I, Liu Bian, Sanxing Han Dynasty

Chapter 574: Hongdu Gate School Trip
"Your Majesty is coming to Hongdumen School. Everyone should be prepared today! Whether our school can take this opportunity to flourish again depends on today!" Le Song, the chief academic officer of Hongdumen School, excitedly summoned all the literary scholars.

When the writers heard that the emperor was coming, they were all excited.

"Before the emperor arrives, all houses and roads must be cleaned up. There must be no dust in the halls, and no fallen leaves on the roads..."

"Okay, that's all for now. Hurry up and finish it before His Majesty arrives!"

After Le Song had arranged everything, just as the scholars were leaving, he suddenly thought of something and called out to Xu Yue, the master of literature, "Gong He, remember to call Liu Ziyang and Ma Deheng to come later. If His Majesty has any opinions about the students, they can be representatives."

After hearing this, Xu Yue was stunned at first, then subconsciously agreed.

Then he suddenly said like Le Song: "Zi Yang is very articulate, so he won't be at a loss even if he meets the emperor. However, De Heng usually stutters, and if he is in front of the emperor, it will get worse in a hurry, which is not good."

After hearing this, Le Song smiled and said, "Gong He is right, but that is why we want to bring De Heng with us. Because De Heng is indeed talented, and our Hongdu School was able to discover his talent despite his stuttering. Doesn't that make us look like a good talent scout?"

"As for Gonghe's worry that Deheng is disliked by others...there is no need to worry."

Xu Yue left half-believing and half-doubting.

After returning, he immediately ordered someone to call his two students - Liu Ye and Ma Jun.

After telling them about Haolesong's plan, Xu Yue did not forget to ask, "This is something that will be of great benefit to you. I trust Ziyang, you are a man of courage, just act as usual. But Deheng, remember, if you can't speak in a hurry, it's better to keep your mouth shut, or write it down on paper. Okay, you guys go now, don't let the chief priest wait anxiously."

"Thank you for your literary teaching!" Liu Ye bowed.

"Thank you so much for your literature. I'm leaving now."

Liu Ye, who was standing by, noticed Xu Yue's concern for Ma Jun and added, "Don't worry, Wenxue, I will definitely take good care of Deheng."

"Okay, go ahead!" Xu Yue could only put his mind at ease temporarily. He had always heard that the emperor was lenient to others, and hoped that he would not mind Ma Jun's stuttering.

After bidding farewell to Xu Yue and on the way to find Le Song, Liu Ye said to Ma Jun: "No matter what happens later, Deheng, don't be nervous."

After hearing this, Ma Jun looked at Liu Ye with some envy, and couldn't help but said, "Zi... Zi Yang, I, I'm... nervous now."

Liu Ye: …

"Then, unless it is a critical moment, you should speak less. If you do speak, say as little as possible."

"it is good!"

……

"You two are both outstanding talents specially recommended by our school of Hongdu literature from various counties and kingdoms. Your talents are among the best in the entire school. In the past, you were allowed to study all subjects in the school. Now, it's time to test what you have learned!" Le Song looked at Liu Ye and Ma Jun, feeling very satisfied.

These two not only have literary skills, but also have practical skills, and they are not averse to things that are considered to be peculiar skills by people at that time. They can be said to be born to be disciples of Hongdu Sect.

He did not forget to ask Ma Jun: "Deheng has been studying how to improve the loom recently. Has it been effective yet?"

Ma Jun shook his head: "Not yet... not yet."

Le Song was a little disappointed, but then he smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. We have the keel waterwheel that you improved on the basis of Bi Changshi's overturned cart, and the catapult that you two worked on together some time ago. Although the imperial army returned victorious before they could be used in the end, these two achievements are enough."

Afterwards, Le Song said to Liu Ye: "Zi Yang has excellent grades in many subjects in our school. If you are summoned by Your Majesty, De Heng is not good at speaking, so Zi Yang will assist you. You must know that in our school, everyone prospers together and everyone suffers together."

Hearing Le Song's words that seemed to have some deep meaning, Liu Ye bowed and said, "I will follow the instructions of the chief priest!"

By the time Hongdumen Academy was completely renovated, the emperor finally arrived.

The first step after Xiantian Zi was taken by the Yulin Lang who were in charge of garrison, while Le Song took a group of literati to welcome the emperor. Behind the literati followed a small number of students who were considered to have achieved academic success. Chief among them were Liu Ye and Ma Jun. After all, the number of students in the sect increased year by year, and it was impossible for all of them to be at the door to greet the emperor.

At this time, Liu Bian was still on his way.

"In recent years, Hongdu School has developed rapidly. You have worked hard and I have seen it all!" Liu Bian pulled his father-in-law to ride in the same car with him, and praised him generously. "If it weren't for you, Hongdu School would not have been able to restore its former glory in just a few years. Looking ahead, even thousands of years later, when people in the future talk about today's great cause of education, they will definitely think of you!"

It was a right decision to let Cai Yong be the Minister of Rites and be in charge of education.

But Cai Yong, who was praised by the emperor, was not so happy.

Although Hongdu School had developed rapidly with his support and had gradually restored the heyday of the previous emperor when each county had its own literature responsible for enrollment and other work, he was not sure whether this was a good thing or a bad thing.

In essence, although Cai Yong was good at playing the zither and calligraphy, he was still a traditional scholar-official and believed that these were just minor arts.

But at the same time, he had to admit that agricultural science, medical science, and instrumental science have indeed played a role that cannot be ignored in recent years.

Whether it is improving farm tools, promoting new farming methods and good seeds, or providing much-needed doctors to people in need, it all shows the benefits of the development and growth of Hongdu School.

Therefore, Cai Yong felt quite conflicted about the gap between reality and ideal.

But this did not affect Cai Yong, the Minister of Rites, from continuing to support the Hongdu School. This was shown when Cai Yong instinctively shirked Liu Bian's praise by saying, "In terms of merit, it should be the students of literature and agriculture and medicine who have graduated and are working everywhere. And the School's Chief Priest, I used to think he was a treacherous flatterer, but later I found that he worked hard for the school, but I was wrong and misjudged him."

Liu Bian:...

"Why are you being so modest? If you were a little biased, Hongdu School would not have developed to its current level."

He increasingly felt that letting Cai Yong be the Minister of Rites and in charge of education was the right choice, and the only right choice.

As they were talking, they had already arrived at Hongdumen School.

Liu Bian first looked at where the literati were. Hua Tuo had resigned from his literary position, Zhang Zhongjing still stayed in the south to study herbal medicine, and now the medical literati were Hua Tuo’s two disciples Fan A and Wu Pu, while Hua Tuo himself opened a clinic, and even Liu Xie disguised himself and went to help.

As for the change of agricultural science literature from Zao Zhi to Han Hao, it happened several years ago.

The old is replaced by the new, and whether it is in the court, among the people, or in the academic circles, the replacement is completed quietly.

"Le Qing, when I was chatting with Lord Cai just now, Lord Cai praised you for your dedication to Hongdu School. That's great!"

Le Song didn't expect that the emperor would praise him before he even entered the school, and he didn't expect that Cai Yong, who had always shown that he disliked him, would actually praise him in front of the emperor.

Le Song was so delighted that he bowed quickly and said, "Mr. Cai's praise is so high that I am unworthy of it!" Then Liu Bian was introduced by Le Song to the school and visited the teaching places of various subjects. Liu Bian also encouraged the literature of various subjects, asking them to keep up the good work.

After a long time, Liu Bian finally welcomed the highlight that Le Song prepared for him——

"Your Majesty, this catapult was developed and improved by our students Liu Ye, Liu Ziyang, Ma Jun and Ma Deheng. Originally, the two of them planned to present it to the king after it was made to help the king's army. But the king's army was elite and the bandits were vulnerable, so this chariot was not developed until the triumphant return."

Liu Bian looked at the catapult in front of him. It not only used torque, but also had ingeniously designed gears.

Le Song introduced: "After this car was built, I sent people to test it. It can throw stones continuously. On flat ground, it can throw more than a hundred steps. Moreover, it can be equipped with wheels. When needed, it can be pulled by oxen and horses to accompany the army."

At this time, a hundred steps was at least one hundred and twenty meters. Liu Bian immediately became interested - although it was not needed now, it did not mean that it would not be needed in the future, and the countries in the Western Regions loved to build cities.

"Is there any vacant space nearby where we can try it?" Liu Bian asked.

"Yes, yes!" Le Song said quickly.

Guan Yu, who was invited by Liu Bian last night, was as interested as Liu Bian. He looked carefully at the catapult in front of him, thinking about its wonderful military uses.

Following Liu Bian's order, the catapult soon began to test fire. As Le Song said, it could throw stones more than a hundred steps away. Moreover, the accuracy of this catapult was much higher than Liu Bian expected.

What's more, not only whole stones are launched, but also multiple stones wrapped in bags, so that the attack range is wider.

After watching the catapult shoot more than ten rounds, Guan Yu suggested to Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, I think this car can not only be used for attacking the city, but also placed behind the city wall for defense."

"What Yunchang said is absolutely right." Liu Bian was very satisfied after seeing the effect.

Only then did he remember meeting the inventors of the trebuchet - Liu Ye and Ma Jun.

In Liu Bian's impression, Liu Ye seemed to be the most loyal relative of the Han Dynasty to Cao Cao.

And Ma Jun...after hearing this name, Liu Bian realized that this person was a famous inventor during the Three Kingdoms period.

At the moment, these two people look to be in their twenties at most, and Ma Jun is even younger.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

"Bye bye bye... Meet... Meet... Your Majesty."

Seeing that the young Ma Jun seemed very nervous, Liu Bian said with a smile: "Don't be so reserved. Am I scary?"

But after Liu Bian made a joke, Ma Jun seemed even more nervous.

Seeing this, Liu Bian did not hesitate but praised: "After a quick look at this catapult, I know you have put a lot of ingenuity into it. Such a sharp weapon can be used for the country. What reward do you two want?"

Liu Ye heard this and saw that Ma Jun seemed afraid to speak again, so he bowed and said, "We are students, blessed by your majesty's grace, and are able to enroll. I made this catapult only to serve the country!"

After hearing Liu Ye's words, Ma Jun also bowed like Liu Ye.

Seeing that the two men were acting as if they wanted nothing, Liu Bian began to think. If the two men had some inventions and their inventions were really useful, Liu Bian would also encourage them to invent, and would spend a fortune to buy horse bones.

"Under the Chief Architect, there are left and right schoolmasters, each with a salary of 300 stones. Now you will each lead them. In the future, whether you continue to stay in the school or become the Chief Architect, it is up to you."

After hearing this, Liu Ye bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, we still have some shortcomings and there is still much room for improvement in our school. We are willing to stay in our school."

When Ma Jun saw it, he became like Liu Ye again.

When Le Song saw this scene, his heart was filled with joy.

He even praised Liu Bian, saying, "Your Majesty, in the past, the imperial court promoted the use of the water-turning cart to deal with drought. Ma Jun was originally from Fufeng. When he saw the water-turning cart, he had the idea to improve it. After the improvement, the water diversion speed increased by nearly half... That's why his talent was discovered."

Le Song saw clearly that Liu Ye was very smart, but his mind might not be on objects.

But the emperor attaches great importance to the benefits of tools.

Therefore, Le Song is sure that as long as Ma Jun, who is not good at speaking, can maintain his spirituality in instrument skills, his future will be limitless.

As for Liu Ye, Le Song only hoped that he could pay more attention to the objects, so as not to be too clever by his own will.

"So that's how it is. Has Deheng's improved overturned vehicle been promoted?" Liu Bian asked. He had no impression of this, but it was not surprising. There are big and small things, and it is impossible for the ministers to report everything to him in detail. It is not surprising that he didn't know.

Le Song replied: "As far as I know, it has been promoted by the officials."

After getting a satisfactory answer, Liu Bian continued to encourage Ma Jun, saying: "In this case, Deheng should continue to work hard. In my opinion, there may be room for improvement in the various agricultural tools and looms used today."

After hearing this, Le Song was immediately surprised and answered on behalf of Ma Jun: "Your Majesty, recently Deheng has been thinking about improving the loom."

"Is that so?" Liu Bian said with a smile, "It seems that in the near future, I will have to thank Deheng on behalf of the people of the Han Dynasty."

After saying this joke, Liu Bian saw that Ma Jun seemed to be blushing, and immediately said: "But when it comes to improvement, it often requires inspiration. If you can't do it, don't force it."

At this time, Ma Jun seemed to have mustered up his courage for a long time and finally spoke: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

He didn't stutter when he uttered these three words.

Before leaving, Liu Bian gave Ma Jun, Liu Ye and even more people a message: "In the past, ingenuity was often regarded as a minor skill. However, whether it is papermaking, the curved plow or the catapult today, they are all of great use to the country and the people. If they are of great use, how can they be considered minor skills?"

"Things like this, if they are accomplished, whether they are learned by the school or master craftsmen, can all be presented to me. I hope you will work together."

On the way back, Liu Biancai privately told Cai Yong: "Ma Deheng is very talented at a young age, and we must pay attention to him."

Cai Yong had been interested when he heard that Ma Jun was researching and improving the loom. He immediately assured Liu Bian: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will pay attention to him."

Although Cai Yong still had some discrimination against strange and tricky skills, his body was very honest.

(End of this chapter)