Chapter 20 The third quarter is a mess in the prince's mansion

After the doubts were cleared up, Cai Ze immediately felt refreshed and began to plan the way to get started. Although it is complicated and difficult to establish a descendant, there is only one foundation: to select the truly capable talents from among the princes and grandchildren.As long as this foundation is established, the rest of the interests are related to the old Qin king's decision to kill and conquer.However, it is precisely the most difficult thing to do is to select talents, otherwise, the old king of Qin would not let a governing prime minister put aside government affairs to do this.As a matter of fact, there are three difficulties in this matter: First, what criteria should be used to select talents?That is to say, to investigate and test the school based on the culture of He family?In the Warring States period, there were many schools of thought contending. Except for many schools that specialize in economics and people's livelihood (such as farming, water, industrial, medical, etc.) They are all studies of governing the world and governing the country. Among them, the most prominent ones are the studies of Law, Confucianism, Mohism, Taoism and Wang Dao, which were called "Jingwei Five Studies" at the time.Although Qin was a country ruled by law, and the legalists had a prominent position, there was never any school of thought in the way of seeking talents in the Warring States Period.Qin Xiaogong's "Seeking Talents Order" was a paradigm, only asking for "those who can come up with amazing tricks and strengthen Qin", without limiting the school of thought.Since the Reform of Filial Piety and Shangyang, Qin's way of employing people has become clearer—as long as you abide by Qin's laws, no matter what you learn!Back then, Gan Mao and Wei Xun were miscellaneous families, but now Cai Ze is from Ji Ran's family, neither of them were legalists, but they both became prime ministers.Only in this way, you can't limit the learning of a certain school as the basis for Wang and Sun's school examinations, but you can't do without a learning yardstick, which is the first difficulty.

Second, are those capable of riding, archery, swordsmanship and military skills considered talents?As for the king, if heirs inherit naturally, or if some kind of unchangeable general trend is established, and there are many ignorant and outstanding horse kings, there will be no such difficulties.However, the key point here is precisely that the prince has no legitimate sons, so he has to choose among many princes and grandchildren, and this difficulty immediately becomes apparent.The Qin State encouraged farming and warfare, and all the ruling and opposition parties favored martial arts. Who can say that the ability of cavalry and archery troops is not talent?But it was Shicang who broke this taboo and directly wrote to the old king of Qin, asserting that Ying Xi, who was selected by Fan Ju in the first place, was "unbearable for a king".The old Qin king decided to re-election, in fact, he affirmed Shicang's proposition.However, after all, the old king of Qin didn't have an edict, let alone exclude Yingxi from the candidates, which became a real problem.

Third, how to select?There are many aspects involved in academic debates, countermeasures and responses, riding and archery contests, probation for officials, and combined school examinations.Besides, Crown Prince Yingzhu has twenty-six concubine sons, fourteen males and twelve females, with a wide age gap, the oldest one is thirty-two years old, and the youngest is eighty-nine years old.Which way can make Wang Sun and the forces behind him irreproachable?This is a big problem.Also, is the princess included in the selection?Are children under the age of ten included in the list?If you think about it carefully, it is actually a difficult problem.

After a few days of thinking, Cai Ze couldn't come up with a safe strategy, so he decided to visit the Prince's Mansion first. The car arrived at the gate of the Prince's Mansion, but before entering the chariot and horse farm, the gatekeeper led Cai Zejin's car directly from the side entrance driveway into the second large courtyard.Cai Ze and Ying Zhu are about the same age, not only often discuss state affairs together, but also have a delicate relationship with Fan Ju and Shi Cang, and they get along very well.Cai Ze got off the car and went straight into the State Affairs Hall.

"Report to Mr. Gang Cheng: The prince just took a nap, please wait for a while." The clerk in charge greeted him with a bow. "Sleep? To be honest, is the prince sick?" "Gun Chengjun," the official in charge said in a low voice, "a few days ago, the crown prince fell ill after returning from a tour in Hexi." Cai Ze didn't speak any more, and went to the back garden with duck steps. When he got to the big stone pavilion beside the big pond and the willow forest, he saw Ying Zhu leaning on the bamboo couch with his eyes closed and resting, with a medicine on the stone table beside him. The stove is still wafting with the fragrance of medicine.Cai Ze cupped his hands and said with a smile: "Mr. An, are you safe?" Ying Zhu sat up with difficulty and waved, "You are relaxing, can I be safe? Sit down." Turning around, he turned to the maid guarding the medicine stove. With a wave, the maid walked away with the medicine stove in her arms.Cai Ze sat down in front of the stone case and said with concern: "How is it? Is it summer heat or is it really a serious illness?" "God beats me!" Ying Zhu sighed, "Say it's light or not, say it's heavy or not, when you're tired, you'll get sick Good. As usual, let’s not talk about it.” Cai Ze smiled apologetically and said, “The Prime Minister’s House is full of clues, so I really shouldn’t do you any favors. Your fate is like this, what can I do?” Ying Zhu shook his hand and said, “Mr. Gang Cheng, I It’s finally cleared up, and it’s really up to you to understand this matter. It’s a small matter for me, as long as you can decide the big things, everything will be fine.” Cai Ze shook his head worryingly and said, “It’s hard, it’s so hard! "Ying Zhu couldn't help laughing and said: "Mr. Gang Cheng says it's difficult, so it's right." Cai Ze pretended to smile mysteriously: "Even if it's right, you have to follow the power of An Guojun, and it can't be done." Ying Zhu suddenly stood up He cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty obeys the orders of the king, who dares to restrain you! Mr. Gang Cheng only said, do you want me to move out of the Prince's Mansion to escape?" "No, no, no." Cai Ze waved his hands quickly, "As long as Mr. An is cleared, everything will be as usual. Good thing. There is only one thing: Wangsun and his teachings must all obey the orders of this old man. An Guojun and the wives, especially the wives, it is best not to ask questions, not to intercede, and to be fair to the old man."

"It's not 'the best', it's a must!" Ying Zhu said with a stern face, "This is the order of the father, why should Mr. Gang Cheng relax? That lady dared to spoil the plan, so Mr. Gang Cheng talked to Ying Zhu!" "Okay!" Cai Ze laughed loudly, "Is Mr. An in good spirits?" "Just say what?" "Several instructors have been summoned, and the old man wants to discuss with some officials and teachers first." Ying Zhu thought for a while, then turned around and called the manager of the mansion, and said seriously: "My old man, listen carefully: From now on, every time Mr. Gang Cheng comes to our mansion, you will serve around and follow orders. If you disobey, I will punish you severely!" Smiling at Cai Ze, "Mr. Gang Cheng said it himself." Seeing that Ying Zhu was so serious, Cai Ze no longer refused, and immediately ordered his elders to invite everyone to the main hall of the school, and then bowed to Ying Zhu: "An Guo It’s just for the king to take care of his rest, and the old man will go!”

The school is located on the west bank of the large pond in the back garden, with a bamboo courtyard facing the water, which is the most secluded place.When Cai Zeyou arrived leisurely, the five Master Wangsun were already waiting in the hall.Qin Fa: The prince’s teacher is a minister of the state, and he is divided into left and right tutors (Prince Zuo Fu, Prince’s Right Fu), but the teaching of the prince’s grandson is privately requested by the official teacher-if the prince does not have a famous person appointed to teach the prince and grandson, he can ask the prince’s official office to send The "official teacher" taught the king and grandson; the official teacher could not be assigned an official title, and the salary still belonged to the Prince Fu's official office.This is the private request of officials and teachers allowed by the law.Ying Zhu had many concubines, so five officials were invited: two martial arts officials and three academic officials.

"See Gang Chengjun!" The five officials and teachers saluted solemnly. "Everyone, take your seats." Cai Ze bowed his hands in reply, and his eyes wandered around, but he saw a white-haired old man with a four-inch jade crown in the first seat, followed by two middle-aged men with three-inch bamboo crowns, and the last two thin A strong man with dark hair, no crown and no age, he understood eight or nine points in his heart.Cai Ze got a single seat in the East Wing, so he looked at the five seats lined up opposite him and said, "There are three writers in the north seat, and two martial artists in the south seat, right?"

"Mr. Gang Cheng clearly observes!" The five people answered in unison. "Dare to invite five high-ranking people to give their surnames?" "Below Zhaozhang, after the Zhao family in Yunyang." The old man in the first seat was somewhat reserved. "I'm Li Zhen, a native of Shangshan." The middle-aged man in the second seat is quite stable. "In Xiazhuangcheng, a native of Northern Chu." The third middle-aged man was indifferent. "Xia Wudan, a native of the West Qin Rong, can ride and shoot." "Meng Minghuan, a native of Mei County, is a professional swordsmanship instructor."

Even though Lianzhu reported it, Cai Ze could understand that the five people Ying Zhu invited still had some background.After the old man Zhao Zhang called himself the Zhao family of Yunyang, he was obviously the descendant of brothers Zhao Kang and Zhao Liang, who were famous Confucian scholars in Yunyang during Qin Xiaogong's time.Then Zhao Kang was beheaded by Shang Yang. Zhao Liang said that Shang Yang failed, so he attached himself to Qianlong to restore his party, and was beheaded when Qin Huiwang eradicated the old nobles.After being hit hard by this, the Zhao family has never left Qin, which is evident.Xiangli Zhen's Shangshan family is obviously a descendant of the famous Mohist Xiangli family.In the later period, the Mo family had a great reputation in the government and the public of the Qin State, and they were called "Qin Mo" in the world, so it was clear that Xiang Lizhen was a disciple of Qin Mo.Although the origin of Zhuangcheng from Northern Chu is unknown, there have always been many famous people in Northern Chu, such as Ganmao and Xunzi. Who can say that this Zhuangcheng has nothing to do with Zhuang Xin, a well-known figure in Chu State?The two martial artists are also extraordinary.It has been three hundred years since the Rong people of the Western Qin Dynasty returned to Qin Dynasty. It is absolutely extraordinary that Wu Dan can enter the country and become a martial artist in the official office of Prince Fu.In the end, Meng Minghuan reported to Mei County, and it was obvious that he was a child of "Meng Xibai" in Mei County.The three tribes of Mengxi and Bai in Mei County have always been famous generals in the Qin army, and they are even more intertwined in the dynasty. How can they be underestimated?

"May I ask Master Zhao, what method did Wang Sun teach?" Cai Ze didn't pay attention to all the thoughts in his mind. "Report to Gang Chengjun," Zhao Zhang bowed his hands in a regular manner, "there are so many kings and grandchildren that we can't study alone. Regardless of gender, we only have three classes divided into senior and younger. One class for those who have been crowned and two classes for those who have not been crowned: over ten years old One class, one class for Mongolian children under the age of ten. We wait for five people to take two months as a cycle. Each of us supervises the three classes for one ten-year period, and the remaining ten-day period is for the students to rest. In this way, we can ensure that Wang Sun is equally educated. " "Good! People say that Confucianism is universal, and it is true!" Cai Ze sighed in admiration, and then smiled leisurely, "I was ordered by the king to choose three or five people who are worthy of the king and grandson to enter the government for training. In the opinion of all the officials and teachers, it should be How to choose?" There was silence in the hall for a while, the three scribes didn't look at each other, but they didn't speak.In the end, Meng Minghuan clasped his hands with great emotion and said: "War affairs are easy to talk about! You will see the result when you get to the school. How to test the school is up to Gang Chengjun to decide!" Wu Dan immediately followed: "That's it. Brother Meng Ming!" Cai Ze nodded and said with a smile: "That's good, the martial arts is settled, and the old man will have his own ideas at that time. Literary matters? The three officials and teachers don't have an answer?" "Gangcheng Jun clearly observes." The old man Zhao Zhang cupped his hands and said solemnly, "Confucianism is the top priority in studying and educating people. With old people's views, if you want to check the virtuous and foolishness of kings and grandchildren, you can test poems, books, rituals, music, archery, and imperial education." The six studies are determined by virtue. Throughout the ages, only those who have both ability and virtue can be called sages, and there is no other!" "Master Zhao is wrong!" Xiang Lizhen immediately said, "The six Confucian arts, except archery and driving, are still of practical value, and the four studies of poetry, book, ritual and music are of little use in governing the country. It is no different to test these knowledge. Let the princes and grandchildren eat the ancients. And the so-called virtue, if the Confucian rules are used, the human way is no different from the two words of hypocrisy and hypocrisy. How can a sage be worthy of selecting talents based on this!" Zhao Zhang smiled coldly: "This is not a debate, it's just about how to take the school test. Why bother to refute Confucianism?" "The only way to test schools is to discern righteousness." Xiang Lizhen said in a very confident tone, "The world is famous for learning, but Mohism upholds righteousness, is frugal and self-disciplined, respects heaven and ghosts, and loves the world. Hundreds of arts and crafts, military science, offensive and defensive knowledge, none of them can be regarded as the foundation of a country. If you use Mohism to test the school, you will have an opinion!" "The theory of Xiangli is biased." Zhuang Cheng smiled lightly, "Although the Mohists are outstanding, they also have high practical knowledge, but their roots lie in the opposition. With the Mohism as the basis, the princes and grandchildren want everyone to stand on their own hills, but who thinks of the safety of the country and the country?" Xiang Lizhen smiled teasingly: "The three generations of kings under your feet only have a few "Shangshu", which is older than King Wen's gossip. Could it be possible to protect the country and the people by relying on those things?" "There's no reason for that!" Zhuang Cheng snapped at the case, "The study of the king's way is immortal, how can you be contemptuous! I dare to ask Gang Cheng to uphold the righteous way and punish such rebellious people!" "It's so strange!" Xiang Lizhen laughed loudly, "Slandering other families is an alarmist talk, but it's my own family's turn to not say a word. How can there be such an elegant and honest king in the world? Don't say that Gang Chengjun is present, even the King of Qin is here. The style of discussing politics is still the same!" "What kind of tact is it!" Zhao Zhang frowned and shook his white head, "A gentleman restrains himself and respects the rites, but you are so narrow-minded, but you are competing to be learners and teachers. God hates it! God hates it!" Li Zhen and Zhuang Cheng roared with laughter, even the two martial artists laughed too. Cai Ze has a wide range of knowledge and is familiar with various schools and anecdotes. He knows that the saying "Heaven hates it" is the old master of Confucius who met Nanzi, the wife of Marquis Wei. Afterwards, people suspected that the old master and Nanzi were ambiguous. "The sky hates it! The sky hates it!" It became a joke in the world for a while.Now that the old Zhao Zhang is urging this remark, it is very nondescript, Cai Ze couldn't help laughing, so he laughed along with him.Unexpectedly, old Zhao Zhang was very ashamed and annoyed, he stood up abruptly with a black face and bowed: "Gang Chengjun is indulgent and frivolous, I will leave!" With a flick of his big sleeve, he lit his bamboo stick and went away. The whole audience was stunned!For a long time, no one spoke. "It's easy to say." Cai Ze stood up and laughed, "You can't be subdued by force, and Confucianism pays attention to it. There is a reason for the old master to fight for this, and the old man doesn't care about it." "I don't care about waiting!" The four officials and teachers said in unison. "That's good." Cai Ze said with a smile, "the initial discussion today, although there is no set rules, but it is free to speak. Although you are as usual, the old man will have his own opinions at that time." After saying that, he walked out of the hall shaking his duck, and did not see each other again. Ying Zhu went straight back to the prime minister's mansion. The sound of cicadas chirping in the courtyard of Xiuzhuang makes it even more quiet.After noon, Lu Buwei's toga, with his sleeves hanging down, was strolling along the willow forest path, but Mr. Ximen hurried over, saying that Mr. Gang Cheng was already waiting under the thatched pavilion.Lu Buwei ordered: "Ice molasses." Then he hurried to the Maoting Pavilion. "No way, it's so free and easy!" Cai Ze waved under the pavilion. "Ashamed and ashamed." Lu Buwei strode into the pavilion, "I'll go if I have something to do, why don't you run around in the summer." "No, no, no." Cai Ze waved his hands again and again, "People say that the prime minister's house is full of people, and the old man has finally learned his lesson. Just think about it, there are more than two hundred officials shuttling around all the time, and the ministers can't count the days. It makes you dizzy! Is there the tranquility of Xiuzhuang? The old man comes here whenever he is free, and he can be happy for a while, regardless of his business!" While speaking, Cai Ze untied the leather belt around his waist, took off his official clothes, and took off the crown of his head. With a six-inch jade crown and a light shirt, he let out a long cry, "The one who wears the crown is really tired!" Lu Buwei laughed for a while, pointed to the outside of the pavilion and said, "Let's see Mr. Gang Cheng, happy things are coming." A boy servant pushed a two-wheeled handcart covered with a cotton cover, scrambled to the bottom of the pavilion, and uncovered three layers of cotton covers, revealing a purple-red wooden barrel in the white air-conditioning.Cai Ze smiled and said, "Iced tea? It's a good product for relieving summer heat! Qingong iced tea is also unique. It was created by King Qin Hui back then, and this Liyang guest house can also do it?" Lu Buwei took a bowl from the boy servant and held it To Cai Ze, he just smiled leisurely: "Let's talk after tasting it." Cai Ze took it, but felt cold in his hand, there was a clear red juice in the white jade bowl, and there was a cold, sweet and slightly wine-scented breath. Clear and tangy, he uttered a mouthful of ice wine, took a big sip, and drank it down before he could speak, gasping for surprise: "One more bowl!" After drinking three bowls in a row, Cai Ze's forehead sweated Suddenly there was no trace, and the whole body felt the cool wind blowing very comfortably, and couldn't help being surprised: "What's the name of this wine? It's so amazing!" Lu Buwei said with a smile: "This is Handan ice molasses, produced in a well-known old shop." "Sweet mash?" Cai Ze was puzzled, "I've been to Handan many times, and I've drank it a few times. I only remember drinking sweet mash hot. Why do I still have this iced mash?" Lu Buwei said: "The iced molasses are not just chilled, but special materials, special brews and special cellars, so as to preserve the original taste after chilling in summer. The most laborious and laborious, the store is usually unwilling to sell people." "Hey!" Cai Ze became more and more curious, "Could it be that you bought this old store?" "If you don't have wine, you have to have a shop?" Lu Buwei said, "Come on, let's play chess under the pavilion now, and keep you cool and safe." Seeing the boy servant take the chess set from the cart and set them up, Cai Ze waved his hand: "Wait a minute, I have a few more words." Lu Buwei sat across from him and nodded with a smile.Cai Ze then said: "Fan Ju's letter said that you found the whereabouts of the stranger in Handan. How is his condition?" Lu Buwei said, "I didn't find him, but I met him in Pingyuan Junfutang. Afterwards, I will send my elders to inquire. , so I gave Yinghou a letter." Cai Ze's big Yanshan eyes kept blinking: "Do you have a relationship with Lord Pingyuan?" Lu Buwei said with a smile: "Several business transactions require the consent of Lord Pingyuan to exchange gold, so That's all." Cai Ze nodded suddenly: "Let's talk about Buwei, the old man asked how the situation of the stranger was?" Lu Buwei smiled and said: "Everything is complicated, I don't remember it clearly, so let the old man talk about it himself." Turning back Then he ordered the boy servant outside the pavilion, "please come here, old man." After a while, the old boss came in a hurry.Lu Buwei said: "Father Ximen, Mr. Gang Cheng asked about the situation of the Qin hostage, so you can talk about it." The old boss of Ximen bowed deeply to Cai Ze and said, "Report to Mr. Gang Cheng: I once asked the three of you to take care of the young master one after another. A centurion of the Zhao army drank alcohol and asked questions clearly. During the confrontation between Qin and Zhao Shangdang, Mr. Yiren was under house arrest, and he was in a difficult situation. He went to the Julu military camp and was tortured. After the victory of the six kingdoms over Qin, the Yiren son returned to Handan. The son of Qin Guozhi discussed the art of war with other people, and he got along very well. The people of Handan talked a lot, and they were all privately trying to figure out a sentence of Lord Xinling." "What judgment is it?" Cai Ze's eyes sparkled. "The old man remembers, 'Qin is a different person, and the six kingdoms are blessed!'" Cai Ze's eyes flashed, he was silent for a moment, and then asked: "What other rumors?" "The old man can't remember anymore. It's just that this stranger is talented." Lu Buwei said with a smile: "Father Ximen has to go back to Handan, if Mr. Gang Cheng finds it useful, just ask again." "That's it!" Cai Ze patted the stone case, "Ximen's old man, I thank you in advance." "Mr. Gang Cheng killed this old man!" The old boss Ximen hastily bowed deeply, "This old man resigns." Then he left in a hurry. "No way," Cai Ze thought, "In your opinion, can this strange person get out of Zhao?" "It's hard to say." Lu Buwei said, "I heard from the boss that although this person can move around, he still has a group of guards from Zhao Guo. What does Mr. Gang Cheng intend to do? If he wants this person to return to Qin, what is the difficulty? Send the King of Qin It's easy for the special envoy to pick it up, what's the trouble?" "No, no, no." Cai Ze waved his hands again and again, "If the right way of diplomatic relations can be achieved, why wait today? You are on a business trip, but you don't know the secrets here. For example, if the goods you want are in the hands of others, if you rush to buy them, the consequences how?" Lu Buwei laughed loudly: "The great treasure in the temple is also Mr. Gang Cheng! I admire it!" "I've left this matter behind, I'll talk about it after thinking about it." Cai Ze changed the subject with some reserve, "Buwei just said, based on your business travel experience, how can you count as the knowledge of governing the world?" "Since you have been inquired by Mr. Gang Cheng, there is nothing wrong with Buwei." Lu Buwei's smile remained the same, but his tone was very serious. If you don’t know anything, you’re called a scholar! The study of a scholar, with five carts of books hidden in his belly, is not true knowledge. It may be possible to specialize in one industry, and to rule the country and govern the world, but it is a person who harms the country and the people. Also. The key point here is that these scholars do not know the laws and regulations, the people's livelihood, the crops in the four seasons, and the circulation of people and goods. For example, Zhao Kuo, who has read all the military books in the world, does not know the advantages and disadvantages of Shangdang Changping's terrain. There is an army of 600,000, but it is wiped out by 500,000 siege by Baiqi. Isn't it just a matter of paper! From this point of view, the knowledge of governing the country is "true". "Well said!" Cai Ze slapped the table in admiration, and suddenly smiled mysteriously, "In three days, I will invite you to take the supervisor's examination!" Seeing Lu Buwei's astonishment, Cai Ze smiled triumphantly, and said a little in one breath. At the end of the day, the two of them laughed at the same time. In the early morning of this day, the Prince's Mansion Academy was very unusual. The spacious and quiet courtyard became lively.Stone cases and stone piers are dotted under the big trees, and the princes and grandchildren gathered in the courtyard and waited anxiously.Several elder sons, Eguan Bodai, had a solemn and low-pitched conversation with their favorite teachers under the big tree.Several princes and princesses in their twenties, each holding a roll of bamboo slips, wandered around discussing in twos and threes.Several young princes and princesses around the age of ten have their own cases, and under the supervision of the stern-faced scribes, they recite the immature "Poetry" loudly. From time to time, a stubborn person would cry out for thirst or hunger, and the wet nurse under the tree in the distance would make gestures to stop, or hiss, shake hands, or scold in a low voice, and so on.A row of wooden houses behind the bamboo grove used to be the dining room for the princes and grandchildren, but now it is full of wives and concubines dressed in all kinds of luxurious clothes. They all crowded together and stood under the gate, staring at the gate of the main hall of the academy. At the first moment of time, the elders of the Prince's Mansion let out a long cry: "Mr. Gang Cheng has arrived—" The courtyard of the academy was suddenly silent, and the princes and grandchildren stood up in unison: "I have seen Mr. Gang Cheng!" The well-dressed Cai Ze brought two clerks into the door, strode to the middle stone table on the north side of the courtyard and stood still, and asked with a leisurely smile: "Old man of the Prince's Mansion, have all the grandchildren arrived?" The old man bowed and said in a high voice. : "Report to Mr. Gang Cheng: In addition to the hostage Zhao Weigui, the 26 lords have actually reached 25, and they are all here!" Cai Ze nodded solemnly and said: "This lord has to obey the king's order, and examine the princes and grandchildren. Intellectual ability. I have no intention of showing favoritism, and strive to be fair in the school examination. For this reason, I invite a person who has experienced the world to be the examiner for today. Please enter the library, sir." "Sir, enter the hall—" the old man stood up in the hall and let out a long cry. The lingering sound is still echoing, Lu Buwei has already walked into the hall, dressed in commoner clothes and a bamboo crown, smiling all over his face, just like a spring breeze blowing across the courtyard, all the princes and grandchildren in the courtyard burst into smiles inexplicably.Cai Ze waved his hand far away and asked: "Sir, take a seat here. I am just watching." Lu Buwei bowed his hands and said, "Thank you, Gang Chengjun." Then he entered the main case given by Cai Ze, looked around the courtyard, and said loudly: " All princes and grandchildren are instruments of the temple, and they are charged with the important task of governing the country. The fundamental learning is to seek governance pragmatically, not to talk about wonderful ideas. The next commoner, entrusted by Mr. Gang Cheng, intends to test the princes with practical learning, so as to cooperate What do you all think of the legal system of the Great Qin governing the country?" "I agree!" The sixth son Yingxi loudly said generously, "What's the use of learning if it's not real?" "Yes! We agree!" Several young masters who love swordsmanship, riding and archery echoed in unison. The rest of the princes and princesses were silent, but no one objected.Zhao Zhang, the chief officer outside the circle, said coldly: "The king's order is fixed, how to take the school exam is up to Mr. Gang Cheng, sir, he is very polite, so let's start." Lu Buwei smiled slightly and said: "Young masters, there are ten questions in today's literary test. Beginning with the first three questions, those who cannot answer three questions will be dismissed; those who can answer three questions in a row will be asked to complete ten questions. Those who can answer eight questions will be assessed for martial arts .Do you understand me?" "Understood." The young masters either answered or nodded, with different expressions. Lu Buwei took out a soft leather bag from his sleeve and opened it, laid out a row of parchment slips on the stone case, turned around and whispered a few words to the elder, who then said loudly: "Young masters, listen to my announcement, order Those who arrived came forward to answer questions. The method of roll call: take 20 years old as the middle boundary, one big and one small take turns. The first place is the eighth son Du!" Twenty-year-old Ying Du Bainen was handsome and walked up to Lu Buwei's case with a flushed face.Lu Buwei pointed to a row of parchment slips on the case and said, "My lord, choose three." Ying Du was very curious, and fumbled for a while, selected three and handed them over.Lu Buwei took it, unfolded a sheet and read aloud: "Question: What is the population of Qin? What is the land? How many counties?" All of a sudden, there was a moment of silence and another moment of commotion in the courtyard. Seeing Ying Du scratching his ears and cheeks in embarrassment, everyone in the courtyard was silent.In the strange silence, Ying Du blushed and said to Ai Ai: "This, this, is it, there is 10% of the soil, and there is a group of brigades?" As soon as the words fell, there was a burst of laughter in the courtyard, and a princess was heard He laughed and shouted: "Hey! When will Qin become Xia Shaokang!" Amidst the laughter, Ying Du became angry from embarrassment: "What a laugh! What's wrong with the "Shangshu"!" Turning his head, he said, "I don't know. asked." Lu Buwei unfolded another sheet: "Second question: How many states are there in the world? The Seven Warring States are arranged according to the amount of land, and what is the order?" Amidst the whispers in the courtyard, Ying Du's face flushed again: "Officials and teachers only When did you teach such trivial things about "Poetry"!" Lu Buwei remained calm, and opened another parchment note: "Three questions: How many laws are there in Qin? What is the general outline?" Yingdu's face was pale, and his forehead was actually Sweating profusely, he shouted anxiously: "Ask the law to Tingwei! What is it none of my business!" The old man took two steps forward and bowed: "My lord, please step down." Ying Du flicked his sleeves angrily: "Bird! Is this also called an examination school?" Then he strode away.The old man was ordered to enforce the law, and his face was suddenly embarrassed.Lu Buwei smiled and waved his hands, signaling to all the family members to be calm, turned around and said: "All the princes and grandchildren here, who can answer these three questions?" Asked three times in succession, no one answered. "I have something to say!" Ying Xi in the front row strode forward. "Young Master, can you answer three questions?" Lu Buwei smiled. "No! I can't answer the three questions." Ying Xi shouted angrily, "Your step is such an exam, with ulterior motives! I am a prince and grandson, neither an official nor an official. I have studied the six arts and also learned riding and archery. Why do I need to be proficient in such trivial knowledge? Great Qin established the country with farming and warfare, or tested the six arts in school, or tested riding and archery and swordsmanship, all are the right way. I don’t want to take the school test today, but bring out the trivial skills of ordinary officials. " "Yes! I'm not convinced!" More than a dozen adult princes and grandchildren immediately followed and shouted. "Young master is easy to talk." Lu Buwei waved his hand to stop the distraught elder, and smiled calmly with obvious ridicule, "Dare to ask, sir, what kind of person are you who pretend to be neither an official nor an official? I see you, everyone." Princes and grandsons are by no means willing to live in ordinary people, but they are actually self-proclaimed as a temple. If you have high ambitions and your heart is in the temple, you should know what the temple is. A husband and a temple are also the public instruments of the state. The state of Anbang also governs officials and formulates laws and regulations, but they don’t know the real management of officials, the efficacy of laws and regulations, and the management of the people’s livelihood in the country. How do you decide when things happen? Is he like King Huai of Chu? You sons are not convinced, so you can go up and ask the people of Qin. Who can believe that a person who doesn't even know how many counties, people, and laws of Qin State can insist on it? Temple artifacts?" "..." Ying Xi was dumbfounded, unable to utter a word. "Okay." Cai Ze swayed from the shade of the tree and said with a smile, "No one can answer the three questions. It doesn't matter, just keep learning. Let's go!" With a wave of his sleeve, he walked away with duck steps.The old man hurried over, bowed respectfully, and wanted to escort Lu Buwei out of the museum.Lu Buwei smiled lightly and said, "I'll go with Mr. Gang Cheng, it's better for the elders to take care of the aftermath." After saying that, he strode away.The princes and grandchildren in the courtyard watched Cai Ze and Lu Buwei go away, but they couldn't recover in a daze.It wasn't until the wives and concubines behind the bamboo grove rushed out to ask questions in amazement that the courtyard was in chaos. Lu Buwei came out of the school and came to the willow forest road on the bank of the big pond. He was about to board the car when he heard a voice from the forest, "Wait a minute, sir", and a woman in a green dress suddenly appeared in front of her. Undoubtedly it is Mrs. Noble.Lu Buwei was stunned for a moment, then saw the woman smiling brightly: "Fortunately, sir, there is no doubt. My only question is: Where is the hermit, sir? Can you tell me your name and surname?" Lu Buwei cupped his hands and said, "I am a merchant in Puyang, Lu Buwei is not a hermit. "The woman smiled in surprise: "Yo! But I met a strange person, a group of sisters who don't think that the husband is a celebrity!" Lu Buwei laughed and said: "Businessmen have no objections, and the lady has something to say, please speak up." The woman With blinking eyes, he smiled mysteriously: "That's wrong! I'm not the same as them. Why, don't you want to know who I am?" Lu Buwei smiled lightly: "Madam, don't worry, I won't ask questions for no reason. Farewell." Board the carriage then went. But that day when Ying Zhu returned to the mansion, he had just called the elders to inquire about the daytime school exams, when a group of concubines rushed into the study room, complaining indignantly and sadly.After hearing it for a while, Ying Zhu's pale face turned livid, and he yelled angrily, "A group of living treasures are here! The family is ugly! The country is ugly! They have a noisy face! Is it good to hear it in the government and the public?" The concubines have never seen the old prince. With such anger, he was silent like a cicada for a moment, and the hall of the study was unexpectedly silent.Panting for a while, Ying Zhu said coldly: "Listen to me: No matter what the rumors are, no one in my house is allowed to mention this matter. Who dares to complain, the cold palace is hard labor, and his son is guilty of the same crime. Go down!" The concubines left quietly.Ying Zhu let out a long sigh, and then ordered the veteran of the family to explain the preparations for the daytime school exam in detail, but cold sweat dripped down his forehead.After a long period of silence, Ying Zhu gave three orders to the elders of the family: first, immediately resign the five officials and teachers.Second, from tomorrow onwards, only one capable old official will be invited to teach the princes and grandchildren all kinds of "practical learning" in detail.Third, if the king or grandson refuses to obey, he will be imprisoned immediately under the family law.The elder was ordered to go, and Ying Zhu lay still on the couch for a while, feeling a dull pain in his abdomen, so he ordered two health servants to carry him to the back garden on the bamboo couch.When Fang entered the Gantang forest, he heard the faint sound of the piano, Ying Zhu's heart relaxed, but the sound of the piano stopped abruptly! "Stop, I'm coming." The woman in the yellow shirt who floated out of the forest ordered softly, then gently leaned on the bamboo couch, carried the huge Ying Zhu on her back effortlessly, and said, "Just wait, then go." You leisurely entered the courtyard behind the Gantang forest.Arriving under the thatched pavilion in the courtyard, the woman in yellow put Yingzhu gently on the straw mat and leaned against the pillar. Just about to turn around, Ying Zhu said with a smile: "Huayang doesn't need to take medicine. I have nothing to do today. I just want to come Listen to the sound of the zither." The woman in yellow patted Ying Zhu's forehead, looked at Yingzhu with a smile in the moonlight, and said, "You know, qi hurts the liver, and ordinary people are fine, but you have to recuperate." After saying that, she floated away lightly, After a while, a jade bowl came out, "Soothe the liver and transform Qi soup, here you are." He took a sip and came over, Ying Zhu closed his eyes and opened his mouth to swallow the meat, which was bulging With a croak, he sucked it in. After three or five mouthfuls, he finally swallowed the fleshy little mouth, and wrapped his arms around the woman in his arms.The woman in the yellow shirt smiled coquettishly and patted Ying Zhu's cheek: "I'm in a hurry, I can't wait for an hour!" She pushed away Ying Zhu's big hand, and just knelt down and looked at Ying Zhu, blushing and panting. "Huayang, you want to have a son, why are you doing such a dirty thing!" Ying Zhu sighed. "Don't forget again? My life is worthless, so I can only serve my husband." The woman giggled, "A large group of children, I need to give birth to one? You live and I live, you go and I follow, don't worry .” "Nonsense!" Ying Zhu scolded in a low voice, and pulled the soft little hand beside him, "You are the wife, the wife of Ying Zhu, what are you going to do with me? You are talented, and you want to stand up for the Ying family. Note Live? Tell me, as long as you like that concubine, I will make him my son, and you will be Zhengyi's mother!" "Don't worry." Mrs. Hua Yang patted Ying Zhu's hand lightly and smiled, "You are also a fifty-three-year-old old prince, and Li Yi is the heir of Qin, can you let me say a word? Besides, there are a lot of sons and daughters, and there is no one who is practical and capable, so who should I choose?" "You, do you know about the school exam during the day?" "There is an uproar in the academy, how can I not know?" "Unpredictable!" Ying Zhu sighed, "I originally thought that although Ying Xi is not in the eyes of a scholar, he is still practical and practical. I don't want to see the real chapter today, but he is also thick-skinned and empty-hearted, just mediocre!" "A young man looks like an old man." Mrs. Hua Yang smiled, "I have been paying attention to Ying Xi for more than ten years. This son is very brave and ruthless, impetuous and surly, even if you and I choose him, he will not be able to pass the test of the old father Wang." After a long silence, Ying Zhu knocked on the straw mat and let out a long sigh: "What is the crime of the Ying family, he has no descendants!" "Where are you talking? Don't talk nonsense!" Mrs. Huayang smiled and slapped Yingzhu, "There are also twenty-six sons on the left and right. It can't ruin the country's fortune." "A woman's opinion." Ying Zhu muttered, then closed his eyes wearily. "Don't sleep, don't sleep." Mrs. Hua Yang shook Yingzhu, "It's time for the medicine to take its course, wake up, I have something to say." "Okay, okay, tell me, what's the matter?" Once depressed, Ying Zhu couldn't help falling asleep. "Two things, listen carefully." Mrs. Huayang stroked Ying Zhu and smiled, "I have news about that stranger who was a hostage in Zhao State, but what do you plan to do? Also, this Lu Buwei who is going to be the grandson of the school today , I think there is something very strange." Ying Zhu suddenly sat up: "How so, say it again!" Mrs. Huayang told the news that the elders got from Cai Ze, and then detailed the situation of today's school examination, and finally said: "This Lu Buwei is very unusual. First, the method of school examination is unimaginable. Think about it carefully. But it makes sense under the hood. Second, the knowledge and words are not false or false, and the vernacular is very true. It is strange in ordinary times, and officials, teachers, kings and grandchildren have no way to refute it. Third, when facing nobles, they are neither humble nor overbearing, and their demeanor is completely out of character. Ordinary merchants. With these three, and entering Qin from Zhao, I feel a little strange." “说得是。”嬴柱频频点头，思谋一阵道，“蔡泽近来也颇有些异常，这吕不韦是他延揽而来，异人消息也是从他而来，他不报我，却说给家老，其意何在？” “若未报你，此事便非国府邦交所能解。”华阳夫人笑道，“你想，禀报太子便是国事，邦交若不能解，岂非朝堂难堪？私下透漏家老，便是大有文章了。” 嬴柱突然哈哈大笑：“好！夫人便来周旋此事，我只做个壁上观也！”