Chapter 26

(Still at the bottom of the list, can't we put in a bit more effort and surpass Sun Shan?)

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The Song Dynasty had been established for a long time, and although it could still be described as a peaceful and prosperous nation, various internal problems gradually came to light. The state finances were severely strained, and the country suffered continuous defeats in foreign wars.

Especially seven years ago, when Li Yuanhao of the Tangut occupied the Shaanxi and Hetao regions and boldly declared independence, establishing the Western Xia Empire.

From any perspective, the Song Dynasty could not tolerate this. Two years later, the two armies clashed at Yan'an, and the Song army suffered a defeat. The following year, the Song army led by Han Qi was defeated again at Liupan Mountain. In the third year, the two sides engaged in battle at Zhenrong, and the Song army was once again defeated.

Although Western Xia won repeatedly, the loot and wealth they gained were far less than what they had previously obtained through the peace treaty and trade at the border markets. Additionally, the interruption of civilian trade led to the Western Xia people having "no tea to drink and expensive clothing," causing widespread discontent. Furthermore, the deteriorating relationship with the Liao Kingdom prompted Western Xia to propose peace talks.

In the fourth year of the Qingli era, the two countries finally reached an agreement. The peace treaty stipulated that Western Xia would cancel its imperial title and nominally submit to the Song Dynasty. In return, the Song Dynasty would grant Western Xia 50,000 taels of silver, 130,000 bolts of silk, and 20,000 catties of tea annually, and both sides would cease hostilities.

After the Chanyuan Alliance, the Liao Kingdom, which had been at peace, also took the opportunity to "gather troops in Youyan and declare its intention to move south." Ultimately, thanks to the wisdom and bravery of Fu Bi, the issue was resolved by increasing the annual tribute of 100,000 taels of silver and 100,000 bolts of silk.

The military defeats, the forced payment of annual tributes, and the fragmented territory deeply stimulated the young emperor. Encouraged by the reformist ministers who also felt humiliated, in the third year of the Qingli era, he dismissed Lu Yijian and appointed Zhang Dexiang, Yan Shu, Jia Changchao, Han Qi, Fan Zhongyan, and Fu Bi to govern simultaneously. Ouyang Xiu, Cai Xiang, Wang Su, and Yu Jing were appointed as censors, tasked with making changes to "bring about a peaceful and prosperous era." Because the era name was Qingli, this reform was called the "Qingli New Policies."

Because the leaders of the new policies, such as Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, Han Qi, and Ouyang Xiu, were all renowned and highly talented individuals, and because the court and the people deeply felt the humiliation, the new policies were initially met with great hope. Scholars like Su Xun and Chen Xiliang, who harbored patriotic aspirations, were eager to serve and contribute to the new policies.

However, after just one year, the grand new policies came to an abrupt end, which could not help but cause the three of them to feel deep sorrow and anger.

They could not understand why the emperor had so quickly changed his stance, why the always reputable Xia Xianggong would engage in such treacherous and despicable acts, and how gentlemen like Fan Gong, Fu Gong, and Ouyang Gong could be accused of forming cliques.

The intricate political landscape and the true intentions behind the surface were beyond the grasp of the three young men from the western frontier. They felt lost and bewildered, drinking and cursing, and crying, until evening when Song Fu helped the drunk Su Xun back to the inn to rest.

Chen Xiliang was extremely self-disciplined and also worried about his younger son's safety, so he did not drink much. After seeing off the two, he hurried back to his room and found that Liulang had already woken up. Although he was still a bit weak, children recover quickly, and in a few days, he would be lively again.

With the heavy burden lifted from his heart, he thought of his scolding of Sanlang last night and felt deeply apologetic, but he did not see him in the room: "Where is Sanlang?"

"He went to the east room," Erlang said, "He said that in an emergency, he would act on his own, but afterward, he would follow orders."

"This kid, he's still outmaneuvering me," Chen Xiliang smiled and said, "Call him in... No, I'll go myself."

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Chen Ke was sound asleep when he heard the lock being opened. He opened his eyes and saw Chen Xiliang enter with a candle in one hand and an oil paper package in the other.

Chen Ke sat up, and Chen Xiliang placed the candle on the chest and opened the oil paper package, releasing a tempting aroma.

By the candlelight, Chen Ke saw it was half a roasted goose, and his stomach growled.

"Are you hungry...?" Chen Xiliang's voice was gentle, "Eat quickly."

"..." Chen Ke looked at the main room.

Chen Xiliang knew he was asking if Erlang and Wulang had eaten. His heart softened even more, "They've already eaten. This is for you."

Chen Ke did not hesitate, grabbing a goose leg and devouring it ravenously. He had not eaten anything since last night and was extremely hungry. In no time, the thick goose leg was reduced to a white bone. He then tore off a large piece of meat and skin and stuffed it into his mouth.

"Eat slowly, it's all yours," Chen Xiliang noticed that his eating manner was not just due to hunger but also from feeling wronged. He chuckled inwardly and took out a bamboo tube from his waist, "Have a drink to wash it down, don't choke."

Chen Ke nodded and continued to eat voraciously... In a short while, he had finished half a roasted goose, his hands and mouth covered in oil. He then picked up the bamboo tube and took a big sip, his eyes widening in surprise as he stared at Chen Xiliang, thinking, 'Damn, it's alcohol?'

"Is there a problem?" Seeing that he was no longer indifferent, Chen Xiliang felt greatly relieved, took a sip from the bamboo tube, and said, "What a good drink..."

"..." Chen Ke glared at him, finally managing to say, "Too light..."

'Pfft...' Chen Xiliang almost spat out his drink, bursting into laughter, "My son is truly extraordinary!"

'So you're letting me drink alcohol at ten?' Chen Ke glanced at him, thinking, 'Are you drunk or what?'

"Don't you understand, kid!" Chen Xiliang patted his shoulder hard, "I'm treating you like an adult!"

'Why the sudden change in personality?' Chen Ke looked at him in surprise, wondering if he had been possessed.

In fact, Chen Xiliang was neither drunk nor possessed. His actions were the result of deep consideration.

Confucianism emphasizes 'teaching according to the student's aptitude.' For children with exceptional intelligence and character, using the same educational methods as ordinary children would undoubtedly stifle their talents and make them ordinary.

Chen Xiliang, as a father, had long been aware of Sanlang's extraordinary nature and talent, but he did not immediately react. Instead, he silently 'listened to his words and observed his actions,' assessing his intelligence, personality, interests, and more before considering how to teach him according to his aptitude.

In terms of intelligence, Sanlang undoubtedly belonged to the category of 'superior intelligence' as described by Confucius. He could not be held to the same standards as his peers but should be challenged with higher difficulty and more content to push him to his limits, ensuring he remained diligent and did not become overly self-satisfied and complacent.

In terms of personality, Sanlang was a person with a strong character, even somewhat rebellious, but not without kindness. Chen Xiliang, who himself had a strong character, did not want to suppress his son's individuality but had to help him overcome impulsiveness and contempt for rules, advising him to be cautious and consider others' opinions before acting.

In terms of interests, Chen Xiliang noticed that the child had a strong affection for money. While this was not commendable, just as 'Yan Hui loved benevolence, Zi Lu loved bravery, Zi Gong loved commerce, and Ran Qiu loved politics,' Confucius could guide each according to their interests, setting up four categories: virtue, speech, administration, and literature, allowing their strengths to be fully developed. Why couldn't he correctly guide his son to love money without being greedy, and perhaps even cultivate a 'financial minister' for the country, which would be a great success?

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"By giving you this drink, I mean to tell you that from now on, I will treat you as an adult," Chen Xiliang looked at Chen Ke earnestly, "But your behavior must be that of an adult. If you disappoint me, then I'm sorry, you'll continue to be my little Sanlang."

"Um." Chen Ke's eyes lit up, unsure why the old man had changed, but this change was good... He could not stand being treated like a child, so he nodded vigorously.

"Then let's have a man-to-man talk." Chen Xiliang hung the bamboo tube back on his waist, clearly just a symbolic drink, not a sign of allowing him to drink alcohol: "Sanlang, what do you hope to be in the future?"

"Truth or lies?" Chen Ke asked uncertainly.

"Of course, the truth."

"Personally, I hope to marry many wives and live the best life possible," Chen Ke spread his hands, "On a larger scale, I want to marry many wives for you all, so you can also live the best life..."

"..." Chen Xiliang's face turned black, barely restraining his urge to lose control, "Apart from our family, haven't you thought about doing something for the people of the world?"

"The world..." This question was too abstract for Chen Ke. In his time, people's goals were always to live a good life, and national affairs seemed to be just topics for tea-time conversations and laughter. Since coming to this world, he had only thought about the era's peace and how to help his family escape poverty...

He was not the type to think about the world while struggling to feed himself, so he was at a loss when faced with Chen Xiliang's question.

"..." Chen Xiliang felt deeply frustrated. He had heard that when Su Shi was eight, after listening to his mother tell the story of Fan Pang's self-sacrifice, he resolved to be a brave and loyal person like Fan Pang... In comparison, his son's aspirations seemed too vulgar.

'Teach according to the student's aptitude, teach according to the student's aptitude!' He encouraged himself and continued, "So, how do you plan to achieve your goals?"

"I don't know, I don't understand this world yet," Chen Ke said, somewhat lost, "I have no idea how to proceed in the future."

'That's good, that's good...' Chen Xiliang breathed a sigh of relief, feigning mystery, "I'll show you the way. Do you want to listen?"

"Speak."

'Will you die if you say a few more words...' Chen Xiliang rolled his eyes in frustration, took a deep breath, and said, "Study!"

"Study?"

"This isn't my idea, but the words of our true emperor," Chen Xiliang had to remind himself several times to 'teach according to the student's aptitude' to overcome his discomfort and say the vulgar words: "The true emperor once wrote a poem called 'Encouragement to Study,' which says:

'Rich families need not buy good land, for in books there are thousands of measures of grain.

To live in peace, one need not build a grand hall, for in books there are golden houses.

If you have no carriage when you go out, do not be sad, for in books there are many horses.

If you have no matchmaker when you marry, do not be sad, for in books there are women as beautiful as jade.

If a man wants to achieve his lifelong ambition, he must diligently study the Six Classics at his window'..."

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In books, there are women as beautiful as jade. In the scorching summer, I seek your recommendations. If a man wants to achieve his lifelong ambition, he must diligently recommend this book...

Hey, reader, please vote!

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