Ye Jingchen deliberately had all the kids attend this history lesson together, not only because this history could inspire them, but also because he had other intentions.
"What happened to the Kingdom of Guzhu afterward?" Ye Jingyu asked.
"Ever since Feng Zhong became the ruler after 'Yi and Qi yielded the throne,' there has been no further record of the state of Guzhu in historical books until the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, when Duke Huan of Qi sent Guan Zhong to attack Guzhu. The idiom 'an old horse knows the way' originated from this," Qin Feng explained to her.
"So, the Kingdom of Guzhu has existed for nearly four hundred years since Feng Zhong? The Kingdom of Guzhu was a vassal state of the Shang Dynasty, and its rulers were descendants of Tang of Shang. When the Zhou Dynasty destroyed the Shang Dynasty, it was still alive. The Western Zhou Dynasty became the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, and it was still alive. No matter how great the rise and fall of the great powers, it was never affected! This remote little country is too long-lived!" Ye Jingchen exclaimed.
This exclamation is genuine.
Historical records indicate that this small country has a history of nearly a thousand years!
According to the historical timeline of their era, the Guzhu Kingdom occupied nearly a thousand years of China's five thousand years of history, one-fifth of the history of China, surpassing all dynasties in history!
Why are there no historical records of how they governed the country? Ye Jingchen felt he needed to learn from this period of history!
This small country has already realized half of the First Emperor's dream of a thousand years!
“After the Shang and Zhou dynasties, the rites and music collapsed, and the dynasties changed only for two or three hundred years. However, the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties existed for many years, and even a small country like Guzhu could survive for a thousand years. Doesn’t this show that ‘rites and music’ are still very important?” Ye Jingyu said.
“‘Rites and music’ can cultivate people’s noble character, benevolence, and humility, just like Bo Yi and Shu Qi. If a country has no internal troubles and only relies on external threats, unless the external threats are overwhelming, like the disparity in strength between Qi and Guzhu, it would be difficult to destroy the country, right?” Yun Shu continued.
"So, my brother's teachings are correct. As long as we brothers and sisters work together, why can't Dayuan become as prosperous as Guzhu Kingdom for thousands of generations?" Ye Jingyu said excitedly, clenching his fist.
At this point, the other students were at a loss for words.
However, Ye Jingchen had already achieved half of his goal.
Through his subtle guidance over the years, these kids have developed a mindset that is not bound by convention. They can see things from different perspectives, and this has become a habit for them, which is quite impressive.
Although a few kids almost never participate in their discussions, as long as they can listen to these debates and reflect on them, it can be considered that the goal has been achieved.
Anyway, Ye Jingchen would occasionally call them out by name and make them give a proper explanation, just as a surprise inspection.
"Sir, is there really no further record of the Guzhu Kingdom in historical books? But why do I feel that the name 'Guzhu' sounds familiar?" Ye Jingchen asked, feigning confusion.
"Your Highness finds this name familiar, it's probably because of Mr. Guzhu, isn't it?" Qin Feng, completely unaware, stepped into the trap that Ye Jingchen had laid out for so long.
"Who is Mr. Guzhu? Is he very famous?" Ye Jingchen continued to ask.
"Master Guzhu is a great scholar in the area. Bei Chen should know more about his deeds..." The next half of the class, as Ye Jingchen wished, was about the reclusive scholar Master Guzhu.
After school, Ye Jingchen led his brothers and sisters to Chengqian Palace to pay their respects to their father, as was customary.
"Father, in history class today, the teacher mentioned the reclusive Confucian scholar Gu Zhu, who is famous throughout the land. Father, you are amazing! You actually managed to invite such a remarkable person to come out of seclusion! Mr. Qin said that Gu Zhu must have greatly admired Father's governance, which is why he was willing to come out of seclusion to help you. This matter has spread throughout the land and is considered a great story!" During the meal, Ye Jingchen looked at his father with shining eyes and praised him enthusiastically.
He praised both his father and Mr. Guzhu.
The emperor was pleased with Ye Jingchen's admiring expression and words. He was initially quite unwilling to have to invite that Mr. Guzhu, but after hearing Ye Jingchen's praise, his unwillingness quickly disappeared, leaving only pride.
"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the earth, all people are subjects of the king! No matter how powerful Mr. Guzhu is, he is still a subject of my Great Yuan. I invite him to serve, and he will naturally give me that face." The emperor was pleased with himself, but he did not show it on his face and said it casually.
Ye Jingchen thought to himself, if Xie Chang'an hadn't written a letter first to move that aloof and unyielding old man, do you think he would have cared about your imperial decree?
However, these thoughts could only be kept to himself. On the surface, he still had to praise the emperor, saying, "If someone like Mr. Guzhu didn't truly believe in Father Emperor, why would he care about your imperial decree? So, in the end, what conquered Mr. Guzhu was not Father Emperor's imperial decree, but the peaceful and harmonious Dayuan under your rule!"
After he finished praising her, he subtly gave Ye Jinghe a wink.
"You're really impressive. I heard that old man has a bad temper and doesn't even give face to the Ji family, but he's willing to give you face." Ye Jinghe praised you casually.
Although Ye Jinghe's praise was rather perfunctory, the emperor was still very pleased to hear it.
The Ji family has always been a mountain pressing down on the imperial power. The emperor was very wary of the Ji family. But now Ye Jinghe said that Mr. Guzhu didn't even give face to the Ji family, but gave face to him. Although he doubted the truth of this statement, he still couldn't help but laugh out loud.
With Ye Jingchen taking the lead and Ye Jinghe echoing him, the other kids also knew what to say, and one by one they began to praise how wise and powerful their father was, making the emperor feel quite flattered.
Taking advantage of the emperor's happiest moment, Ye Jingchen revealed his true purpose: "After hearing about the deeds of Master Guzhu, I admire him greatly. Father, once Master Guzhu arrives in the capital, could you please invite him to give us a lesson?"
"No problem!" the emperor readily agreed.
"But I've heard that Mr. Guzhu has a bad temper and is somewhat stubborn. Will he be unwilling to teach us children?" Ye Jingchen asked again.
"He dares?" The emperor scoffed. "Does he dare disobey the imperial edict?"
Ye Jingchen shook his head and sighed inwardly.
His father's attitude is completely unacceptable!
"Father, you should consult the gentleman's opinion first. If the gentleman is unwilling, then forget it," Ye Jingchen said to the emperor while shaking his head.
"Why?" The emperor was puzzled. His Chen'er was the crown prince. Why should he be so accommodating to a mere subject?
“Mr. Guzhu is a capable man. He was appointed Minister of Personnel to share the burdens of the Emperor. His arrival may make things much easier for the Emperor. We should respect the wishes of such a capable minister,” Ye Jingchen said earnestly.
The emperor remained unconcerned.
"Although he is quite famous, whether he is truly capable or not remains to be seen until he arrives in the capital. There are plenty of people in this world who seek fame and fortune; who knows if he is one of them?"
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