Chapter 23: Master Shi, surely you wouldn't want to be a sinner against the nation, would you?

The mention of the term "University Chancellor" left everyone in a state of bewilderment.

It was well known that Luoyang had the Imperial Academy, but what was a "university"?

Xu Jing could not help but ask, "May I ask, what exactly is a university?"

Zhao Shaojie explained, "My lord believes that the chaos currently engulfing the realm stems from an excess of overly ambitious men. To promote education and moral cultivation, he intends to establish universities in every province, ranking them below the Imperial Academy."

"They will serve to both cultivate the hearts of the people and impart practical knowledge."

"After much deliberation, the current curriculum includes mathematics, Han literature, law, commerce, engineering, agriculture, military science, medicine, painting, and music..."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

The attendees had originally gathered to denounce Liu Bei for mobilizing troops in Jiaozhou, but upon hearing Zhao Shaojie’s explanation of the university and its varied subjects, they began to whisper among themselves.

"There are so many subjects?"

"Who could possibly be proficient in all of these?"

"Things like painting and music can be taught? And why are there no Confucian classics?"

Even Shi Xie showed a look of admiration; he was a man of profound learning who cherished study.

However, just as the crowd began to discuss the matter with excitement, Shi Hui jumped up and shouted, "I don't care about your universities or your mathematics! You have violated the borders of Jiaozhou, and this matter will not be settled so easily!"

Zhao Shaojie did not know who this man was, but he could not be bothered to acknowledge him. He looked up at Shi Xie and said, "General Anyuan, please consider this: Jiaozhou lies to the south of Jingzhou. Although my lord holds the title of Governor of Jiaozhou, he has never set foot here. His only concern is to block Cao Cao at Jingzhou. If my lord were to be defeated in Jingzhou and forced to retreat to Jiaozhou, I ask you, could the forces of Jiaozhou withstand the might of the entire world?"

"By that time, I fear a single army sent by Cao Cao would drive us all into the sea. There would be no point in bothering with Jiaozhou. Given this, what else does the General have to worry about?"

The crowd pondered this and found it logical.

If Cao Cao occupied Jingzhou, he would effectively control the entire realm. Even if Jiaozhou were willing to fight, Cao Cao could crush it without breaking a sweat.

Yet, Shi Hui remained unsatisfied and shouted, "Then why did you lead your troops to raid Yulin Commandery without informing the Shi clan?"

Zhao Shaojie glanced at Shi Hui and replied indifferently, "My lord is already the Governor of Jiaozhou!"

Shi Hui was about to retort, but Shi Xie spoke up with a smile: "Enough. As Colonel Zhao has said, the fate of the realm rests in Jingzhou. If Jingzhou falls, Jiaozhou belongs to Cao; if Jingzhou stands, Jiaozhou belongs to Liu."

Shi Xie did not wish for war. Though he was angered by the intrusion of Liu Bei's subordinates, the deed was done, and he had no choice but to accept it. He shifted the focus of the conversation: "Since Colonel Zhao has the heart to impart knowledge, you are one of us. However, I am puzzled as to why these subjects exclude the teachings of the sages."

"Indeed! Why is there no *Spring and Autumn Annals*? No *Mencius*?" others chimed in.

Although Shi Hui was still indignant, he was drowned out by the voices of the others and had to relent.

Zhao Shaojie looked at the crowd and smiled. "The classics of the sages are for self-cultivation. The subjects my lord advocates are the study of practical reality. Of course, the classics are still to be studied."

To everyone's surprise, a man stood up, frowning, and said, "Sir, your words are improper. The classics of the sages contain all things; how can you claim they are only for self-cultivation? Did Confucius not teach agriculture? Is that not practical knowledge?"

Zhao Shaojie did not recognize the man, but he knew that Shi Xie had gathered hundreds, if not thousands, of scholars and gentlemen from all over the Han lands, so he did not wish to offend anyone rashly. He bowed and said, "Confucius did speak of agriculture, but he did not speak *only* of agriculture."

"The university curriculum focuses on deep study within each discipline, organizing and summarizing knowledge that can be verified and replicated. It is not about mentioning this or that in passing; this approach is intended to allow each subject to be studied in depth and formed into a systematic body of knowledge."

The crowd nodded in agreement, and the man opposite him also nodded with a smile. "I see. I am Liu Xi."

"Ah, so it is you! I have long heard of your reputation," Zhao Shaojie said, though he had no memory of the man and assumed he was just another minor figure.

"May I ask," an elderly bald man stood up to inquire, "can the university also teach the Buddhist sutras?"

Zhao Shaojie was taken aback. Seeing that the man was a monk, he blurted out, "Absolutely not!"

A commotion stirred among the crowd.

The old monk’s face darkened as he asked, "And why is that?"

"Zhang Jiao incited an uprising using a religious sect. Do you wish for Buddhism to spread unchecked so that you, too, might incite an uprising?" Zhao Shaojie said bluntly.

The old monk was startled and hurriedly replied, "I have no such intention!"

The crowd also chimed in, "Colonel Zhao, your words are too severe!"

But Zhao Shaojie raised his voice: "You are all great descendants of the Middle Kingdom! How can you worship a god claimed by foreign barbarians? Furthermore, in India, Buddhists do not engage in production; they deceive the people into giving up the fruits of their hard labor to build gold-plated statues for these fabricated deities. Not only that, but the monks occupy land, estates, and livestock, living lives of luxury like emperors."

"What use is such a religion?"

Upon hearing this, the old monk could no longer contain himself. His eyes widened, and his whole body trembled. "To be humiliated in such a manner... I, I..."

Seeing the old monk on the verge of collapse, Shi Xie stood up and rebuked, "Colonel Zhao, your words go too far."

"Master Hui, please calm your anger. This man is young and does not understand the classics; do not take him to heart."

Zhao Shaojie, however, offered no apology.

Shi Xie, feeling helpless, said, "Enough. Let us end today's session here. Everyone, you may leave."

Shi Xie had invited all these people to bolster his position, but it seemed the effect was less than ideal. Even the initial display of armored guards had failed to intimidate Zhao Shaojie.

As the crowd departed, Zhao Shaojie said at the opportune moment, "Lord Shi, I would like to speak with you privately."

Shi Xie, not fond of Zhao Shaojie’s sharp-edged demeanor, replied coldly, "We shall talk tonight."

...

At night, Zhao Shaojie and Shi Xie finally met.

As they sat opposite one another, Shi Xie showed a hint of appreciation for Zhao Shaojie; the man had unique insights, a wide range of learning, and even some understanding of Buddhism, which was indeed rare.

"I wonder why Colonel Zhao wished to see me in private?" Shi Xie asked with a smile.

Zhao Shaojie said earnestly, "I believe your methods of governing Jiaozhi and the surrounding areas are insufficient. If, in the future, these lands are no longer guarded by a man of your stature, I fear they will revolt, and Jiaozhi will be lost to the map of our Great Han!"

"Lord Shi, surely you do not wish to become a sinner against your own people!"

Shi Xie had expected Zhao Shaojie to discuss academic matters and was taken aback by such a heavy accusation. After a moment of silence, he asked, "What makes you say that?"

Zhao Shaojie knew that the territories of Jiaozhi and Lelang, opened up during the Han Dynasty, would later be taken by the Korean and Vietnamese states. Although he might not be able to change the course of history, he was determined to try.

"Currently, the number of barbarians in Jiaozhi is growing, while their recognition of the Han is waning. While your prestige remains, there is no cause for worry, but what of the time after you are gone?" Zhao Shaojie said in a deep, resonant voice.