For centuries, the Great Han dynasty has stood, ever since the golden signboard of the Imperial Academy was erected.
This legendary Imperial Academy held an exceptionally weighty position in the hearts of scholars and common folk alike.
In the eyes of great Confucian scholars, attending private schools was akin to sitting in a pile of rubbish.
The Imperial Academy, however, was entirely different. Its towers and halls were said to be gilded with gold, and even the weeds possessed a hint of nobility.
Of course, in reality... it wasn't that exaggerated.
The Imperial Academy wasn't quite that extravagant.
However, things were now entirely different.
Previous Chancellors of the Imperial Academy, such as Qiao Xuan and Cai Yong, would often offend a significant number of people when they submitted memorials to the Emperor and the court, requesting funds, grain, benefits, subsidies, and material support.
But... now the one requesting funds was Cai Zhaoji, and the one providing them was Lu Yu of the Ministry of Agriculture.
With a younger brother managing the Great Han's finances, the Imperial Academy's various expenses naturally received preferential treatment.
Even...
Before Cai Zhaoji even had to mention it, the clerks in the Ministry of Agriculture proactively delivered funds and grain, allowing the Imperial Academy to procure whatever it needed.
Now, the sacrificial rites were concluded.
The Imperial Academy students proceeded to their classrooms...
Each classroom was spacious, bright, and elaborately decorated. On each seat lay a fine, comfortable rush mat.
On the mat was a low table, and on the table was a willow basket.
Opening the basket revealed writing brushes, inkstones, ink pads, seal materials, carving knives, bamboo slips, silk handkerchiefs, osmanthus scented powder, and clove incense – all readily available.
These were all provided to the Imperial Academy students by the Great Han's treasury, costing considerable money and effort.
...
The first lesson at the Imperial Academy was considered a major lecture!
Sixty Imperial Academy students took their seats in order.
Their Chancellor, Cai Zhaoji, walked in with grace.
Lu Yu and the other instructors sat at the back. This lesson was not just for the Imperial Academy students; it was for every instructor, and even for her own younger brother, Lu Yu.
Compared to Lu Yu, Cai Zhaoji undoubtedly felt a greater sense of responsibility towards the Imperial Academy.
She had inherited her father's unique passion for the Imperial Academy and for educating people.
Cai Zhaoji believed that all the dew from the clouds and the nutrients from the soil were being used to nourish the "plants" fortunate enough to grow here.
As the gardener tending to them, how could she not be dedicated?
"For this first lesson, I will not ask you about anything else. However, there is one thing you must understand: why do people live?"
This question was posed...
Even Lu Yu subconsciously tapped his forehead; he didn't know how to answer.
However, the Imperial Academy students' responses were quite enthusiastic.
Why do people live?
Cao Ang and Huang Xu said it was to be filial to their parents;
Xiahou Heng and Xiahou Ba said it was to achieve great deeds and bring glory to their families;
Sima Yi answered that it was to serve the people as officials;
Yang Xiu wanted to say it was to prove himself within his family and demonstrate he was worthy of the Yang family's reputation as unparalleled geniuses, but he ultimately refrained from speaking due to his recent impropriety during the sacrifice.
And Lu Yu also seemed to have an answer in his heart...
"Sister Zhaoji asked a good question."
He was different from these Imperial Academy students.
If... previously, during times of chaos... he was still living precariously, barely able to protect himself!
Everything he did was for the sake of surviving in this chaotic world, and then... to live a slightly better life.
Now, however... a genuinely better life was laid out before him.
How could Lu Yu continue to be idle?
He now had some transcendental ideas; what he intended to do was to change this empire, fundamentally, from its core, from its very essence.
The root of the Great Han's sickness lay in the dominance of aristocratic clans, imperial relatives, and eunuchs, and the complete disorder, deviation, and imbalance in grassroots governance.
The reason for the Three Kingdoms eventually uniting under Jin was fundamentally the dominance of aristocratic clans.
If history followed its course, starting from Cao Pi and Cao Rui, the "Legalist-commoner route" that Cao Cao had consistently adhered to and advocated was completely abandoned.
The implementation of the Nine-Rank System further expanded the power of the aristocratic clans...
To change this world, Lu Yu had to focus on two things.
One was the standardization of grassroots governance, and the other was to restrict aristocratic clans and promote commoner scholars.
Of course, speaking of these things now was still too far off. After all, the realm was not yet stable. Currently... Old Cao still relied on the help of the aristocratic clans. All Lu Yu could do was observe the changing times.
Changing this era, it sounds easy... but upon careful consideration, how difficult it is?
Because of Sister Zhaoji's question, Lu Yu became quite reflective.
Just then.
"Is this your answer?"
Cai Zhaoji's voice echoed again. "Life is actually a matter of chance. We always want to become what our parents expect, bring glory to our families, or be the future of the court, but the person most easily overlooked is ourselves."
Huo...
Upon hearing this, Lu Yu's eyes sharpened.
"My word, Sister Zhaoji is truly Sister Zhaoji! Her words are meant to awaken the students' self-awareness!"
Indeed, the awakening of self-awareness might be nothing in later generations, but in the Great Han, over eighteen hundred years ago.
From birth, everyone carried the five great mountains of Heaven and Earth, spirits, ruler, parents, and teachers upon their heads. Students often wished to become the kind of people others needed them to be.
Precisely... "self" awareness had always been overlooked and diluted.
Cai Zhaoji's statement was extremely forward-thinking and unheard of...
The ability to say such things was undoubtedly related to her many years of discussions and exchanges with her younger brother Yu.
Even the rise and success of her younger brother Yu had been pondered by Cai Zhaoji in many ways.
The most important point was self-awareness... her younger brother Yu was a person with extremely strong self-awareness; he lived for himself.
Precisely because of this...
He was sometimes open-minded, sometimes absurd, sometimes generous, and sometimes cynical...
It seemed that descriptions completely opposite to the "bound" young masters of this era could be applied to him.
He had never deliberately tried to please anyone for the sake of "Heaven and Earth," "spirits," "ruler," "parents," or "father." What he learned, thought, and desired was for the realization of his "self"...
Or perhaps, even she, as his sister, was a part of Yu's "self."
Thinking of this, Cai Zhaoji spoke eloquently to these students.
"Life belongs to us first, and then we fill various roles. Coming into this world, we must not only bear obligations and fulfill responsibilities but also understand its value."
"The Master said, 'At thirty, one stands firm.' The first thirty years of life should be spent broadly experiencing various tastes; do not fear failure, for a meaningful life is always full of trials. For example, your Chancellor Lu has been tested many times by the chaotic times over the years! And the more he is tested, the more outstanding and exceptional he becomes."
As these words left her lips...
All the Imperial Academy students turned their gazes towards Lu Yu in the back row.
Uh...
Lu Yu pondered, his sister truly treated him well, always bringing attention to him.
With all those eyes upon him, Lu Yu instantly felt a bit embarrassed.
Alas, his skin wasn't thick enough yet!
Of course, for the Imperial Academy students.
Self, value, Chancellor Lu.
As these three words were spoken by Cai Zhaoji, the feelings of all the students were as if the accumulated dust in their hearts had been wiped away, and they could suddenly see the world outside clearly.
Self-awareness... was Chancellor Lu's excellence due to self-awareness?
For a moment, infinite curiosity arose in the hearts of all the Imperial Academy students.
"Chancellor Lu, this first lesson? Won't you say a few words?"
As expected...
Cai Zhaoji smiled and invited Lu Yu to speak a few words.
Uh...
Lu Yu smiled helplessly. This was his "own" sister; no matter what, she could always involve him.
Lu Yu stood up and decided to let himself go.
"Most of you have likely heard of me, your Chancellor. I grew up in the Cai residence, and it was the current Chancellor Cai who taught me my studies from childhood."
"I, Lu Yu, am without parents, have no family to rely on, nor any collateral assistance... I consider myself among the disciples taught by your Chancellor Cai to be rather dull!"
"However... I transformed from an unnoticed logistics soldier in the army to the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Commander of the Dragon Cavalry, and Chancellor of the Imperial Academy of the Great Han in just three years!"
At this point, some quick-witted Imperial Academy students nodded in admiration.
While some slower ones, suddenly enlightened...
Instantly felt that their Chancellor was truly formidable.
Lu Yu paused and continued, "In fact, I don't have very high demands of you. You are much luckier than I was when I was young to be here. You stand at the pinnacle of academia and occupy more resources, so you should strive for the well-being of more people. If you cannot even surpass me, then you have lived your lives in vain."
"Of course... I know that many of you entered the Imperial Academy through connections or favors, but you must remember that there are only so many spots available each year at the Imperial Academy. Because you snatched up a spot, another student loses the opportunity to study and advance at the Imperial Academy. If you do not achieve results, then the first people you are letting down are those students you replaced!"
"Now, all of you, put your hands on your hearts and feel, does it hurt? If it hurts, it proves you still have a conscience, so study well at the Imperial Academy, and be worthy of the spot your parents obtained for you through connections and favors! Alright... I have said enough. Your Chancellor must leave now."
With that, Lu Yu flicked his sleeve, solemnly hitched up his robe, and departed.
Although he appeared exceptionally serious, Lu Yu's heart was stirred.
"It feels so good..."
Being a principal felt truly exhilarating. Scolding students was like scolding grandchildren, and what's more, most of these students had gotten in through back doors and exorbitant prices.
And yet, they dared not utter a single word of defiance!
Recalling the past decade or so of being dominated by "nine-year compulsory education" and "five years of college entrance exams, three years of practice," today... Lu Yu felt he had finally held his head high.
"Tap... tap..."
As he stepped out of the classroom door, Lu Yu paused. He suddenly remembered something and added, "Right, student Yang Dezu, come find this Chancellor after class!"
Ah... ah...
Upon hearing this...
Yang Xiu, who was still ashamed that his father Yang Biao had secured his admission to the Imperial Academy through connections, was stunned.
Is this... is this about settling accounts?
Not only Yang Xiu, but Lu Yu's parting remark left all the Imperial Academy students, and even Cai Zhaoji, stunned.
"Does Yu-di specifically call for Yang Xiu? Is it for a reprimand?"
Of course...
Yu-di is the administrative Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. It's not unreasonable to reprimand him for Yang Xiu's conduct at the altar. Cai Zhaoji certainly wouldn't inquire further.
But... Yu-di's words were so direct! He didn't give any face to these students who got in through "back doors" at all!
Cai Zhaoji scanned the students before her. It seemed... there were very few who hadn't used connections, right?
After Lu Yu left the classroom...
Cai Zhaoji's lesson continued.
"I haven't finished introducing Chancellor Lu to you yet. Most of you should have heard of him. Not only is he wise and resourceful, having served as an official in Chancellor Cao's administration, highly skilled in strategy and planning, but he is also proficient in various crafts. The blueprints he draws and the weapons he forges are sharp enough to cut iron and cleave stone!"
"He is also the senior brother of the contemporary medical sage Zhang Zhongjing in the Imperial Medical Office, possessing extraordinary medical skills. Furthermore, because he favors the teachings of Huang-Lao, he is very knowledgeable about the Yin-Yang school of thought. He can practice divination and fortune-telling, and his skill in interpreting the Book of Changes is unparalleled in the world."
"Many disciplines in various crafts are personally taught by your Chancellor Lu. You can pay attention to them and choose to study them."
As she spoke, Cai Zhaoji's tone became much more serious.
"The reason I am telling you so much about Chancellor Lu is precisely as he said: he is not from a noble family, nor does he have the assistance of kinship, yet he has reached this position step by step! Your family backgrounds are all far superior to his? In the future, you must strive to be even more outstanding than him."
"I do not wish to see you waste your precious time on meaningless entertainment and regret it in old age! Learning more knowledge and indulging less in fleeting pleasures with your precious lives is the right path. If you continue to be ignorant, make mistakes, and violate morality, then our Imperial Academy will have been a mere stepping stone for you in vain, and the teachings of the Imperial Academy will have no true meaning!"
"Have you all remembered this?"
Upon hearing this, the students fell silent.
In the past, no one had ever lectured them so directly. Cai Zhaoji's words seemed to remove their shackles, using Chancellor Lu as an example to successfully reveal themselves to each person, and even exposing each Imperial Academy student's past "failures" like scars.
Finally, Sima Yi led the applause. All the Imperial Academy students offered Cai Zhaoji and Lu Yu a sustained and tearful round of applause.
It seemed... at this moment, their hearts had completely returned, fully settled at the Imperial Academy.
...
...
On the outskirts of Xuchang city, by the banks of the Ying River, within the Lingyan Pavilion of the Imperial Academy.
This was the name Lu Yu had specially given to his office pavilion. The plaque for "Lingyan Pavilion" was personally inscribed by Old Cao.
At this moment, he yawned...
Walking from the classroom, his mood remained turbulent for a long time.
Being at the Imperial Academy and seeing the students...
Lu Yu's mind was filled with thoughts. The so-called... education strengthens the nation.
Imagine, if the educational level of the Eastern Han Empire were high enough, and over the past century, someone among the educated scholars could devise a set of effective regulations to restrain the eunuchs!
If the scholar-officials could govern with composure, and the Emperor could strengthen imperial authority and command the world.
With loyal ministers like Xun Yu managing internal affairs, and generals like Cao Cao guarding the borders, then... the Great Han would not have devolved into its current state.
Unfortunately... what kind of people did the Imperial Academy produce? Yuan Shao, who disregarded the Emperor, and Yuan Shu, who arrogantly proclaimed himself Emperor... It must be said, this was a failure of the Imperial Academy's education.
Thinking of this, Lu Yu's eyes darted about.
The Great Han was ultimately heading towards its end. However... in the future, even for the Great Wei, how should it govern? How should it cultivate talent? How should it pass on knowledge from generation to generation?
These were all questions worth pondering.
Shaking his head...
Lu Yu collected his thoughts. Being in this isolated Imperial Academy, surrounded by water, he felt a sense of transcendence.
The immediate priority...
He still had to take it one step at a time, first securing Yuzhou and defeating the false emperor Yuan Shu.
However...
Lu Yu's brow furrowed slightly. In fact... just as he was leaving the classroom, he had thought of something, something extremely crucial. That was why he had specifically called Yang Xiu to Lingyan Pavilion after class.
In the current situation, the person with the greatest power in the court was undoubtedly Chancellor Cao, one of the Three Excellencies.
However, at present, above his status, besides the Son of Heaven, there was one other person – Grand Commandant Yang Biao!
Old Cao had long harbored thoughts of dealing with Yang Biao. After all, there should only be one voice in the court.
If only one of the Three Excellencies remained, would not all the court's power then be concentrated in Old Cao's hands?
However...
Grand Commandant Yang Biao was a cautious person with good social connections, making it difficult to find fault with him.
Coincidentally... Yuan Shu's usurpation of the throne provided Old Cao with a golden opportunity.
And this was related to Yang Xiu.
Yang Xiu, why was he so arrogant and self-important? He had his backing... He was the product of a marriage between the two top aristocratic clans of the era, the Hongnong Yang clan and the Runan Yuan clan.
Yang Xiu's father was the clan head of the Hongnong Yang clan, Yang Biao, and Yang Xiu's mother, Lu Yu distinctly remembered, was Yuan Shu's own sister, the legitimate eldest daughter of the Runan Yuan clan.
With such a relationship, how could Old Cao not move against the Hongnong Yang clan!
Of course... Old Cao's original intention might have been to simply remove the title of Grand Commandant, leaving only one voice in the court.
But in reality, with Old Cao's ruthless methods, it was not impossible that he would kill many members of the Hongnong Yang clan. And this... was equivalent to him directly abandoning the support of the Hongnong Yang clan.
One must know that the Hongnong Yang clan and the Runan Yuan clan were called the most formidable aristocratic clans of this era, and this was not without reason.
They had been deeply entrenched in the Han dynasty for generations, possessing powerful intelligence and extensive networks.
Their former students and retainers were spread throughout the realm...
This network... it didn't seem like much now, but if handled well... it would be crucial for Cao Cao's final battle against Yuan Shao.
The conflict of the Three Kingdoms was ultimately a conflict of talent. Offending a group like the Hongnong Yang clan for one person was not worth it!
It seemed that Lu Yu had to lend a hand to the Hongnong Yang clan.
Of course, the best way to help the Hongnong Yang clan was to find a way to persuade Yang Biao to voluntarily resign his position as Grand Commandant, making everyone happy... but... how exactly should this be done?
Lu Yu couldn't help but tap his forehead...
Just as he thought of this, a piece of music reached Lu Yu's ears.
It was Sister Zhaoji playing the *Jiaowei* zither, performing the piece "Spring Outing"...
In Lu Yu's memory, Cai Yong also liked to play a piece at the beginning and end of his lessons. It seemed... Sister Zhaoji had perfectly inherited this habit of Cai Yong.
Was this the dismissal bell?
As the lingering zither music played, and Lu Yu listened...
"Student Yang Xiu pays his respects to Chancellor Lu..." a clear voice came from outside the door...
Is that Yang Xiu?
Lu Yu turned back and waved at Yang Xiu. "Dezu, come in quickly, don't be so reserved."
Yang Xiu lowered his head and walked in quickly, very respectfully.
It seemed he was still feeling guilty about his earlier disrespectful actions during the sacrifice.
"Sit..." Lu Yu gestured with his hand...
"This student dares not." Yang Xiu stood ramrod straight.
Lu Yu decided not to beat around the bush...
He slowly stood up and asked Yang Xiu with a smile, "Dezu, tell me... if I were to tie you up, whip you, beat you with a military rod, and then lock you in a water prison, thereby threatening..."
"Would your father resign his position as Grand Commandant?"
Ah...
This...
Yang Xiu's eyes suddenly widened. Looking at Lu Yu's serious demeanor, he suddenly had an illusion.
No... it wasn't an illusion, but a feeling...
A very real feeling.
--- "Oh no, this Imperial Academy is a wolf's den!"
...
...