novelAbuy Chapter 63: A peerless scholar, I only wish that your literary career will flourish after your depar
Chapter 63: A peerless scholar, I only wish that your literary career will flourish after your depar
"Glug! Glug!"
Inside the main hall of the Crown Prince's palace, Dongfang Shuo held a jar of wine and gulped it down, completely unconcerned that the wine was dripping from his lips and soaking his clothes.
The eunuchs serving around him watched with great interest, as if they were watching a monkey in human skin.
Only Crown Prince Liu Ju showed no disrespect, his expression remaining solemn throughout.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, there were cruel officials, famous generals, and also many renowned scholars who have been remembered throughout history. Among these people, Dongfang Shuo was definitely an "outlier".
In the Han Dynasty court, only he dared to play the clown in front of the emperor, using absurdity to confront the supreme authority, and using "madness" as a sharp sword to cut through the dense web of power struggles, allowing a ray of light to shine into it.
The learned Dongfang Shuo always hid his strategies for governing the country in jokes, protecting himself by sulking and using gentleness to overcome strength, thus living freely in the gaps of power.
He may have a carefree and playful demeanor, but he actually harbors a heart that yearns to help the world and serve the people.
In the third year of the Jianyuan era, a severe drought struck Guanzhong, causing many people to be displaced. Taking advantage of the dispute over the Shanglin Garden, he advised Emperor Wu of Han to allocate the garden land to the people. Although Emperor Wu did not adopt his advice, he issued an edict to open the granaries and distribute grain. Dongfang Shuo exchanged the gold bestowed upon him by the emperor for rice and flour, and secretly distributed it to the disaster victims at night.
In the Han Empire under Emperor Wu's rule, officials were as insignificant as ants. Yet, even a muddle-headed man like Dongfang Shuo neither flattered his superiors nor deceived his subordinates, nor harmed the people.
This is a truly respectable person!
"Excellent wine! Truly excellent wine!"
Dongfang Shuo finished a jar of wine, a hint of drunkenness appearing on his face. In a casual glance, Liu Ju saw the sharpness in those eyes.
"You may all step back."
"No one is allowed to enter the palace without my order."
"promise."
The attendants on either side responded and withdrew from the main hall, closing the hall doors behind them.
At this moment, only Liu Ju and Dongfang Shuo remained in the empty hall. Liu Ju stared at the drunkard in front of him and said calmly, "This is not Weiyang Palace, and I am not the emperor. Mr. Dongfang, there is no need for such formalities."
*Whoosh!*
Dongfang Shuo, his eyes still blurry with drunkenness, suddenly opened them. His expression remained unchanged as he looked at the Crown Prince and said inexplicably, "Your Highness has changed."
"I didn't believe what my son said at first, but after seeing him today, I realize how narrow-minded I was."
"Human beings can change so much."
"Um?"
Liu Ju narrowed his eyes, inadvertently revealing a dangerous aura.
"Your Highness."
Dongfang Shuo rose from his seat, straightened his clothes, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty has appreciated me and allowed me to enter the court."
"We have witnessed the rising and setting of the sun and moon, the changing celestial phenomena, and also the unpredictability of human nature and the impermanence of the world."
"There are some things that I must say, otherwise I fear no one will ever dare to speak frankly to Your Highness again."
"Please enlighten me, Mr. Dongfang."
Liu Ju extended his right hand, remaining calm.
"If Your Highness's authority becomes too great and cannot be restrained, it could indeed endanger His Majesty."
"With these precautions in place, it seems there's nothing to worry about."
"His Highness the Crown Prince's Bowang Garden and the position of heir apparent were both bestowed by His Majesty."
"If Your Majesty feels uneasy, you are free to retract all of this."
"But none of this ever happened."
"But Your Highness's changes today make me somewhat apprehensive."
"Execution, suppression, and checks and balances—if Your Highness believes that this is the entirety of being a ruler, then you are sorely mistaken."
"Does Your Highness believe that as long as you hold imperial power and keep the court in check, the country will be stable and you can rest easy?"
"Sitting on the dragon throne in Weiyang Palace is not so easy. Since ancient times, there has never been anything that lasts for thousands of years and remains unchanged."
"Therefore, a ruler must think about the future and always be mindful of the future."
"Your Highness, I hope you understand that the more you are filled with fear and anxiety, the more you should cherish the well-being of all people."
"While checks and balances in the court are important, ultimately, no matter how many methods or schemes one possesses, the most crucial factor is still the ruler himself."
"Your Highness must remain steadfast and maintain composure."
"Intrigues and schemes will not accomplish anything great. Your Highness is the Crown Prince. To become the Emperor, you must prioritize the well-being of the people."
Even with a knife at your back, remain calm and composed.
"Even if you have a weapon in your hand, you must carefully consider the matter repeatedly until you absolutely have to do it before making a decision."
"Power is a public instrument. What does 'public instrument' mean? It doesn't belong to your family alone."
"You must let the whole world see that you have the sincerity to solve the problem; that is the right way."
"Killing is easy; learning to tolerate and forgive is the hardest thing."
"Your Majesty has always acted with integrity and uprightness, and it is precisely because of this that the Han Dynasty has been able to reach where it is today."
"Your Highness, if you are going to do something, you must let the world see that the person sitting in that position values the world and all living beings more than himself."
"Your Highness is ambitious and aspiring; you should strive to surpass His Majesty, the late Emperor, and the founding emperor."
Dongfang Shuo's words were eloquent and his speech was earnest.
"gentlemen."
Liu Ju was deeply moved upon hearing this. He realized that Dongfang Shuo had seen through everything, yet he had not blamed him.
Undoubtedly, these were heartfelt words, and no one else would have told him that.
"Your Highness understands that the reason you established the Agricultural Commissioner was not merely to appease the refugees from Guandong."
"I saw behind the Minister of Agriculture a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood."
"Your Highness, I hope you will think carefully before you do anything."
Dongfang Shuo bowed deeply.
"You flatter me, sir."
Liu Ju stepped forward, helped Dongfang Shuo up, and said sincerely, "I would like to invite you to serve as the Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince."
The Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, along with the Grand Preceptor and Grand Protector of the Crown Prince, were collectively known as the Three Junior Tutors. They were of the second rank, with a salary of 5,000 shi (a unit of grain), and were responsible for assisting the Crown Prince in handling government affairs and managing state affairs. This was not only a high-ranking official position, but also the Crown Prince's teacher, making their status extraordinary.
However, Dongfang Shuo refused without hesitation: "I have not come here today to ask for an official position. If Your Highness truly values this, I hope to become an official with a salary of 1,000 shi (a unit of grain).
"Where would you like to go, sir?"
Liu Ju pressed for an answer.
"Throughout my life I have boasted of my outstanding talents, yet I have been of no help to the world whatsoever."
"I have heard that Your Highness has requested the establishment of the Imperial Academy to educate the people."
"Therefore, I want to go to Bingzhou Prefecture to serve as its governor."
Dongfang Shuo gave a self-deprecating smile, his eyes filled with regret, disappointment, loneliness, and a glimmer of hope.
"I understand."
Liu Ju sensed a lot from his words and solemnly replied, "If you wish to go to the Bingzhou governor's office, I will not hesitate to help you."
"Then let the teacher take the lead in establishing the Jinyang Prefectural School, to set a new standard for students in Shanxi."
"I wish you, sir, continued success in your literary endeavors!"
"Your Highness, I thank you!"
Dongfang Shuo returned the greeting, strode towards the door, opened the closed palace door himself, and walked away resolutely in the sunlight.
"May you rest in peace, sir!"
Liu Ju silently murmured to himself, knowing that once Dongfang Shuo left, they might never see each other again in this lifetime.
PS: The Bingzhou Inspectorate governs five commanderies: Taiyuan, Shangdang, Yunzhong, Dingxiang, and Yanmen.