Chapter 0007: The Early Years of the Founder

Therefore, the officials of the Han Dynasty differ the most from those of other dynasties

Song was astonished and called out to Taizu, who looked the same as before. Song asked, "Uncle said you had a stroke, is it better now?" Taizu replied, "At first, it was not a stroke, but I lost affection for my uncle, hence I appeared confused." Song then had his doubts. From then on, whenever his uncle had something to say, Song never believed him again, and thus Taizu was able to act with greater freedom.

"Really... the true master!" Dong Chong could only murmur repeatedly.

Several days passed, and both Dong Shi and Dong Chong were extremely anxious. Dong Chong was particularly worried about the disappearance of his eldest son. A servant mentioned that he had seen Dong Chong leave the marquis's residence, after which there was no news of him. Meanwhile, Dong Shi was concerned not only for her nephew but also about the matter of the heavenly book, and she began to harbor some doubts about her elder brother, though she kept these feelings deeply buried in her heart. Her brother was not that kind of person, and besides, the urgency he displayed did not seem feigned. The entire household was suddenly filled with unease, and only the young chubby boy remained unaware of the situation.

On this day, Master He arrived early at the residence to teach. Upon entering the study, he found the chubby boy already seated in his place. The chubby boy raised his head, feigning a heroic demeanor. The old man shook his head, coldly laughing without speaking. The chubby boy decided to unleash his ultimate move, reciting with a resonant voice: "I would rather betray others than be betrayed by them"

The Emperor Taizu had a fondness for flying eagles and running dogs in his youth, wandering without restraint. His uncle often spoke of this to Song. The Emperor was troubled by it, and later, when he encountered his uncle on the road, he turned his face away in embarrassment. His uncle, puzzled, asked the reason, to which the Emperor replied: 'It is due to a sudden ill wind.' The uncle reported this to Song.

With a loud slap, the sword's back struck heavily against his own thigh, causing the chubby boy to jump up in pain, shouting as he leaped. The old man angrily pursued him, shouting: "Who taught you to speak such wicked words about the public sheep? Who is your teacher? Don't run away!"

"Noble!" A few young attendants bowed respectfully and then exited. Dong's expression fluctuated between dark and light as she gazed at the bright moon in the sky, and she said with a hint of sorrow: "I hope my brother will not let me down... Perhaps..."

The golden house conceals the beauty... The golden house conceals the beauty... The true master is here! Dong Chong was taken aback, murmuring, and after a few coughs from Dong Shi beside him, he finally regained his composure and smiled, saying: "Hahaha, then as A Lang said!" The chubby boy nodded, and Dong Shi looked at her son with tenderness. At this moment, the chubby boy could no longer contain himself, donned the armor, and felt majestic, like a general of the Han Dynasty. However, he did not know what a general should say. After thinking about the celestial book he had seen today, he raised the wooden sword in his hand and shouted, "I would rather betray others than be betrayed!" Donning the armor, he felt majestic, like a general of the Han Dynasty. However, he did not know what a general should say. After thinking about the celestial book he had seen today, he raised the wooden sword in his hand and shouted, "I would rather betray others than be betrayed!"

After waiting for some days, Dong Zhong did not wait for the expected person, but instead encountered a rather significant figure

Thank you, uncle. When Hong grows up, I will have a golden armor made and present it to you!" the chubby boy exclaimed happily

Several individuals on horseback swiftly approached the marquis's residence. Among them, a group of knights surrounded one individual, who was tall and slender, dressed in a white scholar's robe, and wearing a high mountain crown, looking quite handsome. Upon arriving at the marquis's gate, one knight dismounted and knocked on the door. A young servant hurriedly opened the door and bowed. The knight presented a name document, and the servant immediately returned to the residence. The tall young man gazed at the marquis's residence, a cold smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He had worked hard to attain this position, yet had achieved nothing of significance, bringing shame to his family.

What? Dong was taken aback, for she knew what Liu Hong had just been doing. Could it be that he had seen the heavenly book?

Fortunately, a royal prince unexpectedly emerged to showcase his political achievements. Regardless of whether the auspicious signs are genuine or not, they serve as a testament to his esteemed reputation in governance. He had planned to resign from his official position in a few days to focus on academic pursuits and enrich his knowledge before re-entering public service. Who would have thought that such a fortunate event would suddenly arise? Auspicious signs, indeed, auspicious signs... He sneered as he gazed at the marquis's residence, yet his heart was filled with immense joy.

However, Dong Shi was staring at the wooden tablet in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed. Dong Chong, standing beside him, was also anxiously watching. He thought there might be news about Dong Chong. In just a few days, he had grown gray hair and beard, looking particularly fatigued and anxious, his eyes red as he glanced around before hastily saying: "Why has the Xiang of Hejian come? Is it not for my son?"

I have come this time because I have heard rumors among the people that auspicious signs have appeared in the marquis's residence, and I have specially come to witness it

Come, this is for you! Dong Chong bent down and opened the wooden box beside him, taking out a set of armor made of thin wood, which included a helmet and breastplate, adorned with fierce birds and beasts, looking quite imposing. The little fat boy was so happy that he almost jumped up, but noticing his mother's cold gaze, he quickly stopped and bowed to Dong Chong, saying: "Nephew does not dare to accept such a great gift from my uncle!" Dong Chong was taken aback, looking again at the little fat boy, but he sensed something else from him.

Mr. Dong strolled around the fragrant garden and instructed us not to follow, after which he became untraceable

Numerous attendants stood outside the house, their heads bowed, not daring to speak

Dong Shi and Dong Chong had a lengthy discussion. Around the hour of Hai, the chubby boy, guided by a servant, finally exited the attic and arrived at the main hall. Upon seeing his uncle present, the chubby boy bounced over, embraced his uncle, and cheerfully said, "Uncle, since you are here, why did you not come to see me?" Dong Chong smiled and gently patted the chubby boy's head, responding kindly, "I heard that A Lang is studying literature; how could I disturb you?"

Dong furrowed his brows and said, "Today, you will go out and find him, bringing him before me. There is no need to inform my elder brother at that time"

Regarding the matters outside, the chubby boy was completely unaware; he was still engrossed in his book. The content of the book was only half understood by him, as he had only studied half of the "Gongyang Commentary." Many of the characters were unfamiliar to him, and he could only scratch his head and read haphazardly. Among the numerous biographies, he particularly enjoyed reading the "Records of the Martial Emperor." He was very fond of this figure named Cao Cao, not because of his bravery in battle or his greatness, but because...

Dong Chong settled into the guest room, and only then did the Dong family call for the servants, asking: "Where did Zhong Er go just now?"

The chubby boy inexplicably evoked a sense of kinship.

Now, in the eyes of Dong Chong and the Dong family, the image of the chubby boy has become somewhat different, as if he is radiating golden light all over his body. The chubby boy grinned and said to himself that he should say this more often. He looked around and called out: "Where is my elder brother? Wasn't he just looking for me to play?"

However, when the prince of Hejian arrived, she could not help but go to greet him. This prince of the Han dynasty, a member of the royal family, was the easiest to bully and had long become a treasure for the officials to enhance their prestige. These officials would not dare to bully the common people, as they all cherished their reputation. Their targets had always been the local gentry and these royal family members. Among these two groups, the local gentry had a notorious reputation and were despised by the common people. As long as the officials dealt harshly with them, the common people would immediately regard them as upright officials, and their prestige would greatly increase. Consequently, their official positions would naturally rise as well. Because they all cherished their reputation, their targets had always been the local gentry and these royal family members. Among these two groups, the local gentry had a notorious reputation and were despised by the common people. As long as the officials dealt harshly with them, the common people would immediately regard them as upright officials, and their prestige would greatly increase. Consequently, their official positions would naturally rise as well

A few screams echoed from the study

The young man immediately dismounted and returned the greeting, saying: "I cannot accept such a grand bow; I hope you do not take offense at this sudden visit!" Dong Shi smiled and invited them into the house. The young man sat in the main hall, formally greeting Dong Chong, and after taking his seat, he bowed again and said: "I am the great-grandson of Yuan Shaogong, the grandson of Yuan Gaoshi, and my father is the late Grand Commandant Tang Ren, the Prime Minister of the State of Hejian, Yuan Wei! I pay my respects to you, esteemed one!" Upon hearing this long introduction, Dong Chong's expression changed instantly, and he forced a smile, returning the bow with utmost formality.

He couldn't help but laugh loudly: "Hahaha, what is this worth? Take it!"

The servants of the Dong family opened the door and bowed respectfully, saying: "This humble servant pays her respects to the Xiang of Hejian!"

This truly is a talent; could it be that those who are good at flattery and those who wander aimlessly are all considered talents

Ah! Master Jun! I will not speak anymore!

Having finished speaking, he raised his head high, waiting for his master to praise him

Dong Chong was so frightened that he nearly fell to the ground, and the Dong family was equally astonished, firmly believing in their hearts that this celestial book was a gift from heaven for my son

... ...

However, Dong did not express anything, merely watching Yuan Kui quietly

What Dong is afraid of is precisely this

"This rascal! He has gone out to indulge again!" Dong Chong, understanding his son's character, shouted in anger. Dong's gaze turned slightly cold as he glanced at his elder brother but remained silent. Dong Chong shook his head helplessly and said, "It is getting late; let us rest for today. This wayward son, when he returns tomorrow, I will surely break his legs!"

Others bully the common people and bow down to the powerful, but only the officials of the Han dynasty take pleasure in opposing the elite. The more the elite despise them, the happier they become. In their dealings with the common people, they are all quite benevolent. Even those labeled as cruel officials, the watchdogs, are relatively friendly towards the populace. This may seem like a virtue, but from the perspective of the Dong family, these individuals are simply here to annoy them, deliberately seeking to oppose them.