Words Strategize for the World

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After losing the duel at the training ground, Zhang Fengyi was helped back to the school by Li Jing and several members of the Zhang family.

Upon returning to the academy, Zhang Fengyi felt first humiliated, then ashamed. How could a scholar of the highest rank, a mere general, be defeated by a scholar who hadn't even reached the lowest level? How could he possibly face continuing his studies at the academy?

Zhang Fengyi was so ashamed he wanted to die. He simply couldn't understand it.

After feeling ashamed, Zhang Fengyi was filled with anger, furious that he couldn't even defeat a mere scholar who hadn't even reached the highest level of martial arts.

Anger is followed by resentment.

"what……"

With nowhere else to vent his frustration, Zhang Fengyi could only shout.

"What are you yelling about? It's so noisy!" said a student not far away.

"Qu Yan, what did you say?" Zhang Fengyi said coldly upon hearing Qu Yan's words.

At this moment, Zhang Fengyi needed someone to vent his humiliation, shame, anger, and resentment.

"Hmph, trash. You can't even defeat a mere scholar who hasn't even reached the Law level. What are you yelling about? Don't think that just because you're from the Zhang family, I'm afraid of you." Qu Yan retorted sharply.

Qu Yan didn't actually dislike Zhang Fengyi, but Zhang Fengyi's complete defeat in the duel at the training ground today made Qu Yan very unhappy.

This is called undermining the morale of the poor and destroying the prestige of the powerful families; it's utterly shameful.

Zhang Fengyi knew that Qu Yan was deliberately trying to humiliate him, so he snorted coldly and stopped replying.

The Qu family, the Zhang family, and the Wang family of Kyoto were all founding heroes of the Chi Kingdom. Their ancestors assisted the founding monarch of the Chi Kingdom in conquering the world, and after the world was settled, their ancestors all held the positions of the Three Dukes.

The Zhang family established their name with the character "Yang," signifying their ambition and outspokenness. The Qu family established their name with the character "Qu," signifying their pursuit of truth within indirect means.

Establishing a family through calligraphy is similar to establishing a nation through calligraphy. However, establishing a family through calligraphy was a privilege reserved for high-ranking officials; ordinary people couldn't even dream of it.

Because they chose different names for their families, the two families have completely different styles of doing things.

Yang means to raise high or upward. Qu means to bend or turn, the opposite of "straight". Therefore, the Zhang family is flamboyant and outgoing in their work, while the Qu family is straightforward yet indirect, seeking success through indirect means.

Despite this, both families are now among the top families in the Chi Kingdom, and both have extremely strong backing in the court.

Both families are based in Zhongyuan Prefecture, so there are often conflicts of interest and disputes. Fortunately, the Qu family is tactful in their dealings, which is why the two families can coexist.

The students in the school dared not utter a sound when they heard the Qu family and the Zhang family arguing, for fear of being dragged down as scapegoats.

Only after Zhang Fengyi sat down did they dare to continue the discussion.

A constant chattering sound rang out, and Zhang Fengyi listened intently to see if they were talking about him. But after listening for a long time, he didn't hear anything about himself; instead, they were all talking about Fang Wei.

"Fang Wei is really amazing. He didn't even reach the Law level, yet he defeated a General level opponent. If he were to reach the General level, wouldn't he be able to defeat a Di level opponent?"

"That's impossible. There's been a qualitative change at the Earth level. It's simply impossible for a General level to defeat an Earth level."

……

"Fang Wei is indeed remarkable. He only received the memorial text this morning, and yet he defeated a general-level opponent with a skill level that doesn't even reach the Law level. He's truly someone we from humble backgrounds should emulate."

"You're absolutely right. Let's get to know each other another day."

……

The defeat on one side hadn't even been resolved when the other side was already discussing it endlessly.

Zhang Fengyi grew angrier and angrier as he listened, and when he heard that someone wanted to befriend Fang Wei, he almost vomited blood.

This is climbing over oneself to get to the top.

No matter how angry he was, there was nothing Zhang Fengyi could do.

"If any of you dare to discuss this again, see how I deal with you in the future." Unable to bear it any longer, Zhang Fengyi could only threaten.

"Hmph, we can't even discuss it. Who told you to be so useless and lose the duel?" Qu Yan couldn't stand Zhang Fengyi anymore.

Hmph, I'm going to go against you.

Zhang Fengyi felt he could no longer stay in the school and ran out in anger.

That afternoon, all the teachers returned to the academy. Soon, news of the duel on the training ground reached all the teachers' ears.

Zhang Xiao, a teacher in the advanced class at Yashitang, was a member of the Zhang family. When Zhang Xiao heard that Zhang Fengyi had lost his duel with Fang Wei at the training ground, he was furious and immediately sent someone to find Zhang Fengyi.

What awaits Zhang Fengyi is yet another tragic dose of inspirational platitudes.

Qu Yashi was also aware of the duel at the training ground. Since no one was injured, he didn't intend to pursue the matter further. In fact, he felt a little pleased.

The fact that Fang Wei, who had challenged Fang Wei, was defeated by a general-level opponent without even reaching the Law level was unprecedented and unheard of.

This is a surprise.

Since meeting Fang Wei, one surprise after another has happened, and he is eager to see what other surprises Fang Wei can bring him.

I'm really looking forward to it!

Qu Yashi thought so, but many people didn't, especially the Zhang family.

After reprimanding Zhang Fengyi, Zhang Xiao led the two teachers directly to Qu Yashi's study.

Qu Yashi knew why Zhang Xiao had come to the study with his two teachers as soon as he saw Zhang Xiao.

"What kind of behavior is this? As a teacher, how can you be so ignorant of etiquette?" Before Zhang Xiao could even speak, Qu Yashi's show of force began.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiao naturally knew that Qu Yashi was referring to entering without knocking. There had been instances of people entering without knocking before, but without this reaction. Zhang Xiao instantly understood what Qu Yashi was thinking.

"It was truly an urgent matter, and I had no choice but to do this. This Fang Wei from the junior class disregarded our friendship and his status as a junior student and knocked Zhang Fengyi unconscious. Headmaster, I believe Fang Wei must be severely punished, otherwise it will not be enough to demonstrate the prestige of the academy and deter other students," Zhang Xiao said sternly.

The two teachers who came with Zhang Xiao echoed, "Yes, yes. If we don't make an example of them, it will be difficult to teach them."

He knew it was Fang Wei's affair, yet this teacher maliciously framed him. Qu Yashi felt a surge of contempt.

"I am aware of this matter, and I know what to do. You may all return."

Zhang Xiao knew things weren't going well when Qu Yashi didn't explain how to handle the situation. So he said, "Xuezheng is right. But we can draw up a procedure for handling this now."

"What rules? Do I need you to teach me how to do it?" Qu Yashi retorted sharply.

"No, no," Zhang Xiao quickly replied.

"If you're afraid, go back quickly. I have important matters to attend to."

"Yes."

After saying that, Zhang Xiao led the two teachers away in a dejected manner.

As soon as Zhang Xiao stepped out of the study, he started cursing. "Damn old fogies, they're infuriating!"

"Yes, yes," the two teachers echoed.

"Can't you two say anything other than 'yes'? Let's go..."

Seeing Zhang Xiao leave, the two teachers looked at each other helplessly and followed her.

Zhang Fengyi didn't know how he got through the day. Wherever he went, people were talking about him, it felt like people were pointing fingers at him behind his back, and he felt like people were talking badly about him.

When he got home that evening, he found that the servants around him seemed to be pointing and whispering among themselves.

That evening, Zhang Fengyi's father also inquired about the challenge. Zhang Fengyi dared not hide anything and had no choice but to tell his father everything.

After hearing Zhang Fengyi's words, his father angrily said, "Hmph, what an incompetent and wasteful son! Tomorrow, go to the treasury and take 1000 taels of gold for Fang Wei."

"Father……"

"Enough said. My Zhang family is not one to suffer defeat. Since we made a promise in public, we will naturally keep it. But remember, you must avenge this humiliation yourself."

Zhang Fengyi looked at his father and nodded vigorously, saying, "Father, Yi'er understands."

"Yes, that's good. Losing isn't terrible, but you must learn from your mistakes and strive to improve," Mr. Zhang encouraged his son. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he asked, "You mean that girl Zhang Nianwei is following Fang Wei and opposing the Zhang family?"

"Yes, Father." Zhang Fengyi embellished the story, recounting how Zhang Nianwei sided with Fang Wei and pressured him to win.

"What a fine girl I've raised. I'll find someone to marry her off to," Zhang's father said bitterly.

At this moment, Zhang Nianwei was telling her mother how Fang Wei had defeated Zhang Fengyi that day. She spoke with great enthusiasm and admiration.

The mother looked at Zhang Nianwei, knowing that her daughter had already found someone she loved. She was also deeply relieved when she heard that Fang Wei was a young hero.

The mother and daughter were having a good time, unaware that a huge crisis was about to unfold.