Official learning, as the name suggested, meant doctrines officially recognized by the state.
Back then, the struggle between the Old and New Text School over official learning had nearly shaken the foundations of Later Han.
These classics were the foundation on which the great clans stood, the tools with which they maintained their academic monopoly. Before securing supreme power, one clearly could not touch them lightly.
But now, Cao Mao really had no fear of whatever trouble those great clans might stir up.
The War of Shu's Destruction had raised Cao Mao's standing to a terrifying height. Even if the Emperor of the Filial and Enlightened Ancestor crawled out of the ground, he would have to stand aside!
Originally, Cao Mao had only enjoyed the support of the officers and soldiers. Now, with the public fields opened to tenant farming, Great Wei's former tenant farmers were also profoundly grateful to him. With farmers and soldiers behind him, Cao Mao could swagger wherever he pleased.
Cao Mao summoned those gentlemen from the Bamboo Grove to the East Hall.
By now, Cao Mao had broken up the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove. Wang Rong had been arrested for accepting bribes and privately purchasing vast tracts of land, and would have to perform penal labor until at least fifty.
Shan Tao and Xiang Xiu had come straight ashore, formally throwing their lot in with Cao Mao and becoming officials of Great Wei.
Both now held posts in the Imperial Secretariat.
Ji Kang was halfway ashore as well. He was now delving into Wang Learning, hoping to find something within it that could heal the first half of his life. Only Ruan Ji, his nephew, and Liu Ling were still drinking.
Soon, these men appeared before Cao Mao.
They probably had not gathered