Chapter Nine, Enrollment

Now Yang Yong has changed to Yang Tian, and his academic performance is even worse than that of Yang Yong. In order to understand his situation, he finds it extremely painful to read the vertical traditional characters in history books. Now, not only does he have to read, but he also has to write.

Although Yang Tian was flipping through history, he perceived a strong scent of blood within it. The Zhou and Qi dynasties had been established for only over twenty years, during which they frequently changed rulers and engaged in constant conflicts with each other. Interestingly, the ruler of Qi was of Han descent but had assimilated into the Xianbei culture. His national policies continued to reflect Xianbei practices, relegating the status of Han people to that of pigs and dogs. In contrast, the ruler of Zhou was a Xianbei, yet he had been sinicized, with many Han officials occupying high positions in the court. Although the Han people under his rule could not be equated with the Xianbei, they were able to live and work in peace and contentment.

After the division, the Eastern Wei began an unceasing series of battles. Initially, Eastern Wei possessed vast territories including Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Shanxi, as well as northern Jiangsu and northern Anhui, with a strong military force that held a significant advantage over Western Wei. Yuwen Tai was defeated several times and was nearly captured by Gao Huan.

After Gao Yang's death, the political situation in Northern Qi became chaotic, with six emperors in just over twenty years. Although Northern Zhou was under the control of powerful ministers, and the great minister Yuwen Hu deposed Emperor Xiaomin of Zhou and harmed Emperor Ming of Zhou, the turmoil at the upper levels did not affect the lower levels. The national strength grew stronger day by day. Now, after twelve years of Emperor Wu's reign, he decisively executed Yuwen Hu and changed the era name to Jiande.

In fact, there were originally many books in Yang Tian's study, but on that day, Yang Jian ordered all of them to be moved out. Once he knew where the books were, Yang Tian immediately began to browse through them in the study every day, and finally gained a basic understanding of his current situation

The Western Wei existed for twenty-five years. After the death of Yuwen Tai, his son Yuwen Jue deposed Emperor Gong of Wei and established the Northern Zhou. The Eastern Wei existed for sixteen years. After the death of Gao Huan, his son Gao Yang deposed Emperor Xiaojing of Eastern Wei and established the Northern Qi

The Northern Wei dynasty experienced a total of fourteen emperors over the course of one hundred and forty-nine years. In the third year of Emperor Xiaowu of Wei, the general Gao Huan rebelled, leading to the defeat of Emperor Xiaowu, who fled to Chang'an to seek refuge with his general Yuwen Tai. The Northern Wei subsequently split into the Western Wei and Eastern Wei. The Western Wei, supported by Yuwen Tai, enthroned the grandson of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei, while the Eastern Wei, led by Gao Huan, enthroned the great-grandson of Emperor Xiaowen of Wei.

Confucius said: Among people, those who are filial and respectful to their elders, yet enjoy offending their superiors, are rare; those who do not enjoy offending their superiors, yet delight in creating chaos, have never existed. A gentleman focuses on the fundamentals; when the fundamentals are established, the path emerges. Filial piety and respect for elders are the foundation of a person's character, are they not?

After the Qi State and the Zhou State replaced the Eastern and Western Wei respectively, it was the Zhou State's turn to gain the upper hand. In the early years of Northern Qi, Emperor Gao Yang established friendly relations with Western Wei, concentrating financial and material resources to launch military campaigns against the Rouran, Khitan, and Goguryeo, achieving great victories. The national strength of Northern Qi reached its peak. However, shortly after Gao Yang achieved his accomplishments, he became corrupt, neglecting state affairs and indulging in wine and pleasure, leading to a rapid decline in his health. He died at the age of only thirty-one.

These schools are government-run, and not only are they tuition-free, but they also provide food and accommodation. Therefore, the number of places is limited, and entrance examinations must be conducted. Failing to pass the exam or being admitted but unable to graduate can have a significant impact on one's future

After Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou assumed power, he quickly demonstrated his civil and military prowess. He abolished the old customs of the Xianbei, freed slaves, and eliminated the Daoist and Buddhist teachings, which significantly promoted production. In just five years, under his governance, the Northern Zhou became even stronger, leaving the Northern Qi struggling to breathe. Last year, Emperor Wu personally led his troops to battle against the Northern Qi, and the Zhou army achieved great victories in several engagements with the Qi army, creating a strong momentum for the unification of the North

Upon realizing this, Yang Tian inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that according to the patrilineal lineage, he was still a Han person. Although his second brother, A Mo, believed that the surname Pu Liu Ru was more noble and that Yang was a lowly surname among the Han, in fact, everyone in the Duke's residence knew that the Duke preferred the surname Yang and did not favor the surnames of the Xianbei people. Yang Tian deeply agreed with this. That day, in front of Tu Shu, his father referred to himself as Yang Jian rather than Pu Liu Ru Jian.

Of course, Yang Tian is still unaware of this for the time being; he can only silently resent the necessity of studying the Four Books and Five Classics at such a great age

Yang Jian, Yang Tian faintly felt that this name was very familiar, yet he did not dare to think about it and could only temporarily set it aside

After several days of searching in the study, Yang Tian was finally found by his teacher, who requested him to begin classes. The regulations of the official schools in the Zhou state mandated that the children of officials aged fourteen and above must enroll. Previously, most education was conducted at home with private tutors. The Xianbei people placed great emphasis on military achievements. Yang Yong's grandfather, Yang Zhong, had limited opportunities for formal education, yet he became one of the most trusted generals of Emperor Yu Wen Tai of the Northern Zhou. Yang Yong's father, Yang Jian, was raised in a monastery from a young age and was not taken by Yang Zhong until he was thirteen, at which point he began his formal education. The Xianbei people placed great emphasis on military achievements. Yang Yong's grandfather, Yang Zhong, had limited opportunities for formal education, yet he became one of the most trusted generals of Emperor Yu Wen Tai of the Northern Zhou. Yang Yong's father, Yang Jian, was raised in a monastery from a young age and was not taken by Yang Zhong until he was thirteen, at which point he began his formal education

Fortunately, the master did not reprimand him for his head injury and amnesia. In the morning, Yang Tian studied, and in the afternoon, he trained in martial arts with the guards, having only one day off every half month. Yang Tian did not reject martial arts; as the eldest son of the Duke, he would likely have to go to the battlefield to fight and achieve merit when he grew up. Although he would not start as a lowly soldier, he would certainly have many soldiers and guards around him. However, blades and arrows are blind, and being stronger by even a little increases his chances of survival.

The Chinese people pride themselves on having a history and literary tradition spanning five thousand years, yet very few can recall the figures from various dynasties. Most can only name the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, while their knowledge of history prior to the Tang is virtually nonexistent. They might be aware of the Three Kingdoms, but this knowledge is derived from novels and television, rather than from historical accounts. Unfortunately, Yang Tian is one of those individuals. He knows nothing about the history of the Northern Wei or Northern Zhou, and now he feels as if he is reading it for the first time. He is unaware if the history he is reading aligns with the historical context of his own time, and the chronological tables of emperors leave him bewildered, as they do not correspond with the Gregorian calendar he is familiar with.

The Master said: Is it not a joy to learn and to practice what you have learned at the right time? Is it not a pleasure to have friends come from afar? Is it not a mark of a gentleman to remain unperturbed when others do not recognize you?

Yang Jian was only thirteen years old when his father brought him into the family. His foundational knowledge was quite poor, and his academic performance was not impressive. However, due to his father's rapid promotion based on military achievements, he became the subject of much discussion among the noble youths. Consequently, Yang Jian placed great importance on his son's education. Yang Yong began his early education at the age of six, and now Yang Ying is also studying with this old scholar. However, the two cannot be compared; Yang Yong has been learning with the old scholar for three years, while Yang Ying has only been studying for one year. Yet, Yang Ying's academic performance is even better than Yang Yong's, which is one of the reasons why Yang Ying is favored by the Yang couple.

At present, mhetushu.com is in the fifth year of the Jian De era of the Northern Zhou, in the month of April. Yang Tian's health has also improved for more than half a month. On the day when Yang Jian returned from court, Yang Tian asked him if he could borrow the study to take a look. Yang Jian curiously asked him why he did not seek the tutor for reading. It was then that Yang Tian realized that the Duke's residence not only had a study prepared for them brothers but also had a tutor teaching them their studies. Initially, when he asked Axiang to take him to the Duke's study, Axiang thought he wanted to retrieve something from his father's room and did not dare to take him there. Yang Tian then understood that the Duke's residence not only had a study prepared for them brothers but also had a tutor teaching them their studies. Initially, when he asked Axiang to take him to the Duke's study, Axiang thought he wanted to retrieve something from his father's room and did not dare to take him there.

The sound of reading echoed from the Duke's residence, where an old scholar stood on the platform. Below him were Yang Tian accompanied by Yang Ying, along with two little children bobbing their heads and reciting. Yang Tian has now come to understand that Pu Liu Ru only received the imperial bestowal of the surname from Duke Sui, who actually has the surname Yang and is of Han descent, while his own mother is of Xianbei origin.

Due to the sinicization of the Xianbei people, the current Emperor Wu of the Zhou places great importance on the education of noble offspring. He has established six schools and two academies for the children of royal relatives, high-ranking officials, and meritorious subjects. Offspring of officials ranked third grade and above are admitted to the National Academy, those of officials ranked fifth grade and above enter the Grand Academy, and children of officials ranked eighth and ninth grade are enrolled in the Four Gates School.

The Battle of Feishui led to the disintegration of Former Qin, and the Xianbei Tuoba clan seized the opportunity to establish Northern Wei. After several decades, Northern Wei unified the north, forming the Northern and Southern Dynasties with the court in the south