Chapter 215 The King of a Lost Country 15

Sitting quietly for a while, Nan Liujing asked: "Teacher, can you collect the articles written by Mr. Qu in the past?"

[As long as they are circulated in the market, they are fine.]

"Then I'll trouble you, teacher."

[Okay, wait for me for a moment.]

Half an hour later, Yao Rong reminded: [They are all sorted out, in this wooden box.]

Looking at the wooden box in front of him that was big enough to fit him in, Nan Liujing secretly took a breath: "So many?"

Yao Rong joked: [You know nothing about Mr. Qu's talent.]

When he was young, Qu Jianbai was already famous all over the world.

Later, he left the court and devoted all his energy to writing articles and teaching.

As long as someone came to ask for advice, he would do his best to guide them.

It is no exaggeration to say that one-third of the students in Jiangnan have received his favor, and the remaining two-thirds have read his articles.

Nan Liujing smiled and sat down at the desk: "I underestimated the importance of the phrase 'good talent and beautiful jade'."

Yao Rong saw him reading by candlelight at night and asked: [It's not too late to read tomorrow.]

Nan Liujing shook his head: "Mr. Qu will give me a class tomorrow, and I want to know more about Mr. Qu before the class."

Yao Rong knew that he couldn't persuade him.

In this regard, this child is always very stubborn.

[It just so happens that I have nothing else to do, so I will accompany you to read. Where do you plan to start?]

Nan Liujing had a clear idea: "I plan to start with Mr. Qu's early policy essays."

The policy essay genre is mainly used to discuss current affairs, so if you want to understand a writer's ideological aspirations and political pursuits, the best way is to read his policy essays.

Opening the first article, just after reading the first few lines, Nan Liujing's eyes lit up.

He did not speak, but read it all in one breath. Only after he read the last word of the article did he let out a long sigh of relief, feeling completely satisfied.

After taking a sip of water, Nan Liujing continued to read the second article.

After reading one policy paper after another, Nan Liujing seemed to have read Qu Jianbai's life at a rapid speed.

When he was young, Qu Jianbai was also complacent because of the comment "a talented and beautiful man", thinking that he would be able to help the country and correct the world sooner or later.

So at that stage, his policy papers were full of enthusiasm and vigor.

It was not until the Yao family case broke out that he, as one of the chief judges, knew that there was something fishy about the case, but could not investigate it further. Only then did he truly see the world and his own powerlessness.

It turned out that a talented and beautiful man could not save a building from collapse.

This disappointment in the world and himself prompted him to stay away from the court and indulge in the mountains and rivers.

However, during his travels around the world, he witnessed the suffering of countless people and realized the harm a chaotic court would cause to the world, so he began to devote himself to teaching and educating people, hoping to cultivate more useful people for the world and explore a new way out for the world.

...

Nan Liujing closed the last essay and asked Yao Rong: "Teacher, when did Master Qu write this essay?"

[Two months ago. ]

"I remember that Master Liang wrote to Master Qu a month ago."

"That is to say, two months ago, Master Qu was still teaching and educating people in Jiangnan and exploring new ways."

"Then because of a letter from Master Liang, he gave up everything in Jiangnan, came to Kyoto, and became my teacher..."

Nan Liujing pointed at himself, feeling inexplicably honored: "Can I think that Mr. Qu came to Kyoto because of me?"

[What if it's not? ]

Yao Rong's tone was very matter-of-fact: [Qu Jianbai and Liang Guangyu have a very good relationship, but it's not so good that he would go to Beijing for a word from Liang Guangyu. ]

[My prince, he came all the way to Kyoto just to see you in person. ]

[And your performance made him very satisfied, so he agreed on the spot to stay and be your teacher. ]

Nan Liujing tried hard to suppress the smile on his lips, but he still couldn't help showing a brilliant smile.

"Teacher!"

Nan Liujing said: "I didn't dare to think about it before!"

[Are you so happy? ] Yao Rong pretended to be jealous.

Nan Liujing blinked and said obediently: "Not as happy as when the teacher accepted me as a student."

"But I am also very excited. I feel that my efforts in the past year and a half have been seen."

This is different from Liang Guangyu accepting him as a disciple.

Liang Guangyu accepted him as a disciple because he deliberately fought for it.

But this time it was a complete surprise.

Yao Rong smiled: [You have a good start in this main mission. Mr. Qu has a good initial impression of you. Keep it up. ]

***

After reading by lamplight all night, Nan Liujing got up early the next day to practice martial arts.

After breakfast, Nan Liujing changed into new clothes and went to the courtyard where Qu Jianbai lived to find him.

Qu Jianbai was sitting at his desk writing something. Seeing Nan Liujing coming, he motioned Nan Liujing to sit down.

Nan Liujing said, "Mr. Qu, what class do we have today?"

"No hurry." Qu Jianbai asked, "What book is your highness reading recently?"

"I read Mr. Qu's policy essay yesterday."

"Which policy essay of mine did your highness read?"

"As long as it can be collected on the market, I have read it all."

Qu Jianbai was startled, raised his head and glanced at Nan Liujing.

When he saw the indigo in Nan Liujing's eyes, he immediately understood.

"Your Highness wants to know more about me, and I also want to know your progress before I start teaching you."

Qu Jianbai handed over the paper with wet ink in front of him. "This is a paper I wrote myself. Your Highness can try to answer it. I will arrange your course progress according to your answers on the paper."

Nan Liujing took the test paper with both hands: "Do you want to answer it here?" "

The test paper contains a lot of content. Your Highness can do whatever you want. Just hand in the answer paper to me in three days."

Nan Liujing stood up and said goodbye.

Returning to his study, Nan Liujing flipped through the test paper.

The scope of this set of test papers is very wide, from the Four Books and Five Classics to people's livelihood and economy.

Nan Liujing dipped the ink and held the brush. He didn't leave any marks on the paper for a long time.

[What are you struggling with?]

Nan Liujing put down the brush: "I'm thinking about whether I should hide my shortcomings."

[Why do you have this idea.]

"I grew up in the cold palace since I was a child. Logically, I have not received any orthodox education. If I don't hide my shortcomings at all and answer according to my true level, wouldn't it be a giveaway."

Yao Rong agreed: [That's true. ]

"But I also feel that hiding my shortcomings will affect Mr. Qu's judgment of me."

"If one thing goes wrong and Mr. Qu finds out, it will backfire and make Mr. Qu think that I don't trust him."

Yao Rong continued to agree: [This worry is also reasonable.]

Nan Liujing was helpless: "Teacher, you are teasing me again."

Yao Rong did not admit his bad taste: [No, I am telling the truth.]

"Then do you have any suggestions, teacher?"

[I don't want my thoughts to affect your judgment.]

[I just ask you one question: Do you think Mr. Qu and Lord Liang are in the same situation?]

Nan Liujing lowered his eyes and understood a little.

He trusted Liang Guangyu.

But it is undeniable that Liang Guangyu is an official appointed by the court.

Before the situation in the court became clear, Liang Guangyu would help him, but Liang Guangyu would never surrender to him.

So he only showed his martial arts and intelligence in front of Liang Guangyu, but never showed his talents.

Qu Jianbai's situation was different.

Qu Jianbai is now a commoner and has no interests with any party.

From Qu Jianbai's experience, it can be seen that Qu Jianbai will never surrender to Emperor Yongqing or Ji Yushan, but there is a possibility that he will turn to him.

Nan Liujing considered it over and over again, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He picked up the brush and left a line of fluent ink on the answer sheet.

Looking at the line he wrote, Yao Rong smiled with relief.

Three days later, Nan Liujing appeared in Qu Jianbai's study again and presented the answer sheet full of handwriting to Qu Jianbai.

After Qu Jianbai corrected a few lines of words, he suddenly looked up at Nan Liujing with a slightly surprised expression.

Nan Liujing noticed his gaze, and smiled slightly.

Qu Jianbai also couldn't help but smile: "It seems that I need to re-evaluate your talents."

Nan Liujing said calmly: "It's good that I didn't disappoint Mr. Qu."

"I was very surprised by the answer sheet." After a pause, Qu Jianbai added, "Your Highness's performance surprised me even more."

He didn't know who taught the third prince this knowledge, nor did he know why the third prince's situation was different from what he knew.

But what does it matter?

Everyone has secrets. He doesn't have such a strong curiosity that he must find out the truth.

Compared to this, he cares more about the attitude shown by the third prince.

Qu Jianbai lowered his head again, and did not speak again until he had finished reading the entire answer sheet: "Your Highness has laid a solid foundation, and many of his ideas are very innovative, but it can be seen that Your Highness does not know much about the people's livelihood."

Nan Liujing replied: "I know a lot of things from travel notes."

Thinking of the book "Early Spring Idle Notes", Qu Jianbai nodded slightly: "Your Highness has lived in the palace for a long time, and it is impossible to understand the outside world through travel notes. But the content in the travel notes is not all correct, you can use it as a reference but you can't trust it completely."

Nan Liujing took a step back, leaned forward slightly, and saluted Qu Jianbai: "Sir, you have been traveling abroad in recent years, and your footprints are all over the country. Please teach me, sir."

The two happily decided on the teaching direction.

Every day from then on, Qu Jianbai would take Nan Liujing out.

They did not go far away, but just strolled around Kyoto.

Under Qu Jianbai's guidance, Nan Liujing had a new understanding of many things. He was digesting the things mentioned in the book quickly. At

noon that day, when the two passed by a village, Nan Liujing saw many persimmon trees planted at the entrance of the village and signaled the driver to stop.

The sun was scorching at this time, and the villagers who had been busy with farm work all morning were sitting under the persimmon trees in twos and threes to cool off and rest.

Seeing a carriage parked at the entrance of the village, many people looked over curiously.

"Mr. Qu, wait for me for a moment."

After greeting Qu Jianbai, Nan Liujing got off the carriage carrying a box of unopened cakes.

An old man with gray hair and who looked very prestigious in the village asked, "Young Master, what are you doing here?"

Nan Liujing handed over the cakes and said, "Old man, I want to ask you something."

The old man looked at the beautifully packaged cakes and said, "Young Master, just tell me what you want to know. No need to be so polite."

Nan Liujing actually saw the persimmon trees at the entrance of the village and suddenly had the urge to ask about the golden cakes.

Hearing something familiar, the old man, who was a little uneasy at first, instantly calmed down.

What he said was similar to what Nan Liujing had learned.

However, one thing the old man said caught Nan Liujing's interest: "A few days ago, every household in our village sent someone to reclaim wasteland and plant persimmon seedlings on the wasteland."

Nan Liujing asked, "Are you all willing to go?"

The old man smiled and said, "If you can make money, why not? When the persimmons are made into golden cakes, every household will get a share of the money."

"Can I go and take a look at that wasteland?"

The old man thought for a moment and said, "We still have to go to the fields to work in a while. If you don't mind, young master, I'll let my eldest grandson take you there."

As he spoke, the old man waved to a thin and dark little boy of seven or eight years old who was not far away.

The little boy came over and asked, "Grandpa, what's wrong?"

The old man said, "Take this nobleman to have a look at the persimmon field. Be careful not to bump into him."

"Yes." The little boy responded and looked at Nan Liujing. He clenched the corners of his clothes with both hands and said nervously, "Sir, please come with me."

Nan Liujing took out a purse from his sleeve, handed it to the little boy, and said with a smile, "There are some candies in it for you."

The little boy said in surprise, "Candy?"

"Yes." Nan Liujing stuffed it directly into the little boy's hand, "Wait for me here."

Nan Liujing walked back to the carriage and asked Qu Jianbai with a smile, "Mr. Qu, do you want to go and have a look together?"

Qu Jianbai had heard about the golden cake from Liang Guangyu a long time ago, and nodded when he heard it.

The reclaimed persimmon field was located on the hill behind the village, not too close to the entrance of the village. The little boy was reluctant to eat the candy, so he held his purse tightly in his hand and walked in front to lead the way.

Nan Liujing saw that he was really nervous, so he asked, "Are you going to save these candies to eat slowly?"

The little boy blushed and said, "I want to save them for my sister and mother. My sister has never eaten candy since she was born, and my mother has never eaten such good things."

Nan Liujing touched his sleeves and took out a bag of preserved candies.

These were all stuffed into his pocket by Guisheng before he left, fearing that he would be hungry on the road.

Qu Jianbai saw this scene, with a faint smile in his eyes.

Nan Liujing handed the candied fruit to the little boy: "This is for you too."

The little boy waved his hands repeatedly: "No, no, I just showed you the way. You gave me enough candies. If I take your things again, grandpa will scold me."

"I just want to ask you something. How about you take this bag of candied fruit and tell me everything you know?"

The little boy swallowed his saliva, and finally couldn't help but took it: "Ask me. As long as I know, I will tell you."

Nan Liujing started with a simple question: "Did you eat golden cookies during the Chinese New Year?"

The little boy nodded vigorously: "Yes, I ate half of it."

"Only half of it?"

"Yes. I'm a boy, so I only got half. My mother and sister only got half in total. My mother only took a bite and left the rest for my sister."

Nan Liujing was stunned, and an inexplicable sour feeling rose in his heart: "What about your father?"

"Not long after my mother got pregnant with my sister, my father was drafted into the army. He hasn't sent any news to the family for several years."

The little boy turned his head and looked at Nan Liujing: "My grandfather said that before I was born, the north suffered a great defeat and a general as powerful as Guan Erye was killed. That's why my father and many uncles in the village were drafted into the army. My dear, do you know when my father and others can go home?"

"My mother misses my father very much, and always cries secretly behind my sister and me. My sister also wants to see my father, but she doesn't even know what he looks like."

The little boy added in his heart, and he missed his father too.

Nan Liujing's mood became heavier.

The great defeat fifteen years ago caused Daye to lose 30,000 of the most brave and combative elite.

But that was more than a tragedy for 30,000 families.

Because the border defense line was completely disintegrated, the court had to rebuild the border defense line, so it had been constantly recruiting soldiers to replenish the number of border troops.

According to the little boy, a large number of young and strong laborers were conscripted from this village many years ago.

No wonder he saw either old people or women and children along the way.

No wonder this place is so poor and destitute so close to Kyoto that even during the New Year, they can only eat half a golden cake at most.

After seeing the prosperity of the ten-mile long lanterns on Zhuque Street, he saw the life of the people of Daye from another perspective.

***

Soon, the three of them arrived at the persimmon field.

The endless persimmon field was well maintained, and there were traces of renovation on the surface.

The newly transplanted persimmon saplings swayed gently in the breeze, revealing a vigorous and enthusiastic vitality on the poor soil.

Nan Liujing liked this vitality.

He felt that this vitality was very much like himself who grew up alone in Changxin Palace, and also very much like the people of Daye who worked hard to live on this land.

When leaving the village, Nan Liujing handed the box of cakes in his hand to the little boy and asked him to pass it to his grandfather.

Along the way, Nan Liujing was a little absent-minded.

Qu Jianbai put down his teacup and asked with a smile: "Your Highness, what are you thinking about?"

Nan Liujing pursed his lips and said: "There are some things I want to ask Master Qu."

Qu Jianbai raised his hand: "

Your Highness, please speak." Nan Liujing: "Master Qu, can you tell me what Daye looks like in your eyes?"

Qu Jianbai was a little surprised.

This question was not difficult for Qu Jianbai to answer.

However, this question was too broad and too general.

So for a moment, Qu Jianbai didn't know where to start answering.

"What about Your Highness?"

"What does Daye look like in Your Highness' eyes?"

Nan Liujing was about to answer subconsciously: "Da Ye in my eyes..."

Qu Jianbai raised his hand to stop Nan Liujing: "Your Highness, don't be in a hurry to answer me."

"I have taught Your Highness for a few days, but I have never assigned you homework. Why don't you write an article on this topic and hand it in to me."

Nan Liujing thought for a while and asked: "I wonder when I should finish writing the article and present it to Master Qu?"

"Your Highness, don't be in a hurry to write. In the next few months, I will accompany Your Highness to walk around, and Your Highness can see more and think more."

Back in the villa, Nan Liujing changed into casual clothes and sat in the pavilion to eat iced watermelon.

There was no one around him at this time, so he could chat with Yao Rong without distraction and talk about what he saw and heard today.

Even though he knew that Yao Rong was "beside" him when he was going through these things.

Yao Rong listened quietly without interrupting him.

When he talked about the question Qu Jianbai gave him, Yao Rong smiled: [Master Qu gave you a question. Based on his question, I will also give you a question. Then you can answer it together. What do you think?]

"What question is the teacher going to ask?"

[What does Daye look like in your eyes.] What

Qu Jianbai wanted to ask was Nan Liujing's understanding of the world.

[If the Daye you see can't satisfy you, then what do you want Daye to become.]

And what she wanted to ask was Nan Liujing's pursuit of the world.