First, they want to arrest these two people?
Lu Zhao asked anxiously, "King, what happened? Why do you want to detain these two people?"
Wang Lang coldly glanced at Lu Zhao: "Zizhan is really so curious, wanting to know why?"
With Wang Lang's abrupt question, Lu Zhao soon came to his senses.
Though I am named the Governor of Jizhou, any matter occurring in Jizhou is under my jurisdiction.
However, the office of the supervisors has always belonged to the Ministry of Documents, and is responsible by Liu Fang and Sun Zi, who are close to the emperor in Luoyang. Their work does not require the approval of governors.
In the end, Duke of Wang detained these two supervisors for investigation, even if he killed them, it was a matter between Duke of Wang and the two grand secretaries.
After sorting out his thoughts, Lu Zhao sighed softly, "Your Excellency Wang is quite right. I won't ask any more. However, if Your Excellency has anything that requires my assistance, please feel free to let me know at any time."
Zheng Chun, who was sitting next to him, was a straightforward and honest person. After both the Duke of Wang and the Governor Lu Zhao spoke, Zheng Chun also expressed his support for Wang's work.
But soon, Zheng Chun interrupted and asked, "Excuse me, Duke of Wang, do you need help from the county? I noticed that there is no one in your entourage who can examine the prison."
Wang Lang said promptly, "Literati Wang, have you forgotten that the old man once served as the Grand Judge for five years?"
"Just two supervisors, what can the old man do by himself?"
Zheng Chun nodded eagerly in agreement.
...
At the same time, outside Luoyang City.
At the Eastern Gate, Liu Shao looked at the towering city walls of Luoyang with a sense of melancholy.
Just two months ago, Liu Shao was the magistrate of Chenliu when he received the emperor on a tour to this city.
Although Liu Shao was a typical scholar, he never set being an official or governing an area as his life goal.
To more accurately evaluate Liu Shao, he would much prefer to be a senior counselor responsible for articles and classic texts.
Therefore, when Taixuan Huaxin proposed at the April morning meeting that Liu Shao be entrusted with the task of revising the laws, the emperor agreed without hesitation and issued an order to summon Liu Shao back to Luoyang.
Seeing that it was already getting late, after Liu Shao entered the city, he hesitated for a moment.
If he were to go to the palace to request an audience now, it was too late for him to see the emperor.
Instead, let's go to the home of the Taiyuan Magistrate!
Soon, outside the home of the Taiwan Magistrate.
Liu Shao spoke politely to the gatekeeper, "I am Liu Shao, the Magistrate of Chenliu, here to pay respects to Master Hua. May I trouble you to inform him?"
The gatekeeper bowed and said, "Please wait for a moment."
A young man in his twenties emerged from the side door with a smile.
"Congcai brother, oh, it's really you," Huaxin's son, Hua Biao, hurried to greet him.
"Wei Rong, it's been two years since we last saw each other," Liu Shao smiled and greeted Hua Biao.
Hua Biao smiled and said, "A few days ago, I heard my father say that the imperial court had summoned brother Kong from Chenliu. How could you return so quickly?"
Liu Shao replied, "If it were an ordinary matter, I might well take two more days. But I heard that the court is to revise the laws, to simplify and rewrite the Han Law. So I had to come quickly."
Hua Biao pulled Liu Shao with enthusiasm, making a gesture with his right hand to invite him in, "Brother Kong, please enter the house. My father is waiting for you in the hall."
Liu Shao nodded, "My first task upon returning to Luoyang was indeed to come and pay my respects to Master Hua."
In the hall of the Taiwan Magistrate's residence.
Huaxin sat in the front row, seeing his son lead Liu Shao into the hall, he slowly stood up to greet him.
Liu Shao saw this and hurriedly bowed, "Student Liu pays respects to Master Hua."
The close relationship between scholars has always been intricate and complex.
There is the bloodline inheritance of the same clan, the support and promotion of mentors for younger generations, and there is also the teaching relationship between scholars like Huaxin and Liu Shao.
Huaxin smiled as he walked forward and carefully inspected Liu Shao's face. "I haven't seen Congcai for two years. It seems that there are many trivial matters in Chenliu Prefecture. You're only forty, and you already have a few white hairs."
"No need for concern, no need for concern. Please sit down, Your Excellency," Liu Shao smiled and said.
Huaxin nodded, and Liu Shao helped him into his seat. Liu Shao took a seat on the chair beside him.
Huaxin asked directly, "Congcai, I heard that when the Emperor made his southern tour, he stayed in Chenliu for several days and even talked with you for half a day?"
Liu Shao replied, "Yes, that's correct. The Emperor and I talked for half a day, and most of what we discussed were the things I used to do when I was the Scribe at the court in Luoyang, such as compiling the 'Imperial Regulations.'"
"Huang Luan..." Huaxin thought for a moment and said, "I remember that Huang Luan was composed by you, Wang Xiang, and Han Fan under the imperial decree of the deceased emperor."
"Yes," Liu Shao said, "The Emperor spoke with great detail about how the compilation was organized."
Huaxin asked out of curiosity, "Did the Emperor also read it?"
Liu Shao said with a smile, "The Emperor told the student that he had gone through the entire catalog himself, getting a general idea of what books were included in 'Huang Luan.' If he needs to look something up, he can then search for it."
Huaxin nodded, "Eight million and a half words! It's best to do it like that."
Liu Shao said, "Didn't Master Huaxin just ask me how I grew white hair?"
Huaxin looked at Liu Shao with a slight look of confusion.
Liu Shao took a small notebook made of the material left by Lu Biao from his bosom and presented it to Huaxin with both hands, "Master Huaxin, please take a look. This is the 'Character Appraisal' that I wrote, which serves as a basis for evaluating people."
To evaluate people? Huaxin was startled for a moment, and then took the small notebook.
Huaxin squinted as he flipped through the book, while Liu Shao stood quietly beside him.
Huaxin sighed softly, "Thank goodness, thank goodness."
"Thank goodness your 'Character Appraisal' sets standards to evaluate people. If it were like Xu Shao in the earlier Han Dynasty who evaluated others arbitrarily, this long article might bring you trouble."
Liu Shao said with a smile, "Master Huaxin is overthinking. I have compiled so many books, what can be discussed, what cannot, and what is taboo, are almost all in my mind."
Huaxin nodded, "Writing this 'Character Appraisal', did it give you a few strands of white hair?"
Liu Shao replied, "It's just a minor matter. There's no need for Master Huaxin to worry."
Huaxin said, "With this notebook as a foundation, the task of revising the laws is likely to fall on your shoulders."
"Congcai," Huaxin asked, "In Chenliu, you were doing well as the magistrate. The court summoned you back, does it not make you resentful?"
"How can Master Huaxin say such things?" Liu Shao smiled, "If I can spend the whole day with books and not have to deal with the trivial matters of the state, I would be more than happy!"
Huaxin said, "Do you know that there are a few others also in the running for this position?"
Liu Shao said, "Please enlighten me, Master Huaxin."
Huaxin spoke slowly, "The emperor has not summoned Wang Chang back to Luoyang, and Marquis Sima Zhi has been sent on a mission to the Eastern Wu. So there are only Zhong Fan and Lu Yu left."
"Of course, I would recommend you. Wang Chang, Marquis Sima Zhi, Zhong Fan, and Lu Yu—these four people were all recommended by the Marquis of the Grand Commandery."
Liu Shao laughed, "While Marquis Zhong Fan's talents and moral character are not as good as the student, Lu Yu is worth keeping an eye on."
"But if it really can't be helped, it's not a problem for the student to work together with Lu Yu to lead this matter."
Huaxin paused for a moment before speaking slowly, "Congcai, do you know that Lu Yu is the son of Lu Zhi, the elder brother of your teacher, Lu Zhi?"
Liu Shao nodded, "I know."
Huaxin said, "Considering our past studies under the tutelage of Master Chen Qiu, the younger son of Lu Zhi, I can't help but make an exception and allow him to take a different path."
"If the Emperor asks, I can only recommend both of you together. Marquis Sima Zhongda was able to recommend four people, so it's no problem for me to recommend two."
Liu Shao said, "This matter depends entirely on Master Huaxin. It doesn't matter one by one, after all."
Huaxin nodded slightly, "Tomorrow is not possible, how about the day after? I will accompany you to the palace to see the emperor."
Liu Shao stood up, bowed, and said, "Student Liu is grateful to Master Huaxin."
...
On the same evening, Yangzhou, Shouchun City.
Grand Marshal Cao Xiu and Longshi Feng Ping were engaged in an evening conversation, candlelight in their hands.
Cao Xiu smiled and said, "The court has issued an edict summoning you to Luoyang as a 2000-stone official. General camp, you must serve your duties faithfully in Luoyang."
Feng Ping bowed and said, "I am all due to the guidance of Grand Marshal Cao. Without your recommendation, how could I, Feng Ping, have the merit or ability to serve in the court?"
Cao Xiu nodded and replied, "I saw the letter sent by Marquis Yi when Jiang Ji came to Shouchun last month."
"Jiang Ji also confided in me privately that the Marquis of the Grand Commandery will find a way to transfer Marquis Sima Zhi away from the position of the prefect of Henan."
Feng Ping smiled, "After all, it was the Marquis of the Grand Commandery who put Marquis Sima Zhi in the position of the prefect of Henan. If he could have brought him up, then he can certainly bring him down."
Cao Xiu nodded, showing a hint of hesitation, "If the emperor knows that I have communicated with Marquis Yi regarding official positions, might he not have some other thoughts?"
Feng Ping said calmly, "Grand Marshal, you are overthinking it. You and Marquis Yi are both court officials. It's only a matter of discussing positions; what's the harm in that?"
"I feel that the Grand General and the Marquis of the Grand Commandery are always discussing such matters in the palace every day! Why is it that when it comes to Grand Marshal Cao, it doesn't seem to work?"
"That's true," Cao Xiu nodded, "General camp is leaving tomorrow, but there is one matter that I cannot make a decision on tonight, and I would appreciate your advice."
Feng Ping bowed and said, "I will always be your subordinate, no matter where I am in the world. If Grand Marshal Cao has anything to discuss, you can send a letter to me at any time, even if I am far away in Luoyang."
Cao Xiu nodded, "In addition to the edict summoning you, Grand Marshal Cao also brought a letter from the Grand General for me."
"The letter says that the Emperor intends to add twenty concubines to the imperial harem, with five of them coming from the families of generals. What do you think of this?"
Feng Ping spoke slowly, "Twenty? Then what about the other fifteen?"
Cao Xiu explained, "There are three categories: the nobility, officials, and common people. And there are these three groups."
Feng Ping thought for a moment and replied, "Grand Marshal Cao, I believe this is still the Emperor's gesture of trying to win over all parties."
"If this is a show of favor, Grand Marshal Cao might as well select some daughters of close generals under your command to report first, the higher the general's position, the better."
Cao Xiu asked, "Will the emperor be displeased?"
"No way." Feng Ping shook his head, "Grand Marshal Cao surely doesn't think that the present Wei Dynasty will face the same situation as during the Western Han when there were eunuch and female imperial consorts? There's nothing to worry about." (End of Chapter)
