xymnovel Chapter 1 The Source of Chaos
Chapter 1 The Source of Chaos
In the second year of the Baoda era of the Southern Yu Kingdom, Emperor Li Jing ascended the throne two years prior. He was the second ruler of the Southern Yu Kingdom, a kingdom with a relatively short history, having reigned for only ten years since its founding.
The Southern Yu Kingdom claimed to be the continuation of the previous Yu Kingdom. In the first year of Baoda, the new emperor Li Jing officially announced that he would hold a civil service examination in the third year of Baoda to recruit talented people.
It should be noted that since the fall of the Great Yu Dynasty more than thirty years ago, the entire land, from north to south of the Yangtze River and along the Great Wall, has been ravaged by the wars waged by the regional military governors. Apart from the areas near the south of the Yangtze River, there is no longer enough room for a single desk.
Besides announcing the imperial examinations, the new emperor of Nanyu abandoned his predecessor's policy of protecting the borders and ensuring the people's safety, and began to strengthen the army and stockpile provisions, seemingly poised to expand the territory. With the new emperor's various small actions, the surrounding regional warlords became increasingly vigilant.
As the saying goes, "With ten thousand strings of cash around one's waist, one can ride a crane down to Yangzhou."
Throughout history, the beauty of Guangling has always been intertwined with the sentiments and dreams of scholars. Even in this world where warriors reign supreme and scholars are few and far between, the sound of reading aloud can still be heard in Lijia Town, the countryside of Guangling.
The Li Family School in Lijia Town was built by the prominent Guangling Li family of the previous dynasty. It was specifically for all Li family youths to study and learn here.
Counting from the last imperial examination before the fall of the Great Yu Dynasty, the imperial examinations have been suspended for over forty years. Yet, the heads of the Guangling Li clan, with their centuries-old tradition of scholarship, still adhere to their ancestral precepts, ensuring that no member of the Li family is left ignorant. Whether this is wisdom or simply perseverance, it seems no one cares anymore.
On the first day of the tenth lunar month, at the Li Clan School.
Thirty-odd students, aged fifteen or sixteen, were listening to the Master's lecture. Today was a special day; the Master was not holding a book, nor was he as serious as usual, but rather, unusually, he was all smiles.
Today is graduation day for this class. In class, they are teacher and students, so it's only natural for the teacher to be strict. Now that their studies are over, they've become members of the clan, and as a clan elder, the teacher won't be the bad guy. Who knows, after class he might even have to go to one of the students' homes to buy soy sauce.
Just now, the Master announced that the Yu State court will reopen the imperial examinations next year. Since this year's students are graduating, the Master suggested that everyone give it a try, which aroused great interest among the students.
The Li clan of Guangling was a very prestigious clan, having originated from the Li clan of Jiangxia hundreds of years ago, which in turn was a branch of the Li clan of Zhao County. Therefore, during the Great Yu Dynasty, although the Li clan of Guangling was not among the Five Clans and Seven Noble Clans, it still produced military governors, privy councilors, prime ministers, and even a father and son who were both prime ministers.
With such a powerful family background, it was natural that they would also achieve outstanding results in the imperial examinations. During the Great Yu Dynasty, the Li family of Guangling produced a continuous stream of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), with more than 300 people passing the examinations in total. The best performer ranked first in the first class, which was an immense honor.
It's all from the old imperial calendar. For the past forty years, the world has been engulfed in war. The most needed talent for all the regional military governors is not scholars and writers, but warriors in armor and wielding spears.
In the midst of chaos, it was extremely difficult for Guangling to maintain a peaceful space for studying. Over time, even the former prime ministers' families became content with mediocrity, and most of their clansmen served as low-ranking officials in Yangwu and Yu. As long as they did not leave their hometown, what was wrong with them getting together and making do?
Li Xuan, courtesy name Ziyu, was from Guangling. At the age of fifteen, he had been studying at the clan school for five years. Now, like everyone else, he was sitting in the classroom listening to the teacher talk about the imperial examinations.
The teacher spoke at length, then lowered his head to take a sip of tea and said, "The path to the imperial examinations has always been difficult. If even one of you can become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), I will be so happy that I will set off firecrackers. Therefore, everyone should act according to their abilities. Those who wish to go should make an agreement with their clansmen, bring protective weapons, and the clan will rent boats to take you to Jinling. Those who do not wish to go are fine too; at least I can still buy some cheap soy sauce."
The students were amused by the teacher and laughed heartily, and Li Xuan was also thoroughly enjoying himself. The teacher was also one of his customers. However, the person selling the teacher's soy sauce was someone else; Li Xuan's business was salt.
He benefited from his late father's past as an official in the Hailing Bureau. After his father died in the line of duty, the Hailing Bureau continued to support the descendants of deceased officials, so Li Xuan was able to obtain the opportunity to purchase cheap sea salt from the Hailing Bureau every year.
After the laughter and commotion subsided, the Master continued, "Today is the last lesson. I don't want to restrict your studies any longer, so I'll give you a topic to think about. You don't need to write anything down; just treat it as a strategy exercise. Everyone can speak freely, as long as you have your own source of knowledge."
All the students straightened their faces and said in unison, "Please instruct us, Master."
The Master said, "The world has been in chaos for decades. Who is the source of this chaos, and how can peace be restored? If you have any thoughts on this, even just a few words, I am willing to listen."
The question is not simple, and it's difficult to answer. Since the fall of the Former Yu dynasty, the world has been in chaos, and people have suffered greatly from war. Everyone longs for peace. How to restore peace? Even the high-ranking officials of various countries and towns must be at a loss.
Among the thirty-odd students in the class, there were naturally some who were wise and some who were foolish. The two with the best grades were Li Jue, a grandson of the eldest son of the main branch of the family, and Li Xuan, a distant relative of Li Jue, who was beyond the fifth degree of kinship. If anyone could answer the teacher's questions well, it would undoubtedly be one of these two.
Li Jue was sixteen years old, a year older than Li Xuan. He was tall and handsome, and everyone would call him a dashing young man. In contrast, Li Xuan, who had been struggling to make a living since the death of his parents, had long been tanned reddish-brown by the scorching sun of the Jianghuai region. When he went out, everyone would call him a jujube-faced old man.
As the first and second sons, Li Jue and Li Xuan naturally didn't have a harmonious relationship. The two were often at odds. So, for the sake of the eldest branch of the family's reputation, Li Jue was the first to step forward and bow to the teacher, saying, "Teacher, this student is willing to offer some thoughts."
The Master nodded in agreement.
Li Jue declared loudly, "The source of chaos lies with the military. Examining the history of previous dynasties, from the emperor to the ministers, all took it upon themselves to weaken the power of the regional military governors, implement reforms, enrich the country, and strengthen the army. Even after repeated periods of great turmoil, they never wavered in their original intentions. Every time the world was about to achieve peace, it was the military who rebelled, destabilizing the country, even threatening the emperor and endangering the world. This destroyed the efforts of virtuous and ambitious people over ten or even decades. Therefore, the source of chaos lies with the military, and the way to achieve peace lies in restraining the military, making them understand righteousness, etiquette, and a sense of shame. Only then can peace be achieved."
After careful consideration, the Master smiled and said, "To only discuss the harm caused by warriors would be to miss the mark. To suggest teaching warriors is already somewhat meaningful. Restraint alone cannot bring peace; education is fundamental. That's interesting. However, although the State of Yu has preserved its ancient cultural heritage, it still relies on warriors and regional military governors to protect the country. From now on, you must be careful with your words and actions, doing more and saying less. I will not judge right or wrong here; I only hope you remember what I say today and transform it into future achievements."
Li Jue initially only wanted to outdo Li Xuan, but after listening to the Master's teachings and expectations, he was deeply moved and solemnly bowed, saying, "This student is willing to dedicate his life to practicing his principles, striving for peace, and living up to the Master's teachings."
The master smiled and agreed, then turned to look at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan was equally confident, as if he had pondered this question many times in his mind. After bowing to the Master, Li Xuan said, "The reason why a chaotic world is a chaotic world is that everyone is in a state of chaos, and people's hearts are filled with thoughts of chaos. If we examine history, the first to cause chaos are the emperors of the previous dynasty, followed by the eunuchs and prime ministers, and it is only when the scholar-officials also become in a state of chaos that the world collapses."
The students do not believe that warriors are the source of chaos. Warriors have existed for thousands of years; even at the very beginning of the Xia dynasty, everyone was a warrior. The culture of the Xia dynasty is the true source of the era of warriors.
The students believed that warriors were not the creators of chaos, but rather its victims. Because they possessed knives, they had the power to resist when harmed, and the successful ones joined the chaos, becoming new perpetrators.
Others simply lack the weapon and the opportunity to become perpetrators. Chaos affects everyone, but warriors are merely the most prominent among them.
Therefore, to end the chaos, it is essential to rebuild a reasonable and nurturing order. With a reasonable and nurturing order, warriors will lose their source of rebellion and will naturally become law-abiding citizens.
Although the ruler of the Yu Kingdom in Jinling held imperial examinations, he did not change the fragmented situation of military generals and regional warlords, but instead continued to expand the territory.
Instead of practicing the hardship and frugality of farming and warfare, he built palaces, restored the royal standards of the Yu Dynasty, and spent a lot of wealth on proclaiming the legitimacy of the Yu Dynasty.
He even appointed five treacherous ministers known as the "Five Devils," causing the newly established Southern Yu Kingdom to lack a clear and enlightened atmosphere, making him far from a good ruler.
The Master said helplessly, "You have your reasons. But if you don't participate in the imperial examinations of Yu, do you intend to join the army in some border town? Although the ruler of Yu has some shortcomings, he is still a capable ruler. The northern states of Jin and Han follow the lead of Songmo, with rampant military men, short-sighted, and their dynasties were short-lived and difficult to govern. They fell one after another in just over ten years. This year, a new dynasty was established, named Zhou. It's nothing more than a change of name without substance. If you don't want to serve in Yu, do you intend to go to the even more chaotic Zhou?"
Li Xuan replied, "A wise man preserves his usefulness and waits for the right time to act. If one cannot encounter an enlightened ruler, it is better to live out one's days in obscurity than to be the blade of a wicked ruler, who will one day involuntarily harm the people. I am not talented, but I wish to be a fisherman on the rivers and seas, enjoying the breeze and wine throughout the seasons."
Upon hearing this, the Master laughed loudly, "Hahaha, you lad, at such a young age you've already developed the ambitions of an old man. That's unacceptable, unacceptable! If you don't wish to serve in the government, I won't force you. Perhaps that heroic ruler who can end this chaotic era is already gathering his strength somewhere. At that time, you can then display your talents, which would not be a bad path for you."
His five years of study ended with a classroom debate. Li Xuan packed his books and left the school building, his heart filled with emotion as he reminisced about his time at the clan school. Five years ago, he was just a young boy. Both his parents were alive, and although his family wasn't wealthy, it was spacious. His mother always brought him to school.
His good fortune was short-lived; his father died in the line of duty, and his mother passed away from illness. To preserve the family business and support his education, his loving mother concealed her illness, refused to sell her possessions for treatment, and ended her young life prematurely, being buried in the village cemetery.
He had come as a family of three, but when he came out, he was all alone. Filled with melancholy, he slung his bag over his shoulder and prepared to wait outside the clan school.
"Ziyu, Ziyu, slow down." A voice called out to Li Xuan from behind.
Li Xuan turned around and bowed helplessly: "What advice does Hehuang have for me?" — Li Jue, courtesy name Hehuang.
Li Jue paused for a moment, then shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I... I know that Jinling is not a wise ruler. It's just that the elders need someone in their family to serve in government to protect the clan. Our Guangling Li clan is already in the dust; if we don't seize the opportunity to rise up, we will surely be in danger of disintegration. Fortunately, the Yu Kingdom claims to be the legitimate successor of the Yu Dynasty. Only those of us who are descendants of the Yu Dynasty's prime ministers have the opportunity to receive imperial favor. Ziyu, don't be stubborn. Come with me to Jinling and try our luck."
It turns out that Li Jue did not go to participate in the imperial examination, but instead went directly through the route of family recommendation and hereditary privilege.
After a moment of realization, Li Xuan congratulated Hehuang, saying, "Congratulations, Hehuang! The elders' considerations are absolutely correct. As a grandson of the clan, you are naturally suited to shoulder great responsibilities, and serving in Jinling is perfectly appropriate. I am still young and lack the ability. I need to hone my skills at home for a while longer. I will come to seek refuge with you, Brother Hehuang, when I have a clearer understanding. I hope you will not refuse to accept me."
Li Jue knew Li Xuan wasn't being sincere. Li Xuan was extremely determined; once he set his mind on something, he would get to the bottom of it, and he would find a way to succeed in anything he set his mind to. Although Li Jue had been fighting with Li Xuan for four years, he genuinely admired Li Xuan's talent. However, Li Xuan looked down on the Yu Kingdom's court, leaving Li Jue with no choice but to accept it.
After saying goodbye to Li Jue, Li Xuan sat under the shade of a tree waiting for others. Several classmates were already squatting there. Everyone naturally made room for Li Xuan, and they chatted enthusiastically about their future lives. Especially since many were about to get married, the teasing among the clan members became even more unrestrained.
The heavy bell rang, and a chorus of young boys and girls emerged from the clan school. Li Xuan stood up, shook his slightly numb legs, and walked towards an eleven-year-old boy.
The boy's name was Li Ji, and he had not yet been given a courtesy name. He was Li Xuan's cousin, born to the same grandfather. Like Li Xuan, Li Ji was also an orphan. However, Li Ji was extremely filial. His mother had just passed away this year, and when she was seriously ill, they had sold most of their family property to pay for her treatment. At only eleven years old, he could barely support himself. Now, he had packed his belongings and was living with Li Xuan.