Hot flashes

Zhao Xun handed over another folded paper.

It is about recommending talented people.

The person he recommended was a member of a collateral branch of the Xie family in Jiangnan, named Xie Ying. He was said to be talented and had opened a school in his hometown, where he taught many students.

The folded document was handed over, and Xiao Jue wrote two words on it: "Granted."

Xie Ying was summoned to the capital and temporarily housed at the Imperial College.

When Zhou Heng heard about this, he was reviewing documents in the cabinet. Chen Shen came in and told him, and he paused for a moment before nodding.

"understood."

Chen Shen looked at him, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Zhou Heng raised his head.

"What's wrong?"

Chen Shen lowered his voice: "Young Master, I had someone investigate Xie Ying. It's true that he runs a school in Jiangnan, but all his students are from the Xie, Wang, and Zheng families. Not a single one comes from a poor family."

Zhou Heng remained silent.

Chen Shen continued, "His coming to the capital is probably not just for a simple summons."

Zhou Heng remained silent for a while.

Then he said, "I know."

Chen Shen was taken aback: "Young Master knows?"

Zhou Heng nodded.

"Zhao Xun recommended him not because he was talented," he said, "but because he was a member of the Xie family."

He paused.

"What can the Xie family do in the capital?"

Chen Shen shook his head.

Zhou Heng looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Whatever you're doing," he said, "just keep an eye on it."

On August 23, Xie Ying went to the palace to express his gratitude.

Zhou Heng did not see him. It is said that Xiao Jue only summoned him for a quarter of an hour, asked him a few questions, and then sent him back.

But that afternoon, Zhou Heng met someone in the cabinet.

Xie Jin.

The Xie family's manager in the capital.

He stood under the eaves, as if waiting for someone. When he saw Zhou Heng approaching, he went up to him and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Master Zhou."

Zhou Heng stopped in his tracks.

Xie Jin wore a polite smile.

"Lord Zhou," he said, "Xie Ying is new to the capital and doesn't know anyone here. My uncle asked me to tell you that if you have time, you would like to ask for your guidance."

Zhou Heng looked at him.

Xie Jin's smile remained unchanged.

Zhou Heng spoke.

"Guidance?" he said. "Young Master Xie is here to answer the summons. What matters will be handled by the Ministry of Rites. What can I possibly advise you on?"

Xie Jin's smile faltered.

Zhou Heng did not wait for his reply.

He walked forward, passing by Xie Jin.

He took a few steps and then stopped.

"Thank you, young master," he said, "there are some things that shouldn't be done, so don't do them."

he's gone.

Xie Jin stood there, watching that figure from behind, his smile gradually fading.

On August 25th, news came from the Imperial College.

Xie Ying set up a school at the Imperial Academy to teach, and many people came to listen. There were scions of prominent families, students from poor families, and some scholars who had come from other places.

The content being discussed is the concept of "respecting one's relatives and honoring one's superiors" from the Book of Rites.

Zhou Heng fell silent upon hearing these words.

Be kind to your relatives and honor those you respect.

This is the principle of aristocratic families.

Who was Xie Ying speaking to when he gave this lecture at the Imperial Academy?

Tell those students from humble backgrounds. Tell them that there is a distinction between relatives and strangers, and an order of hierarchy; this is the law of nature, this is human relations. The reason why aristocratic families are aristocratic families and poor families are poor families is not because one side oppresses the other, but because this is the law of nature, this is human relations.

Zhou Heng sat by the window, gazing at the darkening sky outside, and thought for a long time.

Then he stood up and walked outside.

Chen Shen caught up: "Young Master, where are you going?"

Zhou Heng did not turn around.

"The Imperial College"

The Imperial Academy was located in the east of the city, covering an area of ​​a hundred acres, with well-arranged buildings. When Zhou Heng arrived, it was almost dark. The main gate was open, and people were going in and out, mostly young students, chatting in twos and threes.

Zhou Heng went inside and followed the voices to the lecture hall.

The lights were still on in the lecture hall, and the entrance was crowded with people. Zhou Heng stood outside, peering through the gaps in the crowd.

A young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with a handsome face and dressed in a plain robe, stood in the hall, speaking to someone. His voice was not loud, but it carried clearly.

"...Therefore, the sages established rites not to constrain people, but to ensure that everyone is content with their place. When places are settled, the world is at peace; when the world is at peace, the people are at peace..."

Zhou Heng stood there, listening.

Xie Ying's voice continued.

"...Those from noble families have been officials for generations, with a long tradition of scholarship. This is not achieved overnight, but through centuries of accumulation. Those from humble backgrounds, born in the countryside and raised in the alleys, are not born lowly, but rather are chosen by the times..."

Zhou Heng's brow twitched slightly.

"...But can fortune be changed? Yes. How? Through study. Studying clarifies principles, and with clear principles, one's position can be easily changed. However, studying requires books, teachers, and time. These three things are available to aristocratic families but not to those from humble backgrounds. Therefore, those from humble backgrounds who wish to advance must rely on the power of aristocratic families..."

Zhou Heng listened to the whole thing.

He turned and walked out.

Chen Shen caught up and whispered, "Young Master, this person..."

Zhou Heng shook his head.

"Let's go."

By the time Zhou Heng left the Imperial Academy, it was completely dark. The streets were deserted, with only a few shops still lit. He rode slowly back home on his horse.

Chen Shen, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but ask, "Young Master, was there a problem with what Xie Ying said?"

Zhou Heng remained silent for a while.

"No problem," he said.

Chen Shen was stunned.

Zhou Heng continued, "What he said is true. Children from poor families do need books, teachers, and time to study. These are things that aristocratic families have, but poor families do not."

Chen Shen was even more confused: "Then why, young master...?"

Zhou Heng looked at him.

Do you know why he said those things?

Chen Shen shook his head.

Zhou Heng's gaze fell into the distance.

"Because he wanted to let those students from poor families know," he said, "that if they wanted to get ahead, they had to rely on their families."

Chen Shen paused for a moment.

Zhou Heng continued, "He's speaking of principles, but beneath those principles lies the human heart. What will those students from poor families think when they hear this?"

Chen Shen remained silent.

Zhou Heng answered for him: "They'll think the aristocratic families are right. If they want to get ahead, they really need to rely on them. The imperial examinations? Even if they pass the imperial examinations, without books to read, without teachers, and without the support of aristocratic families, how far can they go?"

A night breeze blew by, carrying the chill of early autumn.

Zhou Heng spurred his horse forward.

That night, Zhou Heng sat in the Qianqing Palace for a long time.

After Xiao Jue finished reviewing the memorials, he walked over and sat down next to him.

"You know about Xie Ying's matter?"

Zhou Heng nodded.

After a long silence, Zhou Heng finally spoke.

"I used to think that as long as the rules of the imperial examination were set, the door would be open," he said. "But today I realize that even though the door is open, there's no way in, and no one can get in."

Xiao Jue remained silent.

Zhou Heng leaned on his shoulder.

Xiao Jue reached out and pulled him into his arms.

His hand landed on Zhou Heng's back, stroking it gently.