My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 237 of the Analects

Lin Ziping didn't follow up on the competition among the noble ladies afterward, since the result was the same regardless.

After leaving the horse farm, he stayed by the emperor's side, temporarily putting aside Li Qiongying's strange bow.

Since no work was assigned to him, Lin Ziping spent his days following Dongshan and Yanshu around, watching them do their work.

During this period, I also witnessed several council meetings between the emperor and his ministers, which can be considered as being present at the highest-level meetings of the Great Zhou.

I met the concubines of the harem who had come with the emperor on the autumn hunt, apart from the empress; each of them had her own unique charm and characteristics.

Then there are the emperor's sons, who, with their elite education from childhood and the added aura of princes, naturally exude the presence of protagonists.

I don't have a strong impression of the emperor's brothers; they just look familiar.

He had also met Gao Chi a few times.

Compared to when he was in Fuchun, Gao Chi seemed a bit more unfamiliar with things.

Lin Ziping didn't care about this, after all, the difference in their status was obvious.

The emperor treated Lin Ziping like a younger family member, showing him kindness and care.

In the eyes of others, Lin Ziping had become the emperor's new favorite and had been given the title "Lord Lin".

As a "celebrity," Lin Ziping also received special privileges, specifically in terms of clothing, food, and housing.

Although their rank was not yet determined, they were still wearing the uniforms of the Prefectural Guard, which looked the same, but the feel and quality were clearly not on the same level as before.

And what about food? Does anyone in the family know anything about it?

Lin Ziping was so moved by the sight of a fresh apple that he was moved to tears, a gift from the emperor.

The living conditions have also greatly improved. After returning from the horse farm with the emperor, Lin Ziping moved out of the original large dormitory and was even assigned a small tent next to Dongshan. Although it was less than 20 square meters, it was at least a single room!

I used to think that being a leader meant more salary and less work, but the responsibilities and pressure increased exponentially, and the benefits weren't that great.

Looking back now, I realize that my previous thoughts were somewhat short-sighted. The flattering voices around me were very intoxicating, and some dreams could easily come true. Perhaps this is what they mean by power being the best form of cosmetic surgery.

Lin Ziping also became addicted to it, but whenever he thought of famous sayings such as "If Heaven wants to destroy someone, it first makes them crazy," "There is a way to be destroyed by praise," and "Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger," he couldn't help but feel terrified. He became increasingly cautious about everything around him and his words and actions became more and more careful.

Awakening from despair is a bitter experience that only the individual can truly understand.

On this day, the emperor was reviewing memorials in his tent, with Dongshan serving him on either side, Yanshu burning incense, and the others busy with their own tasks.

Lin Ziping, having nothing to do, stood behind the emperor in a daze, and finally couldn't help but yawn.

what--

As Lin Ziping's voice fell, the air in the room instantly froze.

Lin Ziping suddenly realized what was happening, his face turned pale with fright, and he knelt down with a thud, banging his head on the ground: "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"

Dongshan said, "Damn it, where has he learned his manners! Yanshu, take him away!"

Lin Ziping, trembling on the ground, cried out, "Your Majesty, spare my life!"

Dongshan also knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have failed to discipline them properly."

The emperor put down his pen and stood up. Yan Shu quickly stepped forward and draped an outer robe over the emperor's shoulders, then tidied up the memorials on the desk.

The emperor waved his hand: "Leave the Yan documents; they're just some unimportant things."

"Yes." Yan Shu put down what he was holding and respectfully stepped aside.

"Dongshan, Ziping is just sleepy, why make such a fuss? Get up." The emperor walked to the couch next to him and sat down.

"Yes." Dongshan bowed his head and kowtowed, then turned to Lin Ziping and scolded, "Why don't you thank His Majesty?"

Lin Ziping kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor said, "Get up."

Dongshan stood up and said, "Your Majesty, you can't keep indulging him like this. Rules must not be broken."

"Dongshan, there are only a few people here, so I doubt anyone will tell anyone. Just let me relax a bit and not be so formal all the time." The emperor raised his hand to rub his forehead.

"Your Majesty..." Dongshan looked up at the emperor, stopped speaking, stepped forward, and gently pressed his forehead.

Seeing this, Lin Ziping silently got up and stood aside.

"Lin Ziping, can you read?" the emperor asked, his eyes slightly closed.

"This humble servant knows a little," Lin Ziping replied, lowering his eyes.

"Yan Shu gave the Analects on the table to Lin Ziping and asked him to read it aloud," the Emperor said.

Lin Ziping took the book from Yan Shu, opened the first page, and prepared to read aloud.

The emperor gently tapped the table.

Dongshan said, "Lin Ziping sits here. Yanshu, go and pour him a glass of water."

Lin Ziping walked to the stool below the emperor, picked up the water Yan Shu had poured, and drank it all in one gulp.

He cleared his throat and began to recite:

Confucius said: “Is it not pleasant to learn with a 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 was like an emotionless tool, reading the Analects fluently and without any emotion, finishing it in about fifteen minutes.

The emperor waved his hand, and Dongshan stopped what he was doing and stepped aside. Yanshu placed a cup of tea on the small table on the bed.

The emperor opened his eyes, picked up his teacup, and took a sip: "Do you know what it's about?"

Lin Ziping nodded and then shook his head: "I've heard the Master talk about it before, but I haven't read it for many days, and I've already forgotten what I knew before."

"Nonsense! How could you forget what you already know?" the emperor said. "You've simply forgotten what others know, something you yourself don't even realize. How could you forget something that's your own?"

What do you know and what don't you know?

Lin Ziping was dizzy from all the confusion and could only nod thoughtfully.

Upon seeing this, the emperor sighed: "Never mind, he's still young, he can figure it out slowly."

"This humble servant is dull-witted," Lin Ziping said.

"It's alright. As the saying goes, 'Read a book a hundred times and its meaning will become clear.' We'll continue tomorrow. After returning to the palace, visit the library more often." The Emperor said, "I remember that Prince Rui borrowed a rare copy of the Golden Book from me last time. Ziping, go and retrieve it for me."

Dongshan laughed and said, "It's getting late now, Your Majesty. Why don't you rest early? This old servant will have Prince Rui send it over tomorrow."

The emperor stroked his chin and pointed to the Analects in Lin Ziping's hand, saying, "Lin Ziping, send this to Prince Rui and take back what belongs to me."

Lin Ziping clasped his hands in a fist and asked, "Your Majesty, is it the Golden Book?"

"Haha..." The emperor laughed, "Yes, it is the Golden Book. Lin Ziping, go and get the Golden Book back. I will bestow it upon you."

"Yes!" Lin Ziping replied, a golden book beckoning to him from a distance in his mind.