Three Kingdoms

Among the various dynasties in China, the Han Dynasty can be said to be the most particular about filial piety. If we look into the reasons, there are many. In fact, the most critical one is the inspection system that was implemented for three to four hundred years in the Han Dynasty.

Many people think that filial piety was promoted from beginning to end in the Han Dynasty, and filial piety was also very popular in the Han Dynasty. In fact, this was not the case. In the early Han Dynasty, filial piety was not as popular as many people thought.

Filial piety, as an ethical concept, certainly did not come into being until the Han Dynasty. Pre-Qin Confucianism had already fully discussed it. However, as Liu Xiang said in "Warring States Policy Records", "Without Zhongni, morality has deteriorated. There is disorder at the top and bottom, father and son are not close to each other, brothers are not at peace with each other, couples are separated, and they cannot save their lives." The concept of filial piety that has maintained the patriarchal system since the Western Zhou Dynasty has been completely wiped out.

Therefore, it can be said that until Qin Shihuang unified the country, filial piety was mainly a Confucian belief in the Western Zhou sages who were in their heyday. It was the family's own ethical concept of establishing a country and governing a family. It had not yet become a social norm that was widely accepted and practiced by the society at that time.

In the early Han Dynasty, it was indeed emphasized that filial piety governs the world, and there is no lack of historical data to confirm it. For example, Emperor Hui, Emperor Gao, Emperor Wen, and Emperor Jing all issued relevant edicts respecting and praising filial piety and Li Tian. Emperor Hui and Emperor Wen themselves were also called "benevolent and filial piety". Since Emperor Hui, all the emperors of the Western Han Dynasty also used Xiao as their posthumous title.

However, although all these historical facts can show that the supreme ruler in the early Western Han Dynasty spared no effort to promote filial piety, they cannot prove that filial piety as an ethical norm has been generally recognized and practiced by society.

It’s very interesting that sometimes the things that rulers vigorously promote are often things that the entire society lacks, just like what later generations promote every year...cough cough cough...

If you examine the historical data a little, it is not difficult to find that filial piety did not become a universally recognized social norm until Emperor Wu. There is a folk song in the early Han Dynasty that best reveals the social psychology of filial piety: "Why should I be filial to my younger brother and be obedient?" Be good at writing and become an official! What is the right etiquette? A wealthy family and an official position! 』

It shows that the common people were still very sharp-sighted at that time...

Then Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty repeatedly emphasized that "filial piety and brotherhood bring great obedience to the world." He was the most vigorous advocate of filial piety among the emperors in the early Han Dynasty. The county? Yun did not respond to the order." This also shows from the side that most people in the early Han Dynasty were not very interested in the "filial piety" proposed by Confucianism.

Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty also said in the edict: "...the filial sons in the world are willing to do their best to honor their relatives, and they are forced to do official work? There is a lack of funds at home? The filial piety is lacking..."

Regarding this, the Confucian people were very angry and criticized one after another, saying that those who did not practice "filial piety" were like killing their fathers and mothers. They were worse than animals. Even after taking control of the court, they even used "filial piety" as an assessment. Standard, so that originally there were two ways to elect talents in the Han Dynasty. One was Maocai, and the other was Xiaolian. But by the middle and late Han Dynasty, there was basically no selection of Maocai, and the rest were all the same. Promote filial piety and integrity...

Because the threshold for promoting filial piety and honesty is actually too low. Anyone can do it. Even those who have not read the scriptures and do not know the Chinese characters of "three or five dou" can still be filial and honest.

So? Under such a situation, how can we reflect the nobility of the gentry? What makes the gentry unique, superior to the gentry, eh? superior to ordinary people?

Ordinary behavior obviously could not meet the needs of the gentry children, so more and more bizarre things gradually began to happen, such as Zhao Zi, when robbers came to rob his home. Zhao Zi took the initiative to invite the robbers to dinner in order not to disturb his sick 80-year-old mother, and said that in addition to In addition to leaving some clothes and food rations for me, the thieves can choose whatever they want from their wives, children, money and belongings, and I will never stop them...

Such eagerness made the thief feel unsure and did not dare to take action. He felt that Zhao Zi must have a conspiracy and was preparing to escape from this so-called "trap." However, Zhao Zi chased him out with the money and insisted that the thief accept it. .

Fortunately, Zhao Zi has not said that the thief must take his wife...

Of course, Zhao Zi couldn't help but consider that it was okay to give money to him, but giving it to his wife was a bit too much, so he didn't drag his wife to give it to the thief.

It can be seen that by the late Han Dynasty, in order to gain fame, there were already countless such bizarre things among the nobles. In order to gain fame, the behaviors they did were even more contrary to common sense, just like the acne marks in later generations. The various ugly things they do in order to win attention are the same.

Therefore, from a certain perspective, Wang Xiang's so-called "lying on the ice to seek carp" is actually not too much. Well, maybe it was because Wang Xiang was not married yet? Or is it "burying your wife and begging for carp"?

And this kind of thing is like the "pillow business" in later generations. It can be done, but it's hard to say. Or before it affected my family, even if I heard about it, I would just smile knowingly, but now that I was robbed of my "part" and lost my position as the "protagonist", I naturally stabbed Wang Xiang, you are a stinker. XX, in fact, it was also sold, and it was sold three times...

Suddenly, the melon was so big that it fell to the ground with a click.

Wang Xiang was extremely embarrassed.

This feeling is like being criticized at a press conference for a new drama, and then being criticized for being a "pillow business" in order to get the leading role, and relevant evidence was also presented, and there were three more, indicating that Wang Xiang was at least asleep, eh , I’ve done it three times...

Suddenly, the gentry children near Yecheng in Jizhou, who were originally angry at Wang Xiang for winning the first place, naturally became indignant. They thought that Wang Xiang, with his pure face, was really not a human being, but it turned out that it was not the case. A pretty guy has to rely on pillows to gain fame, and the key is that he sold it three times!

I only sold such a voluptuous figure once, okay? This guy actually sold it three times! three times! And there is evidence for this. If there is no evidence, who knows how many times this innocent-looking guy has sold it?

When Ding Chong saw this, he coughed and said: "There are many rumors in the countryside, which may not necessarily mean that marriage is not an option..." These are false reports and synthesized. Don't believe it. Don't believe it.

Immediately, another person stood up and said loudly in the audience: "I am the Langya Mao clan!" There are rumors around Langya about Wang Xiuzheng! At the Langya Literary Society in the past, Wang Xiuzheng wrote a poem on the spot, "I found a carp lying on the ice and raised it for my relatives, and my filial piety and sincerity reached the heavens"! This is Wang Xiuzheng's own words, so it must not be a lie! ? 』

"oh……"

"I see……"

"Soga..."

Everyone was talking about it.

Wang Xiang's brain was in chaos at this time, and he didn't know how to argue. His face turned red, as if blood was dripping from his face. Who didn’t have a moment of arrogance when they were young? At that time, I drank too much, which was partly a factor. The other part was that I had been praised for too long, and I forgot that I actually didn't have that ability, and I didn't do that thing...

Just like water to oil, qigong, and certain cores, I was a little nervous and cautious when I started blowing, but after blowing more and for a long time, even I believed it was true, and then I was hurt. After the beating, he angrily accused the young man of not knowing the rules!

Ding Chong was furious now, feeling that these young people in front of him really didn't understand the rules!

"Ding Kaozheng, Sikong selects talents and tests Jizhou, and his way is righteous. However, since he is called "virtuous talents", he should put "virtuous" first. If he has evil intentions, cheats, and people who are just trying to gain fame, they may lose Sikong. Such good intentions have also harmed the hearts of the children of Jizhou..." Su Cheng stood up, looked around, and said in a steady voice, "Now there is only one strategy, and I wonder if Ding Kaozheng and Wang Shou are willing to listen? 』

Ding Chong glared at Wang Xiang a few times, feeling that Wang Xiang's current performance was not good enough. He should at least stand up and say, "You have soiled your filial piety," or something similar. When things get confusing, Ding Chong can just wave his sleeves and seek to get out first. It's better now, you idiot, why are you staring at me with your eyes?

In desperation, Ding Chong forced a smile and said: "You might as well say..."

Su Cheng smiled and pointed to the Zhangshui River not far away, "Since the king of the first rank could lie down on the ice in the past to find carp, he might as well go to the side of the Zhangshui River and find it again today. How about it?" At this time, the Zhang River has not yet frozen, and it is not limited to carp. If anyone catches a fish and feels the filial piety of the king, and throws himself on the shore, we will all bow down and say nothing more! But I don’t know what Ding Kaozheng, the king of the list, thinks? 』

Everyone present immediately echoed, declaring that if Wang Xiang could really get a fish to jump ashore on the Zhang River, they would believe the rumors about Wang Xiang, and they would also publicize it on behalf of Wang Xiang to spread the word. its name.

Of course, the converse meaning is that if Wang Xiang cannot do it, then he will also gain a reputation, but it will not be a good reputation...

"This..." Ding Chong pondered, and suddenly regretted it. He felt that he should have turned over the table immediately at the beginning, because it was just doubts at the beginning. Ding Chong could also say that these doubts were aimed at Sikong and Ding Chong himself. Of course, there is a reason for turning over the table, but now, if the table is turned over again, the smell of protecting Wang Xiang will be too strong, and even if the table is turned over, the effect of stopping the topic will definitely not be ideal. With so many people present, this How much does it cost to search for hot topics?

We still have to solve the problem. We cannot let it continue to ferment. It is naturally best to solve it on the spot. Putting it off or avoiding it is not the best way.

Otherwise, the examination held by Cao Cao in Yecheng, Jizhou would lose its original meaning.

The thoughts in Ding Chong's mind began to spin rapidly, and he began to weigh the importance of each of them.

Before Ding Chong could express his position, Shen Rong coughed, and consciously all eyes were focused on him. He was somewhat proud and said with a smile: "We definitely don't have any regional opinions. If Wang Shi is indeed If he is capable, we Jizhou scholars should bow down to him. If you can't find fish in front of the ice, it may not be Wang Shitou's intention to deceive, it must be a slight negligence, or the weather is not beautiful..."

After hearing Shen Rong's words, Ding Chong couldn't help but stare at Shen Rong for a moment, then nodded slightly and turned to look at Wang Xiang, "Wang Xiuzheng, what do you think?" 』

Wang Xiang knew that he was in trouble, so he lay on the ice and begged for carp. He just talked about it. Did he really take off his clothes and lie down on the ice in the middle of winter? Still looking for carp? It's almost better to wish for death. Therefore, when Ding Chong asked, he naturally couldn't say that there was no problem, but he couldn't say that there was a problem either. He was just stuck on the spot, speechless.

Ding Chong sighed slightly.

It seems that even if he protects Wang Xiang, Wang Xiang may not be a good official. The so-called "official" has one mouth at the top and another at the bottom. If he can't say anything like Wang Xiang is doing now, how can he be a good "official"?

What's more, Shen Rong's words just now meant that the children of Jizhou were not against Ding Chong, nor against the examination, but felt that Wang Xiang, a "foreigner", had taken the top spot in Yecheng, Jizhou, which caused the dissatisfaction among the children of Jizhou. Dissatisfaction is what matters now.

The appointment of Wang Xiang as the first one is only used to show that Cao Cao will not discriminate against anyone because of region and is willing to accept talents from anywhere in the world. However, it does not mean that Wang Xiang can only be used as the horse bone of the daughter. What Li Xiang and Zhao Xiang are used? Of course, it can be used as an example...

"Wang Xiuzheng, you might as well give it a try..." Ding Chong said slowly, which meant that Ding Chong was ready to give up on Wang Xiang.

After all, in this era, the examination system has just begun. The so-called rankings, parades on the streets, etc. are all tricks learned from the hussar generals. Even Ding Chong himself does not necessarily have a deep understanding of the examination system. , in the current chaotic situation, it seems that sacrificing a top spot may not be a big deal. After all, the overall situation is more important.

Wang Xiang stood up in confusion and walked slowly towards Zhangshui. He knew that he would probably not be able to get any fish, and he knew that not only he knew it, but most people also knew it, but the lie before was just like It's like the emperor's new clothes. Even if you don't talk about it, it seems to be still on your body. But as soon as it is pierced, you find that there is nothing naked...

Seeing Wang Xiang walking towards the Zhang River, Su Cheng and Shen Rong looked at each other, then nodded slightly. Su Cheng turned around again and used a color on the crowd aside...

In full view of everyone, Wang Xiang slowly walked to the edge of Zhangshui River. Before he could come up with any countermeasures, someone suddenly shouted: "It's not good!" Wang Langjun is going to throw himself into the river! 』

Wang Xiang was stunned, who? Who wants to jump into the river? I? Should I throw myself into the river? No?

Wang Xiang couldn't help but turn around and look back, only to see several servants rushing out of the crowd to protect him, and then rushing towards Wang Xiang himself with shouts and screams. Wang Xiang was so frightened that he couldn't help but take a step back, and on the river bank Most of the stones are round and smooth, so if your center of gravity is unstable, you will stumble a little, and then the servant guard who rushed towards you will be directly pushed to the ground...

Ding Chong and others were further away, so naturally they couldn't tell whether Wang Xiang actively bent down and prepared to jump into the river, or whether he stepped on the river pebbles and his center of gravity was unstable. Anyway, it looked like Wang Xiang was about to jump into the river and then was held down. Same.

Ding Chong frowned, "Come, please send Wang Langjun back first!" 』

Ding Chong was disappointed.

In fact, just now Ding Chong asked Wang Xiang to give it a try. On the one hand, it was due to the situation at the scene, and on the other hand, it was also a vague expression to Wang Xiang that Wang Xiang didn't care whether he begged or captured, as long as he risked his life, he could reach the Zhangshui River He holds a fish in his hand, and then says that whether the fish jumped into his arms or jumped to the shore, other people will not be able to tell the difference clearly, and this level will naturally pass.

It's a pity that Wang Xiang didn't realize this. Instead, he was pushed to the ground directly on the bank, and then he took the so-called "drowning into the river"...

What a stupid person!

Ding Chong cursed in his heart, but he did not expect that less than half a day later, he heard almost the same sentence from Cao Cao: "You are really a stupid person!" 』

Ding Chong was startled.

Cao Cao waved his hand and added: "The people of Jizhou are so stupid and stubborn that they are like this..."

The Ding family is considered a marriage of the Cao family, so Cao Cao's words to Ding Chong were relatively direct, without even too many modifications. Cao Cao sighed again, "You have done a bad job in this matter!" 』

"People like this in Jizhou are not just a member of the Wang family, nor are they based on the region, they are desperate for the imperial examination system!" ” Cao Cao said in a deep voice, “The examination of integrity is more important than talent, and the examination of integrity is more important than morality!” Today, at the examination table, we are discussing virtue. Is this the examination of integrity, or the examination of virtue? Youyang fell into the trap of such a traitor! 』

Ding Chong was stunned, and then suddenly realized.

People in Jizhou are obviously unwilling to take any new talent promotion path. The original path is obviously simpler and easier to follow and can lead to more benefits, but the new examination system is obviously more difficult and difficult to follow.

Especially if you have to take on-the-spot exams under the auspices of people from Yuzhou, if you have no talent and rely entirely on cobbling together, or with the help of retainers, how can you stand out and get a good ranking?

Wouldn't this cut off his own future?

Therefore, after the list came out, these Jizhou disciples did not talk about any issues about Wang Xiang's talents and abilities at all. Instead, they clung to the deeds that Wang Xiang had boasted about before, and used the name of fraud, exaggeration, and arrogance to name a few. The fundamental purpose of covering Wang Xiang's head is to target the examination system, to show that there is something wrong with the examination system and that the original examination and promotion system is better...

Cao Cao pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed, a cold light flashed in his eyes, "If that's the case, then that's it!" 』

When had Cao Cao ever been afraid of anyone?

Since we have chosen to be shameless, we might as well all be shameless!

Cao Cao couldn't help but think of the time when he found Xu Zijiang. If he hadn't made up his mind to act rogue, he would have been tricked by Xu Zijiang!

Could it be more difficult for Yecheng now than it was then? Back then, when Cao Cao had no official position and no soldiers, he could make Xu Zijiang surrender. Could it be said that he can't do it now?

Cao Cao smiled, his voice was loud, and his body shook the eaves, as if the snow on the roof was shaking off, "Interesting!" interesting! Hahaha……"