The First Lackey Under The Empress

How does one debate academic questions with a renowned scholar?

Before stepping into White Deer Academy, Zhao Du'an had many thoughts. He didn't understand the ways of those literati, nor did he need to.

Since it was just a private meeting between a few people, and there was no need to consider the needs of the "audience" as in a public lecture, it would be better to express his thoughts directly.

This little poem was something he had seen when reading about the "Ehu Temple Conference" in his previous life.

The original line in the second verse was "Ancient sages passed down only this heart," meaning that this heart of the School of Mind had been passed down from ancient sages like knowledge, from generation to generation to this day.

But this understanding is not accurate, because in the theory of the School of Mind, everyone possesses the heart of a sage.

The so-called original heart, original nature, according to Zhao Du'an's own understanding, is more similar to the colloquial "natural disposition" of later generations.

Therefore, the heart of a sage is not different from the heart of ordinary people. The only difference lies in the fact that the minds of ordinary people are obscured by desires and covered in dust.

Therefore, he took the liberty of changing the second line to "Ancient sages and modern people share this heart," which is more in line with the true meaning.

The meaning of the whole poem, translated, is roughly:

From childhood, people know benevolence and respect. Throughout history, whether sages or mortals, all have the same "this heart." Only with the foundation of "heart" can we build the high-rise of ethics. I have never heard of a mountain being formed without a foundation. If we only "linger on explanations and annotations" and "focus on subtleties," burying ourselves in piles of paper, pondering what annotations this character has and how that word should be interpreted, it will make our original heart "obstructed" and our lives sink. Today, we must cherish this exchange, for only then is there true joy.

Hmm...

This poem not only directly expounds the true meaning of mind is principle, but also criticizes the past habits of the Great Yu Dynasty's orthodox learning, which involved delving into and pondering the chapters and sentences of classics...

Hearing this, it undoubtedly felt extremely provocative to Master Zhengyang.

Lu Cheng faintly showed anger, and Scholar Song didn't dare to say a word.

As for Zhao Pan, as expected, a dazed look appeared on the young girl's face.

With her knowledge, she had no problem recognizing words, but going deeper, she completely couldn't understand.

She found it profound despite not understanding...

However, what happened next surprised Zhao Pan even more.

After her brother recited a strange poem, the renowned scholar in front of her actually began to discuss with Zhao Du'an seriously.

Yes.

Discussion! An academic discussion!

It was not a one-sided lecture, but a back-and-forth, question-and-answer discussion between the two sides... or rather...

A debate.

A debate? Her brother debating academic questions with a contemporary great scholar?

No matter how you heard it, it sounded like a fantastic tale.

Zhao Pan's autumn-water-like eyes revealed surprise. She tried her best to listen, but could only catch meaningless phrases such as "fragmented," "simple effort," "transcending words and directly approaching the root."

As for the specific meaning, she couldn't quite understand.

She raised her head to look at the two scholars standing opposite her, also watching the debate, but saw that Lu Cheng and Scholar Song had gradually sunk into the heated debate between the two, from the initial displeasure and doubt, and were now silent.

At first, they could occasionally interject a few words, but later, they seemed to be possessed, only listening quietly.

Zhao Pan opened her mouth. In her eyes, the two debaters seemed to be playing a game of Go without visible pieces.

Even though she, a complete layman, couldn't understand the subtleties at all, the fact that the number one "Go player" in the world treated it so solemnly made her realize that what her brother was saying was extremely profound academic reasoning.

But... why?

Zhao Pan couldn't understand, and when the young girl came back to her senses, she didn't know how much time had passed.

"How can this be! Prefect Zhao, your view on the investigation of things is too biased! As you said, the so-called investigation of things is to use a grid called 'mind' to frame what you see, judging right and wrong, good and evil? This kind of understanding is too different from what the sages said!"

Master Zhengyang, wearing a square hat, with a beautiful beard under his chin, wearing a Confucian robe and a cloak, slammed the table and stood up excitedly, his emotions agitated.

At this moment, he had been completely dragged into the deep pit of debate by Zhao Du'an, and was hooked.

Moreover, after several rounds of debate, Zhengyang had already realized that the words "mind is principle, unity of knowledge and action" probably really came from the young man in front of him.

At the very least, the possibility of Dong Xuan sending him to relay the message was close to zero.

Whether a person truly understands a subject and comprehends it thoroughly... with Zhengyang's insight, he could naturally distinguish it after a few words.

He was very sure that, not to mention whether this so-called "School of Mind" was established by Zhao Du'an.

But at least, Zhao Du'an really understood it, so he could debate with him back and forth.

Rather than being a messenger, a human loudspeaker.

What shocked him even more was that as the debate deepened, the other party presented a theory that was so complete, harmonious, and self-consistent...

If it were only like this, it would not be enough to make him lose his composure.

The most fatal thing was that Zhengyang had been guarding the tomb in Yunfu for ten years, studying academic questions meticulously, and he had already noticed that there was something wrong with the old doctrines of the Great Yu Dynasty.

In his heart, he had secretly sprouted a similar idea to the School of Mind, but it was far from clear.

This was also the reason why Zhao Du'an had a feeling of "there is a little sprout of the School of Mind mixed in with the School of Principle" when he read his works in the Xiuwen Hall!

Therefore, the more he debated, the more he was horrified to find that what the young man in front of him said, in many places, actually echoed his insights over the years!

Even...

In this debate, some of Zhao Du'an's words gave him a sense of sudden enlightenment!

In other words, Zhengyang at this moment was equivalent to a master from the School of Principle, gradually rebelling, giving birth to a foundation of the School of Mind, but still seeing flowers in the fog.

At this time, he directly encountered Wang Yangming, whose School of Mind was fully developed and whose theory was already complete...

The impact on his heart can be imagined.

If Zhao Du'an debated with Dong Xuan using this theory, Dong Xuan might not have such a big reaction, and would only think that the two people's theories had huge differences.

That's all.

But Zhao Du'an was dealing with Zhengyang...

"Old sir, calm down. I think it's getting late today, why don't you go back and think about it, sort out your thoughts, and we can discuss it again at this time tomorrow?" Zhao Du'an said with a smile.

He was controlling the rhythm of the debate.

He realized that compared to arguing everything in one breath, stopping appropriately sometimes had a better effect.

"It's a deal!"

Zhengyang raised his head, saw that dusk had arrived, took a deep breath, dropped this sentence, and walked out with his two disciples who were still a little dizzy.

"Sir..." Lu Cheng and Scholar Song looked at each other, the shock in their hearts had not yet dissipated, stomped their feet, and had no choice but to chase after him.

Watching the other party leave.

Zhao Du'an rubbed his face, exhaled, and muttered:

"It doesn't seem as difficult as I thought."

"What?" The girl in the goose-yellow skirt and green jacket next to him spoke, her eyes both admiring and doubtful, "Isn't this Zhengyang going to discuss academic questions with the Grand Tutor the day after tomorrow? Will he still be willing to come out tomorrow?"

Zhao Du'an smiled without saying a word, did not answer, just stood up and dragged his sister home, and instructed:

"Don't tell anyone about today's events."

...

The setting sun sank, and the capital ushered in another night.

The atmosphere of discussion in the city about the plum garden academic debate the day after tomorrow rose to another level, and countless people were looking forward to the duel between the two contemporary great scholars.

But almost no one knew that the battle had already begun in the desolate White Deer Academy before people knew it.

A night without words.

Another day, also the last day of the countdown.

Grand Tutor Dong did not rest, and still took advantage of the last time limit on this morning to give a lecture at the Imperial College.

At noon, when Dong Xuan, wearing a Grand Academician's robe and with frost on his temples, left the Imperial College and returned to the Xiuwen Hall, he was immediately surrounded by a group of academicians.

"Grand Tutor, this is the information you wanted..."

"Grand Tutor, His Majesty sent supplements to replenish your energy and nourish your spirit..."

"Grand Tutor..."

The academicians spoke one after another. Everyone put down their desk work. As scholars, how could they not be nervous and uneasy?

Dong Xuan sat in the chair in the main seat of the room, showing fatigue on his face. He raised his hand to take the teacup offered by Han Zhou, took a sip, moistened his dry throat, and then slowly said:

"How is the public opinion in the city?"

Wang You, the son of the Minister of Rites, said: "It's okay. More people support you."

Dong Xuan glanced at him and sighed: "Is it just more?"

Everyone didn't say a word. They all understood that occupying the geographical advantage and popular support of the capital, but not being able to achieve a one-sided public opinion was a dangerous signal in itself.

"Forget it, how is the preparation for the plum blossom conference debate tomorrow?" Grand Tutor Dong finally asked in a deep voice, having seen great storms.

The door of the room suddenly opened, and the "female prime minister" Mo Chou stepped in and said calmly:

"According to His Majesty's meaning, tomorrow His Majesty, Duke Yuan, the Prime Minister, and other important officials will not go. The plum garden will be mainly for scholars."

Grand Tutor Dong nodded and said: "Very good."

For the imperial court, it lacked confidence in tomorrow's debate. In this way, the Empress must reduce the specifications and impact of this matter.

As long as the top figures in the court do not participate, the influence of this matter can be greatly reduced.

It was easy to imagine that although the Empress and the others wouldn't be present in person, they would undoubtedly be closely monitoring the news from the venue.

"Don't all wear such long faces, so gloomy, as if you're hoping the old man loses."

Grand Preceptor Dong glanced around at everyone, a smile on his face, "By the way, where's Zhao Du'an today?"

This was a deliberate change of subject.

Zhao Du'an had been visiting the Cultivation Hall every day for the past few days.

"He hasn't arrived today, perhaps he'll come later," Han Zhou forced a smile.

Grand Preceptor Dong chuckled and scolded:

"In the past, at events like these, that little rascal would always try to steal the spotlight. He's finally quiet this time. If he comes, I'll have to ask him if he wants the chance to compete tomorrow, see if he's up for it."

The others couldn't help but laugh, knowing that the Grand Preceptor was joking to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

"It's a pity, if Academician Zhao had dedicated himself to studying from a young age, with his intelligence, he might have really found a unique path and come up with something new," someone said.

"In my opinion, Academician Zhao is more likely to choose a simple and brutal approach, like sending someone to beat up Zheng Yang, so he can't come tomorrow."

"Haha… that's exactly the kind of thing Academician Zhao would do."

For a moment, the room was filled with lively air.

Mo Chou was also amused, but she turned to look at the autumn sky outside, remembering the day Zhao Du'an was seriously reading Zheng Yang's books, lost in thought.

She couldn't help but have a strange thought:

"Does he really have no ideas at all? Letting such a good opportunity to please His Majesty slip away? What is he doing right now? He wouldn't really go and beat up Zheng Yang, would he…"

… …

… …

White Deer Academy.

Under the towering ancient trees, amidst the rustling yellow leaves.

The second half of the debate quietly began without anyone knowing.

This time, the observers were still the same three from yesterday. Zhao Pan didn't understand, but insisted on coming to support her brother.

Lu Cheng and Song Juren's emotions were clearly different from yesterday.

— Last night, the teacher had been up almost all night again.

After a night, Zheng Yang looked even more haggard, but he had also sorted out his theories and began to debate with Zhao Du'an again.

Unfortunately, the rebuttals he had thought of overnight were quickly defeated by Zhao Du'an one by one.

Thanks to his previous work in the Great Secrets, his writing and eloquence were quite good.

Especially since he possessed the theories that Wang Yangming had honed to perfection with his life's work, it was quite unfair to use them against Zheng Yang.

Zheng Yang's attitude today also made Zhao Du'an feel a little strange.

If Zheng Yang had been standing on the position of a Neo-Confucian yesterday, vehemently defending orthodox learning and refuting Idealism.

Then today, the intensity of his rebuttal decreased, and he asked more questions and inquiries.

This led to less tension in the entire second half, especially in the eyes of Lu and Song, their teacher repeatedly raised questions, and Zhao Du'an talked eloquently, providing explanations like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox.

It felt like…

Seeking guidance!

Yes, seeking guidance!

Just like in the past, when they, as disciples, had doubts and sought guidance from their teacher, the same scene was happening here, but the person seeking guidance had become Zheng Yang, and the "teacher" who provided answers had become Zhao Du'an.

What a strange scene!

A great Confucian scholar of this era, a future sage of Confucianism, almost gave up defending and repeatedly asked a court lackey, a martial official, for guidance.

Inconceivable!

But Lu and Song, who had listened to Zheng Yang's debate, had a feeling of "of course." If Zhao Du'an's age was ignored, and his reputation was ignored.

Purely from the perspective of academic theory, although they didn't want to admit it, they had to say that it was enough to be among the top ranks of this era.

"… Old sir, to summarize what I've said, it's this sentence: 'The substance of the mind is without good or evil; the movement of intention is with good and evil. Knowing good and evil is conscience; doing good and removing evil is the investigation of things.'"

Zhao Du'an smiled and concluded, faintly saying:

"The Idealism I described, or what is also called Neo-Idealism, is roughly these. Do you have anything else to ask?"

Master Zheng Yang sat across the stone table, seemingly deep in thought. The autumn wind blew, his gray beard fluttered, and the cloak on his body also trembled.

He thought for a long time, finally raised his head, and slowly said, "I have one last question."

"Please speak."

Master Zheng Yang suddenly raised his hand and pointed to a flowering tree rooted in the wall of a stone wall not far away under the towering ancient trees in the courtyard.

Most of the unknown flowering tree had withered, with only a few leaves and a few curled small flowers hanging.

Zheng Yang said: "There is nothing outside the mind in the world. This flowering tree, blooming and falling in the deep courtyard, what does it have to do with my mind?"

Zhao Du'an slowly stood up, tidied his robes, looked down at the old Confucian scholar sitting opposite him, and said calmly:

"Before you saw this flower, this flower and your heart were both in silence. When you come to see this flower, then the color of this flower suddenly becomes clear, then you know that this flower is not outside your heart."

Zheng Yang was stunned.

Lu and Song behind him also looked at the flowering tree in the cracked wall, lost in thought.

When the three masters and disciples came back to their senses, they found that Zhao Du'an and his sister had already left.

Gently leaving, just like gently coming.

"Teacher, he left like this? Didn't we agree to debate again tomorrow?" Song Juren couldn't help but ask.

Senior Brother Lu Cheng glanced at his junior brother, who was much older than him, and said helplessly:

"Tomorrow is the Plum Garden Gathering. The teacher will discuss learning with Dong Xuan, so naturally he won't make another appointment."

He turned to look at the Confucian sage who was still sitting on the stone bench, staring blankly at the few withered leaves piled on the table, and said softly:

"Teacher? It's getting late, we should go back. You can't stay up all night again tonight, you have to rest well, otherwise you won't have any energy tomorrow."

Master Zheng Yang didn't speak, just sat there, Zhao Du'an's words echoing in his mind.

There was no expression, making it impossible to see what he was thinking, only that abnormal calmness on his face seemed to be brewing something extraordinary.

"Let's go back." After a long time, Master Zheng Yang slowly got up and said calmly.

Then he stepped out.

The two disciples followed behind, looking at each other, both aware of the huge change in their teacher's state of mind.

"Senior brother, what do you think is wrong with the teacher?" Song Juren couldn't hold back and asked in a low voice.

Lu Cheng, who was younger but more knowledgeable and composed, was silent for a moment, shook his head with a complicated expression, and said softly:

"I'm just worried that the teacher's mind has been corrupted by that Zhao Du'an. Forget it, let's wait until tomorrow, then we'll see the result."

… …

That night, Zheng Yang returned to the inn, and the candles in the room burned until late at night before being extinguished and he fell asleep.

Lu Cheng and Song Juren tossed and turned, unable to sleep all night.

Staring with wide eyes, they waited until the rooster crowed and dawn was approaching.

The day of the academic discussion finally arrived.

… …

Zhao Residence.

Zhao Du'an slept very well last night, very peacefully, and woke up early in the morning full of energy.

After eating with his aunt and sister, he didn't wear his official robes, but changed into embroidered silk clothes, walked out the door, and took "Little Wang's" carriage to Plum Garden.

Zhao Pan originally made a fuss about wanting to go with him, but Zhao Du'an stopped her:

"Today's Plum Garden Academic Discussion, although it's not an official occasion, it's not a place for sightseeing and banquets, it's not good to bring family members."

The girl stayed at home with a disappointed look on her face.

Plum Garden is on the Hun River, it is a garden quite popular with literati, and it is also the venue for the city's largest annual poetry gathering.

Today, when Zhao Du'an approached Plum Garden, he found that there were already many scholars gathered outside, all coming to join in the fun, and the atmosphere was extremely restless.

However, those who can enter Plum Garden are those with status and can get an "invitation card," so even though many people in the city are paying attention, they can only wait for the results.

"Lord Zhao, you're here too?"

When Zhao Du'an got out of the carriage, he saw Da Bingtuozi holding his arms, looking at him teasingly.

"Oh, Consort Mo also just arrived? We two are really destined, haven't we happened to meet several times now?" Zhao Du'an joked with a smile.

Mo Chou sneered and said: "Who is destined with you? I deliberately waited for you here."

Zhao Du'an was flattered: "Could it be that His Majesty has any instructions?"

Mo Chou rolled her eyes and walked into the garden with him, saying:

"His Majesty didn't give any instructions, I just wanted to confirm that you didn't play any tricks in secret, did you? Like plotting against Zheng Yang or something? Or using some means to coerce and calculate people again?"

Zhao Du'an cried out injustice:

"Am I such an image in your heart? If that Zheng Yang was a nobody, this official might have moved him, but with this person's reputation, how could I act rashly? To cause trouble for His Majesty?"

"…" Mo Chou responded with a chuckle, "It's good that you know."

Although she said that, there was some disappointment in her eyes.

—

Five thousand word chapter, typos will be corrected later.