Chapter 34: Child's Doubts
Zhao Yuanxi didn't say much. After watering the land, he called the two little guys back.
"Mr. Chunyu, please go back and pack your things early!"
"Yes." Chunyu Yue bowed in response, and when he looked up, he saw the Queen Mother carrying the big fish away from her back, and he felt very complicated.
Chunyu Yue had just arrived in Yongcheng, so he packed his luggage simply. In less than an hour, he arrived at Liyang Palace again.
Zhang Han was already waiting for him at the door. "Doctor Chunyu, the Queen Mother asked me to take you there."
"Thank you for your help."
Zhang Han led the way, explaining with a smile, "Canglang Pavilion was originally a place the late king gave to his descendants for study and calligraphy. However, it has become quite deserted over the years. Fortunately, you have come here, and we can now see its former appearance."
Canglang Pavilion is no smaller than Hongwenguan. In fact, because it is a place for the Qin king's grandson to study, it is fully equipped with all the necessary facilities, and the lecture hall is even larger than that of Xianyang Palace.
Chunyu Yue noticed that there was a courtyard next to Canglang Pavilion, and it seemed that many people lived in it.
Zhang Han saw his confusion and said, "These students were sent here by the king. Didn't you come with them and see them? There are even quite a few Confucian students among them. They were so happy to hear that you would be living in Canglang Pavilion."
Chunyu Yue then remembered that in the Yongcheng convoy, in addition to him and Fusu's men, there was indeed a group of faces he had never seen before.
He became increasingly puzzled, "Why did the king send these students here?"
"Of course it's because our Queen Mother is so powerful, and the king gave it to her as a reward." Zhang Han felt proud and satisfied.
Chunyu Yue was silent, wondering if he had heard wrongly. Didn’t the king dislike the queen mother and have already placed her under house arrest?
Although Chunyu Yue has changed his opinion of the Queen Mother, he has not forgotten what the Queen Mother Zhao did in the past. What on earth did the Queen Mother do to make the king put aside the past grudges?
"We're here. The rooms in the front are the main lecture halls, and the ones in the back are where you'll be staying. The palace maids have already cleaned the rooms."
Chunyu Yue thanked him sincerely, "Thank you very much."
"You're welcome." Zhang Han pushed open the door. The room was simply furnished, but clean and spacious.
"If you need anything else, please let me know, especially pens, ink, paper, and inkstone. I will prepare as much as you need."
Chunyu Yue knew what the pen, ink, and inkstone were, but what about this paper?
Chunyu Yue's eyes fell on the white spot on the table, "What is this?"
Ever since Zhang Han learned about the uses of paper, his admiration for the Empress Dowager has been overwhelming. He couldn't help but boast, "This is the paper developed by the Empress Dowager. It can replace bamboo slips and silk. From now on, whether it's Prince Fusu's homework or your lesson plans, you can write them on paper."
"This - what is this made of?" Chunyu Yue picked up a piece of paper. It was light and fluffy like silk, but tougher than silk. He was amazed.
"It is made of tree bark, ramie and other materials. It costs less than bamboo slips, but it is a bit more complicated to make." Seeing Chunyu Yue's loss of composure, Zhang Han couldn't help feeling proud.
"Really?" Chunyu Yue was surprised and delighted, and his hands holding the paper seemed to be shaking. "I, I want to see the Queen Mother!"
Confucianism advocates that everyone should be taught without distinction and advocates universal education, but the cost of studying is too high and not affordable for ordinary people. Just the cartloads of bamboo slips alone are beyond the reach of ordinary people.
If this paper is promoted throughout the country, more people will be able to afford to read.
How could Chunyu Yue not be excited?
"Wait a minute, if Doctor Chunyu wants to ask about the paper, the Empress Dowager has already made a plan, you don't have to worry." Zhang Han hurriedly stopped him.
"Yes, yes!" Chunyu Yue calmed down. Since the Queen Mother could make this paper, how could she not understand its wonderful uses.
He is crazy!
"Miss You, why are you here?" Zhang Han's voice interrupted Chunyu Yue's thoughts.
He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a female servant walking slowly towards him.
You held the food box in her hand and smiled gently, "The Queen Mother said that this fish is destined to be with Doctor Chunyu today, and whoever sees it will get a share. She asked me to bring it to you for you to try."
Chunyu Yue's face felt slightly hot when he thought of his previous experience.
"Thank the Queen Mother for me."
You bowed slightly and said, "Please enjoy your meal. I will take my leave."
Seeing this, Zhang Han hurriedly said goodbye to Chunyu Yue and followed.
Everyone had left, leaving only the food box still emitting a fragrant aroma.
When the food box was opened, the fish inside was still steaming, the fish skin was fried until slightly charred, and the fish body was covered with thick red sauce, dotted with some chopped green onions and perilla leaves, which made people's appetite grow at the sight.
After a long time, Chunyu Yue suddenly sighed softly, looking at the Liyang Palace not far away, as if he had some feelings.
Zhao Yuanxi and his two children had a delicious fish meal.
After dinner and a bath, the two children gathered together to play Gobang.
Ziying was very excited at first, but then he started yawning until he could no longer hold on and dozed off in Zhao Yuanxi's arms.
Zhao Yuanxi saw him nestled in his arms, his eyelids slightly drooping, with only half of his head exposed, and he couldn't help but raise the corners of his lips.
Fusu also saw it and quietly put down the chess piece in his hand.
Zhao Yuanxi carried Ziying to the bed to rest. The little guy opened his eyes drowsily and grabbed her clothes a little nervously.
"Go to sleep!" Zhao Yuanxi patted his back, and Ziying fell asleep completely at ease.
"Does Fusu want to sleep here with Ziying?" Zhao Yuanxi turned his head and asked softly.
Fusu shook his head nervously. It was not that he disliked Ziying, he just wasn't used to it.
Zhao Yuanxi didn't force it. He covered Ziying with the quilt, then took Fusu's hand and said softly, "Then I'll take you back."
Fusu let his grandmother lead him.
It was pitch black all around, with only the light coming from the big mother holding the lamp.
Fusu quietly moved closer to Zhao Yuanxi, then raised his lips slightly as if satisfied, revealing two cute dimples.
When Zhao Yuanxi covered him with the quilt, Fusu's eyes were still bright.
"Aren't you sleepy yet?" Zhao Yuanxi rubbed his hair.
Fusu nodded slightly and asked the question in his heart, "Grandmother, was what the teacher said today wrong?"
Zhao Yuanxi laughed and said, "Why are you still thinking about what happened during the day?"
She sat down on the edge of the bed and slowly explained, "Your teacher isn't entirely wrong. Those who cultivate the land are responsible for cultivating it, and those who govern the country are responsible for governing the country. Only when everyone performs their duties can the country be stable."
"But there's no rule that says scholars can't farm, or that farmers can't become scholars. Hundreds of years ago, the Qin monarch still raised horses for the Zhou king. Do the descendants of the Ying family still raise horses now?"
"Mencius also said, 'Shun was born in the fields, Fu Yue was raised among the bricklayers, Jiao Ge was raised among the fishermen and saltmen, Guan Yiwu was raised among the scholars, Sun Shuao was raised at sea, and Baili Xi was raised in the market.'"
"These people all came from humble beginnings, which shows that the world doesn't necessarily dictate what people should do based on their birthplace. Instead, it should prioritize the right roles for the right people. Let those who are suited to farming do so, and let those who are capable of governing the country govern it."
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