My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 77 Hidden Dragon in the Abyss
After thinking about it carefully, Gao Yu felt that something was not quite right.

Even with his limited historical knowledge, he knew that the ancients usually chose courtesy names that were extensions of the meaning of their given names.

Zhuge Liang, courtesy name Kongming.

Kongming means "bright".

Of course, there are other ways, such as using opposite meanings, extensions of meaning, or connections.

For example, Zhu Xi, a follower of the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism, whose given name Xi means "brightness," used the courtesy name Yuanhui.

For example, the brothers Sun Ce and Sun Quan, one was named Bofu and the other Zhongmou. The former reflects the order of seniority, while the latter is a synonym of their given names.

Cui Guangke comes from a top-tier noble family like the Cui clan of Qinghe, and has a very high reputation. How could he possibly make such a mistake?
Could it be that the Grand Minister of Works has seen through my ulterior motives and is trying to warn me?
impossible!

I've always been an honest and docile person.

After a slight hesitation, Gao Yu gritted his teeth and bowed, saying, "Although I am a barbarian from Huai Shuo, uneducated and uncultured, I have some knowledge of writing and have read some poetry and books. I have heard the sages say that names are used to define one's character and courtesy names to express one's virtue. I have also heard that names are established by etiquette and courtesy names are based on names. The two characters 'Shimin' of Master Cui seem to match my name..."

Not very relevant.

Although it wasn't said aloud.

But Gao Yu's meaning is very clear: this word is inappropriate, isn't it?

Cui Guang chuckled lightly, “Erlang is right. A courtesy name should reflect one’s virtue. Virtue is ambition. Your name is Yu, which means to fly, to soar into the sky, free and unrestrained. Nothing flies like the Peng bird, and nothing is more unrestrained than the Kun bird. Soaring into the sky is the ambition of the Peng bird and the Kun bird. What is this ambition if not to save the world and bring peace to the people? Why do you say that a courtesy name should not reflect one’s virtue?”

Oh shit.

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu cursed inwardly. He couldn't out-talk these people, yet they managed to string this together.

And what exactly does "the ambition of the Kunpeng" mean?
Doesn't this blatantly imply that he is a traitor with rebellious intentions?
After much deliberation, Gao Yu still didn't want the courtesy name 'Shimin'. The main reason was that he himself almost couldn't hold back when he heard it, and he wanted to leave Erfeng a way out.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say it.

"Lord Cui, the imagery of this character is too grand; I fear I cannot bear its weight. I only wish to defend the borders of the Great Wei. I would be content if my tombstone could bear the inscription 'Tomb of the Former General Who Conquered the North of Wei.' Ambitions of a swan... no, of a roc, how dare I speak of them? Perhaps you could suggest a smaller one for me?"

That's actually quite rude of you.

Putting aside the fact that he dared not refuse the gift from his elder, Gao Yu had already thanked Cui Guang for giving him a courtesy name, which was considered as an agreement.

Now that we've given you one, you don't want it anymore and want someone to give you another one. Do you think Cui Xiaobo, whom the entire Cui family of Qinghe reveres, is some lowly peddler? You think you can just take what you want and not take it?
Don't other people have pride?
But Cui Guang was not angry.

He didn't agree directly, but instead asked Gao Yu with a smile, "How old is Erlang?"

Gao Yu said, "I am sixteen years old this year."

Cui Guang nodded and said with a smile, "How about this? There are still four years until you reach adulthood. If you are still not satisfied with the courtesy name I have given you after four years, I will give you another one, shall I?"

That’s all for the sake of talking about it.

Gao Yu had no choice but to nod.

"Thank you, Lord Cui!"

Li Chong and the others knew perfectly well why Cui Guang had chosen such a courtesy name.

Seeing that the two had finished speaking, he immediately took the initiative to change the subject.

Minister of Personnel Cui Liang spoke up, “The Empress Dowager has ordered me to devise a plan to reconcile civil and military affairs and facilitate the advancement and demotion of officials.”

Gao Yu was shocked. How could he possibly overhear such a confidential court secret?

But Cui Liang seemed completely unconcerned about his presence and continued, “I have pondered for several days and have come up with a solution called the ‘Yearly Rank System.’ Regardless of whether one is civil or military, or whether one is wise or foolish, official positions will be granted based solely on seniority. In this way, all matters can be settled.”

Having said that, Cui Liang chuckled lightly, "What does Gao Lang think of this method?"

Gao Yu chuckled and shook his head. "I am a foolish young man. I am merely a barbarian from Huai Shuo. How can I presume to discuss matters of state? But since it is the result of Lord Cui's deep contemplation, it must be good."

In Gao Yu's view, Cui Liang's approach was indeed a way to please everyone equally.

This is similar to the age-old debate between meritocracy and primogeniture, where the consensus is that primogeniture is the legitimate reason.

After all, it is difficult to quantify and unify the criteria for judging whether a person is virtuous or not, or whether they have talent.

However, age and seniority can be quantified and standardized.

This approach is more conducive to the stability of the court and is a method that can be accepted by all parties. There is no need to compete for any credit; one can simply wait patiently.

As long as you accumulate enough experience, once a vacant official position becomes available, you will be automatically filled in the queue according to the order of seniority.

No one loses out.

Is the conflict between the Zhang family and the soldiers of the Central Army ultimately due to the scarcity of official positions and vacancies in the imperial court, leading everyone to vie for a larger share of the political pie?
Centuries later, during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, the "wise minister" Li Linfu also implemented a similar system called "following qualifications," which was not much different from Cui Liang's system of suspending age. At the time, it was praised as "the promotion and demotion of officials, both inside and outside the capital, were all based on a fixed standard," indicating that this method was not a bad one.

After lingering for a while, Gao Yu left Li Chong's residence.

Cui Guang stroked his beard and chuckled, "This kid is really stubborn."

Li Chong and others agreed, but didn't take it seriously.

Let's build a good relationship.

Only Li Shao silently took out a handful of yarrow stalks from his pocket and casually tossed them aside. The others looked over and saw that the yarrow stalks revealed the hexagram Qian (☰) at the beginning of the first line.

Cui Liang and the others exchanged surprised glances.

Li Shao was born into the Guzang branch of the Li clan in Longxi, and he studied the Book of Changes.

The lines of this hexagram.

The ninth day: The hidden dragon should not be used.

It means the dragon is trapped in the abyss, unable to unleash its power! Li Shao casually brushed the yarrow stalks with his hand and said indifferently, "I'm a beginner, I don't quite understand it yet."

…………

After Gao Yu returned to the villa, he told Gao Huan about his conversation with Cui Guang and the others.

Gao Huan wholeheartedly agreed with Gao Yu's act of feigning stupidity.

Gao Huan would never believe Cui Guang's claim that his brother's ancestors had been kind to him and that Cui Guang was genuinely there to repay a debt of gratitude. When dealing with such high-ranking figures, it was always better to be cautious than not to be.

Despite Gao Yu's current fame in Luojing, in the eyes of these high-ranking officials who truly control resources, he is nothing more than a brave, audacious, and troublesome nobody.

It turns out.

Being close to the center of power certainly makes things easier.

The imperial court quickly fulfilled Empress Dowager Hu's promise and sent over the reward for Gao Yu.

In particular, the 20 maids were all transferred from the inner palace, and their quality was much higher than the Hu women that Duan Chang had given him. The Hu women that Duan Chang had given him were openly seductive and flirtatious.

However, the 20 maids sent by the imperial court were reserved and well-mannered, like daughters of good families, knowledgeable and reasonable, which was more likely to arouse men.

As soon as they arrived, they took over the daily lives of Gao Yu and the others, which made the maids in the original Wangfu villa feel dissatisfied, but they could only secretly envy them.

Another day passed.

Gao Huan's injuries have improved considerably. He is now able to get out of bed and move around. He will be fully recovered in a few days and then set off back to Huai Shuo.

Gao Yu was practicing archery in the courtyard.

A maidservant came over to report.

“Young master, there are two scholars outside the gate who claim to be students of the Imperial Academy and have come to request an audience with you.”

A student of the Imperial Academy?
Gao Yu handed the bow to the maid and cleaned it up a bit.

Scholars are good!
By giving face to scholars and establishing good relations, one can ensure that when one truly has territory in the future—no, when one governs the borders on behalf of the emperor—one will still need these scholars to help manage domestic affairs.

After conquering territory, you need to be able to digest and absorb it, and that's where these domestic affairs talents come in.

Even if the students who come to see me don't have the ability, I still have to greet them warmly and leave a good reputation among the scholars!

All that's left is for the world to descend into chaos!

People with ideals and ambitions will naturally come to join you; that's where reputation was valuable in ancient society!
At that time, the most perfect state will be...

All the heroes of the world are now under my control!
Gao Yu strode to the gate and saw two people in the distance. One was handsome, and the other looked old and frail. But Gao Yu knew very well that the more unassuming a person was, the more likely they were to have real skills.

"My name is Gao Yu. I greet you both."

Judging from their appearance, the two men were Han Chinese from the Central Plains, so Gao Yu gave them his Han name.

"Greetings, Brother Shimin."

Gao Yu was taken aback.
what?
No, Cui Guangcai gave himself a courtesy name yesterday.

Even the students of the Imperial Academy know about this today?
He shook his head repeatedly and explained, "I am not yet of legal age. Although Lord Cui has bestowed upon me a courtesy name, I dare not accept it."

Cui Xian and Jia Sixie didn't dwell on this, and instead began introducing themselves.

“I am Cui Xian, courtesy name Jilun, from the Cui clan of Boling.”

"I am Jia Sixie, courtesy name Zhixing, from the Jia family of Qingzhou."

The two had only seen each other from afar before, but now that they were up close, Gao Yu was eight feet tall and had a dignified appearance, looking every bit the outstanding person!

Gao Yu warmly pulled the two inside, and ordered the maid to bring up the delicacies bestowed by Empress Dowager Hu and the fine wine from the Western Regions to entertain them.

Cui Xian and Jia Sixie's goodwill towards Gao Yu increased several times over. Gao Yu's high-level reception was a great honor!

After some conversation.

The two did not linger for long. They had only come to meet Gao Yu because of his reputation. They were very satisfied with the meeting, and left in high spirits. This was the style of these scions of noble families.

Leave from the villa.

Cui Xian kept glancing back at him, thinking, "He is truly a young hero. Being with him and talking to him is like being bathed in a spring breeze."

Jia Sixie teased, "If Brother Ji Lun is reluctant to leave, he can always visit again."

Cui Xian shook his head, "One visit is enough. If I visit every day, wouldn't that be like eating for free?"

He sighed again and said, "After meeting Gao Lang, I knew that the world was bound to be in chaos!"

“The military officers in the central army already enjoy extremely high treatment, yet they still cause a great disturbance in Luoyang over the ‘selection’ process. Someone as outstanding as Gao Lang is destined to spend his entire life in a harsh and cold place like Huai Shuo. How many Gao Langs are there in the Six Garrisons? These people have no way to be promoted. The court is so unfair. If something happens, it could lead to a great disaster!”

Jia Sixie wholeheartedly agreed, but he didn't think that far ahead. Instead, he said, "We should just focus on our studies and observe the general trend of the world. If there really is a day when the situation changes..."

After exchanging glances, the two understood each other's thoughts.

Another day passed.

Gao Yu suddenly received an invitation.

The signature is that of King Anagui of the Rouran.

Why did he invite me?

P.S.: Sorry, the next chapter might be a while away.
(End of this chapter)