The peaks stand like a gathering of people, the waves surge like a raging storm, and the Tongguan Pass lies between mountains and rivers.
Looking westward towards the capital, I hesitated.
Heartbreakingly, the places I once frequented during the pre-Qin era are now just dust, with countless palaces and towers turned to dust.
Prosperity brings suffering to the people;
When the country falls, the people suffer!
While Liu Wei was holding a grand ancestral worship ceremony in Guanzhong, Yan Shisan and Yan Shisi, members of the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun, captured He Miao somewhere in Guanzhong.
After asking Liu Wei for his opinion on how to handle the situation, he cut off one of his ears and had the Embroidered Uniform Guards impersonate Eunuch Du's men and sneak into Yong'an Palace.
While warning Empress He, he also took the opportunity to dismiss Eunuch Du.
He Miao was secretly detained by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and sent to a secret liaison point on the outskirts of Luoyang.
At this very moment, Liu Wei and his entourage, riding spirited horses and clad in armor, set off from Chang'an and quickly left Guanzhong, entering Guandong.
Along the official road beside the surging Yellow River, the towering Tongguan Pass recedes into the distance behind us.
On a whim, Liu Wei recited Zhang Haogu's poem "Remembering Tongguan" from the Yuan Dynasty.
This situation is very fitting.
Wang Fangyi, Shen Lian, Yan Da, and others who were following Liu Wei were stunned.
They never expected that their lord could compose such profound and evocative poems.
"My admiration for my lord is like the Yellow River, flowing endlessly!" Wang Fangyi exclaimed with deep emotion.
"I thought my lord was already a brilliant and outstanding man, but I never expected that he could also compose poetry."
Shen Lian shouted, "How are those scholars supposed to live like this?!"
Yan Da: "My eighteen brothers and I are all roughnecks, but our poetry is absolutely unprecedented and will never be surpassed!"
Fu Rou, who was walking in the group, was also very surprised when she heard Liu Wei recite the poem.
Although she didn't understand, the saying "When a dynasty prospers, the people suffer; when a dynasty falls, the people suffer" was deeply etched into her mind.
Born into a commoner family in Guanzhong, she was sold into the palace as a maid when she was young. Fortunately, she was able to stay by the side of the eldest princess, which was considered a slightly better fate.
She had seen too many palace maids meet tragic ends.
The strength and prosperity of the Han Dynasty seemed to have nothing to do with ordinary people like them.
However, it was unexpected that this prince could compose such a powerful and inspiring poem. It seems that he is a prince who is concerned about the country and its people.
If the eldest princess could help him become emperor, it would be a blessing for the poor people of the world.
In an instant, Fu Rou's opinion of Liu Wei underwent a significant change.
The prince's bodyguard commander also seemed to have feelings for her, frequently showering her with attention along the way.
If the matter between the King of Clouds and the Princess succeeds, she will beg the Princess to set her free so she can marry, have children, and live as an ordinary woman.
Liu Wei's casual recitation of a poem stirred up a flood of emotions in Fu Rou.
However, the flattery from these three roughnecks—Chen Lian, Yan Da, and Wang Fangyi—was like Pigsy eating ginseng fruit; they had no idea what it tasted like.
However, one of the accompanying people trembled all over and his face changed drastically.
He was Zhong Yao, the Prefect of Fengyi.
When Zhong Yao learned that Liu Wei and his party had passed through Tongguan, he came to pay his respects.
"Your Highness, this poem is truly astonishing; it will surely be passed down through the ages!"
Zhong Yao looked excited. "I wonder if Your Highness would allow me to copy and study this?"
"This is just idle talk and makes me a laughing stock. If Prefect Zhong likes it, he may copy it down. There is no need to mention me."
Liu Wei spoke casually, his words carrying an air of trying to win him over.
Of course he knew that Zhong Yao was a learned scholar and a great calligrapher who created the unique regular script, ranking alongside Wang Xizhi as Zhong Wang!
He was highly valued by Cao Cao, pacified Hedong, supervised Guanzhong, and pacified the Southern Xiongnu. He was ranked among the Three Dukes and was honored with a place in the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
He had two sons, one of whom was named Zhong Hui!
However, he wouldn't be born until thirty years later.
Liu Wei's attempt to win over Zhong Yao was aimed at Zhong Hui, and it was all for the benefit of his own descendants!
"Your Highness, you are too modest. It is truly an honor to be able to copy such exquisite poems and prose from Your Highness!"
Zhong Yao was so happy that he danced with joy.
His calligraphy, if paired with fine poetry and prose, would have a far-reaching and enduring legacy.
"Alright, Magistrate Zhong, that's enough for now! We'll meet again someday!"
When Liu Wei saw that Zhong Yao and his party had accompanied him for several miles eastward from Tongguan, he immediately reined in his horse and urged Zhong Yao to return.
"It is my good fortune to meet Your Highness at Tongguan," Zhong Yao said respectfully.
"Prefect Zhong is humble and of noble character; he will surely be able to educate an extraordinary talent!"
"Your Highness is too kind. I am not yet married!" Zhong Yao replied honestly.
"Ha ha!"
Liu Wei laughed, "Then I wish Prefect Zhong will find a good match soon."
After a few polite exchanges, Liu Wei and Zhong Yao parted ways at Tongguan.
Liu Wei and his entourage came to Hongnong!
......
The ancient Xiaohan Road, the official road connecting Chang'an and Luoyang, was the only major transportation route between the two cities and a node connecting the east and west of the Yellow River culture.
Countless literary figures have left behind classic works here.
During the Warring States period, Lao Tzu passed through Hangu Pass and wrote the Daoist classic, the Tao Te Ching.
The places described in Du Fu's "Three Officials" ("The Official of Xin'an", "The Official of Shihao", and "The Official of Tongguan") are all along the ancient Xiaohan Road;
During the Song Dynasty, Su Shi wrote "Remembering the Past at Mianchi with Ziyou" for his brother Su Zhe, leaving behind the idiom "traces of a wild goose in the snow" on the ancient Xiaohan Road...
Although it was the dead of winter, vendors and laborers came and went in an endless stream.
The overwhelming murderous aura emanating from Liu Wei's entourage of guards and the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun made people want to stay away.
However, many insightful people, upon learning that this was the group led by the King of Yunzhong, risked their lives to seek an audience, hoping to catch a glimpse of the face of this great Han prince who had recovered the Hetao region, driven out the Xiongnu, and decisively defeated the Xianbei.
Upon hearing this, Liu Wei granted him an audience and accepted his homage.
Unexpectedly, before he even entered Hongnong, many people gathered around and discussed him, and they all prostrated themselves by the roadside to praise his merits.
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