After a session of lectures...
The resting place arranged for the "Master of Classics," Zheng Xuan, was naturally the Imperial Academy.
At this moment...
By the banks of the Ying River, in the land of Yongqiu, a carriage, surrounded by a multitude of students, stopped before the solitary bridge of the Imperial Academy between Xudu and Yingchuan.
Zheng Xuan disembarked from the carriage somewhat unsteadily. Standing at the head of the solitary bridge that had haunted his dreams for thousands of nights, he gazed across the river towards Yongqiu. Though the capital had moved from Xudu to Luoyang, the architectural complex of the Imperial Academy, weathered by two hundred years of wind and rain, still rose majestically, standing firm.
Looking up at the stone inscription "Pillars of the Emperor, Pillars of the State," his eyes moistened.
Zheng Xuan naturally knew that the reopening of the Imperial Academy was inseparable from the current Grand Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Lu Yu, and Cai Yan...
Here, his heart was filled with gratitude towards these two Grand Chancellors...
Just then...
Cai Zhaoji and Lu Yu, each leading a team of students and teachers in black academy robes, hurried over. Cai Zhaoji called out loudly, "We welcome honored sir's return."
It was then that Zheng Xuan noticed that everyone was cupping their hands in a student's salute to him, from his feet, all the way to the solitary bridge, the que gates, the corridors, and the pathways.
This was a welcome ceremony specially arranged by Cai Zhaoji for Lu Yu to give to the Master of Classics.
Of course, this stirred something within Lu Yu's heart.
After all...
If history followed its course, this seventy-four-year-old Master of Classics, Zheng Xuan, would be "invited," ah no, to be precise, "abducted" to Jizhou by Yuan Shao, and then... forced into military service, eventually dying of illness in Yuan City!
It was precisely for this reason...
Yuan Shao, who had originally intended to use Zheng Xuan's reputation to win over scholars, suddenly became the target of public criticism, with public opinion almost crushing him!
Even... the accusation of Yuan Shao forcing Zheng Xuan to his death was ten times more damaging than Chen Lin's ten "Edicts Against the Rebels."
However...
Now, with the treatment Zheng Xuan was receiving, and the joyful expression on Zheng Xuan's face, Lu Yu mused... at least he wouldn't perish here. What's more, this would be of great benefit to the impending decisive battle between Cao and Yuan.
"Two Grand Chancellors, there is no need for such ceremony. How can Kang Cheng bear it?"
Zheng Xuan helped up Lu Yu and Cai Yan...
Cai Yan, however, still performed the unique師禮 of a woman, "Honored sir has traveled far to be here. Cai Yan, leading all teachers and students, welcomes you!"
As these words left her lips...
With a continuous sound of "pat-pat," the entire Imperial Academy, over four hundred students, knelt down, filling the pathways.
One must know that in this era, besides the Emperor and Cao Cao, no one else in Xudu had ever received such an honor!
All the students of the Imperial Academy shouted in unison.
"We welcome honored sir, and wish to clean him!"
Zheng Xuan was shaken by the scene before him.
The grievances and hardships endured over the years due to the Yellow Turban Rebellion, having to travel to seek knowledge and suffering calamities, were all cast away into the clouds.
He even felt that this was not just the teachers and students of the Imperial Academy saluting him, but the highest academy of this Great Han paying him homage.
"Welcome, senior, back to the academy!"
A group of instructors from the Imperial Academy, along with Doctors of the College of Classics of considerable rank, shouted in unison.
Amidst these ceaseless cheers, his tears surged in the sea of his heart...
In the past, forced to wander and seek knowledge due to the Party Prohibitions, suffering calamities, he had now stepped into the Imperial Academy once more!
It was like a son who had fallen on hard times, finally returning to his mother's embrace!
It was also like a mother who, though aged, would still yearn for her faraway child!
Zheng Xuan rejoiced in his heart, "Imperial Academy, I have been away for many years. Your student has finally returned..."
...
...
In the Imperial Academy at night, in a spacious pavilion, an unextinguished oil lamp flickered, its hazy light reflecting the intent expression on Cai Zhaoji's face.
"Brother Yu is of age this year and has not yet received a courtesy name. I trouble Honored Sir Zheng to bestow a courtesy name upon Brother Yu."
Cai Zhaoji and the old man before her were both kneeling on opposite sides of the desk.
Lu Yu was not present...
After much deliberation, Cai Zhaoji decided that she would first inquire about Honored Sir Zheng's disposition before making the request for the Master of Classics to "bestow a courtesy name."
"Does Miss Zhaoji want me here? Not to restart the Monthly Examinations?"
The seventy-four-year-old Zheng Xuan opened his eyes.
"That is also one of the purposes," Cai Zhaoji nodded. "The Monthly Examinations a few months ago lost the trust of scholars due to certain events. Only Honored Sir Zheng can save the reputation of these Monthly Examinations."
"Is that so?" Zheng Xuan stroked his beard. "If I were to evaluate your Brother Yu on this platform, I imagine... the Monthly Examinations would receive even more attention!"
"Similarly, if that were the case... Chancellor Cao would gain a head start in the competition for scholars, holding the upper hand over Yuan Benchu!"
Zheng Xuan's sharp eyes focused slightly, as if he saw through everything, penetrating all.
"I cannot hide it from Honored Sir Zheng..." Cai Zhaoji lowered her head.
"You may return first," Zheng Xuan smiled slightly. "The restarting of the Monthly Examinations is a blessing to all scholars in the realm. I will naturally do my utmost. However, regarding the evaluation of Grand Chancellor Lu and bestowing a courtesy name upon him, I ask Chancellor Cai to allow me to ponder it for a while."
Zheng Xuan's words, in fact, subconsciously indicated his unwillingness to be drawn into the struggle between Cao and Yuan, his reluctance to openly support Cao Cao.
How could Cai Yan not understand?
"I have been presumptuous..." Cai Zhaoji bowed respectfully and then withdrew with great reverence.
As expected...
To have Honored Sir Zheng evaluate Brother Yu and bestow a courtesy name upon him involved too much, too many complexities, and was not something easily or quickly accomplished!
Tread, tread...
After Cai Zhaoji had slowly walked away...
Zheng Xuan's gaze turned towards the curtain beside him, his long sleeves gently swaying in the candlelight.
"Ju Gao, you may come out."
The "Ju Gao" he spoke of was Cao Song, the elder statesman who controlled the finances of the Great Han...
Upon hearing of Zheng Xuan's arrival, Cao Song had also come to the Imperial Academy to pay his respects. He had not expected Cai Zhaoji to arrive as well, so he had first retreated behind the curtain, intending to emerge after Zheng Xuan and Cai Zhaoji had finished their conversation.
One must know...
While Cao Cao considered himself half a disciple of Zheng Xuan, Cao Song was Zheng Xuan's genuine disciple.
Furthermore...
In the past, when Cao Cao committed murder on the dragon boat during the Dragon Boat Festival, and Xiahou Yuan took the blame, Cao Song went to great lengths to handle the matter. In the end, it was only through the mediation of Lü Lian, a local scribe, that the case was settled.
The reason Lü Lian helped Cao Song was that he and Cao Song were both disciples of Zheng Xuan, and they were fellow disciples.
Cao Song required Cao Cao to address him as "Uncle," and Lü Lian also addressed Cao Cao as "Nephew."
To add a detail, this Lü Lian was from Chenggao, with the courtesy name Boshe...
"Your grandson has quite an admirable elder sister!"
Zheng Xuan looked up and sighed meaningfully.
That's right, Zheng Xuan knew of Lu Yu's identity, and had only just learned it!
Just before Cai Zhaoji arrived, Cao Song had informed Zheng Xuan of Lu Yu's identity.
Zheng Xuan was his esteemed teacher... Cao Song dared not conceal anything.
Moreover...
Cao Song also had his difficulties. One must know that although he had come to seek a courtesy name for Lu Yu, more importantly, Cao Song hoped that the courtesy name bestowed by Zheng Xuan would conform to the Cao family's genealogy!
One must know that Lu Yu was not just his grandson, but his eldest grandson. To exaggerate not at all, this would be the most valued eldest grandson of the Cao family.
According to the genealogy... under such a status, the bestowed courtesy name should include the character "Zi"...
For example, Cao Ang's courtesy name was Zixiu, Cao Pi's was Zihuan, Cao Zhang's was Ziwen, Cao Zhi's was Zijian, and Cao Xiong's was Ziwei!
The rules of the genealogy must not be broken...
"Master... I wonder about Yu'er's courtesy name..." Cao Song asked again.
"'Zi,' meaning 'gentleman,' is it? I understand..." Zheng Xuan nodded. "Ju Gao, you may return first. I have my own considerations..."
"Yes!" Cao Song bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew.
As he left.
Zheng Xuan slowly rose. Leaning on a wooden stick, he staggered to the window and looked up at the sky.
He muttered a poem...
— "Commander of the Long Dragon Camp, Grand Minister of Han, Grand Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Physician Immortal who Aids the World, and coincidentally the eldest grandson of the Cao family... These titles are so dazzling..."
As he spoke, Zheng Xuan shook his head.
The reason he did not immediately agree to bestow a courtesy name upon Lu Yu was not that the Master of Classics was being deliberately aloof, but because Lu Yu was too young, yet... his background, official rank, and reputation were all too great, involving too many complexities.
"'Zi'? A graceful gentleman, gentle as jade?"
"'Zi'..."
Even as a great scholar of classics, a contemporary Master of Classics... for a moment, he could not find a suitable word.
In this vast sea of characters, finding one that truly fit Lu Yu's identity, background, and status was not simple at all!
"Heh heh..."
Zheng Xuan chuckled... and at that very moment.
"Master, Chancellor Cao seeks an audience outside the courtyard."
Hmm... Cao Cao?
Zheng Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. He mused in his heart that earlier, his "sister" had come, then his "grandpa," and now... it was the turn of the elder father to seek an evaluation and a courtesy name for his son!
Immediately, he beckoned, "Let him in!"
Tread, tread...
A short while later, Cao Cao entered the pavilion. At this moment, Cao Cao had removed his shoes. One must know that even in the Hall of Honored Virtue, he was permitted to enter with his shoes on, but... at this moment, to express his respect for the Master of Classics, Cao Cao removed his shoes and entered with his head bowed.
"Disciple Cao Cao pays respects to Honored Sir Zheng..."
"What virtue or merit do I, Zheng Xuan, possess that enables Mengde to call me teacher?" Zheng Xuan gestured, indicating that Cao Cao need not be so formal.
"Honored sir is Aman's guide. Aman should indeed be so."
Cao Cao maintained his cupped-hand posture.
Indeed, recounting Cao Cao's path of growth...
Besides his grandfather Cao Teng and father Cao Song, those who had influenced him were:
The renowned minister known as "Young Master Qiao" - Qiao Xuan;
The great scholar, "Master of Classics" Zheng Xuan, who had written commentaries on the Confucian classics;
The peerless talent Cai Yong, who lived in seclusion by the rivers and lakes for twelve years and tragically died by Wang Yun's blade;
Even the Grand Tutor of the Imperial Academy, He Yong, who had experienced many hardships;
Including... the "Unlucky God of War" Huangfu Song, a leader in warfare;
Including... the powerful eunuch Cao Jie, who had sworn brotherhood with Cao Song;
And each of these individuals was like a "sculptor" to Cao Cao, leaving deep imprints on his path of growth.
In retrospect, among those still living, besides his father Cao Song, only Zheng Xuan remained. Cao Cao cherished him greatly and felt a deep sense of kinship.
"Chancellor Cao, are you also here to seek a courtesy name for Lu Yu?" Zheng Xuan asked directly.
Cao Cao, however, rolled his eyes. "Yes and no..."
Hmm...
Zheng Xuan hesitated slightly, and Cao Cao added, "Not only to seek a courtesy name for Lu Yu, but more importantly, to seek an evaluation for Yinlin..."
Ho...
This mention of Yinlin seeking an evaluation was deeply significant!
Heh heh...
Zheng Xuan was greatly astonished in his heart. This eldest son of the Cao clan was also the Yinlin of the present era?
In that case...
This "courtesy name" would be even more difficult to "obtain"!
Cao Cao and Zheng Xuan's conversation was very brief, lasting only the time it takes to brew a cup of tea. Cao Cao then departed, and the lamp in the pavilion was extinguished.
The faint moonlight filtered through the window cracks, falling on the ground like scattered white frost.
Zheng Xuan, however, felt his heart stirred. He seemed to have found many unknown answers throughout the night.
Similarly, for several decades, he felt that his heart had not been so turbulent!
...
...
In Xudu City, about a mile south of the city, there stood a large residence. It had been empty for a long time.
Recently... it had become exceptionally lively.
What was even more noteworthy was the presence of numerous guards outside the main gate of the residence, and a large plaque hung there.
— Refining Workshop!
This was the name Lu Yu had given it.
The place for refining white phosphorus. In his previous life, it was called a laboratory. In this era, they could only make do with the name "Refining Workshop"!
The reason for setting up this Refining Workshop outside the city...
Was because Lu Yu had considered the risks of "chemical research."
After all... white phosphorus could spontaneously combust at forty degrees Celsius. If a fire broke out, and by chance, this "Refining Workshop" caught fire, it would be disastrous if it were within the city.
The flames it generated could instantly turn several streets into ashes.
Moreover, the refinement and use of white phosphorus were still in the early stages. If... it exploded, He Yan... Lu Yu wouldn't be too concerned, as long as the Situ's residence wasn't burned down along with it!
At this time...
Cartloads of flint and steel were being transported to this location from various places. This was Lu Yu's order: all departments... were to cooperate fully with He Yan's scientific research endeavors.
Most of this flint and steel was mined from the mountains; they were all of superior quality.
Originally... they would be polished and cut, made into small flint stones, used for the daily lives of the common people and in the army!
And now...
"Boom, boom..."
The backyard of the Refining Workshop caught fire again, another spontaneous combustion of white phosphorus...
"Fire!"
"Fire!"
Fortunately, the amount of white phosphorus being refined was not large, and the fire was not severe!
However, even so, when He Yan rushed over... his brows furrowed into an inverted 'V'.
Ignited spontaneously again?
This was already the nth time the Refining Workshop had spontaneously combusted since its establishment. Each time, He Yan meticulously investigated...
In truth, he had an exceptional talent for this white powder. Whether it was the Five-Stone Powder or this white phosphorus, it was the same.
However, repeated investigations led him to discover that the preservation of white phosphorus was a major challenge.
Moreover...
Even the slightest flame could cause the stored white phosphorus to detonate instantaneously, with immense destructive power, capable of incinerating a person in an instant!
"This..."
He Yan frowned, deep in thought.
"Young Master He, the cause has been determined..." a soldier reported truthfully. "It was the friction generated during the transport of flint that ignited the flames, thereby igniting this white powder..."
As he spoke, the soldier felt a tremor in his heart...
To reiterate... fortunately, the amount of white phosphorus being refined now was not large, nor was the amount stored. Otherwise... this Refining Workshop might have to be renamed the "Morgue"!
Hoo...
He Yan let out a long sigh, his mind racing.
This He Lan, known for his powder, was an exceptionally intelligent young gentleman with an unusual obsession for white powder. And now... the technique of refining white phosphorus from flint and steel had actually matured.
The only constraint... was in its preservation.
Wait...
Suddenly, He Yan noticed something. That's right... it was the white phosphorus. Due to a small-scale explosion, some white phosphorus powder had been blown into the courtyard and had settled into this lake.
He Yan was a very clean person; he required the water in the Refining Workshop to be crystal clear!
And this time... it was precisely the water in this pool.
— A lot of white phosphorus had settled into this pool, but the water had not become turbid.
On the contrary... the water remained crystal clear, and the white powder settled at the bottom, even gathering together to form particles the size of grains, like very fine gravel.
"Insoluble in water, is it?"
He Yan muttered softly.
Immediately thereafter, his eyes widened abruptly...
"Someone, select a portion of white phosphorus and immerse it in a water basin, then... burn it with fire, no... then bring it to me. I will personally test it with high-temperature flames."
He Yan had initially intended to have his subordinates test whether the white phosphorus submerged in water would ignite when exposed to high temperatures.
But...
On second thought, this was a matter of putting one's head on the line. If one were not careful, the entire person would be engulfed in flames, turning into a fireball!
If he himself didn't test it... who would dare to?
Ah... ah...
Indeed, upon hearing this order, the soldiers were all startled. "Young Master He... this..."
"Young Master Lu sent your Long Dragon Camp soldiers here not to ask why, but to do as I say now..." He Yan's eyes were extremely firm. "Quickly, now!"
This time...
The soldiers of the Long Dragon Camp no longer dared to hesitate and went to prepare the white phosphorus and the water basin!
A short while later.
A large amount of white phosphorus was submerged in half a basin of water, and He Yan picked up a torch, circling the water basin with it.
Within ten paces of him, there was no one...
Based on the way flames spontaneously combusted and incinerated instantly in the past, this distance was enough to turn him into charcoal. All the onlookers also held their breath, their hearts in their throats!
Finally...
One breath, two breaths...
Ten breaths, twenty breaths...
There was no burning, nor any soaring flames!
The conclusion had appeared... no matter how close the flames were brought to the white phosphorus in the water basin, it did not spontaneously combust. Similarly, it did not dissolve in the water; the water in the basin remained crystal clear.
Seeing this scene...
He Yan was ecstatic. Tears were about to spill from his eyes. He inhaled deeply, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and with tears...
He quickly took out a bamboo slip from his embrace, picked up his brush, and began to write.
— "White phosphorus is insoluble in water and settles in water, thus avoiding spontaneous combustion!"
After finishing his record...
He let out a long breath. Finally, he had overcome this first storage challenge.
Then...
It was time to verify the power of this white phosphorus.
"You all, quickly go and report to Grand Elder Cao that I, He Yan, need a cattle shed and twenty strong draft cattle!"
Uh...
Cattle shed, draft cattle!
As these words left his lips, the soldiers were once again stunned.
One must know that draft cattle were extremely precious in this era. Moreover, with Cao Cao's "Military Colonies" policy of grain tax based on cattle, cattle were even more valuable!
Unless a cow died of old age, it was strictly forbidden to consume it...
But... He Yan asked for twenty at once. This...
Before the soldiers of the Long Dragon Camp could react, He Yan's voice followed immediately.
"Didn't Situ Lu say that regardless of the Long Dragon Camp, the Imperial Academy, the granary, or the treasury... whatever is needed by the Refining Workshop, all departments will cooperate, and all provisions will be made!"
"A mere cattle shed and twenty draft cattle should not be a problem, should they?"
Hoo...
The soldiers sighed. At this moment, they were not questioning whether these twenty cattle could be obtained, but rather... they were very curious... what Young Master He Yan wanted these twenty cattle for?
It couldn't be... like Situ Lu, luring the cattle to walk towards a knife's edge, could it?
...
...