During the epidemic in Henan, many refugees were afraid of the epidemic and fled to Kansai. In extraordinary times, Guan Yu did not dare to be careless and ordered the soldiers of the Eight Passes to conduct strict inspections and only allow refugees without illness to enter the pass. If someone is sick, they will be placed nearby in Luoyang. This resulted in a constant flow of people in front of the Eight Passes, which was like a pile of ants.
But this still cannot isolate the impact, and people in Kansai have also been infected with the epidemic and died violently. But after all, it was only limited to a small area, far inferior to the east. Therefore, Chen Chong's current priority is to raise disaster relief food for Guandong. Eight hundred thousand stones of grain and grass were almost unimaginable four years ago. However, after Chen Chong received Liu Bei's letter, he inspected the grain storage in various warehouses and the state capital, and after a lot of effort, he actually raised it in early June. .
Although this is partly because the summer harvest season has arrived and a batch of grain has been harvested temporarily. But now, what the country can fully mobilize is only the two states of Merger and Division. During the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the late emperor, with all his might, could only acquire 900,000 shi of grain and rice to quell the rebellion. Therefore, when Chen Chong announced that the relief funds had been collected and could be transported eastward, it was understandable that the officials in the court were shocked.
Even officials who were hostile to Chen Chong had to admit that since the founding of Emperor Shizu, only Emperor Xiaoming could compare with Chen Chong's clear governance. Coupled with Liu Bei's victory at Ruying and the country's return to Yuzhou after the first battle, those who had secretly criticized Chen Chong's financial inspection at the beginning of the year could only stop and wait for the opportunity.
After the relief grains were shipped out, Chen Chong has started to build canals after autumn. With last year's experience, this year's canal repairs will be much faster. In addition, after the canal was built last year, the fields around the canal had a bumper harvest this year, with ten bushels of wheat per acre, and the grain output more than doubled. After hearing this, the farmers became much more active, and the state government no longer needed to spend a long time in publicity and persuasion. .
This afternoon, the sky was dark and the clouds were low. Most of the officials in the government have gone to Sanfu counties to announce their departure. Looking out from the front of the mansion, the grass roots were floating back and forth under the red wall. The vendor at the gate of the mansion was shouting Hu cakes, but the passers-by were in a hurry and ignored him. After a while, it rained heavily, but there was no wind. There was no movement between heaven and earth. Not even a bird was seen.
Chen Chong had been chatting with Yang Xiu since he got up from his nap. After Ruying's victory, he had a premonition that the world situation would undergo new changes. As for whether it was good or bad, he still needed to think carefully. Since Yang Xiu entered the government, although he is arrogant, he is indeed very smart. Chen Chong always has clever ideas when talking to him. Therefore, if Chen Chong has any hesitation about important matters, he will often ask him for his opinion.
"In the battle of Ruying, the general has conquered Yuzhou. Although the epidemic is now rampant, the imperial court has Sun Ce to respond in the south. Although Yuan Shu withdrew to Huainan, but his decline has reached this point, it is no longer a concern. As long as the imperial court can do some production, the people of Henan can It takes two years to cultivate, first destroy Yuan Shu, and then send out troops in three directions to eradicate the puppet dynasty. By then, the country will have secured control of Guanzhong and the Central Plains, and the world will be peaceful." Yang Xiu said this while making tea.
Since entering Si Li Xiaowei's mansion, many mansion officials have followed Chen Chong's example in drinking tea, and Yang Xiu is no exception. After the tea boiled, the green leaves rolled back and forth in the water. Yang Xiu quickly stood up and filled Chen Chong's cup.
Chen Chong took the tea cup, smiled at Yang Xiu, and then said: "You are right, but not entirely right. If the two states of Qing and Xu are pacified, Er Liu may still join sincerely, but it is hard to say for the rest. At least Yuan Shao I will never surrender.”
Yang Xiu picked up his tea cup, took a few sips carefully, and then said: "Yuan Jizhou has been a high-ranking family for many generations, and he also occupied Hebei to support Xianbei. His disobedience has indeed lost its popularity. But he tried to use Hebei to fight against the world. That's too much! Could Yuan Benzhu really be so unwise?"
"What Dezu said is far wrong. If we judge success or failure based on territory, when the six states of Guandong were fighting against Dong, how could Dong Zhuo have the psychology? The human heart is the most important thing."
Yang Xiu smiled and said: "Is there anyone in the world who wins the hearts of the people more than the dragon head and the general?"
Chen Chong shook his head and said: "I'm talking about the people's hearts, not the people's hearts."
Seeing that Yang Xiu didn't understand, he rapped the table with his knuckles and said: "The Yuan family is a high-ranking family. Among the bureaucrats in the world, nearly 70% come from the former Taifu Yuan Kui's house. Moreover, Yuan Shao made friends with scholars, spread his money widely, and promised to be rich and generous. In every sect, wealth is more valuable than a high surname, but I cannot do the same. Dezu, if you could make the decision, would you rather give up wealth and seek a clear name? Or would you give up a false reputation and seek wealth?"
Yang Xiu closed his eyes for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty's words stopped me. But from Xiu's point of view, fame, wealth and honor are all false. If you really want to choose Xiu, Xiu will only choose the winning side, as long as it can bring peace to future generations. Kangtai, that’s enough.”
Chen Chong looked at Yang Xiu for a moment, then smiled and said: "What Dezu said is wonderful. People's hearts are important, but in the end, the sword must see the truth, and this is indeed the truth. If you can win every battle, it is not a bad idea to go against the destiny. , If you lose every battle, what's the use of being righteous?"
Yang Xiu also laughed and said: "With a country like Longshou who is victorious in every battle and is comparable to famous generals like Sun and Wu, revival is inevitable."
Chen Chong shook his head when he heard this, and was about to continue talking when the guard on duty came to report to Chen Chong: "Your Majesty, there is someone outside the door asking to see you, saying it is urgent!"
"Oh! Who is asking to see you?" Chen Chong asked hurriedly.
"It's Dr. Cui from Taixue."
Chen Chong's heart sank. He was actually from Taixue. Could it be that there was something wrong with Zheng Xuan's condition? A few days ago, Zheng Xuan's son Zheng Yien came to see him. He said that Zheng Xuan was suffering from a cold and asked Chen Chong to help find some corals for medicine. Chen Chong asked the emperor for some corals and recommended some famous doctors to him. Originally I heard that Zheng Xuan's condition has improved, but now he suddenly asks for a visit, is it possible?
Regardless of anything else, he immediately stood up and asked Yang Xiu to follow him to the gate of the mansion. It was Cui Yan who was at the door. He was wearing a raincoat in the rain, his face was full of anxiety. When he saw Chen Chong, he said: "Longshou, the teacher is on his deathbed. Come with me!" Chen Chong changed his face after hearing this. , whispered: "Then leave quickly!" He didn't even bother to put on his raincoat.
The rain was like silk, the horses' hooves were pattering, and the moisture along the way made Chen Chong upset. When he arrived at Taixue, more than a thousand Taixue students were crowding around the gate of the mansion and talking. When they saw Chen Chong getting off the carriage, the noise stopped immediately and they took the initiative to make way for Chen Chong. Chen Chong quickly walked in through the rain and saw Sun Yan, Zhao Shang, Gongsun Fang, Wang Ji, Guoyuan and others standing in front of the hall, holding their breath and looking sad.
Seeing Chen Chong's arrival, Sun Yan breathed a sigh of relief and stepped forward to salute: "Dragon Head is here just in time. The teacher is explaining the funeral arrangements to Yi En and is waiting for you." Chen Chong glanced at him, nodded, and strode in.
It was getting late and the rain was hazy. As soon as Chen Chong entered the room, he felt a little gloomy. He could only vaguely see two maids standing in front of the couch. Zheng Yien was kneeling in front of the couch, holding an old man's arm.
Chen Chong stood in front of the couch and saw Zheng Yi'en whispering softly to Zheng Xuan, making way for him. Chen Chong slowly took a few steps forward and saw clearly. At this time, Zheng Xuan was surprisingly thin, but his eyes were bright. After moving his fingers, Zheng Yi'en hurriedly said to Chen Chong: "My father's tongue retracted into his throat and he couldn't speak. Longshou gave him his hand." Bar!"
Chen Chong finally understood and stepped forward to hold Zheng Xuan's hand carefully. Zheng Xuan smiled at him and slowly wrote the word "hou" on his palm. Chen Chong knew that he was entrusting his offspring to him, and nodded and said: "I dare not say that I will make my brother's family rich and powerful, but I will try my best to take care of him and make sure that he is safe and sound."
Zheng Xuan nodded, looking very satisfied, and wrote the word "learn" in Chen Chong's hand, and then wrote the word "grandson" in Chen Chong's hand. This was a recommendation to Chen Chong that after his death, Sun Yan could be in charge of the Imperial Academy. Chen Chong thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Uncle Ran is a well-educated man, and I feel relieved that he will serve as a doctor."
Then Zheng Xuan rested for a while and tapped Chen Chong's palm with his finger. Chen Chong was confused, so Zheng Xuan had to write the word "er" on his palm again. Only then did Chen Chong realize that Zheng Xuan wanted to give him some advice. I saw him open his mouth, "Ahhhh" with great effort, and moved his tongue, barely touching his few remaining teeth.
Chen Chong knew what he meant, and felt pain in his heart, but he couldn't help but smile: "Okay! Brother Zheng, you still take advantage of me now." Zheng Xuan also laughed, just with two forced "haha" sounds, like a dying frog. Ming.
Zheng Xuan imitated the behavior of Chang Cong, Laozi's teacher. I asked Chang Cong, and Chang Cong opened his mouth to show me. I saw that all the teeth in the teacher's mouth were gone, but the tongue was still there, so he understood the meaning of "teeth". The principle is that if it is hard on the tongue, it will first cover it; if the tongue is soft on the teeth, it will always exist." Zheng Xuan reminded Chen Chong at this time that he was often too rigid and if he wanted to achieve great things, he had to compromise sometimes.
At the end, Zheng Xuan wrote the word "ink" on Chen Chong's hand. Chen Chong quickly asked someone to get paper and ink. Zheng Xuan then dipped his hand in ink and left a last message for Chen Chong.
It reads: "I wish to always cherish the world, never abandon all peoples, and endure the extraordinary difficulties for decades, and I will definitely create a foundation that has never been seen in the world!"
After writing it, Zheng Xuan ordered his only son to stamp it and handed the post to Chen Chong. Chen Chong was very moved and thought to himself, although Brother Zheng is a scholar and rarely asks about political affairs, he also has a wish for peace at home. As a person is about to die, he expresses his heartfelt words because of the difficult times, which makes the viewers feel moved. No matter what, he must not let down Brother Zheng's wishes.
After finishing writing, Zheng Xuan closed his eyes and asked everyone to exit. When Zheng Yien went in to take a look again when it was dark at night, he found that Zheng Xuan was no longer breathing.
Before Chen Chong arrived, Zheng Xuan had already discussed with his son and disciples that since the fallen leaves could not return to their roots, it would be better to be buried on the mountainside of Huashan Mountain. If a human being had a spirit, he could watch the sea of clouds billow and the sun rise and set, which would be a happy thing.
When he was buried, Zheng Xuan was buried with only a thin coffin and all his belongings and books were donated to the Imperial Academy. Before the coffin left, Chen Chong held the wine in his hand and bowed to the coffin: "In my life, apart from the sworn brothers, Brother Zheng is the most compatible with me! What my wife and brothers don't know, I know. You know my heart, and you know it." I have no ambition to swim in the North Sea together, so why leave me?" As he spoke, he couldn't help but burst into tears, and the people accompanying him also shed tears.
Some people say that Zheng Xuan is a Confucian in the world. He is the best scholar in all nine states. He denounces the differences between modern and ancient Chinese literature and combines the two elites into one family. Scholars all admire him. His passing is like Kong Nihuolin's death, like the world's injustice, and it is unknown when peace will come.
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Set a small goal first, such as remembering in 1 second: Shukeju
