Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System-Chapter 231: Liu Xiu of Nanyang

Apart from the prophecy that "Liu Xiu should be the Son of Heaven", the content of the Sash Decree also rapidly spread among the people, saying that the current emperor did not rightfully inherit his position, but had actually schemed to usurp the throne.

The Crown Prince of the Great Han, Liu Ying, issued a blood edict, calling for the execution of the Wang Mang traitor.

Enraged, Wang Mang immediately arrested a group of rebels led by the State Preceptor, Liu Xiu, and mainly composed of the Liu clan, and after interrogation, executed over ten thousand members of the rebellion.

On this day, blood flowed like a river outside the walls of Chang’an City.

The once-noble Liu clan of the Great Han suffered enormous losses, and not a single one of their esteemed elders was spared.

Although Noble Son Ying of Anding survived, his imprisonment became even stricter, and no one was allowed to speak with him.

Inside the imperial palace.

Wang Mang, dressed in the emperor’s robes, looked gloomily at a blood-stained sash placed on the imperial desk before him, focusing on the twelve names written on the Sash Decree.

At the top of the list was State Preceptor Liu Xiu, followed by members of the Liu clan and some influential officials from the previous dynasty.

What puzzled Wang Mang was that the Sash Decree also listed a "Liu Xiu of Nanyang".

He knew that State Preceptor Liu Xiu was from Pei County; obviously, there were two men named Liu Xiu!

By now, eleven of them had been executed, only this Liu Xiu of Nanyang remained at large.

Wang Mang summoned the Commander of the Valiant Warriors Guard and inquired in detail about Liu Xiu of Nanyang.

The Commander said, "Your Majesty, Liu Xiu of Nanyang was a student at the Imperial Academy. He enrolled two years ago and quickly became the head of the academy, winning the appreciation of the State Preceptor... the traitor Liu Xiu,

After that, Liu Xiu of Nanyang also made connections with many nobles’ children in the academy.

Not long before the Sash Decree incident, he had written and taught books, and the traitor Liu Xiu said he was a scholar who could be remembered for a millennium."

Wang Mang frowned, initially wanting to ask why he had never heard of this great scholar in enlightenment, since he himself was also a Confucian scholar, but then he understood.

Since he became emperor, he had been too wrapped up in state affairs to personally attend to these matters, leaving most of the scholarly tasks to State Preceptor Liu Xiu.

Wang Mang further inquired, "Liu Xiu of Nanyang, what classical works has he authored that warrant being called a great scholar in enlightenment?"

The Commander hastily presented two booklets, which were inscribed with the titles Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Classic.

As soon as Wang Mang flipped to the first page of the Three Character Classic, he was stunned and couldn’t help but recite, "At the very beginning, human nature is good..."

After reciting the entire text, tears welled up in his eyes.

The supreme power of the world had gradually led him astray, but what he held dearest in his life was still Confucianism, and he passionately pursued the ideal world depicted by the Confucian sages.

And Liu Xiu of Nanyang’s Three Character Classic, though not as literary as those enduring classics of Confucianism, was unparalleled in enlightening children.

Based on this work alone, Liu Xiu of Nanyang rightly deserved the title of a great scholar in enlightenment.

Not to mention that he authored two such educational classics.

Wang Mang then opened the Thousand Character Classic and began to read, "The universe mysterious and yellow, the vast wilderness in chaos..."

After reading it through, he sighed deeply and said, "I lament not being able to meet Liu Xiu of Nanyang in person, such texts would be passed down through ages!"

The Commander of the Valiant Warriors Guard couldn’t help but remind him, "Your Majesty, Liu Xiu of Nanyang is currently a fugitive..."

At these words, Wang Mang snapped out of his reverie, having been so absorbed in reading the two educational classics that he had momentarily forgotten that Liu Xiu of Nanyang had signed his name on the Sash Decree, marking him a traitor as well!

"What a pity, what a pity!"

He repeated this lament, but his intent to kill was resolute.

After all, if he could mercilessly execute even the renowned scholar State Preceptor Liu Xiu, why would he spare the life of a mere academy student?

This Liu Xiu of Nanyang, having come to the academy to study just two years ago, must be very young, at most in his Age of Crowned Adulthood.

Such talent could not be left unchecked!

Wang Mang issued a decree, "Issue an Edict for a Sea Arrest, the one who kills Liu Xiu will be rewarded ten thousand gold, and the one who kills Liu Xiu of Nanyang will be ennobled as a marquis of ten thousand households!"

The prophecy claimed Liu Xiu was destined to become the emperor, and the most likely candidate was the national preceptor Liu Xiu, but all other Liu Xius under the heavens could not be neglected, especially this Liu Xiu of Nanyang.

Not only was this man a relative of the Liu clan, but he also possessed such learning; if not eliminated promptly, he would inevitably become a major threat one day.

...

Liu Xiu had already returned to the Nanyang Commandery, accompanied by his fellow townspeople Deng Yu and Zhu You.

They had known each other since childhood and studied together at the Imperial Academy, forming a close friendship.

"Wenshu, why did we leave Chang’an in such a hurry?" Deng Yu asked.

"To save our necks," Liu Xiu said with a smile.

"Haha, you, Liu Wenshu, are a great scholar of the Meng School praised by the national preceptor Liu Xiu—who would dare take your head?" Zhu You laughed.

Liu Xiu shook his head but sighed inwardly; his two friends were unaware of the matter involving the Sash Decree.

In fact, Liu Xiu did not approve of the national preceptor’s plotting of the Sash Decree, even though it was his idea.

His scholarship, coupled with their shared name, had won the national preceptor’s favor, and he was treated as an intimate friend beyond age differences.

Half a year ago, the national preceptor, aggrieved over the murder of his son by Wang Mang’s cohort, had shown dissatisfaction towards Wang Mang’s faction.

Then, he recounted the story of the Sash Decree, which he had heard from Daoist Master Sun since childhood, in broad strokes.

However, to his surprise, the national preceptor promptly planned this Sash Decree, aiming to assassinate Wang Mang.

Liu Xiu remembered the emotions he felt when he first saw that blood decree—aside from indignation at Wang Mang’s tyrannical behavior, he was also shocked and helpless.

Too hasty!

At that time, Wang Mang’s foundation had not yet faltered; just by Mobilizing these scholarly Confucians and some less influential Liu clan relatives, they expected to eliminate Wang Mang?

The national preceptor seemed to understand what he was thinking and explained, "I am of advanced years and do not have long to live. I cannot wait for that most opportune moment,

so I might as well strike while my influence still holds. Even if I perish, my blood might rekindle the nationwide tide against Wang Mang."

Liu Xiu admired his determination but couldn’t bring himself to agree.

"Indeed, just as Master Sun said, a scholar’s rebellion would not succeed even after three years."

The national preceptor was a revered Confucian scholar of the age, commendable in his scholarship, but he was far from adept at power struggles. He had wrongly trusted Wang Mang in the past, and now, he failed to see the true situation of the current world.

Wang Mang built Buddhist temples apparently to quell the rebellions across the land, but in reality, it was like adding fuel to the fire, ready to ignite at the slightest spark. There was no need for such great sacrifices; it would be better to preserve a fighting force for a grander plan.

One could imagine that once the Sash Decree was revealed, the Liu clan relatives in Chang’an would likely be exterminated!

Therefore, after signing his name on the Sash Decree, he quickly left Chang’an with his two friends.

"What a pity," Liu Xiu shook his head again; he could have done more in Chang’an, amassing greater strength.

Next, the trio arrived at Wan county in Nanyang Commandery. As night had fallen, they decided to rest there for a while.

But no sooner had they entered Wan county than they were invited by the local prominent Li family to attend a banquet.

And recently, the Three Character Classic and Thousand Character Classic had just reached Nanyang, where they were already revered as classic texts for beginner’s education.

At the banquet, when the guests learned that Liu Xiu was the author of these two classics, they were all astonished and eagerly engaged Liu Xiu in conversation to forge connections.

Liu Xiu, eloquent and distinguished, quickly became one with everyone present, treating no one with disdain.

Cai Shaogong of Rang County, who enjoyed delving into prophetic texts, laughed and said, "Speaking of which, it’s strange, just the other day I heard a prophecy stating that Liu Xiu is destined to become the emperor."

The bustling banquet suddenly fell silent.