Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 214 Your Highness, whatever you ask for, Heaven will grant!

Liu Bian stood with his hands behind his back in front of the sandalwood window, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the intricately carved cloud patterns on the window frame. His gaze was as deep as an ancient well as he stared at the peach tree swaying in the wind outside the window and Zhang Hong gradually disappearing into the distance.

In fact, Liu Bian also knew that some things were really difficult for these scholars of the ancient literature school. After all, this was almost a new chapter on the abdication system in the Book of Rites, and there were no reference materials at all.

However, Liu Bian also knew that these scholars of the Classical Literature School would not have failed to think of the example of Wang Mang, but without his permission, probably no one would dare to bring it up.

It is utterly absurd, even treasonous, for His Highness the Crown Prince to ascend the throne by abdication from his own father, yet follow the same abdication ceremony as that of a usurper of the Han dynasty.

The purpose of ritual is to maintain orthodoxy. To imitate the ritual established by traitors would contradict the original intention of "ritual".
As Liu Bian had predicted, according to the report from the Embroidered-Robe Envoy, after Zhang Hong left the palace in a daze, he first returned to the office of the Grand Minister of Agriculture. After finishing his shift, he did not linger for a moment and went to Puyang Kai's residence. Then, the master and apprentice went together to the residence of Zheng Xuan, the Grand Sacrificer.

Zheng Xuan was the host and organizer of the abdication ceremony established by the Crown Prince. He was also recognized as the most learned person by the ancient literature school, and even the modern literature school admired him sincerely.

Therefore, during this period, scholars of the Classical Literature School gathered at Zheng Xuan's residence to discuss the regulations of the abdication ceremony, and often had to stay at Zheng Xuan's residence because the curfew had been exceeded.

Thanks to the Crown Prince's generous treatment of Zheng Xuan, who was granted a mansion beyond the rules for official rank, there was enough room for all these people to live in Zheng Xuan's residence.

In Zheng Xuan's residence, servants bowed respectfully as they led Puyang Kai and Zhang Hong to the main hall, their faces full of fawning smiles. They gestured for seats at the front and asked solicitously, "These are your seats. Would you like some refreshments? My master said they were a gift from His Highness the Crown Prince."

Puyang Kai narrowed his eyes slightly, taking in the courtesy he received. Overwhelmed with emotion, he gently stroked his sleeve and said slowly, "Thank you for your trouble. Please bring some more tea."

"Please wait a moment, guest."

The servant immediately bowed his head and carefully recorded the two men's needs on the bamboo slips. After finishing writing, he respectfully took three steps back, bowed, and then turned to leave.

A year ago, Puyang Kai would not have been given such a prominent seat or such courtesy, nor would he have had servants eagerly inquiring about his needs. He wouldn't even have had the chance to step into Zheng Xuan's residence.

He was too stubborn back then, disregarding sectarianism and teaching both the ancient school's "Zuo Zhuan" and "Book of Rites" and the modern school's "Han Poetry" at the same time. He never took sides with either school, and as a result, he was suppressed by both of them.

Puyang Kai looked at Zhang Hong behind him. If this disciple had not become a trusted retainer of the Crown Prince, he probably would not have been accepted by the Ancient Literature School, and he would not have had the opportunity to dissuade Fu Qian and others from their actions when Lu Zhi was falsely accused by He Yong, thus making a contribution.

Since he has received so much kindness from his disciple, the teacher should also do something for the student and share some of the hardships.

Before long, Zheng Xuan, leaning on a bamboo cane, walked unsteadily into the main hall.

Judging from his complexion, even with the flickering candlelight, one could still see a hint of weariness. Clearly, the ritual of receiving Zen had stumped this renowned Confucian scholar.

With Zheng Xuan's arrival, the scholars of the Ancient Literature School once again engaged in a rather meaningless discussion. Zhang Hong glanced at Puyang Kai, only to see Puyang Kai sitting upright, stroking his beard with his right hand, and shaking his head to signal him to calm down.

After the heated discussion subsided, the atmosphere quieted down a bit, and many of the scholars in the hall looked tired. Some of those who had been too enthusiastic during the debate were sipping honey water to quench their thirst.

At this moment, a glint flashed in Puyang Kai's eyes. He rose from his seat and stood in the center of the hall, bowing to the scholars of the classical literature school who were in front of, behind, to the left, and to the right.

Such a grand gift inevitably surprised, and even unsettled, the others.

Confucianism is ultimately a school of thought that emphasizes "rites," and even debates on classics must be conducted in accordance with rites.

Yes, I insulted your parents and even your ancestors during the debate because I was too emotional. But did I prostrate myself before you before the debate?
I apologized to you in advance, so why do you say I was rude and why are you accusing me?
It's clear that you lack tolerance for others!

Everyone present was well aware of Puyang Kai's ability to debate classical texts. If Puyang Kai had not been so skilled in interpreting classical texts and had not chosen sides, the ancient and modern literary schools would not have joined forces to suppress him.

Therefore, many people were prepared to lose their mothers due to carelessness. Zheng Xuan was also greatly shocked. Seeing Puyang Kai like this, he couldn't sit still any longer. He staggered to his feet, quickly helped him up, forced a smile, gently patted his hand, and kept winking at Puyang Kai, saying, "Zikuan, what's wrong? Today, everyone in the hall is a fellow traveler. Please speak freely and get up quickly."

Puyang Kai and Zheng Xuan exchanged a glance, and he understood the meaning behind Zheng Xuan's words.

Today, everyone present is a scholar of the Classical Literature School, and all of them are core members. We are all here to discuss this for the benefit of His Highness the Crown Prince and the Classical Literature School. Please give me some face, let's talk things out, and please don't cause any trouble.

However, Puyang Kai did not accept Zheng Xuan's hint. He simply ran his fingers across Zheng Xuan's palm a few times. Zheng Xuan was taken aback at first, then glanced at Zhang Hong, sighed slightly, and did not try to stop Puyang Kai again.

What could he possibly object to when His Highness the Crown Prince assigned this master and disciple to this task?

Lying down and giving up is definitely not a good thing.

If it's a good thing, wouldn't it be better to tell him directly, or to tell Lu Zhi and Xun Shuang and Cai Yong, the two future fathers-in-law of the Crown Prince?

Moreover, Puyang Kai was an expert in the Book of Rites, and the Crown Prince's choice of Puyang Kai to do his work was self-evident.

Although Zheng Xuan had only served as a minor official for a few years, apart from being the Grand Sacrificer, he was not ignorant of politics.

As Zheng Xuan had predicted, Puyang Kai had indeed prepared this grand plan, making a startling statement by proposing to use Wang Mang's abdication ceremony as a template.

Before Puyang Kai could finish speaking, some of the scholars of the classical literature school in the main hall slammed their fists on the table and began to hurl insults. Some were even so agitated that they grabbed a lacquered plate of snacks from the table and threw it at Puyang Kai.

The entire room was filled with people hurling insults at him, their words dripping with spittle, all expressing their loyalty and condemning Puyang Kai for betraying the country's favor and deserving of death.

Zheng Xuan exchanged glances with Lu Zhi, Xun Shuang, and Cui Lie. Zheng Xuan pulled back the agitated Fu Qian, Lu Zhi used brute force to press his friend Ma Ridi back onto his seat, Cui Lie held tightly to Cai Yong's sleeve, and Xun Shuang protected Puyang Kai behind him, loudly shouting to stop the crowd's insults and arguments.

The uproar came quickly and went even faster; the anger dissipated in an instant. Puyang Kai was not a man who didn't know the consequences; how could he have the audacity to make such a suicidal suggestion?

A person with brains may be incredibly bold, but they won't be reckless. Puyang Kai was clearly a person with brains.

Many people weren't really angry at first; they were just using the opportunity to show their loyalty.

A few people who had lost their minds saw that neither Lu Zhi, the Crown Prince's tutor, nor Xun Shuang, the Crown Prince's junior tutor, were in a hurry. In addition, Zhang Hong was protecting Puyang Kai. Who could not understand who the mastermind behind this was?

Besides, if Puyang Kai wasn't criticized a few times, he probably wouldn't be able to complete his task. Only by having scholars from the classical literature school criticize him in writing could Puyang Kai's hard work and great achievements in serving the Crown Prince be seen.

Hey, if you scold him, he'll not only have to kneel down and thank you!

The next day, the scholars of the Ancient Literature School silently allowed Puyang Kai to take out Ban Gu's "Book of Han" from the East Pavilion and find all the bamboo slips for the chapter "Biography of Wang Mang".

Yes, the treacherous bandit was Wang Mang.

A month later, the Ancient Literature School claimed that while demolishing an old house outside Luoyang City, they broke open the wall and found several missing fragments of the Book of Rites hidden in the wall's folds. After being personally examined by the great Confucian scholar Zheng Xuan, it was confirmed that the book was written by the Duke of Zhou and contained a detailed record of the abdication ceremony of Yao and Shun.

On that day, a group of three thousand scholars from the ancient literature school, including Zheng Xuan, Lu Zhi, and Xun Shuang, knelt outside the palace and presented the Crown Prince with the lost and recovered copy of the "Abdication Chapter" from the Book of Rites in front of countless officials and commoners.

Zheng Xuan prostrated himself on the ground, leading a group of scholars from the ancient literature school who were "moved" and wept bitterly. They shouted at the top of their lungs, as if afraid that no one could hear them clearly: "Your Highness is benevolent and loves the people. Previously, Xuanming bestowed sweet rain, and now the Duke of Zhou has given us the incomplete text. All of this is because Your Highness's virtue has moved God. Therefore, whatever Your Highness asks for, Heaven will surely grant it!"

(End of this chapter)