On the first day of February in the ninth year of the Xuanli reign, His Majesty issued several imperial edicts in succession, which caused a great response in the capital.
One of them is to enthrone Concubine Shang as the queen, who will be in charge of the harem and be the mother of the country!
The second is to appoint the eldest prince Yu Wentian as the general of the Eastern Frontier Army and Fei An as the commander-in-chief of the Eastern Frontier Army, and to set out immediately to fight against the Yi country traitors!
The third was to appoint Fu Xiaoguan as the military envoy to the court, and to set out on the fifth day of the second month.
Regarding the first and third imperial edicts, there was no reaction from either the court or the people in the capital, as they felt that this was what should be done. However, regarding the second imperial edict, everyone from top to bottom reacted extremely strongly.
Yan Beixi stood up in the court and explained to all the officials the reasons behind the eldest prince's actions. Although the officials still had many doubts in their hearts, they believed it to some extent, or perhaps they believed Yan Beixi.
However, the public outcry was still overwhelming, and it was not until His Majesty issued another imperial edict and posted it everywhere that people realized that the eldest prince had been wrongly accused!
The eldest prince discredited himself for the sake of the country, which led to the downfall of the Shi and Fei clans.
Now the eldest prince has gone to war for the country again, and His Majesty personally escorted him to the east gate and put a cloak on him with his own hands - this further proves that the eldest prince is not plotting a rebellion. After all, even if his own son got into trouble, the father would inevitably slap him a few times. How could he be as affectionate as His Majesty showed?
What's more, Queen Shang also saw him off in person and presented the eldest prince with a sword.
As a result, the public opinion suddenly reversed, and this also affected many officials. Those officials who originally had doubts put aside their last doubts and acknowledged that the eldest prince had indeed played the role of rebellion for the sake of the country.
However... those officials who had been imprisoned in the line of the eldest prince were not released - Yan Zai said that those officials had many problems in the first place, and they were the backers of the corrupt officials in the Thirteen Counties of the Yu Dynasty, and had nothing to do with the eldest prince.
This explanation is far-fetched, but it seems to be the only possible explanation.
Fu Xiaoguan also participated in the farewell.
Yu Wentian whispered to Fu Xiaoguan, "Please take care of Rouyi for me. I'll put her up in Yanyu Tower. She's pregnant, so don't tell anyone!"
What the hell!
Fu Xiaoguan suddenly became unhappy!
…
As the highest institution of learning in the Yu Dynasty, the Jixia Academy had a very high status.
For example, it covers a very large area, and it has dozens of building complexes.
"This academy already existed during the previous dynasty. Back then, it was called Weiyang Palace, citing its proximity to Weiyang Lake. However, after the establishment of the Yu Dynasty, the name was changed to Jixia Academy, meaning studying for the sake of state."
Standing before the majestic and imposing gatehouse of the Jixia Academy, Shangguan Wenxiu pointed to the four large characters carved into relief. "These four characters were written by Qin Yilou, a great scholar from the early days of the Yu Dynasty, and the ancestor of the present-day Qin Bingzhong. The Qin family's literary tradition is well-established, but it seems to have been lost with Qin Bingzhong. So, go see him before you leave. He's been obsessed with interpreting those sacred teachings lately—a potentially fatal endeavor."
Fu Xiaoguan retracted his gaze, somewhat surprised, "Why would it be fatal?"
"After thousands of years of studying the sacred text, it's a real headache to come up with something new. I admire him very much, but I still want to live a few more years."
Shangguan Wenxiu brought Fu Xiaoguan into the gatehouse, and what came into view was a wide, straight avenue. On both sides of the avenue were many osmanthus trees. Of course, there were no flowers on the trees, only snow-white snow and icicles about three feet long hanging on the branches.
"This is the Scholarly Avenue of the Imperial Academy. In the past, cherry trees were planted on both sides, but Taizu disliked them, believing them to be too bright and lacking the elegant, subtle fragrance of osmanthus. In fact, Taizu launched his rebellion in Guihua Town, Qiongzhou, on the Jiannan West Road, because he missed the fragrance of the osmanthus. These trees were transplanted from Guihua Town, thousands of miles away. In autumn, this vast Imperial Academy is filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus. When the autumn wind blows, the entire Jinling is filled with the scent of osmanthus. What I'm saying is, don't try to sell your osmanthus perfume in Shangjing during autumn; it won't sell!"
Fu Xiaoguan was caught off guard by this turn. He laughed and felt that Shangguan Wenxiu's words made sense. He really had to tell Dong Shulan about it.
As the group continued walking forward, Fu Xiaoguan saw many two- and three-story buildings on both sides of Shuxiang Avenue.
"Those are where the academy teaches. The ones on the left and right are for beginners, that is, students in their first year of school."
It’s freshman year.
Fu Xiaoguan nodded and continued walking forward. When he reached the end of the Avenue of Books, he saw a huge platform with several tall statues standing on it.
"That's the Literary Forum, where students hold literary gatherings. Well, those statues are the Three Sages."
"Where are we going?"
"Let's go to the teaching center."
"Where is the teaching center?"
"I've already been there... I mean, since you've never been to the academy, I'll show you around."
Fu Xiaoguan was stunned. He had walked past?
"I think we should not transfer. Time is running out, so let's quickly finalize this matter."
Shangguan Wenxiu was quite regretful. "The Imperial Academy has many other famous attractions, such as the Literary Forum, the Book Mountain, and the Sea of Learning—a lake connected to Weiyang Lake. The scenery is quite elegant, and there is a small island on it. The island is quiet and peaceful, so it is named Qingyou Island. It is a place often visited by students."
I guess we're going to that place to enjoy the beauty of flowers and the moon?
Fu Xiaoguan and his group turned and headed west. This was also a thoroughfare, of course half as narrow as Shuxiang Avenue, but still wide enough for three or two carriages to pass side by side, and wider than many streets and alleys in the capital.
"I heard that the academy has opened a martial arts academy?"
"It's declining. At the very back, there are only 300 students in the martial arts academy. It's quite pitiful. They are suppressed by the students in the arts academy and can't even hold their heads up."
"Is there any way to revive the martial arts academy?"
Shangguan Wenxiu stroked his beard and shook his head. "Unless Your Majesty changes the policy and elevates the status of military men, it will be difficult!"
Fu Xiaoguan understood very well, but how could he get His Majesty to change the policy?
Shangguan Wenxiu did not say that His Majesty would definitely not change the policy, because having too many military men was not a good thing for the court.
Although scholars cannot lead troops, they are easy to manage, and even if they cause trouble, it will not be a big deal.
But it is different for military men. They are stubborn. If they control the military power and feel dissatisfied with the court, they may turn against the court and start fighting.
This happened many times during the reigns of Taizu and Gaozu, and the national policy of the Yu Dynasty began to change from then on.
The literary style is becoming more and more prosperous, while the martial arts and strategies are becoming increasingly weak, so that today, when the barbarian countries invade, Your Majesty does not even have any reserve generals!
Of course, His Majesty wanted Yu Wentian to come out, but Fu Xiaoguan could still see that there were very few military generals, otherwise His Majesty would not have chosen Fei An as the second choice.
If a country wants to maintain long-term stability, it cannot rely solely on intellectuals!
But now he has no way to convince His Majesty.
Putting this thought aside, the group arrived at a huge square.
Opposite the square is a row of three-story buildings with three big characters on the top: Teaching Center.
"This is the administrative body of the entire academy. You've met the dean of the academy, a great scholar of the dynasty. His name is Li Chunfeng. He's the skinny old man who participated in the evaluation of your poem at the Lantern Festival Poetry Festival."
Fu Xiaoguan remembered that after he composed the poem "Qingyu'an, Lantern Festival," there was indeed a thin old man who looked like he was crazy. At that time, Shangguan Wenxiu and Qin Bingzhong had not introduced him. They had never expected that he was actually a great scholar! And the dean of the Jixia Academy!
The group walked into the building of the Educational Affairs Office. Shangguan Wenxiu took Fu Xiaoguan to the third floor and came to the office of Dean Li Chunfeng.
"Oh, Brother Shangguan, you finally did a good thing! Come here, Brother Fu, please take a seat!" Li Chunfeng walked over quickly and greeted Fu Xiaoguan very enthusiastically.
"Hello, Dean Li, please take a seat. A junior like me would feel dizzy if I sat there."
"Hahahaha, Brother Fu, there's no such thing as a first come, first served. Just ask, who else in this world could have their name inscribed in the first column of the three thousand stone tablets? I've admired you for a long time, so don't be polite!"
Of course, Fu Xiaoguan couldn't take the seat of honor. After some refusals, Li Chunfeng had no choice but to sit down. While making tea, he said, "I have an idea to share with Brother Fu. It's like this. I want to hire Brother Fu as a visiting professor at this academy..."
"Don't rush to refuse. I know you're busy at court, but there's always a time when you're not busy, right? The academy has no requirements for you. If you have time, come and give a class or two. If you don't, that's fine too. Just consider it a title and add a touch of literary flair to the academy. How do you think?"
Fu Xiaoguan couldn't refuse. He thought that since there were no restrictions, he probably wouldn't have time to come here again, so he had to nod.
Li Chunfeng was overjoyed, "Brother Shangguan, please help me make some tea. I'll be right back!"
The thin old man ran away very quickly, but Shangguan Wenxiu smiled and said, "That's just his personality, impetuous. I know what you're thinking, but I still want to say something."
"If you really have time, come here and teach those students."
"Not enough teaching?"
Shangguan Wenxiu shook his head. "You have an extremely high reputation among the students. You are an idol in the hearts of these young people. The impact of your class is unmatched by anyone, not even me or Li Chunfeng."
Fu Xiaoguan wondered if he would be kicked out of the academy by that old man Li Chunfeng if he tried to instill the idea of practicing martial arts or studying the nature of things into those students.
He didn't make a promise to Shangguan Wenxiu because he was really busy.
After Wu Chao returned, he had to go back to Linjiang, visit the base in Xishan again, check out the development zone in Yao County, and then go to Quyi and Pingling counties.
Busy as a dog!
Not long after, Li Chunfeng came back with a set of blue clothes and a piece of employment document in his hand.
"Have you been prepared for this?" Fu Xiaoguan asked with a smile.
"Of course, this dress will definitely fit. Take a look at this document. If it fits, just press your fingerprint and you will be a visiting professor at the academy."
"Where is the list of personnel sent to the Wu Dynasty?"
"Here, there are eighty people on it, and there are twenty spots left. Fill them yourself!"
Fu Xiaoguan looked up at the old man. What a smart man!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
