History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 25 The Disaster Relief Association Case
After Confucius finished reciting the poem, he then told the students about how Gao Linggong, Gao Bogong, had advised Emperor Gaozong to restore the education of the Book of Poetry and the Book of Rites:
“If those in high positions cannot cultivate virtue, then the common people cannot.”

"If the marriages of royal family members and meritorious officials cannot follow ancient rites and respect their wives, then the common people cannot either."

“If the Great Wei does not change the bad customs that have been corrupted since the Jin Dynasty, and if it does not follow the ancient ways and continue the old customs of Xianbei marriage and funeral, then the people of the world will probably never see, hear, or practice ‘rites’ again.”

"Because the Book of Songs says... 'Your teachings will be followed by the people.'"

"We have learned our lesson." The students understood that those in positions of power and authority must first uphold etiquette and social order before instructing the common people to do the same.

Thus concludes the four-day intensive course.

At this point, several of Wei Yao's fellow disciples began to discuss the Rouran people's invasion of the city's outskirts.

Cui Shang said, "The Rouran people have never broken through the Six Garrisons defense line before, let alone crossed Shuozhou and traversed hundreds of miles of territory!"

Guo Yun: "When I heard this news, that was my first thought too. Was there a lapse in the defense of the north? If there has always been a lapse, why has this never happened before? Or is it because with the new capital, the old capital is no longer worth protecting so closely?"

Cui Shang: "I suspect that the troops of the Six Garrisons also yearned for Luoyang, and everyone wanted to leave, which led to a shortage of troops, which the Rouran took advantage of."

Kong Mo worriedly asked, "If that's the case, will such calamities become commonplace?"

Two years ago, in the twentieth year of the Taihe reign, in order to increase the military strength in Luoyang, the court ordered the soldiers of Xupingcheng to be transferred to Luoyang to be the Imperial Guards and the Tiger Guards. Those were the imperial guards of the central palace. Who wouldn't be tempted?

Wei Yao, understanding the decree, opportunely interjected, "Those from the prefectures who have rendered meritorious service in this matter will probably be going to Luoyang."

Several pairs of eyes looked either solemn or surprised. Yes, that meant there were even fewer soldiers guarding Pingcheng! If reinforcements were sent to Pingcheng from Shuozhou and the Six Garrisons, wouldn't the northern defense line become even weaker? This vicious cycle continued!

Are misfortunes really going to become commonplace?
No one spoke for a moment, and Wei Yao slung her book bag over her shoulder and left.

She knew that the way to befriend Han nobles was different from that of Xianbei nobles. Even if Confucius had good words, it was not enough for her to become fellow students with Cui Zhi, Guo Yun and others. She had to find ways to know the government's policies, be able to assess the situation, and dare to raise questions that they had not been able to explain.

Only in this way can one be valued, respected, and thus qualified to discuss the friendship between gentlemen.

Further north of the "Youdao" bamboo grove, and furthest from the elementary school area, lies a large hilly area called the "Guchang" bird grove. Here, dozens of types of flowering trees are planted, and birdcages of varying sizes hang at different heights, with colorful, plumed birds flitting about, leaving behind their distinctive melodious calls in the air. Even more unique are the streams and gardens crisscrossing the grove, many of the landscapes inspired by descriptions in the Book of Songs.

Wei Yao had heard her father say that the two characters "Gu Chang" were taken from Zhuangzi's "The Way of Heaven," meaning the original constant law of heaven and earth. She looked around and her mind gradually broadened like the scenery.

This forest of birds is famous throughout Pingcheng, and she had long wanted to come and see it. Unfortunately, she hadn't been able to enjoy it for long before she discovered that the boy she least wanted to see was also there.

The other person was with Yuan Heng and came over as soon as the class ended. There was a bird's nest teetering on a crooked branch, and Xi Jiao immediately climbed up. Yuan Heng found it interesting and followed suit.

The branches supporting the bird's nest were very thin. Xi Jiao signaled his companions to wait on the main branch, while he tested the strength of the branches and then climbed up like a nimble ape.

Yuan Heng knew the other party's skills and wasn't worried at all. He asked the question that had been bothering him all morning: "Don't those Han students know about the atrocities committed by the Rouran dogs? They're all spineless, listening to the lecture as if nothing had happened. Humph!"

Xi Jiao reached the bird's nest and carefully tapped it twice. There was no response from inside. He then pushed up two inches and saw five eggs inside before turning back to Yuan Heng: "Everyone knows you are Governor Yuan's cousin, and your relationship is extremely close. You didn't even go to the prefectural government to ask for permission, so it's obviously useless. Why are we in such a hurry?"

“Hmm, that makes sense. Haha, do you know why I didn’t go? Because before coming to Cui Academy, my uncle warned me… if you dare skip school, I’ll lock you in a dog cage!” Yuan Heng imitated his uncle’s tone and words at the time, then belatedly realized what he meant and said unhappily, “You guys? You’ve only been to Cui Academy a few times, and you’re already siding with those Han students?” Xi Jiao didn’t answer, but found a suitable twig to break off and began to reinforce the bird’s nest.

Yuan Heng, having nothing better to do, looked around. When he saw that the woman approaching from afar was Wei Yao, he immediately felt annoyed: "Why do I keep running into that crybaby no matter where I go?"

Xi Jiao didn't have time to turn around and asked, "What crybaby?"

"Have you forgotten? That Wei Yao who was in the same dormitory as you, she can't do any boxing or anything, all she does is cry."

"Oh." Xi Jiao thought to herself, being able to cry is also a skill. Doesn't that annoy you when you see her, and make you want to avoid her because you're annoyed? It also makes Hai Yeren and Hu Ertiao feel that it's not fun to bully her. Moreover, she took this opportunity to befriend Cui Shang and Guo Yun, who came from the Guo family of Taiyuan.

Thinking of this, Xi Jiao turned around: Could it be that she deliberately cried the whole way the past two days?

"Oh no, oh no!" Yuan Heng exclaimed in annoyance, "She saw me and is coming at me! Axi, help me out this time, deal with her for me, quick, quick, quick!"

Xi Jiao's feet were being pulled repeatedly by the other person, so he had no choice but to come down. He handed the broken branch in his hand to Yuan Heng and climbed down the tree.

Just then, several servants came from a distance. Some carried ladders, some carried axes, and some carried baskets. It seemed that they were there to take care of Qinlin.

As for Wei Yao, now that she had seen Xi Jiao and another imperial prince, she certainly couldn't just run away. She came over and bowed to her fellow disciples, and also bowed to Yuan Heng in the tree.

Yuan Heng really didn't want to pay attention, but Confucius had just taught him about respecting etiquette, so he gave a perfunctory reply and then pretended to decorate the bird's nest with a cold face.

Xi Jiao asked, "Was the fellow disciple who came to see you yesterday surnamed Qu?"

Knowing something was amiss, and to avoid any misunderstanding, Wei Yao revealed Qu Rong's name: "It's not Qu Rong, it's Wei Jing, a fellow disciple."

Xi Jiao nodded, and the scoundrels brought it up: "On the first day of the Disaster Relief Association, some scoundrels caused trouble on Lixue Street. After being arrested, they confessed everything before being interrogated. They created chaos on the street several times, all of which were aimed at you."

Wei Yao suddenly remembered Qu Rong's absence from school after the Lantern Festival and realized that the government must have suddenly gone to the Qu family to investigate the case that day, which prevented Qu Rong from coming to the school.

But if the scoundrel was acting on the orders of Qu Rong or his family, how could the government let the Qu family off the hook? Qu Rong will continue to take leave, and when Jing, her fellow disciple, came to see her yesterday, she will surely tell him the shocking story.

Therefore, Qu Rong must have gone back to school as usual, and the scoundrel's actions have no direct connection with the Qu family.

Then there is only one possibility: the rogue somehow found out about the discord between Qu Rong and her. Being a street thug who is used to doing bad things, he came up with the idea of ​​harming her to curry favor with the Qu family.

A few thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. Not wanting to stay with the other party any longer, Wei Yao bowed and took her leave, saying, "Thank you for informing me, fellow disciple. I understand. I will be more careful in the future."

Xi Jiao retorted angrily: What do you understand?! I haven't said a word about this case yet!
Gao Bogong: Gao Yun, courtesy name Bogong, served five emperors of the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was Gao Yun's suggestion that led to the establishment of schools in various prefectures and kingdoms of the Northern Wei Dynasty.

Your teachings have been adopted, and the people have followed suit: This means that what the superiors do, the inferiors will follow.

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(End of this chapter)