"It is said: 'The white head is as new, and the top is as old as ever.' What is that? It is a matter of knowing or not knowing." [The letter from prison is self-explanatory]
September 16th, the third year of Chuping.
Chang'an, Xuanpingli.
Two or three hundred years ago, no city in the world had a population as dense as Chang'an, and no market could offer as many products as Chang'an East Market. If there was one, it would be Chang'an West Market.
The nine heavens closed the palace, and all the nations wore clothes and bowed their heads.
It's just that the grand occasion was many years ago, so long ago that many people have forgotten what Chang'an looked like back then. All they see is an empire lingering on like an old man in his twilight years. Qiang and Hu repeatedly raided Guanzhong, and wars and natural disasters continued.
Also, Dong Zhuo moved westward and was exploited by traitorous officials.
Fortunately, after Dong Zhuo, Li and other unstable factors were removed, there was no war between Guanzhong and Chang'an. Although the imperial court was still weak, Guanzhong's vitality gradually recovered.
It was almost noon, and the area around Xuanping Gate was bustling with activity. There were farmers going into the city to purchase household goods, and merchants shouting at each other. They were jostling and making noises. Occasionally, there were a few pavilions patrolling the streets on horseback.
"When I came back to Chang'an last time, it wasn't that lively here." A young man with outstanding appearance stood on the roadside, looking at the crowd with emotion, and said: "I didn't expect that Xuanping Street would be so big in just half a year.
His appearance has changed so much that I almost can’t recognize him.”
Next to him stood a young man who was about the same age but short in stature. He laughed and said in a loud voice: "De Rong, how do you think Luoyang compares with Chang'an?"
"How can we tell this? I have never been to Luoyang." The young man smiled and said seriously: "But I heard that the Chang'an magistrate was only twenty years old, and he was able to manage Chang'an into such a state. It is really amazing."
"My master said that you are Uncle Fang's weapon, and you will naturally not be worse than that 'little prince' in the future."
Both of them came from Zuo Fengyi. The young man with outstanding appearance was named Zhang Ji. He was a scholar and became a county official at the age of sixteen. The other young man who accompanied him was named You Chu, whose father was Zuo Fengyi Gong Cao You Yin.
.
The two of them came to Beijing together this time mainly for the sake of Imperial College.
After several days of consultations in the imperial court, all parties finally reached a resolution at the beginning of this month, which not only restored Taixue, but also added many new things to the foundation of Taixue, such as subjects and policies, official selection, wine sacrifices and servant shooting functions.
separation.
In addition, the imperial court also issued an edict, ordering each county to recommend young people between twenty and fifteen years old to study. Regardless of their origin, as long as they have the desire to study, they can come to Chang'an to register.
Zhang Ji and You Chu were the scholars recommended by Zuo Fengyi. They took the certificates issued by the government and traveled all the way to Chang'an.
"Little prince?" Zhang Ji couldn't help laughing, and said calmly: "You think too highly of me. I come from a single family, how can I compare to the Wang family in Taiyuan?"
You Chu raised his eyebrows and was about to continue talking when he heard music suddenly coming from the roadside and the faint sound of someone crying.
"What's going on?" As soon as he finished speaking, he saw a team of people wearing sackcloth and wearing filial piety slowly walking towards the end of the road, followed closely by Yu Baoguang, who was specially used for the emperor's travel, and forty people holding ornate weapons before and after him.
Decorated sword of samurai.
The one who came at the head was a charioteer, holding a feather in his hand to open the way to direct the team behind. Then came the Huangmen drummers who played sad music, and the sword warriors. The whole team was solemn and solemn, and there were faint sniffles and
The sound of crying was so suppressed that people could not speak.
"Get out of the way, this is a funeral ceremony only for the Prime Minister." Zhang Ji said lightly, and then stepped aside with You Chu.
When You Chu saw this, he turned to Zhang Ji and whispered, "This, could this be Mr. Situ Zhao?"
Zhang Ji nodded silently, and that was it. Any more words would be redundant. Situ Zhao Qian, who helped the emperor depose Wang Yun and implement several new policies, could not survive this autumn after all.
When the funeral procession slowly passed by, the two of them bowed together in tacit understanding to show their respect for the deceased important minister.
"One of the three members is missing. It seems that the imperial court is going to be in chaos again." I don't know when a young man was standing next to him. Although it was already cool in autumn, he was still wearing thin clothes and carried a bag on his chest.
Holding it with both hands, looking very cherished.
Zhang saw how he was dressed, and it was not difficult to guess that the other person was also a young man who was going to study at Imperial College like him. He couldn't help but get close to him, thought about it, and said, "You know too little, so you can't be so presumptuous."
guess……"
Having said this, Zhang Ji realized that he might not know much, and suddenly he didn't know how to continue speaking, and stopped midway.
"Oh?" The man turned to look at Zhang Ji, looked at it a few times, and said: "I am Jia Kui, named Liang Dao. He comes from Hedong. He doesn't know much about the politics of the court. I heard everything from others.
Is there anything wrong with me? Could you please enlighten me?"
"I have nothing to teach you. I was born in a Shan family and have only been a low-level official. How can I say such nonsense?" Zhang Ji said with a smile, "I'm Zhang Ji, whose courtesy name is Derong. This is my friend in Chu, whose courtesy name is Zhongyun."
.Your Majesty also came to study at Imperial College?"
Jia Kui was a lonely boy from a poor family. Hearing that Zhang Ji's family background was also unremarkable, he suddenly felt a little fond of him and told him the reason why he came here.
It turned out that he had been interested in military matters since he was a child. His grandfather thought that he would be extraordinary when he grew up, so he dictated tens of thousands of words on the art of war. When Huangfu Song conquered Baibo, Jia Kui wanted to join the army, but unfortunately no one recommended him, and he unfortunately missed this opportunity.
.
Later, he planned to serve as a county official due to an excuse. He happened to know the news that the imperial court was opening a Taixue, so he took advantage of his age and met the requirements and planned to come to the Taixue to gild.
After listening to Jia Kui's narration, Zhang Ji nodded in appreciation and said, "I didn't expect that your Majesty has such ambition. It's really admirable."
You Chu looked at this and then at that, knowing that they would be classmates in the future and would live together in Taixue for several years. If they could establish a good relationship in advance and take care of each other, it would be great for both the present and future officialdom.
It could not be better.
He was a man with a sharp mind and wisdom beneath his laughter. Seeing Jia Kui and Zhang Ji chatting happily, he showed a bright smile, nodded and said, "Since we are all going to study in Imperial College, why not
Now looking for a place to have a nice chat? How about I treat you two to some dog meat?"
"As soon as Mr. Zhao leaves, the state has designated that the imperial court will be suspended. It will take a few days for the Imperial Academy to leave." Zhang had no objection, then smiled and looked at Jia Kui with an inquiring look: "In this case,
Liang Dao?"
Jia Kui was alone and wanted this kind of thing. Moreover, Zhang Ji was indeed a talented man and worthy of his efforts to make friends.