Chapter 226 Mao Shi
The return journey was smooth. Zhao Yuanxi rested in Handan for a while and brought Saitama back with him.
When passing by Yiyang County, Yiyang County Magistrate Mao Heng came out of the city to greet him.
"We are just passing through Yiyang this time. Magistrate Mao, there is no need to go through all those red tapes. It is getting late, and we have to stay here overnight. I am sorry to bother you." Zhao Yuanxi still remembered Magistrate Mao. If he had not advised her at the beginning, perhaps she really would not care much about these refugees scattered around Handan.
Mao Heng walked to the front of the carriage, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you have worked hard on the journey. It is a great honor for Yiyang to come here today. However, I am afraid that I have not taken good care of you. I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty."
Zhao Yuanxi smiled and said, "Don't be so nervous. I've stayed in dilapidated temples along the way. Even if your government office is simple, it still has a roof over my head."
Along the way, if you come across a place where there is no village or shop nearby, you will naturally do whatever is convenient for you, such as finding a cave or a dilapidated temple. If all else fails, you will have to set up camp on the spot. Only when you reach a town can you have a good rest.
Especially this road is very rugged, far inferior to those on the Qin State's highways. This journey is a severe test of her physical fitness.
Yiyang is a large county in Handan, with a population of over 100,000. Successive wars and famines have dealt a heavy blow to Yiyang, but after half a year of reorganization, the people have fortunately settled down. Although they cannot be said to be wealthy, at least no one has starved to death on the streets.
Zhao Yuanxi expressed his recognition of his work ability.
Mao Heng swayed slightly upon hearing this, his expression respectful. "I didn't realize the Empress Dowager had endured such hardships. I feel truly ashamed!"
"I don't mean to complain to you." Zhao Yuanxi waved her hand. She was here to eat for free, so there was no reason for her to make things difficult for the host.
"Yes, yes, please come in, Your Majesty the Queen Mother."
Zhao Yuanxi followed Mao Heng into the county government office. Seeing the young man beside him looking at her from time to time, she couldn't help feeling a little confused.
Did she look strange somewhere, or did he recognize her?
During the meal, Zhao Yuanxi learned that the boy's name was Mao Chang. A series of chaotic memories emerged: Mao Heng! Mao Chang!
According to historical records, when Qin Shihuang burned books, Mao Heng fled with the "Book of Songs", and later passed it to Mao Chang. The "Mao Shi" was passed down. The existing "Book of Songs" is based on the "Mao Shi", and was continuously supplemented and annotated by later generations.
Coincidentally meeting Zhao Yuanxi's inquiring gaze, Mao Chang was so frightened that he hastily withdrew his gaze, lowered his head honestly, and dared not look up again.
Mao Heng felt somewhat helpless about his little nephew. Ever since he heard that the Queen Mother would pass by here, he had been looking forward to it day and night, just waiting to see the true face of the Queen Mother Zhao.
He wasn't supposed to be accompanying them today, but Mao Heng couldn't persuade him, so he had to bring him along. He never expected him to be so rude.
"I am a child who has never seen the world. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." Mao Heng hurriedly explained for him.
Zhao Yuanxi smiled and said, "No problem."
These were two masters who inherited the lost knowledge of the ancient sages. How could it be considered rude to look at them a few more times? Zhao Yuanxi was thinking about how to bring them both back to Xianyang, but when he thought that there seemed to be no suitable position for Mao Heng in Xianyang, and keeping him here would help maintain peace, he gave up the idea for the time being.
With Mao Heng's qualifications, unless something unexpected happens, it is not impossible for him to become a county governor in the future. However, Mao Chang is still young and may have other potentials.
"Since he is Magistrate Mao's nephew, I imagine he is well-read."
"I dare not. My nephew has only studied some miscellaneous subjects, which is really nothing."
Zhao Yuanxi saw that Mao Chang looked dissatisfied, and he couldn't help but laugh in his heart, "You are too modest, County Magistrate. Tell me what books you have read?"
Mao Chang, seeing that he was finally allowed to speak, immediately stood up and bowed. "I dare not claim to be well-versed in poetry and literature, but I have read the three commentaries on the Book of Songs, the Book of History, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals. In addition, I have also read all the other Confucian classics."
"Not bad!" Zhao Yuanxi nodded with a smile, becoming more and more satisfied the more he looked at it.
It was not convenient to take Mao Heng away, but if she did not take Mao Chang back to Xianyang, it would be a waste for God to let her meet him here.
"I'm in need of some book editors. Would you be willing to go to Xianyang with me?"
Mao Chang's expression froze for a moment, and he looked at his uncle in panic, but there was a hint of joy on his face.
Mao Heng sighed, "How can my nephew take on the important task of compiling a book? He has only learned the basics of these things. If I ask him to compile a book, I'm afraid he will miss out on the Empress Dowager's important task."
Was she rejected? Zhao Yuanxi was a little surprised. She rarely got rejected like this.
Since the elders didn't agree, she couldn't force it, but she couldn't help feeling a little regretful in her heart.
Mao Chang said: "I can do it. If I don't know how to do it, I can learn it!"
Mao Heng frowned, still showing disapproval on his face.
Zhao Yuanxi could see that Mao Heng was worried about his nephew going out to explore the world, but Mao Chang obviously felt that he could handle the storms outside.
She chuckled and said, "Don't worry, County Magistrate Mao. Your nephew seems to be very intelligent. Besides, my place is not a den of wolves and tigers. He can't be harmed. If he is really unable to do his job, I will send someone to bring him back safely. He won't be hurt at all."
"That's not what I meant. It's just that my nephew has never been far away from home and has been spoiled by me since he was a child. He acts recklessly and I'm worried that he won't be able to adapt to life in Xianyang."
Zhao Yuanxi looked at Mao Chang and raised his head to signal, "What do you think?"
"I-I want to go." He lowered his head and didn't dare to look at Mao Heng.
Mao Heng closed his eyes for a long time before he slowly spoke, "In this case, you must obey the Queen Mother in everything and not act recklessly."
Xianyang is not a place where ordinary people can stay. He is just a county magistrate now and can hardly take care of himself. The only person Mao Chang can rely on when he arrives there is Queen Dowager Zhao.
Mao Heng was helpless, but he knew he couldn't stop his nephew, so he could only give him more instructions.
"Uncle, don't worry!" Mao Chang patted his chest and assured, his eyes shining.
Zhao Yuanxi looked at his high-spirited appearance and his mood improved.
After finalizing the time for departure tomorrow, Zhao Yuanxi had dinner and then went to his bedroom to rest under the guidance of his servants.
In the other courtyard, Mao Heng used a ruler to smack Mao Chang's palm, "You disobeyed my orders and made decisions on your own. Do you know that you are wrong?"
Mao Chang was a little dissatisfied. "But the Queen Mother asked me a question. Can I still say that I will reply to her after I return to discuss it with you?"
"You are still young and don't know the dangers. Xianyang is truly a place of danger. With all the people from the six kingdoms gathered here, what can you possibly do? If you provoke someone, do you really think Queen Dowager Zhao can protect you?"
"The Queen Mother ordered me to edit a book, how could I cause trouble? Uncle, you know me, I never take the initiative to cause trouble. If trouble finds me, I won't stand there and take the beating. If I can't win, can't I just run away?"
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