Chapter Thirty-Three: Examination

Liu Biao wore the loose robes of a scholar, and his headpiece was not the ceremonial crown or the delegate’s cap favored by nobles, but rather the three-ridge “Virtue Crown” commonly worn by Confucian scholars. Deng Hong, too, donned a Virtue Crown, though his had but a single ridge. These ridges, arching atop the crown like bridges, were a way for scholars to distinguish the depth of their learning. Possessing a crown with three ridges signified that one was recognized as a learned scholar or belonged to one of the illustrious families; if someone without knowledge or rank dared to wear such a crown, they would be mocked and their reputation diminished.

Nevertheless, Liu Biao did not look down upon Deng Hong for his single-ridge crown. Only a few years earlier, Liu Biao had secured Jingzhou, and this year had fought a battle against Liu Zhang. Now, he was intent on restoring and nurturing his realm, welcoming talent from far and wide, frequently assessing the scholars of Jingzhou to appoint them to official posts. Deng Hong came recommended by Huang Zu and was a descendant of the distinguished Deng clan of Xinye, naturally earning Liu Biao’s attention. He hoped Deng Hong would prove a valuable asset, and was quite pleased to meet him. Yet, he had not expected Deng Hong to arrive at the residence accompanied by a child, which piqued his curiosity.

“Deng Hong, Shen Chen, greet the Governor.”

Upon entering the main hall, Deng Hong and Shen Chen paid their respects to Liu Biao as custom dictated.

Liu Biao nodded and said, “Please, be seated.”

Once they had settled, Liu Biao inquired, “You are of the Deng clan of Xinye? And this child—what is your relation to him? Why does he bear the surname Shen, not Deng?”

Deng Hong replied, “To answer the Governor: Yuanhou is my illustrious ancestor, Tiangzu was Jinghou, both my great-grandfather and grandfather inherited the title of Lord of Ye. During Emperor An’s reign, my great-grandfather was forced to take his own life, and my grandfather led our family to migrate to Xuzhou. Three generations have passed since, with our lineage carefully recorded and verifiable. Ah Chen is the daughter of my cousin, making her my maternal granddaughter. She has shown exceptional intelligence since childhood, so I brought her with me to pay respects, hoping the Governor will forgive my boldness.”

The “Yuanhou” he referred to was Deng Yu, who was Deng Hong’s grandfather’s great-grandfather, the sixth generation ancestor; Deng Hong himself was of the seventh generation. His grandfather’s grandfather was Deng Yu’s sixth son, Deng Xun.

Deng Xun fathered Deng Kui, Lord of Ye, whose eldest son, Deng Guangzong, inherited the title. After Empress Deng died and Emperor An assumed power, he began to persecute the Deng clan. At that time, their family held numerous high offices, and there were seven or eight marquises among them. In one fell swoop, their power was stripped away, with many senior members either killed or dismissed from office. The Grand General Deng Zhi, his son Deng Feng, Lord of Ye Deng Guangzong, Lord of Xihua Deng Zhong, as well as the Prefect of Henan Deng Bao, Lord of Wuyang Deng Zun, and the Chief Craftsman Deng Chang were all forced to take their own lives.

After their deaths, the younger generation suffered as well, compelled to flee the capital Luoyang and Xinye, seeking safety in distant lands. Deng Hong’s grandfather was the son of Lord of Ye Deng Guangzong. After their clan was implicated, he relocated to Huangmen Pavilion in Xuzhou.

Tracing back, Deng Hong’s ancestors were quite prominent some seventy years ago. Yet, time had passed, circumstances changed, and the once-mighty phoenix had lost its feathers, its former power all but vanished.

Upon hearing Deng Hong’s account, Liu Biao nodded, neither approving nor dismissing it. “I see. That is no matter. Since your family has settled in Xuzhou, why return here?”

Deng Hong spoke bitterly, “Chaos reigns in the east. Governor Cao Cao of Yanzhou and Governor Tao Qian of Xuzhou are at odds, waging war against each other. Xuzhou has suffered greatly; later, Cao Cao slaughtered several counties, leaving tens of thousands dead, their bodies clogging the rivers, stopping the flow of the Si River. If we remained, our clan would have perished.”

“Such a thing?” Liu Biao was shocked. “Cao Cao has failed in virtue, venting his wrath upon innocent people. This is not the way of benevolence.”

Deng Hong replied, “For this reason, our clan decided to return to our ancestral land. In this troubled world, only the Governor’s Jingzhou remains prosperous and strong. This is all due to your cultivation of virtue and righteousness within, and your noble rule without.”

He offered a brief compliment, which delighted Liu Biao: “Ha ha ha! I am a scion of the imperial family, entrusted by the Emperor to govern this land. Naturally, I must give my utmost. Since you come from a distinguished lineage, you must be versed in the classics. Which texts have you studied?”

“The...Analects,” Deng Hong answered awkwardly. When they fled, his family could only bring short texts like the Analects and the Book of Changes, so his reading was limited.

Liu Biao considered and said, “Then explain, ‘When the state is governed, speak boldly and act boldly; when it is not, act boldly but speak cautiously.’ What is your interpretation?”

Deng Hong glanced at Shen Chen and replied, “The sages advise us to speak and act correctly, to be prudent in word and deed.”

“That’s all?”

Liu Biao was rather disappointed; wasn’t this common knowledge?

“Not entirely,” Shen Chen suddenly spoke up. “My grand-uncle once said: Confucius’s caution is not out of fear of disaster, but because courting disaster without benefit is something a gentleman will not do. Thus, knowing when to advance or retreat, to live or perish, without losing righteousness, is the way of timely moderation.”

“Oh?” Liu Biao was quite surprised.

Since the Han dynasty, scholars had begun to interpret and annotate the Confucian classics. The Analects were only a few thousand words, so rote memorization was not difficult. The challenge lay in analyzing Confucius’s intended meaning according to the circumstances and context. Different schools, based on their manner of punctuation and interpretation, often disagreed in their readings. Some scholars even delighted in eccentric interpretations, twisting Confucius’s words away from their original intent, yet still managed to convince others, making their views part of the canon.

For example, in Zhao’s Book of Changes, Zhao Bin—whom Shen Chen had previously mentioned—interpreted the phrase “Ji Zi’s Mingyi is beneficial and upright,” asserting that “Ji Zi” was not a person’s name, but the origin of all things: “The qi of yin and yang produces Ji Zi; Ji Zi is the root of all things.” Zhao Bin was so skilled in debate that no one could best him, and his interpretation found its way into Zhao’s Book of Changes.

Yet Liu Biao’s quoted line, “When the state is governed, speak boldly and act boldly; when it is not, act boldly but speak cautiously,” bore no ambiguity in interpretation. Still, what one gleaned from it depended on the scholar’s insight. Deng Hong’s response was merely a translation, while Shen Chen’s addition was a personal understanding, not just a straightforward rendition, and his interpretation was quite profound.

Hearing this, Liu Biao nodded appreciatively. “Excellent, you are both learned. Now, how would you explain ‘The Master wished to minimize his faults, but was unable to do so’?”

“Um...” Deng Hong stammered, “Confucius perceived the envoy’s moral character.”

Liu Biao frowned; this was another superficial answer.

Shen Chen immediately took up the thread: “Confucius admired the envoy’s devotion to his lord and his role. He said that though the envoy wished to minimize his faults, he could not, reflecting his self-examination and discipline—a sense of perpetual striving. The more humble the envoy’s words, the more his lord’s virtue was revealed. This demonstrates his deep understanding of a gentleman’s heart and his skill in rhetoric. Thus, the Master repeated his praise for emphasis. According to Zhuang Zhou, ‘Bo Yu, at fifty, realized forty-nine years of error,’ and ‘at sixty, he underwent sixty transformations.’ Such is the relentless pursuit of virtue, tireless with age. His actions are steadfast and radiant, not only known to the envoy but believed by the Master as well.”

Liu Biao’s eyes lit up and he nodded gently. “Well said! Your answers are exemplary. Not only did Bo Yu advance in virtue, but others can do so as well. I see you both grasp the essence deeply.”

“The Governor flatters us. These are lessons my grand-uncle has often shared with me. I still do not fully understand them, but I have memorized them and recite them to myself.”

Shen Chen credited Deng Hong, understanding that as an adult, Deng Hong was better positioned to act. Bringing him to the forefront was essential.

Originally, Liu Biao was convinced of Deng Hong’s talent and intended to recruit him, but, as if compelled by fate, he asked, “Explain, then, ‘The gentleman ascends, the petty man descends.’ What does it mean?”

Deng Hong hesitated for a long moment before mumbling, “The gentleman advances upwards, the petty man sinks downwards...”

At that moment, he wished he could disappear, for Liu Biao’s brow furrowed once again.

“The gentleman follows heavenly principles and thus ascends to enlightenment. The petty man pursues selfish desires and thus sinks to depravity. Just as the Ten Attendants wielded power, deceived the Emperor for wealth and fame—such is the conduct of the petty man. The partisans rose in opposition; this is the uprightness of the gentleman, pursuing heavenly reason. The distinction between high and low is but a matter of a single thought, and the opportunity to ascend is ever-present.”

Shen Chen replied calmly, deftly flattering Liu Biao more skillfully than Deng Hong. Unbeknownst to him, the facade was beginning to wear thin.

Liu Biao looked first at Deng Hong, then at the upright, solemn Shen Chen. By now, even a fool could see the truth: Deng Hong was not the main character; the child was.

How could an adult fail to answer every question, while a child responded fluently? Unless Deng Hong was deliberately helping his grandniece gain recognition.

Of course, Liu Biao understood why Deng Hong had come: to secure a foothold in Jingzhou, to obtain an official position. But if he did not showcase his own abilities, letting a child shine instead, did Liu Biao really intend to appoint a seven- or eight-year-old to office? Obviously impossible.

Thus, there was only one conclusion: the child’s learning far surpassed Deng Hong’s.

With that realization, Liu Biao’s gaze toward Shen Chen grew more meaningful. He fell silent, and the atmosphere in the hall became awkward.

Granduncle and grandniece exchanged nervous glances, worried that Liu Biao would see through Deng Hong’s lack of learning and expel them. If that happened, their money would be wasted, and their clan’s prospects in Jingzhou would dim.

Unexpectedly, Liu Biao did not grow angry. After a long pause, his gaze sharp, he asked Shen Chen, “Did your grand-uncle truly teach you all this?”

Shen Chen replied, “Governor, these are principles my grand-uncle shared with me while teaching. He is naturally reserved and not skilled in speech; perhaps meeting the Governor made him nervous and forgetful. I am young, and seeing you so kindly, I speak without much reservation.”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“Nonsense.”

Liu Biao feigned anger, “You are deceiving me.”

Shen Chen stood firm, “I am not deceiving the Governor. Every word is true.”

Deng Hong, fearing Liu Biao’s wrath, hastily interjected, “The child’s words are impudent; I beg the Governor’s pardon.”

“Haha, what an amusing child you are!”

Liu Biao laughed heartily, looking to Deng Hong, “With such a child in your clan, you are destined for greatness.”

To possess, at such a young age, an understanding of the classics that even scholars in their thirties and forties had not attained—was this not talent bestowed by Heaven? If nurtured well, her future achievements would surely be extraordinary.