Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

Gao Zhao ran back to Biyong that very day.

Gao Qiu said that Cai Jing was testing him and only told him to prepare well for the imperial debate, so there probably wouldn't be much of a problem. He could handle it, so there was nothing for him to do!

He can't possibly entrust me with such a crucial task as dealing with Cai Jing, can he?

He knows his own character and abilities perfectly well!

If that's the case, and things go wrong, you can't blame yourself; you can only blame Gao Qiu for misjudging people!

Anyway, I can't take the blame for this!

Since it's none of my business, that makes things easier; at worst, I'll just lose face in front of the Emperor.

Anyway, the tyrant will know his reputation as long as he inquires. They're all on his own, so he won't be offended!

After all, we didn't get to our positions through academic achievements; we got them through loyalty!

However, even though that's what I said, it's too embarrassing for me to bear!

After all, we're kids who grew up in old Tokyo...

So I still need to write a couple of lines to make my presence known!

And it's very necessary to find that old guy in Biyongli!

He's the one who started this!

If he hadn't kept bringing up the debate between righteousness and profit, I wouldn't have gone back to show off, and this situation wouldn't have happened!

Yes, he's the culprit behind this!

So, it's not unreasonable to ask him to teach me a few lines so I can show off a bit!

Otherwise, don't blame me for being invincible with guns and cannons and showing no mercy!

Gao Zhao hurriedly ran back to Biyong and went straight to the corner of the wall. After looking around, he was somewhat disappointed. The old man hadn't refreshed the page!

This thing seems to spawn at a fixed location!

I'll have to wait until tomorrow to come back and check again!

He then went to the schoolmaster to cancel his leave, feeling rather disgruntled.

When Xueyu saw him arrive, he was stunned for a full two breaths before he realized who the person in front of him was!

"It's been over a month since I last saw you! How is your uncle's health?"

Gao Zhao was also stunned for a moment before he remembered that he had asked for leave on the grounds that his uncle was seriously ill. He was about to reply that he had recovered, but then he thought that he should lay the groundwork for asking for leave next time.

Otherwise, if my uncles keep dying, no matter how many uncles I have, it won't be enough!

His expression darkened, and he sighed, "I was feeling a little better, and I wanted to stay with him for a few more days, but he was worried about my studies and kept urging me to come back... Sigh!"

Instructor: "..."

Why would you need to worry about your studies? I've never seen you attend any classes!

Although he was inwardly grumbling, the tutor was, after all, a scholar, and refrained from uttering any harsh words!

I quietly helped him cancel his leave and told him to study hard!

Gao Zhao cupped his hands in greeting, turned and left. Inside the dormitory, the students were gathered together discussing something, including Su Mian and Fan Tong, who were so engrossed in their debate that they didn't even notice him enter.

He overheard them and realized that they were discussing a debate before the emperor.

Everyone was looking forward to this opportunity to appear in front of the officials, but it was impossible for all the students to participate in the debate, otherwise it would be too noisy and the debate would not be able to proceed.

The Imperial Academy set a quota of ten places, five for the Inner Academy and five for the Imperial Academy, requiring the list to be submitted within ten days.

This group was initially dissatisfied with the allocation of quotas. After all, there were only a few hundred people in the Inner Dormitory, while there were more than two thousand people in the Imperial Academy. How could they be allocated the same number of quotas? It was very unfair!

However, after complaining for a while, I returned to reality and started making preparations.

The selection process was conducted by dormitory, with each dormitory nominating candidates. Then, a competition was held between the dormitories to determine the final five candidates, who were then reported to the Imperial Academy.

Seeing the students so excited, Gao Zhao was deeply moved. "I also want to join in this atmosphere of mutual encouragement and competition," he thought, "but unfortunately, I've already been admitted to university without taking the entrance exam..."

I told them I didn't want it, but the Emperor and Grand Tutor Cai insisted on giving it to me, and I couldn't refuse!

Look at the mess this has made! Seeing you all arguing so fiercely, how am I supposed to bear it?

Gao Zhao sighed and turned to go back to his room.

Upon arriving at the dormitory, they found another person sitting by the door reading in the drafty area. When Gao Zhao returned, the person nodded and stepped aside.

Gao Zhao wasn't familiar with this roommate, so he made conversation by saying, "Everyone's vying for a spot in the imperial debate, why aren't you going?"

The man glanced at Gao Zhao, shook his head, and smiled slightly, "Even if you win the debate, what difference does it make? Can it change the loser's views on righteousness and profit? Since it can't, why bother? You might as well focus on your studies!"

Gao Zhao gave him a deep look, thinking that this person was very pretentious. He was humble by nature and looked down on such people. He nodded and went back to his own room to sleep!

Not to mention, this place is much better for sleeping than the military camp. I woke up the next morning!

Pushing open the cubicle, Su Mian was just about to go to class when he saw him. He was first taken aback, then exclaimed with delight, "Brother Gao, when did you get back? How is your uncle? You're not leaving again, are you?"

A series of questions fully demonstrated his joy at seeing Gao Zhao!

Gao Zhao smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries with him. After washing up, they walked together toward the lecture hall!

Today, the professor lectured on the "Rites of Zhou," which was very relevant to the debate between righteousness and profit at that time. The atmosphere in the classroom was very enthusiastic, and the professor was inspired, delivering his lecture with great passion.

Gao Zhao listened to the lecture and felt that he had benefited a lot, but after class, he still slipped out.

It's not that the PhD isn't good enough, it's just that the young master's requirements are a bit too high!

As usual, I sat down in the corner and waited for a while until the bell rang for class. Only then did I see an old man walking towards me from a distance!

It's finally refreshed!

Gao Zhao excitedly went to greet him, and even took out two bags of wine. He had bought them on his way back, because when asking someone for a favor, you have to act like you're asking for a favor!

"I spent some time in the military training camp to improve my physical condition, and I came to see you as soon as I got back!"

"Oh..." The old man nodded, took the wine, took a sip, nodded in satisfaction, and said, "Fanlou's Longevity Wine! Is there something you need?"

Seeing that he had already drunk the wine and was no longer going to take it back, Gao Zhao stopped trying to hide it and nodded, saying, "Oh dear, you've really put me in a bad situation!"

"Last time you taught me the debate between righteousness and profit, and I went back and discussed it with my classmates. Who knew it would cause such a huge uproar at the Imperial Academy? Now even the Emperor has been alarmed and has specifically requested that I debate it before him. What should we do?"

The old man chuckled, took another sip of wine, and said slowly, "So you've come to ask me to teach you how to handle this imperial debate?"

"You are wise, sir!" Gao Zhao bowed repeatedly and said with a smile, "I am a shy person and not good with words, so I hope you will not hesitate to give me your guidance!"

The old man remained noncommittal, and slowly said, "To debate, you must first have a viewpoint. What is your view on righteousness and profit?"

"I can't say for sure!" Gao Zhao shook his head and said, "Anyway, I think prioritizing loyalty over profit is a bit too extreme, and somewhat goes against human nature!"

The old man smiled, pondered for a moment, and said, "I can teach you, and I guarantee you'll shine before the Emperor, but I have one condition!"

"Please speak, sir!" Gao Zhao patted his chest and said, "As long as it's within my power, I will never refuse!"

The old man nodded slightly and said, "Very well, if you use the principles of righteousness and profit that I taught you, you must not mention me in the future, no matter who asks!"

"No problem!" Gao Zhao readily agreed. I can let you have this opportunity to show off!

"If I break my promise, may I be like this stone!" The old man picked up a stone, held it in his hand, and with a gentle squeeze, it instantly turned into a pile of powder.

Gao Zhao was stunned. He thought, "I don't care about righteousness and profit. Master, I want to learn martial arts!"

"From this day forward, I will teach you the way of balancing righteousness and profit!"