good impression of Liu Bian, but Liu Bian asked for more and did not respond.

As for Emperor Ling, he had long been exempted from Liu Bian's daily ceremonial morning and evening meditation on the pretext of studying, and he had not seen him since the last time.

On this day, after the teaching was completed, Liu Bian did not leave Dongguan and asked Guo Zhidao, the chamberlain beside him: "I heard that there have been people editing books in Dongguan. Why have there been only a few clerical officials in Dongguan for so many days, even the Doctor of the Five Classics?" Don’t you see even one?”

Guo Zhi was also from Nanyang and had a close relationship with Guo Sheng. Hearing this, he did not dare to speak directly, so he could only reply: "Maybe the doctor and others are elsewhere in Dongguan."

Liu Bian just chuckled, didn't ask any more questions, and said, "Go back."

Although the east view is large, it is not the reason. Liu Bian understood that this was because Shi Changshi was very aware of the attitude of traditional scholar-officials from the outside world towards them, such as the great Confucian scholars who compiled books. These people were often very disgusted with eunuchs, and Shi Changshi was afraid that Liu Bian would be influenced by these people.

That night, Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and others gathered together and discussed Liu Bian's questioning of Dongguan officials during the day.

Guo Sheng was more partial to Liu Bian: "Marquis Shi is smart. If I ask this question today, I am afraid that I have doubts in my heart. Now Marquis Shi is friendly to us, why should I make Marquis Shi unhappy for this?"

Zhang Rang said: "It's just other people. Ma Rixi has always disliked us. Now he is studying in Dongguan. If Shihou is influenced by him, there may be future troubles."

Zhang Rang's adopted son married Queen He's biological sister. In essence, as long as Liu Bian didn't scream and kill him, he had no motive to oppose Liu Bian.

Sun Zhang's status among the ten permanent attendants was second only to Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong. He was trusted by Empress Dowager Dong of Yongle Palace and tended to be neutral on the issue of showing favor to Liu Bian.

Zhao Zhongze said: "I see Shihou every day, and I know that Shihou has great plans. After his homework, he doesn't play in the palace. He keeps practicing calligraphy every night, and he will make great progress in a few days. I asked and found out, Liang Hu never made such a request. I really don’t know how Shi Zixuan educated Shi Hou."

After speaking, Zhao Zhong took out two pieces of hemp paper left by Liu Bianlian's calligraphy. Zhang Rang and others are able to serve as regular servants, and they still have some appreciation ability. Although Liu Bian's calligraphy is not very good, compared with the previous ones, the layout and strokes of his recent calligraphy are not the same.

Zhang Rang understood what Zhao Zhong meant. Shi Hou was not the kind of child who was easy to control. He had his own ideas. It was better not to offend him if he could obey.

Zhang Rang finally said: "I will go to the Central Palace to see you tomorrow."

The next day, before Zhang Rang could take the initiative to meet him, he met with Liu Bian under the order of Emperor Ling.

It turned out that since the news of Liu Bian's entry into the palace came out, General He Jin called on officials close to him to write a letter asking for Liu Bian to be crown prince. Of course Emperor Ling was unwilling and was so annoyed by the fuss that he didn't want to see Liu Bian at all. .

In recent days, officials have been quiet a lot, and even if there are occasional memorials like this, they cannot reach his eyes. Without these external disturbances, Emperor Ling thought of Liu Bian instead.

Liu Bian didn't know why Emperor Ling suddenly summoned him, but Zhang Rang revealed that it was because he wanted to take a test on his schoolwork. Liang Hu was more excited about this than Liu Bian.

On the way, Zhang Rang repeatedly expressed his goodwill to Liu Bian, and Liu Bian took all the photos, and Zhang Rang said to him one by one...

The Yutang Hall where Emperor Ling lived belonged to the apse of the East Palace. This East Palace was not the East Palace that was later reserved for the prince, but the place where the emperor lived and worked. Although it was forbidden, it was composed of bureaucracy such as the Monk's Desk and the Censor's Desk. There is only a wall separating the inner and outer directions. As long as the emperor needs it, he can summon ministers and servants to the palace at any time to prepare inquiries and edicts, and to accompany the emperor in handling government affairs.

The last time Liu Bian met Emperor Ling, this was also where he was. The larger Yuntai Hall in the East Palace was less used.

Emperor Ling is reviewing the official memorial documents submitted by the Shangshu Desk. According to the system of the Eastern Han Dynasty, memorials and official documents from various places will be sorted through the Shangshu Desk in the inner dynasty and sent to the emperor in the forbidden area, and the small yellow gate connecting the two All were held by eunuchs.

Seeing Liu Bian coming, Emperor Ling stopped writing. Liu Bian noticed that there was an extra official in the palace this time, but Emperor Ling did not introduce him when Liu Bian paid his respects, and Liu Bian could not ask more questions.

Then Emperor Ling first asked Liang Hu about the teaching content during these days, and then asked Liu Bian about it.

Liu Bian has really studied hard these days and can be said to have fluent answers. It can be seen that Emperor Ling is very satisfied.

Later, Emperor Ling asked Liu Bian to write again. After reading it, he frowned but didn't say anything.

Seeing this, Liang Hu hurriedly took out the copybook Liu Bian had written for several days. Emperor Ling read it and immediately praised it: "It's very good!"

Liu Bian didn't expect his teacher to be so attentive. Soon he noticed that Emperor Ling handed the copybook to the minister beside him and asked, "Ziqian, what do you think?"

Is he Lu Zhi? Liu Bian looked at the fifty-year-old minister in front of him with slight surprise. If you ask Liu Bian who he most wants to be friends with among the Chinese civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty, the answer must be Lu Zhi.

Among other things, in history, when Dong Zhuo announced the abolition of the Young Emperor of the Han Dynasty, no one in the Manchu Dynasty dared to object. Only Lu Zhi stood up to defend him and almost died as a result.

As a great scholar in the country, he is both civilized and military, possesses both political integrity and talent, and does not accumulate any family assets. He quelled barbarian rebellions and Yellow Turban uprisings, and also edited Confucian classics.

Regardless of his moral character or ability, he can be regarded as a perfect man among scholar-bureaucrats.

In addition, Liu Bei and Gongsun Zan were his students when he gave lectures in his hometown of Zhuoxian.

On the other side, Emperor Ling observed Liu Bian's expression and asked, "Does Bian'er know Ziqian's name?"

Liu Bian came to his senses and replied: "Back to my father, I have heard others mention Duke Lu and praise him as a wise man."

When Emperor Ling heard this, he smiled at Lu Zhi and said, "It seems that your reputation as a virtuous person is widely spread. You are worthy of being my minister."

Liu Bian did not expect that Emperor Ling had a narcissistic side.

Emperor Ling also asked Lu Zhi about his evaluation of Liu Bian's calligraphy.

Lu Zhi said: "Your Highness has learned how to get started with calligraphy. If you persevere, you will achieve success within a year."

(End of this chapter)