Chapter Forty-Five: Paying Respects to Li Ru (Extra Chapter for Reader 022394)

The deposition of the emperor meant that Dong Zhuo had officially stepped into direct opposition against the so-called "pure stream" faction.

Unlike the mainstream pure stream politicians currently in office, the out-of-power pure stream faction could hurl criticisms with absolute impunity. Since they had no official positions to lose anyway, spouting more insults might even attract more attention, which would benefit them and position them well to take power once the ruling faction collapsed.

Therefore, while the noble pure stream clans like the Wang and Yuan families were busy congratulating the new emperor and carving up the political pie, these out-of-power pure stream scholars unanimously began raging and spewing venom. Some even ran publicly to the Southern Palace gates, weeping and wailing bitterly over the deposed emperor as if mourning the end of the world. Yet, they strictly remained at a safe distance of three hundred paces from the palace gates, refusing to advance even a single step...

When Fei Qian made his way to Li Ru’s residence, he happened to witness this exact spectacle, leaving him unsure whether to feel respect or profound pity for these people.

Upon leaving Cai Yong’s residence, Fei Qian had felt that visiting Li Ru was an absolute necessity. After all, securing the opportunity to study under Cai Yong was fundamentally tied to the critical initial connection mediated by Li Ru. Now that he had officially become Cai Yong’s disciple, he could not simply cast the matchmaker aside the moment the bride entered the bridal chamber. Both sentimentally and rationally, showing gratitude was the proper course of action.

There was another consideration as well: Fei Qian recalled that Cai Yong’s eventual death was caused by Wang Yun executing him because he wept for Dong Zhuo. The reason Cai Yong wept for Dong Zhuo was that he had been deeply favored and heavily promoted by him. Following Dong Zhuo’s death, Cai Yong indeed possessed a high probability of making such a dangerous yet characteristically compliant gesture, driven by the Confucian virtue of repaying gratitude.

Yet, as things stood now, Cai Yong remained a Palace Attendant, neither promoted nor demoted, as if Dong Zhuo had completely forgotten about him. During Dong Zhuo’s recent grand banquet for his officials, Cai Yong apparently did not attend, and Dong Zhuo bore no resentment toward him either...

Fei Qian speculated whether this was because of Li Ru. Because Li Ru had recommended Fei Qian to Cai Yong, and Cai Yong had accepted him as a disciple—though from Cai Yong’s perspective, this might have been to fulfill a promise made to an old friend—from another perspective, Cai Yong and Li Ru had originally been total strangers. By accommodating Li Ru’s intentions and fulfilling his wish, didn’t that also embody a certain measure of personal favor?

Consequently, Li Ru chose to selectively ignore Cai Yong. Perhaps this could even be considered a form of subconscious protection, a way to repay the favor owed to Cai Yong?

After all, within the current Dong Zhuo regime, aside from Dong Zhuo himself, Li Ru wielded the most authority and influence.

When Fei Qian arrived at Li Ru's residence, he presented his calling card and requested an audience.

For unannounced visits like Fei Qian’s, whether the master of the house would grant an audience depended entirely on his mood. If the calling card was taken inside for a moment, and the doorman returned to declare that the master was not available, one should not take it as a personal brush-off or fly into a rage. After all, this aligned perfectly with Han dynasty etiquette. If the master was inconveniently occupied to meet immediately, he would schedule a later time. Naturally, if he was willing to grant an audience, the host’s status would dictate whether he would come out to greet the guest personally or send someone of equal standing to welcome them.

Not long after, Fei Qian saw the doorman trailing behind a steward-like figure, and he knew at once that his chances were high. Indeed, Li Ru was willing to see him and had sent his steward to welcome him inside.

Although Fei Qian had met Li Ru only a few times, every encounter left him with a strong sense of cognitive dissonance. The man before him bore almost no resemblance to his portrayal in later generations' works. With his dignified and imposing demeanor, if Li Ru were to appear in a modern film or television role, he would undoubtedly be cast as the righteous, flawless male protagonist. Draped in a moon-white brocade robe, wearing a tall crown with a wide belt, and sporting a neatly trimmed three-strand beard as he sat upright behind his desk with an extraordinary bearing, he looked every bit a well-read, composed, and refined middle-aged gentleman. How on earth did he ever transform into a wretched, sneaky villain in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?

Daring not to stare too openly, Fei Qian quickly stepped forward, paid his respects, stated the purpose of his visit, and bowed deeply to Li Ru.

Li Ru stepped forward to steady Fei Qian, and after both host and guest took their seats, Li Ru asked, "What learning have you pursued under Master Cai?"

Just as Fei Qian was about to stand up and reply, Li Ru stopped him with a gesture, signaling him to answer while seated. Thus, Fei Qian cupped his hands in gratitude and answered, "This time, I am studying the Zuo Commentary."

"The Zuo Commentary?" Li Ru seemed slightly taken aback, a faint smile touching his lips as he remarked, "Master Cai truly teaches students in accordance with their aptitude."

Unsure how to respond, Fei Qian wondered what exactly that was supposed to mean. Was that a compliment or a jab?

Without waiting for a reply, Li Ru continued on his own, ticking names off like a connoisseur counting family treasures: "Gu Yuanzhi was taught the Classic of Rites; Ruan Yuanyu was taught the Classic of Poetry; Lu Wenwei was taught the Classic of History; Cao Mengde was taught the Classic of Changes..." Li Ru paused and cast a glance at Fei Qian, adding, "How fascinating..."

Li Ru was remarkably well-informed about Cai Yong’s old inner circle. Hearing this, Cao操 had studied the Classic of Changes? No wonder he was so cunning and mercurial... But why did he look at me before saying "fascinating"? Fei Qian wondered inwardly, trying to decode the subtext: was he calling *me* fascinating, or was he saying that Cai Yong teaching him the Zuo Commentary was fascinating?

Ah, how he loathed beating around the bush; it burned away so many brain cells...

Li Ru continued, "As for the Zuo Commentary, its narratives and judgments are exquisite in every aspect. Its expressions of sound, emotion, and posture—moving slowly when slow, hurrying when urgent—depicting troop movements, discussing the use of fire, recounting victories, recording routs, swearing alliances, praising cunning stratagems, speaking of benevolence and grace, documenting strict discipline, and narrating the rise and fall of states—it is the absolute epitome of comprehensiveness." Li Ru’s evaluation of the Zuo Commentary was exceptionally high, praising its exquisite descriptions and asserting that one could learn a vast array of subjects from it, including military marches, encampment, victory and defeat, diplomacy, craftiness, bestowing favor, discipline, and the experiences of making or breaking a nation...

Really? Why did that sound less like a historical commentary and more like some mystical Taoist manual of arcane arts, something you could pick up and instantly gain twenty points in intelligence?

Li Ru glanced at Fei Qian and said solemnly, "Your master treats you with great kindness. You must be diligent, discreet, and earnest in your actions, and never fail his good intentions."

Fei Qian hurriedly left his mat to bow, declaring that he would take those words to heart—*Ah, my previous expression must have been caught by Li Ru; I’d better confess my error right away...*

Li Ru nodded, motioning for Fei Qian to sit back down, and abruptly shifted the topic: "Regarding today’s events, does your master have any words to share?"

Though Li Ru’s question lacked context, Fei Qian instantly understood what he was referring to.

"Today’s events"—though unstated, what event today could possibly overshadow the deposition of the emperor?

Therefore, Li Ru was asking for Cai Yong’s stance on the deposition of the emperor: was he for it or against it? Or did he offer any commentary on the matter?

However, how did Li Ru know that he had just come from Cai Yong’s residence and could thus ascertain Cai Yong’s attitude?

*Ah, right! Today was the day to pay respects to one's master, and the timing of my arrival happened to coincide with Cai Yong returning to his manor...*

Given that, he couldn't simply brush it off by claiming ignorance, Fei Qian thought. To utter a foolish and glaringly obvious lie in front of such a sharp intellect would not only expose his own abysmal intelligence but also reveal a flawed character...

What should he do now? This was agonizing!