Wait, please don't call me Emperor Zhaolie

Chapter 425: The Nobles Fight for Fame
From the translator, Princess Ke Han heard the Han Dynasty's determination to open up the Western Regions, but it was still unknown how long it would take to achieve this goal.

I saw an endless stream of people going to various shops to buy meat and the newly-produced icing sugar. This thing is light in color and sweet in taste. At the end of last year, it suddenly sold very well in Chang'an. It was said that it was transported from thousands of miles away to Guanzhong for sale.

In addition, the wine shop also sells wine. If it weren't for the completely different clothes and robes, Princess Ke Han would have thought she was still in the Western Regions.

Unlike the people of Shanshan who had haggard and gloomy faces, they hid in fear when they heard the sound of horse hooves, fearing that they would be discovered by the Xianbei people.

The people of the Han Dynasty's Chang'an city walked on the streets with an indescribable vitality about them, just like the rising sun, with its first rays shining brightly like fire.

"Ugh……"

Thinking of her own situation, Princess Shanshan couldn't help feeling a little melancholy. If only the Marquis Dingyuan from a hundred years ago could be resurrected and reincarnated, he would surely be able to bring dozens of people to integrate the countries in the Western Regions and make everyone work together to fight against the Xianbei.

In this way, His Majesty the Han Dynasty will no longer have to worry about the consumption of food and military equipment when sending troops on a journey of nearly ten thousand miles.

……

The population of Luoyang flourished faster than that of Chang'an in Guanzhong. Reconstruction began as early as the second year of Xingping. From then to the third year of Jianxing, five years had passed unknowingly.

The renovation progress of the South Palace and North Palace in the city was much better than that of the Changle and Weiyang Palaces, because some Guandong samurai and powerful families were worried that the emperor would stay in Chang'an.

So after discussion, they were willing to pay money from their own pockets to the court to speed up the reconstruction of Luoyang.

In addition, the compilation of the Han Records made many scholars willing to endure the hardship of traveling by boat and carriage, and brought their followers from thousands of miles to Luoyang, the capital, just to participate in the grand event of compiling classics with the strength of a whole country since the beginning of the world.

As a result, all the courtyards were almost rented out by scholars, which led to the development of various industries around Luoyang City and made merchants more willing to transport goods to Luoyang. For example, the Wuji Zhen family and the Donghai Mi family took the initiative to move to Henei County for the convenience of trade.

All rare items are sold in the shops in Luoyang City. The tea produced in Qingzhou is the most popular among scholars. When many people sit together and talk about the affairs of the world, they must drink tea and listen to the music of female musicians. Only then can they be considered to have the charm of a famous scholar.

Many famous people came to Luoyang just for a chance to leave their names in history. If they could participate in the compilation of Han Ji and have their names added in, they would be satisfied even if they were suppressed at the bottom.

However, everyone thought so. The thresholds of the residences of Grand Tutor Lu Gong and Kang Cheng Gong were almost trampled by scholars from various states, but they remained unmoved and said bluntly: "Now the number of assistants, chief recorders, and assistants in compiling the Hanji has increased to 500. Why do we need so many people to participate?"

"If you are willing to take out the ancient books from your home and copy them, then you will be qualified to read the records of Han Dynasty. Otherwise, there is no point in discussing this matter."

The celebrities were turned away by the two men and had to turn to Zhao Qi and Zhang Jian. Unfortunately, the two men were even more cunning. They moved directly into the government office and had not been seen for half a year. Even their own relatives could hardly see them.

While cursing Zhao Qi and Zhang Jian for being cunning, he went to look for Xun Yue of Yingchuan. This time he finally found him. Xun Zhongyu was indeed a descendant of Xunzi. He was easy-going and similar to Xun Wenruo who was far away in Guanzhong. Before everyone could praise him more.

Xun Yue took the initiative to bow his hands and apologize, and said with a wry smile: "Gentlemen, Yue is not the chief editor, adding names to the list is not something I can do."

"In order to make sure your trip is not in vain, how about you take a rest in my humble abode for a while?"

Xu Jing, a famous scholar from Runan, was a little upset on the spot. He could not help but stand up and wave his sleeves, saying angrily: "We came here with sincerity, but we did not expect Zhongyu and Xun Gongda to say the same thing. It seems that they are all evasive and prevaricate. Could it be that the Xun family of Yingchuan thinks that by climbing up the emperor's high branch, they can become the leader of the world's aristocratic families?"

"In front of you all, you can actually pass the buck to each other like this. I didn't expect that after Bo Tiao passed away, the Xun family is far inferior to what it used to be!"

Xu Jing sighed and felt deeply moved when he thought of his old friend.

The Bo Tiao he was referring to was none other than Xun Yu, the cousin of Xun Yue and Xun Yu. He was as famous as Li Ying in those days and was called one of the Eight Talents by scholars. Later, he died in prison along with Li Ying and others due to the second Party Persecution.

Xun Yu's brother Xun Tan was also implicated and was banned from holding an official post for life, and Xun Tan's grandson was Xun You. As soon as these words came out, Xun Yue's face darkened instantly. Xu Jing was such a vicious person that he actually wanted to make the Xun family of Yingchuan a thorn in the eyes of the gentry.

Xun Yu and Xun You were highly valued by the emperor, but they had gradually cut off ties with their clans. Even Xun Yue lived in Luoyang all the time and rarely returned to Yingchuan, just to avoid suspicion.

Firstly, he did not want to arouse the jealousy of the nobles in other states and counties, and secondly, he wanted to reassure the emperor that the Xun family, as the descendants of Xunzi, had family rules to follow and would never harbor evil intentions like the Yuan family of Runan.

He would not try to have students and former officials all over the country, nor would he form cliques with scholars. He would only select virtuous and capable people for the public good. Therefore, he politely rejected many recommendations made by people based on their personal connections and allowed them to take the path of imperial examinations.

I didn't expect that after only a short period of peace in the world, some people could no longer hold back and were eager to fight for power. It seems that assessing land and cracking down on the powerful is not enough to serve as a warning to the nobles in various states and counties!
As the emperor has been away in Guanzhong for the past two years governing Yong and Liang, some scholars have forgotten your majesty's power...

Xun Yue looked at the many celebrities in front of him. He felt amused, but at the same time, he was still furious. He stood up and said in a deep voice, "Wen Xiu, why do you say that?"

"The Xun family has always kept in mind the teachings of their ancestors, and has diligently assisted the emperor in governing officials and caring for the people, never seeking fame."

"If this still attracts criticism, it can only be said that the gentleman has done something wrong, but the villain is jealous and cannot tolerate it. The gentleman has done nothing wrong, but the villain is jealous and cannot tolerate it either. If you want to accuse someone, you can always find a pretext."

"Please do as you please, I'm sorry I can't see you off!"

Xun Yue's words made some of the scholars blush, and after he finished speaking, he bowed and said goodbye, preparing to return to the backyard so that he wouldn't be bothered by them.

However, he was stopped by others who grabbed his robe and said to Xu Jing, "Mr. Xun, please don't blame Mr. Xu. He also wanted to see Mr. Zhang and Mr. Zhao but couldn't. That's why he said something wrong. I hope Mr. Xun won't blame him. Don't blame him!"

"That's right, Lord Xun, don't blame Lord Xu for his insincere remarks. It was just a moment of urgency."

Someone wanted to ease the atmosphere and quietly pulled Xu Jing's sleeve, telling him to quit while he was ahead and not to make things too awkward with the Xun family of Yingchuan.

Otherwise, it would not be the Xun family who would suffer in the end, but the Xu family of Runan.

If Xu Zijiang were still alive, Xu could still use his reputation among the literati and would not have to bow his head and apologize.

But the situation is different now. You, Xu Jing, cannot afford to offend the Xun family, and no scholar present would be stupid enough to stand up and fight against the Xun family for you.

No one wanted to cut off their official careers, and although they were jealous, they only kept it secret and still wanted to be on good terms with the Xun family in public.

Xu Jing, who was originally furious, understood this truth after the two people behind him pulled his sleeves.

He suppressed his shame, tried his best to put on a smile, bowed to Xun Yue and apologized, "Jing said this in anger, don't take it seriously. I hope Xun Gong will forgive my careless and wrong words."

After Xu Jing finished speaking, he bowed again to apologize.

"Why do you need to be so particular about etiquette, Mr. Xu? No one is without faults in this world. If one can recognize his faults and correct them quickly, then there will be no faults."

Xun Yue walked over with light steps and a smile on his face, helped up Xu Jing, whose body was stiff, and patted his arm with words of comfort to a child.

Xu Jing could no longer maintain his smiling face, which instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.

(End of this chapter)