From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 229 Chen Zhengshi Memorial
Strictly speaking, what Zhao Xun said to Huang Longshi wasn't exactly deception; many top-tier players did just that.

They create the world, evolve civilization, and prove their own doctrines through all sorts of bizarre methods.

But what's going on in this world?
He really doesn't know.

He is not yet worthy of being called Meng Tianzun.

However, as long as we can fool Huang Longshi, this country bumpkin, away, that's enough.

The news that the Prince of Jing'an had defeated the chess master Huang Longshi in Chengyuan Hall had already spread throughout Tai'an City before the next day.

Along with this, it was also said that His Majesty greatly admired Zhao Xun, calling him a prodigy among the imperial family.

Therefore, Zhao Dun spent the following days welcoming and seeing off guests.

Besides those second-generation officials I'd only met once, there were also the second-generation officials from the families of high-ranking court officials.

He also met with several important officials in the court, most of whom were members of the Green Party, and even a Pillar of State appeared in his presence.

Qingzhou is known for producing many officials in the capital. Officials from Qingzhou in the court formed their own faction, which could compete for power with Chief Minister Zhang, General Gu, and the remnants of fallen states. This unity was inseparable from their success.

Although the Prince of Jing'an's mansion is a princely prince of the imperial clan, he has become quite flexible in his position in Qingzhou over the years and has gradually integrated into the local community. His relationship with the Qing Party has also become increasingly close. Now, the heir of the mansion has not only distinguished himself in painting and created a new school of thought, but he has also defeated the world-renowned Huang Longshi in chess, which has provoked Huang Longshi to resign. From the perspective of the Qing Party, this is a great thing that can greatly enhance their prestige.

Therefore, they were naturally very enthusiastic towards him, the heir apparent.

Of course, this was also related to the fact that they had received accurate information from the palace.

His Majesty truly speaks highly of this Prince Jing'an's heir and admires him greatly; this is the key reason why the leaders of the Green Party are willing to step forward.

It should be noted that the Green Party never participated in power struggles between feudal lords, let alone between feudal lords and the imperial family.

Without such definite information, that pillar of state would not easily step forward.

A month had passed by the time this round of welcoming and sending off guests had reached a similar level of popularity as the Chengyuan Hall chess tournament.

After seeing off the last visitor, Zhao Xun shut himself in, no longer intending to get involved in the turmoil outside.

After the Li Yang Dynasty brought the second-generation elites from various regions to Tai'an City for a lively tour, unsurprisingly, a month and a half later, they notified the young masters and heirs of each family that they could leave Tai'an City, except for Zhao Xun.

Of course, Zhao Xun was not detained, but rather the emperor wanted to summon him for a private audience before he left.

Tai'an City, Imperial Palace
Daxing Hall

This is a side hall in the palace, but it is very important in the Li Yang Dynasty.

Well, it's basically a place for holding small meetings, similar to the Lakeside Palace in the world of Joy of Life.

"I heard you've been very busy lately!"

As Zhao Xun entered the Daxing Hall, before he could even complete the proper etiquette, he heard teasing voices.

Zhao Xun couldn't help but smile wryly, "There's nothing I can do. With fame comes trouble. Huang Longshi's reputation is too great. Winning against him has also boosted my own."

“That’s only human nature.” Zhao Dun nodded. “I’ve called you here today because there’s something I want to ask you.”

"Please give your Majesty's orders."

What is your view of the world today?

"Huh?!" Zhao Xun looked up in astonishment, completely bewildered. After a long while, he smiled wryly and said, "Your Majesty, this is too big a topic for me. I am too young and have not considered such a thing before."

"Have you really not considered it? You are a genius, and the son of a prince. Don't you want to inherit your father's throne and have it passed down through generations?!" "I have thought about it. The hereditary succession of the Jing'an throne is my father's lifelong wish. Of course I have thought about it, but some things cannot be forced. I have been trying to find a way to dispel my father's idea."

"Hmm?" This time it was Zhao Dun's turn to be surprised. "You don't want the throne of the Prince of Jing'an?"

"Your mind is not on this."

"That's true, but you are still you. You can still pass this throne to your children and grandchildren. If you don't want it, don't they want it too?"

"What a load of bullshit about children and grandchildren." Zhao Xun cursed inwardly. "Your Majesty, on my way to the capital, I heard a saying from the countryside: 'Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; don't be a beast of burden for them.' I think it makes a lot of sense."

"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings; don't be a beast of burden for them!" Zhao Dun gently tapped the back of the dragon throne with his right hand. After a while, he said, "That makes sense. It's a pity that the person who said this must have no children."

"Who knows?" Zhao Xun replied with a smile.

"It's clear you aspire to Confucianism and Taoism. Since you've done so and spent three years at Shangyin Academy, you must have some understanding of the current state of affairs. I've heard that Shangyin students excel in writing policy essays and are also highly skilled in debating classics. I wonder if that's true?!"

"The Shangyin Academy of today is not the same as the Shangyin Academy of the past. Whether it is policy discussions or debates on classics, it is all just empty talk. It is either nonsense or impractical. This time when I leave Tai'an City, I am prepared to go back to Shangyin Academy and give it a sound thrashing."

"Oh!!" Zhao Dun's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, praising, "Good, good indeed, you are the unicorn of my Zhao family. The sons of my Zhao family should have such a spirit. Since you have some ambition, then I wish you a resounding victory in advance."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will certainly not disappoint you."

"Well, since you're interested in developing your career at Shangyin Academy, it's time to fire the first shot. Do you have any ideas?!"

"Your Majesty, I have a script!"

As if he had anticipated this, Zhao Xun smiled, took out a memorial from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands.

"This is...!" Zhao Dun looked at Zhao Xun in surprise. In just a few words during the audience today, Zhao Xun had surprised him three times, which was truly unexpected.

He took the memorial, opened it, and his eyes lit up.

"Excellent calligraphy!! Your calligraphy is no worse than Huang Longshi's!"

"Your Majesty flatters me. My calligraphy is but a minor skill."

"Very well." Zhao Dun smiled and turned his gaze to the memorial itself, and then his eyes were glued to it.

"Your Majesty, I humbly believe that there is one thing that warrants weeping, two things that warrant tears, and six things that warrant deep sighs. As for other things that are contrary to reason and violate morality, it is difficult to list them all. Those who offer advice all say that the world is already at peace and well-governed..."

Jia Yi of the Western Han Dynasty
Chen Zhengshi Memorial
Plagiarism is something everyone can do. Copying poems? Ha! What are poems anyway? Can they govern the world? That's just too lowbrow!

If you're going to do something, do it big. Perfect. He wants to seize the fortune of Confucianism and Taoism. But what is it that allows Confucianism and Taoism to become one of the three religions and stand on equal footing with Buddhism and Taoism?
It's just about engaging with the world!

Confucianism is a doctrine for governing the world and a discipline that helps rulers maintain their rule. That is why it was supported by rulers and exclusively promoted as the state ideology.

Who is Jia Yi?

The most regrettable political genius in the history of the Western Han Dynasty established his historical status with three articles. The "On the Faults of Qin" goes without saying, as it contradicts the history of this era. However, the "Memorial on Political Affairs" and the "Memorial on Accumulating Grain" are Confucian classics that have been passed down for thousands of years.

In the early Western Han Dynasty, the political situation with numerous feudal lords was similar to that of the current Li Yang Dynasty. Finding a second primordial spirit to help with localization would be a simple matter.

As it turned out, his move was quite impressive. Zhao Dun stared at the memorial for a full half hour without moving, until he had read three parts of the entire article. Only then did he gently close the memorial, look up at Zhao Xun, and his gaze was very complicated.

"You wrote all of this?!"

"These are just my humble opinions, Your Majesty. Please correct me if I'm wrong!"

(End of this chapter)