Chapter 207 – Edification

Author’s Note:

In ancient times, wise kings established laws and cultivated education. They made the three bonds correct and the nine categories orderly, so that the people lived in great harmony, and all things followed their proper course. – Zhou Dunyi, “Book of the Way: Music”

To hold oneself to high standards is good, but do not use them to measure others. To broaden one’s capacity is good, but do not tolerate what is wrong. To attack heresy and return to justice is right. – Southern Dynasties, Liang Dynasty, Ren Fang, “Preface to Wang Wenxian’s Collection”

Only the Son of Heaven receives the mandate from Heaven, the world receives the mandate from the Son of Heaven, and a country receives the mandate from its ruler. – Dong Zhongshu, “Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals”

Heaven’s mandate is not constant, only virtue is assisted. – Book of Documents, “Zhou Book: The Mandate of Duke Cai”

The people are most important, then the state, then the ruler. – Mencius, “Chapter on Exhausting the Heart, Section 14”

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Zhuang Zhuangyuan’s rank has changed. A top scholar is appointed as a sixth-rank official upon graduation. With the help of family and teachers, advancement to the next level after four years is acceptable. I wrote this in the afternoon while slacking off and rushed it, so I did not have time to check. A fifth-rank official can also serve as the governor of a prefecture in the provinces.