Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 98 Liu Bei's Bonds, Fa Zheng's Youthful Arrogance (Please follow and vote!)
Fa Yan felt humiliated after being sharply refuted by Fa Zheng.

Although he was Fazhen's son, Fayan lacked talent and comprehension, and he favored Confucianism while despising other schools of thought, resulting in a significant limitation in his thinking.

Fazheng's talent and comprehension surpassed Fayan's, and he understood why his grandfather Fazhen was so accomplished in the classics of the Hundred Schools of Thought and the study of prophecies and apocryphal texts.

Confucianism also distinguishes between gentlemen and petty men.

A virtuous scholar is loyal to the emperor and loves his country, upholds righteousness and abhors evil, benefits his contemporaries and leaves a lasting name for posterity.

The petty scholar is only interested in trivial matters, specializing in calligraphy and painting, composing poems in his youth and studying classics until his hair turns white.

Under Fazhen's guidance, Fazheng understood the principle of applying what he learned very early on: as long as it could benefit his contemporaries and leave a lasting legacy, the classics of various schools of thought and the study of prophecies and apocryphal texts could all be integrated into Confucianism.

The so-called Confucianism is just a shell; people wear the Confucian skin because the secular world needs Confucianism.

Among the various classical texts, Fazheng particularly favored Legalist and Military Classics.

With Confucianism as its skin, Legalism as its bone, and military strategy as its core, it is not bound by common sense or social etiquette. It speaks the truth when it is appropriate, and rolls up its sleeves and gets to work when it is not.

This is the principle that Fazheng learned from his grandfather, Fazhen.

However, Fa Yan did not agree with this reasoning. He asked with a stern face, "Then tell me, why are you so sure that Governor Liu can pacify the Three Auxiliary Regions? If you are just talking without any evidence, then go back to your room and study. Don't go out and cause trouble."

Fa Zheng, undeterred, proudly declared: "In the past, governors could only oversee one prefecture. They had neither the power to mobilize troops nor the power to govern. Even if they witnessed local officials colluding with powerful bandits to break the law, they had to report to the court first. Then the court would send a special envoy to the prefecture to investigate. Only after the investigation was completed would they arrest and punish the offenders. It seemed that the court was upholding justice, but in reality, it was condoning illegality."

"But things are different now. The governor controls the military and politics of a province. He can make all decisions without consulting the court. What the prefect dares to do, the governor dares to do; what the prefect dares not do, the governor also dares to do. The emperor has granted him special permission to act first and report later. That is what a governor is."

"I have also heard that Prefect Liu was once a colonel of the Western Garden Army, and this time he has brought two thousand Western Garden Army soldiers from Luoyang to garrison Chang'an. The Western Garden Army is the emperor's personal army and also Prefect Liu's old troops. Looking at the entire Guanzhong region, apart from General Huangfu Song's troops in Fufeng County, who can rival them? Which of the local bandits can withstand them?"

"In terms of power, Governor Liu has rectified officialdom in accordance with the law; in terms of military strength, the Western Garden Army is brave and skilled in battle, who can rival them? How can they not pacify the Three Auxiliary Regions?"

Fa Yan's expression changed, and for a moment he couldn't find a point of view to refute Fa Zheng.

The policy of changing the history of the emperor and establishing the governorship has been in effect for a year. News of Liu Yan's deeds in Hanzhong has also reached Fufeng. He first killed Su Gu, the governor of Hanzhong, and then killed more than a dozen powerful bandits, including Wang Xian and Li Quan, which made him a force to be reckoned with in Yizhou.

Liu Yan dared to act this way without bringing any troops into Yizhou. Liu Bei brought two thousand Xiyuan soldiers into Chang'an. How could his courage be any less than Liu Yan's?
But Fa Yan was not one to easily change his mind. Even if he couldn't find a reason to refute his son, he refused to bow his head before him and remained stern, saying:

"What you just said makes sense, but it doesn't solve the current problem. Even if we manage to eliminate the powerful bandits, I will surely be hated by others. How will I be able to maintain my position in Fufeng after that?"

It is said that no one knows a son better than his father, and vice versa.

Seeing Fa Yan's stubborn pride, Fa Zheng couldn't help but chuckle inwardly, then said, "Father, you are mistaken!"

“When Emperor Shun went west, he made four attempts to visit my grandfather but failed. My grandfather’s friend, Guo Gongzan, said: ‘His name can be heard, but his body is hard to see. He fled from fame but fame followed him, and avoided fame but fame pursued him. He can be called a teacher for all ages.’ So he had it engraved on a stone and was called ‘Master Xuande’ to commemorate my grandfather’s virtue.”

"Now, Lord Liu's courtesy name is 'Xuande,' which coincides with the honorific title of my late grandfather. This is no coincidence, but rather a destiny foretold by prophecies and apocryphal texts!"

“In the past, Guo Gong carved a stone to praise ‘Master Xuande’, saying ‘He avoided fame, yet I pursue it.’ Now, the name ‘Xuande’ has reached the Three Auxiliary Regions, just as the prophecy ‘fame follows virtue’ has come. My grandfather avoided fame, yet his name has been passed down for generations. Liu Shijun upholds ‘Xuande’ and raises an army of benevolence and righteousness. The names are passed down, and the will of Heaven is clear!”

"The prophecy says: 'When Xuande approaches the pass, chaos and filth will be purged.' Governor Liu wields the special authority granted by the emperor, commands the elite troops of the Western Garden, and bears the title of 'Xuande' (a title associated with virtue), and has come to cleanse the Three Auxiliary Regions."

"If Father uses the reputation of Grandfather 'Master Xuande' as a bond to help Lord Liu restore the Han Dynasty, it will not only be in accordance with the prophecies and the will of Heaven, but also an act of bringing glory to our family. The powerful and wicked will lose their courage in fear of the name 'Xuande,' and the common people will follow in the footsteps of our grandfather's virtues. Why worry about the difficulty of establishing a foothold?"

"This is to respond to 'Xuande' with 'Xuande,' and to continue the family's reputation with prophecies! Father, by helping him, you are carrying on your grandfather's legacy and acting in accordance with Heaven and the people!"

Fa Yan was stunned.

How can this be linked to prophecies and destiny?

My son, are you lying to me?

Although he had doubts, Fayan could not determine whether Fazheng was talking nonsense.

After all, Fayan's father, Fazhen, was quite accomplished in apocryphal texts, so it's not surprising that he passed on his knowledge to his grandson, Fazheng.

Speechless after being refuted by Fa Zheng, Fa Yan's face turned pale and then red, but he still kept a straight face and said, "Even so, I have never met Prefect Liu before, and I am not a famous scholar from Fufeng. How could Prefect Liu trust me and employ me? Moreover, I am currently observing mourning for my parents. How can I leave so easily? I can't expect Prefect Liu to come to Mei County to see me in person, can I?"

“This is easy!” Fa Zheng’s lips curled into a triumphant smile. “Father, you may write a letter, and I will take it to Chang’an to express your willingness to help.”

"You, you, you, you're going to Chang'an?" Fa Yan was even more shocked and rebuked him sharply: "Nonsense! Haven't you heard the saying, 'While parents are alive, one should not travel far'?"

Fa Zheng chuckled lightly, "Father, don't deceive me. The Analects says, 'While one's parents are alive, one should not travel far; if one must travel, one should have a fixed destination.' Besides, if I go to Chang'an, Father, you will be here alone to observe mourning, and you will not be coerced by powerful bandits. This is a win-win situation. Please consider it carefully!"

Fa Yan frowned, knowing that Fa Zheng was right: once a person loses his wife and children, he is no longer afraid of any threat.

Dare to use force? You'll only face death!

Who is Ke Fayan?
The son of the famous scholar Fazhen.

If Fa Zhen is forced to his death by the group of heroes during his mourning period, then those heroes can forget about ever staying in Fufeng again.

We are all prominent figures, so the rules that should be followed on the surface must still be observed.

Conversely, this is also why Fazheng wanted to go to Chang'an to seek Liu Bei's protection.

If Fa Yan refuses to step forward, these heroes are very likely to resort to any means necessary, such as killing Fa Zheng and framing the Xiyuan soldiers who are chasing thieves in Fufeng.

If that's the case, then regardless of who wins or loses, Fazheng has already lost.

People don't come back to life after they die; once they're dead, they're gone.

Over the years in Fufeng, Fazheng had witnessed the methods of powerful bandits seizing land and houses and forcibly seizing slaves and farmers, and he also knew the principle that one cannot stand firm without being ruthless.

Rather than being coerced by these powerful bandits and waiting to die, it's better to strike first and kill them.

Anyway, Fa Zheng has no uncles or brothers, and only his parents are at home now. He has nothing to lose; how could he be bullied by a group of powerful thieves?
"Let me think it over carefully."

This time, Fa Yan did not make things difficult for Fa Zheng. A scoundrel may appear to follow the rules on the surface, but he will not follow them in secret.

Fa Zheng didn't ask any more questions and went back to his room to pack his bags.

Regardless of whether Fa Yan agreed or not, Fa Zheng was determined to go to Chang'an.

Even if a thirteen-year-old boy is exceptionally intelligent, his strength is still inferior to that of an adult, and it would be too dangerous for him to stay in Mei County.

Seeing that Fa Yan still couldn't make up his mind, Fa Zheng sighed inwardly. He didn't wait for Fa Yan's letter anymore. After leaving a note saying he was going to Chang'an, he lied and said he was going out to gather firewood. Then he packed his bags and headed towards Mei County.

Fa Zheng learned from his neighbors who had returned yesterday that a troop of soldiers had arrived in Mei County. Fa Zheng guessed that this troop was the Xiyuan Army that had been chasing thieves in Fufeng County recently.

As long as he sees the Western Garden soldiers, Fa Zheng will have a way to follow them to Chang'an. In this way, he will not have to worry about the road guides or powerful bandits along the way, nor will he have to worry about powerful bandits playing dirty tricks.

Upon arriving in Mei County, Fa Zheng inquired about the situation of the newly arrived troops from the guards at the city gate.

As expected, it was the soldiers from Xiyuan who arrived.

The commander was a military officer named Zhou Cang, one of the eighty brave warriors Liu Bei brought to Luoyang from Hebei, and also one of the first twenty brave warriors to follow Guan Yu.

With his martial prowess and scholarly knowledge, he stood out among Guan Yu's twenty fierce warriors and was promoted from squad leader to military marshal.

Upon learning that Fa Zheng was going to Chang'an to visit Liu Bei and request to accompany him, Zhou Cang's expression became slightly strange.

Although he had encountered many scholars who wanted to visit Liu Bei in Chang'an along the way, Zhou Cang had never met anyone as young as Fa Zheng before.

“Military life is tough, not something a child like you can handle. Besides, I have to chase after thieves and don’t have time to take you to Chang’an. If you lack travel expenses, I can lend you some first, and you can hitch a ride with a merchant caravan.” Zhou Cang directly refused Fa Zheng’s offer to accompany him.

If Fa Zheng were a strong and healthy adult, Zhou Cang might have agreed; a young boy would only be a burden.

Zhou Cang's behavior surprised Fa Zheng. Although he refused the request to travel with him, Zhou Cang actually offered to lend Fa Zheng money so that he could hitch a ride with a caravan.

Are all the soldiers in Xiyuan Army this kind?

Fa Zheng became curious and asked, "Why does Marquis Zhou look down on me? Although I am young, I have been traveling through the mountains since I was a child and I am not a weak person."

Zhou Cang was slightly taken aback, then emphasized, "You little brat, you're so naive. I've already lent you money, why do you insist on coming with me? I've already told you, military life is tough, it's not something a kid like you can handle. I also have to chase thieves, I don't have time for this."

“As I said, I am not a weak person,” Fa Zheng emphasized. “Moreover, I am just a young man. If I hitch a ride with a caravan while carrying money, what if I encounter bandits on the way? How can I save my life? I have long heard that Prefect Liu is courteous to scholars. I am just a young man who admires Prefect Liu’s reputation and has taken the initiative to seek an audience with him. Isn’t this a good opportunity to make Prefect Liu famous? You are already a military commander. How can you not even understand this?”

Zhou Cang's eyes widened instantly: "You little brat, you're really quick-witted. Haven't you heard the saying, 'While parents are alive, one should not travel far; if one must travel, one should have a fixed destination'? I'll give you some money first, and after you go back and settle your parents, you can come back to find me, how about that?"

Fa Zheng was also shocked: This military officer was as strong as an ox, and it was obvious that he had been training his strength since childhood. He even read the Analects.
Upon catching a glimpse of the smile on Zhou Cang's lips, Fa Zheng immediately guessed what the other was thinking: Zhou Cang was trying to fool him; by the time he got home and came back, he probably wouldn't even be there anymore.

“Lord Zhou, you are mistaken. I have also read the Analects, and there is no such saying in the Analects.” Fa Zheng made up a story off the cuff.

Zhou Cang was taken aback: "Didn't you say that? That's impossible. That's what Guan Sima taught us."

After pondering for a moment, Zhou Cang discussed it with the soldiers behind him.

"It should be correct. This sentence comes from the Book of Li Ren, and it is followed by 'If a father does not change his way of father for three years, he may be called filial.'"

"That's right, it comes from here. When Liu Shijun was lecturing, he also mentioned that when parents don't need care, we should let them know that our destination is safe; when parents need care, we should have a way to settle them down."

"Has this boy never read the Analects? He's so young, he probably doesn't even know a few characters."

"Don't talk nonsense. Even if he is illiterate, we can't mock him. As Lord Liu said, there is no order of learning, and those who are accomplished can be our teachers. We can teach him."

"Who will teach? You or me?"

"I'll teach if I want; I also want to experience the joy of teaching people to read and write."

"Alright, I'm not letting you discuss this anymore. We still need to chase down the thieves. We don't have time to take care of this kid."

"."

Fa Zheng became increasingly alarmed as he listened. At first, Zhou Cang and the others were just confirming whether the Analects contained such a statement, but soon it became that Fa Zheng was illiterate and that someone else was eager to teach.

what's the situation?
Even soldiers in the Western Garden could discuss teaching people to read and write in the Analects?

After a while.

Zhou Cang turned to Fa Zheng, his eyes filled with sympathy: "Little boy, how about this, I'll give you more money, and you can find a teacher in the city to teach you to read and write. I think you're quite smart, you should learn faster than me."

Fa Zheng's eyes widened in disbelief as he pointed at himself: "I am Fa Zheng from Fufeng. My grandfather's name was Zhen, and he was a renowned scholar from Fufeng, known as 'Master Xuande'. How could I be illiterate?"

Zhou Cang looked at Fa Zheng again, and asked suspiciously, "Then how come you haven't even finished reading the Analects? Could it be that the Analects you read is different from the Analects I read?"

Fa Zheng sighed and then said seriously, "I admit that I was just making things up. Lord Zhou, please stop trying to fool me with the Analects. We're even now. My father and I were at home observing mourning for our late grandfather when some thieves tried to kidnap us to harm Lord Liu. I beg Lord Zhou to send someone to escort me to Chang'an. I promise you a great reward in the future."

"How dare someone be disrespectful to Lord Liu?" Zhou Cang's face darkened. "Young man, speak frankly. I'll take men to arrest the thief right now, and you won't have to go through the trouble of going to Chang'an."

Fa Zheng shook his head, his tone serious: "Lord Zhou, it's not that I don't trust you, but these bandits are deeply entrenched and extremely powerful in Fufeng County. Even if we want to arrest people, we must first ask Lord Liu for permission. We must not act rashly."

Zhou Cang lowered his head and thought for a while, then said, "I have military duties to attend to and cannot leave my post without permission. Please allow me to consult with Commander Guan first. Commander Guan is the sworn brother of Prefect Liu and is in charge of all matters in Fufeng County. If Commander Guan agrees, I will send someone to escort you to Chang'an."

Fa Zheng did not insist any further, and cupped his hands, saying, "In that case, I will trouble General Zhou."

(End of this chapter)