The First Lackey Under The Empress

"What are you thinking about?"

Inside the Xiuwen Hall, Mo Chou had come over at some point, sitting beside Zhao Du'an and curiously inquiring as she stared at him.

Zhao Du'an snapped out of his reverie, subconsciously closing the documents in his hand, and said in surprise, "Why are you crowding around?"

Mo Chou said matter-of-factly, "I'm not good at these things; I can't help."

Although she had attended classes in the palace school with the Third Princess, the teachings of the sages were useless to her; she only had a superficial understanding, and now she had long returned it to the teacher.

"Oh, what a coincidence, I'm not good at it either."

Zhao Du'an smiled and pointed at the documents with his finger, saying:

"This Mr. Zhengyang seems to make a lot of sense; he's quoting from all sorts of classics."

Mo Chou sighed, pressing her finger on the "plum blossom makeup" between her eyebrows, and lamented:

"Otherwise, how could he be revered as the next generation's literary sage? Do you have any thoughts on this?"

As the female prime minister who had repeatedly underestimated Zhao Du'an and been repeatedly slapped in the face, she had a somewhat metaphysical belief in Zhao Du'an's abilities.

Although reason told her that her "love rival" was unlikely to achieve anything in this field, but…

"No," Zhao Du'an shook his head frankly, threw the documents on the table, and smiled, "What I'm good at isn't this."

After hesitating, he chose not to voice his thoughts on the spot.

Because, although he had glimpsed some interesting and debatable points from Zhengyang's theories, Zhao Du'an was not confident.

Ultimately, whether in his previous life or this one, he was not good at academic research.

In his limited memories, belonging to the original owner of the body, the scholars of the Great Yu Dynasty had a complete set of procedures for "debating knowledge," just like citing legal clauses.

Moreover, although he had some breakthroughs, he didn't know how effective they would be.

Therefore, in terms of scholarship itself, it would be more reliable to let the expert Grand Tutor Dong handle it.

As for providing ideas to Grand Tutor Dong, Zhao Du'an was very cautious, because Grand Tutor Dong and Zhengyang actually didn't have major disagreements academically; they were both very similar to the Neo-Confucian school of thought.

It was only after the Empress ascended the throne that Grand Tutor Dong, in order to find legitimacy for the Empress's regime, skewed his position on an academic level.

What Zhengyang wanted to do was to correct his skewed position…

As for Zhao Du'an's own theory, which leaned towards the philosophy of mind… how should he put it? He was worried that if he said it now, it might not have a good impact on Zhengyang, but it might directly collapse Grand Tutor Dong's Dao heart…

If he killed his own side before killing the enemy, that would be terrible.

Therefore, for the sake of prudence, he planned to go back and collect more information to gain a more thorough understanding.

And try to find an opportunity to secretly stab that Zhengyang before the "academic debate," preemptively ambushing him once.

This way, even if the Confucian philosophy of mind he had mastered couldn't defeat Zhengyang, it could shake the other party's Dao heart and increase Dong Xuan's chances of winning.

Yes, it's like messing with the opponent's mentality before a sporting event; very insidious.

But when facing enemies, there's no harm in being a little insidious.

"Is that so?" Mo Chou was a little disappointed, glanced at the armor on his body, and asked curiously:

"Did you come from the Shenji Camp?"

Zhao Du'an said "Oh" and briefly narrated the incident of the Hengwang Shizi (Prince Heng's heir) causing trouble.

Mo Chou's expression changed uncertainly, and she frowned: "It seems that Prince Heng is also very restless."

"Yes," Zhao Du'an sighed, implying something, "Once the Frost's Descent passes, winter won't be far away."

Mo Chou pondered for a moment and said:

"You said he drove the Donghu female head like a slave? That Madam Xiao, after entering the city, has been inquiring about opening the market and the matter of the appointed imperial merchants. As far as I know, she has successively visited officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites, sounding them out."

The big ice cube has also figured out some of Xu Zudi's intentions.

Zhao Du'an said calmly:

"I've already sent people to investigate. I have a premonition that this matter is not over. By the way, I almost forgot, Xue Shensce told me that he heard that Zhao Shixiong and Mu Wang of Yunfu Dao are also very close. Does Your Majesty know about this?"

Mo Chou's expression was solemn, and she looked at him deeply, saying:

"That is indeed the case."

Zhao Du'an, who had completed his mission as a messenger, sighed:

"What a fine autumn day."

…

After sitting in the Xiuwen Hall for more than an hour, Zhao Du'an further understood the opponent's situation through conversations with the scholars.

Then he got up and bid farewell, returned to the Zhao Yamen to deal with the follow-up of the morning's affairs, and learned after arriving that Hou Renmeng and several others had already taken action in advance and drafted regulations for rectifying discipline.

Zhao Du'an followed the trend and summoned many Jinyi from Lihuatang to speak.

Although it was impossible to completely eliminate it and become disciplined all at once, at least he made a start, and would restrain this group of troublemakers for a period of time in the future.

At the same time, Zhao Du'an also obtained the information investigated by his subordinates:

Madam Xiao and her party were intercepted by the heir apparent when they were about to leave the Qingzhou Dao territory, who was also rushing to the capital for leisure.

"Investigated so quickly? Is it reliable?" Zhao Du'an asked suspiciously.

Hou Renmeng said seriously: "It was from a servant beside the female head of the Xiao family, who mentioned it to the shop assistant of the Xiao family's shop in the city in conversation."

Zhao Du'an felt that things were becoming more and more interesting.

As dusk approached, Zhao Du'an returned home, deliberately changing to a street where scholars gathered more often to go home.

As expected, along the way, he heard many people discussing the academic debate five days later.

The duel between the two great Confucian scholars from the north and south was clearly an event that would cause a sensation and attract the entire city.

Visibly, the number of scholars gathered on both sides of the street had increased a lot.

"Sir, I heard that many students from academies outside the city have abandoned their studies and ran back to join in the fun. The Imperial College is even more chaotic, clearly divided into two factions arguing endlessly," the coachman Xiao Wang said with emotion.

Zhao Du'an sighed: "It seems that there are still many elm heads in the city who have been made foolish by reading, and oppose His Majesty in their hearts."

Xiao Wang immediately didn't dare to say anything.

Zhao Du'an said quietly:

"Tell the people below tomorrow to secretly record which scholars are making a fuss these days, waving the flag for the Zhengyang school. These are all unstable factors. Alas, are you or these scholars simply stupid from memorizing, only knowing how to cling to books and dogmas, or are you too smart?"

Xiao Wang thought for a while and said:

"Perhaps it's because they haven't been promoted by His Majesty, haven't gotten official positions, or haven't gotten benefits, so they're indignant."

Zhao Du'an looked at the coachman in surprise and sighed:

"Every dynasty is the same; who says it isn't?"

The carriage drove through the bustling city, crossed the street, and arrived outside the Zhao residence.

The servants who heard the movement opened the door to greet him.

Zhao Du'an stepped into the courtyard and saw You Jinhua迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎迎上去，一边给 他 卸 甲 ， 一边 说 道 ：

"Someone just sent over a letter."

"Whose invitation?" Zhao Du'an stood in the hall, his arms outstretched, enjoying his concubine removing his armor with his eyes closed.

You Jinhua said hesitantly:

"It's not an invitation. It's all mysterious. I don't think it's simple. It's an appointment for you to meet tomorrow. The signature is a woman's name, something like Xiao Dong'er."

Zhao Du'an suddenly opened his eyes.

Madam Xiao?

Inviting him to meet?

…

That night, the most heated topic in the city was naturally the Plum Garden academic debate between Mr. Zhengyang and Grand Tutor Dong.

Zhao Du'an knew, however, that this was just the beginning. The next few days would be a time for Dong Xuan to prepare, as well as a time for the news to spread and the topic to ferment.

The next morning.

Zhao Du'an first went to Lihuatang as usual to deal with official business. Around noon, he changed into an inconspicuous casual outfit and found a restaurant to have a meal.

Then, estimating the time, he changed his appearance with an easy-to-use mask and quietly merged into the crowd.

He finally appeared in a certain residential area, walked along the alley for a while, and arrived outside a residence with a plaque hanging on the lintel that read "Chayong Xiaozhai."

Knocking on the metal knocker, a servant opened the door.

Zhao Du'an reported Madam Xiao's name, and the latter immediately welcomed him in.

The courtyard of the residence was quite elegant, similar to the "Qinglian Xiaozhu" that Zhao Du'an had once gone to in order to deal with Zhang Changji.

But it wasn't for flesh trade, but a more serious type, specially for gatherings of three or five friends.

Many people who didn't want to go to restaurants and teahouses would choose this type of private residence for gatherings.

This "Chayong Xiaozhai" specializes in "stove-side tea brewing."

After Zhao Du'an entered, he found that he was the only guest here today. The owner of the studio seemed to have been instructed in advance, and didn't say any extra words throughout the whole process, leading Zhao Du'an to a bamboo sliding door-style house.

Passing through the house, a delicate small courtyard was arranged with a mud stove, covered with an iron net, which could be used for brewing tea, and also had many foods that could be grilled and eaten.

Zhao Du'an waved his hand, declining the kindness of the people here to help him grill, and after driving them away, he took off the disguise mask and restored his original appearance.

Then he started to do it himself, and with great interest clamped up rice cakes, sliced oranges, persimmon cakes and other foods, and roasted them on the stove.

In the coldness of late autumn, it was indeed a leisurely and elegant enjoyment.

After about a cup of tea's time, he heard footsteps approaching.

A figure wrapped in a black cloak, swaying gracefully, walked in alone.

"Madam Xiao has found a good place, but since it's an invitation, the guest has to wait first. Shouldn't that be the way Donghu treats guests?"

Zhao Du'an didn't even bother to lift his eyelids, his hands still operating the iron fork, roasting the oranges with great interest.

The cloaked person walked to the front, next to the empty chair.

From the sleeve popped out a pair of well-maintained delicate hands, taking off the cloak, revealing the woman's smooth forehead and cheeks.

Xiao Dong'er was still wearing that dark Mamian skirt inside, but the pattern had changed, making it more formal.

Appearing at this moment, it was quite different from yesterday's appearance of a noble vase and a Qin player.

Bending her body and lowering her head, she said apologetically:

"This widow has been very rude, presumptuously troubling the lord to come in person, it's really difficult to find time, please forgive me, lord."

Zhao Du'an took back the iron fork, stuffed the hot orange segments into his mouth, slowly chewed, closed his eyes and tasted the taste on his lips and teeth, then casually said:

"Sit down. This official doesn't like talking while looking up."

Madam Xiao twisted her round hips and slowly sat down, her eyes bright on that face of national prosperity and people's peace.

Reaching out and picking up the boiling teapot, pouring tea for him, she said apologetically:

"This widow didn't dare to expect that the lord would really come to the appointment. Yesterday's first meeting was very offensive, really…"

Zhao Du'an threw the warm iron fork onto the stove, raised his eyelids, and finally looked at this Donghu female head, half-smiling:

"This official finds the word 'widow' jarring to the ear. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that there is much gossip in front of a widow's door. This official doesn't want to cause trouble. Change the address."