I, the prince, only want to be deposed.

Chapter 33 Zhumuyuan

"Draft another decree to appoint Dong Zhongshu as the Prince's Junior Tutor and have him enter Bowang Garden from today. Isn't he a great scholar with rich learning? I want him to debate with Liu Ju every day on the subject of Fengshan!"

When these words came out from behind the curtain, Su Wen vaguely heard the sound of gnashing teeth again.

"promise."

He agreed carefully, but felt even more confused.

Liu Che summoned the envoy of King Liu Hong of Qi into the palace, which was most likely a preparation for deposing and enthroning the emperor.

That means completely giving up on Liu Ju.

But since he had given up completely, why did he let Dong Zhongshu be the Prince's Tutor and let him debate with Liu Ju?
Is it necessary to do this for someone who is completely disappointed?

"..."

Huo Guang, who was driving, also had the same doubts in his mind.

If it has been decided to depose Liu Ju, is this still necessary?
at the same time.

He vaguely realized that what Liu Che and Liu Ju had just discussed in Qiufang might be related to Fengshan, and Liu Che's action was probably out of spite.

……

Two days later, Bowang Garden.

"Is this necessary?"

Liu Ju was also having a headache at the moment when he saw Dong Zhongshu chattering on and on while holding the Gongyang Chunqiu.

Dong Zhongshu is already sixty-seven years old this year.

I don't know how he keeps in good health. Although his body is a little hunched and his hair and beard are mostly white than black, he is more energetic than many young people.

Especially when he was giving lectures, he could actually talk for two hours straight without even taking a sip of water.

However, what gave Liu Ju the most headache was Liu Che's reaction after that day.

Liu Che's only reaction was to appoint Dong Zhongshu as the Prince's Tutor and have him live in Bowang Garden to give him lessons.

Unfortunately, he was under house arrest and it was impossible for him to escape.

Dong Zhongshu acted as if he was under the emperor's command and could not be driven away. If his attitude was a little bad, he would immediately act as if he could not get up without 500,000 yuan if he fell down. This made Liu Ju upset and confused.

"Father, is this how you take revenge on me?"

Liu Ju really couldn't understand it.

Liu Che, Liu Che, you are the Great Emperor Wu of Han, a heroic ruler rarely seen in a thousand years, and an emperor of all ages who conquered all directions.

Do you dare to be more childish and play the toe-stepping game with me?

"Prince, please do not be distracted. I will explain the Fengshan ceremony to you again."

Dong Zhongshu had no idea what Liu Ju was thinking, and he continued to teach him tirelessly.

"The so-called Fengshan means ascending to the Feng position to report to the heavens and descending to the Feng position to eliminate the earth."

"Heaven's Mandate is to be the King, to govern all living things, to report peace to Heaven, and to reward the gods for their merits..."

Liu Ju covered his ears in distress. He couldn't remember how many times Dong Zhongshu had explained this to him. This old man was even more annoying than Tang Seng.

Liu Ju did not intend to repeat to Dong Zhongshu what he had said to Liu Che that day.

Because it doesn't make any sense.

He just wanted to be deposed and did not want to debate with Dong Zhongshu.

What's more, Confucianism is best at debate and argument. He could make Liu Che furious, but he might not be able to defeat Dong Zhongshu.

After all, Dong Zhongshu no longer dares to argue with Liu Che, but he may still dare to argue with him?
"In the past, the First Emperor once ascended Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods..."

Dong Zhongshu ignored all this and even knocked on Liu Ju's desk to remind him to take his hands off his ears and listen to the class carefully.

at last.

Liu Ju still couldn't bear this pervasive torture, so he asked a question: "Mr. Dong, I understand the principles of Fengshan, but I want to ask you a question."

"Prince, please speak."

When Dong Zhongshu heard this, he was like a teacher seeing a piece of rotten wood finally get enlightened. He immediately became energetic and looked over with bright eyes.

Liu Ju grinned, and put on an appearance of eagerness to learn: "Mr. Dong, you also know that my father has the idea of ​​Fengshan, so do you know the specific etiquette process of the Fengshan ceremony?"

"This……"

Dong Zhongshu stood there in a daze.

he does not know.

Although Fengshan is mentioned in ancient books, the specific ritual procedures of the Fengshan ceremony have never been mentioned.

Liu Ju's question was naturally well-targeted.

According to historical records, Emperor Liu Che also encountered this problem when he was preparing to hold the Fengshan Ceremony.

He asked countless court officials, great scholars and alchemists, but no one could explain it.

Finally, Liu Che had no choice but to accept the suggestion and, according to the ceremony of shooting the bull recorded in an ancient book and combining it with some rituals of ancestor worship, heaven worship and earth worship, he temporarily put together a set of Fengshan ceremony rituals. Only in this way could he carry out the Fengshan affairs.

Liu Ju continued:

"I have pondered this matter for a long time and read many ancient books, but I still can't find a definite answer."

"But it doesn't matter if I don't know. Mr. Dong shouldn't be unaware, right?"

"I heard that after the debate between my father and Lord Dong a few days ago, he placed high hopes on Lord Dong. If we want to hold the Fengshan ceremony, we will inevitably ask Lord Dong relevant questions."

"After all, Mr. Dong is the most respected scholar in the world, and his students are all over the country."

"If Mr. Dong can't come up with a plan by then, my father's Fengshan ceremony won't be completed. It's a small matter that he's disappointed with Mr. Dong, but he's also disappointed with all the Confucian scholars in the world, and even no longer trusts Confucianism. Mr. Dong will be a sinner for all eternity."

"So Mr. Dong, you must have been prepared for this."

"What are the specific etiquette procedures for the Fengshan Ceremony? Please enlighten me, Mr. Dong!"

While talking.

Liu Ju even stood up and bowed to Dong Zhongshu, showing his respect and admiration for him.

To ensure that he was placed high up, he would not be able to get down without a ladder as high as a five-story building.

"This……"

Dong Zhongshu's body shook uncontrollably twice, a drop of cold sweat slid down his temple, and a strand of gray hair fell in front of his face very appropriately.

At this moment, the study fell into deathly silence.

After a long time.

Dong Zhongshu seemed to have aged dozens of years in an instant, and he let out a heavy sigh as if his heart was broken.

The old man's face was filled with shame, and he silently stepped aside to avoid Liu Ju's gift:
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I am not well-trained and do not know the etiquette and procedures of the Fengshan Ceremony."

"But please give me some time, Your Highness. Even if I have to read all the ancient books in the world and risk my old bones, I will definitely find a reasonable and well-founded rule to live up to your grace!"

……

After this day, the whole world was peaceful.

Dong Zhongshu seemed to be possessed and neglected food and sleep, and no longer had the heart to lecture or debate with Liu Ju.

He even begged Liu Ju to arrange a small room for him, and asked people to transport all the ancient books he could find by horse-drawn carriage, one carriage every two days without interruption. He was immersed in the mountain of books all the time and couldn't extricate himself.

A few more days passed like this.

Liu Ju suddenly received good news that was enough to shock the whole court and the whole country, and made Wei Qing and Wei Zifu unable to sleep peacefully anymore.

It’s great news!
Liu Che summoned King of Qi Liu Hong back to Chang'an, gave him a large house, and allowed him to live in Chang'an permanently.

and.

Liu Che also specially gave this house a name.

He is not called Qi Wangdi and he doesn't even have any relationship with the King of Qi.

This house is called——

Zhumuyuan!
This name is even more worthy of consideration than recalling King Liu Hong of Qi back to Chang'an!

(End of this chapter)