One was Zhou Yuan, a supervising secretary in the Ministry of Personnel.
Good heavens, they've been closely watched by the Zhou family.
Someone said with a smile, "Let's guess whether the fourth son of the Zhou family will make a move. They say brothers fight side by side...hehe, interesting."
Although the atmosphere in the court is currently quite delicate.
But everyone felt that the situation was interesting.
The reason is simple: the Zhou family produced six Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations).
What glory!
Two members of the Zhou family now hold high-ranking positions in the imperial court.
Some people even thought that Zhou Laoda was a second-class scholar in the imperial examinations, and according to convention, he should at least be able to enter the Hanlin Academy.
There are even rumors that Zhou Yu was originally the third-ranked scholar, but unfortunately his appearance was not good, which is why he was demoted from third to fourth place.
It's unbelievable that all three members of the Zhou family hold official positions in the imperial court—what an honor!
Zhou Yuan continued, "Xu Pingchao, the instructor of Lushang County School, is a man who seeks fame and fortune. In his spare time, he published a book called 'An Introduction to Poetry and Lyrics,' which initially sold quite well."
However, a countryman, using an alias, wrote "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" and "Stay-at-Home," first publishing "A Chinese Ghost Story" and then "Poetry Appreciation," which almost set a precedent in history.
This person practically pioneered the approach to answering questions about poetry appreciation.
As he spoke, he handed the book "Poetry Appreciation" to the eunuch.
The emperor was initially puzzled, but the more he looked, the more astonished he became.
Zhou Yuan continued, "That's why Xu Pingchao was jealous. The poems and essays that person wrote have already surpassed the books written by Xu Pingchao."
Xu Pingchao, along with Yang and Huang, forged previous works in an attempt to frame the author for relying on plagiarism to write poetry appreciation.
Xu, Yang, and Huang are students of the county and prefectural schools, so everyone should trust them.
His intentions were malicious, and his character was so despicable that I could not even imagine it.
Moreover, such a person is also a teacher. I am worried that young people may be led astray.
Your Majesty, I humbly request that you severely punish these three sons.
The others who were on good terms with Xu Guang smiled and said, "I understand, Censor Zhou. I have a question. Why are you so sure that the country bumpkin who used the pseudonym Liaozhai did not plagiarize, or rather, draw inspiration from, the books of his predecessors?"
The emperor circulated the analysis of the poems among his subordinates.
Soon, gasps of amazement rang out.
"Indeed, there are great talents in the countryside."
With a smile, Zhou Yuan took a thin booklet from a stack of books and magazines on the ground and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I dare to recite the poems that this person later wrote when he was slandered."
The emperor nodded calmly.
Why didn't Zhou Yuan take the books out all at once?
The others were slightly taken aback.
That guy is really cunning.
The person who had just questioned him snorted coldly, and Xu Guang also chuckled.
If a country person had official rank and real talent, they would have been working in various government offices long ago.
He wasn't some truly famous old scholar either.
What talent or learning could he possibly have?
A calm voice came over.
"Withered vines, old trees, and crows at dusk..."
"Opening the window to face the threshing floor..."
"Smoke and dust rise in the northeast of Han territory, Han generals bid farewell to their homes to vanquish the remaining rebels..."
The more they listened, the more alarmed they became.
Xu Guang, in particular, did nod when he was reading the book.
This guy's got something.
I was suddenly taken aback when I compared the categories of poetry in the book.
"At this time, there were pastoral poems, poems that used objects to express feelings, frontier poems, poems about travel, and poems based on Zen and Buddhist principles..."
It's astonishing; almost every poem he wrote is a classic.
"I understand. He's saying that no one understands poetry better than him. Someone like him, who can write such masterpieces in every genre, is certainly qualified to write a theoretical book, 'Appreciation of Poetry'."
"Indeed arrogant enough, but of course he has the right to be arrogant."
Emperor Jinluo, sitting on the dragon throne, stood up and nodded slightly: "Indeed, exceptionally talented!"
He possessed more than ten poems, each one so beautiful that one would want to recite them from memory on the spot.
The emperor scoffed, "It's really laughable to me. Xu, Yang, and Huang collaborated on a book called 'Appreciation of Poetry and Lyrics,' but there isn't a single original poem in it. Moreover, what they wrote is very similar to other people's work, yet they shamelessly accused them of plagiarism."
Xu Guang stared blankly, head bowed, not daring to utter a single word.
Suddenly, a clear, cold voice came from over.
"I hereby impeach Xu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel; Xu, Yang, and Huang, the Prefect of Yingzhou; Yang Luobai, the Magistrate of Quannan County; and Huang Bangchangang, the Acting Magistrate of Bozhou County. These people are in cahoots."
This was especially true of the three masters, Xu, Yang, and Huang.
The courtiers followed the sound to investigate.
Indeed, it is Zhou Jin, the Director of the Department of Ceremonial Affairs of the Ministry of Rites.
The prediction someone just made has just come true.
The emperor looked at Xu Guang kneeling on the ground.
Unusual silence.
Cao Kun, the Ministry of Revenue official who had just spoken up for Xu Guang, solemnly said, "This old minister believes that Vice Minister Xu's failure to restrain his own sons and nephews is a neglect of family education, but the capital is hundreds of miles away from Yingzhou."
Even if they were willing to educate, they would probably lack the ability.
Furthermore, this old minister believes that Xu, Yang, and Huang hold positions such as instructors. If Your Majesty were to issue a direct decree to reprimand them, their reputations would likely be ruined.
These three scoundrels represent county and prefectural schools across the country, with nearly a hundred students under their command, all of whom are scholars and represent the face of the imperial court.
If it were punished, it would surely make the scholars of Yingzhou Prefecture feel ashamed.
Accused the court. "
The courtiers discussed the matter.
In short, His Majesty has issued an edict to punish the three people, and may even remove them from their positions.
What will those scholars who usually respect them think, especially the young students?
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