"There are no long-term officials, but all are governed by offering wine, and the people are happy." [Three Kingdoms·Wei Shuba]
From the first year of Jian'an to the present, it has been eleven years since Zhang Lu, Marquis of Pingleting, entered the court. Due to restrictions on freedom, he could only get a glimpse of the world's situation through the changes in Chang'an City. Over the years, he has learned from Chang'an City
Everything is prosperous, and the people on the street have gone from being hungry to being full of energy. This city and its people seem to have emerged from the turmoil, poverty and weakness of decades ago, and a new generation of people has emerged.
Not knowing the shadow of the past, they live happily in the sunshine.
A glimpse of one spot reveals the whole leopard. Chang'an City is like this, the whole Guanzhong, and even the world should be like this. Zhang Lu has already stopped thinking about what he shouldn't have, and stays behind closed doors to thank guests all day long, enjoying the rank and salary of Tinghou's six hundred households. It seems that
The identity of 'Master' is already far away from him.
And one day in March of the twelfth year of Jian'an, Zhang Lu was summoned to Weiyang Palace again after many years of absence.
"Your Majesty, I wish you long life and everlasting happiness." Zhang Lu knelt down nervously on the ground, not daring to raise his head. He knew that many people's eyes in the hall were looking at him. Over the past two months,
He has received many such looks and remarks.
The emperor looked at the energetic Zhang Lu, nodded and said: "For so many years, I have not been invited by the court. I only go to the palace to celebrate with everyone once a year on the first day of the year, but I rarely miss it. What are you busy with?"
Zhang Lu was so nervous that he didn't dare to raise his head, and said uneasily: "I dare not disturb you for nothing. Fortunately, I am in a prosperous age. Thanks to your majesty's kindness, I can study classics at home all day long, cultivate my moral character, and live a leisurely life."
Deng Chang, the servant, looked curious and said, "I wonder what classics Tinghou reads at home?"
Zhang Lu naturally did not dare to say that he had been annotating the Tao Te Ching at home for the past ten years, and was still studying the method of Five Pecks of Rice. In full view of everyone, he had to lie and said: "Of course it is the Tao of Confucius and Mencius, such as "Shang Shu", "Mencius" and other books.
"
He knew that the emperor studied under Huandian and Zhao Qi, and he mainly studied these two books, so he followed them. Unexpectedly, the servant Zhang Zhao suddenly said coldly: "If this is true, Zhang Hou should go to Taixue."
We have set up an altar to teach, but when Marquis Zhang is here, is he really studying the classics instead of practicing the art of ghosts and gods?"
Cold sweat immediately soaked Zhang Lu's clothes, and he hurriedly knelt down and said: "I really dare not read it privately. In addition to the books passed down by saints, the readers include the Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi and other books. I cannot bear to preach Taoism to my family."
It was a slight abandonment, but it was inconvenient to complain to the temple, so I didn’t say anything about it.”
"There are hundreds of schools of thought, each with its own strengths. Taoism governs by doing nothing and respects the way of nature, which also has merit." The emperor said simply. Zhang Zhao and others' expressions changed. In this sentence,
Where should Confucianism be placed?
Before Zhang Zhao and other great scholars could open their mouths to argue, the emperor changed his subject and said: "In the pre-Qin period, there was Huang Lao's school, which was considered as a strategy for governing the country during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Xiaojing. Later, there was the Taoism of Taiping, but the Zhang Jiao brothers
Using talisman water to deceive the people and defraud money, and harm the country... is not tolerated by heaven." The emperor gave Zhang Lu a slightly warning look, and the other party immediately lowered his head in fear: "I still have your five buckets of rice, but I heard that you were in Hanzhong.
Revision of laws, lenient punishments, and creation of charity houses are different from those of Zhang Jiao and other monsters and thieves."
Zhang Lu felt relieved when he saw that the emperor had personally drawn a line between him and Zhang Jiao. However, he felt worried again when he heard the second half of the complimentary words. However, the emperor's intention of sending him here seemed to be peeling off the cocoon and slowly revealed.
After coming out, combined with his new mission, Zhang Lu vaguely felt that this might be a good thing.
"Your Majesty." Zhang Zhao's tone was a bit harsh. He said bluntly: "The way to govern a country lies in benevolence, justice, loyalty and filial piety. The theories of the sages have been passed down for hundreds of years. The Taoist inaction can only be used at that time, and it is even less useful today. Zhang Luzhi was in Hanzhong
, the five buckets of rice are also given talisman water to persuade the people to believe in ghosts and gods to redeem themselves, but they don’t know that there is a court, and although they are lenient, their hearts are not the same as those of moth thieves? "
"The theory of ghosts and gods has existed since ancient times." Deng Chang came to the rescue and said: "Mr. Zhang, this dynasty only respects Confucianism. His Majesty also advocates classics, organizes the compilation of great Confucian scholars, and collects and annotates "Huang Lan", "Thirteen Classics Chapters and Verses of Justice" and other classics.
, to propagate the teachings of the sages for future generations to pass on. The same applies to the policy of governing the country. Mr. Zhang, there is no need to worry about others. Now he is just asking about the affairs of the Western Regions."
The emperor nodded. Although he was misunderstood by Zhang Zhao several times, it was understandable that the other party was so wary. Governing a country requires an idea. Religion may assist in governing the people, but it must not be regarded as the mainstream. At this point, he did not
The need to refute Zhang Zhao.
Zhang Zhao nodded slightly. The reason why he spoke so bluntly was not only to reject dissident doctrines from the bottom of his heart, but also to show a defensive attitude. Moreover, on the one hand, speaking bluntly was also to impress the emperor. After all, Confucianism has been respected for hundreds of years.
Years later, it has become a national policy that is inseparable from the Liu family. The emperor will never change his mind and advocate inaction. Zhang Zhao is sure of this and just does what he can do.
Everyone below, such as Zhong Yao, Sheyuan, and Huangmen Shilang Zhongji, all know this very well. They have served the emperor for many years, or have strong backgrounds, and do not need to behave like Zhang Zhao. Of course, when encountering this kind of situation,
However, they still more or less stated their position. Only Deng Chang mistakenly thought that he was really making excuses. The emperor saw this and said directly to Zhang Lu: "Do you know the theory of 'floating map'?
"
Zhang Lu was stunned for a moment and replied: "I heard that this religion was spread in the Western Regions and believed in the Buddha. During the reign of Emperor Xiaohuan, there were monks such as An Shigao and Zhilou Jiaxie who translated Buddhist scriptures, taught the Dharma and recruited disciples." In fact, it was also practiced in the Han court.
There is a temple of Huang Laofu Tu. Buddhism spread first in the upper level, and then flowed into the people due to the war. Zhang Lu deliberately avoided this level for various reasons.
The emperor nodded: "The appearance, speech, and customs of the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions are all different from those of China. They worship gods and believe in Buddhist figures. Now that the imperial court has revived, everything will naturally have a new look. The Western Regions will submit to us, the four great Han Dynasties.
After a hundred years, how can we continue to serve as before and only be restrained by the Chief Protector?"
"Your Majesty wants to turn the Western Region into the mainland?" Deng Chang asked.
"Soldiers conquer their land, and scholars serve their people." The emperor was noncommittal, pointing to Deng Chang and Zhang Lu: "Using Xiahou's talents is to conquer his land; using you, he is to serve his people." The Western Region is vast and vast, and its products are abundant.
It is fertile and controls the strategic passage of the Silk Road. It is also an important window for the exchange of civilizations between the Han people and other countries. Compared with the past, the imperial court's control of the Western Regions only relied on the submission of small countries. It is better to directly set it up as a direct management system for counties and counties.
convenient.
Letting You Chu, Deng Chang, Jiang Qian and others go to the Western Regions is to first change the customs of the Western Regions culturally and religiously. Instead of allowing various religions to spread in the Western Regions, it is better to let local ones replace them. The same goes for culture.
Even the people on his land will be the same. This will be a long process. The emperor thinks he has enough patience and time to do it.
"I heard that there are many disputes among the countries in the Western Regions, and they are barbaric and barbaric. After you are in the Western Regions, you can carry out the Hanzhong strategy and cooperate with Xiahou Miaocai, You Zhongyun and others to follow your path." After the emperor finished speaking, he pinched his hand.
All the gong seals were thrown away.
Zhang Lu picked up the lost Du Gong Seal and couldn't help but raise it high above his head and said with fear and fear: "I will live up to my command!"