Jinting Han people

Chapter 29 Descendants of Cao Zhi (4k)

On the 283rd day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of the Taikang reign, Liu Xian packed his clothes and luggage, said goodbye to his mother Zhang Ximiao with a smile, went to the stable to get a little red horse, and left Dongwu to pay New Year's greetings to Xiao Ruan Gong on Shouyang Mountain alone.

The weather was clear and sunny, illuminating the vast expanse of the sky and blanketing the earth in a blanket of white. Under the sun's blazing rays, the snow on the ground began to steam, filling the air between heaven and earth with a vapor that was both warm and icy. Liu Xian rode his horse, looking around. He was the only one walking in the vast wilderness, and this made him feel a little lonely.

Liu Xian was now twelve years old and had grown considerably taller. The past two years of diligent martial arts training with Young Master Ruan had made him appear even more capable and powerful, like a young adult. Even riding a horse alone in the snow, he would not appear frail to others, a quality most children of noble families lacked.

However, Liu Xian had not seen Shi Chao, Jia Mi and others for a long time.

This was, of course, due to the factional strife within the Prince of Qi. Over the past year, the political situation in Luoyang had been profoundly turbulent, a faction-driven turmoil that even Liu Xian, who was not in Luoyang, could clearly sense: after Zhang Hua's exile, Zhang Wei followed him to Youzhou, and many high-ranking officials in Luoyang became increasingly hostile, engaging in relentless attacks and criticism. Under these circumstances, some high-ranking officials, fearing the escalating factional strife would endanger their families, sent their children back to their hometowns. Consequently, Shi Chao, Wang Zhou, Xun Chuo, and others were all taken back to their ancestral lands.

But for Liu Xian, that was all. No matter how fierce the Qi faction's struggles became, it had virtually no impact on the Anle Mansion. Instead, it put Anle Duke Liu Xun in a very good mood. Aside from the time he scolded and beat Liu Xian last year, he hadn't lost his temper since. Not only did he stop visiting prostitutes and indulging in lust, he even tried to reconcile with his mother, Zhang Ximiao. Last September, Zhang Ximiao experienced a loss of appetite, and she thought she was ill. However, upon checking, she discovered her mother was pregnant again!

The entire household rejoiced over this event. After all, despite having married eight concubines over the years, the Duke of Anle had somehow remained childless, with only Liu Xian as his son. Now that the couple was expecting again, at least the main branch of the family was somewhat prosperous. Zhang Ximiao then handed over all household chores to her widowed sister-in-law, Fei Xiu, while she recuperated in Dongwu awaiting her birth.

Liu Xian was happy about the changes at home. So, although he'd felt a bit lonely over the past year, it wasn't a big deal. As long as he focused on his studies, he didn't have time to worry about anything else.

Arriving at Shouyang Mountain, Liu Xian dismounted, carrying the gift in one hand and the reins in the other. He walked from the foot of the mountain to the courtyard of Ruan Manor. He saw the snow had been swept aside and piled up, but looking around, he saw no one. A white-gray mist drifted in from the low wall outside the manor, and the air was slightly tinged with the lonely scent of sandalwood. However, the bamboo forest within the courtyard was lush and green, even the snow did not diminish its emerald green. There was no bird song, only a few donkeys and horses sneezing as they ate hay from the manger.

Liu Xian tied up his chestnut horse and glanced sideways. Seeing three more horses, he immediately realized that he wasn't the only one here today; the teacher also had other guests. Should he go in directly? Or should he wait at the door for a while and wait for someone he knew to introduce him?

While he was lost in thought, a child suddenly ran out from the inner courtyard. Seeing Liu Xian standing alone in the yard, he was startled and screamed. Liu Xian saw that the child was only five or six years old, wearing a short-sleeved blue cloth, with clear eyes and a fair and delicate face. He was obviously the son of a wealthy family.

The child stared at Liu Xian with wide eyes and asked, "Who are you?" Liu Xian asked him back, "Who are you?" The child quickly replied, "I'm A Gua!" Liu Xian couldn't help laughing, wondering whose child this was, he was very cute.

At this time, Ruan Xuan, the nephew of Ruan Gong, came out. Seeing Liu Xian, he quickly waved and said, "Bi Ji, you're here so early? Ruan Gong is talking to a guest inside. I'm here to introduce you." Then he grabbed Liu Xian's sleeve with one hand and took the child named A Gua with the other, and walked to the side room in the backyard. As Liu Xian walked, he thought: "During this tense political period, it's been a long time since scholars have visited. Who could someone come to see Ruan Gong at this time? I'm afraid it can't be just to talk about Xuan?"

After knocking on the door, the aroma of tea filled the air. Liu Xian peeked inside and saw Ruan Gongzheng sitting across from his guest on a couch, talking, while Ruan Fu brewed tea nearby. Seated below were two young men, about Liu Xian's age, clearly the guest's juniors.

When Little Ruan Gong saw that it was Liu Xian who came in, he immediately slapped his knees and greeted Liu Xian while smiling at the guest, "Come, come, let me introduce you to my most proud disciple, Liu Xuande's great-grandson, the current prince of Anle, Liu Biji!" Then he introduced Liu Xian, "Quick, Biji, meet the Duke of Juancheng!"

It turned out to be the Duke of Juancheng! Liu Xian suddenly realized, and then became curious. What was he doing here?

The so-called Duke of Juancheng is the grandson of Emperor Wu of Wei, Cao Cao, the son of King Chensi of Wei, Cao Zhi, and the current Doctor and Chief Academician Cao Zhi.

Unlike the Anle Duke, Cao Zhi, despite being a noble from the previous dynasty, was highly valued by the new dynasty. This was due to his childhood friendship with the current Emperor, Sima Yan, who shared similar interests. Therefore, after the founding of the Western Jin Dynasty, he served as the Prefect of Leping, Palace Attendant, and Doctor of the Imperial Academy, ultimately becoming the Chief Academician. It's said that 50% to 60% of the scholars who entered the government over the years were his students!
Of the three children who came with him, two who were about the same age as Liu Xian were his nephews Cao Yun and Cao Hui, and the youngest, a five-year-old child, was his grandson Cao Miao.

After paying his respects, Liu Xian presented the prepared gifts to Mr. Ruan, which were two pots of Huadiao wine brewed by his mother and ten pounds of freshly slaughtered beef, and then sat down at the seat below Mr. Ruan.

Apparently, Liu Xian's guess was correct: Duke Juancheng Cao Zhi had come to discuss an urgent matter. Although he glanced at Liu Xian curiously and exchanged a few greetings, he didn't engage in small talk. Instead, he and Little Ruan Gong quickly moved on to other topics, clearly having previously discussed this matter.

Liu Xian listened quietly for a while and gradually understood that Duke Juancheng was also affected by the party struggle and came to ask Duke Ruan for help.

After the mutiny, the turmoil in the court didn't cease; instead, the battlefield shifted. Over the past year, the emperor and the King of Qi had engaged in three rounds of fighting, each with the King of Qi attacking and the emperor on the defensive. By this point, the emperor, having reached the limit of his patience, decided to turn the tables and strike first. At the end of the year, he issued an edict to the Ministry of Rites, ordering them to discuss a plan with the various doctors to further elevate the King of Qi. Ostensibly to demonstrate the emperor's brotherly harmony, in reality, it was a renewed urging for the King of Qi to return to his fiefdom.

However, what the emperor did not expect was that the Taichang Palace disliked the prince and admired the King of Qi. As soon as the imperial edict reached the Taichang Palace, the doctors were dissatisfied and began to make suggestions on state affairs.

Among them were seven people, Yu Yu, Taishu Guang, Liu Tun, Miao Wei, Guo Yi, Qin Xiu, and Fu Zhen. They were still young and full of enthusiasm. After discussion, they wrote an impassioned article on the same day and submitted a joint memorial. The memorial listed several precedents of regents in the Zhou and Han dynasties, arguing that it was natural for the King of Qi to assist in government and that he must not become a vassal. They asked the emperor to revoke his order. Later, Zheng Mo, the Minister of Rites, and Cao Zhi, who was the chief academician at the time, were also moved by the memorial and could not help but sign their names together and return it to the emperor. However, the outcome of such a rebellious act can be imagined. After the memorial was submitted to the Secretariat, it is said that the emperor was furious and first scolded the Duke of Juancheng, saying, "Cao Zhi does not understand my heart! Years of friendship have been wasted!"

That night, he issued an imperial edict criticizing the Taichang Office, saying, "You don't answer the questions you were asked, but answer what you didn't ask. You're making up ridiculous theories! These are just scholarly opinions! How can they be tolerated by the state?"

All those implicated were subsequently apprehended and imprisoned, with the exception of Cao Zhi, who was dismissed and sent home due to past ties. The next day, the Imperial Court Judge Liu Song reported to the Emperor, intending to have the doctors executed for treason, but the Emperor had yet to respond.

This happened six days ago.

During these days, Duke Juancheng was utterly distraught. The arrested scholars were all his subordinates and close friends. How could he sit idly by and watch these young men perish? So, after his dismissal, he traveled extensively, seeking out prominent figures, hoping to jointly petition the emperor and leverage public opinion to spare their lives. Naturally, his visit to Duke Ruan was also intended to leverage the fame of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.

At this point, the Duke of Juancheng was somewhat moved by the scene and could not help but say something extreme. He said: "I am a member of the royal family of the previous dynasty, the son of Prince Chen Si. Think about how our ancestors' foundation was destroyed. Wasn't it because Emperor Wen of Wei was suspicious of the royal family and alienated his brothers? Now I serve Your Majesty and have finally witnessed the unification of the world. Can I watch him repeat the same mistakes? When there is such a talented person among our close relatives, we should work together! But the emperor is so suspicious and even kills loyal people. How can I not be heartbroken!"

At this point, Duke Juancheng sighed deeply, tears streaming down his lapels. After calming down, he once again prostrated himself before Duke Ruan and pleaded, "Brother Zhongrong, you are renowned throughout the land, and your words carry some weight. I hope you will care for those loyal and patriotic souls, and preserve some talented individuals for our country..."

Little Ruan Gong couldn't bear such a generous gift, so he quickly helped Juancheng Gong to his feet. However, he still hesitated to agree to the joint petition. Because he was naturally free and easy, and had stayed away from the court for many years to avoid being constrained and looked down upon, asking him to break with tradition at this time was a huge violation of Little Ruan Gong's original intention.

Just as he was feeling the pinch, Liu Xian, who was sitting at the bottom, suddenly asked, "Excuse me, young man. Dare I ask, with this petition, are you trying to save the doctor from death? Or are you trying to exonerate him?"

The Duke of Juancheng was surprised that Liu Xian would interrupt him at such a critical moment. He was displeased for a moment, but he was very well-mannered and quickly composed himself. He replied to Liu Xian, "At this point, how can we let them off the hook? We're lucky to be spared death."

Liu Xian smiled and said, "From what I have seen, the doctors have already been spared, so there is no need for you to submit a petition."

"Oh?" Duke Juancheng was a little suspicious for a moment. He glanced at Liu Xian, then at Little Ruan, who was standing beside him. Seeing Little Ruan smiling, he didn't interrupt. Instead, he stroked his beard and asked, "What do you think, sir?"

"It's not a brilliant idea, just something I deduced based on previous examples." Seeing both Duke Juancheng and Duke Ruan raise their eyes to stare at him, Liu Xian felt a surge of excitement and continued, "The current emperor is known for his leniency. Since ascending the throne, he has never instituted a major prison. Think back to the great defeat at Xiling, when Yang Zhao suffered a crushing defeat, losing over ten thousand soldiers and generals. According to the law, he should have been executed, but in the end, he was only demoted to a commoner. No matter how serious the crimes committed by the doctors today are, can they be greater than those committed by Yang Zhao back then?"

"And this isn't an isolated case. Wasn't it said last month that the Imperial Guards were preparing to purge the emperor's court? Such a heinous act was reported, and the Emperor simply made light of it. In the end, he didn't even know who the mastermind was. Compared to this, what are the scholars' memorials? Killing them, and these are renowned scholars at that. Wouldn't that completely ruin the Emperor's decades-long reputation? It's simply not worth it."

Seeing both Little Ruan Gong and Juancheng Gong nodding repeatedly, Liu Xian couldn't help but beam with joy. Although he had spent the past two years studying Laozi and Zhuangzi with Little Ruan Gong, and practicing ritual music, horse riding, and archery, he hadn't neglected his duties. Every day when he returned home, he would spend two hours reading historical records, even if it meant staying up late. As he grew older, his insights became sharper, and his understanding of current affairs began to surpass that of ordinary people. He continued:

"I just heard you say that the Supreme Court's verdict has been submitted for six days, but the Emperor has kept it secret. Why is that? Even if a death sentence is passed, the execution will still take place in the autumn, so there's still room for maneuver. But this has been dragged on, and it serves no purpose other than to frighten people. This shows that the Emperor actually wants to scare people. But since he has decided to kill, why does he need to scare people? Unless..."

"The beating was real, the killing was fake!" Duke Juancheng suddenly understood, completely convinced by Liu Xian's reasoning. He unconsciously got off the bed, looked Liu Xian up and down, and clapped his hands to praise Little Duke Ruan, saying, "Brother Zhongrong, your disciple is truly worthy! I envy him!" Turning to the brothers Cao Yun and Cao Hui, he said, "You are of similar age, but your perspectives are so different. You should work harder in the future and learn from Brother Liu." The two young men lowered their heads and pouted, not daring to speak.

For the rest of the day, the Duke of Juancheng spent his time chatting with Liu Xian, covering everything from poetry, rituals, and music to humanities and geography. Before they knew it, the conversation stretched from noon to dusk, even to the point where they sat knee-to-knee. He greatly admired Liu Xian's conversation, saying, "You are still young, yet some of your insights surpass mine. You will surely become a great man in the future." Before parting, he untied the tiger-head jade stone from his waist as a gift.

Liu Xian was also very happy. Among the elders he had met, apart from his mother and Little Ruan Gong, few had been as willing to listen to his thoughts and insights for so long as Duke Juancheng had. Being able to talk freely all day today also made him feel sincerely happy.

As Duke Juancheng and his entourage gradually walked away from the bamboo forest path, Liu Xian also began to pack his bags.

What he didn't know was that this conversation that day would completely change his destiny.

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(End of this chapter)