When Ji Han and his men traveled to the Three Kingdoms crew

Chapter 563: Jia Xu: Blame it on me, right? I'm used to it.

"Father, I haven't thought this through."

While chatting and laughing, Cao Cao poured another cup of tea and handed it to Cao Song. This time, Cao Song did not slap Cao Cao's hand away. Instead, he took the tea cup with a smile and sipped it slowly. His wrinkled old face was full of expectations for the fertile fields of Tianzhu.

However, as Cao Song was drinking, he suddenly thought of a crucial point. He put down his teacup, and his expression gradually became complicated. "Son, what you said really touched my heart. I believe you, but I am afraid it will be difficult to convince other members of the tribe. Although the fertile fields in Tianzhu are good, they are far away. Although the fields in the tribe are ordinary, they are right in front of us. It will be very difficult to let them give up their fields on their own initiative."

Cao Cao knew that what Cao Song said was true. He knew the temperaments of his uncles and aunts very well. If it were someone else, he would not have considered so much.

Maybe I can convince my father by putting myself in his shoes, but it will be difficult to convince the entire clan.

In the final analysis, we need to offer tangible benefits, tie the entire clan to a carriage, and of course, we also need to put some eye drops on the clan.

After making up his mind, Cao Cao lowered his eyes, his look full of helplessness.

"Alas, Father. You don't know that I am helpless too."

"Brother Xuande is my best friend, but Jia Wenhe and the others are not."

"I support Dutian Ling, but the current situation is not what I want. Jia Wenhe's hand has already reached out to me. Captain Zhang and his subordinates are all from Liangzhou."

"If I don't measure the land with lightning speed, and if I'm suppressed by Jia Wenhe, I'm afraid I won't even be able to serve as the county governor. On the contrary, if I take strong action and let Brother Xuande take charge, it won't be difficult for me to return to the position of the Nine Ministers."

"When I return to the position of the Nine Ministers, no matter what decrees are issued by the court, my clan will be able to be one step ahead under my operation."

"This is the best method I can think of, and it is also the way out I have found for my clan."

"If a clan is like the Li family who pretends to obey but actually disobeys, Chen Yuanlong will not show mercy. Father, you should know that the imperial army is invincible and it is not something that the nobles can contend with."

"Besides, if we actively cooperate in measuring the land, the land we will have will be far less than before, but it will still be better than that of other noble families."

Cao Cao could only apologize to Jia Xu in his heart, as the reputation of this poisonous scholar was too loud.

Cao Song took a breath of cold air. Meng De was right! This statement was enough to convince the tribesmen!
just
Cao Song looked at Cao Cao suspiciously. Because of his understanding of Cao Cao, he always felt that what Cao Cao said was half true and half false.

He lowered his voice and asked, "Meng De, what you just said is not entirely true, right? How much of it is true and how much is false?"

"Hehe, I still can't hide it from my father."

Seeing that Cao Cao did not want to answer the latter question, Cao Song did not force him. It was enough to convince the clan, and the fertile land in Tianzhu was the top priority.

Cao Song stood up slowly and said, "Meng De, you don't have to worry about the clan. What I just said is enough. Your father will convince the clan for you."

"Thank you, Father. Father, I will take you there."

As Cao Cao sent troops to escort Cao Song away, the gentry in Shanyang County fell into despair. They thought Cao Song had come to uphold justice, but they didn't expect that Cao Song left before they could even sit down.

Fortunately, there is family education.

The nobles of Shanyang County thought hopefully.

Taichang Palace.

"Ah!"

Jia Xu sneezed uncontrollably one after another. Kong Rong, the Minister of Rites, asked with concern, "Minister of Rites, are you okay? Do you want me to call the imperial physician?"

"No need." Jia Xu refused Kong Rong.

For Jia Xu, sneezing for no apparent reason was a common occurrence.

Whenever something like this happens, it is most likely that someone is throwing dirty water on him behind his back.

On the contrary, Kong Rong
Kong Rong looked a little strange, with black halos around his eyes.

"Taichang Cheng, what were you doing yesterday? Why do you look so tired?"

"This"

In response to Jia Xu's question, Kong Rong looked at Jia Xu and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Jia Xu smiled and guessed: "Let me guess, is there someone talking about me behind my back?"

"I still can't hide it from the Minister of Rites." Kong Rong struggled for a moment and said frankly, "Recently, the nobles of Yanzhou have been spreading rumors about the Minister of Rites. I was so angry that I stayed up all night to write an article to denounce them."

"Thank you, Minister Taichang, for your righteous words, but please don't get so angry that you become ill. What did they say?"

"they said"

When Jia Xu heard the rumors in Yanzhou from Kong Rong, his old face twitched uncontrollably.

Good things don't go out, bad things pass thousands of miles.

What greed, what oppression of scholars, what use of land measurement to exclude dissidents
The insults were as nasty as they sounded. Originally, his reputation might have been the second Dong Zhuo, but now, judging from his reputation alone, Dong Zhuo was more of a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty than he was.
Jia Xu fanned the feather fan in his hand vigorously. As the saying goes, too much debt is better than nothing. Just throw it away. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter anymore.
Kong Rong silently observed Jia Xu's expression. After Liu Bei's introduction, he knew that Jia Xu was not as vicious as the rumors said. He felt that Jia Xu was tolerant and open-minded in daily interactions, but this was too open-minded. If it were him, he would definitely argue with him until his face turned red and his neck became thick.

Instead of being angry, the Minister of Rites was as steady as a rock. I really admire him.

"Taichang Cheng, let's not discuss this matter for now. I have something important to attend to today, and the general will also go to the Shangfang Mansion."

Important matters? General? Imperial Palace?

Since he had focused all his attention on writing the article yesterday, he didn't pay much attention to what Jia Xu said.

Now that I think about it carefully, I feel surprised.

Shangfang Mansion? Aren't there a bunch of craftsmen in Shangfang Mansion? What's so good about craftsmen?
How did it alarm the general?
Just when Kong Rong was confused, the gatekeeper came hurriedly to report, "Grand Minister of Rites, Grand General's carriage is here!"

Jia Xu stood up and said with a smile: "Grand Secretary of State, let's go to the palace gate to welcome the general."

"Yes." Kong Rong hurriedly followed Jia Xu's footsteps.

However, they were still a step too slow. Before they even walked out of the mansion, they saw Liu Bei striding over, his words full of joy, "Wenhe, Wenju, the carriages and horses are ready, just outside the mansion. Come with me to the Shangfang Mansion!"

Liu Bei was speaking as he walked up to the two of them. Before Kong Rong could react, Liu Bei grabbed his wrist and then invited him into the car in a daze.

When I came to my senses, I looked up and saw a plaque with three big characters "Shangfang Mansion" written in a flamboyant style.

However, when he lowered his head, he saw that the people guarding the gate were soldiers wearing armor and holding swords, and there were even soldiers patrolling around.

This really makes people curious. Why is a small Shangfang so heavily guarded?
Could it be that there are some rare treasures in there?
Liu Bei and Jia Xu saw Kong Rong's confusion. They smiled at each other, but no one spoke out to explain. Instead, they said one after the other, "Wenhe, Wenju, please."

"General, Minister of Rites, please come in." After being reminded by Liu Bei and Jia Xu, Kong Rong came to his senses and hurriedly followed the two.

As soon as you step into the Shangfang Mansion, it seems as if the world has changed drastically.

The sound of clanging and hammering was endless, shirtless and sweaty craftsmen were coming and going in a hurry, and the air was filled with an unbearable strange smell.

What was even more incomprehensible was yet to come. There was a loud bang, like a thunderclap out of nowhere, which frightened Kong Rong so much that he lost his balance and staggered, almost falling to the ground.

Fortunately, Liu Bei was quick to act and quickly supported Kong Rong.

"General, just now, Mr. Zuo was studying gunpowder in the backyard, so he disturbed you." Pu Yu walked quickly in front of Liu Bei. He was dressed like other craftsmen and was sweating profusely.

If ordinary scholars saw Pu Yu like this, they would certainly show displeasure, and then point at Pu Yu's nose and scold him, "It's immoral, it's immoral!"

Liu Bei was not displeased. Instead, he asked nervously, "Master, is there any accident? How is Mr. Zuo? Is he injured?!"

"General, don't worry. The system requirements of Shangfang Mansion are strictly implemented as planned by the general, and there will not be any loopholes. Even if an accident occurs, the imperial physician stationed in Shangfang Mansion will provide timely diagnosis." Pu Yu said, patting his chest.

Jia Xu took the opportunity to say, "General, if you are really worried, why not go and see Zuo Jun? I will wait for you here. What do you think, Minister of Rites?"

Kong Rong, who was named by Jia Xu, nodded subconsciously, "The Minister of Rites is right."

Seeing that Jia Xu and Kong Rong had said this, Liu Bei did not hesitate. "That's fine. Then I'll embarrass Wen and Wen Ju. Please go to the guest room and wait for me first."

Pu Yu called a young man over, "Yuan'er, take the two guests to the guest room."

"promise."

The boy was seven feet tall and about sixteen years old. He was tall and strong, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. He looked quite steady despite his young age.

only.
Kong Rong always felt that there was something wrong with the young man named "Yuan" in front of him. Why were his eyes red and his voice choked when he looked at the general?

Liu Bei, who was about to leave, was also shocked and looked at Pu Yu in surprise, "Who is this boy?"

Pu Yu obviously didn't expect Liu Bei to ask the boy's name. Without thinking too much, he blurted out, "This boy is my younger brother's son. His surname is Pu and his name is Yuan."

"Pu Yuan." Liu Bei patted Pu Yu's shoulder, "You will surely be a master craftsman with extraordinary skills in the future."

"Yuan'er, why don't you come and thank the general?"

At the instruction of Pu Yu's eyes, Pu Yuan bowed to Liu Bei and said, "I pay my respects to the former general."

Ok?
臣？
Kong Rong was confused. Did he hear it wrong? Why did he feel that Pu Yuan was not meeting the general, but the emperor?

As Kong Rong walked to the guest room, he felt more and more strange. He approached Jia Xu and whispered in his ear: "Minister of Rites, did you hear what Pu Yuan said just now? He seemed to call himself a minister in front of the general."

"Ah?" Jia Xu suddenly stopped and looked at Kong Rong in surprise. "Grand Secretary of State, are you too tired? Why would Pu Langjun call himself a minister?"

Kong Rong did not expect Jia Xu to say this, and he saw that Jia Xu did not look fake. He wondered, "Could it be that I heard it wrong?"

Jia Xu thought to himself: I guess Pu Yuan is another wise and capable minister and general of my lord.

"My two nobles, we have arrived at the guest room."

Pu Yuan's voice brought Jia Xu and Kong Rong back to the present. They said "thank you" in unison, then walked into the guest room and found a chair to sit down.

Not long after, Liu Bei and Pu Yu walked into the house talking and laughing, and Jia Xu and Kong Rong hurriedly stood up.

"Wenhe Wenju, sit down, sit down."

"It's just as the master said. Mr. Zuo is indeed fine."

After a few pleasantries, Liu Bei didn't waste any words and stated the purpose of his visit. "I came to the Shangfang Mansion today because I heard there was a happy event. What is it?"

"Hahahaha, General, Minister of Rites, and Minister of Rites. You'd better watch carefully what happens next!" Pu Yu clapped his hands.

Pu Yuan gave the three books to Liu Bei, Jia Xu and Kong Rong respectively. Kong Rong picked up the book and saw only two words "The Analects of Confucius" written on the cover.

He wondered, isn't it just the Analects? Why is it so mysterious?
When Kong Rong opened the book, his eyes widened and his hands trembled. He quickly turned back to the cover and saw the two words "Translation and Annotation" that he had overlooked. He looked up at Liu Bei in disbelief, "General, is this book an annotated version of The Analects? Which famous scholar annotated this book? The annotations are accurate and the translation is plain. I have never seen it before!"

Liu Bei laughed, "Wen Ju, the most important thing is not who commented on it."

unimportant?
Kong Rong suddenly became anxious. If this is not important, then what is important?

Jia Xu reminded: "Tai Chang Cheng, please read the last two volumes."

"The last two?"

Kong Rong picked up the other two books and took a look. They were also "The Analects of Confucius with Annotations". How strange! Why did he copy three copies of "The Analects of Confucius with Annotations"?
Kong Rong opened the book and saw that the annotations were exactly the same as the previous one. What's so strange about this?
And slow!

Kong Rong realized a crucial point.

It's exactly the same!
The size and shape of the ligatures are exactly the same!
You know, even if one person copies the same book, it is impossible to make it exactly the same!
The mysterious great scholar made annotations and copied books beyond imagination.
If every classic could be like this, it would be incredible, incredible.

Judging from the general's temper, these books will probably end up in Han Su's hands.

By then, the family education that the great noble families were so proud of would probably be in jeopardy.
People say I'm a heretic, but that's nothing compared to this. This is what heresy is!

Thinking of this, Kong Rong felt his scalp tingling. In order to confirm his guess, he asked cautiously: "General, can this method of copying books and such annotations be used in other classics?"

"can."

"." Kong Rong's breathing became rapid, and he couldn't wait to ask: "What is this method of copying books?"

"Movable type printing."

"Where is the person who made the bet?"

Liu Bei smiled and said nothing.

Kong Rong couldn't help wondering, couldn't the annotator say his name? Was it Zheng Xuan? No, that was not Zheng Xuan's style.

The only possibility is that he is a hermit master!

Kong Rong clenched his fists in excitement. He never expected that the hermit master would come out of seclusion to help the general! The general really has a destiny!
?

Liu Bei always felt that Kong Rong seemed to have misunderstood something.

(End of this chapter)