Liu Bei?
Zhou Yu brought up Liu Bei, believing this individual was far from simple. Zhou Yu had met Liu Bei once before the Battle of Chibi.
That encounter had allowed Zhou Yu to perceive that Zhuge Liang's choice of Liu Bei for the "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage" was indeed sensible!
At the very least, Liu Bei possessed profound depth and cunning.
Beneath a surface of benevolence, he harbored boundless hidden schemes…
Now, having fled into the Bashu region and seized the territory of his clan brother Liu Zhang, he finally possessed a domain!
After resolving issues in Jiangdong and Xiliang, Great Wei's next target would inevitably be Bashu…
Therefore…
Zhou Yu slowly presented his thoughts.
Lu Yu, however, shook his head. He felt it was unlikely… not that Liu Bei wouldn't know what to do, but that he lacked the capability to do so!
Currently, Liu Bei had occupied Bashu for too short a time, with factions of elders, Jingzhou officials, and Dongzhou officials all vying for power… the internal affairs were still in disarray, let alone concerning external matters.
"This is not right…" Lu Yu immediately raised his objection, "Even if Liu Bei wanted to do this, his generals, be it Guan, Zhang, or even Zilong, were all men of righteousness. Moreover, there was Zhuge Kongming… none of them would permit Liu Bei to act in such a manner…"
Speaking of which…
Lu Yu's eyes flickered. He lowered his gaze to a map displayed on the table, his finger tracing upwards from Wujun in Jiangdong, then to Jingzhou, to Luoyang, to Xiliang… finally, to the gateway from Xiliang to Bashu – Dongchuan, Yangping Pass!
Lu Yu's finger stopped there, his eyes narrowing.
"Could it be them!"
With a sigh of emotion, everyone leaned in to look at the map…
Upon seeing Yangping Pass, Zhou Yu and Sun Quan exclaimed in unison, "Hanzhong?"
Lu Yu nodded slightly, about to voice his opinion…
Just then…
"Report…" Dian Wei reported, "Our ships have docked. A message has come from the shore stating that the Saintess of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect seeks an audience with the Crown Prince at the port of Jianye City!"
Hmm…
Hearing this, Lu Yu was taken aback.
The Five Pecks of Rice Sect? Jiangdong?
A question arose: why would the Saintess of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect be in Jiangdong?
Taking a step back, if she was in Jiangdong, wasn't it to "plant this plague"?
If so, why would she personally seek him out?
A string of questions surfaced in Lu Yu's mind. This matter… was somewhat peculiar!
Zhou Yu then elaborated, "The Five Pecks of Rice Sect originated from Mount Heming in the Bashu region, did it not? Legend has it there were three Heavenly Masters: the first was Zhang Daoling, the second Zhang Heng, and the third Zhang Lu… Previously, no one in Jiangdong had ever heard of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect lurking here."
Lu Yu, however, smiled, "If that's the case, then we must meet her!"
Zhou Yu expressed his concern, "Although the Five Pecks of Rice Sect is located far away in Bashu, some news has reached Jiangdong. This sect is quite peculiar. Your Highness, please be cautious!"
"Rest assured," Lu Yu was full of confidence, "A Saintess, ultimately, is still a woman… can she possibly eat me?"
Speaking of which…
Lu Yu directly gave an order, "Have the fleet proceed at full speed and dock!"
"Yes!" Dian Wei acknowledged and went to make arrangements.
Over there…
Outside the ship's cabins, Xu Chu led a contingent of the Tiger Guards to provide escort.
Some of the Tiger Guards felt indignant.
"Boss, we used to provide close protection for the King of Wei, but now, with the Crown Prince, we have to… we have to guard from the periphery. The men are all feeling disheartened, as if we're a step below the Dragon Mighty Camp!"
Although it was just one Tiger Guard who spoke.
Xu Chu understood this matter clearly.
In the past, the Tiger Guards were the King of Wei's fellow provincials, his direct subordinates, and his most trusted men. They had been so heavily relied upon and trusted by the King of Wei's side, but by the Crown Prince's side… inexplicably a step lower. How could their hearts feel at ease?
Initially, Xu Chu paid no mind. But as the complaints among the Tiger Guards grew louder.
Xu Chu sighed, lamenting, "Even a simple man like me knows that when a new ruler ascends the throne, new ministers follow. We are the King of Wei's direct subordinates, but the Crown Prince's direct subordinates are only the Dragon Mighty Camp!"
Speaking of which, Xu Chu's tone lowered, clearly…
His words carried a hint of sadness.
But… this sadness had to be suppressed.
The King of Wei was no longer young, but Great Wei was still very young…
Great Wei's aspirations for kingship and hegemony were incredibly long.
"All of you, pull yourselves together…" Xu Chu shouted coldly, "The King of Wei's oral command is that guarding the Crown Prince of Wei is of paramount importance. Should there be any mishap, our sin will be immense. Don't forget who led us out of Runan back then, and who allowed us brothers to live good lives!"
This…
Indeed, Xu Chu's words stirred memories for many soldiers.
Everyone thought of the Crown Prince…
And in their gratitude, it seemed… the knot in their hearts loosened considerably.
Indeed, what Xu Chu said was right: when a new ruler ascends the throne, new ministers follow!
Besides that, there was also… gratitude!
The Tiger Guards would not possess eternal glory, nor could the Dragon Mighty Camp maintain it forever. What could shine eternally was only – Great Wei!
The imperial examination system was divided into provincial examinations (Xiangshi), metropolitan examinations (Huishi), and palace examinations (Dianshi).
More than a month after Lu Yu left Luoyang, the first provincial examination had already been completed…
As it was the first session, it was held only in Luoyang… Scholars from all over the empire could participate in the provincial examination in Luoyang!
Following the provincial examinations was the metropolitan examination!
With the vigorous promotion by the newspaper office, the enthusiasm of scholars registering from various regions was extremely high. Phrases such as "Xianggong" and "Jieshi" had become focal points of discussion on the streets and alleys.
Luoyang City was teeming with scholars.
The Ministry of Personnel (Shangshutai) had specially constructed academic buildings and allocated all rooms in the Imperial Academy for candidates to answer their questions… The questions were jointly formulated by the Ministry of Personnel, led by Xun Yu and Chen Qun, and the School of Investigation (Xiaoshifu), led by Sima Yi and Yang Xiu!
As it was held in August, it was known as the "Autumn Field" (Qiufeng).
However…
While there was much joy and sorrow among the scholars.
In Xiahou Dun's mansion, there was only boisterous commotion.
Cao Zhen, a rising star among the younger generation of the Cao family, fiercely threw down the palace examination list before him, "Uncle Xiahou, please judge this fairly. The recommendation system (Chaju) has been abolished, and the imperial examinations are being implemented. It's fine elsewhere, but in the provincial examinations for the youths of our Qiao and Pei regions, not a single person from our clan has entered the palace examinations! How can this be justified!"
Xiahou Dun coldly glanced at the list…
Cao Hong clamored, "Today I received the list of metropolitan examination candidates from the Ministry of Personnel, and I was also surprised. Even though I knew this imperial examination system was unfavorable to us, I never expected that this emperor brat would completely disregard us! My four hundred disciples participated in the provincial examinations? Only thirty entered the metropolitan examinations. What's most infuriating is the palace examinations, not a single one entered? Are so many people merely good-for-nothings! On the contrary… on those lists, many are from families with generations of scholarly tradition, or those from humble backgrounds? What capabilities do they possess!"
Cao Zhen picked up the list again and scanned it. "Lu Ji? Isn't this that kid from the Crown Prince's maternal family? How did the Ministry of Personnel set the exams? The Crown Prince's maternal family is first in the provincial examination, and not a single one of us from Qiao Pei is there. Is this favoritism?"
*Slap…*
Cao Hong slammed his hand on the table, "No, I'm going to tell Big Brother immediately. We can't let that emperor brat and the Ministry of Personnel do this!"
Saying that, Cao Hong was about to walk out the door.
"Zi Lin!" Xiahou Dun called out to Cao Hong, "Don't go…"
"Ah… Yuan Rang? This…" Cao Hong looked bewildered.
Xiahou Dun sighed, "Your elder brother has already ordered that for this imperial examination system, we are to cooperate with the Son of Heaven and the Ministry of Personnel, and not to stir up trouble!"
"Has Big Brother's head been knocked dizzy?" Cao Hong immediately retorted… "If we allow our Qiao and Pei youths to be completely eliminated like this, in the long run, our Qiao and Pei will be finished!"
Speaking of which… Cao Hong still wanted to go.
Xiahou Dun grabbed his arm, "You are not allowed to go!"
"Yuan Rang you…"
"This is Big Brother's order, and also the Crown Prince's instruction!"
Xiahou Dun's words stunned Cao Hong. He had never expected that the imperial examinations, which the Son of Heaven was stubbornly pushing for, would ultimately… would gain the support of Big Brother Cao Cao and the Crown Prince Cao Yu. This was something Cao Hong had not anticipated.
"Hmph… hmph…"
Cao Hong left with a snort…
Cao Zhen bowed and bid farewell to Xiahou Dun, then chased after him.
"Uncle…"
At the entrance to the courtyard, Cao Zhen stopped Cao Hong. Cao Hong was still furious, "The deed is done. Since Big Brother and the Crown Prince both support it, what use is it for you to stop me?"
Cao Zhen's eyes fixed. He quickly said, "Uncle, can't you see? Who is being selected by this imperial examination system?"
"Isn't it those clan disciples who smell of 'scholarly air'?" Cao Hong replied without hesitation.
"No…" Cao Zhen analyzed carefully, "Uncle, think about it. In the past, the recommendation system was monopolized by clan disciples. But this imperial examination… although there are still clan disciples, many fallen humble families now have hope for a resurgence!"
Cao Zhen paused, his tone intensifying.
"The King and the Crown Prince intend to use the Emperor's hand to gradually abolish the monopoly of the clans, and also use this imperial examination system to make the Emperor lose the hearts of the clans!"
Hiss…
Hearing this, Cao Hong felt a little better.
He stroked his chin and smacked his lips.
Cao Zhen continued, "In such a matter, we must add fuel to the fire!"
"Add fuel to the fire?"
"That's right. We people of Qiao and Pei cannot openly defy the wishes of the King and the Crown Prince, but… among those who were eliminated this time, there are certainly disciples from various clans. If you and I are not reconciled, will they be willing to share a portion of their gains with humble families? Let them make a fuss… make a fuss about the palace examinations! This way,
The Emperor loses the hearts of the clans, and we can also strive for some palace examination slots for Qiao and Pei. Moreover… the Emperor has chosen to hold this palace examination outside the Sima Gate, to let scholars from all over witness it. Heh heh, it just so happens… the number of people eliminated this time is enough to overturn this palace examination!"
Hearing this, Cao Hong expressed some concern, "But if there's a commotion, will it… after all, Changxiu under Zi Yu and Sima Yi are also responsible for these examinations!"
Cao Zhen casually handed Cao Hong a list of those who were eliminated, "It's not us people of Qiao and Pei causing trouble. If there's a commotion… we'll just watch from the sidelines!"
…
…
The ship docked, and Zhang Liao personally waited there.
Lu Yu was directly led into a tent, which had clearly been temporarily set up as a place of "detention." Inside, apart from a rug, there was nothing else.
Two guards with halberds stood outside the tent.
The person had identified herself as the Saintess of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect… Zhang Liao dared not be negligent, so… he had to be slightly dismissive, maintaining strict vigilance.
Every Dragon Mighty armored soldier guarding here was on high alert.
They feared that this woman might employ some sorcery…
The Yellow Turban Rebellion twenty years ago, with Zhang Jiao's sorcery of summoning wind and rain, and turning beans into soldiers, had already ingrained in the minds of everyone in this era the notion that "Daoist arts" and "sorcery" were one and the same.
Lu Yu, however, entered the tent with a calm demeanor.
Sun Shangxiang, worried, accompanied her husband personally, clad in a light red armor… her hand always resting on her sword hilt.
As for… this Saintess of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, Lu Yu could only describe her as "mysterious" at first glance.
Black gauze covered her mouth, but it couldn't hide her pair of shimmering, almond-shaped beautiful eyes. Beneath her charming smile, she seemed to be constantly emanating allure to men… Lu Yu's gaze subtly shifted to her slender and elegant jade neck, almost being drawn in by the deep cleavage. Her willow-like waist, swaying with every movement, exuded natural temptation.
—A woman who embodies both grace and seduction!
"Are you the Saintess of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect?"
Lu Yu spoke first…
The woman slowly rose and curtsied, "This humble one, Zhang Qiying, the Saintess of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, pays her respects to His Highness the Crown Prince of Wei!"
Respectful and courteous…
And her tender, charming voice, which made one's bones go soft, was constantly conveying four words — captivating! Even Sun Shangxiang, standing behind Lu Yu, couldn't help but move her lips, calling out "Witch…"
Lu Yu finally understood why… Zhang Liao was keeping such a close guard, not even daring to have beds or stools prepared in this tent…
This Saintess was too alluring.
"Tell me, what business do you have with me?"
Lu Yu murmured.
Zhang Qiying's soft, melting voice echoed again, "I believe Your Highness the Crown Prince is aware that a rat plague has occurred in Jiangdong… and our Five Pecks
of Rice Sect also has a branch in Jiangdong. Normally… we live secluded from the world, but under this plague, we cannot help but do our humble best…"
Zhang Qiying's words surprised Lu Yu.
Who would have thought that the Five Pecks of Rice Sect was here to save Jiangdong and resolve the plague?
This was completely contrary to Lu Yu's initial thoughts.
"So, the Saintess is waiting for me here also because of this plague!"
"Precisely!" Zhang Qiying's tone was firm, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is acclaimed as the Medicine Immortal of our age, bringing relief to the world. Even the common cold, which has baffled the Han Dynasty for a hundred years, can be resolved by Your Highness the Crown Prince… This humble one therefore thought that this mere rat plague! Perhaps… it might not trouble Your Highness the Crown Prince… Recently… our Five Pecks of Rice Sect has also been attempting to quell the plague, and we have some insights that might be of some help to Your Highness. This is why… this humble one is waiting for Your Highness the Crown Prince here!"
Don't say…
Zhang Qiying's words were logical and well-founded, but in reality, in Lu Yu's eyes, her words were full of flaws and loopholes!
"Do you think I will believe these words?"
Lu Yu asked with a smile…
And Zhang Qiying was not flustered at all. Following Lu Yu's words, she replied, "If Your Highness does not believe, why not accompany this humble one to a few places? Once there… Your Highness will see the truth with your own eyes!"
"Dao gives birth to virtue, nature acts spontaneously, gentleness and non-contention, longevity and enduring vision… The path to immortality values life, infinitely saving sentient beings… The Way of Heaven diminishes the abundant and supplements the deficient. Whether my Five Pecks of Rice Sect is good or bad? Your Highness the Crown Prince should witness it with your own eyes and judge for yourself! However…"
Mentioning the last part…
Zhang Qiying looked up at Sun Shangxiang behind Lu Yu.
— "It seems that Your Highness the Crown Prince's wife is filled with hostility towards me!"