Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 519 Mr. Hengqu said that my Zhen Tian Si is not suitable for further studies?

Before the twenty-eight towering bronze pillars of the Zhen Tian Si (Heavenly Guardian), stood an elderly man with a short beard, dressed in a gray-blue Confucian robe, with his hands behind his back.

Behind him were two scholars in green robes, one of whom was over forty years old, with a robust build, and his faded white robe was taut.

Another female scholar, around twenty years old, with bright eyes and lively features, dressed in a brand-new robe.

The elderly man with his hands behind his back was Zhang Hengqu, the headmaster of the Imperial Academy of the Great Qin Dynasty, former Vice Minister of Rites, former Prefect of Nanrong County, and Duke Wen of Yan.

Behind him were two people: one was Baili Xi, a peak expert in the Dongming Realm who was a Confucian and Taoist instructor and martial arts instructor at the Imperial Academy; the other was Gongsun Jingguan, a Doctor of Etiquette from the academy and a member of the Gongsun family.

Gongsun Jingguan's elder brother was Gongsun Yan, the Vice Minister of Works.

Gongsun Yan was a learned man, skilled in designing tools and instruments, and had a deep understanding of metallurgy and river management. He was the most trusted person by Du Ruhui, the Minister of Works.

His Majesty also highly values ​​Gongsun Yan, and his own younger sister, Princess Yun Chan, married him.

In front of the Zhen Tian Si gate, a faint aura of bloodlust circulated, and the chains on the bronze pillars trembled slightly.

Gongsun Jingguan turned his head and looked at the golden patterns flowing on the large pillar not far away, a hint of curiosity on his face.

"This is the Demon-Suppressing Bronze Pillar of the Heavenly Suppression Bureau..."

Hearing her words, Baili Xi, who was standing to the side, smiled and said, "Is this Dr. Gongsun's first time visiting the Zhen Tian Division?"

The Gongsun family was located within the inner three cities. Given Gongsun Jingguan's status, it wouldn't be difficult for him to visit the Zhentiansi gate.

Gongsun Jingguan curled his lip and muttered, "Who would come to this place for no reason..."

She had barely finished speaking when Baili Xi grinned, about to reply, when a voice came from ahead.

"What Dr. Gongsun said is true. Ordinary people are indeed unwilling to come to Zhentian Division, but the outstanding scholars of Huangcheng Academy should come often."

As the voice rang out, Zhang Yuan, dressed in a black martial arts robe, strode out with a smile on his face and cupped his hands in a fist salute to Zhang Hengqu, who was standing in front of the stone steps.

"It is truly an honor for Mr. Hengqu and the two gentlemen to come to Zhentiansi."

Zhang Hengqu's gaze fell on Zhang Yuan.

Baili Xi and Gongsun Jingguan, who were behind him, also looked at Zhang Yuan.

They had never met Zhang Yuan, but they had seen his figure and appearance through the jade pendant before they came.

Looking at it now, there is still a hint of surprise.

Zhang Yuan is far too young.

The seemingly calm and smiling young martial artist at this moment is none other than the Qingyang Marquis, who was ennobled in a single battle and is known for his decisive and ruthless actions.
"What are you saying, Marquis Qingyang? The place to suppress demons and slay immortals is the holy land of martial arts in the Great Qin Dynasty. If the Zhen Tian Division is a humble abode, then where in the world is not a humble dwelling?"

Zhang Hengqu remained calm, returned the greeting with a cupped hand, and then said indifferently, "It's just that such a sacred place of martial arts is really not suitable for studying and learning. I think it would be better for the students and instructors of my Imperial City Academy to stay here less often."

Zhang Hengqu would not have come to the Imperial Academy if hundreds of students and teachers had not been imprisoned in the Zhen Tian Si.

Even the officials of the imperial court avoided this Zhen Tian Si (a powerful military command), so Zhang Hengqu, as the headmaster of the Imperial Academy, naturally did not want to get too involved.

Zhang Yuan smiled slightly.

This Mr. Hengqu was quite direct, immediately asking to take away the students and instructors of the Imperial Academy.

Of course, even the Zhen Tian Si (a powerful military organization) could not detain these people for too long.

The Imperial Academy is a sacred place of Confucianism and Taoism in the Great Qin Dynasty. Ninety percent of the high-ranking officials of the Great Qin Dynasty have studied there. Given the Imperial Academy's status in the Confucian and Taoist literary world, the Zhen Tian Si (Heavenly Guard) would not easily offend it.

Zhang Hengqu probably thought the same way at first, assuming that the Zhen Tian Si would release the students and instructors after a few days, so he kept observing until the Zhen Tian Si did not release them after several days, at which point he had no choice but to come to the Zhen Tian Si in person.

He came to the Heavenly Court in person because he did not want to start a conflict between civil and military officials when the Heavenly Court was at its most powerful.

Otherwise, given his status, whether he spread rumors among Confucian and Taoist circles or directly met with the emperor, he could put pressure on the Zhen Tian Si (a local authority) to release the person.

"Mr. Hengqu said that my position as the Chief of the Heavenly Court is not suitable for further studies?"

Zhang Yuan looked at Zhang Hengqu and chuckled. "Confucianism and Taoism cultivate a righteous spirit and tranquility, while the Zhen Tian Division is too heavy on killing and is indeed not suitable for studying." Gongsun Jingguan, standing behind Zhang Hengqu, said loudly, "Just like you, Marquis of Qingyang, His Majesty allowed you to study and cultivate your character at the academy, but didn't you still find it hard to suppress your murderous intent?"

Zhang Qingyang was ennobled after a single battle, but because of his excessive killing, the emperor ordered him to study for a year before promoting him to the rank of Marquis.

As a result, Zhang Qingyang only returned in the last two years, and as soon as he arrived in the capital, he started a massacre.

The unannounced killings outside the Dali Temple and the bloodshed in the Ministry of Justice are astonishing.

Many people in the Imperial Academy privately discussed that they didn't know where Marquis Qingyang was studying. Even if such a person was studying at the Imperial Academy, he probably couldn't suppress his murderous intent.

However, while they may talk about it in private, questioning him face-to-face like this is really disrespectful to Marquis Qingyang.

As soon as Gongsun Jing finished speaking, Baili Xi shifted his feet slightly to protect her.

He feared that the Marquis of Qingyang would be unable to contain his anger and would attack Gongsun Jingguan.

This young lady from the Gongsun family was always known for her sharp tongue at the Imperial Academy, often leaving the students and teachers speechless.

Originally, the headmaster did not intend to bring Gongsun Jingguan with him when he came to Zhentian Division. However, this Dr. Gongsun somehow persuaded the headmaster to bring her along.

Zhang Yuan glanced at Gongsun Jingguan, his expression unchanged, and nodded, saying, "Indeed, for me, reading and cultivating one's character is as difficult as climbing to heaven."

“Cultivating righteous spirit is nothing compared to the pleasure of killing with a knife.”

The ruthless nature revealed in Zhang Yuan's words made Gongsun Jingguan frown.

Before she could speak, Zhang Yuan gestured, "Mr. Hengqu, please—"

Zhang Hengqu nodded and followed Zhang Yuan into the Zhen Tian Si headquarters.

Baili Xi glanced back at Gongsun Jingguan, hesitated for a moment, and then quickly followed Zhang Hengqu.

Gongsun Jingguan gave a low snort and also walked towards the Zhen Tian Division.

In the distance, a figure stepped out from the streets and alleys, looking at the location of the Zhen Tian Si (Heavenly Guard), and whispered: "Good, now that Zhang Hengqu has entered the Zhen Tian Si, this matter cannot be resolved peacefully."

“Indeed, the Zhen Tian Division has detained the students and instructors of the Imperial City Academy. With Zhang Hengqu here, the Marquis of Qingyang must give an explanation, otherwise, the Imperial City Academy will lose face.” Another scholar in a green robe clenched his fist and spoke in a deep voice.

Further away, on a pavilion, several distinguished figures sat together.

A streak of light flew into the pavilion, revealing the phantom of Zhang Hengqu and others stepping into the Zhen Tian Division, before turning into flames and burning away.

In the pavilion, the young man in the brocade robe at the front snorted and said indifferently, "Yu Yuan Trading Company is promoting the reconstruction of the imperial city. We noble families are not afraid of the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Personnel. Only the Zhen Tian Division is a sword hanging high above us."

"My Tang family has been based in the capital for three thousand years. How could we leave so easily?"

His words elicited slight nods from the others.

"It all depends on whether Zhang Hengqu can bring back the students from the Imperial Academy who are being held captive by the Zhen Tian Si (Heavenly Guard) to teach," an old man in a gray robe said softly, squinting his eyes.

"If he can't bring back students to teach, then we will promote Confucianism and Taoism among civil officials, and the Confucianism and Taoism of the Great Qin will rise up in a mighty wave to compete with the Zhen Tian Si."

"The Great Qin has used civil administration to control military affairs for so many years, and the officials in the court have suppressed the Zhen Tian Si for so many years. I don't believe that we will be defeated by the Zhen Tian Si this time."

Upon hearing his words, the long-bearded old man with a jade crown sitting on the other side waved his hand and chuckled, "The best outcome would be for Marquis Qingyang to back down and for Zhang Hengqu to bring back the students to teach."

"At that time, everyone in the world saw that Marquis Qingyang was two-faced and cunning."

"The people of the world may not care, but Your Majesty..."

"The sword Your Majesty desires must be incomparably sharp, unstoppable, decisive in killing, and indifferent to gain or loss."

"Now that Zhang Qingyang has released the man, he is no longer the sharpest blade in His Majesty's eyes."

When Zhang Hengqu stepped into the Zhen Tian Si, countless people in the imperial city watched.

(End of this chapter)