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In ancient times, there seemed to be no concept of retirement for officials. Either they resigned for some reason, or they continued working until they were physically unable to do so.
For example, Liu Hong, who was already advanced in age, was still sent by the court to Shanyang Commandery without any consideration for his age. Although he was appointed as the governor of a region, the journey from Luoyang to Shanyang in Yan Province was a grueling ordeal for an old man.
Moreover, Yan Province was a region severely affected by the Yellow Turban Rebellion. Liu Hong's task was not only to restore order and production but also to deal with the remnants of the Yellow Turbans who had turned into bandits. He even had to organize military campaigns to suppress them. Thus, taking on this position was no easy task.
Liu Hong was a descendant of Liu Xing, the Prince of Lu during the Eastern Han Dynasty. However, by his generation, the influence of the "Decree of Grace" had diluted his family's power to the point where it only slightly facilitated his entry into officialdom, with little other effect.
Liu Hong had a deep passion for mathematics from a young age, but it was only through Cai Yong's recommendation that his talents in arithmetic were recognized and his official career advanced.
First, he compiled the "Seven Luminaries Technique," followed by the "Eight Elements Technique," and together with Cai Yong, he supplemented the "Treatise on Harmonics and Calendrics" in the *Book of Han*. It could be said that his friendship with Cai Yong was forged through the exchange of ideas and intellectual collision in their collaborative works.
Is there anything more gratifying in life than having a confidant who understands you and shares your interests?
Fei Qian understood the bond between these two old men and quietly poured two cups of wine for them, then respectfully placed them before the two elders.
Liu Hong was the first to regain his composure. He raised his cup and toasted Cai Yong, "Come, Bo Jie, let's not act like children. Drink this cup!"
Cai Yong raised his cup in response, and the two drank together.
Liu Hong then turned to Fei Qian and said, "Ziyuan, you have a talent for arithmetic, but you must remain humble and dedicated to your studies. Do not become lazy or complacent."
Fei Qian quickly bowed in acknowledgment.
Liu Hong continued, "Your teacher, Cai Shizhong, is advanced in age. You must frequently attend to him and serve him as befits a disciple."
"Yes!" Fei Qian bowed again in agreement.
Liu Hong looked at Fei Qian with a serious expression and said, "It is good that you are amiable, but you must be cautious in choosing your friends. I heard that the other day you went drinking with Lü Bu, Lü Fengxian?"
Fei Qian was startled. The old man was well-informed! "It was a chance encounter, and I was moved by Lü Bu's years of service in defending the borders and pacifying the people. Moreover—"
Fei Qian glanced at the two old men and, seeing no significant change in their expressions, continued, "I feel that the world is in chaos, but my martial skills are lacking. So, I sought some advice from Lü Bu on self-defense techniques..."—He had to come up with a legitimate reason, didn't he?
After hearing this, Liu Hong and Cai Yong exchanged a glance and nodded, seemingly accepting Fei Qian's explanation.
Cai Yong said, "A gentleman is versed in the six arts. Since you put it that way, learning some martial techniques is not a problem. However, battlefield techniques can be harmful, so you must be cautious."
The scholars of the Han Dynasty were vastly different from the frail, bookish scholars of later generations. The key difference lay in the "six arts." Later generations, in order to better control intellectuals, subtly replaced the six arts of rites, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and mathematics with the *Book of Changes*, *Book of Documents*, *Book of Songs*, *Rites*, *Music*, and *Spring and Autumn Annals*—after all, a bookworm is easier to control than someone who is both cultured and martial.
As clearly recorded in the *Rites of Zhou*: "To educate the sons of the state, teach them the six arts: the five rites, the six types of music, the five types of archery, the five types of charioteering, the six types of calligraphy, and the nine types of mathematics." Among these, archery and charioteering were related to martial prowess, unlike later generations where everything was confined to books.
In the Han Dynasty, many scholars adhered to the ancient six arts and developed comprehensively. The famous Ban Chao, who abandoned his brush to join the military, is a prime example.
Therefore, when Fei Qian mentioned that his martial skills were lacking and that he wanted to learn from Lü Bu to improve them, Liu Hong and Cai Yong found it unremarkable. They simply reminded Fei Qian that Lü Bu's techniques were geared toward battlefield combat, which could be too intense and potentially harmful to the body, so he should be careful.
Having given their advice and received answers to their questions, Liu Hong felt that it was time to part. If fate allowed, they might meet again. If not...
Liu Hong poured himself another cup of wine and drank it, then poured one for Cai Yong and said, "Yuanzhuo is leaving, and I do not know when I will hear Bo Jie play the zither again. Bo Jie, would you play one last piece for Yuan Zhuo?"
Cai Yong nodded, his voice hoarse, "Very well. Ziyuan, fetch my zither."
Ah? Was he supposed to go back to the city to get the zither? No, the old man must have brought it! Sure enough, Fei Qian found an ancient-looking zither in Cai Yong's carriage.
After carefully carrying the zither over, Liu Hong craned his neck to look at it and said to Cai Yong with a smile, "I gave this zither to you, and now you use it to bid me farewell. What goes around comes around, as heaven decrees..."
After Fei Qian set up the zither and lit the incense, Cai Yong calmed his mind, sat behind the zither, and gently placed his hands on the strings.
Everything around them seemed to quiet down at that moment. Fei Qian felt as if he could only hear the sound of his own heartbeat...
Suddenly, Cai Yong's fingers fluttered like butterflies over the strings, and a continuous stream of notes filled the air—
Fei Qian felt as if he had been transported to a deep mountain, where a gentle breeze rustled the pine leaves, and a clear stream flowed down the mountain. It should have been a serene and refreshing scene, but for some reason, he felt a pang of sorrow...
At his feet was a winding mountain path, spiraling along the slopes. At the end of the path, a figure seemed to be walking further and further away...
Fei Qian suddenly wanted to call out to that figure, to stop it, but he couldn't catch up, and no sound came out. He could only watch helplessly as the figure gradually disappeared into the distance...
In the sky, a flock of wild geese flew by, their mournful cries echoing. The sorrow of parting turned into deep longing and heartfelt blessings...
Liu Hong listened with his eyes closed. At this point, he stood up and, without saying anything more to Cai Yong, flung his long sleeves to the sides and began to dance. His movements were broad and sweeping, imbued with an indescribable ancient charm. As he danced, he moved out of the pavilion, singing loudly:
"Strumming the green zither, a mournful tune resounds.
Singing a long song as I journey far, my heart is heavy.
Looking down at the flow of the Jing and Wei rivers, gazing up at the drifting clouds.
My dear friend is leaving, so go forth without hesitation..."
Tears streamed down Cai Yong's tightly closed eyes as he joined in:
"In the cold of early autumn, frost covers the morning forest.
Looking up and down, my heart aches, tears flow in solitude.
The yellow swan spreads its wings, flying to the ends of the earth.
Mountains high and waters wide, from now on, my longing will be endless..."
Amid the music and singing, Liu Hong boarded his carriage, and the procession gradually moved away along the official road, disappearing into the distance.