About Cao Cao's reincarnation as the emperor's uncle

Chapter 14: Discussing the Sutra and Forming a Fellow Disciple

After Liu Fang helped Huangfu Gui lie back on the couch, Huangfu Gui began to cough rhythmically.

Suddenly, the sound of boots was heard as regular as war drums, and the Huangfu disciples waiting outside the door came in one after another.

The strides of the front and back are consistent, and there is order of seniority, all walking like dragons and tigers.

The leader had a slightly hunched back but had the majesty of a mountain. He was none other than Huangfu Jie, the retired governor of Yanmen and the father of Huangfu Song.

The next one is Huangfu Song.

Later, there were brothers of the same generation as Huangfu Song, as well as young children such as Huangfu Jianshou, the son of Huangfu Song, and Huangfu Li.

Everyone stood with their chests puffed out and their heads held high, without a single noise, fully displaying the demeanor of a general.

After all the figures, big and small, had settled down, they faced Liu Fang, who was standing in front of the bed holding the imperial edict, and prostrated themselves on the ground in salute.

Even though Liu Fang had lived two lives and had eighty years of experience, he could not control his excited mood at this moment.

In his previous life, he also laughed at Liu Xuande who cried out the great cause of Western Shu, but this time, he seemed to have an epiphany.

Because every tear he just shed was genuine.

Technique is certainly important.

However, great sounds are silent, and great images are invisible.

At this point, the righteous cause has been achieved and it is time to win the hearts of the people.

……

Liu Fang was about to speak when he saw Huangfu Jie, with frosty hair, rush forward three steps, his pale face full of shame:

"Please forgive me, Lord Yuan Yi. I have offended you before."

After saying this, Huangfu Jie flicked his sleeves and stepped aside to make way.

Xu Feng, with a look of disdain on his face, strode out of the crowd with his head held high and stood beside Liu Fang. Before leaving, he did not forget to glare at Huangfu Song.

Huangfu Song's lips twitched slightly, and he coughed lightly. He followed Xu Feng's steps and bowed with his sleeves lowered when he was three steps away from Liu Fang.

"Duke Yuan Yi..."

Huangfu Song was about to greet him when Liu Fang hurriedly interrupted him.

In terms of age, the two seem to be of the same generation.

But in his heart, Huangfu Song had helped him and taught him in his previous life, and with his talent and virtue, he was truly an elder-like figure. How could he dare to accept such a great gift?
Liu Fang then took Huangfu Song's arms before he could bow, and said earnestly:

"We are all Han men, why should we care about such trivial matters?"

"From now on... the safety of the Han border will depend on Yizhen."

At this time, although Huangfu Song had been selected as a filial and honest official and a talented person, he had not yet taken up the post because his uncle was seriously ill.

But Huangfu Song was always concerned about the current situation and kept an eye on world affairs even when he was at home.

Especially as the successor of the Huangfu family, he had started to get involved in local defense and study tactics since he was a teenager.

For example, in response to the strong mobility of the Qiang cavalry, he created the "chariot array and horse-barricade" technique:
To put it simply, chariots were used to form a defensive circle, with crossbowmen and spearmen inside on full alert. In this way, even if the Qiang cavalry came with great momentum, the power of the charge could be effectively restrained.

This tactic was later improved by him into the "fire attack chariot formation" in the Battle of Changsha, which became the key to defeating the Yellow Turban Army.

According to the original trajectory, Huangfu Song would not be transferred to the post of prefect of Beidi until the third year of Guanghe, that is, six years later.

But after this, and with Liu Fang's intention to mediate, he should be able to serve at the border soon in this life and fulfill his ambition to serve his country.

……

When Huangfu Song stood outside the door, his blood boiled and his respect rose when he heard Liu Fang's heartfelt words.

After pushing the door open, he already felt apologetic, but now he saw the burning sincerity in Liu Fang's eyes and the words Liu Fang said.

The general's eyes instantly turned red. He took three steps back, threw his robe away, and slammed his knees to the ground.

"Although Song has not accomplished anything, the heavens are my witness, the sun and the moon are my witnesses! I swear here that I will never let down the great man, nor the trust placed in me by you!"

Although the two brothers Huangfu Gui and Huangfu Jie, who were at the two ends, did not say much at this moment, their sincere hearts were evident on their faces.

Suddenly, a childish voice was heard, and all the children of the Huangfu family imitated adults and knelt behind Huangfu Song:
"...Heaven is my witness! The sun and the moon are my witnesses! I will live up to the great man and the trust placed in me by you!"

Liu Fang, who had been trying to calm down, suddenly laughed out loud. However, no matter how high he raised his head, he couldn't stop the hot tears from sliding down his cheeks.

"If everyone in the world were like Huangfu, why would our Han Dynasty not prosper? Our Han Dynasty! Why would we not prosper!"

Xu Feng glanced at Liu Fang, not knowing what he was thinking about. A rare smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. When he looked at Huangfu Song again, his eyes had become friendly.

Then, he pulled the Han sword that had been hanging in front of him and threw it behind him.

He strode to Huangfu Song's side and pulled him up from the ground.

Then he leaned over, touched Huangfu Jianshou's head, turned back to look at Huangfu Song, nodded his chin, and said:
"Ru, not bad."

After saying this, while Huangfu Song was still a little confused, he turned around and returned to Liu Fang's side.

The originally solemn atmosphere suddenly became somewhat joyful.

Huangfu Gui, who was lying on the couch, and Huangfu Jie, who was on the other side, smiled at each other.

Liu Fang smiled and patted Xu Feng's shoulder, and Huangfu Song tilted his head slightly to look at Xu Feng and couldn't help laughing.

Perhaps Xu Feng's behavior seemed a bit excessive, but for the people present, Xu Feng's childlike behavior just matched the childlike aspirations in everyone's hearts at the moment.

Huangfu Gui, who originally looked old-fashioned, became more energetic like a dead tree coming back to life in spring.

Even his voice seemed more powerful, he asked in a deep voice:
"Duke Yuan Yi said there were three questions. I wonder what the third question is..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Fang rubbed his hands and said somewhat embarrassedly:

"This... is a private matter."

Huangfu Gui couldn't help but laugh when he saw Liu Fang, who had been so righteous just now, showing such an expression:

"Your Excellency Yuan Yi, please feel free to speak."

To be honest, ever since he talked with Liu Fang just now, Huangfu Gui often had the illusion that there was a soul of the same age as himself hidden under the face of this young man.

Seeing Liu Fang's expression at this moment, he came back to his senses. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart, how lucky the Han Dynasty is to have such heroes appear in every generation...

Liu Fang had no idea that what Huangfu Gui was thinking would be infinitely close to the truth, so he just bowed and said:
"I have long heard that Lord Weiming is well versed in the Five Classics, and that his virtue is highly respected. His teachings are universal, like the Big Dipper illuminating the world. I, as a young man, long to be like him."

"Fang Bumin, from a young age, has loved classics, but his talent and learning are limited, and he often has trouble understanding the profound meanings of poetry and books."

"I haven't prepared any gifts yet, yet you rashly bring up this matter."

Before he could finish his words, Huangfu Jie raised his hand and interrupted Liu Fang on behalf of Huangfu Gui.

"Lord Yuan Yi must never say such a thing!"

Huangfu Gui also followed suit and continued:

"My brother is absolutely right. If Lord Yuan Yi were to behave like this, it would be truly humiliating to me..."

"Regardless of the high status of Yuan Yigong, or the righteous deeds he performed."

"I know my time is running out. Firstly, I have nothing to teach Master Yuan Yi, and secondly, I am not qualified to accept Master Yuan Yi as my disciple."

Seeing the two elders' continuous humility, Liu Fang no longer hesitated. He took two steps back, straightened his clothes, and bowed to the ground in ancient etiquette: "Thank you for your kind words, Lord Wei Ming. As a relative of the Han Dynasty, it is my duty to uphold justice. It is not worth mentioning..."

"However, when it comes to the disasters and anomalies of the Spring and Autumn Period and the military and criminal law of the Zhou Dynasty, it is like a blind man touching an elephant."

"I am now bold enough to ask for your help, not for the title of a teacher, but for a solution to my doubts."

To be honest, in his previous life he not only understood classics, but was also a practitioner who read widely and put his knowledge of classics into practice.

The Han Dynasty system used "filial piety and integrity" and "knowledge of classics" as criteria for selecting officials. He was selected as a Lang because of his filial piety and integrity when he was still a young man. This meant that at that time, his knowledge of classics had at least reached the qualifying level for a scholar.

Not to mention the decades of accumulation that followed, and his love of poetry, which inevitably involved quoting classics, and he, after all, boasted of being even more accomplished than Zhou Gong...

Huangfu Gui, seeing Liu Fang's great respect and sincere words, also felt the urge to preach:

"What is it that confuses Lord Yuan Yi? Could you please tell me?"

"Lord Weiming is not feeling well, I shouldn't have bothered you..."

Liu Fang stood up and said in a deep voice:
"I just read the idea in Duke Weiming's 'Memorial to Resign' that 'appointments should focus on actual performance,' and it coincides with my confusion when studying 'Duke Zhuang's Pian,' so I dare to express my humble opinion."

Huangfu Gui, who was originally half-leaning on the sickbed, actually forced himself to sit up straight after hearing this, and a sharp light flashed in his cloudy eyes:
"Appreciate further details."

Liu Fang paced around the room with his hands behind his back, his tone calm and steady:

"Everyone blames Duke Zhuang for 'ridiculing his teachings', but when we read the Zuo Zhuan, which records 'the uncle gathered his troops and repaired their armor and weapons', we know that Duke Zhuang was actually waiting for his own death."

"This isn't a failure of teaching, but a failure of 'measure'. The Zhou Dynasty moved eastward, and Zheng became a vassal within the capital. If Gong Shuduan were executed early, it might have set off a wave of patriarchal genocide among other nations."

"However, even though he rose to such prominence as 'conquering Duan in Yan', he was still condemned in the Spring and Autumn Annals..."

His voice stopped abruptly, and he suddenly pointed to the map of Liangzhou hanging on the wall:
"This is very similar to the treatment of the Qiang during the reign of Duke Weiming during the reign of Yanxi. Initially, they did not rush to exterminate them, but instead used military farms to lure the Shendi tribes into submission, and then pacified them when their energy weakened. This is a true understanding of the art of 'timing' and 'measurement'."

Huangfu Gui's pupils shrank slightly. Liu Fang actually recalled the past events of building fortifications and cultivating land in the Huangzhong Valley with the help of scriptures.

He struggled to stand up halfway and coughed a few times:
"The Zuo Chronicle emphasizes rituals and rituals, and therefore criticizes 'the loss of teachings'. The Gongyang Commentary talks about 'great unification', and therefore values ​​the practice of the king's influence."

"Yuan Yigong used 'degree' to explain 'time', which is in line with the meaning of 'change and adapt to the four seasons' in the Book of Changes."

Liu Fang picked up the fragments on the table and his fingertips passed over the three words "Great Unification":
"I believe this 'unification' is not just about territory, but also about people's hearts."

"When Emperor Guangwu established his throne, he first won the hearts of the bronze horse soldiers and then implemented the land measurement system, which is a perfect example of the saying 'a king has no outsiders.'"

"Today, the powerful and wealthy are occupying land beyond the law. 'The people are resentful and bitter, weeping and wailing, truly worrying the gods and moving the will of Heaven. The root of this disaster is the fault of the officials.'" (Note: A quote from Huangfu Gui's close friend Wang Fu's "Qianfu Lun"). If we only adhere to the old interpretation of 'the king has no outsiders' and fail to implement the practical measures of 'regulating the people's property', what difference is there between us and Duke Zhuang of Zhou indulging his brother?"

Huangfu Gui suddenly tapped the bed with his fingers:
"How can you not be practical! Today's selection process often selects people with high moral character but no knowledge of government affairs. This is far from the original meaning of 'Ming Jing'!"

Liu Fang took the remaining scroll from the case and came forward:
"Lord Wei Ming, please see that Wang Jing managed the river by 'establishing a water gate every ten miles to allow the water to flow back and forth.' This is the flexible approach of 'draining rather than blocking.'"

"I believe that governing officials should also be done in this way: strict laws and punishments are like building a dam, while light taxes and levies are like guiding a clear stream; neither can be neglected."

Huangfu Gui started coughing violently, but waved his hand to signal that there was no need to interrupt.

Liu Fang took another step forward and lowered his voice:

"As Lord Jiexin (Wang Fu) said, a country is based on its people, and the noble are based on the humble..."

Huangfu Gui struggled to sit up straight and slowly stroked his beard:
"If this is the case, how can the roots and the branches be able to support each other? How can the people not suffer from hunger and cold? If hunger and cold come together, how can they not do evil?"

"Duke Yuan Yi interpreted 'great unification' as 'unification of the people's hearts,' which aligns perfectly with the principle of kingly rule in the Rites of Zhou: 'to bring peace through custom and to teach moderation through punishment.' But it's easier said than done..."

Liu Fang was silent for a moment, then suddenly he sighed:
"The Gongyang Sutra says, 'A king must change the era name and establish a title.' This doesn't mean changing the era name, but changing people's hearts..."

There was a moment of silence. Huangfu Jie looked at his brother's pale face and saw that his eyes were getting hotter and hotter.

Huangfu Gui looked at the fragments of paper on the desk and suddenly coughed until his face flushed.
"Back in Huangzhong, I taught the Qiang people to read the Book of Filial Piety. Today in Luoyang, you teach me to read the human heart, Lord Yuan Yi..."

He took a deep breath, his eyes burning:
"Although this old man's sickbed is small, I want to test it this time to see if it can accommodate the great cause of Yuan Yigong."

Upon hearing this, Liu Fang bowed deeply to the ground.

Huangfu Gui suddenly smiled with relief, his eyes full of admiration:
"I have studied Zuo Zhuan for many years, and only today have I come to understand the beauty of 'The Six Classics Annotated by Me'. Since this is the case, I have no reason to refuse..."

After saying this, he forced himself to stand up halfway despite his illness and gave Liu Fang a half-salute:
"I have no talent for accepting disciples, but I can perform the ceremony of accepting disciples on behalf of my master. If Master Yuan Yi does not mind, how about we become fellow disciples?"

After he finished speaking, he used his fingers as a pen to draw two parallel lines of ink on the desk, which exactly meant "studying together with peers".

Liu Fang looked at the two ink marks and suddenly remembered what Huangfu Song said in his previous life: although Huangfu Gui was a great scholar, he had no master.

Yes, the Huangfu family since Huangfu Gui were all generals at the border, and were known as vulgar people, and were never liked by the Confucian scholar families.

By the time Huangfu Gui achieved success and fame, he was already over fifty years old. No one could worship him when he was young, and no one could worship him when he was old.

Suddenly he realized that this was a step specially paved for him by the old general, which not only fulfilled his sincerity in becoming his disciple, but also avoided the barriers of seniority.

His throat felt hot, and when he bowed again, he changed to the greeting of peers:

"Since I have been accepted as a fellow disciple by the Master, I shall serve you with due respect as a disciple."

"Absolutely not!"

Huangfu Gui suddenly grabbed his wrist. Although his palm was thin, it still had calluses from years of holding the sword.

His breath was short, but his eyes were shining brightly:

"I am accepting a disciple on behalf of my master today because I am moved by the righteousness of Lord Yuan Yi!"

Before he could finish his words, he began to cough violently, and his pale face flushed with a sickly color.

He forced himself to look at Huangfu Jie for help and said in a hoarse voice:
"Quickly send the young men of the clan to spread this matter to the students!"

Huangfu Jie's eyes were already red. He understood that his brother was using his last bit of strength to pave the way for the great uncle of the Han Dynasty. He immediately said in a loud voice:
"Yizhen, Su sent fast horses for six hundred miles to the Lu family in Zhuojun, the Zheng family in Beihai, and the Cai family in Chenliu..."

"Each of you should send a visiting card, stating that Lord Weiming is accepting a disciple on behalf of the master, and that the new fellow disciple, Lord Liu Yuanyi, will go to the Imperial College to observe the ceremony during the Autumnal Equinox."

……

Liu Fang looked at Huangfu Gui, who was dozing on the couch leaning on a brocade cushion. The old man still had a smile on his face, as if he was still immersed in the aftertaste of the discussion just now.

He felt a bit of self-mockery in his heart. He had no chance to meet this man in his previous life. In this life, he wanted to plot against him, but he never thought...

The so-called plan to win over the heart of the Huangfu family was actually won over by this man and the Huangfu family.

Whether it was Huangfu Gui or Huangfu Jie, how could they not know that his so-called "resolving doubts and asking questions" was just an excuse...

But they were all willing to pave the way for him, the emperor's uncle.

Huangfu Gui was a close friend of Ma Rong, Wang Fu, and other great scholars such as Hu Guang, who was Cai Yong's teacher. However, Ma Rong had some conflicts with Huangfu Gui in his later years due to their different political views.

As for Liu Fang, Huangfu Gui's move...

Even Zheng Xuan, Lu Zhi and Cai Yong, who would later become famous throughout the world, did not have to treat Liu Fang as a disciple, but in terms of seniority, they were still half a head shorter than him.

Everyone knows that Huangfu Gui has a unique style of studying. He is not bound by any particular teacher and is good at "applying knowledge to practical use".

He used the essence of Confucianism to discuss military and political affairs, and used the wonderful principles of military strategy to explain the meaning of the classics. He and others shared the same ideals.

When the two talked, every word they spoke was filled with a sense of mutual respect.

I can only sigh that we met too late.

Liu Fang looked at Huangfu Gui, whose breath was gradually weakening on the couch.

Even though I regret that this gentleman is about to pass away and feel grateful for his help, there is still one thing I must do...

(End of this chapter)