Death is the greatest equalizer in the world.
No matter how heroic or arrogant you are, you can be silenced with just one blow to your neck.
When the 28-year-old soldier named Li Tong beheaded Gongsun Yuan with his sword, Cao Rui, accompanied by his ministers, was inspecting the farmers in the suburbs outside Xiangping City.
When returning to Xiangping City and passing through the South Gate, Cao Rui unexpectedly saw a familiar figure there.
"Your Majesty, I, Xiahou Xuan, pay my respects to you."
“Taichu?” Cao Rui stared at Xiahou Xuan for a few seconds while sitting on his horse: “It’s Taichu, get up quickly!”
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xiahou Xuan stood up and bowed, saying, "I just arrived in Xiangping today. I heard that Your Majesty was inspecting outside the city, so I waited here."
After not seeing each other for three years, Xiahou Xuan's appearance and demeanor were still as "bright as the sun and the moon in one's arms", but he seemed more restrained and steady.
Cao Rui sighed: "Time flies by so fast, Taichu seems to have grown taller. Come with me into the city, I have something to ask you."
"As you wish." Xiahou Xuan bowed and then walked to Cao Rui's carriage very naturally and took the reins of the white horse with his hand, as if he had never left the position of Palace Attendant.
The emperor and his entourage entered the prefect's mansion in the city, and Cao Rui also summoned Xiahou Xuan to the hall.
Cao Rui said, "I remember that you were summoned to Youbeiping in mid-April. It's only been two months, but Taichu is not slow in coming."
Xiahou Xuan bowed and said, "Your Majesty has issued an edict, how dare I delay even a moment? After receiving the edict, I immediately headed north, stayed at the residence of Minister Xin in Quanzhou for two days, and then followed the grain transport fleet by sea to Liaokou."
Cao Rui nodded: "That's right. Since the army arrived in Liaodong, the grain has been transported by sea. It would be difficult for you to go along the coastal route alone."
"Taichu has studied in Qiao County for three years. What has he learned?"
Xiahou Xuan replied: "I have been studying at home for three years without leaving my house, and I have only understood 40% to 50% of the Three Mysteries. I am already satisfied."
"What are the Three Mysteries?" Cao Rui asked.
Xiahou Xuan explained: "The Three Mysteries are the three books of Laozi, Zhuangzi and Zhouyi."
"I remember now." Cao Rui tapped the table and pointed at the attendant Pei Qian and said, "I seem to have read a booklet from Pei Qing, which seems to be about metaphysics."
Pei Qian smiled and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty saw from me the book of Taichu's lectures on Zhuangzi. My younger brother Pei Wenji got it from Taichu and sent it to me."
Cao Rui looked at Xiahou Xuan and said, "I didn't expect that Taichu has been studying metaphysics for the past three years. Do you really want to become a doctor and take a position at Chongwen Temple or Imperial College?"
"What on earth is Taichu researching?"
Xiahou Xuan bowed and explained: "I have spent three years at home studying the Three Mysteries, but I was just studying the issue of 'the origin and the end'."
Cao Rui had not come across such academic questions for a long time. He had nothing to do at the moment, so he patiently asked, "What should be the meaning of 'existence'?"
Xiahou Xuan said: "The so-called existence and non-existence is what is the origin of the world and the beginning of creation. In the past, He Yan and He Pingshu studied Laozi in depth and believed that the world came from non-existence according to the saying 'all things in the world are born from existence, and existence is born from non-existence'."
Cao Rui asked, "What's the use of such abstruse theories as 'yes or no'? I am personally leading the expedition to Liaodong, where soldiers are killing enemies on the battlefield and people are working on the fields. I don't need these theories of 'yes or no'."
Xiahou Xuan bowed and said, "The so-called Huang-Lao school is also called governing by inaction. Taking 'nothingness' as the origin of the world, it corresponds to the 'name teaching' discussed by Confucianists. The Confucian 'rectification of names' and 'education' are a combination of the righteousness between the ruler and the minister, the conduct of filial piety and brotherhood, and the hierarchy of rites and laws."
Cao Rui took a deep breath, thought for a long time, and then said: "Can I understand it this way, that the metaphysical theory of 'nothingness' is completely opposite to the Confucianism's 'ruler-ruler, minister-minister, father-father, son-son'?"
Xiahou Xuan shook his head: "It's not that completely opposite. It's just that He Pingshu's theory of 'valuing nothingness' emphasizes the root and neglects the end, and takes etiquette and morality lightly, but it doesn't completely deny morality."
Cao Rui's dissatisfaction with He Yan deepened, and he continued to ask: "Since it is a discussion of 'existence' and 'non-existence', what does 'existence' mean?"
"Since Your Majesty is concerned about practicality, I will not discuss theory." Xiahou Xuan bowed and said, "Having and not having are opposites. I think Confucianism's 'Mingjiao' is useful, but personal feelings are more important."
The emperor and Xiahou Xuan were discussing "existence and non-existence" and "orthodoxy", but none of the important officials present in the hall were absent-minded and were listening attentively.
The emperor is the Son of Heaven and has great wealth throughout the world. The court governs the world with laws and hierarchies. Who can be separated from "orthodox teachings"?
In other words, even if one is not in the imperial court, but in the homes of ordinary people, the "orthodox teachings" of filial piety, brotherhood, and etiquette are necessary. How can we encourage people to be indifferent to the etiquette of life and death like Zhuangzi?
Confucianism is such a useful ruling tool, how could Cao Rui change his mind just because of Xiahou Xuan's few words?
Of course he is against it.
Cao Rui calmly continued to ask Xiahou Xuan: "Then Taichu studied metaphysics for three years and understood 40% to 50% of it. How did he think so?"
Xiahou Xuan sighed, "Your Majesty, I only understood the meaning of the book, but I really don't know which of the two is more correct. No matter which way I go, I am just proving myself, and it seems that I can never get out of it."
Cao Rui smiled and said, "Since even a wise man like Taichu is just talking in circles about 'all things come from existence, and existence comes from non-existence', then don't even think about it."
"How can thinking about this kind of question all day help the Wei Dynasty? Taichu is also a learned man. You know what Confucius said, 'Respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance'?"
"Boyo, come here!"
Cao Rui reached out his hand and called Jiang Wei to his side from outside the door. He patted Jiang Wei on the shoulder and said to Xiahou Xuan: "Bo Yue and Taichu were both serving as imperial guards beside me in the past. Three years later, Bo Yue first followed me in the war and was sent to the enemy camp several times. He was also a general in the central army and made great achievements this time."
"Taichu, is it more useful for Jiang Wei to do ordinary things, or is it more useful to discuss profound things? Do I need to tell you?"
Xiahou Xuan was stunned, his expression seemed frozen as he thought for a few moments, then he stood up again and bowed to the emperor:
"Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty. I was the one who went astray! I have been thinking for three years, and now it is thanks to Your Majesty's enlightenment!" Cao Rui looked at the 21-year-old boy in front of him and nodded with emotion. Many people cannot understand the book in their lifetime, but Xiahou Xuan has learned it thoroughly in his adult years, and he has also completed the final closed loop with him.
It is truly amazing.
It is normal to not understand the theory of "existence and non-existence". This kind of understanding of the origin of the world has not been thoroughly understood for hundreds or thousands of years. Can Xiahou Xuan understand it by reading "Laozi", "Zhuangzi" and "Zhouyi"? There is no possibility.
The behavior of the emperor and Xiahou Xuan left many people in the hall stunned, and they couldn't figure out what they were doing.
Cao Rui saw the confusion in everyone's eyes and said with a smile: "Who among you understands what I said to Taichu? Explain it to everyone."
Pei Qian bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I know a little about metaphysics, so let me explain."
Cao Rui nodded: "Yes!"
Pei Qian coughed lightly and said, "Xiahou Taichu's metaphysics discusses existence and non-existence, which has nothing to do with the reality of the country and has nothing to do with the people of the world."
"Confucius said 'Respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance'. It's not that Confucius didn't understand ghosts and gods, but that he only used sacrifices as a way to educate the people and didn't seriously care whether ghosts and gods existed or not."
"It's the same with metaphysics. Why bother about these things? As your Majesty just said, governing the world and suppressing rebellion are all about doing practical things."
Pei Qian bowed to the emperor again: "So the best way is not to think about it."
Cao Rui smiled and clapped his hands: "Pei Qing's discussion of the matter is indeed thorough, which is exactly what I meant."
Xiahou Xuan said at this time: "Since I am here, I hope I can do some practical work to repay Your Majesty."
Cao Rui pointed at Sima Yi and said, "Sikong, I want Taichu to work for you. The matter of food and logistics dispatch can give Taichu some training."
Sima Yi cupped his hands and said, "I obey your command."
……
The next afternoon, Goguryeo King You Weiju returned to Xiangping with Sun Li.
Seeing the prefect's mansion, You Weiju, who had been chatting with Sun Li for a long time on the way, hurriedly asked Sun Li for help:
"General Sun, what should I say when I meet His Majesty? I have never met the emperor of a great country before, so I hope General Sun can give me some advice."
Sun Li looked at the fat man in his thirties with a white face and no beard and gorgeous clothes, and said calmly: "Your Majesty is wise and decisive. Just tell me what you are asked, and don't hide anything."
"Thank you, General Sun, thank you, General Sun!" You Weiju bowed repeatedly, but he bowed too quickly, which made him look a little funny.
The two stood outside the governor's mansion and waited for a long time. Then, the Imperial Guardsman Xiahou Hui came out of the mansion and said, "Your Majesty summons General Sun and the King of Goguryeo to come in."
"Thank you, Minister." Sun Li returned the greeting.
The two were led forward by Xiahou Hui until they entered the hall and completed the formalities. Sun Li's first words left You Weiju dumbfounded.
"Your Majesty, Gongsun Yuan was killed in a battle with my men while on the run. This is Gongsun Yuan's head. I hope Your Majesty can check it."
After saying that, Sun Li raised the wooden box beside him and looked at Xiahou Hui for a few seconds.
Cao Rui waved his hand and said, "What's so good about a human head? Let the Minister of Works check it. I won't take a closer look. Who killed Gongsun Yuan?"
Sun Li answered honestly, "He was killed by a sergeant from my department during the battle. His name is Li Tong. He came with me this time and is waiting outside the palace. Your Majesty, would you like to meet him?"
Youweiju felt inexplicably palpitating.
The emperor didn't even bother to look at Gongsun Yuan's death. And he had previously regarded Gongsun Yuan as his top concern. Isn't that pathetic?
Cao Rui said, "No need to meet him. Gongsun Yuan is a traitor for sure, and the imperial court will reward the soldiers for killing the enemy. Where is this man from?"
Sun Li replied, "Squad leader Li Tong is from Didao, Longxi. He is 28 years old this year. In the second year of Taihe, he was selected as a county soldier in Qinzhou and joined the central army."
Longxi Didao? And the surname is Li?
Cao Rui seemed to remember something and said with a smile: "Since he entered the Central Army during the Taihe period, I will grant him the title of Guannei Hou. I will also promote him to the rank of Sima of Qianshi and send him to a county outside the capital. General Sun, your contribution will be counted later."
"As you wish." Sun Li responded with a bow.
Cao Rui turned his gaze to You Weiju and asked a few simple questions before asking directly, "I will not investigate the matter of Goguryeo being a vassal of the Gongsun clan. I will now name the land under your jurisdiction Goguryeo and confer upon you the title of King of Goguryeo, with the same status as the Duke of Wei. Are you willing?"
"I thank Your Majesty for your grace!" You Weiju knelt down and paid homage, even his movements became more agile.
Cao Rui pointed at Youweiju and looked at Sima Yi: "For the rest, Sikong, please talk to the King of Goguryeo. I will go to rest first."
"As ordered, Your Majesty, please take your time." Sima Yi stood up and saluted. (End of this chapter)
