History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 219 Erzhu Rong Arrives in the Capital

Yuan Yu commanded the capital's troops, holding a position comparable to the Three Dukes. He possessed the talent to adjudicate cases, but he only enjoyed petty theft and having secret rendezvous with other people's families at night.

Dong Zhuo was blindly loyal to his superiors, but like Yuan Yu, he treated human life with utter contempt! The Dong family wailed and wept for the death of their pillar of support, but where could they find the murderer among the neighborhood officials killed by Dong Zhuo? And who would support the lives of those innocent old people and children?
Zhao Zhi felt an intense disgust for the chaotic state of morality and loyalty in this world!

At this time, she was unaware that after Deng Changshi arrived at the Prince of Rencheng's residence and paid his respects to the master craftsman, he did not mention how she had protected the Prince of Guangling the previous night. He only said that the 100,000 coins were a gift for the master craftsman, and then inquired about her background and the bravery of her martial arts.

The man's purpose was obvious: to have her take over the military post of the deceased Dong Zhuowu and become the head of the guards at the Prince of Guangling's residence.

The head steward of the Prince of Rencheng's mansion was named Wang Shennian. He was skilled in both literature and martial arts, and his refusal was both reasonable and ruthless, like a slashing knife: "According to seniority, Prince Cheng is Prince Yu's uncle. How can a junior ask his elder for someone!"

"According to his official rank, Prince Cheng is the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. He travels to various offices in the city every day to inspect government affairs, but the guards he uses are all hired by Prince Cheng himself with his own salary!"

"Yet Prince Yu, as the General of Chariots and Cavalry, commands hundreds of thousands of imperial guards in the city. Knowing that Prince Cheng has repeatedly encountered danger, instead of first considering strengthening the palace guards, he wants to take away Prince Cheng's most capable bodyguard! What kind of logic is that?! I really suspect that this stupid idea came from you, Chief Secretary Deng, rather than Prince Yu!"

Deng Changshi left dejectedly, ordering the coachman to head north. Unable to obtain Zhao Zhi, he had no choice but to settle for second best and go to the wrestling arena in the north of the city to recruit someone.

Despite the immense power of the various princes, most of the warriors and elite soldiers in the country were conscripted by the court to serve as Imperial Guards and Tiger Warriors. If the princes wanted to hire highly skilled guards, they had to select from the Imperial Guards who were eliminated each year.

Some of the eliminated imperial guards were not due to weak martial arts skills, but because they were injured, made mistakes, or reached the age of retirement. After leaving the imperial guards, these people were unwilling to become citizens of the court. So they wrestled, practiced archery, and fought in an open space in the north of the city every day, hoping to be noticed by powerful and wealthy people and hired as guards.

When Chief Secretary Deng arrived, he heard cheers. He stood on the oxcart and looked up. He saw a fight taking place in the arena. The shorter man was good at moving around and his weapon was a whip. He always tried to strangle his opponent's neck.

Unfortunately, his opponent was too strong, and his weapon was a very rare iron scissor. This person was none other than Erzhu Maiti, who had just arrived in the capital!

As the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers, Erzhu Maiti won.

Erzhu Rong jumped and waved. The other two boys beside him were Kong Mi and Yuan Heng. They were going to the capital first with a letter from Director Cui Xian. After finding Xi Jiao, they would visit the people mentioned in the letter in order to arrange a place to lecture. This way, when the study group arrived in Luoyang, they wouldn't have to waste time on trivial matters.

Chief Secretary Deng stopped Erzhu Maiti and asked, "Do you intend to enter the Prince of Guangling's residence?"

"I hope you will forgive me, as I already have a master."

"Alas!" Chief Secretary Deng was disappointed once again.

Kong Mi and his companions entered through the gate of Daxia City. Looking west, they saw Jinyong City, and looking east, they saw the palace gardens where the royal family played. Just when they thought they had passed the most prosperous place, they arrived at the Chengming Gate Imperial Road. Ahead of them was the open space of Yaoguang Temple, which was under construction in full swing. There were craftsmen and merchants everywhere, and they had to walk side by side.

However, this street leads to the Gold Market, and the noise can be heard even before one arrives.

To the east of Jinshi lies the imperial palace wall. As they passed through the Qianqiu Gate, Erzhu Rong proudly declared, "My father has been inside the imperial palace!"

Yuan Heng snorted. What's so great about him? He'll definitely have a chance to enter the palace someday.

The boys missed Xi Jiao's messenger and were unaware that Wei Yao was now a lecturer at Changjiao Academy, and that she could enter the palace every day if she wished.

Further south of Qianqiu Gate is Shenhu Gate, through which court officials pass on their way to court. The number of horse-drawn carriages and oxcarts parked along the street here is countless, and caravans never dare to pass through here.

The group continued south, passing through Tongmen and Xiyemen, then turned east. The moment to truly broaden their horizons had arrived. They came to Changhemen, the main south gate of the palace, and stood opposite it, gazing up at the tall twin towers.

Only members of the imperial family and high-ranking officials could enter through the Changhe Gate to attend court, as evidenced by the magnificent carriages parked there. Moreover, the guards protecting the carriages all had fierce faces that made it difficult to look directly at them.

Erzhu Rong dared to look directly at him.

Then he let out a howl and ran towards a carriage. There were many people on the street, and the boy was caught off guard. The tutor grabbed the young master by the back of the neck, but he was quickly freed.

Kong Mi and Yuan Heng chased after them, shouting, "Come back—"

"Master—Master!"

It turns out that Erzhu Rong saw Zhao Zhi. At noon today, Wei Yao hurriedly left the palace after finishing her lesson because her mother, in the name of the Prince of Rencheng, sent a letter to the palace school saying that her senior brother Kong and junior brother Rong had entered the city today and were waiting for her at the gate of Changhe City.

really!

The joy of reuniting with fellow disciples goes without saying.

Wei Yao was already a lecturer with a salary, so of course she had to treat everyone to lunch today. Wei Yao first inquired about her mentor's health, then about her senior brother Cui Zhi's health. Upon learning that Yuan Jingrong, Guo Yun, and Liu Zhenzhu had all arrived and that she would see them soon, she was overwhelmed with excitement and couldn't help but want to cry throughout the meal.

Kong Mi asked, "When you lecture in the palace, does anyone make things difficult for you? You'll have your master and fellow disciples to back you up in the future, so don't be afraid."

“It’s not difficult.” Wei Yao could no longer hold back and shook her head, laughing and crying at the same time.

Erzhu Rong was the youngest, but the most violent. He said, "Senior sister, if someone tries to harm you, just bear with it and find a way to lure that person out of the palace. I'll have Master Mai Ti beat him to death!"

"Cough cough cough..." Erzhu Mai Ti choked in fright.

Yuan Heng simply waved his hand dismissively: "Come on, when has she ever cried? It's always the other person who suffers."

After the meal, the five of them left the city and headed to Yinianli.

As they passed the Prince of Qinghe's residence, Kong Mi and his companions were just as shocked as Wei Yao had been. Yuan Heng clicked his tongue, looked around, and whispered, "This is too extravagant! Whose residence is this?"

Seeing this, Wei Yao knew that the journey to study would not be peaceful, even someone as cautious as Yuan Heng knew to be careful. She told him, "It's the Prince of Qinghe's residence."

The sound of hooves drew closer, and a troop of knights galloped up behind them, led by Yuan Yu.

"Whoa—" Yuan Yu reined in his horse.

Wei Yao gestured for her fellow disciples to bow to the other party, and she said, "Greetings, Your Highness. These three are my fellow disciples Kong Ji, Yuan Heng, and Er Zhu Rong."

The introduction of Wei Yao follows the order of the beginners.

Your Highness? Is this chubby boy the Prince Zong? After Kong Mi and the other two finished their greetings, they all stood properly, and Erzhu Rong did not dare to be presumptuous.

Yuan Yan read aloud: "Erzhu Rong? You are Erzhu Xinxing's son?"

"Yes."

Are you doing well in your studies?

Erzhu Rong took a deep breath and decided to answer truthfully: "I have twenty-three students in the Yixue Academy, and I am at the bottom."

Yuan Heng nodded his plump chin and praised, "Your teacher must be a Confucian scholar of high moral character and integrity, and his students are all very honest."

He and Wei Yao exchanged a smile, recalling their first conversation in the orchard when he asked her, "How are your studies?" She replied, "They're alright," but he didn't believe her at the time.

Yuan Yu left behind the words, "Yuan Shixian's drowsiness is still being treated," and then mounted his horse and left.

Erzhu Rong and the others finally dared to breathe normally and asked Wei Yao which prince the other party was.

"Your Majesty's seventh brother, Yuan Yu, once happened to meet me here in Yi Nian and we talked about poetry." Wei Yao didn't go into details. Kong Yu and the others knew not to ask questions they shouldn't ask, so they continued on and turned a corner, soon arriving at Xi Jian's residence.

Xi Jiao happened to be home, and coincidentally, his father, Xi Jian, was also there today, as it was his day off.

Dian Shi: Equivalent to a household steward, in charge of all the officials in the royal palace.

(End of this chapter)