Chapter 88: Asking the Public Zheng Cheng, who was once the tutor of Marquis Wude, did not hesitate to praise Jiang Wei when talking about him. In another time and space, Jiang Wei repeatedly launched northern expeditions in the thirty years after his surrender to Shu Han, and remained determined. Even after Liu Shan surrendered, he was still full of hope, hoping to restore peace to the country and the sun and moon to the sky. Such a person has now settled down in Wei. What kind of career will he achieve in the future? Let’s go and see. In addition to small classrooms, there is also a hall in the Imperial College that can accommodate up to a thousand people, called Jixian Hall. Arriving at the entrance of Jixian Hall, Cao Rui seemed to have thought of something, and said to Gao Tanglong with a smile: "Master Gaotang, I think this place is quite good. Since the students recruited this time are from all counties, why not gather them all here and let me take a look." Gao Tanglong was a little puzzled. He originally thought that the emperor visited the Imperial College just to inspect and at most listen to a few teachers talk about the lessons. Now he wanted to summon the students? Hearing the emperor mention that the students of the Imperial College this time came from all over the country, Gao Tanglong couldn't help but ask: "Your Majesty, are you going to ask the students about the customs and folkways of various places?" "Yes and no." Cao Rui turned to look at Zheng Cheng and said with a smile: "Master Zheng, what should be interpreted as 'the kingly way is easy'?" Zheng Cheng was a famous scholar, and picking out quotations from books was his life's pleasure. When he saw the emperor mentioned such a clear allusion, how could he not guess what the emperor meant? Zheng Cheng was already in his sixties. Hearing this, he stroked his graying beard and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, do you want to emulate Zichan?" Cao Rui also nodded and said, "Just as Master Zheng said."
Gao Tanglong heard what the two said and immediately looked at the emperor: "Then I will go and gather the students." Cao Rui said: "Let's gather the student union here." Gao Tanglong bowed and took his leave. Cao Rui and Zheng Cheng were not speaking in riddles, but were simply using the concept of "the kingly way is easy" and the allusion of "Zichan" to succinctly explain what the emperor was going to do next. Zheng Chengzi was naturally quite good at Zheng learning, and the "kingly way is easy" mentioned by Cao Rui was an important point in Zheng learning. In The Book of Rites, Zheng Xuan and Zheng Kangcheng commented on Confucius' words "I observe the countryside and know that the kingly way is easy" as "Easy is the foundation of education, which is to respect the virtuous and honor the elderly." The so-called "Xiang" refers to the "ritual of the village official drinking with guests in the school", which is an important part of the grassroots ritual system under the Confucian system. The ritual of the school is carried out in the school officials in the village. The general meaning is that in the village schools, local scholars and officials gather regularly to educate the common people. Confucius believes that this is an important means of education. The place where Cao Rui, Zheng Cheng and Gao Tanglong were at the time was the highest academic institution in Wei State. There were no local scholars or gentlemen here, only scholars and students from all over the country. If we want to realize education, we can only discuss politics with the students of the Imperial College based on "Zichan did not destroy the local school"! I have to say that the scholars these days still like this roundabout way of speaking. When the Imperial Academy learned today that the emperor was coming, it was just like a surprise inspection of schools in later generations, so the students of the Imperial Academy were required to attend classes and study the classics honestly in the classroom. But with Gao Tanglong's call, the originally quiet Imperial Academy suddenly became lively. Discussing politics in the township schools is a Confucian tradition that even Confucius admired. Now the emperor personally went to the Imperial College to inspect before his southern tour, and he was willing to discuss politics with the students in the same way as in the township schools. If this were spread out, wouldn't it be a good story? It would be enough to show off! The students lined up in batches to enter the hall. Each person carried a cushion and sat in a large semicircle around the podium in the hall. Hundreds of students gathered in front of the platform, which was quite a spectacle to behold. Although the students were waiting with bated breath for the emperor to appear, the excitement in their eyes could not be concealed. This is an audience with the emperor. How could ordinary scholars have the opportunity to see the emperor? The students came out from different classrooms and were naturally seated in groups according to their levels, such as A, B, and C. The emperor had not arrived yet, so the students naturally gathered below to talk. Although they tried to lower their voices, they could not hide their excitement.
Unlike others, Xiahou Xuan was quite tall, but he sat upright here calmly, standing out from the crowd. Others had never even seen the emperor, but he had been to the palace and drunk wine, so how could he be like an ordinary student? But Sima Shi, who was sitting next to Xiahou Xuan, was not so calm. On weekdays at home, Sima Shi often heard about the emperor's affairs from his father Sima Yi. Sima Yi never spared any information and opportunities in the matter of training his eldest son, and often communicated with Sima Shi. All along, Sima Shi had only a vague impression of the emperor: wise, frivolous, resistant to advice, scheming... The more he knew, the more he wanted to see what this emperor, who was "like Emperor Xiaowen of Han," looked like. Jiang Wei was naturally one of the first-class students, sitting in the second row not far from Sima Shi and Xiahou Xuan. Although Jiang Wei was also quite expectant at this time, he was much calmer than Sima Shi, who was impatient and looking around. With Dr. Zheng Cheng leading the way, Emperor Cao Rui slowly walked out of the side room. The students were immediately attracted to the emperor, and some watched the emperor with bated breath, or stared at the emperor's appearance. Cao Rui slowly walked onto the podium, and Gao Tanglong also ordered the students to salute. Seeing the students kneeling and bowing under Gao Tanglong's command, Cao Rui gently raised his hand and said, "Everyone, please stand up." After everyone saluted and stood up, they looked at the emperor standing on the podium. Although Sima Shi had long heard from his father that the emperor was extremely handsome, when he actually saw the emperor standing several feet away, Sima Shi realized that the emperor's demeanor was far beyond what could be described by the word "handsome". The emperor's robe, in red and black, and his majestic demeanor as he stood on the stage and looked down at everyone made the emperor, who was already outstanding in appearance, look even more extraordinary. Commander Sima took a breath, his heart pounding violently in his chest. Mao Zeng, the younger brother of the emperor's favorite concubine, also entered the Imperial College, but was ranked in the worst grade, C. Before the grading, Mao Zeng once sat next to Xiahou Xuan, and everyone present made fun of Mao Zeng. Someone said something at that time that Sima Shi still remembers today. He said that Mao once sat next to Xiahou Xuan, which was like "reeds leaning against a jade tree." There is no doubt that Xiahou Xuan is an outstanding person. Even though he is the son of Sikong, Sima Shi still feels a little inferior when standing in front of Xiahou Xuan. But if Xiahou Xuan is like a 'jade tree', or 'bright as the sun and the moon in one's arms', then the emperor standing on the stage at this moment is like a dragon soaring into the sky. Sima Shi only had admiration in his heart at this moment. However, at the moment when Sima Shi was in a daze, he was startled by a sudden thought in his mind. The thought that flashed through Sima Shi's mind was exactly the passage recorded in "Records of the Grand Historian", in which Xiang Ji saw the Qin Shihuang's ceremonial procession when the Emperor was on his eastern tour and said with envy, "He can be replaced." Can he replace it? Sima Shi felt as if he had done something bad for a moment. His face flushed slightly and he quickly glanced around. Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he slowly relaxed. However, Sima Shi's heartbeat became faster. After a while, Cao Rui stood on the stage and looked around at everyone several times, then began to talk to the students. His voice was powerful and rhythmic, not like that of a young man at all. Cao Rui said with a smile: "I came to the Imperial College today and met Dr. Zheng and Dr. Gaotang. Both of these great scholars have been in my Eastern Palace and taught me. If we count from here, I and all of you students have studied the same courses." Seeing that the emperor's words were quite easy-going, the students all smiled. Cao Rui said: "In the fifth year of Huangchu, the late emperor established the Imperial College, set up the Five Classics examination system, and rebuilt the stone classics. I also ordered the senior doctors to renovate the Imperial College building. Today, I came here and the Imperial College looks brand new compared to the dilapidated and old appearance a few years ago." "Dr. Zheng once asked me how I viewed Confucian classics. I told him that Confucian classics are important to the world in distinguishing between the noble and the humble and respecting the relatives, respecting the virtuous and the good and respecting the young and the old. These are the principles of the country and what I respect." When the students heard that the emperor respected the classics, they felt relieved when they thought of the strict requirements that their teachers had always put on them. If the emperor took the lead in respecting the classics, how could they not learn from him? Cao Rui continued, "I will be touring the south soon. Today I am here to follow the meaning of 'Xiangxiao' and have a 'Taixue Zhengwu' with all the scholars of the Imperial College." Seeing that the emperor had finished his opening remarks, Zheng Cheng stood not far from the emperor and said loudly: "Dear scholars of the Imperial College, today your Majesty has come to the Imperial College to ask questions about government. Your Majesty will answer three questions from the scholars, and then your Majesty will also ask three questions to you." "There are no restrictions or rules for the questions. If any scholar has thought of a question, he can raise his hand and ask it after greeting." As Zheng Cheng finished speaking, the scholars below began to whisper to each other. This was a chance to ask His Majesty a question! Emperor Guangwu of the Former Han Dynasty only visited the Imperial Academy to watch students debate on classics. Your Majesty has come here today and is so open-minded to listen to scholars' questions about politics. This grand event is rare in a century. However, the more serious the matter was, the more reserved the students became. Sima Shi wanted to ask a question, but when he saw Xiahou Xuan sitting beside him with a smile and no intention of moving, he also advised himself not to move rashly.
It would be fine if you ask well, but if you ask badly, although it is unlikely that His Majesty will blame you, if His Majesty looks down on you, what will happen to your future career? Just as Sima Shi was hesitating, the "child prodigy" Fu Gu, who was standing a few people away from Sima Shi, actually raised his hand, stood up, and saluted the emperor on the stage. Not only Sima Shi, but also the A-rank students sitting around were all shocked by Fu Gu's "boldness". (End of this chapter)