I run a training class in Shu Han

Chapter 32 Illiterate

At this moment, Zhuge Liang thought of the deceased Emperor Zhaolie of Han, Liu Bei.

After Huang Quan surrendered to Cao Wei, some people in the court suggested that Liu Bei arrest Huang Quan's family members in order to threaten him.

However, Liu Bei firmly opposed this, believing that he had wronged Huang Quan and continued to treat Huang Quan's family as before.

"When the late emperor entered Sichuan, Gongheng once loyally advised Liu Zhang not to accept him. Later, the late emperor raised an army to attack Yizhou, and all the counties surrendered at the first sign of trouble, but Huang Gongheng closed his city and defended it. In the end, he only submitted to Liu Zhang after Liu Zhang surrendered. He served his lord with utmost courtesy, which people considered flattery."

Hearing Zhuge Liang's sigh, Jiang Wan chimed in, "The late emperor established himself with benevolence and virtue, and had keen insight, which is why talented people from all over the world flocked to him."

Zhuge Liang replied, "You only know one side of the story. Huang Quan once offered a plan to the late emperor, but it was not adopted. After the late emperor was defeated at Yiling, he not only felt ashamed before Gong Heng, but also reflected on his underestimation of the generals of Yizhou."

"Now that the important ministers who followed the late emperor have passed away one after another, and the four commanderies of Jingzhou have been lost, if we want to rebuild our strength, we must make good use of the people from Yizhou. This is the late emperor's true intention."

The controversy and commotion caused by Huang Chong in the official residence had just subsided when another person stepped forward and said loudly, "Lord Dong, this humble general Wei Yong has some doubts and hopes that you can answer them."

Dong Yun had never heard of this person, nor did his name appear on the list.

But the man referred to himself as "this humble general," suggesting he was a soldier, and of relatively low rank.

"Please speak," Dong Yun said with a hearty laugh.

"We are uncultured men, illiterate. Joining the army means selling our strength and shedding blood, relying on accumulating military merits to advance step by step. But Your Majesty's new policies require us to read and write, to understand principles of morality. Isn't this asking the impossible?"

This statement garnered approval from some military generals.

"I agree. If I could read, I would have become an official long ago. Why would I risk my life on the battlefield?"

"This is unfair to us."

"In the military, ranks and rewards should be based on military merits, so as to inspire soldiers to be willing to die for their country."

After patiently listening to their complaints, Dong Yun slowly said, "I, Dong Yun, deeply sympathize with what you generals have said. Since ancient times, military ranks have been determined by military merit. It is indeed difficult to expect everyone to be literate in an instant."

"Before I begin my explanation, I would like to first tell you about the benefits of reading. May I?"

"Speak freely, Lord Dong!" many people answered loudly.

Throughout history, all great generals have understood military strategy, troop deployment, geography, and the art of command. How can one govern a country if one is illiterate?

"Furthermore, the books of sages can temper one's character and enable one to maintain a clear mind and a tenacious will in adversity, which is the great ability of a general."

"General Guan Yu, also known as Guan Yunchang, beheaded Yan Liang, flooded the seven armies, killed Pang De, and his fame shook the land. He was fond of the Zuo Zhuan and could recite it almost from memory."

"If even General Guan acted this way, shouldn't you all follow suit?"

"A person who only wants to defeat the enemy with brute force, but is ignorant of astronomy, geography, divination, yin and yang, battle formations, and military strategy, is a brave but reckless person."

After Dong Yun's speech, the entire audience was stunned, and no one objected.

Most of these people were low-ranking officers in the military. Even if they could read a few words, they didn't understand military strategy or tactics, let alone profound academic knowledge like Qimen Dunjia.

Dong Yun continued, "His Majesty instructed you to read and write so that you might be able to study military strategy, battle formations, astronomy, and geography in the future. It was by no means an attempt to make things difficult for you. As Sun Tzu's Art of War says, 'War is a matter of vital importance to the State; a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.'"

"A general's every plan and strategy determines the lives and deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers; how can one not value it?"

After he finished speaking, cheers erupted from the crowd once again.

"What Lord Dong said makes sense; a general should read more books."

Dong Yun pressed his hands down to signal for silence before continuing, "However, this assessment required all soldiers to read and write too hastily. In view of this, His Majesty has issued a decree that those who do not meet the academic standards but are qualified in military and political affairs, although in the ordinary class, may retain their positions."

"However, those who fail the assessment after the training will be demoted and reassigned."

These words dispelled the doubts of many generals, who cheered.

"Your Majesty is wise and benevolent, long live the Emperor!"

The cheers reached the teahouse where Liu Shan was, and Zhao Tong excitedly said, "Brother, so that's why you wanted me to study more!"

Liu Shan glanced at him and said, "If all you want to do in your life is guard this palace, then you don't need to study."

Zhao Tong murmured, "Being able to guard the palace for a lifetime is not bad."

"Useless!" Liu Shan complained.

Amid the people's praises, Guanfang became lively again, and many people began to extol the new policies.

This not only opens up a path to officialdom for ordinary people, but also allows more outstanding talents to hold high-ranking positions, contribute to the country, and benefit the people.

However, at this very moment, some people voiced their opposition.

"May I ask, Lord Dong, if a general is ignorant of academics and illiterate, even if he is familiar with military affairs, can he only be placed in the regular class?"

Dong Yun replied without hesitation, "Of course."

"Then we must report someone who is illiterate yet is in the advanced class. Is it possible that the Prime Minister's office intentionally assigned him?"

Dong Yun's face darkened.

As everyone knows, Zhuge Liang was an incorruptible official who promoted people based solely on their talents, and the Prime Minister's office would never have done such a thing as protecting him.

"May I ask who the general wishes to report?"

"General Wang Ping of the Yamen."

Although Dong Yun did not recognize him, he had heard the name Wang Ping when the official read out the name earlier.

Dong Yun was at a loss for words when he learned that an unknown person had been selected for the advanced class.

Why can't General Wang enter the advanced class?

"Lord Dong, according to the new policy, the Yamen Generals should be in the regular class, but General Wang is now in the advanced class, which is really puzzling."

"What is there to question? His Majesty appoints people based solely on their abilities. Those with outstanding skills can be promoted directly."

"That's true. But as everyone knows, Wang Ping is a martial artist who is illiterate. Even if he is very capable, he should be in the regular class."

Dong Yun hesitated.

If that's the case, then Wang Ping should indeed be in the regular class.

Upon hearing this, the common people lowered their heads and discussed it amongst themselves.

"Who is Wang Ping, the descendant of some general, or from some powerful family? How can someone I don't know be on the list?"

"Given Prime Minister Zhuge's character, he would never allow such a thing to happen; it must be due to corruption by his subordinates."

"With such poor judgment in appointing officials and such deception of superiors and subordinates, this imperial edict is hardly credible!"

Suddenly, public opinion began to shift to the other side.

"Brother, is the Wang Ping they're talking about the same Wang Ping who taught us archery and horsemanship?" Zhao Tong asked.

Liu Shan shrugged and said, "It should be."

"That would be a bad thing. I remember he said he couldn't read," Zhao Tong said anxiously.

Although Liu Shan was puzzled, he believed that the Prime Minister's office would never engage in fraud.

Moreover, he was a general who surrendered from the state of Wei.

"My skills are genuine; who dares to question me?"

With a roar, Wang Ping, his eyes wide open, pushed through the crowd and stood before Dong Yun.

"You are Wang Ping?" Dong Yun asked, noticing his burly build and rugged appearance, which indeed fit the description of a brave general who was not good at writing.

"It is indeed your humble servant."

"General Wang, some people are now questioning your case files. Do you have anything to say?"

"I am innocent. I wrote this case file word by word."

Before he could finish speaking, the general who had made the accusation immediately retorted, "General Wang, although you are exceptionally brave and have some knowledge of strategy, who in the army doesn't know that you can't write and only know a few characters? How could you possibly answer the questions?"

"That was before; I can write now."

"Learning to read is not difficult, but writing sentences requires years of dedicated practice. How can you expect people to believe you?"

"I wrote this word by word, whether you believe it or not."

"This is cheating! I refuse to accept this!"

"You're framing me!"

The shouts of the two echoed at the East Gate, and most of the onlookers did not believe that an illiterate person could master the skill in such a short time.

"Don't be impatient!"

Dong Yun stepped in and interrupted the argument between the two.

"Both generals have their own version of events; would you mind hearing what I have to say?"

Dong Yun was a close advisor to the emperor; who would dare to disrespect him?

"Please speak, Lord Dong."

"The new policies of the Imperial Academy were created by His Majesty and are of great importance to him. The examination process is also exceptionally strict, and I believe that no one would dare to engage in favoritism or cheating."

"Since the Prime Minister's office is the chief examiner for this examination, it will certainly be fair and just, and will never dare to bend the law for personal gain."

"Therefore, I believe that General Wang is truly talented and capable."

The people unanimously agreed.

You can doubt anyone, but you will never doubt the current emperor and Prime Minister Zhuge.

That's what word-of-mouth is.

"Lord Dong means that I have wronged General Wang Ping."

"No, I believe you are all right."

"Perhaps General Wang really did learn to read and write in a short period of time, who knows?"