Ou Zhao, who served as the master of WuDe Marquis, did not hesitate to praise Jiang Wei.
In another time and space, Jiang Wei, for more than thirty years after his surrender to Shu Han, repeatedly launched northern invasions with unwavering determination. Even after Liu Chan's surrender, he remained hopeful, desiring to achieve 'restoring peace to the state and brightening the sun and moon.'
Such a person is now at ease in Wei, and what kind of achievements will he make in the future?
Let's see how it goes.
Within the Taixue, in addition to several small classrooms, there is a hall that can accommodate up to a thousand people, known as the Jixian Hall.
As he walked to the entrance of the Jixian Hall, Cao Rui smiled and said to Gao Tao Long: "Gao Tao Long teacher, I think this place is quite nice. Since there are students from various counties recruited this time, let's gather everyone here and let me have a look."
Gao Tao Long was somewhat confused. He originally thought that the emperor's visit to the Taixue was just to inspect, listen to a few instructors lecture on academic work at most, and now he wanted to convene students?
Hearing the emperor's words mentioning that the students of this Taixue came from all over the country, Gao Tao Long couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, are you planning to inquire about the customs and people's conditions in various places from the students?"
"Yes, it's not." Cao Rui turned to look at Zheng Chun and smiled, asking, "Zheng Teacher, what does the phrase 'Easy to follow the King's path' mean?"
Zheng Chun is a distinguished scholar, and finding fragments and extracting quotes is one of his lifelong pleasures. Given that the emperor mentioned such a clear historical reference, how could Zheng Chun not guess the emperor's intentions?
Zheng Chun, being over sixty years old, stroked his already graying beard and smiled as he said, "Is Your Majesty looking to emulate Zǐ Chǎn?"
Cao Rui also nodded in agreement, saying, "As you said, Zheng Teacher."
Hearing the words of the two, Gao Tao Long immediately looked at the emperor: "Then the subject will go and gather the students of Taixue."
Cao Rui said, "Gather the students of the academy here."
Gao Tao Long bowed and left.
Cao Rui and Zheng Chun were not riddling, but rather, using the concept of "Easy to follow the King's path" and the story of "Zǐ Chǎn", they concisely explained what the emperor would do next.
Zheng Chun naturally excels in the study of Zheng School, and the "Easy to follow the King's path" mentioned by Cao Rui is indeed an important viewpoint within the Zheng School.
Zheng Xuan and Zheng Kangcheng commented in the "Commentary on the Rites of the Village Feast" that Zhouzi's words "I have observed in the village, and thus know that following the King's path is very easy" are "Easy to follow the King's path" referring to the essence of teaching and culture, which is to respect the elders and honor those of high rank."
The so-called "town" refers to the "etiquette of the town magistrate receiving guests at the Xiongxi Academy," which is an important part of the basic ritual system under Confucianism. The ritual of Xiongxi is carried out by the officials within the town.
In essence, it means that in the town's academy, local literati gather regularly to educate the common people, and Confucius considered this a significant method of education.
At this moment, where Cao Rui, Zheng Chun, and Gao Tao Long are located, is the highest academic institution in the Wei state. There are no local scholars or gentlemen here; instead, there are only students from various places studying at the Taixue.
If the goal is to achieve education, it can only be based on the principle of "Zǐ Chǎn did not destroy the local schools," and addressing political issues with the students of the Taixue!
It must be said that this year's literati group still enjoys the way of speaking in a roundabout manner.
Today, upon learning that the emperor would be visiting, the students of the Taixue acted as if it were a school inspection in later generations, attending classes and studying classics diligently in the classrooms.
But as Gao Tao Long called for the students, the once quiet Taixue suddenly became lively.
The dialogue in the local school about politics is a traditional Confucianism that Zhouzi praised. Now the emperor has visited Taixue before he makes a southern tour, and still wishes to simulate the dialogue in the local school with students. If this news spreads, it will be a wonderful story and something to be proud of!
The students of the Taixue entered in batches, each carrying a cushion, and formed a large semi-circle around the podium in the hall.
Hundreds of students of the Taixue clustered around the podium, sitting in a semicircle in front of it. From above, it was quite impressive. Although all the students were silent and waiting for the emperor to appear, the enthusiasm in their eyes couldn't be hidden.
This is a chance to meet the emperor, which is not an opportunity that ordinary scholars have.
The students came out from different classrooms and naturally sat in batches according to their grades: first grade, second grade, and third grade.
At this time, the emperor had not yet arrived, and the students of the Taixue naturally gathered below to discuss various things. Although they all deliberately lowered their voices, it was difficult to hide their excitement.
Unlike others, Xiahou Xian was tall and sat straight, looking calm and collected, much like a crane standing among chickens. Others had never even seen the emperor, but he had been in the palace to drink, so how could he act like an ordinary student?
However, Sima Shi, sitting next to Xiahou Xian, was not as composed. At home, Sima Shi often heard about the emperor's affairs from his father Sima Yi, who never spared any information or opportunity to cultivate his eldest son and often communicated with Sima Shi.
Sima Shi has always had a vague impression of the emperor: intelligent, carefree, refusing to accept advice, and calculating. The more he knows about the emperor, the more he wants to see what kind of person the 'companion of Emperor Han Xian' is like.
Jiang Wei naturally belonged to the first grade of Taixue students, sitting not far from Sima Shi and Xiahou Xian in the second row. Although Jiang Wei was also quite eager at this moment, he was much calmer in his demeanor compared to Sima Shi's restless and left-right glances.
Guided by Zheng Chun, the doctor of Zheng School, Emperor Cao Rui emerged slowly from the side room. The attention of the Taixue students was immediately drawn to the emperor, with some holding their breath as they watched his figure, while others directly gazed at his appearance.
Cao Rui walked slowly up to the stage, and at this moment, Gao Tao Long ordered the students of the Taixue to bow.
Seeing the students of the Taixue bowing and saluting under the direction of Gao Tao Long, Cao Rui lightly raised his hand and said, "Please rise."
After the students rose from their bows, they looked at the emperor standing on the stage.
Although Sima Shi had heard his father say that the emperor's appearance was among the most handsome, seeing the emperor standing a few meters away in person made Sima Shi realize that the emperor's demeanor was far more than just handsome.
The red and black emperor's robes standing on the stage, looking down at the crowd with grandeur, further enhanced the already outstanding appearance of the emperor.
Sima Shi took a deep breath, and his heart within his chest pounded fiercely.
Emperor Cao's favorite concubine, Mao Ruyin's younger brother Mao Ceng, also enrolled in the Taixue. However, during the grading process, he was placed in the lowest-ranked third grade. Before the grading took place, there was once an incident when Mao Ceng sat next to Xiahou Xian. Many people in the scene teased Mao Ceng.
There was a remark made at the time that Sima Shi still remembers vividly: Mao Ceng sitting next to Xiahou Xian was like 'a reed leaning against a jade tree.'
Xiahou Xian's outstanding qualities are beyond question. Even though he is the son of the Minister of the Interior, Sima Shi standing in front of him felt a slight sense of inferiority.
But if Xiahou Xian can be described as 'a jade tree' or 'as bright and clear as the moon and sun entering one's embrace', then the emperor standing on the stage at this moment is like a dragon soaring through the nine heavens.
At this moment, Sima Shi's heart was filled with admiration. But just as Sima Shi was lost in thought, he was startled by an unexpected thought that suddenly popped into his mind.
The thought that crossed Sima Shi's mind was a passage in the Historical Records: when Xiang Yu saw the procession of the Qin Emperor during his tour of the Eastern Capital, he expressed his admiration by saying, "He can be replaced."
Can he be replaced?
For a moment, Sima Shi felt as if he had done something wrong, his face slightly reddening. He quickly glanced around to see that no one was paying attention to him, and only then did he gradually relax.
Just then, Sima Shi's heartbeat quickened.
A moment later, Cao Rui stood on the stage and looked around the crowd several times before starting to speak with the students. His voice was powerful and rhythmical, completely unlike that of a young man.
Cao Rui smiled as he said, "Today, I have come to the Taixue and met with Dr. Zheng and Dr. Gao Tang. These two great scholars have both been in my Eastern Palace and had a teacher-student relationship with me. If we count this place, then it can be said that I have studied the same courses as you all."
Seeing the emperor's words were very friendly, the students all showed a faint smile.
Cao Rui said, "Emperor Wen of Wei established the Taixue in Yellow Origin Year 5, established a system of five classical texts for testing, and repaired the stone scriptures. I also ordered Dr. Gao Tang to renovate the Taixue hall, and when I arrived here today, the appearance of the Taixue had completely changed from its dilapidated state several years ago."
"Dr. Zheng once asked me how I viewed classical learning. On that day, I told Dr. Zheng that in the eyes of the world, classical learning serves to distinguish between the worthy and the unworthy and to honor kinship; to respect the virtuous and to follow age order. These are the norms of a nation, and they are what I hold in high regard."
The Taixue students heard that the emperor held classical learning in high esteem, and they felt some alleviation knowing that their teachers had always been strict with them. If the emperor himself respected classical learning, how could they not learn it as well?
Cao Rui continued, "I will soon go on a southern tour. Today, I have come to this place to mimic the 'village school' system and have a discussion about politics with the Taixue students."
Seeing that the emperor's opening remarks had ended, Zheng Chun stood not far from the emperor on the steps below and loudly said, "Ladies and gentlemen of the Taixue, today His Majesty has personally come to the Taixue to discuss politics. His Majesty will answer three questions from all of you, and then His Majesty will also ask three questions to you."
"The questions will have no restrictions or predetermined rules. If a student has prepared a question, they can raise their hands and ask after performing a bow."
As Zheng Chun finished speaking, the scholars below began to whisper among themselves. This was an opportunity to ask the emperor a question!
The Emperor Guangwu of the Western Han had merely come to the Taixue to watch students debate classical learning. Today, His Majesty has come here with such a broad-mindedness to listen to scholars question politics. Such an event is truly a rare sight in a century.
However, the more significant this matter seemed to be, the more nervous the students became. Sima Shi wanted to ask a question, but seeing Xiahou Xian smiling and sitting motionlessly next to him, he also advised himself not to move recklessly.
That would be fine, but if the question is poorly asked, while it's unlikely to incur the emperor's wrath, being underestimated by the emperor could jeopardize his future career.
At this moment of hesitation, Fu Gu, the "child prodigy" who was seated a few people away from Sima Shi, not far from him, raised his hand directly, stood up, and bowed to the emperor on the stage.
Not only Sima Shi, the first-grade Taixue students around him were also shocked by Fu Gu's "boldness."
(End of this chapter)
