Yuan Li handed the letter to Ouyang Ting, who, upon reading it, had a tremble in his fingers.
After a moment of silence, he said to Yuan Li, "You will be studying at the Imperial Academy during the day and won't have time to come to me after school. How about this, you rest every ten days and then come to my residence to study with me during that time, and you don't have to come at any other time."
"Teacher, there's no need..." Yuan Li began to refuse but, seeing Ouyang Ting's solemn expression, he nodded obediently, "I understand."
The next day, Yuan Li went to the Imperial Academy.
Jian Shaoning was also at the Imperial Academy, and upon Yuan Li's arrival, he enthusiastically introduced him to others.
Despite his humble background, Yuan Li had the support of the Prince Chu Mansion and the respect of Jian Shaoning. His open and loyal nature helped him make friends quickly, building connections with several respectable individuals.
Upon learning that Yuan Li was under Ouyang Ting's tutelage, even more people approached him to establish connections.
Even Jian Shaoning couldn't help but envy him, saying, "Lord Ouyang rarely takes on disciples. Yuan Li, cherish this bond with your master. Your exceptional abilities make it no surprise to be under Lord Ouyang's guidance. Those who envy you are no match for you!"
C14. Sudden Change.
He then warned, "However, they approach you not to be genuine friends but to leverage your connections with esteemed scholars. Don't let them deceive you."
Yuan Li couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the situation, acknowledging the truth behind Jian Shaoning's words and later agreeing to make a sand table for him.
However, not long after, Yuan Li heard about Ouyang Ting's petition to the emperor, which resulted in the emperor's anger and Ouyang Ting's dismissal from his position as Minister of Works, being demoted to the Governor of Xuzhou.
When Yuan Li learned this news, several days had already passed. He was shocked and immediately took leave to visit Ouyang Ting's residence.
Before reaching the gate, he saw several carriages parked in front of the residence, servants coming and going between the carriages and the mansion, hastily moving belongings, indicating a sense of imminent departure.
Rushing inside, Yuan Li found Ouyang Ting in disarray, sitting on the steps of the front hall with disheveled robes and unkempt hair, gazing desolately at the busy servants.
A few empty jars fell from a servant's arms, clanging as they rolled on the ground, echoing a sense of emptiness.
"Teacher," Yuan Li's eyes welled up with tears as he couldn't help but ask, "Why is this happening so suddenly?"
"Li'er, you're here," Ouyang Ting snapped out of his reverie, looking at Yuan Li with a bitter smile. "It's not entirely sudden. I had anticipated this day would come."
He gestured for Yuan Li to sit beside him, and together they observed the chaotic scene. After a while, Ouyang Ting spoke, "With the eunuchs in power and the persecution of court officials, the Emperor only seeks pleasure, leaving the people in turmoil. This realm, I fear, will only grow more chaotic with each passing day."
His voice was weary and filled with resignation, a sentiment that only Yuan Li could discern, understanding the bleakness and helplessness in Ouyang Ting's tone.
Ouyang Ting said, "Do you know why I was dismissed from my position as a minister? It's all because I took the lead in petitioning the Emperor to allocate military provisions for the northern border. The Emperor was unwilling, and when I couldn't help but argue a few points, it angered him."
With tears streaming down his face, Ouyang Ting continued, "My dismissal is just a minor issue, but the military provisions for the northern border are crucial. Beyond the northern border, the barbarian tribes eye our Northern Zhou with hostility, and the Xianbei and Xiongnu harbor ambitions. The northern border is the most important last line of defense for our Northern Zhou. Even if it means delays in palace construction and increased corvée, we must ensure the food supply for the 130,000 strong northern army. It's infuriating that those eunuchs have blinded the Emperor, feeding him misinformation. Do these eunuchs even realize that without the northern border defense, it spells disaster for our nation!"
Ouyang Ting slapped his thigh in frustration.
"Teacher..." Yuan Li sighed.
Emperor Jianyuan was not under the control of the eunuchs; he clearly didn't want to supply the provisions. Ouyang Ting likely understood this but refused to acknowledge the Emperor's callousness and frivolity.
Ouyang Ting passionately cursed the eunuchs for a while, stirring anger in Yuan Li. He then sighed and said, "Now that my departure from Luoyang is inevitable, Li'er, you must be vigilant after I leave. I will correspond with you through letters, monitoring your progress. Even if I can't be there to guide you in person, you must not slack off."
Yuan Li hesitated for a moment before softly asking, "Teacher, why are you leaving in such a hurry? Is it because—"
Is it because of the letter from Chu Mingfeng?
These recent events felt sudden, but upon closer inspection, they weren't entirely without trace.
After reading Chu Mingfeng's letter, Ouyang Ting petitioned for provisions on his behalf, which led to his demotion to Governor of Xuzhou. His current haste to leave seemed more like fleeing from danger rather than rushing to assume his new post.
Interrupting Yuan Li's questioning, Ouyang Ting implied, "Li'er, don't dwell on these matters."
Yuan Li pursed his lips and changed the subject, "Teacher, Xuzhou is abundant in resources and has a large population. Historically, it has been a coveted battleground. Though you have transitioned from a minister to a provincial governor, you now possess more tangible power."
A minister held a higher rank and authority than a provincial governor – there was a substantial disparity. However, a provincial governor was the head of a province, with the authority to appoint and dismiss officials within the province, oversee military affairs, somewhat akin to a modern-day provincial governor or a Tang dynasty military governor, with broad jurisdiction and significant influence.
In Yuan Li's view, being a provincial governor seemed more beneficial than being a minister without real authority.
Ouyang Ting chuckled bitterly and whispered words of guidance to his disciple, "Xuzhou is adjacent to Prince Chen's territory. Prince Chen and the court have long been at odds. As the Governor of Xuzhou, on the surface, I'm a provincial governor, but in reality, I'm a target competing for territory with Prince Chen. If Xuzhou were truly as valuable, why would the Emperor assign me to this post?"
Yuan Li contemplated, "I see."
Ouyang Ting continued, "Li'er, I intended to slowly guide you on the path of governance, explaining the court and the state of the world to you. But as I am about to depart, time is running short. You must remember everything I tell you."
Yuan Li replied solemnly, "I will."
Ouyang Ting stroked his beard and began to speak in a hushed tone about the situation in Northern Zhou.
Throughout history, there has always been conflict between the imperial power and the eunuchs and the imperial family.
The current Emperor, Jianyuan, ascended the throne at a young age with power in the hands of the imperial family. He nurtured the eunuch power to counteract the imperial family, allowing the eunuch power to officially enter the political stage.
Subsequently, Emperor Jianyuan tolerated the growth of eunuch power and used them to antagonize scholars and nobles.
As the saying goes, "The noble have no poor background, and the lowly have no aristocratic lineage." Those who hold high positions are usually from noble families.
The court and the imperial examination system have been controlled by scholars and nobles, which the Emperor cannot tolerate. Hence, the eunuchs oppressed the scholars and nobles severely.
The friction between the two sides escalated as scholars resisted the eunuchs' actions.
"Eunuchs have no other reliance besides the Emperor; they are the Emperor's most loyal blades. They do whatever the Emperor commands. The more scholars resist, the more viciously the eunuchs act, tarnishing their reputation," Ouyang Ting's beard twitched, his hands trembling, his voice lowered to a whisper.
"Chu Mingfeng's illness was caused by the eunuchs. He was merely a minor official! They even dared to harm a minor official! Since Chu Mingfeng fell ill, the scholars have been subdued, and there has been a rare calm in Luoyang. But in reality, everyone is watching Chu Mingfeng's illness. Including the scholars, the eunuchs, and the Emperor. Everyone is waiting to see if Chu Mingfeng lives or dies."
Ouyang Ting was unsure of the outcome or its implications but could sense the underlying currents in Luoyang. Upon receiving a letter from Chu Mingfeng urging him to leave Luoyang, he decided to correspond with Chu Mingfeng once and leave Luoyang promptly.
His recent dismissal from the ministerial position for requesting provisions for Chu Hegao made Ouyang Ting realize the situation. Perhaps only with Chu Mingfeng's death could the Emperor regain control over the military provisions for the 130,000 troops in the northern border.
Closing his eyes, Ouyang Ting felt a sense of desolation and sorrow.
"How has the world come to this?" he bemoaned.
After listening to Ouyang Ting's words, Yuan Li was promptly sent back home. The next day, Yuan Li bid farewell to Ouyang Ting outside Luoyang.
Before leaving, Ouyang Ting, as a teacher, left Yuan Li twenty warhorses, ten sets of armor, thirty taels of gold, and five books of scriptures.
He patted Yuan Li's shoulder with anticipation, "Li'er, remember what I've told you. You're not in a rush to start your career before establishing yourself. Two years from now, I will recommend you for a governmental position, and by then, with your reputation, you're bound to achieve great things!"
Yuan Li nodded solemnly, "Teacher, you can rest assured."
He believed he needed time to hone his skills in Luoyang, accumulate reputation and connections before entering the political arena, ensuring a much higher starting point.
Most importantly, he needed these connections and time to build his wealth, secure a stable position, and gradually take control of Chu Hechao's army, preparing for the impending troubled times.
After bidding farewell to everyone, Ouyang Ting reluctantly boarded the departing carriage. As he watched Luoyang fade into the distance, he couldn't help but sigh wistfully.
Who knew how long it would be until they met again