Inside Liu Biao's mansion, which has now been renamed Hussar General's Mansion, the hall was filled with solemnity.
The great scholar Song Zhong lowered his head and admitted his mistake to his disciples.
But at this moment, Shen Chen still bowed his hands and saluted, and said to Song Zhong: "This is not Master Shijun's fault, but the fault of Cao Cao and those who are only interested in profit."
As soon as this statement came out, everyone was immediately shocked.
But then I thought about it, although Shen Chen didn't agree with his teacher's philosophy, he couldn't really embarrass his teacher due to his dignity as a teacher.
Moreover, Song Zhong was extremely benevolent and did not add insult to injury when Shen Chen was the enemy of everyone in the world. He just asked Shen Chen to go down the mountain and leave on the grounds that Shen Chen was outstanding in learning and surpassed himself.
Therefore, it was understandable that Shen Chen would speak for Song Zhong when neither party had completely broken up with each other and Shen Chen wanted to maintain the dignity of the Master of Heaven and Earth.
I just understand, but no one responds.
Deng Hong rolled his eyes and asked: "Why is it the fault of Cao Cao and those who are only interested in profit?"
"The Master said, "You are mad but not straight, you are angry but unwilling, you are depressed and unbelieving, I don't know it." He also said: "Clever words make one's appearance respectful. Zuo Qiu is ashamed of it, and Qiu is also ashamed of it."
Shen Chen looked around and said loudly: "How humble and polite was Wang Mang before he usurped the throne? The reason why traitors are traitors is because they are good at pretending. The world does not know their true colors and is deceived by them. What is wrong with that?" Therefore I never think that those who are deceived by it are at fault."
"What's more, once I am a teacher, I will always be a teacher. Although I am not talented, I have studied with my teacher for three years and learned a lot. I will always remember my teacher's kindness in my heart. How could I have been criticized by Cao Cao because of my teacher's kindness in the past? How about being deceived and resenting Master in your heart?"
"It's just that there are few people in the world who are sensible, and there are many who are seeking profit. People like Shijun and Brother Zhongxuan were deceived by others at the time. Only a few people later woke up because of the emperor's imperial edict. But there are a large number of so-called great Confucian scholars. I clearly saw the belt edict and knew that Cao Cao was vicious, but I still pursued profit and opened my eyes to Cao Cao's thieves."
"For example, Du Xi, Zhao Yan, Fan Qin and others were called the Four Famous Scholars of Yingchuan. When the world was in chaos, they fled to Jingzhou. When General Liu heard of their names, he treated them with courtesy and wanted them to serve Jingzhou. As a result, these people betrayed their gratitude, harmed the vulgar, and abandoned the wise master. They only cared about their own safety. When they heard that Cao Cao had obtained the emperor, they immediately defected to him, and they were in vain."
"They knew clearly that the Emperor was being imprisoned and coerced by Cao Cao, but they would rather serve Cao Cao. This shows the hypocrisy of these people, just so that Cao Cao can grant them official titles and titles in the name of the Emperor and nourish their family lineage. This is How can a young person compare to the wisest men in the world who truly understand the truth?"
Grandfather and grandson are like double acts.
After the words were finished, the whole place fell into silence.
After all, applause is not popular in this era. If you agree with someone's speech, you will usually just echo it.
But no one spoke, only Deng Hong, Liu Xian and others applauded.
"Okay, the general's words are very subtle."
"Yes, that makes sense."
"Respecting teachers and respecting morality, the general is really filial and righteous."
A few people echoed a few times, which was considered a bit of face.
Kuai Liang's eyes flickered, thoughtfully.
Kuai Yue and Cai Mao were a little resentful and couldn't calm down.
The expressions of Zhang Yun and other people were noncommittal.
The rest of the people didn't know whether to agree or not.
After all, they have nothing to do with Shen Chen, and they don't dare to make remarks at will, lest they get into trouble.
Now Jingzhou is not monolithic, there are even some undercurrents.
At this time, a catfish like Shen Chen appeared again, and it was a big catfish. Naturally, they didn't know how to line up.
Only Song Zhong and Wang Can's faces were slightly red, and they seemed at a loss and quite embarrassed when faced with Shen Chen's overtures of kindness.
The reason for this is because they feel guilty.
Let’s not mention the differences between them and Shen Chen at the beginning. Let’s just talk about the celebrities such as Du Xi, Zhao Yan, Fan Qin and others whom Shen Chen just criticized. In fact, they are the same.
Wang Can really wanted to go back.
Just like his good friend Sun Meng, he wanted to return to the Xudu court in Yingchuan.
He is the king of Shanyang, the great-grandson of Taiwei Wang Gong, and the grandson of Sikong Wang Chang. His ancestors have had two three-term princes.
As a famous family, how could they waste their time in the southern barbarian land of Jingzhou without returning to the court to inherit their ancestors' wishes and be granted the title of Marquis and Prime Minister?
So to a certain extent, he once envied the scholars Sun Meng, Xun You, Du Xi, Zhao Yan, Fan Qin and other people who were recruited by the imperial court to go to Xudu, and he also looked forward to the day when they would do so.
As a result, Shen Chen is now criticizing these people, saying that they are helping the tyrants to do evil and are young people. How can this allow him to hold his head high?
"Okay, very well said."
At this moment, several people slowly walked out from behind the curtain on the right side of the main seat of the hall. The leader was wearing a black robe, his face was slightly old, but he was in good spirits. He was none other than Liu Biao.
There were three young scholars beside him, one was about thirty years old, the other was about twenty-seven or eighty-year-old, and the last one was about twenty-something.
The three of them are Liu Biao's eldest son Liu Qi, his second son Liu Cong, and his youngest son Liu Xiu.
Everyone is personable and elegant.
"Ming Gong!"
Everyone stood up and saluted Liu Biao.
"Everyone, please sit down."
Liu Biao walked to the main seat, waved his hands downward, pointed to Deng Hong and said to Shen Chen: "Achen, you should also sit down, sit in that seat."
"Thank you, General Hussar."
Shen Chen still didn't call him Duke Ming. Liu Biao's conquest was just a piece of paper, and he himself hadn't acknowledged it yet.
At that time, there was a complete process for conquest. It did not mean that I would send you an official document saying, "I want to conscript you. From now on, you will be my disciple and former official."
There are also expelling, enlisting, bowing down, etc.
If this process is not completed, or if someone directly refuses, it is called a failure to obtain the application.
For example, if you send someone to tell someone that I want to conquer you, and they refuse, that means they do not agree to your conquest. This is personal freedom. Even if the emperor wants to conquer someone, they still have the right to refuse.
And accepting the conquest is just the beginning. After you agree, you will be expelled. Then you have to write back to apply for the conscription, and the person who conscripted you will come to worship you, such as worshiping someone for such and such official position.
Therefore, "Three Kingdoms" and "Book of the Later Han Dynasty" often contain records of worshiping the Zhonglang general, worshiping the military advisor and offering wine, and worshiping the military advisor general, which are to express the attitude of courtesy to the virtuous and corporal officers.
Although Liu Biao now congratulated Shen Chen as Zhonglang General, and Shen Chen accepted the position, the formal process had not been completed, and there was always a lack of legal principles. Therefore, Shen Chen did not rush to call Ming Gong, but followed the etiquette regulations. Come on, don't let anyone take advantage of you.
"Ah Chen said it well."
After everyone sat down, Liu Biao sighed on the stage: "Now that the world is in chaos, the princes from all over the country do not want to serve the country, but instead attack each other and fight for power. Cao Cao also holds the emperor to order the princes, and they are the rebels of the country. Such a country The country will be destroyed, but the people of the world still want to benefit the dynasty, and would rather bow their knees to Cao Cao for the sake of aristocratic family and official position. It is really a ruin of etiquette and music, and people's hearts are not the same as before."
After saying that, he looked at Shen Chen again and said with great approval: "Fortunately, I have a national scholar in Jingzhou. Ah Chen is only fourteen or fifteen years old, but he is sensible and aware of righteousness. He criticized the Han thief Cao Cao and went north to attack Xu." Although we all wanted to welcome the Emperor back, we failed, but this trip was not motivated by morality, and it was much better than those who returned from the north."
"What Ming Gong said is true. General Shen is a young and talented man. He is not only outstanding in knowledge, but also capable of literature and martial arts. It is really because of Wu Zi that the Marquis of Jiaodong is reborn."
Cheng Qi was the first to stand up and show off.
When others looked at it, they found that Cheng Qi had always been a close confidant of Liu Biao, and his words were often what Liu Biao meant. Now Liu Biao obviously planned to praise Shen Chen, and they all spoke out in agreement.
"Yes, General Shen is well-read, capable of bringing peace to the country with his literary skills, and able to rule the country with his military skills. He is one of the most talented people in the world."
"The hussar general gained Shen Chen, which is said to be like a tiger with added wings."
"With General Shen here, I have no worries in Jingzhou."
Many officials and guests agreed, and the scene just now was completely different.
Looking at the current situation, Shen Chen has the tendency to become another popular person around Liu Biao after Cai Mao, Kuai Yue, Kuai Liang, Zhang Yun and others. Of course, these people must follow Liu Biao's wishes.
"The general is so complimentary."
Shen Chen stood up and said, "If the general hadn't taken him in, Chen and his clan would have nowhere to go. The general's kindness will be unforgettable to Chen."
"good."
Liu Biao nodded approvingly: "Last time I issued a document proposing you as Zhonglang General, but it was not officially conferred on you, which is a pity. I want to formally issue the document tomorrow. What do you think?"
"Chen is naturally willing to work hard for the general."
Shen Chen looked around cautiously, and then said: "On the one hand, Chen has not yet reached the top, so he may not be able to convince the public. On the other hand, Chen also wants to ask the general whether our Jingzhou has a quota of outstanding talents in the past few years."
Everyone looked at each other, but they didn't expect that Shen Chen had such a big appetite and was eyeing Maocai's spot.
"Uh hahahaha."
Liu Biao was stunned for a moment, and then he burst into laughter without being angry at all: "Ah Chen's ambition is indeed lofty. But with your talent, you are worthy of the title. If so, then I will agree to it." Already."
"Thank you, General."
Shen Chen immediately hit the snake with a stick and said: "Chen Chen please resign from the post of Zhonglang General. He will first go back to his hometown to study and increase his knowledge until the general calls him."
"Um."
Liu Biao nodded approvingly: "Good."
He was not angry because Shen Chen rejected his conquest, but was even happier.
Regarding the Chaoju system and the levy system in the Han Dynasty, the Chaoju system was actually at a higher level than the levy system.
The difference is like that in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, one was a high school Jinshi and was on the imperial list.
The other one is equivalent to you becoming the prefect of a certain place and recruiting a follower master.
Although the actual situation is different, the difference is so big.
If you recruit someone, although he will become your protégé and former official, if he wants to leave, he can resign at any time, and the protégé and former official is only an unspoken rule that has been agreed upon, rather than a forced legal obligation.
Just like the Yang family of Hongnong and the Yuan family of Runan, they have a distinguished family, four generations and three nobles, and their disciples and former officials are also spread all over the world. But when the Yang family was in trouble, how many people came to help?
Chaju is completely different.
Liu Bei promoted Yuan Tan as a talented person. After being defeated by Cao Cao, Yuan Tan immediately introduced Liu Bei to see Yuan Shao, and then Yuan Shao went out to greet him two hundred miles away.
Liu Bei promoted Yuan Huan as a talented person. Yuan Huan was later captured by Lu Bu. Lu Bu wanted to force him to insult Liu Bei. Even if Yuan Huan risked his life, he still wanted to protect Liu Bei's reputation and would never listen to Lu Bu's coercion.
So from a practical point of view, even if Liu Biao conquers Shen Chen, Shen Chen can leave at any time if he is dissatisfied. If he is cruel, he can even ignore the feelings of his disciples and former officials.
If he praised Shen Chen as a filial, honest and talented man, then his kindness would be as great as heaven. If there was no reason to forcefully leave Liu Biao, it would be a betrayal of the Lord and ungratefulness.
This was a very serious act at the time and would be despised by everyone in the world.
Therefore, in Liu Biao's view, although Shen Chen rejected his conquest, he wanted to go further and use this to bind and strengthen the relationship, which was a way of retreat to advance.
In this way, Liu Biao became Shen Chen's benefactor, and Liu Biao no longer had to worry about the loss of this talent.
Thinking of this, Liu Biao became even more satisfied with Shen Chen's performance. He nodded slightly and said, "Ah Chen is really my master. I have such a talented person, so why worry about failing to achieve great things? It's just that you all, I am also feeling melancholy."
Cheng Qi asked in surprise: "What is the general worried about?"
Liu Biao looked around at the crowd and said: "Now that Cao Cao is in power, the Han Dynasty is controlled by foreigners, the emperor is weak, and the country is in ruins. As a clan member, I am heartbroken."
"Ming Gong's ambition is admirable. At this time, Yuan and Cao are both losing, so the general should go to the north to conquer the Central Plains and regain the mountains and rivers in one fell swoop."
Someone immediately stood up to advocate for Liu Biao.
Another person said: "Cao Cao violently insulted the emperor, and both humans and gods were outraged. It is up to the Ming Dynasty to send troops to attack him."
"Yes, yes, if Duke Ming can destroy Cao Cao and defeat Yuan Shao, then the whole world will join him and everyone will respect him. When the time comes, Yu Nei Ding Ding will be called King Wen of Zhou."
"Even in a humble position, I think this should be the case."
"No!"
Seeing that the situation seemed to be getting more serious, Kuai Yue quickly stood up to stop it.
"Um?"
Liu Biao looked at him and frowned: "Xidu, what do you think?"
"Forehead."
Kuai Yue's heart trembled, and he raised his hands and said: "What your colleagues said is indeed true, but the emperor is in the north and hastened to attack. If Cao Cao takes the risk, what choice can there be? As the saying goes: if you want to surrender to the rat, avoid the weapon. I am worried that sending troops may endanger your majesty. , when the time comes, Ming will bear the charge of injustice."
"Hmm"
Liu Biao nodded while stroking his beard and said: "The words of the alien are true, but seeing His Majesty being imprisoned by Cao Cao, I can't save him, and that's not the way to serve as a minister. I want to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth in the countryside next spring to pray for the emperor. , pray for the country, and then send troops to go north, what do you think?"
As soon as this statement came out, the whole place fell into silence, everyone looked at each other, and no one dared to take this issue.
Sacrifice to heaven and earth?
Or pray for the emperor and the country.
How are you asking God to bless the emperor and the country of Han Dynasty?
You want to sacrifice to the emperor and become the emperor yourself.
For a while.
The entire hall fell into a brief silence, and the atmosphere gradually became a little depressed.