12dz Chapter 137 You Don't Need to Underestimate Yourself
Chapter 137 You Don't Need to Underestimate Yourself
Helan Dian replied, "My father once served as an official in the north. That winter, heavy snow fell. The Marquis of Zhenbei returned victorious from a battle, just as my elder brother was born. The Marquis of Zhenbei saw the snow covering the Helan Mountains in the distance and named him Helan Xue. I am just benefiting from my elder brother's good fortune."
Helan Xue is Helan Dian's eldest brother.
Among the younger generation in Qin Du, He Lanxue is considered outstanding. Qin Yizhen had also heard of her by chance, and it is said that she is currently compiling the Records of the Grand Historian.
The He family is harmonious, and the eldest son is outstanding. He is the respected elder brother of his younger siblings. If it comes to marriage, they are indeed a good family.
"So that's how it is. It was actually Marquis Zhenbei who took it." Qin Yizhen thought of Marquis Zhenbei, Huo Yuan, and felt a deep sense of regret.
If we're talking about famous generals of Eastern Qin, Huo Yuan was even more renowned than Cheng Yan, the Marquis of Pingxi.
However, their responsibilities were very different.
Huo Yuan was stationed in the north of Eastern Qin, serving as a bulwark against the northern barbarians. Not only in Eastern Qin, but also among the four kingdoms, he was highly respected.
Cheng Yan primarily served to govern the country, quell internal strife, and defend against invasions from other nations. To the people of Dong Qin, he was indeed a divine general, but to the other nations, he was nothing short of a nightmare.
The two men, one facing external threats and the other internally, ensured peace in Eastern Qin.
Qin Yizhen sighed as she thought of the fortuitous encounter between Empress Dowager Cheng and the Marquis of Zhenbei.
"The Marquis of Zhenbei hasn't returned to Qin Capital for many years, has he?" In the previous life, after Cheng Yan passed away, Huo Yuan returned. When Xi Liang invaded, Empress Dowager Cheng personally led the expedition, and it was he who was stationed in Qin Capital.
Not long after Empress Dowager Cheng returned, he went back to the north and rarely returned to the Qin capital.
Qin Yizhen suddenly felt a tightness in her chest. Perhaps it was because all living beings, whether emperors in high positions or ordinary people living mundane lives, have many regrets and helplessness.
Unfulfilled desires breed hatred and resentment.
He has weathered many storms throughout his life.
Qin Yizhen clenched her sleeves. If Cheng Yan hadn't died in her previous life, would she and Cheng Yan have lived such a cold life together?
Will not!
Qin Yizhen suddenly denied it. He was not a good-natured person. He had already tolerated her tantrums for a few years, which was the limit. If she continued to make a fuss, he might use some forceful means to make her understand clearly.
Madam He explained, "It wasn't named by the current Marquis of Zhenbei, but by the old Marquis of Zhenbei. Not long ago, my eldest son went to pay his respects to him. I heard that he hadn't been feeling well since winter."
The old Marquis of Zhenbei was Huo Yuan's father. After retiring, he lived a peaceful and comfortable life in Qin Capital, enjoying the company of his grandchildren. However, he had suffered many injuries during his years in the military, and now that he was getting old, he was always feeling unwell.
In fact, the missed connection between Empress Dowager Cheng and Huo Yuan was also due to this old Marquis of Zhenbei. In their youth, the young man and woman fell in love with each other and thought they could stay together for life.
Later, the old Marquis of Zhenbei forced Huo Yuan to marry the daughter of his subordinate, and only allowed Empress Dowager Cheng to enter the household as a concubine. Empress Dowager Cheng was then pressured by Zhang Shi to give her to the old man with more than a dozen concubines as a concubine.
To protect herself and to make Huo Yuan give up on her, Empress Dowager Cheng resolutely became Emperor Taizong's concubine.
They each married other and had no further connection.
It ultimately became a regret.
"What's wrong? Has the imperial physician been summoned to see him?" Qin Yizhen frowned. Although this old Marquis of Zhenbei had broken up a couple's marriage, he was still a meritorious official of Eastern Qin, and Qin Yizhen was still worried about his health.
Madam He said, "It's an old ailment. After spring arrived, there was a lot of rain, and she said her legs hurt. We've called the imperial physician, but she can only rest and recover."
Qin Yizhen nodded, thinking to herself that she should tell Emperor Jing'an to arrange for another imperial physician to take a look, only then would it be proper.
Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. Even if this person was a villain who broke up a marriage, as an emperor, he should still care more about these meritorious and capable officials, especially this one who spent most of his life guarding the mountains and rivers in the north.
"Let's not talk about that. Young Master He, you said you're studying at Qingshan Academy. What kind of books are you studying? Are you planning to pursue a career in government?"
Helan Dian replied, "Your Highness, I do wish to pursue an official career, but my aptitude is mediocre. I'm afraid that passing the imperial examination and becoming a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination) in this lifetime would be considered quite good."
"Even with mediocre talent, one can still pass the imperial examination and become a scholar; that's a testament to diligence and hard work." Qin Yizhen smiled. "Just do your best."
Given the He family's circumstances, if the third young master of the He family weren't mediocre, he probably wouldn't have agreed to this marriage.
In retrospect, both families got what they wanted. The Marquis of Pingxi wanted to find a good marriage for Zhao Rufang, while the He family used a mediocre illegitimate son with little future to maintain relations with the Marquis of Pingxi.
They didn't ask for much, only that out of consideration for Zhao Rufang's brother's kindness, the young couple would visit the He family during festivals to bring gifts and pay their respects to the princess and the marquis. This would be entirely beneficial to the He family.
After all, these two are not people that just anyone can meet, nor are they people that just anyone can send gifts to.
Zhao Rufang was worried that she wasn't beautiful enough to attract the third young master of the He family. In fact, as long as she wasn't ugly and didn't have any major flaws, the He family would have married her with great fanfare.
However, Qin Yizhen asked another question: "If you can't become an official in the future, what will you do? You can't just keep taking the exam and studying your whole life, can you?"
Helan Dian replied, "Your Highness, if I fail to pass the imperial examination by the age of thirty, I plan to find an academy to teach. I will continue to take the exam while teaching. If I still fail by the age of forty, I will then focus on teaching and educating people."
"Please forgive my poor son, Princess. I have no other skills besides reading a few books."
Qin Yizhen nodded: "Actually, if you can't become an official, being a teacher is not bad either. Every profession in this world is extremely important. Military generals guard the mountains and rivers, and civil officials govern the four directions. It does sound the most magnificent."
"But as a teacher who imparts knowledge and resolves doubts, he is also worthy of respect. No military general or civil official in this world is self-taught. Without teachers imparting their knowledge and skills, they would not have their current abilities."
"You don't need to belittle yourself."
"You should know that the reputation and achievements of every student you have taught are also a part of your merit. This is a meritorious deed that will last for thousands of years. If you can teach an outstanding minister, you will also have a place in the annals of history."
He Lan Dian's heart was pounding, and he felt as if his heart was about to jump out of his chest.
For scions of prominent families like them, whose talents are truly mediocre and who are unwilling to live a life of idleness and mediocrity, many would choose to become teachers. At least they have read many books and can teach a novice scholar.
This was originally their last shred of dignity and stubbornness, but now, hearing the princess say this, they suddenly felt noble.
They may be mediocre and not qualified to be officials, but if they can educate good and capable ministers for the world, that would be a great merit, wouldn't it?