Chapter 4, My son is a fool

"It is indeed the common people," replied Li Daxiong

Please speak, General

Is this general asking about the son of Li Daxiong

Another villager said: "If the court were to appoint me as an official, I would be more than willing; only a fool would refuse."

Hehe. Li Daxiong suddenly let out three strange laughs

The sky was already approaching dusk, and Li Zheng was also heading home.

Did nothing wrong? If nothing was done wrong, why take one's own son? Just as Li Daxiong was about to step forward to inquire, he was stopped by several soldiers, and no matter how he shouted, it was of no use

Li Zheng waved his hand and said: "Goodbye to you."

"Really? How is that possible?" Li Daxiong exclaimed in surprise

Dragged outside the village by Qin Qiong, Li Zheng looked at him and said, "Why are you capturing me?"

Li Daxiong checked Li Zheng from head to toe on the other side, confirming that his son had not lost any flesh before he let out a sigh of relief, "What did that general want with you"

Alas, the troops have already traveled far and have not heard my calls

Li Zheng said lightly: "Therefore, I declined."

How do you know about the situation in the Yin Mountains, and how do you know about the discord between Zhili and Xieli?

... ...

Qin Qiong stood up dejectedly and said, "Very well, I shall ask you one last thing."

"Your Majesty, it is not as you say," Qin Qiong remarked. It seems that being expelled from the study has led this child to become disillusioned with the court and the path of officialdom. He then turned and said, "Not to be an official?"

That night, Qin Qiong instructed the adjutant beside him, saying, "You go find a few villagers to come over first"

"Are you Li Zheng? Are you studying at the Hongwen Pavilion in Chang'an?" Qin Qiong asked

Qin Qiong sat beside Li Zheng and looked at him, saying: "I will ask you once more, do you want to become an official?"

What trouble could a foolish boy like him get into? Li Daxiong treats us quite well; if it were a different tenant, who knows how harshly they would be criticized

Hmm

I will not hold an official position," Li Zheng said firmly

Qin Qiong stepped forward and stared at Li Zheng, who was half a head shorter than him, and said: "You are well-versed in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art"

Li Zheng slightly bowed and said: "General, I truly have no interest in holding an official position; I am merely a person without great ambitions. I only wish to support my family and make a living"

"Indeed," replied Li Zheng

After dawn, Li Daxiong sat at the entrance of the village with a blank expression, as if contemplating life

Standing before Qin Qiong, Li Zheng once again said: "The risks of being an official these days are too high. What if I say something wrong one day and the emperor, displeased with me, has me executed? My father has only one son, and I still need to fulfill my filial duties to him"

Indeed

"Your son has not committed any wrongdoing, but there are some matters I must inquire of him," Qin Qiong said as he lifted the small-framed Li Zheng out of the courtyard

Qin Qiong walked into the courtyard and surveyed the person before him, "Are you Li Daxiong?"

Li Daxiong immediately went outside and asked several soldiers who had entered the courtyard, "What brings you gentlemen here?"

Upon hearing the other party inquire about his son, Li Daxiong became flustered and said, "Is something wrong? My son is usually quite foolish; has he gotten into trouble? It is my failure as a father to discipline him properly. If you need to take someone, take me."

Li Zheng said: "What is good about being an official? It is much more comfortable to farm at home."

"Becoming an official?" Li Zheng questioned in confusion

A villager passing by saw Li Daxiong looking dejected and asked, "I heard that the officials last night came to invite your son to take an official position?"

What kind of offense could provoke so many officials and soldiers

"Find me a position in the government, they want me to serve in an official capacity"

"Yes, as an official, I can recommend you to His Majesty and secure a position for you." Qin Qiong, suppressing the excitement in his heart, finally found this young man.

The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art has, in later generations, been reduced to a level suitable for primary and secondary education, and Li Zheng has come to understand what has transpired

Qin Qiong observed his expression closely; this young man was neither servile nor arrogant in front of him. He then asked, "Are you also serving as a book boy at the Hongwen Pavilion?"

Seeing Qin Qiong approaching, Li Daxiong hurriedly blocked his way and said: "General, it is entirely my fault as a father, if you must capture someone, let it be me"

Li Daxiong painfully covered his forehead and said, "He refused."

The soldiers brought several villagers, and Qin Qiong asked, "Where does Li Zheng live?"

Li Daxiong felt a bit unreal, pinching his own face, "They asked you to take an official position in the court, and you really refused?"

Why is that? It's such a good thing

I said it was just a wild guess, do you believe me

Li Daxiong immediately stepped forward to grab his son upon seeing him return and asked, "You little rascal, are you alright? They didn't do anything to you, did they?"

After standing in place for a while, Li Daxiong suddenly ran out of his house and shouted loudly at the departing soldier, "General, my son is a fool; he cannot speak. Please give him another chance"

In the future, if one were to take on disciples and learn their own way of warfare, they would undoubtedly become a general who commands great respect across the land

Li Daxiong was at a loss for words, "How would I know?"

I am too foolish to hold an official position

No," Li Zheng shook his head

Li Zheng stood in the room, feeling somewhat moved by Li Daxiong's words. He walked out of the room and said to Qin Qiong: "I am Li Zheng"

Qin Qiong said with a serious expression: "The Tang Dynasty is currently in need of capable individuals, do you wish to hold an official position?"

As he mounted his horse, Qin Qiong said to him: "If you change your mind, come to Chang'an to find me, Qin Qiong"

The arrival of such a large troop of soldiers into the village immediately caused quite a stir

Li Daxiong looked at the soldiers outside the door holding torches, pacing back and forth in his yard, "May the spirit of the child's mother in heaven surely protect Li Zheng."

Hearing the shouts from outside and the sound of someone kicking open his front door, Li Zheng got out of bed with sleepy eyes

Where is your son?" Qin Qiong asked again

The villagers all stayed hidden in their homes, and upon seeing so many officials and soldiers, they did not dare to venture outside

Some villagers were discussing at home, "Isn't Li Daxiong's son in trouble?"

I ask you if you are done or not, what exactly do you want to do

Li Daxiong nodded vacantly with his lifeless eyes

Why is there still a Li Zheng in your village

"Not that great." Another villager said

This is a good thing; now that one of us has become an official, our village will share in the honor.

The villagers all around began to discuss, with some believing that Li Daxiong's son had committed a serious offense; otherwise, such a large contingent of soldiers would not have been summoned.

There is no one else, just him alone, the villager replied

Was I expelled

Hmm?

Qin Qiong coldly laughed and said: "Do you take me for a fool?"

Qin Qiong dismounted and said, "Lead the way"