Chapter 2

The next day, in a study within the Dongtai Palace. Liu Yao curiously observed the middle-aged man standing beside his father, the emperor. The man was dressed in a brocade robe, exuding a scholarly air that made him appear refined and dignified.

"Your Highness, this is the teacher I have found for you, Cai Yong, also known as Cai Bojie. He is currently a Langzhong and is a renowned Confucian scholar of our time," Emperor Liu Hong introduced.

"It's him!!" Liu Yao exclaimed inwardly. Cai Yong was a famous literary and calligraphy master, held in the highest regard by scholars of the era.

"Master, I entrust my son to you," Emperor Liu Hong bowed to Cai Yong, a rare gesture.

"I dare not, Your Majesty. I will do my utmost to teach the Crown Prince," Cai Yong replied, somewhat flustered.

"Son, you must study diligently with Master, do you understand?" Emperor Liu Hong's tone was exceptionally stern.

"I understand, Father," Liu Yao nodded. Emperor Liu Hong looked at Liu Yao with some satisfaction and then left the study, leaving the two of them alone.

In the study, the two faced each other, kneeling and sitting, staring at each other without a word. Liu Yao felt somewhat annoyed, "Hmph, if you won't speak, then neither will I. Let's see who can outlast the other."

Cai Yong had been observing Liu Yao. From the moment he entered, Liu Yao had not bowed, which lowered Cai Yong's opinion of him. However, after sitting in silence for the duration of an incense stick, the child showed no signs of impatience, remaining calm and composed, which raised Cai Yong's opinion of him.

"Cough, cough." Cai Yong's cough broke the silence. "Crown Prince, today I will teach you about the Book of Rites. Since ancient times, propriety has been indispensable. The five virtues—benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness—place propriety first..." Cai Yong spoke rapidly, delivering a 5,000-character lecture on the Book of Rites in less than half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea (15 minutes).

Liu Yao watched Cai Yong, listening to his rapid speech. He knew the old master's intention: starting with propriety because Liu Yao had not bowed to him, and speaking quickly to prevent Liu Yao from remembering. Cai Yong likely intended to give him a hard time, but Liu Yao, who was well-versed in Confucianism, had the Book of Rites memorized.

Liu Yao spoke in a childish voice, "What Master said, since ancient times, propriety has been indispensable, and among the five virtues, propriety is the first..." His small mouth opened and closed, repeating the lecture faster than Cai Yong.

"Master, was what I said correct?" Liu Yao asked, looking up at Cai Yong after finishing.

At this moment, Cai Yong's calm and composed demeanor was completely gone, his mouth agape in shock.

"Master? Master?" Liu Yao called out softly, seeing Cai Yong's stunned face.

"Ah!! Ah!!" Cai Yong, snapped out of his shock, his eyes filled with joy. "A genius, a genius!!"

It is not difficult for a student to find a good teacher, but it is much harder for a teacher to find a good student. The difficulty is akin to a horse expert discovering a thousand-mile horse.

Cai Yong had come to teach Liu Yao only because of Emperor Ling's status, but he never expected to encounter a thousand-mile horse. With such a genius to inherit his legacy, he would die content.

Liu Yao, seeing Cai Yong's joyful expression, felt a surge of happiness. This proved that Cai Yong had fully recognized him. With such a teacher and his own talents, status, and the advantages of his穿越 (穿越 means "穿越" in Chinese, which can be translated as "穿越" in English, but in this context, it refers to the protagonist's knowledge from a future time or another world), his reputation in the scholarly world would surely rise. Liu Yao already envisioned talented scholars flocking to him in the future.

"Yao, with your talent and my guidance, you will surely hold a significant position in the scholarly world," Cai Yong stroked his beard, full of satisfaction. He even changed his address from "Crown Prince" to "Yao."

"Ha ha, Master, how could I not know your intentions? I will study diligently and not waste your teachings," Liu Yao smiled.

Cai Yong was taken aback and then asked, "Then can you tell me what my intentions were?"

Liu Yao replied, "Children usually start by learning to read, but you began with propriety to correct my previous impolite behavior. I apologize, Master, it was not intentional."

"Devil!! Devil!!" Cai Yong was inwardly shaken, repeating these words.

Liu Yao then changed his expression, "However, I hope you do not spread the news of my abilities too quickly."

"Why not? Don't you want the whole world to know of your talent?" Cai Yong was very puzzled, thinking that children usually love to show off.

"Master!! What do you think of the current state of our Han dynasty?" Liu Yao asked a seemingly unrelated question with a serious face.

"This... The Han dynasty is prosperous and its fame spreads across the world, the Han..." Cai Yong hesitated, sweating profusely.

"Ha ha, Master, are you trying to deceive me, a child?" Liu Yao interrupted Cai Yong. "The Han dynasty is already in decline."

"Crown Prince, do not speak such nonsense. The Han dynasty will surely last for thousands of years," Cai Yong was completely taken aback by Liu Yao's words, a prince speaking such heretical words.

Liu Yao waved his hand, "Enough, Master. Although I am young, as a prince, I understand the current state of the Han dynasty. Father sells offices and indulges in pleasures, favoring eunuchs. The Han dynasty has lost its credibility, and the entire country is controlled by powerful families. The Han dynasty is in danger."

Cai Yong had been shocked too many times today, looking at the six-year-old prodigy, not knowing what to say.

"Therefore, Master, what I say next must be kept between us. I do not want a third person to know," Liu Yao said seriously.

Cai Yong understood the gravity of the situation and nodded solemnly at the "adult" who was only six years old.

"Master, the Han dynasty is in danger. Ordinary methods cannot save it. The only way is to break and then establish anew!!"

"Break and then establish anew, what does that mean?" Cai Yong looked puzzled.

"Master, with my talents, if others find out, I will surely become the heir to the Han dynasty, which is not what I want. I want to leave Luoyang, take charge of a region, recruit capable and brave people, and wait for the chaos to come, to reunify the Han dynasty and create a new Han dynasty. I need your help, Master!!" Liu Yao spoke passionately.

Cai Yong drew a deep breath, never expecting a six-year-old child to come up with such a plan. "The Han dynasty is fortunate, the Han dynasty is fortunate." Cai Yong shed tears, moved by the hope that had come after years of watching the Han dynasty decline and feeling helpless.

"Yao, tell me, how can I help you?"

"Master, I am not yet prepared, as I am still too young. However, I hope you can use your status in the scholarly world to recruit some truly talented strategists, not just poets and scholars."

"Good!! I cannot promise much, but with my status in the scholarly world, I can manage this. If there is anything else I can help with, I will do so without hesitation," Cai Yong said confidently.

"Thank you, Master. I will not be shy about asking for your help," Liu Yao bowed to Cai Yong, smiling playfully.

"Ha ha, you, this child." Cai Yong found Liu Yao's actions amusing, perhaps only at this moment did he feel that Liu Yao was still a child.

In the study, the two, one old and one young, had a secret conversation. Liu Yao had gained his first ally in this life.

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