Chapter 368 Return to Beigong
Show your benevolence to the people and all things, and make your name known throughout the world.
To show benevolence to the people and teach them to act in accordance with the will of heaven is the real purpose of this book "Chang Yan".
Lu Zhi had been in the officialdom for decades and had also studied scriptures for decades. How could he not see the true intentions of Zhong Changtong, the rising star?
Did he say something wrong?
I’m afraid not.
Ever since Emperor Xiaowu abolished all schools of thought and promoted Confucianism alone, the concept of the correspondence between heaven and man and the unity of heaven and man has become an indispensable part of the memorials and advice during the Han Dynasty. But in fact, whether the connection between these natural disasters and human affairs is really so profound is not difficult to find clues after putting aside subjective will.
Even in the later period of Emperor Xiaoling's reign, he had to acquiesce in and even promote the arguments used by Qiao Yan in his debate with Zhang Jue, trying his best to deny any connection between the natural disasters and his use of eunuchs in power.
Then, if we count back to the founding years of the country, it seems that it is just as Zhong Changtong said, those heroes who are said to have been given the mandate of heaven are just one of the heroes vying for the top position.
It was not so much destiny that helped him to ascend to the throne, but rather the power of military conquest that he wielded that enabled him to achieve this goal.
This statement may seem earth-shattering, but in essence it is just a re-statement of Xunzi's "clear distinction between heaven and man", that is, the idea that the way of heaven has nothing to do with human affairs, hundreds of years later.
Whether being the ruler of the world or serving as a minister assisting in maintaining national peace, one does not rely on the gift of Heaven, but on doing one's best, using the Way of Heaven, governing the people, following the four seasons, and promoting achievements.
Since Qiao Yan took charge of Bingzhou, and even the nine provinces today, isn’t this the “Way of Heaven” that he has been adhering to?
In troubled times, Lu Zhi's wisdom was enough to clearly see that human initiative was forced to the extreme under the drive of the current situation, and the feedback it brought was a strong proof of Zhong Changtong's rhetoric.
Even though there are severe droughts, locust plagues and major epidemics all over the world, there are still ways for people to cope with the situation, which not only allow people to seek ways to survive, but also give them hope of climbing up.
Is this rebellion?
No, it seems to be just realistic.
And there is really nothing wrong with the rest of what he said.
From the superiors doing their best to the people following the four seasons, it undoubtedly points out a more rational and clear way forward for these people whose wisdom has just been enlightened.
These down-to-earth and not empty expressions are by no means intended to guide the people to criticize those in power. Rather, they are intended to allow wise monarchs who can provide hope for the people's livelihood to rule the people more easily and prevent them from being misled by so-called superstitious and ignorant words.
If everyone knew that when facing illness, they should not believe in illusory things such as talismans and praying to gods, and stopped being afraid to see a doctor, but instead followed the doctor's advice on taking medicine and seeing the doctor, then just like the great epidemic in Luoyang this time, the area could return to its original order with limited losses, and would never trigger an uprising like the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
If everyone knew that praying to the gods of the land and the country and treating locusts as messengers of the gods during farming would not only fail to increase the production of their fields, but would instead cause them to suffer huge losses, and that only the method of dividing the fields, the method of planting seeds in urine, deep plowing and adding fertilizer, and digging canals for irrigation could allow them to accumulate the food they need to survive, then how could so many people die of famine?
The truth that time is unpredictable but human affairs are constant will undoubtedly rekindle the hope of life for these people who once lived in dire straits.
And what he said about the way officials should conduct themselves in this environment of returning to justice and people's well-being was even more correct in Lu Zhi's opinion!
The principle that too much is as bad as too little has long been verified on digital benchmarks, so why should we make any accusations against Qiao Yan for exceeding his authority and ostentation?
The real benevolence does not lie in living an extremely simple life, but in finding ways to employ talented people and fill the treasury. There is nothing wrong with living a decent life with a salary within the scope of one's authority, but those who abuse their power for personal gain should be severely punished.
But what Zhong Changtong wanted to say was more than just "It's hard to find a good person, why should you be so suspicious"...
If you only see this and think that he is acting as the Grand Marshal's mouthpiece, then you are underestimating this genius who is dedicated to the people's livelihood!
As Lu Zhi studied word by word, what made him feel that Qiao Yan's promotion of "Chang Yan" was particularly imperative was that Zhong Changtong proposed in the book to restore the well-field system.
Rather than making hasty reforms to existing land, we should first try out wasteland that has been opened up while restoring order.
The so-called "limiting the land to prevent annexation" means that after the wasteland is reclaimed, it should be nationalized first and then distributed to those who are capable of farming, rather than to those who occupy the land under certain conditions, so as to curb the recurrence of land annexation on these new lands.
Compared to the phrase "Heroes are those who are destined by heaven", this is a truly bold statement!
When Qiao Yan implemented this measure, she also used the excuse of gathering surplus grain and establishing military settlements in preparation for war. This was only possible because of the strong troops under her control.
But Zhong Changtong threw out this sentence without any restraint.
But the next words he said seemed to be standing on the side of a superior, retracting his remarks.
He said that officials are the leaders of the people, and if they cannot give those in office a suitable official position and salary, and cannot allow them to support their families, but instead punish them for their forced survival, then isn't that just leaving the official position there like a trap waiting for the gentlemen of the world?
But to say that this was a sign of weakness on the part of Zhong Changtong would be underestimating him.
He simply knew clearly that when the "Changyan" he wrote replaced those aristocratic classics and appeared in thousands of households, he was both the shield and the spear that Qiao Yan chose for himself at this moment.
The first target of this spear is those who want to distort the theory of celestial phenomena, not...
Don't be like a hedgehog and offend everyone.
People with a long-term vision can see the hidden agenda, but people with a short-sighted vision only see suggestions for the wasteland and the statement that "officials obtain salaries through legitimate means, and the people will not feel they are extravagant; the country obtains savings through legitimate means, and the people will not feel they are exploited and working hard."
It is obvious that this book, Chang Yan, is written by a young person, but it is like a weapon thrown by a mature politician.
Lu Zhi had no way of knowing how many structural adjustments Qiao Yan had made to it to make it more suitable for her, but if Emperor Liu Yu could use it properly, it would surely lead the Han Dynasty to greater prosperity. No one could think that she had the intention of replacing him just because this book was published.
But the only question is, does Liu Yu really have the energy to emulate some of the ideas and implement them step by step?
Turning to the fatigue shown by Liu Yu this year, even though Lu Zhi lived far away in Leping, he could guess a rough idea from the words that reached his ears.
He couldn't help but think of the scene when Liu Yang came to him in June.
He didn't know why the prince felt that he could sit in the position of confidence because of Liu Yu. After telling him about Qiao Yan's behavior and words when he went to Chang'an to apologize, he hoped to get his support.
In other words, he hoped that Lu Zhi would help him out of consideration for the impending danger of the Han Dynasty.
But does anyone still remember that he had made military achievements in the Yellow Turban Rebellion, but because of the suspicion of Emperor Ling of Han, he had to resign from his military power and sit in the position of Shangshu Ling.
When Emperor Ling of Han passed away, he came to rescue him and mobilized five schools of the northern army in accordance with the emperor's order. However, he was expelled from Chang'an by Dong Zhuo because the Yuan family of Runan intended to compete for credit.
To preserve the dignity of the Han Dynasty, he went to Chang'an and endured humiliation. His life was once threatened. When he was old and took refuge in Bingzhou, he was intended by the son of the current emperor to be an accomplice in stirring up trouble.
On one hand, it is the future of the Han Dynasty.
On the one hand, it is the future of the people.
As he read every word of "Chang Yan" in front of him, Lu Zhi already knew what choice he should make.
However, there are not many people like Lu Zhi who have such enlightenment. When this book is widely circulated, it is bound to arouse many voices of opposition.
But before these voices could reach Qiao Yan, a message had already been sent from the direction of Luoyang.
On the first day of December in the fourth year of Jian'an, Zhong Changtong would make a face-to-face response to those who intended to refute him in the renovated Dingzhong Temple in Luoyang.
The reason why the first day of December was chosen was naturally to allow others to have time to arrive, so as to avoid any complaints from others for not being able to attend.
If the publication of Changyan was a direct challenge, then this supplementary response was even more frank and astonishing.
So much so that when this day came, Liu Xie, who had not yet left Luoyang, felt a little restless.
He said carefully: "Father, I think..."
The adoptive father did not stop him. "If you want to go and have a look, go ahead. Even if you don't understand, it will be good to learn more about the world."
Liu Xie walked out in a daze.
His adoptive father obviously didn't know that it was not that he didn't understand what Zhong Changtong said.
So he didn't go there to show off his knowledge.
I don't know whether it was at the instruction of Qiao Yan, or whether Zhong Changtong did consider the possibility of spreading "Chang Yan" to thousands of households when he wrote it, and he made considerations of simplifying his words.
Those arguments that seemed to be rebellious and broke the old rules, but had been mostly accepted by Liu Xie before the formal debate, made him understand their meaning clearly, and also caused him an impact comparable to a strong wind and huge waves the moment he turned the pages.
Liu Xie didn't know whether he would be submerged by the huge waves or could use the raging wind and waves to float back to the surface.
So he had to go and listen to the debate.
Listen...what the person who wrote this groundbreaking statement will bring to this formal presentation.
Liu Xie was not the only one who had such thoughts on the streets of Luoyang.
These people may not have such a special and subtle identity as his, but the rumor about the red air penetrating the Purple Palace a few days ago was rampant, and even aroused the people of Luoyang's hatred of the enemy. Zhong Changtong, who was pushed to the front, was like a powerful response, so there were countless people who intended to go to Dingzhong Temple just to support him, not to mention those who wanted to take advantage of the situation and watch the fun.
Liu Xie had another kind of conflicting emotions in his heart, which were left behind.
These figures moving in front of him, with the sounds of conversation as they ran, made the entire city of Luoyang seem so different from what he had seen in his youth, like another place full of life.
But perhaps, as early as when Qiao Yan took over this place, it had already begun to undergo a transformation.
When he thought of this, Liu Xie subconsciously looked in the direction of the North and South Palaces in Luoyang.
In the morning light, the roof of the imperial palace, which was different from ordinary buildings, was covered with a layer of gold-painted mottled color. Perhaps it was because there had been no emperor in it for six years, so it lacked some majesty for no reason.
Liu Xie withdrew his distant gaze with a sigh and turned his attention back to the near future.
It was at this moment that he suddenly saw two children running and playing towards the distant streets, but in a moment only their backs could be seen.
But it was this back view that made Liu Xie suddenly stop.
So similar, really so similar!
He ran after him almost without thinking.
In ancient times, Emperor Ling of Han's eldest son, Liu Bian, was not raised in the imperial palace, but in the home of Shi Zimiao, a Taoist priest outside the palace, because all the princes born before him had died young.
Before he was brought back, Emperor Ling of Han once took his beloved youngest son Liu Xie out of the palace to visit him.
Because Empress He hoped to use Shi Daoren's Taoist skills to protect Liu Bian and ensure his safe growth, she asked him to imitate him and wear Taoist robes.
Liu Xie clearly remembered the appearance of the Taoist robe, because he had once played incognito with Liu Bian in the streets around the place where they were staying.
At that time, neither Liu Bian nor Liu Xie had ever imagined that they would be facing such a future. Just as Qiao Yan had heard after he brought the policy essay written by Ding Zhongguan to see the emperor, the two brothers came together to pay homage to their father and showed great brotherly love and respect.
But with the death of Liu Hong and the entry of Dong Zhuo into the capital, Liu Xie ascended the throne with Dong Zhuo's support, and everything changed dramatically.
At this moment, the Luoyang City made Liu Xie feel a little unfamiliar, so that the figure in his memory that appeared at this moment seemed particularly eye-catching.
But I don’t know if it’s because these two figures were just Liu Xie’s imagination. He was obviously a tall and long-legged young man, but he was always some distance behind the others.
When he pushed through the crowd and rushed forward, the opponent seemed to be able to easily penetrate those people and leave him behind.
It was not until the crowd around him gradually dwindled that Liu Xie was finally able to close the distance between himself and the other party.
It was also at this distance that he suddenly saw the figure in the Taoist robe swaying a waist pendant while running.
He had also seen that waist pendant on Liu Bian.
But before he could see more specific details on the waist pendant, the two children disappeared behind a door right under his gaze.
He quickly followed.
But when he got closer, he realized that this was not an ordinary door.
When all his attention was attracted by the two children, Liu Xie did not realize that he had unknowingly appeared under the palace city of Luoyang during the pursuit.
They ran into the Luoyang North Palace.
When he saw clearly where he was, Liu Xie almost thought that he was indeed having an illusion, and this illusion had disappeared into the palace wall like a bubble.
If he still remembered his destination today, and remembered that he had to conceal his identity as the former emperor, he should have turned around and left at this moment, pretending that he had not seen this strange scene today.
But for some unknown reason, or perhaps because he was already in a distracted state today, Liu Xie hesitated for a moment, but still reached out his hand towards the door in front of him.
This shouldn't be an open door.
As soon as he arrived in Luoyang, the enthusiastic people here mentioned that Qiao Yan kept the North Palace out of use after arriving in Luoyang to express his distant respect for the former emperor of Luoyang.
In order to prevent anyone from entering and causing any damage to the place, of course all doors should be tightly blocked.
But the door in front of him opened inward as he exerted force.
The door lock that was hanging in the air inside the door fell directly to the ground with a clang.
Liu Xie took a deep breath and stepped in.
The Luoyang North Palace, which had been sealed for many years and was also his residence after he ascended the throne, appeared before him after a long absence. ：,n,
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