Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 290 Learning from history allows us to understand the rise and fall of dynasties.
The twelfth day of the twelfth month of the first year of the Hanxing era.

At the outer gate of the South Palace East Gate, Grand Master of Ceremonies Ma Ridi, along with a group of officials including Proofreaders, Grand Masters, and Consultants, stood solemnly, ready to welcome the Emperor.

Although it hadn't snowed, the chill of winter was still penetrating, and the black official robes fluttered slightly in the cold wind.

At 4:40 AM today, the officials of the inner court entered the palace. The eunuch Gao Wang was already waiting at the Canglong East Gate. Upon seeing Ma Ridi, he quickly stepped forward and whispered that the emperor would be visiting the East Pavilion after breakfast. He hoped that Ma Ridi and the officials of the East Pavilion would be prepared to receive the emperor.

Since the Old Text School of Confucianism replaced the New Text School of Confucianism as the official school of the Han Dynasty, the victors naturally had to feast on the delicious fruits of victory. Otherwise, how could they be worthy of the hard work and dedication of their predecessors in the Old Text School?

The predecessors planted the trees, and the successors enjoy the shade. They also followed behind the leaders of the Old Text School, such as Lu Zhi, Zheng Xuan, Fu Qian, Ma Ridi, and Xun Shuang, cheering and helping the emperor to refute the heresies of the New Text School. How can they not have any merit?

Therefore, when it came time to reward meritorious service, a large number of scholars from the Old Literature School entered the officialdom of the Han Dynasty, gradually replacing scholars from the New Literature School, from the imperial court to the local level.

However, this transition is by no means a matter of a day or two, and it is impossible to complete the task within a few years.

The New Text School has held sway over official learning and mainstream thought for over three hundred years, with deep-rooted foundations. If we wait for the current generation of officials who studied the New Text Classics to retire naturally, and then replace them with new talents from the Old Text School, it will probably take at least ten years to complete most of the work.

Unless concrete evidence of wrongdoing and illegal acts by scholars of the New Text School can be obtained, they can not be dismissed.

However, the scholars of the New Text School did the same dirty deeds that couldn't be exposed to the public, and the scholars of the Old Text School did the same things. Everyone's hands were dirty, so it was impossible to expose them on a large scale.

It wasn't that no one had harbored wicked intentions, attempting to fabricate charges or even make false accusations. However, these attempts were investigated and reported by the Embroidered-Robe Envoy, leading to accountability by the Court of Justice and the Censorate. In the Emperor's fury, the accusers were punished instead, and some who falsely accused others of treason were even executed along with their entire families and torn apart by chariots.

However, the giants of the Ancient Literature School still maintained their original aspiration to serve the country. As the leading figures of the Ancient Literature School, they also held high positions and great power. In addition to Grand Tutor Lu Zhi, Grand Master of Ceremonies Zheng Xuan, Commander of the Imperial Guard Xun Shuang, and Grand Master of Works Cai Yong, even Fu Qian served as the Vice Grand Master of Ceremonies with a salary of 1,000 shi.

Ma Ridi, a renowned master of the ancient literature school, still held the position of Guanglu Dafu with a salary of 2,000 shi (a unit of grain), not because he did not want to improve, but because he had a clear understanding of himself.

He was not good at administrative affairs, nor at military and state affairs; his only strengths lay in sacrifices and education.

Now that Zheng Xuan is the Minister of Ceremonies and Fu Qian is the Assistant Minister of Ceremonies, why should he bother to take on other official positions, harming the people and tiring himself out?

Moreover, Zheng Xuan is already fifty-nine years old; how much longer can he remain in office?
As a candidate for the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies, Zhou Yi and Ding Gong, who were also Grand Masters of Ceremonies, were worthy of competing with him for the position of Minister of Ceremonies due to their profound knowledge of the classics.
Therefore, Ma Ridi was content with a few years of leisure and took the initiative to request the emperor to appoint him as Grand Master of the Palace to reside permanently in the Eastern Pavilion, where he would oversee the task of collating classics and compiling the "Han Ji".

However, the emperor's sudden arrival today made Ma Ridi feel uneasy.

As Ma Ridi was deep in thought, he suddenly felt a warmth on the back of his hand. Looking down, he saw that his disciple Xie Gai had shoved a warm hand warmer into his hand without saying a word.

"Teacher, it's freezing cold, you mustn't be careless, be careful your cold sores don't flare up again!" Xie Gai said sternly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ma Ridi wanted to refuse, but seeing his disciple's earnest and concerned expression, he could only sigh helplessly.

Although he was born into the Ma family of Fufeng, he was from a collateral branch. His family was poor when he was young, but fortunately, he was appreciated by his grandfather Ma Rong and taught classical Chinese studies.

However, he had no money to buy charcoal in the winter, but he still studied diligently with his books in hand, which caused him to develop cold sores.

Once contracted, this cold sore is very prone to recurrence. It can only be relieved by applying a special ointment and soaking in hot ginger water, but it still cannot be completely cured.

Fortunately, after the current emperor ascended the throne, he abolished the exorbitant taxes and levies such as the money for buying official positions, and increased the welfare of officials. As a result, the cold sores on his hands have not recurred in the past two years.

"You scoundrel, how dare you reprimand your elders! You have no respect for your superiors, you deserve to be punished!" Ma Ridi scolded, but still tucked the hand warmer into his sleeve to warm his hands.

Seeing this, Zheng Yi looked at Ma Ridi and said to his colleagues with a smile, "Uncle is hypocritical. He often scolds Wenyi (Xie Gai) for disrespecting his elders to his face, but behind his back he often teaches us younger generation to emulate Wenyi's character. He is not a true gentleman!"

Ma Ridi feigned anger and slapped Zheng Yi's arm twice as a form of reprimand.

The rest of the scholars, officials, and advisors watched the teacher, student, uncle, and nephew playfully bickering and laughed good-naturedly.

Zheng Yi is the son of Zheng Xuan, who was born when Zheng Xuan was thirty-nine years old. He is now just twenty years old and was recommended as a talented scholar by Qin Zhou, the Chancellor of Beihai, in early October.

However, Zheng Yi believed that he had no strategic thinking for governing the country. Therefore, after the examination, he requested that the emperor not appoint him as a Gentleman of the Three Offices or a Gentleman of the Ministry of Personnel. He also did not want to enter the Palace Attendant and mislead the country and the people. Instead, he requested to enter the Eastern Pavilion as a Proofreader, hoping to read all the books in the Eastern Pavilion in his life.

Zheng Xuan did not think that Zheng Yi's performance was unworthy. On the contrary, he praised him for his self-awareness and asked the emperor to grant Zheng Yi's wish. In the end, Zheng Yi became the proofreader.

Zheng Xuan was undoubtedly the foremost debater in the Classical Literature School, and his son was naturally a favorite of the school as well. Therefore, he addressed several giants of the Classical Literature School as uncle and nephew.

Ying Rong, the Grand Master of the Palace, chuckled and praised Xie Gai to Ma Ridi, saying, "Your disciple is virtuous and filial; it is a blessing for your grandfather."

The four positions of Grand Master of the Palace, Grand Master of the Palace, Grand Master of Remonstrance, and Gentleman of the Palace are all in charge of questioning officials. However, the current emperor has no opportunity to question them. Therefore, they follow the old practice of the Grand Masters and Gentlemen of the Palace spending their spare time in the Eastern Pavilion to compile history and proofread books. Thus, Ying Rong, the Grand Master of the Palace, also joined the Eastern Pavilion.

However, Ma Ridi ignored Ying Rong, and even Xie Gai and Zheng Yi, two juniors of the classical literature school, looked at Ying Rong with disdain.

Ying Rong was a scholar of the ancient literature school who studied the Zuo Zhuan. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, when he was out of work, he wrote the Zuo Zhuan Commentary, which contained more than 50,000 words. Zheng Xuan praised the book after reading it, saying that it "inherited the Zuo Zhuan scholarship of the Former Han Dynasty".

In the past two years, due to Ying Rong's mastery of the Zuo Zhuan, more than a thousand people have come to learn from him. However, this fellow was once a disciple of the late Grand Commandant Yang Ci, and studied the Ouyang Shangshu under him.

Changing allegiances was not a problem. Countless scholars of the Old Text School and New Text School had changed allegiances. Even Zheng Xuan, the "god of classics" of the New Text School, once studied the New Text Classics such as "Jing Shi Yi" and "Gongyang Chunqiu" as well as the calendar "Santong Li" and the mathematical "Jiuzhang Suanshu" under the great Confucian scholar Wu Yuanxian. He then studied the Old Text Classics such as "Zhou Guan Li", "Zuo Zhuan Chunqiu", and "Guwen Shangshu" under Zhang Gongzu, who was proficient in both Old Text and New Text Classics, as well as the New Text Classics such as "Li Ji" and "Han Shi". He also studied under Chen Qiu, who studied the Legalist classics "Lü Ling". Finally, he received a complete education in Old Text Classics from his great-grandfather Ma Rong and switched to the New Text School.

As long as one acknowledges having studied under someone, changing schools is not considered a dark history. In fact, one still owes a debt of gratitude for having learned from that person, and should observe mourning for them if they unfortunately pass away.

Zheng Xuan observed a three-year mourning period for each of his teachers who had taught him, in accordance with the rites and customs of the Old and New Literature Schools. As a result, no one criticized Zheng Xuan for changing schools; on the contrary, they admired his character and conduct even more.

However, Ying Rong was unwilling to give up the official position of Taizhong Dafu, which she had finally earned with the establishment of the Ancient Literature School as an official school, for the sake of her former teacher, Yang Ci.

This behavior was despised by many scholars of the classical literature school, after all, how could they forget the kindness of passing on their knowledge?

A person who is ungrateful is no different from a beast.

However, as the Old Text School became the official school of thought, many scholars of this school gradually became arrogant and domineering, transforming from dragon slayers into dragons themselves, regarding the New Text School as their enemy. Just as the Han army would not spare the slaughter and plunder of countless Han people by virtue of having once been given a meal to save their lives, even the greatest kindness was no longer enough to save them from past enemies, and they were not worthy of being treated with courtesy and righteousness.

Because of this value system, several debates and conflicts broke out within the ancient literature school.

As soon as Ying Rong spoke, the atmosphere outside the East Gate became somber.

Before long, the emperor's carriage arrived outside the East Pavilion.

Liu Bian ordered Liu Hong, the Commandant of the Imperial Carriage, to stop the carriage from twenty paces away. Despite being the emperor, he did not forget his past courtesy to scholars. He stepped off the carriage using a stool and jogged a few steps to Ma Ridi.

"Your subject pays homage to the State!"

As the chorus of greetings subsided, all the officials except Ma Ridi bowed down.

Liu Bian smiled gently and said, "Uncle Weng is my senior uncle, why stand on ceremony? Wouldn't that make us, uncle and nephew, seem distant?"

Ma Ridi looked at the emperor who was forcibly holding his hand to prevent him from paying his respects. Although he felt that this was against the rules of the court, he still felt that the emperor was warmer than the winter sun.

This is true etiquette!

The purpose of rites and laws is to encourage people to be benevolent and righteous, not to be bound by rigid rules. The emperor's sincere heart is far more valuable than those rules and regulations.

Whether he was the crown prince or the emperor, he remained true to his original aspirations. This is the wise and virtuous ruler that the Han Dynasty had longed for for generations!
Just as the Emperor and Ma Ridi were getting along well, Xun Fei, the Flying Cavalry Captain of the Right Martial Guard Camp, had already arranged for the Flying Cavalry Guards to quickly deploy and control various parts of the East Pavilion. After checking for potential hazards and confirming safety, he silently clasped his hands in greeting to the Emperor.

When Xu Chu went to Jizhou to participate in the suppression of the Black Mountain bandits, his guard duties were assigned to many captains of the Right Martial Guard Camp on a rotating basis.

No one complained about the extra work of guarding the emperor on a rotating basis. It was such a good opportunity to get close to the emperor, so what was there to complain about!

This is an opportunity that countless people would fight tooth and nail for!

In the Right Guard Camp, besides Huangfu Song's former subordinates, Zhang Chao, the Colonel of Archers, and his former retainers from the Prince's residence, Han Sui, the Colonel of Cavalry, there was also Xu Ding, the Colonel of Heavy Armor, who was also a former retainer from the Prince's residence and Xu Chu's elder brother, as well as his brother-in-law, Cai Mao, the Colonel of Assistant Army, and his elder brother-in-law, Xun Fei, the Colonel of Flying Cavalry.

Xun Fei had little military talent. Initially, he was clueless and relied entirely on the subordinates arranged for him by Liu Bian, as well as Liu Bian's prestige in the central army, to barely manage to command this Flying Cavalry Guard.

Fortunately, Xun Fei was honest and down-to-earth, and also diligent and inquisitive. He often sought advice from the other officers and generals of the Central Army. Although he came from a noble family like the Xun clan of Yingchuan, he was also able to endure hardship and gradually won the hearts of the Flying Cavalry Guard by sharing weal and woe with his soldiers.

Whenever Liu Bian went out, Xun Fei was always the most cautious among the officers of the central army, so Liu Bian trusted his brother-in-law completely.

Liu Bian nodded slightly to Xun Fei in understanding, then affectionately took Ma Ridi's arm, and together they walked into the East Pavilion.

Although Liu Bian could not be as close to Ma Ridi, a minister who had little ambition for power and status but was honest and upright, he still respected him greatly.

How many people can maintain their original aspirations while in the imperial court?

The so-called refusal of official appointments was mostly for the sake of cultivating prestige. However, Ma Ridi, who did not covet power and wealth and did not want to take up official positions that did not match his personal abilities, is a virtuous and upright official who deserves respect.

Of course, it's impossible for a person to be completely without desires.

Xun Shuang was fond of fame and often befriended virtuous scholars and officials.

Fu Qian loved to debate scriptures and would never allow anyone to criticize ancient classics in his presence.

Although Cai Yong was honest and incorruptible and not good at managing money, he loved buying books and musical scores so much that he had no surplus wealth.

Ma Ridi's hobby was reading the rare books and classics collected in the Dongguan Pavilion. Although Liu Bian could not use this as a basis to bestow favors, what minister would not appreciate the emperor's sincere courtesy?
However, while Ma Ridi was grateful for the emperor's courteous treatment, he did not let his guard down in the slightest. He harbored some doubts about the emperor's purpose in visiting the Eastern Pavilion today.

The only thing in Dongguanli worthy of the emperor's presence was probably the "Han Ji" (Records of the Han Dynasty), which was currently being compiled.

Although Ma Ridi walked arm in arm with the emperor, he still looked at the emperor warily and tentatively asked, "I wonder what brings the country to the Eastern Pavilion?"

There was no explicit document or precedent in the Later Han Dynasty prohibiting the emperor from accessing the contents of the "Han Ji" concerning his father, grandfather, or even himself. After all, as the supreme ruler, the emperor had the right to view any official documents and records.

Moreover, starting with Ban Gu, the first compiler of the Han Ji, Emperor Xiaoming, as Ban Gu's emperor, not only had the right to take the initiative to request to review the Han Ji, but the officials who compiled the Han Ji were also required to immediately present the unfinished draft of the Han Ji. They could even offer suggestions for revisions to the draft and greatly praise Ban Gu after he made the revisions.

Although recent emperors have encountered serious resistance when trying to access the "Han Ji" (Records of the Han Dynasty), and the historians who compiled the history would put on a show of "historians recording facts as they are and not changing a single word," the power held by the current emperor is incomparable to that of the recent emperors. If he really wanted to revise the history book, it would not be so difficult.

After all, the current emperor has committed acts of fratricide and imprisonment of his father. Therefore, it seems reasonable to forcibly erase this part of history from the "Han Ji" (Records of the Han Dynasty).

“I,” Liu Bian said casually, his gaze sweeping among the rows of towering bookshelves as if searching for something, “I would like to take a look at the Records of the Han Dynasty.”

Ma Ridi's heart sank, realizing that this was indeed the case. He sighed softly and earnestly advised, "In the history of the nation, which emperor has been without merits and demerits? With your achievements, you will surely be the restorer of the Han Dynasty. Even if you have one or two minor flaws, they will not outweigh your merits. History will have its own judgment, and you deserve to be posthumously honored by posterity. Why do you need to do this?"

Liu Bian was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. While it was certainly gratifying to receive such praise from Ma Ridi, these words left him somewhat puzzled.

How did we suddenly get onto the topic of posthumous titles?
"I beg the state not to read the Records of the Han Dynasty; this is the way of a wise ruler!"

"The nation must not be like this!"

"I merely wish to consult the historical records of the Former and Later Han dynasties!" The officials in the Eastern Pavilion all spoke up to dissuade him, as if he were about to commit a treasonous act. Suddenly, Liu Bian realized what they were thinking and was somewhat amused and exasperated. He said, "I do not wish to read the historians' comments about me. Rather, I have recently encountered difficulties in government affairs, which my ministers cannot resolve. I wish to borrow the wisdom of our ancestors to solve the current predicament."

Liu Bian paused, pointed to the scrolls of books hanging there, and said solemnly, “Use bronze as a mirror to straighten your clothes; use people as a mirror to know your gains and losses; use history as a mirror to know the rise and fall of dynasties. I always keep these three mirrors to prevent myself from making mistakes.”

(End of this chapter)