The First Lackey Under The Empress

“Oh? Please, sit down.”

Taiwan Novel Website → ⓣ ⓦ ⓚ ⓐ ⓝ . ⓒ ⓞ ⓜ

Behind the wide desk, the renowned contemporary Confucian scholar smiled and gestured towards the empty chair in the room.

Zhengyang clearly had more patience for this student whom he valued highly.

He said with a smile, “For you to come and inquire so late at night, it seems it must be a difficult problem. Tell me, what is it?”

Lu Cheng did not decline, first taking a seat, and then respectfully addressing his esteemed teacher:

“May I ask, Master, how should ‘mind is principle’ be understood?”

“Is ‘extending innate knowledge’ feasible?”

“How should ‘the unity of knowledge and action’ be viewed?”

He didn't waste words, directly throwing out the questions bluntly, without further explanation.

Because he understood that his teacher didn't need it.

These three inexplicable terms, when heard by common people, would be completely bewildering and incomprehensible.

If ordinary scholars were to hear them, they could only understand the superficial meaning, unable to connect the three, and still not understand.

But to someone like Song Ju Ren, they could savor the profoundness…

However, for Zhengyang, there was no need for lengthy explanations or elaborations on the problems; just a few words were enough.

As he uttered these questions, the smile on Zhengyang's face gradually faded.

This contemporary Confucian scholar frowned, first savoring, then contemplating, and then gradually becoming engrossed.

No one spoke in the room, only the sound of insects chirping outside the window.

The two, teacher and student, were separated by the dim lampshade on the desk, both silent.

Lu Cheng didn't dare to interrupt his esteemed teacher. These few words, to him, were like a sharp dagger, tearing apart the fortress built up by decades of studying, causing the theoretical framework in his heart to tremble slightly.

Although far from the point of a Daoist collapse with just a few words, Lu Cheng had a premonition that 'mind is principle' was like a seed, already planted in his sea of ​​consciousness.

Even if he deliberately ignored or disagreed with it, he would never forget it from the moment he heard it.

Moreover, that seed would take root and sprout, gradually growing into a towering tree, arching open the solid city gate.

He even had a strong premonition that if this seed, like a dandelion, spread in the wind and scattered across the land,

it might grow into a new, colossal force in the future, shaking and impacting the original “orthodox learning.”

It was because he foresaw that possibility that he sincerely felt unease and fear.

Especially with the debate between his teacher and Dong Xuan imminent, such an idea that could shake “orthodox learning” from its very foundation suddenly emerged…

Was it a coincidence?

Lu Cheng dared not take it lightly; this was the biggest reason why he rushed over late at night!

Time passed slowly, and Lu Cheng gradually became restless, the fear in his heart spreading and growing wildly like weeds.

Because his esteemed teacher had not given an answer for a long time!

Could it be that even his esteemed teacher couldn't unravel it or refute it for a while?

After a long time.

Master Zhengyang finally looked at him, frowned, and slowly said:

“I need to think about it. Go back for now and come again tomorrow.”

Lu Cheng felt a burst of dizziness!

He was extremely familiar with these words. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he got up, cupped his hands, and walked out of the room with heavy steps, closing the door carefully.

After walking more than a dozen steps in the cold night, he turned around and only saw the reflection of his teacher, motionless and like a stone statue, on the window of the inn.

The night passed without a word.

As if nothing had happened, no one knew that the bullet that Zhao Du'an delivered from afar had silently struck Zhengyang's brow.

… …

… …

The next day dawned, which was also the third day before the "Plum Garden Academic Debate."

The tense atmosphere in the city became even more intense.

Zhao Du'an went to the Xiuwen Hall early in the morning, wanting to see how Grand Preceptor Dong was preparing.

But he was out of luck and was told that the Grand Preceptor had gone to the Imperial College.

Surprised, Zhao Du'an also went to the highest institution of learning in the Dayu Dynasty for the first time.

The one who received him was the Director of the Imperial College, a fourth-rank official, an old man with a scholarly demeanor and refined temperament.

“Prefect Zhao has graced us with his presence; a rare guest indeed.” The old Director greeted him with a smile.

Zhao Du'an smiled and went straight to the point:

“I heard that the Grand Preceptor is here, so I came to take a look.”

The old Director led him forward along a scholarly corridor. The pink and white walls were painted with plum blossoms, orchids, bamboos, and chrysanthemums, and even the red lacquered wooden pillars were inscribed with poems and verses.

As the two walked, they only saw a few instructors and students. The Imperial College seemed particularly empty today.

“The Grand Preceptor is lecturing in the main hall inside. The teachers and students in the college have all gone to listen.” The old Director explained.

Zhao Du'an asked in surprise, “Lecturing? At this time?”

The old Director explained seriously:

“Academic debates are not just about preparing behind closed doors. Although the Grand Preceptor does not need to publicize and build momentum, he will also rehearse and practice.”

According to him, in most cases, there are no secret weapons in matters of academic debate.

After all, both sides of the debate are famous Confucian scholars, and their views and works have long been made public, not secrets. Therefore, to win, in addition to the height of the scholarship itself, a certain amount of practice is also required.

Grand Preceptor Dong was using the Imperial College to hone his academic views, sorting them out through lectures, and accepting questions from the students to check for omissions and fill in gaps, and also to put himself in a state of eloquence.

“I see.” Zhao Du'an suddenly understood, sighing that he indeed lacked experience in such professional matters:

“Shall we go directly over?”

He could already hear faint voices coming from the front.

The old Director smiled and said, “If you want to listen, please follow me.”

With that, the old Director led him around a small path and up a two-story building.

When Zhao Du'an went upstairs, he couldn't help but be shocked:

“Your Majesty?!”

Standing by the railing on the second floor was the Dayu Empress, Xu Zhenguan, dressed in casual clothes and with flowing black hair!

“Your Majesty, why are you here too?”

Zhao Du'an instinctively smiled and walked forward quickly to salute.

Xu Zhenguan turned her head, her beautiful face with her eyebrows relaxed, and smiled:

“Are you allowed to come, but not I?”

“I don't mean that!” Zhao Du'an waved his hand quickly, and asked curiously, “Your Majesty is also watching the Grand Preceptor…”

“Yes.” Xu Zhenguan turned her head back and looked down.

Zhao Du'an stood beside her and followed her gaze.

From this angle, passing over a rockery, one could see a particularly spacious open-air lecture hall where Grand Preceptor Dong was lecturing on the stage. Below, the teachers and students of the Imperial College were densely packed, surrounded by water, which was a spectacular sight.

With the hearing of a cultivator, one could hear Dong Xuan's lectures and the conversations he had with the students.

“Your Majesty, I will go down first.” The old Director was a shrewd person. After leading the way, he went downstairs.

Xu Zhenguan had apparently arrived quietly, without bringing any attendants. At this moment, only the monarch and her subject were left on the pavilion.

“Grand Preceptor has become thinner in just a few days in order to deal with that Zhengyang.” A sigh appeared in Xu Zhenguan's eyes as she said softly.

Zhao Du'an stood in awe: “I have also heard that the entire Xiuwen Hall is busy with this matter. The Grand Preceptor is old, but he still has to shoulder this important task. He is indeed a pillar of the country.”

Xu Zhenguan said, “What is the public opinion outside the city?”

This was the tone of discussing work.

Zhao Du'an was a person who knew how to read the situation. In this atmosphere and occasion, he would not be annoying and flirt with her. He also said sternly:

“In general, naturally, there are more voices supporting the Grand Preceptor, but some scholars like to sing the opposite tune. I have sent people to keep an eye on them and compile them into a book, but now that the academic debate has not yet begun, there are too many people paying attention, and it is not easy to deal with. I plan to wait until the matter is over before screening them to see how many are restless.”

Xu Zhenguan did not express any opinion on this, which was considered a default.

She suddenly said, “Xu Zu Di entered the palace to plead for Yunyang, but I rejected him.”

There was such a thing… Zhao Du'an was slightly surprised, thinking that this heir was still thinking about his aunt who was confined in the nunnery…

The Empress's words were also expressing her attitude… Telling herself to rest assured?

Zhao Du'an agreed: “The Heir will definitely appreciate Your Majesty's good intentions.”

Xu Zhenguan smiled self-deprecatingly, with a few sighs in her beautiful eyes, not knowing whether it was for this sentence or for the uncles who were vying to attack her.

“That Zhengyang, was invited out of the mountain by Prince Mu. You know this, right?” Xu Zhenguan said softly.

Zhao Du'an nodded and asked curiously:

“Speaking of which, this Zhengyang is also strange. If he is hostile to us, why did he only come down the mountain to sing the opposite tune after three years? If he was bought by Prince Mu, he refused the court's invitation to join the Xiuwen Hall.

Could it be that he is really devoted and recognizes Prince Mu as his master? But coming to the capital is not a desperate situation, and he has left a trace of leeway. It's very strange.”

Since Zhenbao took the initiative to mention Prince Mu, Zhao Du'an did not have to avoid this topic. He resolutely stood on the Empress's side, filled with righteous indignation.

Xu Zhenguan said softly, “Because Zhengyang has received favors from Prince Mu.”

“Oh?”

“Zhengyang was born into an official family named Shi. He himself was an official in another place, with outstanding political achievements and extraordinary talent. His father was an official in Yunfu Road and later contracted a serious illness. At that time, Prince Mu took action and used the power of the palace to do his best to find famous doctors and give him rare and precious medicines, and put in a lot of effort to keep his father alive for two years.

After his father died, Zhengyang resigned and went back to observe mourning. Later, he immersed himself in learning, wrote books and established theories, and his reputation grew, but he was no longer willing to become an official.” Xu Zhenguan explained.

Zhao Du'an said in surprise:

“So, this person came to the capital to repay his kindness?”

That can explain why he didn't run out to sing the opposite tune in the first two years before the Empress ascended the throne, and now he has come to the capital.

“Probably,” Xu Zhenguan sighed:

“If I had known this, I might as well have forcibly kidnapped him, and saved myself the trouble today.”

After a pause, she turned to look at her confidant: “Who do you think will win this time?”