I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 34 Bet

"What do Bian'er think of the general's memorial?"

Faced with Emperor Ling's inquiry, Liu Bian replied: "I have not come into contact with those people, but my father arranged Master Lu for me. Master Lu did his duty very well. I can't think of anyone who can do it better."

Emperor Ling nodded slightly.

Liu Bian added: "I suddenly remembered my father's teachings a few days ago. I heard that the general was easy to listen to Yuan Shao's words. Now Taichang Yuan Wei is ranked first on this list. I'm afraid there are many things mixed in." Be selfish!”

Emperor Ling sneered: "With the reputation of the Fourth and Third Duke of Yuan Wei, he is barely worthy of it."

Then he asked: "Bian'er doesn't like the meaning of the scriptures?"

Liu Bian felt happy, wondering if this meant that he no longer had to go to Dongguan frequently? He hurriedly replied: "I personally think that the saints left poems and classics in order to teach and clarify principles. If you already know the principles left by the saints, why should you pursue a detailed understanding of those words! It is better to travel thousands of miles to read thousands of books and read from the articles. No matter how many principles you gain from studying, they will ultimately be in vain if they are not put into practice. This is exactly what is called active learning and application."

"Did Shi Zixuan teach you these ideas?"

Liu Bian nodded: "It's because of his words and deeds, and it's also because of my own daily thoughts."

"It's a pity that Shi Zixuan has been wandering around since you entered the palace and has disappeared, otherwise he would have been heavily rewarded." Ling Emperor looked at him with a look of pity, and then said, "I haven't tested your homework for a long time. I don't know. If your calligraphy has improved a bit, let me see if you can write a big calligraphy."

Emperor Ling didn't say what he asked Liu Bian to do. Liu Bian simply wrote the "Book of Filial Piety", which was unmistakable in any case. When he wrote, "A husband's filial piety begins with serving his relatives, ends with serving the king, and finally establishes his integrity." , was stopped by Emperor Ling.

Zhang Rang carefully held the paper in front of Emperor Ling. Emperor Ling looked at what Liu Bian had written and scolded with a smile: "You really know how to learn and apply it!"

Liu Bian smiled and said nothing. Although Emperor Ling said that his personal life was absurd and his politics were stupid, Liu Bian became more relaxed after spending time with him.

Emperor Ling commented: "Compared to last year, it's really a huge difference."

He also ordered Zhang Rang to take out the copybooks Liu Bian had written when he first started practicing calligraphy with Liang Hu last year, and asked Liu Bian to compare the two.

Liu Bian honestly didn't expect that Emperor Ling would keep last year's copybook or even remember it now.

However, forget it, looking at his previous words, Liu Bian really experienced what it means to feel like sitting on pins and needles, like thorns on the back, and like something stuck in the throat.

After reading Liu Bian's calligraphy, I no longer mention He Jin's memorial.

For Liu Bian, it was a pity that Emperor Ling did not mention that he would not need to go to Dongguan to study in the future.

After chatting for a while, Emperor Ling suddenly mentioned He Miao again: "I see that you are closer to the General Chariot and Cavalry than the Great General. A few days ago, you asked the General Chariot and Cavalry to recommend a scholar for you?"

"Yes!" Liu Bian admitted simply.

He told Emperor Ling about Xun Yu's marriage and concluded: "It can be seen from this that he is not a person seeking fame and reputation."

After hearing this, Emperor Ling smiled and said, "Your angle is quite tricky."

"You know what you're doing when you see something small!"

"When this Xun Yu arrives in Luoyang, I will see if he is really who he is."

"If so, so what?"

"Bian'er wants to have a bet with me?"

"It's what you wish for."

"If he is really who he is, I will promise you something. But if he is not, what will you do?"

"I also promise my father one thing!" "Okay, okay!" Emperor Ling smiled while stroking his hands and told Zhang Rang, "You should think more about ways to take the exam and test out Xun Yu's true nature!"

Zhang Rang said yes repeatedly.

While they were talking, a chamberlain came to report that Sun Zhang from Yongle Palace had arrived with Hou Dong.

It was probably Liu Bian who gradually made Empress Dowager Dong feel a sense of crisis. In the past, Liu Xie usually visited Emperor Ling once or twice, sometimes two or three days.

Recently, Empress Dowager Dong heard from somewhere that Liu Bian had gone to Yutang Hall every day to handle government affairs, so she also asked Sun Zhang to bring Liu Xie here every day.

Fortunately, Liu Xie is well-behaved and smart, and he is not the kind of naughty kid who always disturbs people's purity.

His presence had little impact on the normal handling of memorial documents. Emperor Ling had no intention of letting Liu Xie, who had just entered school, have access to memorial documents, so Liu Bian didn't care.

Both Liu Bian and Liu Xie got to know each other a lot.

In fact, even Liu Bian, the client, understood that it was difficult for Liu Xie to threaten his status, but Empress Dowager Dong still couldn't figure it out.

After Liu Xie came in, he asked Emperor Ling why he was laughing, and Emperor Ling mentioned his bet with Liu Bian.

After speaking, Emperor Ling asked Liu Xie: "Who does Xie'er think will win the bet between my father and your brother?"

Liu Xie blinked: "Father, can I join too?"

Emperor Ling said: "First tell me whose side you are on."

"I'm on brother's side."

Emperor Ling smiled and agreed, and asked Liu Xie why he made this choice.

Liu Xie replied: "I can't explain the reason. I always feel that my brother seems to have a better chance of winning."

Liu Bian shook his head and said: "It's not because of the odds of winning, but I feel that my father is reluctant to let me do things that I can't do. As the saying goes, 'You make money when you win, and you don't lose when you lose.' I don't want to gamble at this time. , when will we wait?”

Liu Xie looked like he suddenly realized something.

……

Speaking of which, the turmoil caused by He Jin's memorial was not something that could be calmed down casually. Since Emperor Ling lifted the party prison during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the voices of the party members, who were already not weak, have become louder. Many neutral officials who had not spoken out on the corruption issues of Yang Dang and Yang Wang were unable to sit still this time.

Not targeting eunuchs can be said to be a lesson learned from Yang Zhen and used in a useful way, but are these contemporary models not welcome to Luoyang? This is a moral issue. Where has the self-cultivation gone over the years? Still not a Confucian gentleman!

This collective voice even directly overshadowed the news of the final punishment in the Yang Dang case - Chang'an ordered Yang Dang to die, and the official Yang Wang committed suicide, and his family property was confiscated.

However, Emperor Ling took the trouble to face hundreds of official petitions that were louder than the impeachment eunuchs.

Liu Bian gave Emperor Ling an idea: "Like Zheng Xuan and Cai Yong, they are obsessed with academics. I heard that when Cai Yong was convicted and left, he was thinking about Dongguan Hanji, which he was compiling. My father might as well choose from the list. Select these people and send them to Beijing, whether they are compiling books or studying classics. It is not a bad idea to even open classes in Luoyang, Taixue and Hongdu sects."

Emperor Ling said: "Cai Yong was a very talented person when he served as Yilang."

He immediately ordered Zhang Rang and others to select from the list those people represented by Cai Yong who had made little political achievements, or people like Zheng Xuan who had no intention of becoming officials, and issued an edict to come to Beijing.

Looking at Zhang Rang and others busy, Liu Bian suddenly remembered that he didn't know if Cai Yong's famous little daughter was married now.

(End of this chapter)