Top Scholar

Chapter 205 You say you're innocent, but why are you always involved?

The old headmaster didn't let Su Lu continue, but everyone present understood his meaning—

In this day and age, if you want to do the right thing, you have to help the emperor fight against the academic cliques!

But just like before, when Zhu Shanzhang stopped Su Lu from saying anything more, these words could only be understood intuitively and not explained in words.

But that was enough. The old headmaster was very happy and chuckled, "It seems that 'Metamorphosis' was not written in vain. I hope you can always keep this original intention, Hongzhi."

"Yes." Su Lu said softly, "This disciple posted that article on the wall and memorized it, never daring to forget it for a single day."

At this moment, the clapperboard sounded to signal the start of class, and Su Lu and Zhu Zihe bowed and took their leave.

"Hehehe..." Even after the two left, the old mountain chief continued to laugh.

"Why is the headmaster so happy?" Headmaster Zhou asked, puzzled.

"We run academies to cultivate talent for the country; the imperial court holds the imperial examinations to select talent for the country, but in the end, what we cultivate and select are all people who only care about their own family and personal interests," Headmaster Pang said with a smile.

"Shouldn't we be happy to have finally encountered someone who is truly willing to think about the country?"

"Everyone has had moments of passion and concern for the country and its people. The fear is that when the time comes to truly test them, they will conform to the status quo again." Zhou Shanzhang couldn't help but pour cold water on this idea.

"This is the responsibility of us teachers," said Pang Shanzhang solemnly. "We must subtly and repeatedly instruct our students to etch the four words 'serving the country and the people' into their very bones."

"Yes..." Zhou Shanzhang responded, but reserved his opinion on the matter.

The old academy headmaster may be getting old, becoming increasingly idealistic. But both he and Zhu Liu are very clear about what the students come to the academy for, and what they strive for—

For their own future and for the glory of their families, very few cared about the country and its people.

Such students don't believe in the concept of "serving the country and the people" from the bottom of their hearts, so no matter how much you try to instill it in them, it won't work.

"I know this is difficult, but if even our best students only seek riches and luxury, then our education system is truly tragic." The old abbot sighed deeply, exhaling a long, stale breath.

"Then what's the point of me continuing to hold on at my age?"

“But in that case, he will have a very difficult future…” Headmaster Zhou meant well, hoping that his student would have a smooth life and rise to high office without any disasters or difficulties.

"Do we educate students so they can enjoy a life of luxury?" The old abbot's kind face flashed with a resolute expression as he said, "I do it for the Ming Dynasty, for the Emperor..."

"His Majesty is too lonely and desperately needs help." He then added dejectedly, "I wonder if it's too late?"

"There's definitely enough time. His Majesty is still young," Headmaster Zhou quickly reassured the old headmaster in a soft voice.

"I hope so..." The old abbot sighed, closing his eyes wearily. This hour of instruction had exhausted all his energy.

~~
After school at noon, Su Lu and Zhu Zihe left the academy as usual and walked back to Zhujiashan.

On the way, Zhu Zihe was somewhat downcast.

Su Lu asked with a smile, "What? Has it gotten to the point where you start getting a headache before class even begins?"

“It’s not my third uncle’s class,” Zhu Zihe shook his head and said, “I was thinking back on what you said this morning.”

"I was just saying things in the heat of the moment, and I've forgotten what I said. You don't need to take it seriously." Su Lu, being so perceptive, immediately understood Zhu Zihe's point and laughed:
"Think about it, if I really disliked big houses that much, would I still come to your house every day to freeload meals and attend classes?"

"That's true..." Zhu Zihe's expression was indeed much more relaxed. It was really good that he didn't have to choose between his family and his godfather.

He laughed as he spoke, "Besides, our family is just a bit old and has a lot of people, but we're not exactly a huge family."

"Ah, right, right, right." Su Lu nodded indulgently. As long as he didn't go crazy, he could think whatever he wanted.

But once the knot in his heart was cleared up, Zhu Zi and he realized that his godfather's words made a lot of sense.

After walking quietly for a while, he suddenly asked with a serious expression, "You said that Li Mengyang suddenly submitted that 'Memorial to the Throne,' exposing the illegal activities of the Marquis of Shouning, could it be... that the academic clique made a move?"

"What trick?" Su Lu didn't expect this kid to be so good at coming up with wild ideas.

"They're diverting the disaster eastward, using the 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao' tactic, leaving the Emperor unable to attend to both sides," Zhu Zihe gestured in the air.

Passersby assumed the two young men were discussing how to have fun, but no one would have guessed they were making irresponsible remarks about politics.
"How so?" Su Lu asked with great interest.

“Think about it,” Zhu Zihe said. “The emperor wanted to investigate hidden households, but he suddenly jumped out to expose the nobles. It’s not that he shouldn’t have exposed them, but the timing was wrong, and the target was suspicious. It seems like he was deliberately causing trouble.”

She then gave an example: "Like when I was a kid, whenever my dad was about to beat me, I would expose my brothers for having bigger grudges, and then my dad wouldn't care about me anymore..."

"Haha, that's interesting." Su Lu couldn't help but laugh. "The Marquis of Shouning and the Marquis of Jianchang have been abusing their power as the emperor's brothers-in-law for many years. I heard many of their misdeeds when I was a child. Why not impeach them earlier or later, but now of all times?"

Encouraged by his adoptive father, Zhu Zihe became more and more enthusiastic as he spoke:

"Moreover, Li Mengyang is an official in the Ministry of Revenue, not a censor. He has remained silent for so many years, so why did he suddenly become so outspoken? His imprisonment is no big deal; officials across the country will submit memorials to rescue him and follow up with impeachments against the Zhang brothers. The court will be in chaos, and the emperor will be overwhelmed with official matters. How can he possibly have time to investigate the household registration?"

He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, “If I can understand something this simple, Your Majesty can certainly understand it too. It all depends on Your Majesty’s next choice—if you release Li Mengyang, it will be a compromise for both sides; if you punish Li Mengyang, it will be a firm commitment to the end.”

"Zihe, I didn't realize you were so knowledgeable," Su Lu couldn't help but laugh.

“My dad talks about these things with my third uncle all the time, so naturally he'll chime in a bit after hearing it so much,” Zhu Zihe chuckled. “So, does it make sense?”

"I don't have any elders in my family who understand politics, how would I know if there's any truth to it?" Su Lu shook his head and smiled, but still analyzed rationally:

"However, it is indeed unusual for Li Mengyang to impeach Zhang Heling... Although he is only a seventh-rank official, he is the leader of the Seven Masters, the literary leader, and the standard-bearer of the revival movement. For more than ten years, scholars all over the country have studied his writings. If he is finished and his writings are also rejected, how many people will be affected?"

“Who says otherwise?!” Zhu Zihe clapped his hands and said, “That’s why I said that people who know him and those who don’t will submit memorials to rescue him, because no one can afford the loss of his downfall.”

Su Lu nodded and said, "It does seem like someone deliberately did this to create the illusion that all scholars in the world are on the opposite side of the emperor."

"What will the Emperor think? Will he believe that all the scholars in the land are their accomplices?" Zhu Zihe sighed deeply, "Every whisper of the wind and the cry of the cranes, every bush and tree seems like an enemy soldier. Perhaps this is their true aim..."

"..." Su Lu looked at Zhu Zihe with satisfaction. Regardless of whether his judgment was right or wrong, his progress in the past six months alone was enough to make people look at him with new respect.

As the two arrived at Zhu Family Mountain, the Zhu clan members greeted the nineteenth young master with smiles. Zhu Zihe had no choice but to stop talking and cease his frivolous remarks about politics.

~~
We ate lunch at Zhu Zihe's parents' house again.

Su Lu didn't know why, but these past few days the meals had suddenly changed from four dishes and a soup to six dishes and a soup, and the two extra dishes were both hearty dishes that went well with rice.
For example, at noon today, I had a dish of fresh shrimp with pepper and vinegar, and a plate of braised chicken with fermented rice wine. One dish was fresh and the other was mellow, one was sour and the other was fermented and fragrant, and they went very well with rice.

"How is it? Is it delicious?" Zhu Jie looked at him with a smile, completely different from the serious rich man he had met at first.

"Very delicious." Su Lu quickly swallowed the food in his mouth and replied with a smile. It was understandable that he was in a good mood as the head of the family, but why was he constantly flirting with him?
"That's good, that's good. Just tell me what you want to eat tomorrow, and I'll have the chef make it for you," Zhu Jie said with a gentle smile.

"Uncle-Master, please don't trouble yourself. Otherwise, I would feel really bad." Su Lu quickly shook his head. To ease the awkwardness, he brought up the matter that Magistrate Lu had asked him to do.

Zhu Jie was delighted to hear this and readily agreed, "That's great news! Tell Magistrate Lu I will be there on time!"

"Alright." Su Lu was also very happy and hurriedly said, "I will have someone from the government office send the invitation to your residence later."

"No need for that trouble. Let's set off together. Once we're in your territory, we'll follow your arrangements," Zhu Jie said with a wave of his hand, exclaiming generously.

For the dignified head of the Zhu family to say such a thing, what a great honor that must be! Su Lu was flattered, but still honestly replied, "I am not familiar with Hejiang County."

"Don't worry. After this, they'll be as close to you as they ever are!" Zhu Jie said with a "I support you" expression, "The name of the Zhu family still carries a lot of weight in Hejiang County."

“It worked well before,” Su Lu said with a smile, “and it works even better now.”

"Hahaha!" Zhu Jie couldn't help but laugh loudly: "If you find it useful, then use it more. Although Magistrate Lu will definitely take good care of you, if he ever wants you to do something you don't want to do, just bring out your uncle."

"Okay!" Su Lu replied happily.

Although I don't know why my senior brother is so enthusiastic towards me, I can never have too many powerful connections; the more connections I have, the less I will be controlled by others.

So he invited again, saying, "Since arriving in Luzhou, I have been bothering my senior brother every day. Now that you have gone to Hejiang, please do visit my humble abode. It would be best if you could stay there so that my family can express our gratitude."

"Haha, I already said I'd follow your arrangements." Zhu Jie laughed. "It's good to stay at home. I don't like living with officials; it's too much trouble."

"That's wonderful!" Su Lu said with a smile. "It's just that my family's circumstances are rather ordinary, and there may be some shortcomings in my hospitality. I apologize to my senior master in advance."

"Why be so polite? We're all family, whatever we do is good," Zhu Jie said generously.

~~
After the meal, Su Lu and Zhu Zihe got up to say goodbye and went to class.

"Alright, go ahead." Zhu Jie smiled as he watched the two leave.

Mrs. Zhang finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered, "What, you want to be Hongzhi's father-in-law? I've never seen you so enthusiastic with anyone before. You've gone too far, you know?"

"Sigh, if I could be his father-in-law, would I need to go through all this trouble? My daughter could just step in and he could come and coax me," Zhu Jie sighed.
"Isn't it because I can't do it myself that I have to step up?"

"If I can't be his father-in-law, I'll be his godfather!" he said, raising an eyebrow with unwavering determination. "In short, no one can take this child away from us!"

(End of this chapter)