novelSusiti Chapter 52 Three parts reason, seven parts crime—The Old Confucian Scholar's Price
Chapter 52 Three parts reason, seven parts crime—The Old Confucian Scholar's Price
The third quarter of the hour of Mao (5:45 AM).
Outside the Imperial Study.
Qiao Zhou has arrived.
An old robe. Washed until faded. The cuffs are frayed.
He was holding two scrolls of the Book of Documents in his arms. The bamboo slips were wrapped in a layer of hemp cloth.
Dong Yun led the person inside and gave a low, indirect instruction.
"His Majesty was reviewing memorials until the third watch last night. He got up late. Please wait a moment, sir."
Qiao Zhou nodded. He didn't respond.
He went inside. He didn't wander around. He sat down on a low stool in the corner. The bamboo scroll rested on his lap. He closed his eyes.
Fifteen minutes later, Liu Shan entered.
His hair wasn't tied up properly. His crown was crooked by half an inch. His robe, however, was neat and tidy.
The shoes on the feet—the left foot was slipped over the right.
Qiao Zhou caught a glimpse of it. He didn't utter a sound.
"Sir, you've arrived early."
"His Majesty summoned me to give lectures. I dared not delay."
"Sit down, sit down. It's just the two of us today. Make yourself at home."
Liu Shan reached for the teapot. He poured two cups and pushed one over.
Qiao Zhou accepted it with both hands. He took a sip.
"Which one would Your Majesty like to hear?"
"It's settled, sir."
Qiao Zhou opened the bamboo slips.
""Dayu Mo"."
"Why did I choose this one?"
"Yu the Great received the throne from Shun and inherited the weight of the world. His first task was not to expand the territory, but to control the floods and bring peace to the people."
He paused for a moment.
"First govern the internal affairs, then deal with external threats."
Liu Shan held out a cup of tea. He didn't take it.
Qiao Zhou began his lecture.
When the conversation reached the point of "virtue lies in good governance, and governance lies in nurturing the people," it stopped.
"Your Majesty, what is the meaning of the word 'nurture'?"
Liu Shan tilted his head and thought.
"feed?"
"Count it as one floor. There's food to eat, clothes to wear, and a place to live. It's the shallowest floor."
"The second layer."
"Nourish their hearts. Let the people know—the court is not here to rob them, but to stand up for them."
Liu Shan nodded.
"And the third floor?"
Qiao Zhou put down the bamboo slips and sat up straight.
"Nourish your Qi".
"Scholars are content with their positions. Military generals defend their lands. Civil officials assist in governance. Everyone, high and low, performs their duties—and morale rises."
Liu Shan put down his teacup and changed his sitting posture.
"Our Shu Han. How far have we progressed in our development?"
Qiao Zhou remained silent for a few moments.
"Just got a foothold on the first floor. Halfway up the second floor. The third floor—still a long way off."
"What's wrong with it?"
"The scholars are uneasy."
Three words.
Liu Shan did not press the matter.
Qiao Zhou is straightforward and doesn't beat around the bush.
"The job rotation system is a good thing. But three batches a year is too rushed."
"What should we do?"
"Wait a minute. The officials who have been transferred, the court should offer them a way out."
It paused for a moment.
"The gentry of Yizhou are not afraid of changing positions. What they fear is the court turning its back on them."
Liu Shan did not express his opinion.
Qiao Zhou continued.
"I have been teaching in Shu Commandery for twenty years. These days, many people have come to talk to me."
"The conversation between the several people was a veiled reference to Tan Chen."
"What are you looking for?"
"Is His Majesty planning to exterminate the gentry of Yizhou?"
"What was your answer, sir?"
No answer.
He paused for a moment.
"I am not sure either."
The Imperial Study fell silent.
Liu Shan stood up and walked to the window.
The sycamore trees outside the window have lost all their leaves. Their branches point skyward, so thin they're painful to the eye.
"Sir, I have a question for you. Tell me the truth."
"Your Majesty, please speak."
"Li Yan's resignation. Have you heard?"
Qiao Zhou paused for a moment.
"I've heard about it."
Has he contacted you?
"no."
Qiao Zhou shook his head.
"It's estimated to be soon."
Liu Shan turned around.
"If he comes to you to sign a petition together."
Qiao Zhou placed the bamboo slips on the table and straightened his sleeves.
"I am a scholar. I value reason, not people."
"Is what he said reasonable or not?"
"Three points."
Liu Shan raised an eyebrow.
"Which three points?"
"When the late emperor entrusted his son to the emperor, the Chancellor and the Protector-General were given equal positions. This is a fact."
"The Prime Minister now holds absolute power. The Protector-General is all in name only. This is also a fact."
"And the other seven points?"
Qiao Zhou paused for a moment.
"The Protectorate General himself has narrowed his own path."
"Storing grain in private granaries. Winning over powerful clans. Wooing up the tribes of southern China—"
"Which of these is something a regent should be doing?"
"The late emperor gave him that position so that he could safeguard the empire for Your Majesty, not so that he could amass wealth."
Liu Shan sat back down at the table.
"Sir, I have invited you to lecture on the Book of Documents today. This is not just for show."
He pulled a document from the corner of the desk and pushed it over.
Qiao Zhou accepted it.
A draft document from the Ministry of Personnel.
A new official position was established – the Instructor of Yizhou.
He oversaw the Imperial Academy, private schools, and village schools in all prefectures of Yizhou. He promoted the compilation of classical texts by the imperial court. He selected scholars to serve in the imperial court each year.
"Who should do this job?"
Qiao Zhou finished reading and put the document back on the table.
There was no response.
Liu Shan did not urge him.
A while later.
"Your Majesty wants me to do it."
"Master's students are all over Yizhou. There is no one more suitable than Master."
Qiao Zhou stood up and bowed.
"Rong Chen, go back and think about it for two days."
"No rush."
Qiao Zhou is gone.
Before an incense stick had burned, Dong Yun entered.
"Your Majesty, Protector Li's men have gone to Qiao Prefecture."
"When?"
"This morning, Fei Guan went there in person, only to find it empty."
Liu Shan picked up his pen and began to write down his thoughts on the memorial. His lips twitched slightly.
"Let him pounce."
-
That afternoon, Fei Guan went again.
Qiao Zhou was at home this time.
Fei Guan explained his purpose: "The Protector-General would like to invite you to his residence for a chat, to discuss state affairs."
Qiao Zhou served tea. He didn't stand up.
"His Majesty summoned me to lecture on the Book of Documents today. I lectured all morning. I'm tired."
"another day."
Fei Guan rested his hands on his knees. His knuckles tightened slightly. The six words, "His Majesty summoned me to lecture," were even more unwelcome than a closed door.
He left the Qiao residence, his pace quickening by a third compared to when he arrived.
-
The Central Protectorate. Study.
Fei Guan replied.
Li Yan put down his teacup.
He remained silent for a long time.
"The Protector-General?"
"No need to go."
Fei Guan opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Who is Qiao Yunnan? All morning. Do I need to invite him?
Li Yan leaned back in his chair.
I submitted my resignation three days ago.
No. No rebuttal. No mention.
He closed his eyes. His hands rested on the armrest.
Fei Guan stood there, not daring to utter a sound.
A long time passed. Li Yan opened his eyes.
"Brother Fei."
"exist."
"Tell me—I have a few moves left to make."
Fei Guan opened his mouth to answer, but couldn't.
Li Yan smiled.
He laughed very slowly.
"The game of chess is getting harder."
Fei Guan breathed a sigh of relief.
"Let's try a different approach."
Fei Guan swallowed his breath again.
-
The Imperial Study.
Liu Shan circled the characters "Qiao Zhou" on the map.
Two words were added.
"Available".
Next to it is "Li Yan".
The name is surrounded by dense annotations.
Liu Shan picked up his brush. He wrote a line of small characters below his name.
"A trapped beast. Keep a close watch."
The atlas was retracted into the hidden compartment. The cover was pressed firmly.
Turning to the second draft of the Northern Expedition strategy.
[End of Chapter]