A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 52 The Empire of Confucian Scholars
A heavy snow fell. As the moon set and the sun rose, the sky revealed a hint of blue light, and the snow was already ankle-deep.

Dong Zhongshu arrived through the snow. The tent was not large, but it was warm and clean, with bamboo scrolls and wooden shelves on three sides, without any decorations.

In the center is a natural-colored wooden table, with a bright red stove burning large charcoal next to the tall wooden table.

The large book on the wooden table had just been closed, and the three large characters on the cover read: "Spring and Autumn Annals".

Beside the book was a brush pen over a foot long and bamboo slips covered with seal script characters.

This document excerpts key new policies implemented by various states, including: the land system reform of Zichan in Zheng, the economic control of Guan Zhong in Qi, the new policies of Wen Zhong in Yue to consolidate national power, the initial land tax reform of Duke Xuan of Lu, the land grant and tax reduction in Jin, and the ancestral grain reform of Duke Jian of Qin.

Unbeknownst to him, beads of sweat began to form on Dong Zhongshu's forehead.

Liu Ju never expected that the universally acclaimed Lord Dong was actually an old man with white hair, white beard, and white eyebrows. Despite being a high-ranking official, he was dressed in white linen clothes, tall and thin, with bright and deep eyes that revealed a unique and vigorous charm.

"The Imperial Censor".

Upon hearing Liu Ju's call, Dong Zhongshu snapped out of his daze, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Crown Prince."

Why did you lose focus?

"They were awestruck by the Crown Prince's extraordinary talent."

Looking at the bamboo slips, Dong Zhongshu said from the bottom of his heart, "What I have learned from the Spring and Autumn Annals is knowledge, while what the Crown Prince has learned from the Spring and Autumn Annals is how to govern a country."

"Does Master Dong mean that scholarship cannot govern a country?"

"The books of sages are meant to be read by others; they are utterly useless when used for practical matters."

Dong Zhongshu made no attempt to hide his true intentions, asking directly, "I would like to know what the Crown Prince has gained from the Spring and Autumn Annals?"

"Over three hundred years, new policies have been implemented around changes in the land and tax systems, but they have all been superficial and none have been consolidated. Instead, they have been swallowed up by the huge waves stirred up by the new policies, and the states of Zheng, Qi, Jin, and Yue have perished one after another as a result."

Liu Ju set up a clay pot on the stove to boil water, while deftly cleaning up the clay teapots and bowls.

"Has the Crown Prince read the 'Book of the Warring States'?"

"I did not get a chance to see it."

"Please, Your Highness, hear me out..."

Dong Zhongshu seemed to be eager to learn, and he told Liu Ju about the reforms of Li Kui in Wei, Wu Qi in Chu, Zou Ji in Qi, and Shen Buhai in Han since the Warring States period. He gave a thorough explanation and summary of the content, characteristics, evolution and outcome of the reforms.

"And what about the Qin state?" Liu Ju asked with a smile.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, among the various schools of thought, Confucianism held the Qin state in the utmost contempt, and the people of Qin also loathed Confucianism the most. It was almost common knowledge throughout the land that Confucian scholars would not enter Qin.

Even after the First Emperor unified the Central Plains, the relationship between the Qin state and Confucianism remained unpleasant.

"Confucianism practices benevolent governance and ritual system, and does not judge good or evil by success or failure. Without benevolent governance, even success is evil; with benevolent governance, even failure is beautiful. This is the principle of sacrificing oneself for benevolence and giving up one's life for righteousness. The state of Qin is not something that Confucian scholars can judge."

"If the Imperial Censor doesn't comment, and later Confucian scholars do, their comments might be biased," Liu Ju said with a smile.

Dong Zhongshu's heart stirred, and he knew what the Crown Prince meant. Confucian scholars understand Confucian scholars best. The tyrannical Qin Dynasty and its tyrants were only a legend for less than a hundred years. If the legend were to continue for another thousand years, the name of the First Emperor would hardly be heard anymore.

"In a world of great strife, where the strong prey on the weak and power clashes, one may temporarily forget the principle of not judging good or evil by success or failure."

Dong Zhongshu did not discuss Shang Yang's reforms, but instead gave a tactful summary of the Qin state and its ruler.

"What a fiercely competitive world! What a dog-eat-dog world!"

Liu Ju applauded Dong Zhongshu's quick wit and then asked, "What about my Han dynasty?"

"Emperor Gaozu abhorred benevolent governance and ritualistic systems, practiced the great principles of Lao Tzu, reduced the number of government officials, allowed soldiers to return to their fields, governed by non-interference, and ended the endless wars. He can be called a sage ruler for all ages," Dong Zhongshu praised the emperor. That man who wielded a three-foot sword and achieved unparalleled feats in seven years, even if he urinated on a scholar's cap, could only be criticized for his character, not his abilities.

"The Grand Censor forgot to mention one thing: small states with few people," Liu Ju pointed out, adding, "This is also the reason why the Gongyang School arose."

In the early years of the Han Dynasty, the Han Dynasty was not like an empire, but more like a series of states. Although the central court held supreme power, it was difficult to unify the government's orders from top to bottom, and the emperor was respected while the state was self-governing.

The teachings of Taoism are not the usual teachings on self-cultivation and character building; they are in fact a profound and extensive field of knowledge concerning the state and its people, yet they are confined to the state and its people.

When the states are integrated into the empire, and the empire possesses and can exert its power, the essence of Taoism is exhausted.

At this time, new knowledge was needed, and the Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals emerged.

"Your Highness is wise," Dong Zhongshu said, bowing again.

The tea in the brazier pot had already boiled. Liu Ju nimbly poured the strong tea into two earthenware bowls, placed them in front of the two men, and raised the bowls with a smile, saying, "Is this the reason you spilled your blood in the Dragon Court?"

With a tremor like goosebumps, tea dripped down, soaking Dong Zhongshu's clothes. He raised the bowl and replied, "Your Majesty's meaning is unclear to me."

"Grand Censor, in this world, many things don't necessarily require knowing the process. We can glean a lot of truth from the outcome. For example, who benefited from the bloodshed at the Dragon Court?" Liu Ju nodded and smiled.

"I do not know..."

"I am the only one, and the biggest one."

Liu Ju poured him some tea, "And also, Imperial Censor."

The right of kings is divinely ordained.

This is a double-edged sword.

The emperor was always pleased with the "recognition of monarchical power," believing it to be the theoretical basis and orthodox legal principle for ruling, but he ignored the need to "constrain monarchical power."

Given his father's wicked nature, it would have been impossible for him to be restrained. However, when the blood of his relatives stained the imperial court and he was driven to desperation, he accepted "divine punishment" for the first time. From then on, his father's power was limited by "the way of heaven".

Even natural disasters such as floods, droughts, earthquakes, and solar eclipses could become opportunities for Confucian scholars to criticize the emperor.

In order to avert disaster, the emperor had to take certain measures, such as recommending virtuous and upright officials, replacing the original recommendation system with the system of recommending the virtuous.

And Confucian scholars always appear at the right time.

Whether Dong Zhongshu had contact with Liu Sheng, the King of Zhongshan, before taking office is unknown to Liu Ju, but after taking office, he must have had contact with the King of Zhongshan.

Jiaodong and Jiaoxi, two vassal states, were able to maintain contact and communication with all the other vassal kings due to their unique geographical location and resources.

The arrogant words spoken by the King of Zhongshan on the execution ground were definitely related to him.

Dong Zhongshu remained silent.

Don't admit it, don't deny it.

Whether to admit it or deny it, it was of no use to the Liu family emperors, including the crown prince. Once something was decided, there was no room for explanation.

“The Imperial Censor has been down on his luck for too long.” Liu Ju’s casual remark immediately moved Dong Zhongshu.

"I just want to change this world."

"Dong Zhongshu, who considered his learning as lofty as a mountain yet was repeatedly overlooked, wanted to create an empire of Confucian scholars for his own sake and for the sake of all Confucian scholars. Grand Censor, am I right?"

(End of this chapter)