My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 242 Peaceful Times

This is considered earning a living through one's own abilities, and it's not shameful.

Having mentally prepared himself, Lin Ziping instantly relaxed, turned around, and went out to the kitchen.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Your Majesty?" Lin Ziping asked.

The emperor paused in his hand as he swung the spatula, glanced at Lin Ziping with surprise, and then continued to stir-fry the vegetables in the pot: "Pour out the soup and take it over."

"Okay!" Lin Ziping replied, deftly taking a bowl to ladle out the soup.

The two worked together seamlessly, one cooking and the other setting the dishes. Before long, three dishes and a soup were on the table.

Lin Ziping didn't stand on ceremony. He served the emperor a bowl of rice and sat down to eat with him.

To be fair, the emperor's cooking skills were mediocre; his dishes were not as good as those made by the imperial chefs.

However, given his status, Lin Ziping ate two bowls of rice in a show of respect.

After a satisfying meal, Lin Ziping conscientiously cleared away the dishes, washed them, and cleaned up.

After searching the kitchen, they found some tea leaves, brewed a pot of tea, and placed it in front of the emperor.

"You seem quite composed," the emperor remarked. "Lin Zhong has taken good care of you."

Lin Ziping remained unfazed upon hearing this, continuing to pour tea: "Thank you for your hospitality and praise, Your Majesty."

"Haha, aren't you curious?" the emperor laughed.

Lin Ziping poured himself a cup of tea and sat down opposite the emperor: "Does Your Majesty wish to have some clarification?"

The emperor did not answer, but said, "Read the Analects to me."

"Yes." Lin Ziping didn't ask any more questions, just replied and went back to his room to get the book.

Lin Ziping took out the Analects from deep inside the wardrobe, secretly glad that he hadn't lost the book back then.

I took the book and crossed the courtyard.

Lin Ziping suddenly remembered that the emperor had said he would give the book to Prince Rui.

Thinking of this, I felt a chill run down my spine. How did the emperor know that the book hadn't been sent out? And why was he suddenly asking me to read the Analects now?

Lin Ziping took a deep breath, quickly calmed down, and remained composed. As long as nothing was explicitly stated, he would pretend it never happened!

Then, managing his expression, he quickly returned to the main hall, said nothing more, opened the book, and began to read aloud.

Confucius said: “Is it not pleasant to learn with constant perseverance and application? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar? Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unperturbed when others do not understand him?”

Youzi said, “A person who is filial and respectful to his elders yet prone to defying his superiors is rare; one who is not prone to defying his superiors yet prone to creating chaos has never existed. The superior man focuses on the fundamentals; when the fundamentals are established, the Way arises. Filial piety and respect for elders—are these not the foundation of benevolence?”

Confucius said, "Those who are clever with words and ingratiating in appearance are rarely benevolent!"

Zengzi said, “I examine myself three times a day: Have I been disloyal in serving others? Have I been untrustworthy in dealing with friends? Have I neglected to practice what I have been taught?”

Confucius said: "To govern a state of a thousand chariots, one must be respectful in one's duties and trustworthy, frugal in expenditures and loving towards the people, and employ the people at the right time."

……

Lin Ziping finished reading in less than fifteen minutes.

"Continue," the emperor said, looking at the memorial in his hand without raising his head.

Confucius said: “Is it not pleasant to learn with constant perseverance and application? Is it not delightful to have friends coming from afar? Is it not the mark of a gentleman to remain unperturbed when others do not understand him?”

……

Lin Ziping took a sip of water, not daring to disobey, and began reading again from the beginning.

After reading it again, the emperor said, "Continue."

Lin Ziping dared not stop and continued reciting.

……

After going through it again and again, more than ten times, Lin Ziping felt that he could recite the entire text from memory.

The emperor still did not order a halt.

"When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head," Lin Ziping continued.

As night deepened, the sound of reading aloud drifted through the courtyard.

"How can one enter politics?"

The emperor suddenly asked a question.

Lin Ziping paused for a moment, then replied, "Respect the five virtues and reject the four vices, and you will be fit to govern."

After thinking for a moment, Lin Ziping recited the text as it was:

"Zizhang asked, 'What are the five virtues?' Confucius replied, 'A gentleman is benevolent without being wasteful, hardworking without complaining, desirous without being greedy, composed without being arrogant, and dignified without being fierce.' Zizhang asked, 'What does "benevolent without being wasteful" mean?' Confucius replied, 'To benefit the people by doing what is beneficial for them—is this not benevolent without being wasteful? To choose what is worthwhile to do and do it—who would complain? To desire benevolence and attain it—why would one be greedy? A gentleman, regardless of the number of people or the size of the household, dares not be disrespectful—is this not composed without being arrogant? A gentleman straightens his clothes and hat, respects his appearance, and is dignified so that people look up to him and fear him—is this not dignified without being fierce?' Zizhang asked, 'What are the four evils?' Confucius replied, 'To kill without teaching is called cruelty; to expect results without warning is called tyranny; to delay issuing orders until the deadline is called thievery; and to be stingy in giving and receiving is called being an official.'"

The emperor continued, "The ruler of Wei is waiting for you to govern; which one will you prioritize?"

Lin Ziping: "It is essential to rectify names!"

Zilu said, “Is that so? You are so impractical! What should be corrected?” Confucius said, “How uncouth you are, You! A gentleman remains silent about what he does not know. If names are not correct, then language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language is not in accordance with the truth of things, then affairs cannot be carried on to success. If affairs cannot be carried on to success, then rites and music will not flourish. If rites and music do not flourish, then punishments will not be properly administered. If punishments are not properly administered, then the people will not know where to place their hands and feet. Therefore, a gentleman must ensure that what he names can be spoken of, and what he speaks of can be practiced. A gentleman is simply not careless in his speech.”

The emperor asked, "What are the Four Evils of the Great Zhou? How can we rightfully and legitimately eliminate these four evils?"

……

The air suddenly became quiet, and Lin Ziping began to scratch his head in frustration.

This question is beyond the scope of the curriculum; it's not even mentioned in the Analects!

"What...what are the Four Evils, um...the Four Evils are..." Lin Ziping stammered, unable to give a coherent answer.

The emperor, seeing this, did not reprimand him further, but said, "Ziping needs to read more of this book."

"Ah?!" Lin Ziping exclaimed as if he had lost his parents. "Yes."

"It's getting late, get some rest. I'm going back now," the emperor said, standing up.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ziping's tense nerves, which had been taut all night, finally relaxed slightly. Although he had prepared himself mentally, it was best if some things didn't happen.

At this moment, Dongshan pushed open the door and entered, draping a cloak over the emperor's shoulders.

Yan Shu followed him in and began tidying up the memorials on the table.

Lin Ziping quickly stood up and stepped aside, watching the two busy at work.

After they finished packing, they left.

Lin Ziping clasped his hands in a gesture of respect as he saw him off.

For the next few days, Lin Ziping stayed alone in Xihe Courtyard. The palace walls outside the courtyard were too high, and there were guards stationed outside the walls.

The young eunuch who guided him on the first day brought him food and books to read every day.

It includes the Four Books and Five Classics, military strategy books, and even maps.

Lin Ziping looked through the map and could barely make out the mountains, rivers, and geographical locations with just a few strokes.

Although it couldn't compare to the maps Lin Ziping had seen before, it was still considered a secret in this era.

As for those books, not to mention the Four Books and Five Classics, Lin Ziping had never seen any military books or strategies in all the time he had been in this era.

What is the purpose of sending these?

Adhere to the principle of not dwelling on what you can't understand, and knowing what you need to know when the time is right.

Lin Ziping lived a very regular life, practicing martial arts and reading every day. When he had nothing to do, he even turned over the open space behind the bamboo forest, looking like he was living a peaceful life.

They even asked a young eunuch for vegetable seeds to plant, and within just four or five days, they showed signs of sprouting.

While winter has arrived elsewhere, Xihe Courtyard still thrives with greenery.

One has to admit, this place is truly a blessed land!