The leisurely life of the Qin people

Chapter 320 Going their separate ways
Apart from Chen Ping and Feng Jie's private conversation, the main hall was still filled with noisy chatter, mostly consisting of similar everyday conversations.

Some people complained that it was another year of uninterrupted labor, and these officials often joked that they probably wouldn't live much longer.

The court meeting hasn't started yet, but everyone is quite relaxed and chatting and laughing.

The murmurs in the hall only ceased when the Grand Attendant stood beside the throne, and everyone took their places.

Heng subconsciously stood up straighter, and then he saw his father, the emperor, dressed in a black robe, walk into the hall and sit on the throne.

Immediately afterwards, Right Chancellor Feng Quji stepped forward to report on the matters of the Censorate, and the court meeting officially began.

Heng stood attentively in his position, listening intently as the Nine Ministers reported on their recent tasks, especially Zhang Cang, the Chief of the Imperial Household Department, who reported on grain prices in various regions.

The court meeting lasted from morning until afternoon, and Heng remained standing as before, seeing the sunlight coming from behind him and the shadows cast on the floor of the hall.

It turns out that the day had changed from a cloudy morning to a warm, sunny afternoon.

The court debate continued, with no sign of stopping.

About half an hour later, after the Right Chancellor finished speaking again, the Emperor finally ended the court discussion.

The crowd bowed and respectfully saw the emperor off as he left the main hall, after which the officials left in twos and threes.

Heng and the others walked to the front of the main hall. Looking up, they saw the afternoon sun shining directly on the hall, and the breeze was warmer, making the hall much cozier.

Gongzi Heng stood in front of the hall for a while longer until the Right Chancellor came out and bowed, saying, "Teacher."

Chen Ping also came out with the Right Chancellor.

Chen Ping still maintained a respectful demeanor.

Feng Quji said, "The Emperor has ordered our Imperial Censorate to inspect officials throughout the Central Plains again. Young Master, why don't you go with Chen Ping?"

"Yes."

Heng agreed and watched the Right Chancellor leave.

Chen Ping stood in front of the hall, stroking his beard, and said, "Young Master, it will probably be two or three years before you return. You don't need to come to the court for discussion these days. Go back and make preparations."

"Yes."

Heng saw Chen Ping off again, and when he arrived at Gaoquan Palace, he saw his father and mother having a meal.

"Let's eat."

Heng took the bowl and chopsticks from Grandpa Tian, ​​sat down at the table, and began to wolf down his food.

The meal was eaten in silence. Heng kept eating until he could eat no more, at which point he said, "Father, Mother, I must leave Guanzhong for a while."

"Go ahead," Wang Tang'er said calmly, adding, "Our children are never afraid of traveling far."

Heng said, "Mother, don't worry."

It seemed that his father and mother had said everything they needed to say. Heng let out a burp and then said, "I'm going to say goodbye to the old master."

Fusu said, "Go."

Heng bowed to Tian An again and then quickly left Gaoquan Palace.

After the meal, Fusu drank his tea and noticed Tian An watching the child's back. He whispered, "Don't worry, this child has even walked the Great Wall. This little distance won't be a problem for him. Let him go out and see more of the world; it will do him good."

Tian An withdrew his gaze and said, "Young Master, you've grown up so fast."

Fusu nodded.

Suddenly, it felt like time had flown by, and before they knew it, the child was already working in the Censorate.

Fusu put down the ceramic cup in his hand and picked up a book to read.

When Heng arrived in Jingye County, he realized that he had not yet changed out of his official robes. He bowed to the old master and said, "Teacher, your student is about to embark on a long journey."

Shusun Tong was watching a group of children planting trees. Planting mulberry trees at this time of year would result in mulberry leaves growing in the summer, making it the best time to plant trees.

"Where are you going?"

"I want to travel around and, as an imperial censor, investigate the counties in the Central Plains."

Shusun Tong patted the disciple's back and said, "Go on, your father often said that you should go out and see more of the world, just like those teachers who go to rural areas to teach. You should too."

"Students will always remember their teachers' teachings."

"Alright," Shusun Tong sighed. "I have enough disciples. If you come back in a few years, I will probably no longer be teaching. By then, you will have truly grown up. I will be here waiting for you to return and drink with you."

"Okay." Heng suddenly smiled.

Shusun Tong then said, "There are still many people you need to see before you set off on your journey, so hurry on your way."

Heng bowed once more and walked towards Tongguan City.

When I was studying in Tongguan City, I received a lot of help from Prefect Sima Xin, and this time I have come to say goodbye to him.

Having not visited Tongguan City for a long time, Heng discovered that there were many more students here than when he was studying here, and they were all unfamiliar faces.

A sudden sense of loss welled up inside me, while the students here looked at me with respect and longing as I arrived in my official robes.

Heng looked down at his official robe. He didn't see any familiar faces here, and he didn't want to stay any longer.

It's actually normal. He served as a border guard for two years, and when he came back, another year had passed. He hadn't been back for three years, and by then, a whole new batch of students had come to live here.

Those who studied together back then have all scattered to different places, and I may never see them again.

Gongzi Heng first went to the prefect's residence, met with Sima Xin, and thanked him for taking care of him and his younger brother over the years. Sima Xin naturally didn't say anything; it was only what he should do.

Now that his younger brother Li is working at the Imperial Academy, Heng is very happy for his brother.

He waited in Tongguan City until dusk, until everyone at the Imperial Academy finished their shifts, before he finally saw his younger brother, Li.

Seeing his elder brother's attire, Li said, "It's very nice; this official robe suits you very well, brother."

Heng said, "You must study hard here so that you can help Father Emperor govern the country with me in the future."

Li nodded deeply and said, "Brother, you must also remember the teachings of our father. There is so much we need to learn in our lives. We must learn until we die. Even now that we have taken up official positions, we must not be complacent. We must remain humble."

Heng nodded, then looked at the person standing behind his younger brother and asked in confusion, "Liu Fei?"

Liu Fei bowed and said, "Young Master."

"It's been many years. I didn't know you were also working at the Imperial Academy."

Seeing Liu Fei's hesitant expression, Li explained, "He's going to join the army this year."

Liu Fei bowed and said, "I will be setting off this summer to guard the border. The Grand Commandant's office has sent me the documents; I am going to the Northwest."

Heng said, "I've been there; it's a good place."

As they talked, the sun began to set, and the three of them went to a restaurant outside Tongguan City, where they ate and talked.

Li Zheng shared his views on the cause of supporting education in rural areas, suggesting that Heng could help his younger brother keep abreast of the situation of supporting education in various places and maintain correspondence, exchanging letters once a month.

It was still warm at noon today, but the temperature dropped sharply at night.

It was rare for Li to drink with his elder brother, as the two brothers usually didn't drink at all.

Liu Fei chewed on his mutton, sitting to the side eating, listening to the two young masters discuss matters of governing the country.

In the past, Liu Fei would not have dared to sit with the sons of the two emperors. However, he had studied with the princes and had some friendship with them. At the request of the princes Heng and Li, he had no choice but to sit with them.

The river near the city rises and falls, and the boats moored on the bank sway and rock along with it.

The three of them had drunk quite a bit and fell asleep at the restaurant.

The following day, Heng left Tongguan City and returned to Xianyang once again, where he sat in the Imperial Censorate to help the Right Chancellor and Chen Ping handle some political affairs.

By March, the Imperial Censorate had been fully staffed, and Heng, Chen Ping, and the other censors left Hangu Pass together.

Some say that the imperial censors are the emperor's eyes, helping him to inspect the country. Others believe that it won't be long before the new emperor will also begin his eastern tour, just like the emperors of the past, starting from Xianyang and using the imperial carriage to travel around the Central Plains and the former territories of the six states.

Or perhaps the new emperor will also ascend Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to Heaven, and will once again destroy the shrines in Qi and Lu.

When the group reached Hangu Pass, Heng checked the number of people again. In addition to himself and Chen Ping, there were thirty imperial censors.

The following day, the imperial censors arrived at Hangu Pass and then dispersed to their respective destinations.

Heng and Chen Ping went to Luoyang City, which was under construction, once again.

The city of Luoyang has been under construction year after year, and it is still not finished. Some say that the emperor has almost forgotten about it.

Heng knew that his father had always remembered this matter, but there were still many things to be decided on regarding the construction of Luoyang City. Therefore, only the outer city wall was being built, because Luoyang City would also have the Imperial Censorate, the Imperial Academy, and other institutions in the future.

This is a very important place, but very few people know about it.

As for whether the new emperor would make an eastern tour, I have never heard my father mention it.

Chen Ping saw the same guests who had come to see him last winter. They came again this time, and he didn't know whether they were there to curry favor with him or to give him money.

This time, however, Chen Ping refused to let any of them in.

Heng followed Chen Ping to Sanchuan County and arrived at a mansion.

This mansion belongs to Zhang Fu.

"Teacher, why are we here?"

Chen Ping silently took out mourning clothes from his bundle, and then said something.

This also happened last winter, when Chen Ping's father-in-law passed away.

After Chen Ping returned from the Northwest and became an imperial censor, he brought his father-in-law Zhang Fu to Xianyang to care for him in his old age, in order to repay the kindness he had shown him in the past.

Now that Zhang Fu has passed away, he naturally has to wear mourning clothes for his father-in-law.

Chen Ping held the funeral in the somewhat dilapidated house, which had been abandoned by its inhabitants.

The funeral was simple; after setting up the memorial tablet, we kept vigil all night.

The next day, Chen Ping sold the mansion to someone else.

Thus, the debt of gratitude between Chen Ping and Zhang Fu came to an end, and Heng noticed that Chen Ping was noticeably more relaxed after completing these tasks.

The two also went to see the large workshop in Sanchuan County. There were still people working inside the workshop. The person in charge of this large workshop was none other than Wu Gong, the governor of Sanchuan County.

Lord Wu was a disciple of the old prime minister, and the emperor often said that he was an honest man.

As Chen Ping had checked, everything here was fine, and the accounts were clear and transparent.

While Heng was recording his observations of Sanchuan County, he overheard a conversation between Wu Gong and Chen Ping. Wu Gong inquired about the old prime minister's health and asked if the old prime minister was still living at Mount Li.

(End of this chapter)