Han Dao world

Liu Xie stared at Zhou Zhong for a while, then laughed out loud. "Duke Zhou, you have made great progress recently, which is gratifying."

Zhou Zhong was skeptical, not knowing whether the emperor was telling the truth or making fun of him, so he smiled awkwardly.

While talking, Zhong Yao had already helped Daqiao and Xiaoqiao write lanterns, and his calligraphy and painting were excellent.Not only Xiaoqiao was pleasantly surprised, but Daqiao, who has always been prudent, couldn't put it down after seeing him, and he was a little reluctant to hang out.

Seeing Liu Xie and Zhou Zhong gossiping, Xiaoqiao came over with a lantern and said happily, "Look, Your Majesty, Zhong Ling's calligraphy and painting are divine. They should compete with Cai Lingshi's father and daughter, and compare them with Liang Menghuang." , Shiyi and officials are too strong."

Liu Xie took the lantern, admired it carefully, and agreed with Xiaoqiao's point of view very much.

"What does Duke Zhou think?"

"I don't know much about calligraphy. I only know it's good, but I don't know what's good about it." Zhou Zhong stroked his beard and smiled.

Liu Xie returned the lantern to Xiaoqiao. "If you like it, ask him to write a few more and keep it for fun."

Xiaoqiao was surprised and delighted. "Really can?"

"It should be fine." Liu Xie asked Zhong Yao who followed him. "Do you have any plans for these two days?"

Zhong Yao said with a smile, "I have no other arrangements other than to visit Wei Tao. If your Majesty and the nobles feel that my calligraphy and painting are passable, I will not ask for it. Back then, I was waiting for your majesty's brush and ink, which is the time I miss the most in my life."

Liu Xie laughed out loud. "You are not the Huangmen and Shangshu back then, how can you take pen and ink as your business. That's fine, you just stay here for a few days and talk about the gains and losses of the past few years."

"Wei." Zhong Yao bowed and accepted the order.

It is the best choice for him to stay in the line and meet the emperor at any time.

While Zhou Zhong was happy for Zhong Yao, he also had some regrets.Judging by the emperor's attitude, Zhong Yao is afraid that he will be reused this time, and it is impossible to go to Sikong Mansion again.

With Zhong Yao's consent, Liu Xie immediately arranged for Xiaoqiao to prepare a residence for Zhong Yao, and notified Shangshijian to prepare more dishes. He planned to stay Zhou Zhong and Zhong Yao for dinner.

Xiaoqiao was very happy and went bouncing around.

Seeing this, Zhou Zhong hesitated to speak.

-

Tianzhu Inn.

Han Rong stood in the yard, watching the people coming and going with curiosity in his eyes.

This is the first time he came to Jiangnan, and his impression of Jiangnan has always been in words such as low and wet, wild, etc. Compared with the Central Plains people, these southerners in front of him are obviously shorter and darker, speaking half-baked Mandarin, quoting not necessarily The appropriate allusions and poems made him want to laugh and feel relieved.

In his view, these southerners are like children who have just entered school. Although they are naive, they are full of vitality and hope.Before long, they will become gentle scholars.

When such people are everywhere, Lingling will no longer be regarded as a land of barbarians, but a land of civilization.

"Yuan Chang, it's really you." An old man walked out quickly, slapped his thigh hard, surprised and delighted.

Han Rong took a closer look and recognized it was his old friend Liu Xi, but he was older than Liu Xi in his memory, and his skin was much darker.

"Cheng Guo, how many years have we not seen each other?" Han Rong stepped forward, holding Liu Xi's arms, full of emotion. "Look, we're both old."

"There are so many injustices in the world between rich and poor, but time is fair to everyone." Liu Xi laughed and said, pointing to a group of young people behind him. "These are all my disciples. Some you know, some you have never met. Let them introduce themselves later. Come on, let's go in and talk."

Han Rong readily agreed, held hands with Liu Xi, and entered the backyard.

Liu Xi lived in an independent courtyard, so spacious that it was hard to believe that he was in an inn.Liu Xi lives in a room next to the main hall, with a study and lecture hall in the front and a bedroom in the back.

The study room is full of manuscripts, on the desk and on the floor, so you have to be careful even when you walk.

Han Rong smiled and said, "Chengguo, you are sitting on the Shuguo, with a fief of thousands of miles."

Liu Xi laughed. "Speaking of it, this is also a gift from Brother Shi Weiyan. If it weren't for their care, I wouldn't have been able to stay out of the world for more than ten years, devote myself to learning, and accumulate a few essays."

He dragged Han Rong to the bookshelf, pointing to piles of manuscripts wrapped in green pouches, like countless treasures. "This is the Notes on Mencius, and this is the Posthumous Posthumous Law. They are all just sorted out and ready to be printed. This is..."

"This is "Shi Ming", I just saw it." Han Rong picked up a new book with the fragrance of ink from the bookshelf, opened it and read it. "I know that Chengguo is here because of this book. Do you know that a little girl from Misi actually took your book and read it, which is really surprising. I didn't expect Lingling, which has always been regarded as a barbaric place, to read it." There is also such a studious atmosphere."

"People in the Central Plains are used to arrogance. To the south of the Yangtze River are barbarians, and to the north of Yanshan Mountain are all barbarians."

"It's not the north of Yanshan, but the north of Dahe, including the people of Youji." Han Rong corrected Liu Xi, and the two looked at each other and laughed.

This is a kind of tacit understanding between the scholar-officials in the Central Plains.

The two chatted and laughed for a while, and Liu Xi said with emotion: "I haven't asked about political affairs for many years, but I still want to say something fair for Brother Shi Weiyan. Although it is really unwise for them to separate the territory of Jiaozhou and refuse to be a minister to the court, they have stabilized the region in recent years. , It is still meritorious for keeping so many people who fled from the Central Plains alive. Yuan Chang, you Ruying people are very powerful in the court and the opposition, and you are Shi Weiyan's teacher, so you can't ignore it."

Chapter 1247

Han Rong waved his hand. "I'll talk about this later. You'd better introduce these young handsome men to me first. Otherwise, it would be inappropriate for us two old men to let them stand while we talk lively."

Liu Xi took a look at Han Rong, feeling a little disappointed.

Han Rong changed the topic on purpose, obviously because he didn't agree with his point of view.

Although he was well-learned and had many disciples, few of them became officials, and none of them could speak in the court.When he heard of Han Rong's visit, his first reaction was that the opportunity had finally come. He never thought that Han Rong would have such an attitude.

Suppressing his frustration, Liu Xi invited Han Rong to sit down, first introduced Han Rong's identity, and specifically emphasized that Han Rong had moved westward with the emperor, experienced several years of suffering, and was a highly respected veteran.

His disciples understood and came forward to salute one by one.

Most of Liu Xi's disciples were from the Central Plains, including Cheng Bing from Runan, Xue Zong from Peijun, Xu Ci from Nanyang, and so on.Cheng Bing and Han Rong knew each other more than ten years ago, but at that time Han Rong had not yet become an official, and Cheng Bing had just started school, so they did not communicate directly.

See you again after more than ten years, Han Rong is already a retired official from official to eunuch, and Cheng Bing is also a well-learned scholar.

Taking advantage of Han Rong's praise for Cheng Bing's academic progress, Cheng Bing mentioned Shi Xie again, hoping that Han Rong could say something fair for Shi Xie.

Although I don't know the details, Jiaozhou was pacified, the Shixie brothers surrendered, and they are being escorted to the road.If no one pleads for them, it won't be long before they will be punished by Ming Dian, and they may even be punished by the clan.

When they receive favors from others, they should repay each other with gushing springs, and they cannot just sit idly by.

Han Rong was silent for a moment, then asked Liu Xidao: "You came to Quanling to set up a school just to find an opportunity to intercede for Brother Shi Weiyan?"

Liu Xi sighed. "I'm just a scholar, and I don't have the strength to restrain a chicken. What else can I do? I can only have a thick old face. Please come forward."

"Why don't you write a book? Or write an article and publish it in the residence newspaper?"

"The Mansion Newspaper is sponsored by the government. I am a commoner, and this kind of article can be published?"

"You haven't tried it, how do you know it won't work?" Han Rong smiled wryly. "Although the Dibao is sponsored by the government, it is not a monopoly. You have never seen how dissidents quarreled because of Dutian. Dutian is a matter related to the country, and it can be discussed. Brother Shi Weiyan Why can't we discuss it?"

Liu Xi and his disciples looked at each other in blank dismay.

They really don't know about this situation, Jiaozhou seldom sees the residence newspaper.

"Since that's the case, is there anyone complaining about Brother Shi Weiyan in the residence newspaper?" Cheng Bing asked.

The corner of Han Rong's mouth twitched slightly. "This is the strange thing. Di Bao could publish an article complaining about Shi Weiyan's brother, but he has not seen one so far. Tell me, why is this?"

Cheng Bing's face became very ugly. "Even if other people can stay in the situation, Liu Gong's disciples will not ignore it?"

"Then you have wronged them. In fact, they have been running for Shi Weiyan. Even my coming here is the result of their request. But although they are very anxious, they did not publish an article in the newspaper. Guess why ?”

Teacher Liu Xi and the students looked at each other with embarrassing expressions.

Of course they understood Han Rong's question.

Liu Tao's protégé wanted to save Brother Shixie, but this was a personal friendship, not justice, and it couldn't be put on the table at all, let alone published in the residence newspaper for public discussion, otherwise it would be criticized to pieces.

There are many things that cannot be said.

This is one of a kind.

Cheng Bing asked tentatively: "According to Mr. Han, we may publish the article?"

"Of course you can post it, but the premise is to be truthful. Don't make up for the sake of saving people. Otherwise, once someone exposes it, it will be self-defeating, which is not beautiful. You can truthfully explain the merits and demerits of Brother Shi Weiyan over the years, and the court will naturally follow them. It is difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice, and the scholar-bureaucrats in the Central Plains don’t know about Jiaozhou’s affairs, so how can they plead for Shi Weiyan’s brother? Just because they are scholars?”

Han Rong chuckled. "Reading the books of sages and sages is supposed to be a loyal minister and filial son. The Shi Weiyan brothers are not only not loyal ministers, but also contemptuous of Confucianism. Not only can this scholar's status not be used as a cover, but it is the reason for aggravating the crime. You must Make no mistake."

Liu Xi pondered for a while, then nodded slowly. "Yuan Chang deserves to be a servant who has been a servant. He sees the sun through the clouds and hits the nail on the head."

-

Han Rong and Liu Xi's teachers and students lingered for a long time, and they didn't go out until Zhou Zhong sent someone to ask.

When he arrived at the post house, Zhou Zhong had already taken a shower, changed into clean clothes, and was sitting in a heated room reading documents.From the looks of it, it's pretty easy.

"Talk so much?" Zhou Zhong glanced at Han Rong. "Would you like to try it first? There is hot water here, soaking in it will relieve fatigue."

Han Rong didn't refuse either. "Okay, after sitting on the boat for so long, my body is almost rotten, and I just want to take a hot bath. Have you met the emperor?"

"I have, and I enjoyed a royal banquet." Zhou Zhong grinned and raised a hand. "Four dishes and one soup."

Han Rong laughed dumbfounded.

When he met Liu Xi's teachers and students at the Tianzhu Inn, he ate more than four dishes and one soup.

"Is the emperor so frugal?"

"I was surprised too." Zhou Zhong put down the book and smacked his lips. "After dinner, I found a reason and went to the Shangshi prison to have a look, only to realize that the emperor has always been like this, and he doesn't care about food. I now know why the cost of walking is so low. It turns out that it is the influence of the emperor. "Yuanchang, you have been a servant, so you should know how much the palace costs."

Han Rong nodded.

Although when he was a servant, the palace was not as exaggerated as the legend said, but the expenses were still very high.

"Nowadays, from the queen to the beauties in the palace, they all have their own property, enough to support themselves. In the words of the emperor, he is the only one who really eats. Only this item, the court can save nearly 20 billion in expenses every year .”

Han Rong sat down. "However, when I was in Nanyang, I heard people say that queens and nobles run industries not only based on their abilities, but also with the special care of the court. They are competing for profits with the people."

Zhou Zhong's eyes flashed. "I've heard that too."

"Then do you agree?"

"Whether you agree or not, the benevolent sees benevolence, and the wise see benevolence. It is difficult to make a conclusion. You might as well put it aside." Zhou Zhong said. "Let me say one thing first, do you know that there is an investment from the queen among the Dongting ship officers?"

"I haven't heard you say that."

"When planning to build the Dongting Ship Officer, Huan Fan and others had limited funds. They didn't want to build such a scale, and there was no ship school. They just wanted to copy the blueprints from the Yuzhang Ship Officer. It was the emperor who invested money in the name of the queen. Today’s Dongting ship officer. Now the queen and nobles have also invested a lot of money in preparing the steam engine. Without this investment, it is difficult to achieve any results in a short period of time just relying on the interests of individual people.”

Han Rong pondered for a long time. "So, although the property of the queen and nobles has special care from the imperial court, most of the money they earn is invested in future properties, just like Zhen Gui builds a bridge?"

Zhou Zhong nodded solemnly. "You said, is this fighting for the interests of the people, or for the interests of the people?"

Chapter 1248 Commitment to Taoism, Traveling to Art

Having seen the bridge with his own eyes, Han Rong naturally knew how much convenience the bridge brought to the people.He had also been on Dongting's new ship, and he knew that the new wheel-driven ship was faster and less labor-intensive.

These technologies have brought great benefits, but the people who developed these technologies are officials supported by the imperial court, and all expenses are also paid by the imperial court.The court's money did not fall from the sky, part of it came from taxes, and part of it came from the properties controlled by the queen and nobles.

In contrast, the expenses of the Son of Heaven are almost negligible.

Four dishes and one soup, even a family with a little wealth exceeds this standard.

"I'm in Henan, and I heard from Xun Wenruo that the initial technology of nitrate fertilizer tested in the agricultural school was taught in the martial arts hall." Han Rong sat down and talked about one of his own experiences. "If this technology can be promoted, grain production can be increased by nearly [-] percent."

"Not only nitrate fertilizers, but the Agricultural School is also researching seeds with higher yields. We heard that the Ninan rice seed is one of them in the rice store. It was the emperor who made a suggestion and the Agricultural School arranged for people to experiment. I am also true. Unexpectedly, you Ruying people are not only proficient in strategy and law, but also have such a profound accumulation of agriculture, nearly half of the people in the agricultural school are from Ruying."

Han Rong stroked his beard and showed a smug smile. "You guys from Lujiang are not bad, isn't that Xie Qi from Lujiang?"

Zhou Zhong also laughed and sighed. "These young people are very lucky. They have a good time and have the opportunity to show their strengths." He thought for a while, and then said: "When you met Liu Xi, did you ever talk about Brother Shi Xie?"

"What is the emperor's attitude?"

"Emperor..." Zhou Zhong smacked his lips, feeling a little uneasy.

Although the emperor said that his progress was gratifying, he could hear that the emperor was not satisfied with his handling opinions, and he still wanted to severely punish Shixie brothers, and refused to give amnesty.

He was anxious to see Han Rong, and he wanted to talk to Han Rong about this matter.

He knew Han Rong's attitude and didn't want Han Rong to become an opponent in the debate.

After hearing this, Han Rong was also a little surprised.

The emperor not only wanted to severely punish Shi Xie, but also severely punished the officials who pleaded for Shi Xie, which greatly exceeded his expectations.

"So there will be a debate?"

"If there are no accidents, it should be so. Obviously, the emperor intends to take this opportunity to rectify the morality of the scholars and beat the scholars in the Central Plains."

Zhou Zhong said, and gave Han Rong a meaningful look.

Han Rong was very calm. "Coincidentally, I also have the same intention, so I suggest Liu Xi write an article and discuss it publicly."

Zhou Zhong was very surprised. "You also suggest an open discussion?"

"I don't know the reason. It's better to discuss it openly than in private. During Xiaozhao's time, the Salt and Iron Conference was unresolved for several months. "Salt and Iron Theory" seemed to be a victory for virtuous literature, but in fact the policy did not change much. Think carefully. Speaking of it, it’s nothing more than the age of pen and ink, no one knows what was said at the time. Di Bao is not the case, it is written clearly in black and white, and no one can deny it, let alone point to black as white.”

Zhou Zhong pondered for a while. "What do you expect to end up with?"

"It's hard to say the life and death of brothers Shi Xie, but the Confucian school's bad habit of talking high and acting low must definitely be changed."

Zhou Zhong glanced at Han Rong, annoyed and funny, and pointed in the direction of the bathroom. "Go wash it, it's sour and smelly, it's disgusting."

Han Rong laughed, got up and left.