Some people agree, some people disagree. Sure enough. Cao Rui looked at Gao Rou and said, "Isn't it that the four arguments that the court judge just introduced to me are not finished yet?" "During the four debates on reinstating corporal punishment, who was in favor and who was not, can the court officer still remember?" Gao Rou bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, I remember it clearly." "Then tell me." Cao Rui said. "As you wish." Gao Rou said, "The first time corporal punishment was discussed, Liaodong Governor Cui Shi, Minister of Agriculture Zheng Xuan, and Grand Herald Chen Ji agreed, but the discussion was not completed because the imperial court moved the capital at that time." "During the second discussion on corporal punishment, Minister of the Chancellery Xun Yu agreed, while Minister of the Court Kong Rong opposed." "The third time corporal punishment was discussed, Chen Huqi and Zhong Taifu agreed, while Wang Xiu, Wang Shuzhi, the then Minister of Agriculture, and Wang Situ opposed it." "The fourth discussion on corporal punishment was in the third year of Huangchu, but it was abandoned because of the Southern Expedition."
When Cao Rui was listening, he noticed that the fourth discussion was in the third year of Huangchu, when Gao Rou was already the Chief Justice, and he deliberately did not mention his name. It's really fun. After listening to Gao Rou's words, Cao Rui secretly summed up the situation in his mind. Those who supported the restoration of corporal punishment included Zheng Xuan, Chen Ji, Zhong Yao, Xun Yu, Chen Qun, Gao Rou, and Sima Yi. Among them, Chen Ji and Chen Qun were father and son. Chen Ji, Chen Qun, Zhong Yao and Xun Yu were all from Yingchuan. Those who opposed the restoration of corporal punishment included Kong Rong, Wang Xiu, Wang Lang, and Dong Zhao. Before Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, corporal punishment had existed in China for at least hundreds of years. After Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty, corporal punishment lasted for nearly 400 years in the Former Han and Later Han Dynasties. Does corporal punishment or not really affect rule? This stance taken because of corporal punishment made Cao Rui feel even more vigilant. Putting aside other things, Chen Qun, Zhong Yao, Xun Yu, and Sima Yi, these four people stand on the same stance on this matter, so it is still worth serious consideration and even vigilance, right? "I have noted what Mr. Gao said. I will ask Master Zhong and Minister Wang in person in a few days." Cao Rui said softly, "Before entering the palace, the court judge went to the imperial prison, right?" Gao Rou replied, "Your Majesty, that's right." Cao Rui said: "Since Xun Ya and Xun Hong are both dead, let's release everyone except the male members of the Xun family." "Also, Gao Qing and Master Wei, the two of you should discuss how to end this matter." Cao Rui pointed at Gao Rou and Wei Zhen: "Also, whether corporal punishment is appropriate for the male members of the Xun family." Gao Rou was shocked, but on the surface he replied calmly, "As ordered, I will discuss this with Wei Pushe later." Wei Zhen also cupped his hands and said, "I obey your order." After Gao Rou left the study, she began to think over and over again in her mind as she walked out. As the Chief Justice, I really can't understand what Your Majesty means! …… At this time, outside the south gate of Luoyang City, in the Imperial College.
The Imperial Academy was not actually a closed area. If high-ranking officials in Luoyang City wanted to enter the Imperial Academy, take a look, or audit one or two classes, no one would refuse them. It’s just that almost no powerful people are willing to come. At this time, in an empty house in the Imperial College. Since ancient times, if you want to get into a circle, you either have to pay a token of allegiance or have someone guide you. When Cao Cao first arrived in Luoyang, he was labeled as the son of a eunuch. Wasn't it only after he infiltrated Yuan Shao's circle and killed several eunuchs' family members that he was gradually recognized by the scholars? Just the same. When Sima Shi saw Xiahou Xuan leading a handsome man in from outside, he quickly stood up to greet them. "I've heard of Ziyuan's name for a long time, and today I finally meet him." He Yan walked in with a smile and said in a clear voice. Sima Shi did not dare to be arrogant, and quickly bowed his head and saluted: "I am Sima Shi, and I am honored to meet Brother Pingshu." He Yan walked over with a smile on his face, staring at Sima Shi's face and nodding from time to time. "I've heard Taichu talk about you a long time ago. You are indeed a handsome man." He Yan said with a smile. Sima Shi was stunned for a moment when he looked at He Yan's appearance. If one word is needed to describe He Yan's appearance, it would be "feminine in appearance". Xiahou Xuan and He Yan both have outstanding appearances, but their looks are of two completely different styles. Xiahou Xuan is tall and handsome, with a strong face and bright eyes, as bright as the sun and the moon in one's arms. He Yan was as tall as Sima Shi, with a delicate and fair face. He was wearing a red robe, which made his face look like white jade. "Hahaha," He Yan laughed, "Ziyuan, what's wrong? Come and sit down." Sima Shi nodded and said, "This is my first time meeting Brother Pingshu. You are so outstanding and extraordinary that I am a little distracted." "It's okay, it's okay, we'll get better just by seeing each other more often." He Yan patted Sima Shi's shoulder and sat down at the table casually as if he was at home. Xiahou Xuan also smiled and said, "Brother Ziyuan, please come in." Sima Shi nodded, and after a moment all three of them were seated at the table. At this moment, Sima Shi felt an indescribable emotion in his heart. Sima Shi had met the emperor twice before in the Imperial Academy. The emperor's handsome appearance and graceful demeanor were like a golden seal among rubble, and his majestic demeanor impressed people. Xiahou Xuan is as tall and straight as a jade tree, with a noble and outstanding appearance, but after spending more time with him, one tends to overlook his appearance and pay more attention to his knowledge and character. He Yan is even more different. His appearance is so gentle and recognizable that it almost makes people unable to pay attention to anything else. A few days ago, General Cao Zhen and Minister of Works Sima Yi had tentatively agreed on their marriage. When Xiahou Xuan saw his future brother-in-law, he also had some intention of helping him to become famous. Xiahou Xuan said to Sima Shi: "Brother Ziyuan, come with me to see He Pingshu in two days and make a name for yourself in Luozhong!" Sima Shi naturally wanted it very much, and thus today's meeting took place. Unexpectedly, after the three of them sat down, He Yan started chatting with Xiahou Xuan first.
He Yan asked, "Taichu, have you finished reading the book "Disasters and Anomalies by Meng Shi and Jing Fang" that I gave you at the end of last year?" "I read about two-thirds of it, and then I couldn't go on." Xiahou Xuan shook his head: "How could Brother Pingshu endure to finish it? He is truly a god." He Yan smiled and said, "If you want to read it, you will always find a reason to read it. I just want to write an article to refute the Jingshi Yi and Mengshi Yi, so that I will have motivation to read it." Sima Shi interrupted and asked, "When Brother Pingshu mentioned the 'Disasters and Anomalies by Meng Shi Jing Fang', could it be the 'Jing Shi Yi'?" He Yan raised his eyes, and turned his eyes and body slightly towards Sima Shi: "It is Jing's Yi, has Ziyuan also read this book?" Sima Shi explained: "I have not read it, but I have heard my father mention this book. It explains the Book of Changes in terms of disasters, prophecies, and images and numbers." "Sikong doesn't let you watch?" He Yan asked with a smile. Sima Shi nodded and said: "My father said that this book is harmful and useless, so he didn't let me read it." He Yan said, "What Sikong said is indeed correct. There is no benefit in reading this book. It is better not to read it. Ziyuan, do you know why it is useless?" Sima Shi thought for a few moments and said, "My father always said that everything depends on human effort, how can it be determined by divination? Besides, the idea of disasters is absurd. Didn't the late emperor also prohibit the dismissal of the three ministers due to astronomical disasters?" When talking with people of the same generation, Sima Shi mentioned "my father" intentionally or unintentionally. This was a little trick of his. After all, he was not yet twenty years old, and he could not muster much confidence in front of He Yan, who was more than thirty years old. Emperor Wu's adopted son! He is one generation younger than me, so it's good enough that we can be friends on equal terms. "Well said." He Yan raised his two jade-like palms and clapped them twice, then said to Xiahou Xuan: "Taichu, after reading this book, I still feel that what it says is wrong. For hundreds of years, people who have studied the Book of Changes have gone astray." "What do you mean?" Xiahou Xuan guessed that He Yan would have a new conclusion, but he didn't expect He Yan to say it so directly. "Look, Taichu, using images and numbers to interpret the Book of Changes is the right way to do it. But great scholars like Jiao Yanshou, Meng Xi, and Jing Fang added hexagram qi, disasters, and seasons in addition to images and numbers. Generation after generation, they added layers upon layers, and it is completely different from the original Book of Changes." "I vaguely feel that it is more appropriate to interpret the Book of Changes with the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi. The Book of Changes focuses on explaining the way of heaven and profound principles, but after mixing in disasters and prophecies, it completely changes its appearance." Xiahou Xuan nodded: "It's too complicated and loses its original meaning." "That's right, that's right." He Yan smiled and nodded: "There's no need to read Jing's Yi, and there's even less need to read Meng's Yi. I think the Master of Classics Kang Chenggong has also gone astray." Zheng Xuan was a scholar of heaven and earth in his time. Although he did not advocate the idea of prophecies and divinations, he studied all the books containing prophecies and divinations, and even annotated them. Zheng Xuan went astray? Sima Shi looked at He Yan with his eyes wide open. How could he say such a thing? How could he be qualified to comment on Zheng Xuan? Sima Shizi was surprised, while Xiahou Xuan on the other side thought carefully and nodded solemnly: "I agree with Brother Pingshu's opinion. Xuanli is a level higher than Chenwei." "There is more than one level, the two cannot be compared." He Yan laughed and turned to look at Sima Shi: "What do you think, Ziyuan?" When Sima Shi faced this kind of true thinker, he knew that he would rather say he didn't understand than pretend he did. After all, he could tell his level from the other person's words. Sima Shi said with a serious expression: "Brother Pingshu, I don't understand the mysteries of metaphysics, nor do I understand the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi. But I know that the theories of disasters and prophecies are of no benefit to the country or to reality." He Yan asked, "Has Ziyuan ever read the Tao Te Ching?" Sima Shi nodded: "I just read it roughly, not carefully." He Yan looked Sima Shi up and down for a moment, nodded as if satisfied, and turned to look at Xiahou Xuan: "Didn't Taichu ask me to help Ziyuan become famous in Luozhong? Even if Taichu didn't say it, I would help him become famous." He Yan smiled and stood up. He put his left hand behind his back and pointed a finger in the direction of Xiahou Xuan, saying, "Only because of his profoundness, he can understand the aspirations of the world. Xiahou Taichu is such a person."
Then he looked down at Sima Shi and said, "Only because of the few, can the affairs of the world be accomplished, Sima Ziyuan is such a person." After nodding with satisfaction, He Yan continued with a smile: "Only God can be fast without being hasty, and arrive without walking. I have heard of his words, but have never seen him." (End of this chapter)