In a few days, Luoyang.
It was early morning at this time, and there were not many passersby on the street. However, the two young men had already stood outside the Great Juror's Mansion.
It was not yet time for office, so the gate of the Great Juror's Mansion was also tightly closed.
Xun Can looked anxious, holding his hands at the side of the gate of the Great Juror's Mansion. He would stop and look at the gate, then look up at the height of the sun.
Fu Gu beside him saw this and said, "Feng Qian, don't be in a hurry. Just wait a moment, the gate will open soon. Then, when the result is clear, it will naturally become apparent. There's no point in pacing here."
Xun Can heard these words and stopped pacing. He sighed lightly and said, "I received the news yesterday, so I came to wait for the result at the gate of the Great Juror's Mansion today."
"Second brother and clan brother have both died in the imperial prison, and their suffering is indescribable. Although the family women and children were released last month, there is still no result at this time."
"Brother Lan Shi, do you think I'm not anxious?"
At home, a senior brother has died, and the remaining two brothers are still in the imperial prison. Fu Gu can't find any words to comfort them at this time.
However, Fu Gu was also quite moved.
Last year, when Xun Can first came to Luoyang from Yingchuan, he had a public debate with Fu Gu at the gate of the University of the Imperial Capital. His quick thinking and eloquent arguments made him popular, and soon many scholars vied to become friends with Xun Can.
Even He Yan, the famous He Pingxu of Luzhong, had visited Xun Can many times.
Many scholars at the Imperial University, such as Xiahou Yan, Sima Shi, and others, were once very good friends with Xun Can.
But after the misfortune befalling the Xun family, these people completely disappeared.
Only Fu Gu remained friendly with Xun Can and accompanied him to the Great Juror's Mansion this time.
Fu Gu boasted that he was the descendant of Fu Jiezi and promised to be a friend until the end. How could he avoid difficulties and leave!
Xun Can was of great wisdom and of course knew the value of Fu Gu's companionship over these days. However, with the major event approaching, Xun Can had no thoughts at all to thank Fu Gu.
After waiting for a long time, an older civil servant walked out from the Great Juror's Mansion and walked straight towards the two of them.
The middle-aged civil servant looked over both of them and asked, "Which of you two is Xun Can?"
Xun Can took a deep breath, "I am Xun Can, the son of Lord Xun Lingjun."
Upon hearing the name "Xun Lingjun," the civil servant in the middle furrowed his brow slightly, and then pointed inside, saying, "The case of the Xun family has already been concluded by the Grand Juror and the Inspector of the Circuit."
"Let's go. Follow me to meet the Grand Juror Gao. Remember not to forget etiquette."
Xun Can hurriedly bowed and lifted his leg to enter.
Just two steps in, Xun Can's outer robe was grabbed by the middle-aged civil servant, who said with an unhappy expression, "I just said not to forget etiquette. Why are you being so impolite? Just follow me behind me!"
Xun Can stood awkwardly and had to follow behind the middle-aged civil servant inside. As soon as they reached the door, the civil servant looked back at Fu Gu.
Who are you? The Grand Juror is seeing Xun Can, and it has nothing to do with anyone else!
Fu Gu, who has long been known as a "wonderchild" in Luoyang, is also not someone without courage. Upon hearing the civil servant's words, he solemnly bowed and said, "I am Fu Gu, and I am also a scholar at the Imperial University. Your Majesty praised me in front of everyone when giving lectures at the University."
"I am just accompanying Xun Fengqian to see Grand Juror Gao. What is your objection?"
The middle-aged civil servant hesitated for a moment and then shook his head, saying, "Alright, alright, come along with you."
At this time, Gao Rui had already begun handling official affairs. Upon hearing that Xun Can and a scholar named Fu Gu had come together, he immediately summoned the two of them to the hall.
Xun Can, upon seeing Gao Rui, immediately bowed deeply: "Xun Can pays his respects to Grand Juror Gao. This time my elder brother met with trouble, and I thank Grand Juror Gao for taking care of him."
Gao Rui sighed softly and said, "Fengqian, rise. I really can't bear your bow."
Xun Can slightly choked up as he stood up and said, "I have heard that when my elder brothers were taken into the imperial prison, Grand Juror Gao personally waited outside the prison. This kind of gratitude, Xun Can will never forget for a lifetime."
Gao Rui said, "The matter has reached this point, but it is not what I wanted to see. I remember the last time I saw you, Fengqian was not even ten years old, right?"
Xun Can said, "At that time, Grand Juror Gao was the prefect of Yingchuan, and my Xun family owes you a great favor for your care."
Gao Rui shook his head and said, "Fengqian, you must know that the result of this case in the court is that Xun Mitu and Xun Hong committed high treason, and Xun Mitu died in the imperial prison while suffering from illness. Xun Hong committed suicide out of fear of punishment. There is no room for discussion on this matter. Do you understand?"
Xun Can nodded silently, as if waiting for some sort of judgment.
Gao Rui was holding the judgment for the Xun family, but thinking of the late Xun Yu's appearance and demeanor, for a moment Gao Rui couldn't bring himself to read out the judgment.
Gao Rui looked over at Xun Can's companion and said, "I heard earlier from the clerk that you were Fu Gu, weren't you? From the Beidi Fu?"
Fu Gu bowed and said, "I am Fu Gu from Beidi."
Gao Rui nodded and said, "What relation is Fu Gan to you?"
Fu Gu said, "To the Grand Juror Gao, Master Yancai is my uncle."
Gao Rui said, "In the past, when I was the Warekeeper for the Master of Warehouse at the Imperial Residence of Emperor Wu, I worked with Master Yancai. In the future, if you encounter any trouble, you can come to my mansion."
Fu Gu bowed and said, "Thank you, Grand Juror. I understand."
After a few words of small talk, Gao Rui had to sentence Xun Can as well.
Gao Rui looked at Xun Can and said softly, "According to the law, Xun Mitu and Xun Hong committed high treason, and it should be punished accordingly."
"However, I and the Inspector of the Circuit have reported to Your Majesty, taking into account the past achievements of Lord Xun. As a result, your family women and children have been preserved, but your family wealth has been seized, and the male members have been exempted from the death penalty."
"But your brothers Xun Shen, Xun Yi, and the two sons of Xun Yuantian, Xun Fuheng and Xun Shu, as well as yourself." Gao Rui paused and then said, "Exile to Liangzhou. Should a pardon be granted, it will not be accepted."
"Fengqian, do you understand?"
Fu Gu widened his eyes in disbelief. This charge and punishment, how can they be announced face to face?
However, beside him, Xun Can's face turned pale, but he still composed himself and bowed with gratitude: "Xun Can thanks Grand Juror Gao for his great kindness."
"May I ask, Grand Juror Gao, where exactly in Liangzhou are we being exiled to?"
Gao Rui said, "Fengqian, the place where you are being exiled to is Linqiang County, Xiping Prefecture. We will set out tomorrow."
"The civil servants who will escort you are from the Great Juror's Mansion, so there's no need to worry about anything along the way. When you arrive in Linqiang, I will also find someone to take care of you. Of course, Liangzhou is a remote place, and Xiping Prefecture has just been quelled."
"The place is certainly not comparable to Henan, but fortunately, your lives are safe."
Xun Can said, "Grand Juror Gao, I understand. Being spared death is already a great fortune."
After exchanging a few more words, just as Xun Can and Fu Gu were about to leave after bowing their respects, they had already reached the door. Gao Rui called out to them again.
Gao Rui looked solemnly at Xun Can and said, "Fengqian, do you know the story of Han Anguo?"
Xun Can nodded: "Grand Juror Gao is referring to the phrase 'dead ash rekindled,' right? Xun Can has noted it down."
......
At Chongwen Pavilion, today also welcomed two new guests.
Since General Cao Cao approved the marriage of Sima Shi to the Zhaoyuan Family, the interactions between Xiahou Yan and Sima Shi have become even closer.
This morning, Xiahou Yan arrived at the Marquisate early and went to the Chongwen Pavilion in the city south with Sima Shi.
As for the Imperial University... it's no problem to take a day off.
The two of them, one horse, one rider, talking as they went.
As they passed by the street outside the Imperial University, Sima Shi laughed and said, "Today, Tai Chu brought me to the Chongwen Pavilion, which is like 'passing by the Imperial University without entering it.'"
"The way generates one, one generates two, and two generates three." Xiahou Yan smiled and answered.
"Three generations of external things?" Sima Shi looked at Xiahou Yan: "Will I not be able to go to the Imperial University in the future?"
Xiahou Yan said, "Speaking of time, it really goes by quickly."
"After the Emperor visited the Imperial University on the third day of the third lunar month, in the fourth lunar month, the High Professor Doctor went to Chongwen Pavilion and announced his transfer in advance at the Imperial University. Those who completed a year of study and passed the examination at the Imperial University could be chosen for official positions."
"Imperial University Officer," Sima Shi nodded and said, "That's a new position beyond the three office officers."
Xiahou Yan said, "However, it's unlikely to be as prestigious as a Three Office Officer."
"Currently, among the Three Office Officers, the highest-ranked is Zhonglang with a salary of 600 grains of rice per year, followed by Shuangxing with a salary of 400 grains of rice per year, and the lowest-ranked is Langzhang with a salary of 300 grains of rice per year."
"Although it was not explicitly stated, there was a hint in Professor Gaotang's words that it was unlikely to be like the Zhonglang or Shuangxing."
Sima Shi asked, "That must be the lowest-ranked Langzhang with a salary of 300 grains of rice per year, right?"
Xiahou Yan said, "Perhaps? Who knows?"
"Now, since the official assignments have not been announced yet, everyone is just guessing. It's not something definite."
Sima Shi nodded: "I think it's not many. Maybe around fifty people from the first rank."
Xiahou Yan laughed and said, "What are we worrying about it? I am already a 400-grain-per-year horseback cavalry secretary, and if Zi Yuan serves the state, he will probably be the same as me."
Sima Shi originally wanted to reflexively show modesty and say how he couldn't compare to Xiahou Yan. But as he was about to speak, Sima Shi changed his mind.
Sima Shi said, "400 grains of rice, I think it's good. Maybe then we can be colleagues with Tai Chu."
Xiahou Yan laughed heartily, "I'm looking forward to that day. Let's go, as Brother Ping-shu is waiting for us inside. And there are many learned scholars in the Chongwen Pavilion now. Brother Ping-shu says he wants to introduce you and me."
After arriving at Chongwen Pavilion, the two of them dismounted and followed the little clerk to the pavilion where He Yan was staying.
Although the Chongwen Pavilion has been open for less than a month, it has already taken shape. It is an important institution appointed by the emperor and inspected by him, ranking second only to the Imperial University.
The Master of Ceremonies, Gao Tang Long, is not currently in the pavilion but spends his days in the Central Ministry of the palace, browsing and flipping through books in the Central Ministry and the Secretariat.
Although the late Emperor Cao Pi created the Central Ministry when he ascended to the throne, changing the Secretariat from the Secretariat to the Central Ministry, Liu Fang and Sun Jiang were also changed from the Secretariat to the Central Ministry and the Secretary-General.
But two years later, Cao Pi reestablished the Secretariat as an institution, of course still set up in the Southern Palace. The Secretariat does not handle confidential information but only manages books and dictionaries, as well as various archives. (Chapter Complete)
