Chapter 336 Your Majesty's talent is far better than mine, so I will learn from it, why not!
Langya Kingdom, Yangdu County.
The spring breeze blows.
A man wearing a dark turban was walking among the endless flow of people. His expression was dull and his eyes were dull, as if he were a walking zombie, and he was out of tune with the prosperity around him.
An already slender mandarin jacket, when worn on his body, actually made his shoulders slump. The cheekbones on his cheeks were obviously protruding, his eye sockets were extremely deep, and his complexion was dark yellow, with a faint hint of illness.
"Uncle Wang, the third child is the same."
The man handed over a frame made of bamboo and wood, and said feebly to the middle-aged man selling snacks on the street: "This is yesterday's meal money, I will make up for it today."
"No rush."
The middle-aged man put away the five baht coins and began to put the meals he had prepared in advance into the box.
While pretending, he said: "Zhuge Dalang, have you been keeping vigil for another night? Your father has been dead for two years, and it's time for you to recover."
"You're just repaying yourself like this, but you also have two younger sisters and two younger brothers. They are still young and they are growing up, so they can't help but go through such trouble."
That's right.
The morbidly thin man in front of me is none other than Zhuge Jin, the eldest son of the Langya Zhuge family.
Two years ago, his father Zhuge Gui died of illness after overworking in Taishan County.
Zhuge Jin is fifteen years old this year!
Without his mother and father, and with only five poor children left, the Zhuge family suddenly fell into a desperate situation.
As the eldest brother, Zhuge Jin naturally assumed the responsibility of taking care of the whole family. It was not until his uncle Zhuge Xuan returned that he reluctantly took care of his father's funeral affairs. Now he is in the period of observing filial piety.
"Uncle Wang, don't worry. I was the only one who kept vigil last night, and I didn't have any younger brothers or sisters."
Zhuge Jin took the basket full of food, nodded to the middle-aged man, and was about to leave, but before he could turn around, he was interrupted by the middle-aged man:
"Zhuge Dalang, wait a minute."
"Uncle Wang, is there something wrong?"
"kindness."
The middle-aged man nodded, looking a little embarrassed, but he still hesitated and said: "Well... starting from tomorrow, my stall may have to be moved outside the city."
Zhuge Jin frowned slightly and couldn't help but be curious: "Uncle Wang, what are you..."
The middle-aged man smiled lightly and said softly: "Isn't the imperial court organizing people to open up wasteland? Everyone is very excited, and there are fewer people in the city, so my stall has to be moved outside the city."
"However, don't worry, Zhuge Dalang. Even if you move outside the city, it won't be too far from the city. If you still like the food cooked by Uncle Wang, just take a few more steps and you'll be there."
Zhuge Jin looked back at the endless flow of people on the street.
Distinguish carefully...
The number of common people in ordinary farmhouses is almost half less, and the number of small vendors doing business on the streets seems to be much less than yesterday. Most of the people walking on the streets are waiters running errands, and children of wealthy families in the city.
"More than half of my family's farmland this year has not been rented out."
"I heard that the imperial court has a high-tube transfer car, which can guarantee the filling."
"You must not cause trouble. The newly appointed county magistrate is a ruthless character."
"That's not true! He actually beat the young master of the Li family who was causing trouble to half to death."
"I heard that they have all signed a farming production responsibility letter, and they still need to be assessed. If they fail to complete it, they will be demoted."
"Farming production responsibility letter? Is this true?"
"..."
Listening to the discussions of people around him, Zhuge Jin felt the changes in Yangdu County.
He turned around and stared blankly at the middle-aged man: "Uncle Wang, has our Yangdu County changed its magistrate?"
The middle-aged man nodded: "Well, just three days ago, it seemed that he failed the assessment and was dismissed on the spot. The next day, the new county magistrate took office. I heard that he was sent directly from Nanyang. He acted vigorously and resolutely. It was really different.
.”
"Look..."
Speaking of this, the middle-aged man pointed at the people on the street and said softly: "Where are there any farmers in this city? They have all been dragged outside the city to open up wasteland."
"So, Zhuge Dalang, it's not that Uncle Wang doesn't want to be in the city, it's because he has no choice but to move the stall outside the city, not far from the newly opened Xiangxu."
"Children go to school there every day. There are more people there, and the business is definitely better than in the city. As you know, my stall was originally used to provide breakfast for people who come to the city to sell goods. Rich people don't eat my food.
.”
Zhuge Jin frowned: "Xianxu?"
The middle-aged man nodded: "Yes, the imperial court has assigned filial piety teachers to villages and villages to teach children under ten years old. The common people are also busy clearing land and can't take care of them, so they send them here to learn and read.
"
"It's interesting."
A glimmer of light bloomed in Zhuge Jin's dry and dim eyes.
The middle-aged man said softly: "Zhuge Dalang, your second and third sons seem to be able to go to school. You can send them to Xiangxu so that they can learn something."
Zhuge Jin shook his head: "Let's forget it. Erlang and Sanlang have been studying since they were young. I'm afraid they have already learned the things in Xiangxu. It's not suitable for them."
"Hey young—!"
Not only was the middle-aged man not disappointed, he was actually a little surprised: "The relationship is great. Yesterday Xiang Xu issued an announcement that those under the age of fifteen can become the disciples of the emperor if they pass the imperial examination."
"Dalang!"
The middle-aged man was very excited: "You can definitely let Erlang and Sanlang give it a try. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you pass Master Xiaojing's preliminary examination, not only will the travel expenses be waived, but you will also receive a reward of one hundred guan."
However......
Zhuge Jin was not very interested in this.
He just waved his hand, said "we'll discuss it further", and left with the basket in hand.
But before Zhuge Jin had gone far, a voice rang out from the bookstore on the street: "Sponsored by the imperial court and hosted by the great scholars Lu Zhi, Sima Hui, Zheng Xuan and others, the first edition of the latest Five Classics textbooks has arrived at the store."
"This book is the standard of the Five Classics for the imperial examinations. It contains Lu Zhi, Sima Hui, Zheng Xuan and other great scholars, as well as the annotations of his Majesty. It is a paper book that is of high quality and low price."
"..."
Huh?
Zhuge Jin suddenly paused.
Although he had observed filial piety for two years, the names of Lu Zhi, Sima Hui, and Zheng Xuan were as loud as thunder.
Even he has only heard of such a person, but has never seen it.
It is unimaginable that the top contemporary Confucian scholars could gather together to annotate the Five Classics together, and these are paper books, which are simply priceless treasures.
Subconsciously.
Zhuge Jin stopped and turned to look at the bookstore. After only two breaths, a man in brocade clothes came forward with a smile on his face:
"Isn't this the eldest son of the Zhuge family? How about going in and taking a look. Although the newly published books by the imperial court this year are only the first draft, they have been recognized by many great scholars."
"There are currently less than 500 sets in Xuzhou, and we in Langya have less than 50 sets. In Yangdu County, my bookstore only has three sets. Once they are sold out, they may be out of print."
"You must know that the imperial court holds a debate every year, convening ancient and modern classics scholars from all over the world to gather in the Yutang Hall and conduct discussions for at least four months before publishing this edition."
"..."
Listening to the book storekeeper's lotus-tongued introduction, Zhuge Jin entered the book store by mistake, put the basket aside, picked up the newly bound "The Legend of Confucian Confucianism in the Spring and Autumn Period", and slowly touched the surface of the paper, feeling the soft skin-like touch.
.
The quality of this paper alone can be regarded as a priceless treasure, not to mention that it is compiled by gathering the essence of great scholars from all over the world and integrating the essence of ancient and modern times.
Turning over two pages at random, there are indeed Sima Hui's annotations on them. The content clearly integrates ancient and modern essentials, and is interpreted from an extremely objective perspective to interpret "Spring and Autumn".
"Wonderful!"
Zhuge Jin's eyes shone and he couldn't help but praise him.
Then, he casually turned over two pages. This time, it was the annotations of the great scholar Zheng Xuan. It also integrated the essence of ancient and modern classics, and its analysis of "Spring and Autumn" was more profound than his own understanding.
“That’s great!”
Zhuge Jin couldn't put it down and was amazed.
Continuing to browse, there is an annotation signed by Liu Bian. Isn't this the Emperor of Nanyang?
Although Zhuge Jin had observed his filial piety for two years and kept his ears to the outside world, he still knew that His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang was the legitimate son of the late Emperor, the one who was deposed by Dong Zhuo.
Judging by your age, I guess you are not even old yet, yet you dare to annotate a subset of Classics and History together with Zheng Xuan, Sima Hui, Lu Zhi and others? How daring!
But......
When Zhuge Jin was halfway through reading, he was completely stunned.
He couldn't believe it!
His Majesty the current emperor's annotations on controversial issues among ancient and modern classics scholars are simply perfect.
Not only is the entry point unique, but it even contains the core ideas of ancient and modern classics. Zhuge Jin is able to perfectly integrate them and provide impartial annotations. Zhuge Jin is ashamed of himself for being so knowledgeable and talented.
“It doesn’t stick to the past or present, it’s truly unique!”
"this......"
Zhuge Jin's eyes sparkled, and he was immediately attracted in. His face was full of disbelief in capital letters: "Is this really His Majesty's comment?"
Just as Zhuge Jin was about to continue reading, he was interrupted by the shopkeeper who waved his hand, took back "The Biography of Confucian Confucians in the Spring and Autumn Period", closed it and put it back to its original place:
"Zhuge Dalang, don't blame me for being stingy. This set of books is the first edition, and the content is not very much. If you just keep reading, I won't be able to sell it."
"If you really like it, then buy it. The price is not too expensive. Five hundred guan. The paper itself is more than 500 guan. What's more, the content was revised by all the great scholars."
"Five hundred strings?"
Zhuge Jin was surprised.
This price is indeed much cheaper than I imagined.
After all, the quality of this kind of paper is far better than the popular paper on the market. People are rushing to buy it, let alone 500 guan, 700 or 800 guan.
"That's right!"
The shopkeeper nodded with certainty: "I heard that His Majesty has revolutionized papermaking technology, which not only reduced the cost of papermaking, but also greatly improved the quality of paper."
"The price of this book is not set by me privately, but is a price unified by the imperial court. If you throw away various costs such as transportation, it will actually not make money at all."
"good!"
Zhuge Jin did not hesitate and nodded quickly: "Leave a set of this book for me. I will go home and get the money now."
The shopkeeper was overjoyed and patted his chest and promised: "Don't worry, Dalang Zhuge. Since you have spoken in person, I will keep this book for you and promise not to sell it to anyone else."
Zhuge Jin picked up the blue frame and hurried back to his mansion.
Just in time, he ran into Erlang Zhuge Liang: "Brother, are you going to buy breakfast again?"
Zhuge Jin handed the blue frame to his younger brother: "Where is uncle?"
Zhuge Liang looked back at the inner courtyard: "It should be in the side hall."
"good."
Zhuge Jin hurried towards the inner courtyard and went straight to the side hall.
As expected.
My uncle Zhuge Xuan was sitting on his knees in front of the spiritual tablet, with a leisurely look on his face: "Is Da Lang back?"
Zhuge Jin breathed a sigh of relief, walked forward slowly, and knelt down as well: "Well, I'm back."
Zhu Ge
"Uncle, don't worry, my nephew will never do it again."
"Okay! Let's go have breakfast."
"uncle!"
Just when Zhuge Xuan was about to stand up and leave, Zhuge Jin interrupted, stood up and handed over his hands: "Uncle, now the imperial court has gathered Zheng Xuan, Sima Hui, Lu Zhi and other great scholars to annotate the Five Classics together. The whole set of paper books only costs 500 pieces."
"kindness?"
Zhuge Xuan was stunned for a moment: "What did you say? Paper books are only five hundred strings?"
Zhuge Jin nodded: "That's right! Not only is the paper quality excellent, but the content is also compiled by many eminent scholars. Each annotation is a fusion of the essence of ancient and modern scriptures. It is truly a unique book from ancient times."
"My nephew wants to..."
Zhuge Jin took a deep breath and finally made up his mind: "My nephew wants to buy a set for his second brother, third brother, and two younger sisters to study together."
"Can."
Zhuge Xuan agreed without hesitation: "At your age, you should be studying. How can you give up this opportunity? Let the shopkeeper deliver the books, and the accountant can pay directly."
Zhuge Jin was overjoyed: "Thank you uncle, my nephew will do it now."
"Don't worry, use it first..."
Before the word breakfast was uttered, Zhuge Jin had already left the side hall and disappeared from sight: "This kid is exactly like his father, he is a bookworm."
Zhu Ge
"Yesterday the imperial court issued an announcement that young talents from all over the world will be gathered in Nanyang to be taught by Zheng Xuan, Sima Hui, Lu Zhi, and His Majesty the Emperor himself. This is a God-given opportunity."
"Although the children's filial piety period is not over yet, I still want to take them to move to Nanyang, seize this opportunity, and try to get Erlang and Sanlang into the juvenile genius class."
"certainly!"
Zhuge Xuan sighed and continued: "In addition, there is another most important reason. Now the imperial court is sending troops to Xuzhou. On the surface, it is to help defend Liu Dai, but in fact, the target must be Zang Ba."
"If my guess is correct, it is very likely that there will be a war in Langya this year or next year. If the children are harmed, the gain will outweigh the loss."
*****
Hanoi, Wen County.
Sima family.
Sima Yi held the letter from his brother, read it carefully, and smiled: "Genius class? Lu Zhi, Sima Hui, and Zheng Xuan just returned to their own country. They are all Confucian scholars in the world."
"But His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang, what does it matter?"
Sima Yi put down the letter and shook his head disdainfully, not taking His Majesty the Emperor seriously at all: "He is only two years older than me, why should he be my teacher, Sima Yi?"
"that is!"
Sima Fu, the young man opposite, said proudly: "Second brother is very talented and proficient in hundreds of schools of thought. A scholar in his forties or fifties would not dare to look down on him, let alone His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang."
"Second brother!"
Sima Kui on the side was holding "The Legend of Confucianism in the Spring and Autumn Period" in his hand, his eyes suddenly brightening.
He raised his eyes and looked at Sima Yi across from him: "If it were said that His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang can solve problems that you cannot solve, would you be convinced?"
Sima Yi glanced at his fourth brother Sima Kui and smiled: "Fourth brother, are you kidding me? Can His Majesty the Emperor Nanyang solve the problem that I, my second brother, can't solve?"
"that is!"
Sima Fu came closer and looked at Sima Kui with great interest: "Fourth brother, are you going to talk about the issue that the second brother debated with the lecturer some time ago?"
"kindness!"
Sima Kui nodded: "Yes! That's exactly the problem."
Sima Fu shook his head and sneered: "Even a lecture can't solve that problem, let alone His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang. It is said that even Mr. Zheng avoids talking about that problem. I'm afraid no one in the world can solve it."
"That's right!"
Sima Yi nodded affirmatively: "The ancient and modern scriptures have completely different and almost opposite explanations on this point. Mr. Zheng devoted himself to annotating it, but he couldn't even convince himself."
"And He Xiu's annotation is completely nonsense. Even I, Sima Yi, can find loopholes, let alone the great scholars in the world. If they want to solve such a problem, unless Confucius is alive and can personally explain it."
However, Sima Kui handed the "Chun Qiu Hong Ru Zhuan" to him: "Second brother, if you don't believe me, read it yourself. This is a book sent back to you by eldest brother. It contains the annotations of His Majesty the Emperor."
"oh?"
Sima Yi was stunned.
Sima Fu was even more stunned.
Both of their eyes were focused on the books.
After a long time, they all gasped, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Sima Yi was stunned for a long time and said in disbelief: "This explanation seems to make sense!"
Sima Fu was astonished and kept nodding his head in praise: "Not only does it have a certain truth, it cuts to the root of the problem from a unique perspective and integrates the essentials of ancient and modern scriptures. How can I make annotations unless I have read Confucianism thoroughly?"
"Bring it!"
Sima Yi took the "Chun Qiu Hong Confucian Biography" and read it carefully for a long time.
Even if he thought about it repeatedly according to the idea of annotation, trying to find loopholes in it, he couldn't refute it. It was simply impeccable.
Wow!
Sima Yi turned to the next question.
I found His Majesty the Emperor's annotation again: "Second brother, isn't this your previous annotation on the Spring and Autumn Annals? It seems that there is still a certain gap compared to His Majesty the Emperor's annotation."
"this......"
Sima Yi had a look of disbelief on his face. He stared at the words on the book and couldn't calm down for a long time.
You know, Sima Yi's annotations are controversial points in ancient and modern classics today. He has always been proud of them, feeling that he has mastered the essence of ancient and modern classics.
But now!
Right now!
Sima Yi's annotations actually seemed so childish in front of His Majesty the Emperor's annotations, as if one was a grand theory above the Nine Heavens, and the other was a self-deprecating comment below the Nine Earths.
The two are really very different and cannot be mentioned in the same breath.
"Third brother, I will serve you with pen and ink."
Sima Yi immediately threw himself into it and his expression suddenly changed.
"Here."
Sima Fu responded, hurriedly pushing the pen and ink in front of Sima Yi, and neatly arranging the bamboo slips: "Second brother, it is ready and can be copied at any time."
"good."
Sima Yi picked up his pen, copied out His Majesty the Emperor's annotations, and handed them to Sima Kui: "Fourth brother, please find the original texts of these annotations, as well as the annotations of relevant people, and organize and file them."
Sima Kui knew that his second brother's unwillingness to admit defeat had already surged up. He immediately nodded and said, "Don't worry, just leave it to my brother. I guarantee that one chapter will be correct and everything will be prepared."
"Thanks for your hard work."
After Sima Yi expressed his thanks, he immediately continued copying.
Two hours!
It took a full two hours.
Sima Yi then copied all the annotations written by His Majesty the Nanyang Emperor.
At this moment, Sima Kui and Sima Fu also found all the famous people with the same annotations.
Sima Kui couldn't help but marvel: "Second brother, take a closer look. The annotations made by His Majesty the Emperor are all controversial points in the ancient and modern schools of classical literature."
"And His Majesty the Emperor's annotations are a fusion of the essence of ancient and modern classical schools. It can be said to be the combination of two schools of thought, and it can be said to be impeccable!"
“It’s incredible!”
Sima Kui held the "Spring and Autumn Confucian Biography" in his hand, with admiration in his eyes: "How could he have reached this level if he were not a Confucian scholar who is proficient in ancient and modern classics."
"Second brother!"
Sima Kui said with great solemnity: "If my brother guessed correctly, His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang is not inferior to Lu Zhi, Sima Hui and others in terms of Confucian attainments, and is even better."
"That's right!"
Even Sima Fu on the side couldn't help but sigh: "Fourth brother's words are reasonable. His Majesty the Emperor made certain notes that even Mr. Zheng would avoid and dare not try easily."
"But His Majesty's annotations are all fused with the essence of ancient and modern scriptures, which can convince Confucian scholars all over the world. No wonder this set of textbooks will be the standard for selecting scholars."
"Second brother!"
Sima Fu took a long breath and reluctantly admitted: "Compared with His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang, you are really no match. He can be your lecturer, which is more than enough."
"kindness!"
Sima Kui nodded: "I heard that His Majesty the Emperor of Nanyang has had a photographic memory since he was a child, and has the ability to memorize extensive information. Moreover, he has read tens of thousands of volumes of books in the imperial court. Although he is young, he is proficient in hundreds of schools of thought."
"This can be seen from the examination questions set by His Majesty the Emperor. From the collection of classics and history, to the study of things, arithmetic, Han rules, flowers, birds, fish and insects, etc., how can we do this if we are not proficient in hundreds of schools of thought?"
Sima Yi held the "Spring and Autumn Confucian Biography" for a long time, and finally exhaled and said righteously: "Let's go home, pack our luggage, and set off for Nanyang tomorrow to sign up for the young genius class!"
"ah?"
Sima Kui and Sima Fu were both stunned: "Second brother, have you decided now?"
Sima Yi raised his head and said: "Your Majesty is far more talented and knowledgeable than me, why shouldn't I learn from him? I despise him when he is older but has no talent and learning; I respect him when he is young but is skilled in hundreds of schools of thought!"