Chapter 3, Layout

To everyone's surprise, the wooden box contained only a roll of silk paper, with nothing else inside. As they unrolled the silk, Li Ying and Chen Fan beside him both raised their eyebrows and exclaimed in unison, "What a fine character!" The characters on the silk were written in cursive script. Although the two were well-versed in various styles, they could not discern which school this cursive, seemingly derived from the Zhangcao style, belonged to.

As the sun set behind the western mountains, Li Ying finally embarked on his journey home. However, at this moment, he was no longer troubled; his mind was solely occupied with thoughts of when he could reunite with the like-minded friend who wrote the "Song of Righteousness" to share his ambitions and ideals. Meanwhile, Chen Fan, the stubborn Grand Commandant still fighting in the court, hoped that the teacher mentioned by Gao Hu would quickly finish his matters and come to Luoyang to join him in saving this crumbling empire. Surely, a person capable of writing the "Song of Righteousness" could not merely be someone who knows how to protect himself.

In the morning, he cultivates his energy and practices martial arts; during the day, he engages in teaching; in the evening, he dedicates himself to writing. Unbeknownst to him, Liu Hong has been in the Han Dynasty for more than five years. The income from his fief and his frugality have allowed him to purchase silk paper and writing materials. In this era, when high-quality paper made from silk is extremely expensive, Liu Hong is compelled to use all the paper he buys to document knowledge from ancient Chinese scientific texts such as "Tiangong Kaiwu" and "Qimin Yaoshu" to prevent forgetting it in the future.

This is what the teacher instructed the disciple to deliver to Officer Li. Gao Hu handed over the wooden box in his hand, not knowing what was inside, but he felt it must be something very precious. When Li Ying opened it, he and the people around him all looked into the box together

Regarding the calamity of the party strife this time, Liu Hong was powerless. Throughout Chinese history, only the Eastern Han dynasty exhibited the most admirable moral character. They valued integrity, upheld righteousness, and particularly, the party members who stood up to contend with the eunuch faction, when compared to the remarkable talents of the grand Three Kingdoms era, were by no means inferior.

Amidst the crowd, Gao Hu pushed forward with great effort while carefully protecting the wooden box he held in his hands. This was something his teacher had instructed him to deliver to Li Ying, emphasizing that it must not be mishandled in any way

The disciple came to see Captain Li at the behest of the master. There were many people just now, and in the heat of the moment, this was the only way to proceed. I hope the Grand Commandant can understand. Gao Hu, as one of the few among the more than a hundred disciples of Liu Hong who stood out, naturally possessed a demeanor unlike ordinary individuals. At least in front of the highly respected Grand Commandant Chen Fan, he showed no signs of timidity; instead, he spoke with calmness and composure, leaving a very favorable impression.

Li Ying nodded, picked up the silk paper, and began to recite loudly, "Heaven and earth possess righteous energy, manifesting in various forms. Below are rivers and mountains, above are the sun and stars. For humanity, it is vast and mighty, filling the dark void. The imperial path should be clear and pure, embracing harmony and illuminating the court. In times of adversity, integrity is revealed, each stroke a testament to virtue. In the records of the Grand Historian of Qi, in the writings of Dong Hu of Jin. In the hammer of Zhang Liang of Qin, in the loyalty of Su Wu of Han."

After a long while, Li Ying and Chen Fan finally came to their senses. At this moment, they were eager to learn from Gao Hu about who his teacher was. However, to their disappointment, Gao Hu was unwilling to reveal even the slightest detail. After refusing Chen Fan's invitation to stay, he departed gracefully.

"It is the grandeur of the atmosphere, enduring through the ages. When it pierces the sun and moon, what significance do life and death hold? The earth relies on it to stand, and the heavens depend on it for respect. The three principles are indeed tied to life, and righteousness serves as its root." Li Ying's voice gradually lowered, clearly moved by the words of the poem. At this moment, the surrounding crowd also fell silent, and apart from the sound of the wind, only Li Ying's resonant yet subdued recitation could be heard.

After reciting a song of righteousness, the entire venue fell silent, especially Li Ying, who felt that the person who wrote this song was the only one in the world who truly understood him, "Looking back, the light is still bright, gazing up at the white floating clouds." In his murmurs, he became somewhat lost in thought, and beside him, Chen Fan felt similarly.

"Song of Integrity, Dedicated to Colonel Li." Looking at the silk paper, Chen Fan beside him said, "The characters are already extraordinary; I wonder what the content is. Yuan Li, please read it aloud for everyone to hear." As soon as he said this, those around who had come to bid farewell also responded loudly in agreement.

Although Li Ying and others were arrested, their reputation became increasingly exalted. The scholars of the Qingliu faction, though suppressed in the court, did not cease their resistance. Public opinion overwhelmingly favored the party members. In the tenth year of Yanxi, Li Ying, who was imprisoned in the North Huangmen Temple, retaliated with poison, confessing and implicating all the eunuchs' relatives, forcing the eunuch faction to compromise and release all the detained party members. However, Li Ying and others were stripped of their official positions, sent back to their hometowns, prohibited from staying in the capital, and permanently barred from holding official posts.

The cauldron is as sweet as honey, yet it is unattainable. The dark room is filled with ghostly flames, while the spring courtyard is shrouded in darkness. Cattle and horses share the same fate, and chickens roost where phoenixes feed. One morning, shrouded in mist and dew, they are divided into the barren ditches. Thus, through the changing seasons, a hundred ailments naturally dissipate. Alas, the desolate field, it is my land of peace and happiness. Is there any other craftiness? The forces of yin and yang cannot steal it away. Looking back, it remains bright, gazing up at the white floating clouds. My heart is filled with sorrow, how can the heavens have no end? The wise have long departed, and the laws are in harmony with ancient texts. Under the eaves, I spread out my books to read, the ancient path illuminates my countenance. As I reflect on this passage, I recall the scene when Li Ying and others were punished in the prison of the Northern Huangmen Temple. In that moment, my eyes could not help but become slightly moist.

Li Ying was taken aback upon hearing Gao Hu's voice. He had already been ordered by the court to return to his hometown and was confined there for life, never to hold an official position again. He did not expect that someone would still call him by his former official title at this moment. The Grand Commandant Chen Fan, who had come to see him off, was sharp-eyed and spotted Gao Hu in the crowd

His expression was certainly not lost on Chen Fan and Li Ying, who immediately realized that the teacher of the young man before them must be extraordinary. After exchanging glances, both of their gazes fell upon the wooden box held by Gao Hu.

In the sixth month of the tenth year of Yanxi, six months remained until Liu Zhi's passing. Liu Hong completed the final step of his prior arrangements. Now, all he needed to do was wait quietly until he became the Son of Heaven; only then would everything truly begin

Liu Hongli's reputation for filial piety was well-known, and some traveling Confucian scholars passing through Anguo County naturally visited his thatched cottage. They were quite astonished to find him still wearing mourning clothes and teaching three years after his bereavement. They were also intrigued by the content of his lectures. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, classical studies flourished, divided into modern and ancient styles. While each had its unique merits and there were many renowned scholars, the overall trend had become increasingly ornate and pedantic due to the prevailing extravagance at the end of the Han Dynasty. How could it compare to the 'private goods' that Liu Hong discussed?

Among those Confucian scholars who traveled for study, there were indeed some who disagreed with Liu Hong's views, which they believed contradicted traditional interpretations of the classics. Liu Hong, however, paid them no mind and often engaged in discussions with them, yet none could out-argue him. As a result, his reputation grew, and his students were no longer limited to the children of the local gentry. Even some impoverished families from Anguo County sent their children to his cottage. Liu Hong remained steadfast, charging no fees; as long as one came to learn, he would teach.

During the Han Dynasty, the tradition of traveling for study inherited from the pre-Qin period continued. Confucian scholars often traveled to various places; however, unlike their predecessors who sought knowledge and experience, the scholars of this era were more focused on befriending prominent figures, enhancing their own reputation, and thereby gaining qualifications for official positions

Gao Hu was also somewhat taken aback; he did not expect that the teacher would ask him to present such a grand and magnificent poem to Li Ying, the renowned leader of the Party, which encapsulated the righteousness of the world. Meanwhile, the others around him were desperately jotting down this song of righteousness with their companions, hoping to spread it far and wide.

Liu Hong's actions garnered considerable fame among many traveling Confucian scholars, and some even chose to stay by his side, willingly becoming his students. In no time, Liu Hong had gathered no fewer than one hundred disciples around him, and eventually, his reputation even reached the capital, Luoyang. However, in Luoyang, most people merely laughed it off, taking it lightly; after all, how much knowledge could a ten-year-old boy possess, no matter how learned he was? They believed that those traveling Confucian scholars were merely exaggerating the merits of this filial son.

As Liu Hong steadily laid out his plans for future dominance, the calamity of the party's factionalism erupted. Since Emperor Liu Zhi eliminated the Liang clan's relatives and the eunuchs gained power, the governance of the court had increasingly deteriorated. This naturally caused great dissatisfaction among officials of aristocratic descent and Confucian scholars across the realm. Consequently, both groups supported each other, submitting petitions, offering earnest advice, boycotting studies, and engaging in public discourse. Various means had long made the eunuch faction feel discontented. After Li Ying took office as the Inspector of the Capital, his repeated actions against the eunuch faction directly intensified the conflict. As a result, with the emperor's support, the eunuch faction fabricated wrongful imprisonments, leading to the arrest of Li Ying and a large number of officials and renowned scholars.

"What kind of person is your teacher, and why did he not come in person?" Seeing that Gao Hu's demeanor lacked the ostentatious airs typical of a wandering scholar, but instead was exceedingly rigorous, Chen Fan became greatly curious about the teacher he spoke of

The teacher originally intended to come in person, but due to other matters to attend to, he sent his disciple instead. Gao Hu felt a slight dissatisfaction with Chen Fan's tone, yet he still responded with respect.

Lieutenant Li, Lieutenant Li! Seeing that there were indeed too many people ahead, in a moment of urgency, Gao Hu held the wooden box with both hands and shouted out loud

"Who are you, and why do you call out to Lieutenant Li?" Upon seeing Gao Hu, who had been brought over by the students, with his dark complexion, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, dressed in simple cloth garments, distinctly different from the others who had come to bid farewell, Chen Fan inquired. He could tell at a glance that the young man before him was a peasant.

What a magnificent spirit! Chen Fan was deeply moved; throughout his life, he upheld the principle of righteousness. The opening lines of this Song of Righteousness are grand and expansive, which left him greatly impressed

As Liu Hong observed mourning for his mother and strictly adhered to the rites, his reputation gradually became known throughout the country. Initially, people were surprised by his youth, but after three years of unwavering adherence to the rules, it was nothing short of astonishing. Had he not been so young, the magistrate of Anguo County would have considered directly recommending him as a model of filial piety.

In June of that year, outside the capital city of Luoyang, nearly a thousand students and Confucian scholars from various regions crowded the official road, making it impassable. They had all come to see Li Ying off on his return to his hometown. The soldiers escorting him turned a blind eye, for although the eunuchs held significant power, the current Grand Commandant had also arrived. Moreover, it was not worth offending these scholars, so they allowed them to proceed.