Han Ji

"The student understands."

"After the second examination, there will be a review at the Duanmen Gate, presided over by the Grand Master of Ceremonies. This stage tests your understanding and interpretation of the classics." Lu Zhi tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "I will give the chief examiner, Lord Liu, a heads-up beforehand. But the key lies with you. You must be able to integrate and articulate the insights I've shared with you, especially those about the Spring and Autumn Annals and the Book of Documents, and speak with substance."

Liu Bei nodded. This was an expected turn of events. The recommendation of candidates for the civil service examination was never a simple test.

"Finally, there will be an audience with the Emperor." Lu Zhi lowered his voice slightly. "The time is uncertain; it may be quick or slow, depending entirely on His Majesty's mood. When you meet His Majesty, simply be polite and respectful; there's no need to be overly anxious. Answer whatever he asks, keeping it concise and to the point. His Majesty... dislikes empty talk."

He paused, gazing at the flickering lights, before continuing, "Regarding your status as a member of the imperial clan, I've already had someone verify it with the Imperial Clan Court. The Liu family of Zhuo County is the fourteenth generation descendant of His Majesty Emperor Jing; the genealogy is clear and there are no issues. This aspect of your identity may be mentioned when you meet the Emperor; just handle it calmly."

"Yes."

Lu Zhi let out a breath, leaning back against the armchair, a barely perceptible hint of weariness on his face. "I've taken care of everything that needed to be taken care of. I've given all the necessary instructions. The rest is up to your own fate."

He waved his hand: "Go back. You don't need to come back these next few days. Focus on your preparation. I'll have someone take you there on the day of the interview."

Liu Bei rose, bowed, and said, "This student takes his leave."

As he reached the door, Lu Zhi suddenly called out to him again.

"Xuande".

Liu Bei turned around.

Lu Zhi looked at him, the dim light casting varying shades of shadow on his serious face. "Remember, you come from Lujiang. You've seen blood, you've seen how ordinary people live, and you've seen how powerful people die. That's your confidence. Many people in Luoyang don't have that confidence."

Liu Bei met his gaze and solemnly said, "This student will remember."

By the time I left the Lu residence, night had completely fallen. The night sky over Luoyang was glowing red from the city lights, and hardly any stars could be seen.

Liu Bei walked alone on the way back to his small courtyard in the south of the city. The cold wind blew through the streets and alleys, making his robes flutter.

emboldened.

He clenched his fist in his sleeve, his fingertips touching the warm, smooth white jade pendant. His footsteps pounded on the bluestone slabs, one after another, deep and steady.

On the day of the provincial examination, the sky was overcast, and the leaden-gray clouds hung low.

The old servant sent by Lu Zhi led Liu Bei through the long covered walkway outside the Southern Palace to a secluded official residence. It was not as grand as the main hall, but it was still imposing with its corridors and armored soldiers standing at attention.

The old servant stopped at the door and said in a low voice, "Young master, please go in."

Liu Bei straightened his clothes and pushed open the heavy wooden door.

The room was more spacious than expected, yet it contained only five tables. At the center table sat three officials, all dressed in dark robes and official belts, their faces solemn. On either side was an empty table, prepared for the examinees. At this moment, he was the only one in the room.

He stepped forward, registered according to etiquette, and bowed.

The official in the center, who appeared to be around fifty years old, raised his eyelids, glanced at him, and said in a flat voice, "Liu Bei of Zhuojun? Sit down."

Liu Bei knelt down behind the empty table on the right, his back straight and his hands placed on his knees.

"We have already heard about the events in Lujiang," said the pale-faced, beardless official on the left, his tone devoid of praise or criticism. "Today, we will not discuss the classics or their interpretations. We will only ask you, having spent several months in Lujiang, what problems have you observed in the area?"

The questions were direct, even somewhat pointed.

Liu Bei paused for a moment, then spoke, his voice low but clear: "In my view, the problems lie in two directions. First, in the heartland, powerful clans have grown too strong, colluding with low-ranking officials to seize land, monopolize market profits, and even secretly allying with foreign barbarians, almost turning the country into a state within a state. Second, in the limbs, the barbarian threat persists, not only because of their ferocity, but also because the border regions are desolate, the people are impoverished, officials lack authority, and the people have no stable property, making them easily coerced or driven to desperate measures."

"How do you solve this?" the official in the middle pressed.

"Suppression and appeasement should be carried out simultaneously to divide and weaken the enemy." Liu Bei answered succinctly, "Like a doctor treating a boil, the festering parts need to be cut and burned, this is suppression; the uninfected parts need to be treated with medicine, this is appeasement. Specific measures should be taken according to the situation, whether it is a swift and decisive crackdown, an economic stranglehold, or a pledge of allegiance. However, the fundamental solution still lies in strengthening the central government and weakening the local authorities, investigating the land, appeasing the displaced people, rebuilding the prestige of the government, so that the people have something to rely on and the barbarians have something to fear."

"An economic stranglehold?" The lean-faced official on the right, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "Referring to Zhou Chong's matter?"

"Yes," Liu Bei said frankly. "The powerful clans rely on nothing more than money, grain, and people. Cut off their foundation, and their power will naturally decline. However, this method is dangerous and urgent. It requires military might as a backing, and it is even more important to seize the opportunity and strike decisively. Otherwise, we will suffer the consequences."

The three examiners exchanged glances and decided not to press the matter further.

He then asked several practical questions, such as how to organize land reclamation, how to settle surrendered barbarian tribes, and how to manage finances and provisions. Liu Bei answered them one by one, using the example of Lujiang as a basis, without engaging in empty rhetoric.

The question-and-answer session lasted about half an hour. Finally, the examiner in the center nodded: "That's sufficient. Come back in three days for the final review at Duanmen Gate."

"Thank you, esteemed gentlemen." Liu Bei bowed and withdrew.

As he walked out of the official residence, he noticed that his palms were damp. A cool breeze blew by.

Three days later, the Duanmen Gate was re-verified.

The location was moved to a side hall of the Guanglu Xun's office. The person in charge was Guanglu Xun Liu Kuan, a senior official known for his magnanimity, but now, sitting upright, he exuded the authority of someone who had long held a position in the central government. Several scholars and advisors accompanied him on both sides.

The assessment methods differed. Liu Kuan selected the "Hong Fan" chapter from the Book of Documents and asked Liu Bei to explain the relationship between the Way of the King and the Art of Governance.

This is not merely a matter of reciting scriptures. Remembering Lu Zhi's teachings, Liu Bei composed himself and began, "The *Hong Fan* speaks of the 'vast and boundless' way of the king. I believe this 'vast and boundless' refers not only to the widespread virtue of the ruler, but also to the unimpeded flow of decrees, laws, and education, like a river flowing freely across the land. However, for a river to flow smoothly, its course must be dredged and its silt removed. The powerful figures of Lujiang, like Zhou Chong, represent this siltation. Therefore, the application of governance sometimes requires the skillful guidance of Yu the Great, adapting to the circumstances and appeasing those who submit; at other times, it requires the skillful clearing of silt by officials, using laws as shovels and military force as mallets to eradicate stubborn obstacles. The kingly way is the essence, and governance is the application; only by combining both can there be harmonious governance and peaceful society."

He didn't quote excessively from tedious commentaries, but instead connected the meaning of the classics with the practices of Lujiang. Liu Kuan listened, stroking his beard in silence, his eyes revealing neither joy nor anger. The scholars sitting nearby, however, nodded slightly.

He was then asked about his understanding of the concept of "great unification" in the Spring and Autumn Annals. Liu Bei replied, "In my humble opinion, great unification is not only about the unification of territory, but also about the unity of government, laws, and the people's hearts. When the border regions are unstable and powerful clans hold sway, even with a common ruler, it is essentially a division. Therefore, pacifying Lujiang and eliminating powerful clans are also essential aspects of great unification."

Throughout the Q&A session, he maintained a balance: he did not deliberately try to be unconventional, but naturally integrated the experiences of Lujiang into the interpretation of the classics, demonstrating both a solid foundation and the insightful perspective of a practitioner.

After the review was completed, Liu Kuan simply said, "Go back and wait."