Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 147 An Enviable Friendship Across Ages

"When Emperor Taizu's army was stationed at Bashang, he was unable to meet Xiang Yu. Cao Wushang, Emperor Taizu's Left Sima, sent someone to speak to Xiang Yu..."

"Is this the Records of the Grand Historian?"

Inside the main hall of Yong'an Palace, Lu Zhi asked a question in a soft voice.

At that moment, Liu Bian was engrossed in reading the bamboo slips in his hands, immersed in the ocean of words, and did not even notice Lu Zhi's arrival.

Upon hearing Lu Zhi's voice, Liu Bian was taken aback at first, then slowly raised his head, shifting his gaze from the bamboo slips. His expression showed a hint of realization after being interrupted, and he nodded slightly, saying, "This is the original manuscript of the 'Records of the Grand Historian' presented to Emperor Zhongzong by Yang Yun, the grandson of the Grand Historian, without any deletions."

After saying this, Liu Bian gently placed the volume of "Records of the Grand Historian" on the table beside him, leaned back, and gently stroked his chin with his right hand, saying, "Although there are some slight biases in some parts, history can serve as a mirror to understand the rise and fall of dynasties. I still quite like this volume of 'Records of the Grand Historian'."

After speaking, Liu Bian raised his hand and gently beckoned to Gao Wang, who was standing to the side. Gao Wang understood and brought over a cup of honey water and a plate of sliced ​​fruits taken from the ice chest and placed them on the table in front of Lu Zhi. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he said, "It's a pity that Master Lu, Cai Bojie, and Uncle Ma are currently too busy with government affairs to go to the Eastern Pavilion of the Southern Palace to compile the 'Han Ji'."

The Han Ji is a national history compiled under the order of Empress Dowager Deng during the Yongning era of Emperor An. It covers sections on kings, princes, meritorious officials, and marquises, as well as biographies of the Southern Xiongnu and the Western Qiang, and geographical records. Because it was compiled in the Eastern Pavilion of the Southern Palace, it is also known as the Eastern Pavilion Han Ji.

Eight years ago, Ma Ridi, who was then serving as Grand Master of Ceremonies, along with Cai Yong, Yang Biao, Lu Zhi, and others who were then serving as Gentlemen of the Palace, volunteered to Liu Hong to continue compiling the "Han Ji".

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhi's expression flashed with emotion. He slowly knelt down on his heels, bowed slightly in gratitude, looked at the plate of fruits that still exuded cold air, and then reached out, grabbed a piece and put it in his mouth. The cool and sweet juice instantly spread in his mouth.

Lu Zhi narrowed his eyes slightly, a look of contentment on his face, as if the juice had dispelled some of the summer heat of late spring. Then he sighed softly and said with a smile, "Unfortunately, now that the virtuous Crown Prince is in power and overseeing the country, Cai Bojie, Uncle Ma, and I naturally have no need to revise history anymore."

Liu Bian shook his head slightly, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said, "When did Master Lu learn such flattering words? He should be punished!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhi tilted his head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then smiled and said to the Crown Prince, "Then punish me by making me drink a stone of wine tonight. I have just finished the Dragon Pool Yellow Wine bestowed upon me by the Emperor. How about Your Highness give me a few more jars?"

"Dream on." Liu Bian glanced at Lu Zhi, then suddenly remembered that two days ago Lu Zhi's wife had come to the palace to plead with him, the Crown Prince, to persuade Lu Zhi to drink in moderation, and even asked him to issue an edict to ban Lu Zhi from drinking. He thought to himself that even if he did not agree, and it was impossible for him to issue an edict to interfere with his subject's drinking, he could not encourage Lu Zhi to indulge in drinking.

Xun Shuang, the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, arrived shortly after. As soon as he stepped into the hall, his gaze fell upon Lu Zhi and the Crown Prince.

Lu Zhi and the Crown Prince were seen chatting and laughing. Lu Zhi would sometimes burst into laughter and lean forward slightly, while the Crown Prince would also smile and nod in response from time to time. The two showed no signs of being a subject and ruler, but rather seemed like ordinary friends despite their age difference.

Seeing this, Xun Shuang felt a little jealous, and a hint of envy quietly welled up in his heart.

As the Crown Prince and Lu Zigan spent more time together, the two seemed to have found a balance in their relationship, being both intimate and easygoing without violating the proper etiquette between ruler and subject. This teacher-student relationship was something Xun Shuang truly envied.

Of course, this alone was not enough to make Xun Shuang so envious. What moved and even made him jealous the most was that Lu Zhi had the privilege of entering all the halls outside the Yong'an Palace without being notified. This was also the reason why Liu Bian did not realize when Lu Zhi had arrived in front of him.

Everyone in the court and the public knows that the Crown Prince values ​​his own safety above all else, and such privilege is enough to demonstrate the Crown Prince's deep trust in Lu Zhi.

Before long, Grand Commandant Yang Ci, Minister of Works Yuan Wei, Minister of Agriculture Zhang Ji, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Liu Tao, and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat Yang Xu arrived one after another, along with the Crown Prince and his tutors Lu Zhi and Xun Shuang, making a total of eight people to test the candidates recommended this spring for their filial piety and incorruptibility.

However, after the embroidered-robed envoy screened the original list of nineteen candidates, only nine remained to enter today's final round of assessment.

Wang Fen, the chancellor of Hejian, was arrested for dereliction of duty in recommending two unfilial and incompetent officials as candidates for the civil service examination. In addition, four other officials, including prefects and chancellors with salaries of 2,000 shi (a unit of grain), were dismissed.

"Announce that He Qia of Runan Commandery, courtesy name Yangshi; Xu Jing of Runan Commandery, courtesy name Wenxiu; Zhu Zhi of Danyang Commandery, courtesy name Junli; Guo Yuan of Le'an Commandery, courtesy name Zini; Chen Deng of Xiapi Commandery, courtesy name Yuanlong; Lu Cui of Chenliu Commandery, courtesy name Wenwei; Ruan Yu of Chenliu Commandery, courtesy name Yuanyu; Fu Xun of Beidi Commandery, courtesy name Gongti; and Jia Cai of Guzang Commandery, courtesy name Caihe, enter the palace!"

As Zhao You's slightly high-pitched voice echoed through the palace, the last nine candidates for the civil service examination entered the main hall of Yong'an Palace, coming into the sight of the Crown Prince, the Three Dukes, and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

(End of this chapter)