Cao Rui shook his head after hearing Liu Ye's words.
Cao Rui asked, "Has Liu Qing also studied omen and divination?"
Liu Ye didn't expect the emperor to ask him such a question. After a moment of silence, he said, "In fact, the subject has been studied by the author. But the author is from Yangzhou, and there are not many scholars in Yangzhou who understand omen and divination. Therefore, I don't really understand omen and divination."
In Cao Rui's current view, sayings like "The one to replace Han will be the man of Tugao" and "The omen of the golden sword," the court can naturally come up with an official explanation. However, the spontaneous interpretations by the people are almost impossible to stop. Whether or not omens and divination are useful is beside the point, and whether these strange events are real or not is also irrelevant. It is simply the uncontrollability of omens and portents that is enough to cause trouble.
In reality, it is a form of threat to the ruling authority.
Cao Rui continued to look at the other three middle commissioners.
"Has Chen Qing studied omens and divination?"
"I am almost the same as Chen Jiao," said Chen Jiao. "I am also from Yangzhou, and the situation is roughly similar to that of Liu Jianzhong."
Cao Rui nodded: "And Xin Zhongshu?"
Xin Pi looked at Liu Ye, then at Chen Jiao, and said, "The minister has indeed studied some of it."
Seeing Xin Pi say such a sentence with no context, Cao Rui, under the influence of alcohol, urged him: "What have you learned? Quickly tell me."
The others were also staring at Xin Pi. The Cao family relatives who were dining together in the hall didn't understand, so they also looked over here.
Xin Pi opened his mouth slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but it felt like he was holding back and couldn't get the words out.
"Ha ha ha," Liu Ye suddenly seemed to think of something, laughing several times before drinking a cup of wine by himself.
Xin Pi looked helplessly at Liu Ye, then bowed and said, "The minister has studied some omens and divination. It is only the Yangshan ease and Jingshi ease studied by the Yuan family."
Cao Rui pointed at Xin Pi and said, "Xin Zhongshu, why are you hesitating? Punish yourself with a cup!"
Xin Pi didn't hesitate either. After accepting the order, he drank the cup of wine in one swig.
At this point, Cao Rui smiled and said, "What does it matter that you have studied with the Yuan family? Zhongshu Xin has also served the Yuan family. How many people in the court have served the Yuan family? Where is Yan Shao now?"
"However, what I have learned are ancient texts of Confucian classics. Zheng's school is extensive, and Teacher Zheng and Teacher Gaotang have only taught me ancient texts of Confucian classics. I have heard of the Yang School and Jing School, but I haven't understood them." Looking at Xin Pi, Cao Rui said, "Zhongshu Xin, please explain to me?"
Xin Pi also replied with a slight buzz of alcohol, "Your Majesty, I know about this. When the late emperor invited Doctor Zheng to teach You the classical Confucian texts, I was also present. It was the late emperor who didn't let Doctor Zheng teach You modern Confucian classics."
Cao Rui raised his eyebrow: "What does this mean?"
Xin Pi explained, "Your Majesty, the Yang School, Jing School, and the ancient texts of the Book of Changes are almost not the same book."
Cao Rui said, "Tell me more in detail."
"Meng Xi incorporated 'Baqi' into the image numbers and mixed it with Yin and Yang calamities. He also supported it with lunar cycles, seasons, and seasonal changes to predict fortunes. The Yuan family of Yunnan has passed down the Meng School of the Book of Changes for generations, which led to the position of four generations and three prime ministers."
"Jing Hong built upon Meng Xi's foundation of the Book of Changes, taking the concept of 'Baqi' and 'Yin and Yang calamities' to an extreme. After incorporating the techniques of 'naming the nine palaces', 'naming the twelve signs', 'eight palace diagrams', 'Baqi', 'Wu Xing', and 'Fei Fu', all these were integrated into Meng Xi's Book of Changes, which became known as Jing School."
"Calm down." Cao Rui raised his hand to stop Xin Pi: "Zhongshu Xin, you might as well speak more directly. I don't understand."
Xin Pi was rather helpless. He had been asked to explain in detail, but after explaining in detail, it turned out that he couldn't understand. But who could blame him? The person on the other side was the emperor. He had to say something.
Xin Pi bowed: "Your Majesty, the Meng School of the Book of Changes is a mix of the Book of Changes with omens and divination, while the Jing School is entirely composed of omens and divination."
Cao Rui said, "If the Meng School of the Book of Changes is truly effective, how could the Yuan family, who have studied it for generations, not understand their own fate? This must be sheer nonsense."
Xin Pi said, "It is a matter of human effort, not of the heavens."
Cao Rui nodded: "It seems that the late emperor didn't want me to learn about omens and divination, huh?"
"The late emperor didn't like these omens and divination techniques," Xin Pi said.
"Liu Zhongshu had told me this when he first met me, saying that the late emperor did not like these omens and divination techniques." Cao Rui looked at Liu Ye, holding his wine goblet, and said: "Right? Liusheng?"
Liu Ye nodded slightly and agreed.
"Cao Rui, among the Han Xiao Wen's peers." Cao Rui took a sip of wine and looked at Huang Quan: "What about Zhongshu Huang?"
Huang Quan replied, "I am not as skilled in the classics as Xin Zhongshu, but there are also people from my same county who study the Meng School of the Book of Changes, and they are quite extraordinary."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Zhongshu Huang, go ahead and tell us. Today, we are talking about extraordinary things."
"Huang Quan said, "I have a friend named Zhou Shu from my county, who also studies the Meng School of the Book of Changes. However, someone once asked Zhou Shu about how to interpret 'The one who will replace Han must be high in the heavens,' and he was asked to explain."
As one topic after another of general interest came up, the atmosphere at the banquet gradually heated up. Although Liu Ye next to them seemed to have a stiff expression.
Cao Rui curiously asked, "How did Zhou Shu explain it?"
"Liusheng said slowly, "He who is high in the heavens and walks on the shore of the earth is Wei." However, he continued to explain: "Your Majesty, this is not something that the minister has randomly fabricated at this table. It is known throughout Baixi Prefecture."
The establishment of the Wei state by the Cao family, and its correspondence with omens and divination, was simply the biggest political correctness of this era.
As the Cao family in the banquet became more and more excited, Cao Rui pointed at Huang Quan and said to the others, "Gentlemen, this is Huang Zhongshu, Huang Quan, and Huang Gongheng from Baixi Prefecture in Yizhou."
In this era, it is not easy to see people from other prefectures outside of Luoyang. The neighboring Henan and Yangzhou are fine. Yi State is so far away from Chou Prefecture, but today there is a visitant Zhongshu from Yi State at the emperor's banquet. It will be a talking point when spread around.
"Zhongshu Huang, having come a long distance from Shu Han to submit to the great Wei, deserves praise. Zhongshu Huang, you should drink a cup with my relatives."
Huang Quan smiled, stood up and offered a cup of wine to the other Cao family members, then turned around and signaled to the emperor to turn over the cup.
"Good!" Cao Rui said to Huang Quan: "Zhongshu Huang, continue."
Huang Quan continued, "Later on, Zhou Shu's son, Zhou Qun, also became famous for his divination. When Shu Han was planning to conquer Hanzhong to the north, Zhou Qun said they would get the land of Hanzhong but not the people of Hanzhong. Later, Emperor Wu moved all the people of Hanzhong to the north, and Zhou Qun's prediction was fully verified."
The people in the audience were all surprised. This was just a few years ago, and besides the current emperor who was still young, Chen Jiao, Xin Pi, and Liu Ye were all participants in that era.
"Zhongshu Huang, is there anything else?" Chen Jiao asked out of curiosity.
Huang Quan nodded: "There is another person in Yi State named Zhang Yu, who once said that in the year of Gengzi (a solar term), the dynasty would change. He also said that after Liu Bei gained Yi State, he would lose it nine years later."
"In the year of Gengzi (a solar term), the late emperor replaced Han with Wei. Liu Bei gained Yi State nine years later and died in Baidy City."
Even Cao Rui widened his eyes in shock. Could such prophecies really exist? The precise numbers, such as the year of Gengzi and nine years, could also be predicted? Truly extraordinary!
"Chancellor Liu, Chancellor Liu," Cao Rui turned to look at Liu Ye, "Are there such extraordinary people in the Central Plains?"
Liu Ye saw the emperor consulting him as usual, and felt a bit more at ease. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I have indeed not heard of such extraordinary people."
Cao Rui nodded and continued to drink with the crowd.
The banquet ended, and everyone left drunk. Huang Quan had been the most engaging storyteller of the day, receiving the most toasts, so after the event, he was escorted away drunk by Liu Ye.
Four assistant ministers are divided into two groups and serve the emperor alternately. Liu Ye and Huang Quan belong to one group, while Xin Pi and Chen Jiao belong to another. After these days, they have all become accustomed to it.
Chou Prefecture was still stronger than Feiyang Spring, at least it could have a separate room for each person to sleep in. After Liu Ye helped Huang Quan lie down on the bed, he was about to leave when Huang Quan grabbed his sleeve.
Just now, as Huang Quan walked back, he was tipsy and his steps were unsteady. But in just a moment, there was not a trace of drunkenness in his eyes now.
Huang Quan raised his chin in the direction of the door and Liu Ye immediately understood, walked a few steps to close the door.
Liu Ye asked in slight surprise, "Gongheng, what's your meaning?"
Huang Quan softly sighed, "Observing people and reading the situation, I am far inferior to Brother Ziyang. Today when the emperor asked if there were any extraordinary people, as Brother Ziyang said there weren't, I noticed that he seemed to have more to say."
"Your Majesty is far away from me, and I am sitting right next to you, so I can see it clearly. Please, Brother Ziyang, explain it to me."
Liu Ye shook his head: "How can I help you understand? I'm confused myself."
"What kind of matter could confuse Brother Ziyang?" Huang Quan asked in confusion.
Seeing Liu Ye hesitated to say anything, Huang Quan urged: "We are supposed to take care of each other in front of the king. Why can't we say it?"
Liu Ye sat on the bed and explained: "In terms of officials, I am indeed the first person to secretly address the emperor. After the emperor summoned me that day, he indeed asked me about divination and also asked about room service."
"Room service?" Huang Quan was astonished. "Did you teach the emperor room service?"
"I dare not!" Liu Ye said: "However, after I left the North Palace, Sima Yi and Chen Qun invited me to the Secretariat and asked me who the emperor was."
Huang Quan asked, "What did you say, Brother Ziyang?"
Liu Ye lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty is like the Han Xiao Wen, but my talents and abilities are slightly inferior."
Huang Quan narrowed his eyes slightly and recalled what the emperor had said at the banquet. The emperor seemed to have only said the first half of Liu Ye's sentence? The second half was not mentioned, which may be a hint from the emperor to Liu Ye, and also left some face for Liu Ye.
Huang Quan sighed, "Brother Ziyang, are you not speaking up because of this matter?"
"Isn't it so," Liu Ye shook his head. "The key is that there are indeed extraordinary people in the Central Plains, and I am afraid to mention it directly to Your Majesty."
Huang Quan pointed to the roof with his hand: "Relate?"
Liu Ye nodded slightly: "Relate."
"What is there in the private room that cannot be told to me?" Huang Quan said.
Liu Ye asked, "Do you know Zhu Jianping and Zhou Xuan?"
Huang Quan shook his head.
Liu Ye explained: "Zhu Jianping is well-known in Luo Zhong, and he once said at a banquet that the late emperor would live to be eighty."
(Chapter complete)
