"It is not surprising that Sima Yi and Wang Shou did not share the same frequency, as they are from two different eras."
When Sima Yi came of age, the central plains were engulfed in chaos and constant warfare, presenting him with turmoil rather than stability.
The scholars who rose to prominence with Sima Yi faced Cao Cao's unification of Hebei and his dominion over the world. They adhered to the extreme pragmatism, pursuing maximum achievements rather than engaging in idle talk.
While Wang Shou was 16 years younger than Sima Yi.
When Wang Shou came of age, the north had already been unified, and Wang Lang held a high position. Wang Shou received traditional Confucian education all his life, making him more conventional than Sima Yi and others, and placing greater emphasis on theory.
This is the fundamental difference in their thoughts.
Wang Shou has said so much, which are all theoretical things that Sima Yi would never have thought of!
Wang Shou's exceptional nature is probably due to this.
The emperor had always been dismissive of seeking immortality and the pursuit of Daoist practices, and it was also evident that he had no interest in the idea of being touched by the power of the Five Emperors and becoming a heavenly sovereign.
Wang Shou, however, touched on one of the most sensitive issues in the Cao family - the issue of their ancestors. At this crucial juncture, he provoked the emperor and stirred his desire to assert himself.
Moreover, it was the emperor who initiated the conversation with Wang Shou, seeking to separate Han and Wei, establishing a new dynastic era.
Since Wang Shou has discussed the most crucial aspect of rites, namely the sacrifice to heaven, and subtly moved the emperor, does not Ou Xue's fundamental concept of classic learning just get refuted by Wang Shou?
Wang Shou has been attacking Zheng Xue for more than just a day or two, and the emperor values Wang Shou and has always disliked the superstitious and strange discussions of prophecies, omens, and disasters among the Han scholars.
Just as the emperor encountered Wang Shou, it was like how Emperor Han Wudi encountered Dong Zhoushu.
Perfect timing!
Zheng Xue is over.
Cao Ren felt incomprehensible, shook his head while sighing softly: "I really don't know what to say in front of Wang Gentleman."
"I merely put forward an idea, and such a great Confucian scholar as Wang gentleman has eloquently defended my theory. How fortunate I am!"
"You are right, Wang Gentleman!"
"Wei Wei is venerable and destined to govern the world, worshipping the Great and Most High God. As a heavenly sovereign, 'Zi' should be the 'successor of the will' of the heavens. How can it be merely understood as 'son' by ordinary people?"
Wang Shu said with a bow, "Your Majesty is absolutely right! There is only one celestial body, how can there be six?"
"Wei Wei should only worship the Great and Most High God, 'Tian', and not the five celestial spirits who should not be worshipped as gods by Heaven."
"But the five emperors cannot be ignored either," Cao Rui said to Wang Shou with a faint tone: "Tao Wu is paired with wood, Yan Di is paired with fire, Shao Wu is paired with gold, Zhu Xū is paired with water, and Huang Di is paired with earth."
"Abandon the theory of the five emperors: Green, Red, Yellow, White, and Black. According to your words, worshiping the five emperors - Taihao, Yandi, Shaohao, Zhenxu, and Huangdi - is sufficient."
Wang Shu kneeled down and said, "Your Majesty is truly enlightened! The new era of Wei Wei will no longer be the same!"
Cao Rui nodded and smiled silently.
Wang Shu's words are too shocking and unconventional. If spread, they would surely cause the followers of Zheng Xue in Luoyang to chase after and denounce him.
However, with Wang Shu's current importance in the emperor's heart, there is no need to worry about such things.
Before, Cao Rui established the Confucian Academy and re-established the Imperial Academy, originally with the intention of cultivating a group of scholars loyal to Wei Wei, gradually dividing the scholars throughout the country.
Now, with Wang Shu's son, Prince Yong, leading the way with his rich knowledge and helping Cao Rui advance in the field of Confucianism, Cao Rui naturally enjoys seeing this scene.
Since most scholars in half of the empire believe in Zheng Xue, then I shall deliberately cultivate Wang Xue.
If one day, scholars become disciples and students of Wang Xue, Cao Rui would not mind patronizing Zheng Xue even more.
Schools of thought have always been at odds with each other.
After bidding farewell to Wang Shu, Cao Rui walked out of the Marquis of Shu's mansion, mounted his white horse, and slowly rode towards the direction of the Northern Palace.
Cao Rui had already noticed some differences as he walked a few steps on horseback.
Before, when he arrived in Luoyang, the roads on both sides were accompanied by flags and ceremonial guards. It seemed as though they directly led from the west gate of Luoyang to the palace.
Having only been at the Marquis of Shu's mansion for less than an hour, the barren roadside was now adorned with welcoming banners and guards again?
Cao Rui is not inflexible. When he returned from the great victory, he also wanted to show the splendor of Wei Wei. A little decoration is no problem.
Cao Rui turned to Guo Jing beside him and said, "Master Guo is truly thoughtful! Even in just a moment, arrangements have been made on this road as well."
Guo Jing smiled and bowed, "Your Majesty, I was waiting in the courtyard of the Marquis of Shu's mansion just now. How could it have been arranged by me?"
"This matter was actually done by the Minister of Rites Xu Xuan."
"Xu Xuan Xu Baojian?" Cao Rui nodded slightly and looked at Xu Xuan, who was riding horseback behind him, smiling and glancing at him, then continued to ride towards the Northern Palace.
After seeing the emperor's slightly approving gaze, Xu Xuan felt as if almost all his bones had softened, for just a moment.
An indescribable mix of excitement and excitement, like electricity, passed through Xu Xuan's body.
Xu Xuan certainly wanted to gain the emperor's attention, but his reaction was a bit exaggerated.
The stronger the effort, the greater the expectation, and the more satisfying it feels when it receives a positive response.
In the Han and Wei eras, scholars were not ashamed of seeking official positions and achievements. On the contrary, if they merely studied in their study and cultivated their reputation, they might sometimes be regarded as cowardly or selfish individuals who refused to help the masses.
Xu Xuan had worked hard for several days, and receiving an approving gaze from the emperor was enough for him.
The emperor's entourage slowly approached the southern gate of the Northern Palace. The tiger guards standing outside, upon seeing the emperor's procession, opened the thick palace gates slightly in advance and made a creaking sound from their axles.
Cao Rui, dressed in plain robes, sat on his white horse, smiling warmly as he looked at a group of female relatives standing inside the palace gate.
After lightly slapping his horse's belly to cross the threshold, Cao Rui dismounted and bowed to the two grandmothers - Queen Ping and Empress Guo.
Although the two elder women had much to say, they wisely refrained from chitchatting at this moment.
After all, there were many imperial concubines waiting behind.
Cao Rui looked up, and there were exactly twenty-one people in front of him.
Except for the earliest Ma concubine, the rest were the twenty concubines selected by the empress.
Two Jieyi - Sun Luban and Guo Yao, were also among the twenty.
The highest in rank and earliest to enter the palace, Ma concubine was designated as the lead among the women's entourage. She carried a small baby in her arms and walked forward.
This is Cao Rui's eldest son, Cao Qi.
The little baby saw his father and excitedly made sounds with his mouth, but he still couldn't say words clearly.
After being affectionate with Cao Qi, the next one was Jieyi Sun Luban, who was carrying a baby in her womb and would give birth in a month.
After Sun Luban and Guo Yao greeted, Cao Rui just nodded slightly to the remaining eighteen women, as if acknowledging their presence.
It's no wonder, Cao Rui had been traveling for days and was a bit tired. He had already spent a lot of mental energy in the Marquis of Shu's mansion just now, and he couldn't possibly take care of all of them.
After a brief exchange, the two grandmothers and the concubines also dispersed.
Cao Rui held his son in his arms, climbed into the carriage, and returned to the palace with Ma concubine.
Although it had been half a year since they last saw each other, it was still the daytime, and there was no need to be impatient in the afternoon.
Cao Rui had known Ma concubine for the longest time. Despite their many letters during the six months, it was hard to be completely satisfied, so he returned to the palace with his son, sharing personal matters.
After closing the palace door and handing his son over to the wet nurse, there were only Cao Rui and Ma concubine left in the room.
After saying a few words, Ma concubine suddenly leaned on Cao Rui's shoulder and began to quietly cry.
"My concubine heard that the emperor was infected with a disease in Chenzhuang, and her heart was like being burned from the inside out. She could not leave this palace and wanted to do something for the emperor, but she could not do anything."
"Only to pray to the heavens every day, hoping that Your Majesty would recover quickly."
As she spoke, Ma concubine tightly wrapped her arms around Cao Rui's arm: "Your Majesty, you must take care of your body in the future! Even for my sake, please don't get sick like this again!"
"It's inevitable to get sick. Humans eat five grains and vegetables, how can they not be affected by the evil spirits?"
Cao Rui had just said a couple of sentences when Ma concubine glared at him with her almond-shaped eyes, tears glistening in them.
"Don't get sick! Don't get sick!" Ma concubine scolded: "When Your Majesty returns to the palace, I will brew porridge and cook meals for Your Majesty every day, and help Your Majesty to recover physically!"
Cao Rui embraced Ma concubine and gently patted her back, comforting her: "The head chef will cook for the emperor..."
Ma concubine was about to scold again, but Cao Rui continued to comfort her.
In this way, the two of them went back and forth, and seemed to have an endless supply of intimate words.
Cao Rui also shared many interesting stories from his westward expedition.
He talked about the steepness of the pass at Yumen, the boundless expanse of the Gaozhong Plain, the long and winding Longdao, and the towering presence of Qiyanshan Fortress...
He talked about geography and local customs, regional landscapes, but he didn't say a single word about hardships or military affairs.
They chatted for a long time until the eunuch Bi Jin softly called out outside, informing the emperor that it was time to attend a banquet, at which point Cao Rui released Ma concubine's hand and changed into a robe to go out.
As Ma concubine helped Cao Rui change clothes, she sighed softly and said, "I have something to tell the emperor. It seems inappropriate to say, but I cannot withhold it."
"What is it?" Cao Rui spread out his hands and allowed Ma concubine to cover him with his robe from behind, asking casually.
Ma concubine said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, on the New Year's Day, someone from the Yu family in the same region as you sent some New Year gifts to me."
Cao Rui closed his eyes and sighed, unwilling to think about these old affairs. (Chapter Complete)
