Three Kingdoms: I am not Liu Bian

Chapter 23 "Qingliu" celebrities

"Since Kong Zhang has recommended Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong, you will recruit them for me."

He had no idea about the whereabouts of Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong. He only knew that the two had repeatedly refused recruitments from officials including the Three Dukes and local governors, and later fled to Jiangdong due to the war.

After listening to Chen Lin's introduction, he really took a liking to these two people.

It's not just because of their talents, but also because of their cultural stance.

Zhang Zhao studied "Zuo Zhuan" under the ancient literature school, while Zhang Hong first studied "Jingshi Yi", "Ouyang Shangshu" and "Han Shi" of the modern literature school, and then studied "Liji" and "Zuo Zhuan" of the ancient literature school, which is quite similar to Zheng Xuan.

For the sake of imperial power, Liu Bian naturally advocated ancient literature and classics, and therefore would be more interested in scholars of the ancient literature school.

I just don't know whether these two people repeatedly refused to be recruited in history because they looked down on the sponsors who recruited them, or whether they used the refusal of recruitment as nourishment to build up their reputation.

The scholars of the Later Han Dynasty were particularly fond of cultivating reputation. They would mourn for their elders, their sponsors, their old superiors, and the governors of prefectures and counties. In short, as long as the celebrity had some connection with the scholar himself, he would mourn for him in exchange for a good reputation.

The same applies to refusing to be recruited. Some people even take pride in refusing to be recruited, using the act of refusal to highlight their "reputation" of not being greedy for wealth and not fearing the powerful.

Liu Bian didn't know whether Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong had this bad habit. He could also add fuel to their reputation, just like he treated the people who were recruited for the first time. But if these two dared to use the rejection of his recruitment as the crown prince to build up their reputation, he would not mind destroying them with ruthless means.

"Is there anyone who wants to recommend talented people for me? If they are really talented, I will not hesitate to reward them." Liu Bian looked around. He knew very well that everyone was wary of him, so he rewarded Chen Lin generously not only to praise his loyalty, but also to encourage others to actively recommend him.

"With Kong Zhang as an example, I dare to recommend a fellow villager from Dongjun to the prince." Cheng Yu stood up and said, stroking his long beard.

"Zhongde tries to explain it."

Cheng Yu bowed and saluted, then said slowly, "I recommend Chen Gong from Dongjun!"

"Chen Gong, courtesy name Gongtai, is from Dongwuyang, Dongjun. He is not fond of studying classics, but he possesses considerable strategy and is well versed in the art of war. Your Highness can appoint him."

However, Liu Bian did not say anything, but rubbed his thumb and index finger.

Chen Gong is a character whose evaluation in the novel and official history is almost polarized.

In the novel, Chen Gong was loyal and upright before he met a wise leader.

Chen Gong in the official history is even worse than a slave of three surnames.

Cao Cao valued him, so he persuaded Zhang Miao to rebel and welcome Lu Bu. Lu Bu trusted him, so he persuaded Hao Meng to rebel and besiege and kill Lu Bu.

If it weren't for Gao Shun and Cao Xing's loyalty and bravery, Lu Bu might have died in the rebellion.

Because he was unwilling to surrender to Cao, he angrily drew his bow and shot Cao Cao who was trying to persuade him to surrender, thus destroying Lu Bu's last chance to surrender.

It is no wonder that Zhang Liao, Gao Shun and a group of Lu Bu's former subordinates were at odds with Chen Gong, as he was such a villain. It was also for this reason that Lu Bu did not dare to lead his troops out of the city to form a pincer attack with the city.

Who would dare to bet their life on a villain who has a history of betrayal many times and has betrayed themselves before?
Ah!
Liu Bian suddenly chuckled, and everyone in the hall didn't know what the prince meant.

Liu Bian was not laughing at others, but at himself, laughing at himself for not being able to get rid of his so-called sense of right and wrong.

There is no right or wrong in life, only choices.

Even the most wicked and evil people have their own ways of using it; it just depends on how they use it.

Look, even Zhang Rang can be used as a sharp weapon to deal with scholars, right?
"Since he was recommended by Zhongde, he must have something extraordinary."

Afterwards, when everyone saw that Chen Lin and Cheng Yu had recommended their fellow villagers one after another and were not blamed by Liu Bian, they also recommended their own fellow villagers and friends.

But Xu Chu also stood out hesitantly. Seeing Xu Chu acting like this, Liu Bian became curious.

"Zhongkang is a man of seven feet tall, why is he acting like a girl?"

Liu Bian really liked Xu Chu. Who wouldn't like a loyal bodyguard who could speak for his master at critical moments and behave himself normally?
Last time outside Changqiu Palace, the so-called command of the Ten Military Sticks was just a show.

Not to mention that the person in charge of the execution was Xu Chu's subordinate, he hinted to Chen Lin to go out and watch, in order to prevent any young man from being stubborn and actually taking action.

"Your Highness, I…I would like to ask for a favor from Your Highness."

Liu Bian became more and more curious. Xu Chu actually asked him for mercy?
"My brother, Xu Ding, is known for his bravery. I fear he would be laughed at if I were to raise him before him, so I would like to ask for a favor and allow him to come to Luoyang to see if he can be of any assistance to Your Highness, so that he can serve Your Highness with all his might."

Although there were some minor flaws in Xu Chu's words, it was obvious that Xu Chu had consulted others before saying such words.

And is this grace?
As far as awarding Xu Ding an official position is concerned, it can indeed be considered a favor, but Xu Chu only married a concubine and no wife, unlike his colleagues who also settled their wives, children or parents in Luoyang. Therefore, letting Xu Ding come to Luoyang was more of a show of loyalty than asking for favor.

The two legitimate sons of the Xu family in Qiao County are both serving under the prince. What else is there to worry about?

This is Xu Chu’s attitude, and even more so the attitude of the Xu family in Qiao County.

Although Liu Bian never had any doubts about Xu Chu's loyalty due to his understanding of history, Xu Chu's attitude really benefited him.

"I have heard that the Xu family of Qiao County has many warriors. Since Zhongkang has asked for mercy, I will grant you one. I will allow fifty of your sons of the Xu family of Qiao County to serve in the Prince's Palace Guard. I will also give your parents ten pieces of Xiangyi brocade each as a token of my gratitude for raising such a loyal and brave General Tiger."

Dian Wei glanced at Xu Chu and couldn't help cursing in his heart, this guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes actually knew how to please the prince.

Later, Liu Bei recommended his sworn brother Qian Zhao and Qian Zijing, a native of Anping, Jizhou.

Some time ago, Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were on vacation. The three of them were strolling in the Luoyang market together. They happened to meet Qian Zhao. They learned that Qian Zhao was studying under the famous fellow townsman Le Yin. Le Yin was good friends with He Miao, so he was invited to Luoyang by He Miao. Now Qian Zhao was living with Le Yin in He Miao's Fengche Duwei's mansion.

Lu Bu also recommended a fellow villager from Wuyuan County named Li Su, as well as several of his former subordinates who had served as cavalry commanders in Bingzhou, including Song Xian, Hou Cheng, and Cheng Lian.

Liu Bian naturally agreed to all these recommendations. He had also heard of Qian Zhao, a famous general who was both civil and military. As for Li Su, Song Xian and others, although they were small, they were still pieces of meat. However, what he was really concerned about was Zhong Yao's actions.

There are four surnames in Yingchuan: Chen, Zhong, Xun and Han. He couldn't believe that Zhong Yao, the direct descendant of the Yingchuan Zhong family, did not have a single Yingchuan native.

Zhong Yao was naturally restless after being stared at by the prince for a long time. He sighed and stood up reluctantly.

He had to give an explanation. Even if the prince didn't remember the last disagreement with him on the treatment of soldiers, it would inevitably affect his evaluation of him. If he caused the prince to misunderstand him this time, his official career would be over.

"Your Highness, I also want to recommend talented people for you, but..." Zhong Yao hesitated, then told the truth, "Many of the famous scholars in Yingchuan have been implicated in the Party Ban and have now retired to their homes."

Liu Bian suddenly understood the hidden meaning of Zhong Yao's words.

My prince, the Party Ban that your father, the emperor, launched before, caused great suffering to the scholars of Yingchuan. They are somewhat dissatisfied. Not to mention that the Party Ban has not been lifted yet, even if it is lifted, the conflict with the scholars of Yingchuan must be resolved.

Liu Bian also sighed. The famous scholars of Ru and Ying were the ones who were most implicated in the Party and Faction Persecution and suffered the most severe retaliation from the eunuchs.

Although it was unknown what conditions Yuan Wei of the Runan Yuan family had reached with Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong and others to successfully reconcile, the eunuch group, after noticing Yuan Shao's open rescue of his party members, only asked Zhao Zhong to issue another warning: "Yuan Benchu ​​is sitting on the pretext of fame and likes to keep assassins. I don't know what this kid wants to do in the end." They did not take action against the Runan Yuan family again, and Yuan Wei eventually reprimanded Yuan Shao severely.

Xun Shang of the Yingchuan Xun family was nearly killed by the eunuch group and had to ask for peace with the eunuch group overnight. He asked Xun Yu's father Xun Gun to force Xun Yu to marry the daughter of the eunuch Tang Heng, a famous scholar from Runan, whom Fu Gongming, a famous scholar from Runan, would rather die than marry. This made Xun Yu a member of the eunuch group to avoid disaster for the Yingchuan Xun family.

Chen Shi of the Yingchuan Chen family also had to compromise. "At that time, the Imperial Attendant Zhang Rang had great power over the world. When Rang's father died, he returned to Yingchuan to be buried. Although all the people in the county came, no famous scholars went. Rang was very ashamed of this, so Shi went alone to pay his respects." Although their methods were different, they both risked their reputation to seek peace with the eunuchs, in return for which "later, he executed the party members again. Rang was grateful to Shi, so he pardoned many of them."

Even Zhong Yao's father, Zhong Di, was also implicated, but he was open-minded by nature and simply lay low, reading at home every day, traveling around the mountains and rivers in his spare time, writing poems and songs, and becoming obsessed with the life of a hermit.

Alas, it seems that if we want to eliminate the dissatisfaction of the Yingchuan scholars with the court, it is not something that can be solved by simply dealing with a few eunuchs.

He'll have to call in some off-field assistance.

However, his attitude towards scholars will not change. If you are implicated in the Party, I can compensate you or even coax you. It is your freedom to enter the officialdom or not. I can visit his house three times to seek talents for your reputation, but if you dare to use me to seek fame and reputation, I don't mind helping you count the number of people in the three clans.

(End of this chapter)