Han Dao world

"I've heard that saying before." Zhao Qi nodded. "The next sentence is Cha Xiaolian, father lives away, right?"

Chen Gong laughed dumbfounded, and patted his forehead. "I forgot, Mr. Zhao has also traveled in Shandong for many years."

"What traveling, I was fleeing." Zhao Qi patted his knees, a little ashamed. "I have read "Mencius" for most of my life, and I admire Mencius the most. I just want to be a man who can't be promiscuous if rich or poor, can't be moved by poverty, and can't be subdued by power. However, when disasters happen, I still can't be steadfast in the face of difficulties, so I can only run away. In short, I live by stealth. If you want to talk about hypocrisy, why am I not? So I agree with what the emperor said, scholars should also practice martial arts to strengthen their bodies. If I had a good martial arts, why did I run away and kill Tang Xuan directly for the sake of the country? Elimination of adultery."

"Mr. Zhao is heroic." Following the light and crisp applause, Emperor Liu Xie walked over from the side, applauding as he walked. "Even though Mr. Zhao is old, his arrogance is no less than that of a young man. He is worthy of being a follower of Meng Ke, and he has the true aura of arrogance. Admire, admire."

Chapter 653 The benevolent is invincible

Zhao Qi was taken aback and got up quickly.He stood up twice, but couldn't stand up.Chen Gong rushed over, helped him up, and saluted Liu Xie together.

"Your Majesty, you are..." Zhao Qi looked at Liu Xie expectantly.

Liu Xie was dressed in spring clothes and waved his hands casually. "It's a headache to be quarreled these two days. Come out to relax. Zhao Gong doesn't need to be polite, just treat me as a student who is traveling."

Zhao Qi smiled. "If the students of my big man can be as good as your majesty in both civil and martial arts, Chinese clothes will prevail in the world."

"There will be a day, although I may not be able to witness it with my own eyes." Liu Xie walked back and forth with his hands behind his back. "Heaven is healthy, and a gentleman strives for self-improvement. Mr. Zhao is still able to introspect himself at an old age and is not trapped by prejudice. If the younger generation can win by themselves and others like Mr. Zhao, why worry about the failure of the king?"

"Your Majesty's absurd praise, the old minister is ashamed and dare not be ashamed." Zhao Qi stroked his beard and smiled broadly.

Chen Gong was more concerned about what the emperor said just now.

Although he followed Zhao Qi to learn every day, he was no stranger to court affairs, he knew what was going on these two days, and he had thought a lot about it.The emperor suddenly appeared here, he didn't think it was just a chance encounter.

"The minister was negligent, didn't know His Majesty was here, and made a false statement for a while, please forgive me."

"Are you really lying?" Liu Xie asked back.

Chen Gong hesitated.He glanced at Liu Xie, saw the smile in Liu Xie's eyes, and suddenly gained courage.

"The minister... is speaking from the heart, but the words are not condescending, and it is not in line with the etiquette of the emperor and ministers."

"Then let me ask you again, is it the principle of reason, or the principle of etiquette?"

Chen Gong didn't think about it. "The truth is great."

"That's right." Liu Xie nodded. "Walk around the world with reason. People who are unreasonable, no matter how polite they are, are just fake politeness. Stealing is stealing, and people who steal and steal are not just because they have read books. It's a pity that many people don't When it comes to personal interests, you can talk about kingly principles, benevolence and righteousness, and when it comes to personal interests, the only thing left is not to compete with the people for profit."

Zhao Qi and Chen Gong looked at each other.

Although they knew that the emperor might have something to do, they didn't expect the emperor to be so direct.

Liu Xie turned to look at Zhao Qi. "Mr. Zhao, how do you understand not to fight for the interests of the people?"

Zhao Qi stroked his beard, his expression became serious. "The veteran thinks that there is nothing wrong with not competing with the people for profit, what is wrong is the understanding of today's people. Not many people really understand this sentence, and most people just use this sentence as an excuse to cover up their greed. "

Liu Xie looked at Zhao Qi, and his interest increased greatly.

He knew that Zhao Qi was not a conservative person, otherwise he would not be the first to write commentaries on Mencius.

Mencius was called the sub-sage in later generations, but his status in the Han Dynasty was not high. He was just one of the scholars, and his book was also attributed to Zishu. Like "The Analects of Confucius", it was used as an enlightenment reading rather than a real classic.

Zhao Qi studied "Mencius" and wrote commentaries for "Mencius". For Confucian scholars, this is not a proper job.

But he still didn't expect Zhao Qi's thoughts to be so radical, and he directly believed that those people were greedy.

"Appreciate further details."

"Don't dare." Zhao Qi arched his hands and cleared his throat. "The key to not competing with the people is not profit, but fighting. Who can fight? The strong against the weak. Fighting means bullying the weak with the strong. Not fighting means not bullying the weak with the strong. Violence with the strong. Strong and fierce is benevolence. A government that competes with the people for benefits is tyranny, not a benevolent government. It is to compete with the people for benefits, and a gentleman will not do it."

Chen Gong was so frightened that his face turned pale.

Zhao Qi's words were so serious that he almost pointed at Liu Xie's nose and said that you are a tyrant if you compete with the people for profit.

The Son of Heaven pursues the kingly way, and you say to his face that he has practiced tyranny without saving any face, how can it be done?

As soon as Zhao Qi was old, even if the emperor was dissatisfied, he would not do anything to him.But he was still young, and he was so close to Zhao Qi, if the Emperor engraved hatred on him, he would never even think about becoming an official in his life.

He didn't dare to look directly at Liu Xie, so he could only look at the outspoken Zhao Qi solemnly, observing Liu Xie's expression from the corner of his eye.

Liu Xie nodded in agreement and signaled Zhao Qi to continue.

Zhao Qi took a sip of water and continued: "Your Majesty is strong against the scholar-bureaucrats, and the scholar-officials are weak. The scholar-bureaucrats are strong against the common people, and the scholar-bureaucrats are strong, but the common people are weak. It is tyranny for your majesty to compete with the scholar-bureaucrats for profit. It is also tyranny for the scholar-bureaucrats to compete with the common people for profit. They say that farming is to compete with the people for profit, but when they annex the land and make the common people have no place to stand, don’t they compete with the people for profit?”

Chen Gong was stunned.

He didn't expect that Zhao Qi's objection to fighting for profit with the people was not to oppose the emperor's Dutian, but to support the emperor's Dutian.

"Mr. Zhao..."

Zhao Qi glanced at Chen Gong and sighed softly. "Gongtai, I have been fleeing in Shandong for more than ten years. I have seen the hardships of the people, and I know how many people lost their land and became refugees. Do you really think that the land of those big clans was traded fairly?"

Chen Gong was speechless and didn't know how to answer Zhao Qi's words.

Although he didn't flee like Zhao Qi, he was an official when he was under Cao Cao's command, and he had contact with many ordinary people, even refugees.He also knew how the big clans in those places robbed and plundered, and less than one out of ten really traded fairly.

"Your Majesty, I have no objection to Dutian. I just hope that Your Majesty will not act too hastily. Freezing three feet is not a day's cold, so there is no need to rush. When spring comes, no matter how thick the ice is, it will melt and break itself. Your Majesty implements benevolent government." , educate the common people, and do it with sincerity, and naturally gold and stone will be opened, and the kingly way will come as expected."

Liu Xie was silent for a moment. "Mr. Zhao said, I should follow the way of Huang Lao, rest with the people and let nature take its course?"

Zhao Qi's face darkened. "Your Majesty is a smart man, why are you confused today? If you want to promote the way of kingship, you should practice Confucianism. How can you use the way of Huang Lao? I advise Your Majesty to follow the way of Mencius and practice benevolent government. The benevolent is invincible. But king, what's more, His Majesty bears the weight of the world."

Liu Xie laughed and patted his forehead. "Scared me, I thought Mr. Zhao had converted to Mr. Huang again."

Zhao Qi gave Liu Xie a white look, and then burst out laughing.

Seeing this, Chen Gong also laughed a few times, but was a little worried.

He had an ominous feeling.

Liu Xie turned to look at Chen Gong. "What does Gongtai think of Zhao Gong's words?"

Chen Gong cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Zhao is profoundly knowledgeable and knowledgeable, so it is naturally the most reasonable words."

Liu Xie nodded slightly. "What Mr. Zhao said is indeed reasonable. It's a pity that Mr. Zhao is already an octogenarian, so he can no longer be burdened by paperwork. If it had been 56 years earlier, I would have wanted Mr. Zhao to take over a state, conduct benevolent governance, and be kingly, with Xun Wenruo, Yang Dezu competed. It's a pity, it's a pity. Mr. Zhao, you were born at a bad time."

Zhao Qi said with a smile: "Your Majesty, although I am old, Gongtai is at the right time. Although Gongtai and I have no name as teachers and students, they are teachers and students. His understanding of Mencius's benevolent government is no less than mine. If Your Majesty If he can be given a chance to perform, he should be no less than Xun Wenruo and Yang Dezu."

"Mr. Zhao..." Chen Gong's heart beat faster, but he couldn't stop it without making a sound.

Zhao Qi glared at Chen Gong. "Gongtai, a man should act according to the opportunity and be brave in doing things. I was not born at the right time, but you are in the midst of your majesty's rejuvenation. How can you live idle like me? As your majesty, for the common people of the world, use your talents and talents to show your great achievements , to join in the grand event.”

Chen Gong looked at Liu Xie anxiously.

Liu Xie smiled slightly. "Gongtai, are you willing to go to Jiujiang to save land? Yuan Shu is unreliable, so you can set an example and let Shandong scholar-bureaucrats see whether Dutian is a benevolent government or a tyrannical government."

Chapter 654

Chen Gong's first reaction was to decline.

Rejecting the emperor's conquest, even to the third, is a celebrity.If you agree to it the first time, it is too urgent and too utilitarian, which will make people look down on you.

But the words of refusal came to his lips, but he couldn't say anything.

Since the emperor was young, he didn't like the demeanor of celebrities, let alone these routines.

He traveled westward with Lu Bu for more than two years.Lu Bu was pardoned for his military exploits, and Zhang Liao, Gao Shun and others had to be reused. Even Lu Xiaohuan became a false governor of female cavalry, but he was still an idler.

Even Zhao Qi was in a hurry, with a cheeky face, he recommended him to the emperor, almost forcing the emperor to use him.

If he refused and the emperor took it back, how could he be worthy of Zhao Qi?

There is a precedent for such a thing. The famous minister Zhang Ze never got another chance because he refused the emperor's recruitment twice.

Second, starting as the prefect of Jiujiang is a rare opportunity even for a celebrity like him.

He had only been an official in the Dongjun Taishou Mansion before, and had not officially entered the ranks of court officials.According to the normal procedure, he should be a Lang first, and then be released as the county magistrate, and gradually promoted to Erqianshi.Less can not be less, ten years is always needed.

But now, he can step over these ten years of experience in one step, and become two thousand stones in one step.

Erqianshi is already a high-ranking official, the culmination of many people's life career.

Who would give up such an opportunity so easily?

Between reserve and respect, Chen Gong hesitated.

Liu Xie smiled.

He nodded slightly. "It's okay, Gongtai can think about it, and give me an answer within two days." He turned around and looked around, looking at the ruins of the Taixue, and sighed. "I really agree with what Gongtai just said. Too much is too much. Learning is too closely related to career and salary. It may not be a good thing for learning. Politics should not be the first goal of studying, let alone the only goal of studying. .”

There was no need to give an immediate answer, Chen Gong immediately relaxed a lot, and his thoughts became more flexible, and then asked: "Dare to ask Your Majesty, what should be the first goal of studying?"

"Ask."

Zhao Qi laughed. "Could it be that your majesty has the heart of retiring after seeing Nanshan? This is not allowed. Your majesty is rich in spring and autumn, shoulders important responsibilities, and has a right to do something. How can you go to recluse? When you reach the age of the old minister, it will not be too late to start retiring."

Liu Xie turned to look at Zhao Qi, and couldn't help laughing. "Mr. Zhao is not afraid that I have the heart of retiring, but that I have the heart of longevity."

Zhao Qi stroked his beard and smiled. "If your majesty said that, you are right. It is a blessing that your majesty has the talents of Emperor Qin and Han Wu. But if you want to live forever like Qin Huang and Han Wu, then as your majesty just said, it is too late. I am old, and I may not have today. Tomorrow, there is nothing to be afraid of, so I will boldly offer a word of advice."

Liu Xie laughed out loud. "Mr. Zhao is magnanimous, so he can be called a real man."

Zhao Qi sighed softly. "Your Majesty's words make me smile." He turned his head and looked around. "I have been studying for more than [-] years now. I have experienced prosperous times and troubled times. I have seen gentlemen and villains. In my twilight years, I can still see the dawn of the great man's rejuvenation, and I can calmly live in the underground. Report peace to the late emperors and former sages, and have no hatred in this life."

There was a trace of nostalgia in Zhao Qi's eyes. "Although I advise Your Majesty not to seek longevity, I myself hope to live a few more years and see the year of peace. Your Majesty, even from the first year of Zhongping, the big man has been in chaos for 14 years. 14 years ago, Luoyang is Luoyang, and Chang'an is Chang'an. 14 years later, Luoyang has also become Chang'an, alas..."

Zhao Qi let out a long sigh, two lines of old tears welled up, slid across his freckled face, and stained his snow-white beard.

Liu Xie's mood also became heavy.

He understood what Zhao Qi meant.

Zhao Qi wanted to see peace before he died, not for others, but just didn't want to see the flames of war spread and the people suffer.

He is a person who has seen peace and suffering, and knows how precious peace is.

"Mr. Zhao..." Liu Xie pondered for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "Yuan Shao has proclaimed himself a minister, and peace is coming." He raised his head again, looking at the desolation in front of him. "I have one thing, I want to ask Mr. Zhao."

"Please speak frankly, Your Majesty."

"Regardless of whether the capital will be moved to Chang'an in the future, the Taixue will be restored. Please Mr. Zhao sits in charge of this matter, recreating the demeanor of the Taixue back then, reserving talents for the great Han Zhongxing, and raising more existing ones like Gongtai. A talent who is knowledgeable and not bound by prejudice."

Zhao Qi shook his body, and his tear-filled eyes shone with excitement.He straightened his body, clasped his hands, and gave a deep salute.

"Chen Qi, take the decree."

-

After bidding farewell to Zhao Qi and Chen Gong, Liu Xie wandered around the old Taixue site without saying a word.

Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong and others followed behind without speaking.

They all know that the emperor's heart is very heavy.

One is because the scene in front of him is difficult to make people happy, and the other is because of the touch brought by Zhao Qi's wish.

They didn't have the same experience as Zhao Qi. Their first memory was the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and they didn't have much impression of the peaceful days before the Yellow Turban, and their feelings were far less deep than Zhao Qi's.

But they all know that the damage caused by the war is too great, and the big man can no longer bear such damage.Every year of delay, just another cut on the man's scarred body, the little blood left will be a little less, and he will be one step closer to death.

The emperor knew this better, so although he was very reluctant, he decided to accept the peace negotiation.

Using both hands and feet, Liu Xie boarded a dilapidated mound.Standing on the top of the hill, looking around.

"What is this place?"

Pang Tong, Fazheng and the others shook their heads, not knowing.

Zhuge Liang looked around and said: "It should be the Ming Hall. At the foot of Mount Tai, there is a similar building, which is said to be the Ming Hall built by Xiaowu. In terms of when it was built, that one was the earliest Ming Hall in the Han Dynasty, and this one is Xiaoping. It was built when Wang Mang was in power during the years."

Liu Xie nodded slightly, but said nothing.

Although he didn't say he was coming to Taixue, he asked Zhuge Liang to inquire about Zhao Qi's whereabouts. Presumably Zhuge Liang already knew what he was going to do, and he did some homework by the way.

"Where is the Lingtai?"

Zhuge Liang turned around and pointed with his arm. "It should be in that direction, but it has been destroyed long ago, and there is not even a trace left."

Fazheng couldn't help but asked: "Your Majesty asked about the Lingtai, do you want to ask? Although the Lingtai is not visible, the building is still there. Your Majesty might as well call the Taoists in the temple to inquire."

Liu Xie smiled. "The way is not in the mouths of those Taoists, nor in Lao Tzu's five thousand words. Asking Lao Tzu's five thousand words is the same as asking the king's way in the Five Classics. .The way is to come out, to do it, not to ask. Even if there is no scripture, as long as you look for the direction, don’t forget the original intention, and work hard, even if there are thousands of difficulties, you will reach the destination one day.”

Fazheng asked: "Then what is the original intention?"

Liu Xie pondered for a moment, and said word by word: "The world is a public, and all people are people."

Chapter 655 Keeping pace with the times

Liu Xie originally wanted to say "serve the people" to pretend to be forceful, but he swallowed the words again.

This sentence is too advanced, and it is easy to cause unnecessary misunderstandings.