My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

If it was all a show, what were Liu Shan's motives?

Throughout history, many people have put on a show, mostly to vie for the throne.

For example, Wang Mang put on a show, establishing himself as a moral exemplar in order to win the hearts of the people and force the Han emperor to abdicate, so that he could change the dynasty and become emperor himself.

For example, Yang Guang's show was for his father Yang Jian's benefit, in order to compete for the position of crown prince, and ultimately to become emperor.

What was Liu Shan's purpose in putting on this show?

As the eldest son of the legitimate wife, his position as crown prince is secure. As long as he doesn't do anything particularly outrageous or absurd, even if he performs mediocrely or just lazes around, the throne of the Han emperor will eventually be his.

If that's the case, why bother to torture yourself by putting on so many shows to cultivate a benevolent and righteous image for yourself?
If it's not just a show, then is it from the bottom of one's heart?

The shock of falling into the water stimulated Liu Shan's brain, which in turn caused a dramatic change in his temperament, prompting these advanced ideas and turning him into a more compassionate and benevolent ruler than Liu Shan himself.

That's the only explanation.

Xiao He couldn't think of any other reasonable explanation.

Faced with Liu Shan's question, Xiao He hesitated for a moment, then could only cup his hands and smile, saying:

As the sage said: Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

"The people are like water; the direction of the people's hearts is the direction of Heaven's mandate."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is benevolent towards the people, which is a blessing for His Majesty and for our Great Han."

Xiao He played a trick, subtly changing the subject.

They lavish praise on Liu Shan and acknowledge his benevolence and righteousness, but they did not directly answer his question.

Liu Shan's lips curved slightly upward, clearly satisfied with Xiao He's response.

"Grand Marshal, you flatter me. My father taught us from childhood to treat the people with benevolence and righteousness. I am merely putting my father's teachings into practice."

"Compared to my father's benevolence towards the people, what I have done is far from enough."

After a self-deprecating remark, Liu Shan invited Xiao He into his residence.

It was still early, and Zhuge Liang and the other ministers had not yet arrived, so Liu Shan first invited Xiao He into the study for a short chat.

Upon entering, a book on the table immediately caught Xiao He's eye.

It was a mathematics book, which he compiled as a textbook for his student, Liu Yu, the Prince of Song.

"How did this book end up with Your Highness?"

Xiao He picked up the math book and looked at Liu Chan with a puzzled expression.

Liu Shan leaned closer and said with a faint smile:
"As the eldest son of my father, the eldest brother in the family, I naturally have the responsibility to care for my younger brothers and sisters."

"So not long ago, I went to the Prince of Song's residence to visit my fourth brother, and I happened to see the books that the Grand Marshal had compiled for my fourth brother, so I borrowed a few from him."

As he spoke, Liu Shan took the math book from his hand, casually flipped through it, and said:

"I can understand the other books to a certain extent, but this math book is really obscure and difficult to understand. It leaves me completely confused."

"Although I can't understand it, I feel that this mathematics book is a rare and wonderful book, and its value far surpasses that of the Four Books and Five Classics."

"Not only this mathematics book, but all the books you compiled for my fourth brother, Grand Marshal, are rare and extraordinary books throughout history. The principles contained within them far surpass the words of those so-called sages!"

Liu Shan clicked his tongue in admiration, looked up at Xiao He, and his eyes were filled with worship.

Xiao He was greatly surprised.

These textbooks for subjects like math, geography, and physics, while teaching basic introductory knowledge, are like gibberish to people of this era.

Even a great strategist like Zhuge Liang was still confused after reading it, and could not understand most of it.

The others, needless to say, only found it novel but were not interested and no one wanted to read it. It was only because Liu Yu was young, and children have a strong ability to learn, that he was able to keep up with the learning.

To Xiao He's surprise, Liu Shan, the eldest brother of the Liu family, also developed an interest in these teaching materials.

What's even more surprising is that Liu Shan was able to see the value in these teaching materials!
They even believed that the principles taught in these books far surpassed the teachings of the sages!

Among adults, Liu Shan was the first to have such insight.

It's not easy...

"It is truly remarkable that Your Highness can recognize the value of this book; you are indeed exceptionally talented!"

Xiao He gave a heartfelt exclamation of praise, but then changed the subject:
"However, the principles in these books of mine and the way of the sages each have their own merits. It cannot be said that the principles in these books are far superior to the way of the sages. It can only be said that each has its own expertise."

Having lived through two generations and accumulated thousands of years of historical lessons and experiences, Xiao He possessed an extraordinary level of understanding, making it impossible for him to hold such a black-and-white view.

Is there any perfect logic in this world?

The Four Books and Five Classics, the way of the sages, have both advantages and disadvantages; the key is how you use them.

The math book Liu Shan was holding, along with the geography and physics books on his desk, weren't meant to make him invincible and solve all the world's problems.

If Xiao Hezhen believed in anything, it would be these four words:

Practical application to the world.

No matter what kind of doctrine, weapon, or talent it is, as long as it is used in the right place and at the right time, and it benefits both the public and the private sector, then there is no problem.

Therefore, Xiao He could not only bring out the imperial examination system of later generations to teach Liu Yu about science, but also accept having multiple wives and concubines, and even put aside his so-called "dignity" to perform the kowtow of a subject to Liu Yu.

However, Liu Shan seemed to lack the magnanimity and vision of Xiao He.

Upon hearing Xiao He's answer, he merely twitched the corner of his mouth slightly, neither refuting nor agreeing.

"Grand Marshal, besides these teaching materials, there is also the bamboo paper you invented, which is truly a great deed that benefits the world."

Liu Shan turned the conversation to the book in his hand, clicking his tongue in admiration:
"This bamboo paper is inexpensive to produce, so even ordinary people, as long as they have a few acres of land and a little extra money, can go to school."

"If you study hard and pass the imperial examinations, you can stand out from the crowd and serve your country."

"Grand Marshal, the imperial examination system you created, along with this bamboo paper, has opened up a path for ordinary people to change their fate and rise in society. Its significance and merit are no less than your assistance to the Emperor in unifying the world!"

Xiao He was startled, and when he looked at Liu Shan again, his gaze was more than just one of admiration.

When he recommended the imperial examination system to Lao Liu, and even later when he invented bamboo paper, he talked about many benefits, but he never got to the heart of the matter.

To provide ordinary people with a path to upward mobility, to give those at the bottom a way to climb the social ladder, and to inject fresh blood into the upper echelons, thus preventing them from becoming stagnant.

This was his deeper motivation for establishing the imperial examination system and inventing bamboo paper.

Xiao He believed that not many people in the Han Dynasty could see this deeper meaning.

He wasn't even sure if Lao Liu could see this layer.

Unexpectedly, A Dou actually saw it.

This kid is really amazing...

"Da Sima!"

Liu Shan closed the book and looked at Xiao He with a solemn expression:
"After we unify the world, I would like to suggest to my father that the government fund the establishment of schools throughout the country, so that all children of school age in our Han Dynasty, regardless of their social status, can attend school for free."

"The books they are reading are the extraordinary books from other worlds that you, Grand Marshal, compiled for my fourth brother."

"Only in this way can, one day, our Great Han Dynasty achieve a society where everyone, regardless of social status, is like a dragon!" (End of Chapter)