Establishing a thousand-year family from the nobles of the Western Han Dynasty

Chapter 78 Chaos in the Court

Liu Che personally presided over the funeral for his teacher Xu Gong, and buried him with the rites of a prince to the left of the old Grand Tutor Xu Zhen, with Grand Marshal Xu Zhao to the right.

For a time, the whole country was in grief. Under the leadership of Xu Zhou, the principal of the Imperial College, all the students of the Imperial College wore mourning clothes and bid farewell to their teacher.

"The Prime Minister is truly the best Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty."

Some students sighed and said that in their hearts Xu Gong was the number one prime minister. Don’t worry about anything else, he is their own man, so just praise him as much as you can.

How high they can be praised is related to the status of the Imperial College in the outside world! It is also related to their official careers.

"The best in the Han Dynasty? No, the best in history. Even Guan Zhong cannot compare with Xu. Perhaps only the former Grand Tutor Xu Zhen and Zhou Gongdan can be compared."

This time it was a student from the Imperial College who was studying Legalism.

His words were widely recognized by everyone, especially the students of the Law School, who felt that there were not enough firsts in history.

Confucianism has Confucius, a wise man who teaches everyone. The Legalists do not have many good reputations, so they can only praise Xu Gong. Confucian scholars cannot refute this, and they need to help praise him.

What Confucianism values ​​most is filial piety. After all, the Han Dynasty ruled the world with loyalty and filial piety, and the ethical principles were almost established. However, it is only a framework at present, and is far from the dregs of feudal ethics in later generations.

"Etiquette" is the most important thing that distinguishes the people of the Central Plains from the barbarians.

Because of the need to "respect teachers and honor morality", Confucian scholars could not criticize Xu Gong, otherwise it would be a betrayal of the teacher and ancestors! Xu Zhen was also affected by this, and in the end, the sporadic voices of doubt were drowned out by the spit of countless students.

There is a "political correctness" in the Central Plains literary world now, which is to praise Xu Gong and Xu Zhen. Countless fledgling Confucian scholars have become famous because of this.

Although the Frenchman despised the Confucian scholars' methods of "creating momentum", he was honest with his body.

Now Confucianism and Legalism are almost merged together. Although they are two disciplines, in fact they only have different focuses and the distinction is very vague.

This was done deliberately by Emperor Wu of Han, who wanted to make them form a clique for better control. In fact, both the Imperial Academy and the School of Confucianism and Law taught both Confucianism and law, and the level of study was very deep.

The Confucian Party and the Legalist Party are just political parties. They do not involve academic issues. At most, one is conservative and the other is radical.

"Alas, I wonder what posthumous title Xu Xiang will receive."

someone else said.

It was normal for the Imperial Academy to discuss state affairs and give advice on state affairs, and the court would not interfere as long as it did not involve sensitive issues.

"The text is good."

"I think the propaganda is also very good. It just happens to praise the great feat of the Imperial College..."

Everyone was talking at once, but they all started their sentences with the word "wen", seemingly ignoring Xu Gong's background as a military general.

In fact, this is normal. Before the emergence of Imperial Academy, there was not much difference between military generals and civil officials. Civil officials generally knew how to fight wars, and most military generals knew how to govern the country.

After all, most of the officials in the court are from noble families and have strong martial virtues.

However, due to the constraints of resources and time, Taixue students almost exclusively specialized in Confucianism and law, trying to put them into use immediately. They also dabbled in military tactics, but not much.

The original intention was to learn management experience from it. Everyone has their own expertise, and the work of fighting was mainly the responsibility of the Xu family and the nobles.

After all, they are vested interests. The path for civil servants is blocked, and it is impossible not to give them even a chance to fight.

Although Liu Che had already planned to open a military academy to cut off the source of the problem.

"Hmm... Wenxuan? I don't think that's appropriate. Imperial College is just an insignificant event in my uncle's life."

Just as everyone was talking, an old man with full energy came over. Wherever he went, the students all lowered their heads with respectful expressions.

Stand to the sides consciously and make way.

This person is none other than Xu Zhou, the Imperial Academy Master, the teacher of all students, who has held the position of Taichang for decades.

"The teacher was reprimanding the student for being abrupt."

The students who were so unruly and arrogant just now instantly became like little chickens, not daring to breathe for fear of angering the teacher.

They dared to scold high officials, princes, and even the emperor, but they dared not to scold their teachers, because this person could really make you infamous for eternity. Xu Zhou's influence in the literary world was terrifyingly high. His many years as a priest at the Imperial Academy had already made his students all over the world.

The current left prime minister Liu Quti was a student of Taichang. Whenever he saw his teacher, he would come over to support him personally and did not dare to act like a prime minister from a royal family.

The Imperial Censor Zhang Tang was also favored by the recommendation. Five of the Nine Ministers were graduates of the Imperial Academy, so they were all respectful and did not dare to refute any of his decisions.

Even ministers who were not from the Imperial Academy had to behave like students. Xu Zhou's prestige was too high, and even a wrong word could give the "cruel officials" headed by Zhang Tang a handle to hold him accountable.

Whether they are Legalists or Confucians, they are all scholars who value reputation more than anything else.

Perhaps only Zhou Yafu could relax a little.

"Then what do you think will be the posthumous title of Xu Xiang?"

Someone asked, his voice trembling.

Xu Zhou looked up at the sky: "The court will make the final decision, don't worry."

.........

The first thing to do in the morning court was to discuss the posthumous title of the old prime minister Xu Gong. Liu Che attached great importance to it because he was his teacher and a figure like Mount Tai in the Han Dynasty.

It must be treated with caution.

"Your Majesty, I think the old Prime Minister has served for many years and has handled state affairs in an orderly manner. He should be posthumously named Wen Zheng."

Shaofu spoke.

He was an important figure in the Legalist Party. A simple posthumous title actually involved party struggles, which determined who Xu Xiang was closer to and who was the orthodox one.

So of course everyone should try their best to promote their own posthumous title.

"That's right." After hearing this, Liu Che did not show any extra expression, but just nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty, I think Wen Zheng is not suitable. It is not enough to highlight Prime Minister Xu's contribution. Wen Xuan is more appropriate."

The Grand Herald of the Confucian Party came out and was also among the Nine Ministers.

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Censor Zhang Tang in front frowned and looked very unhappy.

Zhang Tang has always been the leader of the French Party, but he usually does not take part in it personally.

"Humph, the proclamation is too flimsy. Are you denying the contributions made by Prime Minister Xu? You are truly a disrespectful person who has studied hard for ten years but has learned nothing!"

"Your Majesty, I request that this official be executed immediately to restore order in the court."

Dali, who held judicial power, quickly jumped out and launched an attack.

The Confucian Party did not hold back at all and began to quote scriptures and state their reasons. Their final conclusion was also very simple.

The members of the French Party have no father or king. They disobey the teachings of Prime Minister Xu and should be killed as soon as possible!

Liu Che quietly looked at the ministers who were arguing with red faces below, and a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes. He just wanted to check and balance his ministers, but he didn't ask you to shout for war and killing every day.

He is killed at will. He is a Jiuqing. How can you kill him at will?

Of course, it's just talk. Anyone with a bit of common sense knows that the emperor would never do that.

In the end, it was Xu Zhou who stood up and ended this protracted war of words.

"Silence, silence, how can this be allowed in the great hall?"

Hearing Taichang's voice, all the ministers stopped tacitly, bowed to His Majesty to express their apologies, and then did not forget to salute Taichang.

I was afraid that the other party would catch me and take the opportunity to attack me.

(End of this chapter)