What is the reason?
Nonsense. Can I not even know that I exist? Do I need a reason to exist... Zhao Ping'an pondered for a moment before finally coming up with a reasonable excuse for pretending to be foolish: "There's no reason."
"I have read the 'Records of the Grand Historian' and referred to fragments of the 'Bamboo Annals,' so I believe that the existence of Zhaosu should be considered credible historical evidence."
Li Shanliang clapped and said, "That's impressive!"
"This student has given us a very good example of the opposite. He chose to believe this historical record."
"The student in question appears to be one who doesn't listen to lectures very often. Those who regularly attend classes should know that the 'Life of Zhaozi' is the only false content in the 'Records of the Grand Historian'."
"In fact, this passage is entirely a fabrication of Emperor Qin Shi Huang."
Zhao Ping'an was somewhat confused.
My mom, I'm a fictional character again?
People of that era treated me as a virtual character because I was indeed not very present at that time.
But what were you doing?
Seeing Zhao Ping'an's expression, Li Shanliang smiled and said, "Student, do you not know that Qin Shi Huang fabricated this piece of history?"
"Zhaozi, in essence, is a spiritual totem image created by Emperor Qin Shi Huang to consolidate his rule, don't you know this?"
Zhao Ping'an asked with confusion, "Why?"
"That's not complicated?"
Li Shanliang smiled, "In that era, how could there have been someone who was completely proficient in both Confucianism and Legalism?"
"Zhaozi's understanding of both Confucianism and Legalism, as recorded in historical documents, is a level of interpretation that many great figures in later times have had!"
"Doesn't this provide further evidence that it was a fabrication by Emperor Qin Shi Huang?"
Zhao Ping'an argued, "But couldn't it be that there could have been one person who truly understood..."
He didn't finish speaking before being interrupted by Li Shanliang:
"Enough with the talk, do you understand Zhaozi, or do I?"
Professor Li Shanliang seemed to look down upon Zhao Ping'an dismissively, showing a lack of respect for such a person.
Zhao Ping'an sighed twice, "Alright, the professor is still young, and he wasn't born in that era. So it doesn't really matter."
Ah, you are still young. Professor, there is much for you to learn.
Of course, at this moment, the professor is unaware that the young man standing before him is none other than Zhaozi.
However, he will eventually come to know the truth.
Zhao Ping'an sat in a corner of the classroom, and "History of China" started.
No time to waste on this idiot.
Liu Bang has been calling him for a long time.
He opened his phone, saw Liu Bang's message, and froze.
What did I arrange?
He didn't understand it.
"Wait a minute, given this time frame, I presume Liu Bang is likely to be getting married at this point, right?"
Lü Zhi, a woman who is extremely famous in history.
Zhao Ping'an looked at the screen on his phone and quickly realized:
Li Si did it!
"The Qin Dynasty's system was an official selection process that taught law and took officials as teachers. Given Liu Bang's status as a village head, Li Si, with his attention to detail, would definitely have known about the message."
He replied to Liu Bang:
[Don't think too much.]
[You don't know. This was arranged by Li Si himself.]
[Just do your job well. Once you get married, enjoy life.]
[I heard that Lü's daughter is very beautiful. Just go ahead and date her.]
...
Liu Bang looked at the picture on the small wooden board in his little hut.
"Big Brother! No wonder you're my big brother!"
Liu Bang was still very happy:
"This is a major event in life that will affect the rest of your life. It's something to look forward to."
Who wouldn't want to have a grand celebration for such an important event?
...
Seven days later.
During these seven days, the imperial envoy stayed at Liu Bang's house.
At first, Liu Bang's parents felt uneasy and wanted to find Fan Qai to bring some meat over, but the imperial envoy stopped them:
"We are all children of the heavens, and what's the point of being an aristocrat? Let me enjoy a few days of coarse tea!"
The imperial envoy was not just here for leisure, he spent the seven days—
He actually helped Liu Bang with various tasks, as if he were truly the emperor's envoy sent to assist with the wedding.
This made Liu Bang feel more and more terrified by the character of Zhaozi.
The imperial envoy had an air and appearance that spoke of someone of great status, yet he was able to assist with various tasks.
This is not a treatment that an ordinary person could enjoy!
Someone of this caliber doing such trivial tasks means that Zhaozi's position in court is absolutely not a nominal one—
It might be as high as one can hardly imagine!
Today.
Liu Bang dressed up neatly, preparing to go and pick up his bride.
At that time, the marriage customs in Sishui were generally a simple set of procedures:
The groom sets off to fetch the bride, and upon his return, both parties bow together twice before hosting a reception.
There were not yet the complicated customs of later times.
Today, Liu Bang dressed in the brocade robe granted by the emperor, set off towards the residence of Lü Tai Gong.
...
The residence of Lü Tai Gong.
Today is the wedding day of Lü Tai Gong's youngest daughter, Lü Zhi.
Lü Tai Gong sat alone at a square table, looking at the scene before him, and sighed, "I never expected that after enjoying a carefree life, I would end up selling my daughter to such a lowly ruffian."
He was well aware that Liu Bang was a respected father figure and leader among the villagers, but—
Liu Bang was not from a noble family.
Not from a noble family, after all, it's just a matter of status.
In front of him, Lü Zhi's eldest brother Lü Yuanji, taking advantage of Fan Qai's presence, fawned:
"Grandfather, you don't have to hold such high expectations, do you?"
"Being able to bring in a son-in-law like Fan Qai who can enter elegant households is already quite fortunate for us outsiders."
"Having someone like Liu Bang is already the best among the mediocre ones."
Lü Tai Gong waved his hand, "Enough, enough. Don't mention it anymore!"
"With someone else's mouth, the Lü family needs Liu Bang's connections to settle down in Sishui."
If these words were to reach Liu Bang's ears, the Lü family would have another enemy in Sishui—
With such a grudge, the Lü family might really lose everything in Sishui.
Lü Yuanji, taking advantage of the crowd, continued to speak loudly:
"I hope that when Lü Jì arrives today, he can at least meet some basic etiquette and not disgrace our Lü family."
That is to say:
Making extraordinary statements to shock the heavens and the earth.
For a person who can't achieve anything, putting down someone who is highly regarded in the villagers for their strength is a very satisfying experience.
The sound of beating drums and cymbals quickly rings out, and along the way, villagers clear the path for Liu Bang.
Liu Bang held sweet snacks that children love, walking along the road and distributing them, and the villagers, seeing that Liu Bang was getting married, were instantly delighted, with their mouths full of auspicious words.
Liu Bang walked into the Lü mansion, surrounded by a crowd of people.
"It seems that Lü Jì is actually quite aware of the rules."
Lü Tai Gong praised the etiquette, saying it was quite thorough.
In a society governed by etiquette, a complete adherence to the court rituals is something that brings great face.
Liu Bang walked confidently in his formal wedding attire, with a majestic demeanor.
