Chapter 72: Xun Kuang Arrives at Han

  Xun Kuang was originally from the Xian clan in Zhao, but his family moved to Qi when he was young. Although they had moved, their ancestral home was still in Xian, so every few years Xun Kuang would return there with his father for ancestor worship. His experiences studying in Qi greatly broadened his horizons, but after the Five States attacked Qi and King Min of Qi died in defeat, Qi was almost destroyed, and Xun Kuang had to head south to Chu to seek employment.

  In the fifth year of his stay in Chu, Xun Kuang paid homage to Huang Xie, a left-hand student, and made friends with officials and nobles. He observed the customs and people of Chu. Unfortunately, King Chu was not interested in his ideas for governing the country. Five years later, Tian Dan recovered Qi, and Xun Kuang returned to Qi again, where he was appointed as the chief libationer of the Jixia Academy. However, King Qi said that he was foolish and could not understand Xun Kuang's ideas for governing the country. In this situation, Xun Kuang entered Han, planning to travel around the country to expound his political ideas.

  Xun Kuang, after learning from his failures in Chu and Qi, decided to first investigate the customs and people of Han before meeting with the Crown Prince instead of the King of Han. Firstly, although the Crown Prince was still young, he had a great reputation, and it seemed that there were no false heroes under a great name, at least stronger than the Kings of Chu and Qi; secondly, the King's body was not as good as before, and the Crown Prince would inherit the throne in just a few years. Rather than persuading the King first, it was better to persuade the Crown Prince directly, who was currently recruiting talents, and Xun Kuang had the opportunity to meet him.

  Since he had made up his mind to do so, Xun Kuang took his students on a tour of the streets and alleys, inns and tea houses for several days. It was during these visits that Xun Kuang discovered with amazement that everyone in Xinzheng spoke highly of Prince Yan. One or two people praising him could be understood, but after meeting hundreds and thousands of people over the past few days, all of whom spoke of Prince Yan's kindness, this seemed a bit unusual.

  Xun Kuang then carefully collected information about the Crown Prince Ran, and found that the Crown Prince Ran was well-versed in military affairs and sympathetic to the people's hearts. Whether it was building a temple for the martyrs or a monument for heroes, or exempting the newly recovered national land from taxes for a year, all revealed the style of "fair governance and loving the people", which coincided with his own Tao. Could it be that Crown Prince Ran is the wise ruler he had been searching for half his life? Xun Kuang asked himself.

  Xun Kuang has been busy these days, and the Crown Prince Ye hasn't been idle either. He urged the workshop to speed up the construction of horse stirrups and saddles, discussed military strategy with Meng Huo and Li Mu, purchased single and double bars for the Youlin Army's physical training equipment, and occasionally participated in forced marches...

  The prince greedily absorbed the knowledge of future generations in his mind, sandbags, standing in line, group confrontation, flowing red flags, individual skills competition, and various generous rewards stimulated the new soldiers' enthusiasm for training. Sand table, force deduction, Prince Yan's endless small inventions made Meng Zhuang and Li Mu sigh in amazement. Ten days ago, a group of new recruits who were still in a mess finally had a hint of a strong army appearance.

  On this day, the Crown Prince Yan was discussing state affairs with Fan Yi in the Crown Prince's mansion. Fan Yi had now been granted the position of Upper Great Official, and the Crown Prince Yan had asked King Huan of Han if such a great achievement was rewarded too lightly. King Huan smiled and explained that his achievements should not be publicized. Now everyone in the state of Han knew that a man from Wei named Zhang Lu had obtained the position of Upper Great Official just by using his eloquence, without any actual merit. If rewards were given out so lavishly, it would be like "a tree standing tall in the forest will surely be blown down by the wind". What's more, if he was given such a high reward all at once, what would there be left to give him when Crown Prince Yan ascended to the throne?

  As for the reward to King Huan of Korea, Fan Jue was calm and composed. He knew better than anyone that the future of Korea belonged to Prince Tan, and as long as Prince Tan made him his trusted advisor, wealth and glory would be within easy reach, so there was no need to rush. After discussing state affairs, Fan Jue took his leave and departed. Just when Prince Tan thought he could take a short rest, Huang Bo, the attendant of Prince Tan, walked in.

  "Your Highness! Someone outside is asking to see you!"

  "Oh? Who is it?" The prince asked curiously. If it were a Korean minister, Huang Bo would have directly said who was seeking an audience. Since he didn't say, it's likely that it's a knowledgeable scholar who has come to pay respects. After all, ordinary unknown scholars are usually examined by Huang Bo and then reported to him.

  "Someone in Qi State is also quite famous," Huang Bo chuckled, "It's Xun Kuang, the former ritual master of the lower academy."

  "Xun Kuang?" The crown prince muttered this somewhat familiar name.

  Because of his extensive knowledge and talents, people in Qi State preferred to call him Xun Qing or Master Xun. Huang Bo added.

  "What? Xunzi!" The crown prince's face became excited.

  He finally knew why the name Xun Kuang sounded so familiar, the memories of later generations told him that he was the author of "Encouraging Learning"! You can say you forgot the content of "Encouraging Learning", but his disciples, you will never forget, that is the famous Li Si and Han Fei. One became the prime minister who assisted Qin Shi Huang in unifying the world, and the other was the culmination of the Legalist thought of the Warring States period. Unfortunately, he was killed by his fellow students, and his talents were not fully utilized.

  "Hurry up!" The crown prince hastily said.

  For a teacher who can cultivate two such powerful disciples, the Crown Prince has long been yearning. Although Han Fei is only eight years old, it would be good to let him become an apprentice as soon as possible!

  "Never mind! I'll go and welcome him myself!" The next moment, the prince stood up and walked outside.

  Huang Bo didn't know why the Crown Prince was so concerned about Xun Kuang, who he wasn't very familiar with. After all, when the Crown Prince heard Xun Kuang's name earlier, he looked quite unfamiliar. With great confusion, Huang Bo hastily followed the Crown Prince.

  The side gate of the prince's mansion, Xun Kuang was quietly waiting. He believed that with his own reputation, Prince Yan would likely see him. What he needed to do was to persuade Prince Yan to adopt his own plan. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xun Kuang carefully organized his speech again.

  Before long, Xun Kuang saw a servant hurrying over to whisper something in the ear of the butler, who had been somewhat haughty towards him. The butler's expression immediately changed, and he rushed over to Xun Kuang with an extremely enthusiastic attitude, saying: "Please follow me, sir, to the central gate, where the Crown Prince is waiting for you."

  "What?! The Crown Prince is opening the middle gate to welcome me?" Xun Kuang was somewhat stunned, he did have some reputation, but it wasn't enough to warrant a country's crown prince personally welcoming him.

  Xun Kuang followed the steward of the Crown Prince's mansion with a somewhat nervous and apprehensive heart, not knowing what aspect of himself had caught the Crown Prince's eye. However, regardless of the reason, it was a good thing that the Crown Prince valued him. By the middle gate, Crown Prince Ran beamed with joy as he gazed at Xun Kuang who was approaching. He saw that Xun Kuang had a gentle face, was only forty years old, and had a humble and refined appearance.

  "Xun Qing has traveled thousands of miles, all the way to Korea, what a fortunate event for Korea!" The crown prince took a few steps forward, bowed and spoke first.

  "The prince's words are too serious, I am just a Confucian scholar, to be valued so much by the prince, I am truly humbled and terrified." Xun Kuang did not dare to accept such a great gift, and stood aside.

  "Xun Qing, enter!" The crown prince nodded slightly to one side, showing respect.

  "Your Highness, the Crown Prince!" Xun Kuang also bowed his head and turned sideways.

  As soon as he entered the grand hall, Xun Kuang found that the Crown Prince Zhen had already ordered someone to arrange a table with all kinds of fresh fruits and wine, which made him realize even more how much importance the Crown Prince attached to him.

  "Xun Qing is a scholar of extensive learning, and has also served as the libationer at the Jixia Academy. I have long heard of your virtuous reputation in Xinzheng. Alas, Linzi is a thousand li away from Xinzheng, and I, being the crown prince, dare not abandon my duties, so I have never had the chance to behold your true countenance. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I will raise a large cup of white wine! For you, sir, have come to Han, I offer this toast as a sign of respect!" The crown prince raised his wine goblet.

  "Thanks, Your Highness!" Xun Kuang raised his wine cup and also drank it all in one gulp.

  "The master has come from afar, he must have something to instruct. I wish to hear the master's words." The prince said sincerely.

  I declare! This is Warring States Korea, not Stick Country. Alas! Please collect and click! The stirrup is currently in a confidential phase, only for military training purposes.