The Three Kingdoms: Home Travel

In the following two days, Jiang Zhe's good life finally began. Wang Yun went to the palace early in the morning. The political situation was chaotic and needed an elder statesman like Wang Yun.

Every time Wang Yun left his study, he would unconsciously head towards Jiang Zhe and his wife's room, only to frown and realize his mistake, then shake his head and go back to the palace.

Jiang Zhe, on the other hand, woke up from his dream to find a beautiful woman by his side; life was going well...

So when Wang Yun saw Jiang Zhe, Jiang Zhe was still the same as before: constantly dozing off while reading a book.

Good heavens! This is the imperial palace! This is the room where the Minister of Works handles state affairs! Do you think this is my study? Wang Yun angrily walked over and smacked Jiang Zhe on the head with a book.

"Hmm?" Jiang Zhe opened his eyes groggily. "Is it time? Then...then let's go back...ha..."

"You!" Wang Yun chuckled wryly. This boy was so lazy! He immediately tossed Jiang Zhe a notebook and said, "You review this one!"

Jiang Zhe looked around, feeling a little disappointed. Why was time passing so slowly?

"Uncle, this book..."

"Put it here now, and I will examine it carefully afterwards! A few flaws are fine, but if you are not paying attention, hmph!"

"Alright, alright!" Jiang Zhe sighed, picked up the notebook, and carefully reviewed it.

"...Therefore, the teachings of rites are subtle, and they prevent evil from taking shape before it takes form...Now, I hereby request..."

Jiang Zhe looked at Wang Yun curiously, "What is this?"

"This is a memorial from Qingzhou, concerning the matter of education... As for education, upholding righteousness, do you understand?"

"Education?" Jiang Zhe pondered for a moment, then said, "Could it be education... no, the teaching of the people?"

Wang Yun nodded with satisfaction, "However... loyalty to the emperor and love for one's country... alas! The world is in such chaos now, it also has something to do with education!"

"Wait!" Jiang Zhe interrupted Wang Yun, saying, "The events of the past few days were all the result of political intrigue! The Yellow Turban Rebellion was a matter of national policy..."

"Shut up!" Wang Yun frowned and hissed, then said in a low voice, "What do you think this place is? Stop spouting nonsense!"

Jiang Zhe was immediately startled, and hesitated before saying, "Can't we even speak?"

"...I cannot speak!"

"..." Jiang Zhe tossed the notebook in his hand and said, "What use is this notebook? What is its educational value?"

"Education means respecting teachers and valuing the Way! Loyalty to the emperor and love for the country! In a few days, I will give you some Confucian books for you to study carefully!"

"Confucianism?" Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhe immediately recalled the knowledge he had learned in university, which mentioned how the monarch at that time suppressed all other schools of thought and exclusively promoted Confucianism in order to govern the country. He immediately understood.

"This is what you call education?" Jiang Zhe sneered. "It's all the methods of those in power!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Yun accidentally knocked over his teacup, staring at Jiang Zhe in disbelief. He was deeply shocked. Could there really be such a genius in the world? No one in the world could match his quick wit!

Wang Yun stroked his beard and hesitated, then said, "This is... a strategy for governing the country, upholding righteousness..."

"This is an act of fooling the people!" Jiang Zhe said, frowning. "I'm not saying this out of prejudice against Confucianism, but how can any single doctrine achieve perfect goodness? There must be omissions! We should naturally consult various schools of thought to find the answer..."

"Could it be that Shouyi studied the art of war?" Wang Yun wondered. "Or perhaps Legalism?"

"I've never been an expert in either... I'm not very proficient, I only know a little..." Jiang Zhe said, frowning. "But what's the difference between the military strategists and the legalists? The military strategists teach how to defend against enemies, while the legalists teach how to govern a country..."

"According to you, what about the Mohists?" Wang Yun scoffed.

"The way to a strong nation!" Jiang Zhe said with a firm and powerful voice.

Wang Yun's expression suddenly changed. He stared blankly at Jiang Zhe and murmured, "I underestimated you..." Then he smiled bitterly, "It's not that I didn't know, but that's just how the world is! The Han Dynasty has revered Confucianism for a hundred years..."

Why not change the law?

Wang Yun's expression changed, and he said, "This is the law of our ancestors; how can it be changed so easily?"

"However, the world is ever-changing. In the current situation, if we continue to rely on Confucianism, the Han Dynasty will only..."

"Silence!" Wang Yun shouted, then said, "Let me think it over!"

Jiang Zhe shook his head, took a sip of tea, and said that he only spoke these words because he saw how loyal the old man was to the Han Dynasty. If the old man did not listen, then there was nothing he could do.

"I am aware of the Mohist school, but..." Wang Yun said with a smile, "Are you perhaps advising me to implement reforms?"

"What does it matter to me whether the law changes or not?"

Wang Yun looked at Jiang Zhe speechlessly, then said, "Instead of thinking about these things, Shouyi should think about how to get rid of Dong Zhuo!"

"Dong... Dong Zhuo?" Jiang Zhe's eyes widened, and he was immediately shocked.

"Didn't I mention it to you?" Wang Yun shook his head in confusion, then suddenly realized, "Oh right! I was going to tell you yesterday, but you interrupted me, and I forgot..."

"Old man! You usually have a good memory! Why have you forgotten this one?" Jiang Zhe asked anxiously, "Then... how long until Dong Zhuo arrives in Luoyang?"

Wang Yun looked at Jiang Zhe with a puzzled expression and slowly said, "His 20,000 troops are all on the road... The vanguard is probably only a few days away from Luoyang... Shouyi, why are you so panicked?"

Jiang Zhe stared wide-eyed, somewhat panicked. He remembered that Dong Zhuo was an extremely cruel person in history... So, so...

"Do not panic!" Wang Yun handed over a cup of tea and said, "Could it be true, as the high-ranking officials in the court have said, that Dong Zhuo harbors treacherous intentions?"

"Exactly!" Jiang Zhe, now trying his best to stop Dong Zhuo from entering the palace, said, "Dong Zhuo is a wolf in sheep's clothing. His slow pace is precisely to observe the events in Luoyang and reap the benefits of others' efforts!"

"Is that really so?" Wang Yun's expression changed, and he sighed, "Bojie! You've misled me!"

"Hmm?" Jiang Zhe asked in surprise, "What does this have to do with Uncle Cai?"

"Shouyi is unaware!" Wang Yun said anxiously. "The important officials in the court all say that Dong Zhuo is disloyal. I was already anxious. On the one hand, I ordered Ding Jianyang of Bingzhou to come to the capital immediately, and on the other hand, I sent Dong Zhuo back to Xiliang. A few days ago, Dong Zhuo submitted a memorial, saying that he was worried about the imperial family and wanted to lead troops to protect Luoyang to prevent villains. According to the memorial, his troops are all stationed far away from Luoyang."

I was initially somewhat surprised and hesitant, but Bojie spoke to me about Dong Zhuo, mentioning that he had a brief acquaintance with Dong Zhuo and that he was a very kind person. Considering this, and recognizing the inadequacy of the capital's defenses, I... therefore granted his request!

"..." Jiang Zhe swallowed hard. "Could it be that Uncle Cai has been bewitched by Dong Zhuo?"

"I'm afraid so..." Wang Yun said with a sigh, "At this moment, the only thing to do is to quickly send Jianyang to Luoyang. Luoyang currently only has a little over 20,000 troops, while Dong Zhuo claims to have 200,000. I think he probably only has 50,000, but even so, it's still troublesome! Jianyang has 30,000 elite troops. Combined with the forces of Luoyang, Dong Zhuo would definitely not dare to act rashly!"

Seeing that he had persuaded Wang Yun, Jiang Zhe felt relieved and immediately asked, "Uncle has been mentioning Ding Jianyang of Bingzhou for the past few days. May I ask who this person is?"

"Heh! A truly loyal and virtuous man! His integrity is worthy of emulation! As for Jianyang... he is the governor of Bingzhou, named Ding Yuan, courtesy name Jianyang... I was once a close friend of his, and I know his character well!"

"Ding... Ding Yuan?" Jiang Zhe was completely dumbfounded. So... the man with the strongest martial prowess in the Three Kingdoms would also come to Luoyang? Ding Yuan's adopted son...

Lü Bu... Lü Fengxian!

"Shouyi?" Seeing Jiang Zhe's dazed expression, Wang Yun quickly asked, "What's wrong? Shouyi?"

"Zhe's mind is in turmoil; please allow me to take my leave for now, Uncle!"

Wang Yun carefully examined Jiang Zhe's face and found it deathly pale. He immediately said, "Could it be that you've caught a cold? Well then! Go back and rest. Have Xiu'er prepare some tonic for you. Your constitution... Shouyi? I haven't even said anything yet... Never mind!"

Shaking his head, Wang Yun returned to his seat, his heart filled with worry. This man's words were always so accurate; perhaps Dong Zhuo really was…

"Bojie...you have truly misled this old man!"

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