The Sixteen Kingdoms of the Eastern Jin Dynasty: The Competition in the Central Plains

These craftsmen are headed by Craftsman Zhang, who is in his forties and has a handsome appearance. According to Murong Han's request, they drew dozens of construction drawings of different rooms in the school. In the study, Murong Han kept looking at these construction plans, and then studied the construction of Dongxiang Academy with Murong You, Murong Zhi and the craftsmen. Putting down the drawings, Murong Han said:"I heard that Craftsman Zhang's ancestors built a palace for Emperor Wu of Jin Dynasty, and he was also rewarded for his merits in building the palace. Is this true?!"

"Craftsman Zhang said:"Back to the eldest son, this is what happened. At that time, my grandfather built a palace for Emperor Wu of the Jin Dynasty. The palace was well-proportioned and unique, and he was rewarded"

"Then ask Craftsman Zhang to take overall responsibility for the construction of Dongxiang Academy, and recruit the necessary craftsmen and migrant workers according to the construction drawings of Dongxiang Academy. Then plan how much masonry, wood, and other necessary materials you will need."Murong Han then said to Murong You and Murong Zhi:"Please contact the sixth brother to purchase bricks, sand and gravel, etc. as needed, and the seventh brother to contact the purchase of wood, bamboo and other materials. Remember to discuss with Craftsman Zhang and other craftsmen before purchasing."

"Okay big brother, don’t worry!"Murong You and Murong Zhi said.

After several months of construction, a small palace-like Dongxiang Academy stood to the east of Jicheng Palace. The gate of Dongxiang Academy faces south, and on the lintel of the gate is Murong Xinqing. The four large seal characters written by Pei Yi, the chief historian, from right to left: Dongxiang Academy. After the construction of Dongxiang Academy was completed, Murong Xin led his sons, together with Pei Yi, the chief historian, Dongxiang offered wine to Liu Zan and dozens of ministers, The generals came to Dongxiang Academy together. At the entrance of Dongxiang Academy, Murong Xin saw the plaque written by Pei Yi and couldn't help but give a thumbs up and praised:"Mr. Pei is indeed my long history. If you have time in the future, you must do more." Teach noble children to practice calligraphy! Mr. Liu Zan, you must take the responsibility of teaching Confucianism to young men and noble children."

Liu Zan said with a smile on his face:"I will definitely live up to the great trust of the Great Chanyu, let all the gentlemen succeed in their studies, apply what they have learned, and let Confucianism and Sinology be carried forward in the Murong Department!"

Entering the courtyard of Dongxiang Academy, I saw a wide and tall screen wall. On the front of the screen wall was a large seal script written by Liu Zan, which contained a sentence from Confucius:"When three people are walking together, there must be one who is my master." Murong Xin and others watched He nodded solemnly, and went to the back of the screen wall with others. There were also words on the back of the screen wall, which were a few sentences from the family order written by Murong Xin in regular script: Prison matters involve human lives, so we must not be careless; a wise man and a gentleman , is the foundation of the country and must not be disrespected; agriculture is the foundation of the country and must be paid close attention to; drunkenness and flattery are a major disaster that disturbs political ethics and must be prohibited. After reading the words on the back of the screen wall, Pei Yi couldn't help butHe praised:"The Great Chanyu is really a divine master sent from heaven. If our Murong tribe can unite as one, share the same hatred of the enemy, and use Great Chanyu's talents, broad strategies and strategizing, I think it won't take many years for the Murong tribe of Xianbei to take over." It is entirely possible to build a country in the Central Plains!"

After hearing Pei Yi's words of praise, Murong Xin was certainly very impressed. Murong Xuan said:"I hope that the establishment of the country will be as the teacher said, and this depends on the concerted efforts of all of you."

Behind the screen wall and further to the north, about a stone's throw away, are three rows of spacious and bright houses arranged in the north and south. These houses are antique, with carved beams and paintings. Walking around them makes you feel like you are in a palace of a certain Central Plains dynasty. In the middle of the first two rows of houses, there is a doorway connected to the courtyard behind. There is a hundred or so steps between each row of houses. In the southernmost row, there is a sign above the doorway that says"Small School". Murong Xing and others passed through the first doorway and came to the back row. They saw"Zhongshu School" written on the doorway. On the last row opposite to the door openings in the first two rows, it says"大苡学堂." Murongren asked:"Mr. Liu, what do the three words"big, medium and small" mean?"

"The Fourth Young Master doesn't know something."Liu Zan introduced:"This 'small school' recruits aristocratic children under the age of ten. This 'middle school' enrolls aristocratic children between the ages of eleven and fifteen. The"Graduate School" recruits aristocratic children who are over fifteen years old. From now on, all ten of you brothers will listen to my lectures in Dongxiang Academy."

"OK, OK, OK!"After listening to Liu Zan's introduction, Murong Xuan's ten sons all clapped their hands and cheered. Looking at the youngest sons, Murong Xuan took Murong Ping with his left hand and Murong Biao with his right hand and said:"I will learn from the gentlemen here in the future. , learn from your brothers."

Murong Ping, Murong Biao and others nodded. Murong Ping said:"I will follow my father's teachings! Murong Xin was also very happy when he saw his sons being happy. He lectured his sons and said,"When you are teenagers, you will follow me to fight in battles one after another." I was used to using swords, spears, swords and halberds, and I immediately became proficient in each step. But only these skills of fighting and defeating the enemy are far from enough! When we have an enemy, we should of course repel the invading enemy. But the time when you are not fighting is the time for you to practice martial arts. There have been government-run schools in the Central Plains throughout the ages, and there are also many private schools among the people. In the future, we must learn from the practice of the Central Plains. In addition to setting up government-run schools in the capital and important counties, we must also set up private schools in other places in the Murong tribe. The ability to command and fight must not be lost. You must get on top of your horse to manage the army; but if you want to get off your horse and manage the people in the future, you must learn Chinese and Confucianism well!"

"What my father said is true!"Murong Huang said:"We brothers must obey our father's orders, humbly listen to the teachings of the gentlemen, listen carefully to the Sinology, Confucianism and other knowledge from the Central Plains taught by the gentlemen, and turn ourselves into useful talents who are good at literature and martial arts! Murong

Xuan listened and nodded with satisfaction. At this time, Murong You, who had been following, came to Murong Xuan and asked:"Father, when did we brothers start studying here in such a magnificent school?" We all can't wait!"

"In these few days, there is no room for hesitation."Murong Xuan said:"We have rarely been quiet these past few months. Maybe at some point, the Yuwen tribe, the Duan tribe, and even Goguryeo will cause trouble for our Murong tribe. When the situation arises, you and the gentlemen immediately ask for leave, say goodbye to your respective mothers, and then rush to the battlefield without hesitation! You should prepare in the past few days, and then talk to your mother about the situation here. Once the time is determined, you can come to the school to attend school."

"Yuan Zhen, have you found any books on Sinology and Confucianism?!"Murong Xu asked Murong Huang. Murong Huang said:"Father, our luck is pretty good. Two days ago, Murong Shan, a distant family member who was in charge of a post station in Bohai, sent us a set of"Seven Classics" when he saw that we were going to open a school. These Confucian classics are all copied from bamboo slips. These rare Confucian classics were given to him by Tao Liao, the envoy of the Jin Dynasty who had returned to Jiankang! The Murong Shan brothers are our distant relatives. Although Tao Liao did not fulfill his mission as emperor of the Jin Dynasty this time, he still acted as a matchmaker for the Murong brothers and sent us so many copied Confucian classics. He deserves a lot of credit. Small!"