Again, some agree, some disagree.
Indeed so.
Cao Rui looked at Gao Ruan: "Didn't the Premier just introduce the four debates to me?"
"In the debate about restoring corporal punishment, do you still remember who supported it and who opposed it?"
Gao Ruan answered with a bow: "Your Majesty, I can remember clearly."
"Then tell me," Cao Rui said.
"According to your command," Gao Ruan said, "In the first debate on restoring corporal punishment, Governor of Liaodong Cui Shi, Minister of Agriculture Zheng Xuan, and Grand Minister of Ceremonies Chen Ji were in favor. The debate was not concluded because the court had just moved its capital."
"In the second debate on corporal punishment, Secretary of the Ministry Xun You was in favor, while Official Yong Kong was against," said Gao Ruan.
"At the third debate on corporal punishment, General Chen and Grand Master Zhong were in favor. At that time, the Minister of Agriculture Wang Xiu Wang Shizhi, along with Duke Wang opposed it."
"The fourth debate on corporal punishment was called off in the third year of the Huangchu era due to the southern campaign."
Cao Rui listened attentively and noticed that the fourth discussion was in the third year of Huangchu, when Gao Ruan was already the Minister of Justice. Gao Ruan intentionally did not mention his own name.
Truly interesting.
After listening to Gao Ruan, Cao Rui silently summed up in his mind.
Those who supported the restoration of corporal punishment were Zheng Xuan, Chen Ji, Zhong You, Xun You, Chen Qun, Gao Ruan, Sima Yi.
Among them, Chen Ji and Chen Qun were father and son. Chen Ji, Chen Qun, Zhong You, Xun You were all from Yingchuan.
Those who opposed the restoration of corporal punishment were Kong Rong, Wang Xiu, Wang Lang, and Dong Zhao.
At least hundreds of years had passed since the use of corporal punishment was introduced to the land of the Han Dynasty before the reign of Emperor Wen. After Emperor Wen, the Han Dynasty and the following Wei and Jin dynasties had nearly four hundred years without corporal punishment.
Does corporal punishment or not really affect governance?
This alignment over the issue of corporal punishment was what truly made Cao Rui feel on guard.
Even aside from this, the fact that Chen Qun, Zhong You, Xun You, and Sima Yi all take the same stance on this matter is worth giving serious consideration and even being cautious about.
"High Zheng, everything you said has been noted by me. I will personally ask Grand Master Zhong and Duke Wang in a few days," Cao Rui whispered. "Did Premier enter the palace before going to the imperial prison?"
Gao Ruan replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Cao Rui said, "Since Xun You and Xun Hong have passed away, let all others who are not of the Xun family be released."
"Moreover, Premier Gao and Master Wei, please discuss together how to conclude this matter." Cao Rui pointed to Gao Ruan and Wei Zhen: "Also, whether the male members of the Xun family are suitable for corporal punishment."
Gao Ruan was greatly shaken in his heart, but he answered calmly on the surface, "As you command, Your Majesty. I will discuss this matter with Master Wei shortly."
Wei Zhen also bowed and said, "As you command."
After leaving the study, on his way out, Gao Ruan began to think repeatedly in his mind.
As the Minister of Justice, he was truly confused about the meaning of the Emperor's words!
...
At this time, outside the southern gate of Luoyang, in the school.
In fact, the Taixue (Imperial Academy) was not an enclosed area. If officials and dignitaries in Luoyang City wanted to visit the Taixue, take a look, or attend one or two classes as an auditor, no one would refuse them.
Just that almost no officials and dignitaries are willing to come.
At this time, in a vacant room within the Taixue.
Since ancient times, to join the inner circle, one either had to present a token of loyalty or have someone guide them in.
Initially, when Cao Cao first arrived in Luoyang, he was identified as the offspring of a eunuch and had not been able to join Yuan Shao's circle and killed a few members of the family of eunuchs before gradually gaining recognition from scholars.
All the same.
When Sima Shu saw Xia Xuan leading a person with a handsome appearance, he quickly stood up to welcome him.
"Heard of your reputation, Zi Yuan, for a long time. Today I finally have the opportunity to meet you," He Yan smiled as he approached from outside, his voice clear and bright.
Sima Shu dared not act presumptuously, so he quickly bowed his head, raised his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, "I am Sima Shu. It is my honor to meet Elder Ping Xu."
He Yan smiled and walked over, staring at Sima Shu's face, nodding occasionally.
"I've heard too early from Taizhi about you, indeed, is a talent person," He Yan said smilingly.
Sima Shu looked at He Yan's appearance and was momentarily speechless.
If one must use a word to describe He Yan's appearance, it would be androgynous.
Xia Xuan and He Yan, both of whom have outstanding appearances, but the two men's facial features are two completely different styles.
Xia Xuan is tall and handsome, with a resolute face and spirited eyes, shining like the sun and the moon entering one's bosom.
He Yan is taller than Sima Shu, with a delicate and very white face, wearing a red robe, which makes his face look like jade.
"Ha ha ha," He Yan laughed, "Zi Yuan, what's wrong? Please have a seat."
Sima Shu nodded and said, "It's my first time to meet Elder Ping Xu. Your demeanor is particularly outstanding and extraordinary, so I was a bit distracted."
"No problem, no problem. Seeing more times will be better," He Yan patted Sima Shu's shoulder, sitting down at the table casually as if at home.
Xia Xuan also smiled and said, "Zi Yuan brother, please."
Sima Shu nodded, and after a moment, the three of them were seated on the mat.
At this moment, Sima Shu's heart was filled with a touch of emotion that he could not express.
Before coming to the Taixue, Sima Shu had met the emperor twice. The emperor's appearance was so handsome that it felt like a gold seal among rubbish, and his charm and aura were so imposing that he inspired awe.
Xia Xuan is as tall and straight as a jade tree, with an air of nobility and excellence. However, when spending more time with him, it is easy to overlook his appearance and focus more on his learning and character.
He Yan is even more different. His appearance is so delicate and distinctive that it almost makes one forget about everything else.
A few days ago, General Cao Zhen and Marshal Sima Yi had initially agreed on their marriage. Xia Xuan, upon seeing this future brother-in-law, also had a few intentions to help him gain fame.
Xia Xuan said to Sima Shu, "Zi Yuan brother, in two days, come with me to meet He Ping Xu. I will help you make a name for yourself in Luoyang!"
Sima Shu naturally welcomed this opportunity, hence the meeting today.
Unexpectedly, after sitting down, He Yan began to talk with Xia Xuan first.
He Yan asked, "Taizhi, have you finished reading the book 'Disasters and Anomalies' by Meng Shifang that I brought you at the end of last year?"
"I've read about three-quarters of it, and then I couldn't continue," Xia Xuan shook his head. "How can you bear to finish it? You are truly a person of celestial attainment."
He Yan smiled and said, "If you want to read it, you'll always find a reason to. I just wanted to write an article to refute 'Jing Shi's Yijing' and 'Meng Shifang's Yijing', so this gave me the motivation to read."
Sima Shu interjected and asked, "Elder He, when you mentioned 'Disasters and Anomalies by Meng Shifang', are you referring to 'Jing Shi's Yijing'?"
He Yan raised his eyebrows, looking at Sima Shu with a slightly shifted gaze and a slight nod. "It's indeed 'Jing Shi's Yijing'. Have you also read it?"
Sima Shu explained, "I have not read it, but I have heard my father mention it. It's about using disasters, prophecies and numerology to speak of the Yijing."
"Is it Master Sima who doesn't let you read it?" He Yan asked with a smile.
Sima Shu nodded, "My father said that this book is harmful with no benefits, and reading it is pointless. Therefore, he did not allow me to read it."
He Yan said, "The words from Master Sima are indeed correct. This book provides no benefits after reading it, and it's better not to read it. Zi Yuan, do you know why it's no good?"
Sima Shu thought for a moment before saying, "My father often says that things are in the hands of people, not in divination with tortoises and artemisia. Moreover, the idea of disasters and omens is groundless. Wasn't the former emperor also forbidden from dismissing three public officials due to celestial phenomena and disasters?"
When chatting with peers, mentioning 'my father' unintentionally can be seen as a little trick of Sima Shu's speech. After all, he was not yet twenty years old, and he still felt some uncertainty when facing He Yan, who was in his thirties.
The first emperor's adopted son! He is in a different generation from himself, but to be able to have a peer-to-peer exchange is already a good thing.
"Very good," He Yan raised his two hands as smooth as jade, and lightly clapped twice, then turned to Xia Xuan and said, "Taizhi, after reading this book, I always felt that what was said was incorrect. Over the past few centuries, everyone who studies the Yijing has gone astray."
"What do you mean?" Xia Xuan guessed that He Yan would definitely have new judgments, but he did not expect He Yan to speak so directly.
"Taizhi, you see, using figure numbers to interpret the Yijing is the correct way. However, for scholars like Jiao Yansi, Meng Xi, and Jing Fang these great scholars have added several things like Bagui, disasters and changes, and seasonal influences to the figure numbers. This has been passed down from generation to generation in layers. The original Yijing has become very different from it."
"I have a feeling that using the 'Tao Te Ching' and the 'Zhuangzi' to interpret the Yijing is more appropriate. The Yijing focuses on elaborating on the Tao of heaven and profound principles, but after mixing in disasters and omens and prophecies, it has completely changed its nature."
Xia Xuan nodded, "Too complicated, it loses its original meaning."
"Yes, yes." He Yan smiled and nodded. " 'Jing Shi's Yijing' doesn't need to be read, and 'Meng Shifang's Yijing' is even worse. I think, the Zhen Gong of the Four Books and Commentaries also went astray."
Zheng Xuan, in his time, was a scholar of extraordinary ability, and while he did not advocate for prophecies and divination, he did study all the books with prophecies and divination in them thoroughly and even annotated them all.
"Zheng Xuan went astray?" Sima Shu widened his eyes, staring at He Yan. Such a statement could also be made? What qualifications does he have to evaluate Zheng Xuan?"
Sima Shu was surprised in the corner, and on the other side, Xia Xuan, after careful reflection, also nodded seriously: "Xia Xuan agrees with Elder He's view. The Taoist principle is higher than the prophecy."
"Not just one level, the two are not comparable," He Yan laughed heartily and turned to look at Sima Shu, "What do you think, Zi Yuan?"
Sima Shu knew that he could not pretend to understand when faced with a true thinker like this. After all, what level he was at was clear from just a few words.
Sima Shi looked serious and said, "Back to Elder He, Sima Shu does not understand the Taoist principles and Taoist study. I also do not fully understand 'Tao Te Ching' and 'Zhuangzi'. However, Sima Shu knows that the theory of disasters and prophecies is indeed useless for the country or practical purposes."
He Yan asked, "Have you read the 'Tao Te Ching', Zi Yuan?"
Sima Shu nodded, "I have skimmed through it roughly, but not in detail."
He Yan looked at Sima Shu up and down for a moment, nodded as if satisfied, and then turned back to Xia Xuan: "Taizhi asked me to help Zi Yuan make a name for himself in Luoyang, didn't he? Such a talented person, even if Taizhi doesn't say it, I want to help him make a name for himself."
He Yan smiled, stood up, with his left hand behind his back and pointed at Xia Xuan with one finger, saying, "Only the profound can understand the will of the world. Xia Xuan is that person."
He then looked down at Sima Shu with a superior air: "Only the few can accomplish the affairs of the world. Sima Zi Yuan is that person."
After a satisfied nod, He Yan continued with a smile that filled his face: "Only the divine can act without haste and yet swiftly, without moving and yet arrive. I have heard their words, but not seen their person." (Chapter ends)
