"Always someone is willing to be the first to eat the peach."
See Fu Gu rise to his feet, Zheng Zheng loudly said: "The scholars must first report their own name, origin and age."
Fu Gu showed no fear on his face, bowing and saying, "Student Fu Gu, from Beidi Commandery, seventeen years of age."
Fu Gu, who is the 'wonderchild' who debated with Xun Can before! Cao Rui heard about it from the palace minister Sun Zhi.
Cao Rui raised his hand slightly to indicate that he had heard Fu Gu's words. Zheng Zheng, upon seeing this, said, "What question would you like to ask the emperor?"
While Fu Gu was somewhat nervous, his mental toughness was clearly good and he adjusted for a moment before opening his mouth to ask, "Your Majesty, this year is the seventh year of Huang Chu, according to custom, the new year will soon change the era. I do not know what era Your Majesty would like to choose and what expectations he has for the country?"
Cao Rui smiled when he heard Fu Gu's words. It's no wonder that he has the reputation of a 'wonderchild'. He asked such a clever question.
The new emperor ascending the throne, it's a given that the era name would change. The meaning of the era name is naturally something that would be chosen for its auspiciousness. Fu Gu asked such a question; it didn't involve any substantial national policies, yet it was able to enliven the atmosphere of the occasion, showing a bit of quick wit on his part.
Sima Shiotai saw the emperor nodding and smiling at Fu Gu, and couldn't help but feel regret in his heart. Asking about the era name was not only safer but also more in line with the emperor's will. How could he have missed that? Instead, Fu Gu had taken the initiative!
Cao Rui smiled and said: "The matter of the era name, I have discussed with the three senior officials and various scholars last month. Now it is December, and the change of era is about to take place. I will publicize it in advance to all the scholars. Dr. Zheng, you were also involved in this matter, so you can tell everyone."
The emperor came to the Academy of Grand Learning to inquire about state affairs. As the person in charge of the Academy, Zheng Cheng naturally did not want any students to ask offensive questions. Fu Gu's question was a good start, and Zheng Cheng was quite satisfied with it.
Zheng Cheng stroked his beard and said: "After consulting with the three officials and the learned scholars, it has been decided that the era name will be changed to 'Taihe' on the first day of the first lunar month in the new year."
"The word 'Taihe' is taken from the Qian hexagram in the Book of Changes."
"The change of the Qian hexagram symbolizes the movement of the Heavenly Way. Everything changes, but each thing maintains its own vitality. The Taihe serves to preserve this harmony, making it advantageous and stable."
Zheng Cheng looked at Fu Gu and said, "Fu Gu, do you know the meaning of this hexagram's wu sheng (interpretation)?
The Book of Changes is one of the Five Classics, and the Qian hexagram is the first of the sixty-four hexagrams in the Zhouyi. As a 'wonderchild,' how could Fu Gu not know about it?
Fu Gu pondered for a moment before saying, "I think the meaning of this sentence is that all things in the world must follow the will of heaven. Your Majesty, as the ruler of all under heaven, commands and governs the people according to righteousness. In this way, there is harmony and order throughout the country."
"I believe that is the meaning of the words 'Taihe'."
Cao Rui nodded: "Changing the era name is a major matter for the state. I wish for harmony throughout the realm, and Fu Gu's words are exactly what I intend."
The students in the audience looked at Fu Gu with envious eyes. Although Fu Gu was from a prestigious family and was among the top scholars, his ability to ask such questions and answer them correctly was not something that ordinary students could possess.
Certainly, Fu Gu's prospects must have improved after this.
Zheng Cheng cleared his throat and gestured for Fu Gu to sit down. Fu Gu bowed respectfully and sat down, but he tilted his head a bit higher.
Zheng Cheng continued to loudly announce: "The first question has ended, now onto the second question."
Before Zheng Cheng had finished speaking, a scholar quickly raised his hand, stood up, and bowed to the emperor.
Cao Rui smiled on the stage, but Zheng Cheng showed a slight hint of displeasure at this moment.
Zheng Cheng said: "What's the rush? First, tell us your name, origin, and age."
The scholar bowed to the emperor and said, "Student Han Lin, from Jingzhao, twenty-one years old this year."
Zheng Cheng nodded and said, "Han Lin, what question do you have for the emperor?"
Han Lin was staring at Zheng Cheng, who already had him nervous, and now he was even shaken when he spoke: "Student... I want to ask the emperor if he enjoys writing besides the study of classics."
Clearly, Han Lin's question was a level below Fu Gu's. Han Lin must have wanted to be clever like Fu Gu, but he missed the timing.
There are only three opportunities for students to ask questions to the emperor, and the first question is enough to warm up the atmosphere. The second question doesn't need to continue warming up.
This is a case of not knowing when to cease.
However, since the question is asked in the Academy of Grand Learning, Emperor Cao Rui had already been prepared for the naivety and even inappropriate nature of the students' questions. Han Lin's question, though not practical, at least relates to culture.
At this time, Emperor Cao Rui did not let Zheng Cheng speak and instead answered the question himself.
Cao Rui spoke loudly from the stage: "Literature, the great enterprise for governing the country, an immortal grand achievement. The years will come to an end and the glory and pleasure will cease with oneself. Both are inevitable in their common terms, unlike literature which has no end."
For four hundred years since the Western and Eastern Han dynasties, scholars often referred to their writing as commentaries on Confucian classics, rather than valuing the act of writing articles.
If what Emperor Cao Rui just said, it seems that writing articles has been elevated to the level of "a great enterprise for governing the country" and "an immortal grand achievement," which has never been mentioned before by people of the Western and Eastern Han dynasties.
Seeing that the audience were listening intently, even Zheng Cheng and Gao Long, the two doctors standing on one side, as well as Liu Ye, Huang Quan, the two servants who were also present, all wore expressions of deep thought. Emperor Cao Rui smiled and continued to speak.
"This is not something I said, but what was mentioned by the former emperor in his book 'Classics of Discourse.' But my intention is no different from that of the former emperor."
"I think that if one can write articles with sufficient wisdom, one must think deeply, predict far ahead as if it were near, and aim accurately. A good article is not less effective for literature and education than a great Confucian scholar."
Han Lin, seeing that the emperor had answered the question, hurriedly bowed and thanked him.
But after thinking for a moment, Emperor Cao Rui turned to Gao Tanglong and continued, "Doctor Gao Tanglong, since we've mentioned literature, I think it would be fitting to have the 'Classics of Discourse' written by the former emperor inscribed on stone and placed in the Academy of Grand Learning to show my respect for literature."
Gao Tanglong bowed his hands and said, "Your Majesty's words on literature are the most I have ever heard from the scholars, which have broadened my horizons. I haven't read 'Classics of Discourse,' and I humbly request Your Majesty to provide a copy for me. I will immediately send someone to print it."
Cao Rui smiled and said: "This is the article written by the former emperor. I estimate that only I have read it. Liu Viscount, you work together with Doctor Gao Tanglong to handle this matter."
Liu Ye bowed and agreed.
Zheng Cheng gestured for Han Lin to sit down. Han Lin was among the students in the second tier, and there were only a few more questions left. Zheng Cheng didn't want the last question to be mundane, so he looked over to the students in the first tier.
Xiachou Xuan saw Zheng Cheng looking over, smiling at Zheng Cheng and then raising his hand.
It's Xiachou Taichu, Xiahou Tai Chu.
If Fu Gu is only admired for his intelligence, then Xiachou Xuan is someone to be looked up to in all aspects.
Xiachou Xuan stood up, bowed to the emperor standing on the stage.
Cao Rui naturally knew Xiachou Xuan, so he asked directly, "Tai Chu, what question do you have?"
Seeing Xiachou Xuan's relaxed tone when talking to the emperor, the hearts of everyone present were a bit envious. But could envy come from nowhere? Not everyone has a Cao or Xiahou surname as their father.
Like the two previous students, Xiachou Xuan bowed and then said, "Regarding the Nine-Rank Official Selection System, I have a question."
Unlike the two previous students in the Academy of Grand Learning, Xiachou Xuan had a title of Guangshan Shui Cang Zheng Cang, although he didn't have to duty like Zhong Yu did, so he could be addressed as "My lord".
Cao Rui nodded, finally someone had asked about a topic related to the country's major policies: "Tai Chu, go ahead."
Xiachou Xuan bowed and said: "In Luoyang, I have met many officials and scholars. Although it is normal for scholars to be enthusiastic about their official careers, the current system makes it quite puzzling for those who are facing the selection process."
"If we follow the conventional practices, in the Western Han and now, both examination and appointment systems are implemented. The prefectural governors recommend 'outstanding talents' and the prefectural magistrates recommend 'filial loyalty'. After entering Luoyang, they undergo evaluation at the three departments (Three Ministries) and then serve as a 'mansion official'. Afterwards, they are evaluated by the Ministry of Personnel for their future prospects."
Seeing that Emperor Cao Rui was listening attentively, Xiachou Xuan continued: "In my opinion, the system of examination and appointment relies on the clear discussions in the states and counties. The focus of these discussions is on classical learning and filial piety. Under the system of Nine-Rank Official Selection, the original evaluation by the state and county scholars has been changed to be evaluated by the local rectors."
"I think that having the local rectors evaluate the scholars can avoid the so-called 'famous scholars' interfering in the selection process, but it also creates other problems."
Listening to Xiachou Xuan's speech, Zheng Cheng couldn't help but furrow his brow again. He was afraid that the students' questions would be inadequate or too challenging. However, since Xiachou Xuan was a member of the emperor's family, Zheng Cheng didn't know if he should interrupt.
Xiachou Xuan said, "I believe there are three problems with this matter."
"The first problem is that when only the system of examination and appointment was in place, if the governor selected a 'filial loyalty' candidate or the prefectural governor selected an 'outstanding talent' that was inappropriate, the governor and prefectural governor would be held accountable by the court. But now, with local rectors evaluating scholars, if they select the right candidates it is seen as choosing talent for the country, and if they make a mistake, no one accuses them."
"The second problem is that the system of examination and appointment was originally initiated by the local officials and prefectural officials themselves. If a scholar was not selected, there was nothing else to say. But now, with the local rectors evaluating scholars, if they make a mistake in their evaluation, a scholar's entire life may be affected."
"The third problem is that in recent years, the local rectors' evaluation has had a growing impact on scholars, and from my observation, it has already affected the Ministry of Personnel's selection of officials. I am concerned that if this continues, the system of local rectors' evaluation may contend with the Ministry of Personnel for power."
"That is all of my question, Your Majesty, I hope you will provide an explanation."
Xiachou Xuan's questions are fundamentally different from those of Fu Gao and Han Lin, as they discuss the fundamental talent system of the "Nine-Rank Official Selection System".
Emperor Cao Rui stood on the stage, absorbing every word spoken by Xiachou Xuan.
In fact, Xiachou Xuan's question can be summarized into the following points:
The first point is that if a prefectural governor selects a 'filial loyalty' candidate and the court finds that the person is not suitable, the governor will be held responsible. However, with local rectors evaluating scholars, there is no one to evaluate them, and it depends entirely on the integrity of the rectors. This could lead to major problems.
The second point is that the current system of local rectors' evaluation evaluates each scholar only once, which can easily lead to miscarriages of justice.
The third point is that the local rectors are gradually encroaching upon the authority and responsibilities of the Ministry of Personnel within the Secretariat.
As Emperor Cao Rui is in a high position, it is obvious to him what the problems with the system are. The 'Nine-Rank Official Selection System' naturally also has its flaws.
The priority of Emperor Cao Rui's actions now is not to rush and drastically reform each system, but to ensure the normal operation of the Cao Wei court first, and then gradually make changes.
What truly moved Emperor Cao Rui was not the acuteness of Xiachou Xuan's questions, but rather the fact that Xiachou Xuan himself was able to pose such questions.
As a member of the Xiahou family and possessing such outstanding talent in Luoyang, Xiachou Xuan naturally didn't have to worry about his own future and destiny. However, he was able to show such empathy and ask such questions on behalf of scholars and students throughout the land to the emperor.
In the Cao and Xiahou families, is there really such a person? It is truly rare and valuable.
(End of Chapter)
