The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 238 Going to Chu

These days, Prince Gao and Fan Zeng have been working on compiling the history of Chu.

The history of Chu spans eight hundred years, which can be divided into the first four hundred years and the last four hundred years based on the Zhou Dynasty. Alternatively, the establishment of the Chu state can be traced back to King Zhao of Zhou's southern expedition.

Mr. Fan Zeng was a great admirer of the Chu Ci (Songs of Chu) and the Daoist school of Laozi and Zhuangzi.

It wasn't until the spring of the thirty-ninth year of the First Emperor's reign.

It wasn't until February that the sunshine in Langya County finally became much warmer.

When the sea breeze blows, it's not as cold as in winter.

After a winter, there are more seabirds on the beach.

Gao walked through the fishing village and saw Lang teaching. As Lang recited, the children followed along.

"Labor should be rewarded, children should be cared for, the elderly should be supported, right and wrong should be distinguished, and honor and shame should be known..."

The children's voices reciting in unison were very pleasant to hear.

Listening to their reading aloud, facing the sea, I thought of the Qin court, which is currently governing the country. I want the children to know from a young age how to distinguish right from wrong, and to know that protecting the country and their families and maintaining peace in the world is the right thing to do.

These children need to learn from a young age what is right and what is wrong.

In this way, these children also learn how to conduct themselves in society and how to become better people.

Of course, the mere phrase "labor is rewarded" was enough to keep so many people in the Qin court busy for most of their lives.

After finishing a class, Lang went outside and saw Gongzi Gao. He bowed and said, "Young Master."

Gao replied, "I just listened to your lecture."

Lang said, "Every year it's the same knowledge that's taught over and over again."

"I think this knowledge is very important."

Lang asked, "How have you been getting along with Mr. Fan Zeng lately?"

“That’s good.” Gao looked south and said, “The old gentleman told me a lot of things that are not recorded in the classics, but if we want to write a better history of Chu, I think we should go to Chu in person to see for ourselves.”

Lang said, “I have some friends in Chu. I used to have a friend named Xiao He, but he is now in Guanzhong. I also have a friend named Liu Ji. When you go to Chu, you can go to Sishui Pavilion in Zhongyangli Township.”

"Okay, I've written it down."

Looking at Gongzi Gao, Lang's eyes were filled with emotion. He still remembered when Gongzi Gao was studying in Jingye County. At that time, he was just a child of about ten years old. He never expected that he would be a young man of more than twenty years old now. Perhaps because of writing history books, this young master looked even more calm.

Reading history books, I've seen too many rises and falls.

This is probably why Gongzi Gao has changed so much, and his expression is often calm.

Gongzi Gao continued, “Sometimes I disagree with the old gentleman’s views. He believes that Qin unified the world because of Wang Jian and Shang Yang, but in my opinion, Qin’s eastward army was raised by the old women and farmers of Guanzhong with their fields. The army was raised by the people of Qin with their grain, which was grown with their blood and sweat. It was this grain that raised the Qin army.”

“These blood and sweat are what history books cannot forget, what my brother asked me to find. The people of this world are history. This is how I should view history. These are the deeds that history books should never forget, aren’t they?”

Lang nodded and said, "I grew up at the foot of Shangyan Mountain, just like you, young master. We have understood since childhood that the vast majority of people in this world are commoners, not nobles... Even when it comes to selecting officials, you favor commoners. Commoners are proud of this and feel honored to be commoners."

Gongzi Gao nodded and said, "I'm planning to leave."

When are you leaving?

"I'll leave the method for making tofu behind, and then I'll leave."

Lang looked at him hesitantly and asked in confusion, "You can also make tofu?"

Gongzi Gao said, "I have studied in Jingye County, so it is not difficult."

Lang laughed and said, "That's great."

After speaking with Lang, Gongzi Gao went to Xu Fu's county government to say goodbye.

Before leaving, Prince Gao told Xu Fu how to make tofu.

Xu Fu also personally pointed out the tofu recipe, and there was that magical saying, "Look at the flowers and add the brine."

As March approached, Xu Fu and Lang both got to eat the tofu they made.

Prince Gao returned to Langya Terrace, packed his belongings, took one last look at the enormous armillary sphere, and left Langya County under the escort of the Qin army.

On his way from Langya County to Chu, Prince Gao was still reading about Xiang Liang's deeds.

Gongzi Gao inquired with several officials along the way, all of whom were still searching for Xiang Liang's whereabouts. Xiang Liang's most recent trace was in Jiangdong.

Gongzi Gao did not go to Jiangdong, but instead came to Zhongyangli Township, Sishui Pavilion, as Lang had mentioned.

Led by the magistrate of Zhongyangli Township, everyone met this prince from the imperial palace.

Although he was not Prince Fusu, he was Prince Fusu's disciple.

Gongzi Gao arrived at Sishui Pavilion first, under the watchful eyes of everyone.

The village head, Liu Ji, personally welcomed the young master into the village.

Gongzi Gao looked at Liu Ji and asked, "Are you fifty this year?"

Liu Ji thought for a moment and said, "Forty-nine."

Gongzi Gao smiled in surprise again, thinking to himself that he was about the same age as his father, and said, "Although I have never met Xiao He in Guanzhong, I have heard of him from Sima Xin, the prefect of Weinan. He is now the magistrate of Jingyang County in Weibei."

Liu Ji nodded and said, "Xiao He is the most powerful person in our Zhongyang Village."

Young Master Gao nodded with a hearty laugh.

The people present watched as Prince Gao and Liu Jineng talked as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other for many years.

Liu Ji was indeed eloquent, but everyone was truly dumbfounded that he could talk about the emperor's son like this.

Liu Ji stayed by Gongzi Gao's side, his face full of smiles, but the sweat on his back was getting heavier and heavier.

"I've heard that everyone in Zhongyang is willing to obey your orders, Liu Ji. You are a famous person in Zhongyang. Even the heroes passing by in the surrounding area give you, Liu Ji, some face?"

Liu Ji hurriedly bowed and said, "Ji is just a mere village head, how dare I presume?"

Gongzi Gao looked at the scene at Sishui Pavilion, then dismissed everyone and sent Liu Ji back as well.

After that, Gao found the volunteer teaching center here.

They found Fu Zijing, who was teaching here.

Jing was explaining the Spring and Autumn Annals to Liu Fei and Liu Ying when he looked up and saw that Prince Gao had arrived. He was taken aback at first.

The two were about the same age and were good friends who studied together at Shangyan Mountain.

He hesitated and asked, "Young Master?"

Gao laughed and said, "Jing, it's been many years."

"Haha!" Jing stepped forward, grabbed Gongzi Gao's hand, and said loudly, "It's been years since we last met. I never expected to see you here."

"I heard from Lang that you're teaching here."

Jing was so happy that his eyes reddened. He said, "Over the years, I have only corresponded with Lang."

Gongzi Gao said, "I've been traveling around lately, and I wanted to come and see you volunteer teachers. You used to be people who couldn't even write properly, but now you've started teaching."

"Haha, I still remember when you didn't want to study Confucianism, and the old master scolded you." Liu Fei and Liu Ying had already politely stepped aside, leaving their seats empty, as a very important guest had come to their teacher's place.

This guest must be the teacher's playmate.

Jing then said, "Liu Fei, Liu Ying, you should go back first."

"Yes, teacher." The two children bowed to Gongzi Gao again and left together.

Young Master Gao glanced at the two children and asked, "Are they your disciples?"

Jing said, “All the children in the village are my disciples. These two are learning the fastest. While the other children are still learning the Analects, they are already learning the Spring and Autumn Annals. I will teach them a few more sentences. They are also the children of Liu Ji, the head of Sishui Pavilion.”

"I met Liu Ji when I came here. He is quite famous in Fengyi."

Jing said, “Liu Ji does have some reputation in Fengyi. He is a man of integrity and good at keeping his promises. He is also very resourceful. He can be said to have a lot of support in Sishui Pavilion. However, his talent is too shallow and his foundation is too weak. Even if he is promoted now, even if the Qin court sees his achievements, his talent will probably not go far.”

Gongzi Gao said, "The foundation is not good."

Jing said, "He often says he's already fifty years old, what's the point of learning anything else, and besides..."

At this point, Jing added, "The most troublesome thing is Liu Ji's family affairs, so let's not talk about it."

Gongzi Gao handed him a scroll of paper and said, "This is issued to you by Xianyang. You have been appointed as an academician."

Jing wasn't overly happy when he saw the appointment.

"You don't need to leave here. Although you have been appointed as a bachelor, you can still teach here."

"How is the old master?"

Gongzi Gao asked, "Do you still remember Zhang Jing?"

Jing said, "Of course I remember. Isn't he Zhang Han's son? He was only seven years old when I left."

Gongzi Gao said, "He is now the most outstanding disciple under the old master..."

The two sat in the study, drinking wine and talking about the changes in recent years, while rows of Qin soldiers stood outside the study.

After all, Prince Gao was the emperor's son and Prince Fusu's younger brother.

The Qin army had no choice but to take this seriously.

After hearing what Gongzi Gao said, Jing said, "General Zhang Han is stationed in the northwest, and Zhang Jing has always been raised by the old master. It is true that the old master and General Zhang Han are also sworn brothers."

Gongzi Gao then said, "I came to Chu to learn about the old nobles of Chu."

Speaking of the old nobles of Chu, Jing said, "I have met Xiang Ji."

"Xiang Ji?"

"Yes, that man's name is Xiang Yu."

After a moment of recollection, Gongzi Gao said, "Xiang Yu is Xiang Liang's nephew, and Xiang Liang is a descendant of Xiang Yan, the great general of the Chu state."

Jing said, "I only learned about Xiang Ji's matter after I left Wuzhong; that was a year ago."

Upon hearing this, Gongzi Gao became interested and continued to ask questions.

Jing once taught in Wuzhong, a region in Chu, where he met Xiang Yu.

The two had many disagreements on some of their ideas. Xiang Yu felt that he should lead the people of Chu to restore Chu, but it was ultimately up to him to restore Chu, or the people of Chu to restore Chu.

Was it truly the fervent patriotism of the Chu people, or was it Xiang Liang's own selfish desire to lead so many Chu people down the same old path?

Do the people of Chu today really want to revive the Chu state of yesteryear?
For this reason, Xiang Yu sought out Jing Lai to argue with him several times.

Jing added, "I don't think Xiang Yu is beyond redemption yet. My words must have had an impact, and his uncle's belief in restoring Chu must have wavered."

After hearing his words, Gao asked again, "Winning hearts and minds?"

Jing said, "Saving him was from the bottom of my heart."

Gao continued, "That kind of psychological warfare is truly powerful."

Jing smiled, took another sip of wine, and said, "That's how we volunteer teachers are. People like Xiang Liang misunderstand us. Xiang Liang didn't let Xiang Yu read our books because he was afraid and guilty. It's a pity I don't know his whereabouts now. When I see Xiang Yu again, I think I can persuade him."

Gao became even more interested in the Xiang family's affairs.

Although the scholars from Qi and Lu are no longer here, it is quite interesting that these former nobles of the six states who opposed Qin were all former nobles.

After talking with Jing until night, Gongzi Gao left Sishui Pavilion and went to live in the county of Zhongyangli.

That very night, Prince Gao wrote down everything he had seen and heard and had it sent to his elder brother, Prince Fusu, in Guanzhong.

The next day was just an ordinary day for Liu Ji.

But when Gongzi Gao arrived at Sishui Pavilion, Liu Ji opened his door and saw a group of elders from Fengyi standing at the door, all carrying gifts and smiling.

Seeing that the other party was about to come in, Liu Ji hurriedly stepped forward, pulled everyone back, closed the door, and blocked them from disturbing his wife, children, and elderly father.

Liu Ji refused to accept the congratulatory gifts from everyone and sent them all away.

Actually, the gifts from everyone weren't anything particularly valuable; they might be a piece of cloth, a live chicken, or eggs. The best gift, however, was a piece of beef.

After everyone left, Liu Ji sat at his doorstep, still in a daze.

"Father, I'm going to the study."

"Go ahead." Liu Ji stared blankly at the pile of things in front of the door.

When Prince Gao came, Liu Ji was no longer the same as before. Liu Ji noticed that even his wife, Lü Zhi, was much more polite to him.

However, Empress Lü had her bottom line, and even so, Liu Ji still could not invite Cao Shi into his home.

Liu Ji straightened his clothes, which still looked fairly decent, and instructed his father, who had just left, "None of these things are allowed to be brought into the house. Just leave them outside."

The old man was always reasonable, and he nodded in agreement with his son.

Yesterday, only Gongzi Gao came to Sishui Pavilion. Liu Ji continued with his life as usual. Today, he was going to the fields to work in the fields. Farming was still very important. In this day and age, unless you went to burn, kill, and plunder, you would really starve to death if you didn't farm or work.

The morning dew was still in the fields. Liu Ji kicked away a little frog that kept jumping around his feet. When he saw his good brother Fan Kuai arrive, he tightened his belt and started planting with a group of older men from the village.

The busy farming season lasted until noon when Liu Fei arrived.

Liu Ji, his feet still in the mud of the field, frowned and shouted at his son, "What are you doing here?"

Liu Fei handed over a bamboo tube and said, "Master Jing said that chrysanthemum tea can treat internal heat and mouth sores."

Liu Ji took the bamboo tube and said, "Go back now."

"Yes, Father, I'm going home." Liu Fei, wearing patched clothes, quickly left again.

Liu Ji opened the lid of the bamboo tube, took a sip of warm water, and drank it all in one go.

Fan Kuai leaned closer and said, "Brother, Fei'er is becoming more and more sensible."

Liu Ji snorted coldly, looking rather smug, and said, "Chrysanthemum tea can cure diseases? Master Jing... this world is truly about to change."

……

P.S.: There will be another chapter later, in about an hour.

(End of this chapter)