Chapter 54 Clash of Prodigies: Young Master Meng Chong, undeterred and willing to remain in Xuchang...
In the sixth year of Jian'an, not long after the New Year, an envoy came to Jingzhou with great fanfare and ostentation.
When Deng Jie was providing free medical consultations, he heard that there was a child prodigy accompanying him, and he specifically asked to "spar" with Cao Chong.
“Young Master Chong is only six years old; he shouldn’t be subjected to such ‘sparring’,” Deng Jie said helplessly as he listened to the conversation. “Besides, Young Master Chong has always been physically weak…”
"Oh, Madam, it must be because the young master's 'weighing the elephant' story has been heard and caused dissatisfaction!"
"They came prepared. They call it a 'sparring match,' but they're really just trying to make things difficult for Sikong!"
"But why involve the child?" Deng Jie shook his head helplessly, packed his medicine box, and prepared to go back.
"I'm so glad." Guo Jia smiled and came to pick her up as scheduled.
When Deng Jie saw her husband, she was overjoyed and got up to follow him.
"Say yes, come with me to the Sikong Mansion tomorrow to see the excitement," Guo Jia said, taking her hand.
"Lively? What's so lively?"
"Liu Xian, the Prefect of Jingzhou, brought his nephew Zhou Buyi (Zhou Wenzhi) as an envoy. This Zhou Wenzhi is only ten years old, but his speech is extraordinary and his talent is evident. He truly has the appearance of a child prodigy, and Your Excellency is very pleased with him."
"You like it? Didn't you say you wanted to 'spar' with Young Master Chong?"
"Oh, you've heard about it. That's right. Tomorrow, a 'battle of wits' among the young masters will be held at the Sikong Mansion. Young masters of similar age from the Cao and Xun families will be invited to participate. It will be a good opportunity for you, my lord, to test your skills."
As he spoke, he leaned closer to Deng Jie's ear and lowered his voice, saying, "Of course, that's what we say on the surface. In reality... you also want to take this opportunity to keep Zhou Wenzhi here so that he can be a companion for Young Master Chong."
"A study companion?" Deng Jie's eyes lit up. "Coming so high and mighty, you must have some ambition. Are you really willing to accompany a young child as a study companion?"
Guo Jia straightened up, quite confidently, "Then we'll have to see if Young Master Chong truly has the magnanimity to entice him to stay."
Deng Jie scoffed, "You seem quite certain. But how could I possibly go?"
"Heh, it must be the favor you asked for me?"
Guo Jia, seeing that he had been exposed, didn't try to hide it. He chuckled and pulled her close, saying, "Of course! How can we miss such a lively event? Besides, what if Wenzhi really stays..."
He paused meaningfully, "I'll probably be dealing with you quite often, so of course I'll have to invite you to watch the game together."
"It seems Fengxiao also admires him quite a bit?"
"Oh? Is it that obvious?" Guo Jia couldn't suppress the upturned corners of his mouth.
The following day, the front courtyard of the Sikong Mansion was bustling with people, and the atmosphere was lively.
The spacious courtyard was meticulously arranged, with a platform erected at the main position, on which a low table was placed, and thick brocade mats were laid around the table, with soft cushions placed on the mats.
Seats were arranged on both sides of the hall, each with a brazier and incense burner to ward off the chill of early spring.
The guests took their seats one after another.
Cao Cao sat in the highest position, exuding an aura of authority and majesty.
On the right side of the VIP seats sat Liu Xian, the Prefect of Jingzhou, sitting upright with a composed expression.
To Cao Cao's left rear are three ladies dressed in their finest attire: Lady Bian, Lady Huan, and Lady Yin.
On the right side of the hall, Xun Yu, accompanied by Lady Tang, was the chief speaker, followed by Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Xun You, and Chen Qun.
Xiahou Yuan was seated next to his eight-year-old nephew Xiahou Shang, while Chen Qun and his wife Xun Wei sat at the same table.
On the left is the group of strategists led by Guo Jia, with Guo Jia and his wife seated together, followed by Cheng Yu, Jia Xu, Dong Zhao, and others.
In the very center of the hall, a large table was placed slightly to the left, on which were displayed several scrolls of bamboo slips. Seven smaller tables were arranged in a small circle around it.
Deng Jie eagerly anticipated the grand event, but then he saw Man Chong stand in the center and announce loudly, "Please, gentlemen, enter and pay your respects!"
All eyes were focused on the center, where the young men filed in, each dressed in a brand-new and well-fitting brocade robe, their backs straight, their expressions varied.
They were: Cao Pi at age 15, Cao Zhang at age 13, Cao Zhi at age 11, Cao Chong at age 6, He Yan at age 12 and Xun Yun at age 12, and Zhou Buyi at age 10.
The teenagers introduced themselves loudly and bowed to everyone present.
Deng Jie looked around and whispered in Guo Jia's ear, "Shen Ge's Tai'er is nine years old. He should be suitable for this kind of occasion. Why not let him participate?"
Upon hearing this, Guo Jia chuckled softly and replied in a low voice, "As you can see, Yun'er from Wenruo's family and your good wife are brothers. If Chen Changwen's family wants to make a recommendation, he should personally take the stage."
As he spoke, he couldn't hide the mischievous glint in his eyes as he looked at Chen Qun.
As if sensing Guo Jia's mockery, Chen Qun suddenly looked up and met his eyes. His brows furrowed, and he glared at Guo Jia fiercely.
Deng Jie followed Guo Jia's gaze and happened to meet Xun Wei's gaze. He quietly raised his hand and waved to her twice.
Xun Wei seemed to understand the joke between the two men, and a hint of helplessness appeared in his eyes. He then put on a smile and nodded slightly to Deng Jie.
"Please, gentlemen, take your seats!"
Deng Jie observed carefully. Although the seating arrangement was in circles, and Cao Pi seemed to be in the lead, Cao Chong was placed in the very center, facing Cao Cao. On either side of him were Zhou Buyi and Cao Zhi.
Man Chong bowed to Cao Cao, then unfurled a bamboo scroll and addressed the crowd: "Today's grand gathering is not for frivolous games, but to hone your talents and observe your ability to reason and make decisions. Therefore, we have set up this table."
This case stems from a real case that occurred a month ago in the suburbs of Xuchang, which has already been investigated and adjudicated.
"In a military household village on the western outskirts of Xuchang, Wang Wu, a minor official in charge of the granary, reported that ten bushels of millet seeds prepared for spring plowing had disappeared from the granary."
After the authorities intervened, it was found that villager Zhang San had an elderly mother who was seriously ill, a young child who was crying for food, and his grain reserves were running low. In desperation, he broke into the granary at night and stole two bushels of millet seeds.
However, instead of using all the stolen millet seeds for food, he secretly mixed most of them into the barren fields of Li Si's family in the same village.
Li Si's family lacked sufficient labor, and their fields consistently yielded poor harvests, making them a recognized impoverished household in the village. At the time of the incident, a small amount of millet seeds were found remaining in Zhang San's home, and the millet seeds in Li Si's fields were also confirmed to be the same variety as those in the official granary.
Man Chong closed the file and continued loudly: "Please, gentlemen, consider this carefully:"
First, the severity of the offender's crime should be assessed, and the law should determine how the crime should be classified.
Secondly, consider how you would judge the case if you were to handle it.
He then bowed once more, saying, "All the guests present are welcome to offer their comments."
Upon hearing this, Deng Jie's mouth dropped open. This was not a simple question and answer about scriptures, but rather a practical problem involving theft, human relationships, and the law.
She pulled Guo Jia aside and sighed, "It's so complicated... They're all still just children."
Guo Jia secretly pulled her hand under the table, squeezed it gently, and scrutinized the young men in the hall. He replied in a low voice, "But they are all children who will be responsible for handling state affairs and even military and national matters in the future. To survive in troubled times and bring peace to the people and stability to the country, the ability to recognize people and make judgments is fundamental. They deserve such training."
The young men on the field were still carefully reading the documents distributed by Man Chong, while Xiahou Shang, standing next to Xiahou Yuan, was silently deducing the answer in his mind.
After a brief commotion, Cao Zhang spoke first: "What's so difficult about that? Zhang San stole from the government granary; he was caught red-handed, so he's a thief! According to the law, he should be arrested and punished to serve as a warning to others!"
After saying that, he casually sat back down, and the audience burst into laughter.
Lady Bian's face immediately turned ugly, but Cao Cao was not angry. Instead, he said loudly, "Zhang'er's words are quite straightforward. If you are guilty, you should be punished!"
Cao Hong echoed in a rough voice, "Young Master Zhang is straightforward and has such good manners; he's more suited to the army!"
After saying this, Cao and Xiahou laughed again and nodded in agreement.
Xiahou Shang looked at the elder beside him and couldn't help but sigh softly. If he were to answer, he would definitely do a better job.
Deng Jie pulled Guo Jia aside and whispered, "Is it possible to interpret it this way?"
Guo Jia smiled and whispered in her ear, "Speak freely, without any scruples, regardless of right or wrong."
Cao Pi pondered for a moment, then rose and bowed. With a composed demeanor, he said in a loud voice, "Reporting to Father and all elders, I believe that what Brother Zhang said is merely superficial."
His eyes were bright and his reasoning was clear: "The key to this case is that Zhang San's motive for stealing the grain was not entirely selfish. He secretly gave most of the millet seeds to Li Si, which is quite peculiar."
Among the motivations were filial piety towards mothers and children, as well as acts of kindness towards neighbors.
However, the theft from the government granary is indeed a violation of the law. According to the law, theft of government property is punishable by a double penalty.
Cao Pi's words not only pointed out the special nature of the case but also firmly adhered to the legal principles, making them much more mature and comprehensive than Cao Zhang's.
Cao Cao showed approval, Xun Yu stroked his beard and smiled, Chen Qun nodded repeatedly, and Xiahou Dun cheered for him: "What Young Master Pi said is very true, and the answer is excellent!"
Lady Bian breathed a sigh of relief, and Lady Huan also gave her a reassuring look.
After Cao Pi finished answering, Cao Zhi, He Yan, and Xun Yun responded in turn. Their views were largely similar to Cao Pi's, all believing that Zhang San's actions were excusable but legally unacceptable.
However, Cao Zhi's words were more sympathetic, citing classical texts to express his "compassionate heart," and he tended to give a lighter sentence;
He Yan's arguments place more emphasis on rules and boundaries, stressing that "public law should not be abandoned for personal feelings";
Xun Yun, however, focused on the practical impact, pointing out that "if we indulge them out of sympathy, many will follow suit in the future, and the government granaries will be difficult to protect."
Although their speeches did not deviate from the framework set by Cao Pi, they each displayed different tendencies of thought, prompting the elders at the table to secretly evaluate them based on their personalities.
Amidst all the praise, Zhou Buyi suddenly stood up, his face calm, and said indifferently, "I believe that what you gentlemen have said is somewhat biased."
His words caused an uproar among the audience, especially Cao Shi Xiahou, whose face turned ugly. Xiahou Shang couldn't help but straighten up and hold his breath.
Guo Jia also cast an expectant glance with great interest.
But the young man spoke calmly and eloquently: "The key may not only be why Zhang San stole it, but also why he secretly gave it to Li Si."
If he truly wanted to help, why didn't he speak up? Was he afraid that Li Si wouldn't accept charity? Or... did he know that this was illegal and didn't want to implicate Li Si?
Furthermore, Wang Wu, the minor official in charge of the granary, failed to notice the presence of ten bushels of millet seeds in time—a considerable sum. Could he also be suspected of dereliction of duty?
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in surprise, and Cao Cao also straightened his expression.
Deng Jie opened his eyes wide and exclaimed, "He's considering... what people are thinking behind this?"
Guo Jia glanced at her and smiled, "I told you he was different from others."
Deng Jie scoffed, "You have a keen eye for people's hearts... just like me."
Guo Jia gently tapped her forehead, prompting her to continue watching.
Cao Chong also stood up and bowed, adding, "Young Master Wenzhi's suggestion is excellent, and it aligns with my own thoughts."
Chong'er believed that, as his elder brothers had said, Zhang San had a reason for stealing the grain.
Filial piety towards mothers and raising children is a compassionate act worthy of pity and forgiveness.
However, he stole two bushels of grain, taking only a small amount to make ends meet, and poured most of it into Li Si's fields. Thus, he used his thieving actions to express his compassionate heart.
Zhang San knew this was illegal, but fearing Li Si wouldn't dare to accept it or wouldn't want to be implicated, he resorted to this self-deceiving act. This was foolish kindness, but it also revealed his fear of the law.
Therefore, Zhang San, while exhibiting acts of kindness, filial piety, and compassion for his neighbors, also embodies a combination of foolish goodness and fear of the law, leading him to break the law. His actions violate the law, yet his heart remains intact.
His analysis not only echoed Zhou Buyi's viewpoint but also dissected Zhang San's psychology, making it more profound than a simple combination of legal and theoretical considerations.
Cao Chong continued to discuss the appropriate course of action: "In my opinion, we must consider both the law and human sentiment, and also learn from past mistakes to avoid future ones."
Zhang San's crime: theft of government property, the evidence is irrefutable and cannot be forgiven. However, his motive is special and his circumstances are somewhat pitiful. He can be sentenced to several months of hard labor to offset his crime and ordered to compensate for the losses to the government granary.
Li Si's situation: Although he obtained the millet seeds, he was unaware of it. However, the millet seeds he obtained were stolen goods and should be recovered by the government, with appropriate compensation for his losses.
Meanwhile, many households in the village are impoverished, and with spring planting just around the corner, the government should open its granaries to provide relief or lend them grain seeds to help them through this difficult time.
A cheer immediately erupted from the audience.
As the voices faded, Zhou Buyi stepped forward and added, "Wang Wu's dereliction of duty should not be overlooked either."
His faults were even greater than Zhang San's, and he should be severely punished according to the law. He should be dismissed from his post as granary manager, fined, and required to pay compensation, as a warning to others and to prevent officials from becoming negligent.
This concluded the case, and everyone applauded the two child prodigies for a long time.
Cao Cao was filled with pride and joy, and he stood up, clapping his hands and laughing: "Good, good! Chong'er and Wenzhi are both gifted by heaven, insightful and far-sighted!"
Xun Yu smiled kindly, praising those around him, "Young Master Chong is only six years old, yet he has such clear judgment, and Wen Zhi is also able to make up for any shortcomings. The two of them work together perfectly!"
Cao Cao, taking advantage of Xun Yu's suggestion, asked Liu Xian, "Liu, how is my son? How can such a fine young man be without good friends by his side?"
Liu Xian looked at Zhou Buyi, whose previous arrogance had turned into appreciation and mutual respect.
He walked towards Cao Chong, bowed deeply to the boy who was a head shorter than him, and said, "I am completely convinced. Young Master Chong is insightful and wise, and his kindness and vision are beyond my reach!"
Cao Chong, neither humble nor arrogant, returned the greeting with the composure of an adult: "Young Master Wenzhi, you flatter me. Your question has cleared the fog and brought me to my senses. I still have much to learn, and I hope to be able to consult you often in the future!"
Seeing the two children below getting along so well, Cao Cao took Liu Xian's hand and said, "I wish to appoint you as the Prefect of Wuling and ask you to keep Wen Zhi in your residence. What do you think?"
Liu Xian was greatly surprised and immediately stood up, bowed, and looked at Zhou Buyi.
Zhou Buyi raised his head, looking at the expectant gazes of the two people in the hall, and firmly raised his hand: "I am grateful for the kindness of the Minister of Works and the generosity of Young Master Chong. I am willing to stay in Xuchang, follow you, and study diligently to repay your kindness!"
Liu Xian then congratulated Cao Cao with relief, saying, "Wenzhi is fortunate to have met a wise ruler!"
"Good! Good! Good!" Cao Cao exclaimed three times, laughing heartily. "Today's gathering is a great honor to have such a talented person! We should drink a large toast! Men! Prepare a banquet! To congratulate Wen Zhi! To congratulate my son!"
As a result, the front courtyard of the Sikong Mansion became lively again, and everyone followed to the hall for the banquet.
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