The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 715 Academic Officer

Xiahou He had just sent one away when another one came soon.

The famous scholar who came to see him this time was a little unusual. He was a Hun named Liu Xuan.

The person who brought him here was his teacher Sun Yan, who was a staunch supporter of Zheng Xue.

Xiahou He had met many celebrities who came looking for jobs in recent days, but this was the first time he had seen a Xiongnu celebrity.

Of course, if Liu Xuan did not take the initiative to reveal his identity, outsiders would hardly be able to tell his identity. Whether in his dress or his speech and behavior, he was no different from the celebrities of today.

Xiahou He looked at the two masters and apprentices in front of him with a complicated expression.

Are even the Huns afraid of paying taxes now?
Sun Yan looked at his favorite student with pride in his eyes.

Because he was suppressed badly by Kong Chao and others, he summoned his friends and outstanding disciples from all over the place, wanting them to be his assistants.

After Liu Xuan arrived in Luoyang, Sun Yan wanted him to work in the Imperial Academy. After all, the more outstanding the disciple was, the more prestigious he would be as a teacher.

He began to speak, "In all these days, I have never recommended any disciple to Xiahou He, but this disciple of mine is different. He is Jin Midi from the time of Emperor Xiaowu of the Former Han Dynasty!"

"He is well-versed in the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents, and is proficient in the classics. His attainments in the classics are no less than those of the learned scholars in the Central Plains."

"Besides, he has always had ambitions, always determined to assist the Sage King and achieve the same achievements as Xiao He and Deng Yu!"

Sun Yan praised his disciple to the sky. Xiahou He secretly looked at Liu Xuan, but found that his face was calm. Even though he was praised so much by his teacher, he remained indifferent.

Xiahou He couldn't help but marvel at it.

He ignored the boastful Sun Yan and instead looked at Liu Xuan. He asked, "Why does Mr. Liu want to come to the Imperial College?"

Liu Xuan replied, "The Imperial Academy gathers the most learned men in the world. I would like to debate with them and show my talent to the world so that I can be employed by Your Majesty."

Xiahou He was suddenly speechless.

Sun Yan burst into laughter.

"My disciple has always been straightforward, Lord Xiahou, please don't be offended."

Xiahou He smiled and shook his head. "How could I be surprised by Mr. Liu's frankness?"

"I've heard of Mr. Liu's reputation before. Mr. Liu should stay at the Imperial College for now."

Xiahou He agreed, but he also said "first". Although it was Sun Yan who recommended him and he seemed good in all aspects, Xiahou He still wanted to see the character of this person and see whether he had real talents and skills.

Sun Yan was overjoyed and gave his disciples many instructions before leaving proudly.

There was one more teacher in the Imperial Academy.

Cao Mao had previously ordered Zhong Yu and others to reform the Imperial Academy. In the original Imperial Academy, each classic had a teacher who would then lead the students to study, which was somewhat like a graduate student.

Now, Cao Mao abolished many restrictions on the chief academic officers of the Imperial College. On the one hand, this was to train more disciples, and on the other hand, it was to break the control of the big families over the classics.

A large family specializes in a certain scripture, and the chief priest of that scripture all comes from this family. Anyone who studies this scripture is considered their disciple.

How can this be disgraceful?

As the number of teachers increases, different interpretations of the same classics appear, and naturally they can no longer be considered disciples.

Liu Xuan was responsible for explaining the Book of Songs.

The news quickly spread throughout the Imperial College.

On the day he started his class, a group of people hurriedly walked on the path of the Imperial College.

"Why is Shuji Neng so anxious?"

“There are not many people there now.”

Cao Qi said helplessly to the young man walking in front.

Shu Jineng smiled and said, "I heard that this Liu Gong is a Xiongnu! This is the first time I've seen a Xiongnu person lecturing on classics in the Imperial Academy. I have to go and see for myself!"

Cao Qi said, "I heard that he is Sun Gong's favorite student and that Sun Gong recommended him to Xia Hou Gong. I wonder how talented he is."

When they arrived at the place, it was already crowded with people. The students were chatting curiously. Obviously, like Shu Ji Neng, they also wanted to see this unique celebrity.

Relying on his privilege, Cao Qi led his two friends to sit in the front seat.

After waiting for a long time, Liu Xuan finally arrived here.

When he came with several doctors of economics, the students stood up one after another, and some even stood on tiptoe to look.

Since the founding of the Wei Dynasty, this is the first time we have seen a Hun who is proficient in Confucian classics!
Liu Xuan walked up and looked calmly at the students in front of him.

His eyes fell on Shu Ji Neng, stayed for a moment, and then looked at the rest of the people.

Liu Xuan said, "Today, we will talk about poetry."

He didn't say any unnecessary words and started talking about the classics directly, which made the students a little disappointed, but they still wanted to listen to what he had to say.

Liu Xuan spoke quickly, but each word was clearly pronounced. He had his own interpretation of the Book of Songs, and he liked to use poetry to interpret reality. His philosophy was that everything should be used for governance. This philosophy was not like that of his ancestor Zheng Xuan, but rather quite similar to that of Wang Su.

When he just started lecturing, everyone was just having fun, but as he spoke more and more deeply, everyone present fell into deep thought.

It was not until Liu Xuan skillfully completed his first lecture and left without looking back that everyone woke up.

"What a famous scholar! What a talent!"

Shuji's eyes were filled with excitement.

"This man is a real talent!"

Looking at the little stars in Shu Jineng's eyes, Cao Qi shook his head, "He is talented, but his talent is on par with many famous scholars in the Imperial Academy. There is no need to be so amazed!"

Liu Hong also spoke at this moment: "This man is not the kind of scholar who only reads the classics. When he explains the Book of Songs, he mixes it with the current situation in the world, and his analysis is very appropriate. I think his talent for governing is not inferior to his attainments in the classics."

Cao Qi added, "That's the truth. People like him shouldn't be in the Imperial College. They should go to Santai."

When the three of them were walking back from here, they heard people around them talking about this famous scholar.

This gave Cao Qi some ideas.

After leaving the Imperial College, Cao Qi bid farewell to his two friends, got on a carriage, and hurried to the palace.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall.

Xiahou He sat next to Cao Mao respectfully, with a chessboard and tea beside them. They played chess while discussing current affairs.

"Your Majesty, more and more famous scholars are coming to see me now. This month alone, fourteen famous scholars have come to see me."

Xiahou He lost his chess move.

"But I think these people have other motives. In the past, they had support from their clansmen, didn't have to pay taxes, and didn't have to spend money on hiring people. They lived an extravagant life. Now that they can no longer maintain such a lifestyle, they want to obtain official titles through the Imperial Academy and continue to enjoy themselves."

"These people have ulterior motives, and I am unwilling to help them."

Cao Mao immediately put down his chess piece and said, "It doesn't really matter why you want to be an official, as long as you don't engage in corruption or bribery. If you rely on your salary to maintain a luxurious lifestyle, then what does it matter?"

Xiahou He was stunned.

"Your Majesty, are you saying that I should use these people?"

Cao Mao signaled him to put down the chess piece, and Xiahou He hurriedly put down the chess piece again.

"If you dare to accept those ten or so people today, by tomorrow, there might be dozens of people, and by the day after tomorrow, there might be hundreds of people. Do you think you can accept all the famous scholars in the world into the Imperial Academy?"

Xiahouhe smiled awkwardly.

"Pei Xiu had anticipated the current situation a long time ago. This great clan understands great clans best."

"Pei Xiu once suggested to me that we promote more famous scholars and appoint more academic officials, such as provincial and county academic officials. He suggested that these people be responsible for teaching and training students in local areas."

Xiahou He was a little confused.

"you lose."

Cao Mao made another move. Xiahou He was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said, "I have indeed lost."

Cao Mao raised his head and said seriously, "This Minister Pei is really putting him in a difficult position."

"I had to work for me, but I also had to earn the benefits for the great families. I didn't realize it before, but now that you've said it, I understand. This guy anticipated these problems and asked me to appoint more academic officials. He wanted to give these famous scholars some protection."

Xia Houhe was even more surprised, "Why would Pei Xiu do this?"

"Oh, don't look down on his clan. His family is just low-key, but in terms of status, they are not weak at all. Many large clans will experience a lack of successors, but look at their family, they have talented people from generation to generation."

"Besides, most of these celebrities are related to them, and Pei Xiu helps each other."

Xiahou He frowned. "I understand. No wonder those who previously opposed the establishment of more prefectures and counties are suddenly in support. Perhaps it's because of the official titles?"

Cao Mao laughed and said, "Of course it is. The more prefectures and counties there are, the more official titles they will have, and the more benefits they will receive."

"In the past, large families liked to pile resources on one person. Every generation would produce a high-ranking official, who could then protect the entire family. Now that's no longer the case. Even high-ranking officials have their limits, so they can only rely on this method now."

"Actually, this isn't a bad thing. These people occupy the best resources, but are unwilling to contribute to the government. They only care about their own enjoyment and don't hide their love for money at all!"

"They should also come out and do something. How can there be something for nothing in this world?"

Xiahou He agreed, "Your Majesty, are you going to promote these people to teach in various places?"

"We have to select. If we let some idiots go around teaching, what kind of people can they teach? Wouldn't the entire Wei Dynasty be destroyed by them? Anyway, there will be more and more people eager to become officials. Don't rush to arrange them. Just choose the right people from among them."

"Let Zhong Yu handle this matter. You should stay out of it."

"only!"

As the two were talking, Cao Qi walked in hurriedly.

(End of this chapter)