The fifth day of the second month of the ninth year of the Xuanli calendar.
The dragon has raised its head, which means spring has arrived, but this early spring is still cold, especially in the early morning before dawn.
Dong Shulan's two carriages had already stopped at the gate of the Fu Mansion. She only brought her maid Xiaoqi with her, and her luggage consisted of four boxes.
One is filled with spare clothes, one is filled with perfume, one is filled with soap, and another is filled with underwear.
These things were the first batch of goods she was going to Guanyun City, the capital of the Wu Dynasty, and she wanted to find a shop to put them on display for trial sales.
Fu Xiaoguan's plan was also very simple. Apart from Su Jue and the other two, he only brought Chunxiu with him. Of course, the black box was also placed in the carriage.
The two of them and their group of six carriages drove towards the Honglu Temple on the bluestone road under the dim street lights.
Outside the gate of the Honglu Temple, a hundred students had gathered and were whispering to each other, their faces filled with excitement. Those familiar with the Wu Dynasty were discussing its affairs. Fu Xiaoguan heard a voice: "You'll know when you get there. The reason Guanyun City is called Guanyun is because it is so high. The clouds are below the city, and the city is within the clouds. The scenery is extremely beautiful, so..."
The voice faded, but Fu Xiaoguan still heard it clearly. "That's why the women in Guanyun City have such beautiful, radiant skin! Let me tell you, there are three famous terraces in Guanyun City. The first is Guanyun Terrace, but I'm afraid you and I can't go there. The second is Zhaixing Terrace, but it's too high, so I'm afraid you and I can't go there either. The third is Liuyun Terrace, located on Shili Pinghu Lake!"
"As long as you have money, you can go to Liuyuntai. The girls there, wow, wow, every one of them is as beautiful as Liu Yan'er in Hongxiu Zhao. You'll know once you go there. But the rules of Liuyuntai are different from those brothels in Jinling. You have to pay ten taels of silver to enter, which is the entrance fee. As for whether you can win the favor of a girl and spend a night in the warm room, it depends on the talent of each of you students."
Then there was laughter and a lot of chatter. Fu Xiaoguan grinned and thought to himself that these bastards were indeed wolves in human skin!
The literati like this, which is elegant and vulgar, but not illegal, so Fu Xiaoguan certainly did not care.
He got off the carriage, but saw a luxurious carriage pulled by four horses parked outside!
Yu Wenjun just stood there, tiptoeing and waving to him and Dong Shulan.
The two walked over, and Yu Wenyun smiled slyly, "Let's take this one, the three of us. It's very comfortable. It was made by my mother when she returned to Qizhou to visit her relatives last year. She was given to me."
That's certainly good, Fu Xiaoguan smiled evilly, and Dong Shulan immediately understood what he was thinking. She turned around and rolled her eyes at him, but her face was a little hot.
Fu Xiaoguan didn't expect that Qin Bingzhong would come.
He came up to Fu Xiaoguan and said, "Please remember to ask Wen Xingzhou if he has a book on his new learning and bring it back for me to read."
"Don't worry, Brother Qin. I've always kept it in mind." Fu Xiaoguan was a little embarrassed. "I've been a little busy recently and haven't been to see you. Please don't take it to heart."
Qin Bingzhong waved his hand. "I know you can't be idle. Besides... I'm busy with my studies at the Holy Academy, so I don't have much time. If you really came to my house, I'm afraid I wouldn't be in the mood to entertain you."
Fu Xiaoguan laughed heartily, thinking of what Shangguan Wenxiu had said to him at the academy. "You're not young anymore. I'd like to have a few more years of tea and chess with you. If you're just using this sacred learning thing as a way to pass the time, I think it's fine, but if you really put your heart and soul into it... Brother, listen to me. Sooner or later, this sacred learning thing will be eliminated."
Qin Bingzhong was startled. "Why do you say that?"
"Whether it's society, history, or civilization, they're all progressing. Take, for example, Wen Xingzhou, whom you mentioned. His insights, if he met a wise ruler, could be promoted and replace the sacred teachings. From rule by man to rule by law—this is progress, and it's also a historical necessity. Of course, his rule of law isn't perfect, let alone perfect. But if it's implemented, like the sacred teachings, over millennia, it will be improved, and its flaws corrected."
Qin Bingzhong's eyes showed a hint of confusion. In his heart, he believed what Fu Xiaoguan said, but the sacred learning had been deeply rooted in his mind. He also felt that the governance of the world should be based on the sacred learning.
This is very contradictory, and the collision of the two concepts makes it difficult for him to distinguish right from wrong.
"Don't worry about the new school, brother. It won't happen overnight. The two schools will inevitably clash, and I don't know who will win or lose. These are not important. I just hope you take good care of yourself and live a happy life. That's all."
Qin Bingzhong shook his head and said very carefully: "No, this is very important!"
Fu Xiaoguan was at a loss as a few words from him obviously could not change the old scholar's ideas.
Qin Bingzhong laughed, "I wanted to see a collision like this... I think it would be as dazzling as fireworks!"
Fu Xiaoguan thought to himself, you are always afraid that you have some misunderstanding about fireworks.
That's a fight of life and death!
As tragic as a river stained with blood!
"Okay, go ahead and do your work. I'm going back. Remember to bring the book back!"
Qin Bingzhong waved his hand and walked into the night. Fu Xiaoguan looked at his hunched back and heavy footsteps, thinking that he was also a talkative person. After hearing this, he wanted to understand more deeply the differences between the traditional learning and the new learning.
Not long after, Xu Huaishu, the Minister of Rites, and Dong Xiangfang, the Junior Secretary of the Honglu Temple, came out of the office.
Dong Xiangfang took the roster and checked the names one by one. After checking everything, Xu Huaishu stepped forward and said:
"I am going to the Wuchao Literary Conference to promote the literary achievements of Dayu. You are all outstanding talents in Dayu, and I will explain a few rules to you."
"First: This journey is long, and you must follow the arrangements of the accompanying officials from the Ministry of Rites. Anyone who disobeys these orders will be deemed to have waived their eligibility, and will be expelled from the academy. Remember this!"
"Secondly, after arriving at Guanyun City in the Wu Dynasty, you must all stay at our embassy. Any departures require approval from officials from the Ministry of Rites. Leaving without permission will be considered a waiver of eligibility, and the academy will expel you. Remember this!"
"Third: This is a literary gathering. Your Majesty has high hopes for you. He hopes you can bring fame to Dayu and create immortal poems. Those who excel in this gathering will not need to take the Autumn Examination upon returning to the capital. Your Majesty will grant them the status of Jinshi and reward them with higher official positions."
This was the focus of the trip for these talented men. The crowd cheered immediately, thinking that if they could become famous, like Fu Xiaoguan, they could directly get a fifth-rank official position, which was a much higher starting point than being sent as a county magistrate.
"Silence!" Xu Huaishu clasped his hands together, waiting for the room to calm down before saying:
"One final point: No matter when or where you are on this trip, everyone, including those accompanying the Ministry of Rites, must follow the orders of Grand Secretary Fu Xiaoguan. Anyone who disobeys these orders... will be executed!"
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