Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

The debate before the emperor ended with praise from Emperor Huizong. Although the ten students were still unconvinced and wanted to continue arguing with Gao Zhao, it was too late!

Emperor Huizong then said a few words of encouragement to the students, and after giving Gao Zhao a deep look, he smiled slightly and got up to leave.

The other officials followed closely behind and walked out. When Cai Jing passed by, he looked at Gao Zhao and nodded slightly. Gao Zhao immediately bowed in greeting.

This is not to say that he flattered Cai Jing's power; it's simply because he is now a scholar and must know proper etiquette!

Official rank doesn't matter. He's so old, can't we at least be a little more polite?

It's simply about being polite!

As soon as the emperor and his officials left, Dunhua Hall erupted in cheers. Fan Tong, Qin Hui, and others rushed forward to surround Gao Zhao and cheered.

Gao Zhao waved his hands repeatedly, indicating that everyone should not do this; he was a low-key person and disliked showing off...

How did it feel to debate with a group of scholars?

I don't feel anything. That's right, we're all just discussing the meaning of scriptures and learning from each other!

How did you come up with the idea of ​​combining righteousness and profit?

First, you need to read more books, then you need to think more, and practice more. Yes, you need to go and see the fields, the streets, and all kinds of everyday life...

Yes, it was born from a feeling! As the saying goes, "Read a book a hundred times, and its meaning will become clear."

……

As Gao Zhao was led down the street surrounded by people, he humbly answered their questions, displaying the demeanor of a true gentleman.

This greatly changed the perception of him among the students of the Imperial Academy and the Imperial Academy.

When I first saw him fighting over seats in the hall, he seemed ready to start a fight at the drop of a hat, so I thought he was a despicable and wicked person!

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a learned and unconventional gentleman.

At this moment, Chen Chao squeezed through the crowd, cupped his hands to Gao Zhao, and said, "Brother Gao, your eloquence is unparalleled, and you dare to break free from the conventions of your predecessors, which is admirable. However, I cannot agree with the principle of combining righteousness and profit. I will have to discuss this with you another time!"

"Brother Chen, you're too kind!" Gao Zhao smiled indifferently, cupped his hands in return, but inwardly he was full of contempt.

If you're truly capable, then challenge me to a duel. What were you doing just now? If you were so skilled, wouldn't you have already done so?

Now you come here to give me this hindsight advice and make some threats. How hypocritical and ridiculous!

A defeated foe dares to claim bravery?

Ha! What a joke!

He then turned his head and began exchanging pleasantries with the others.

While Gao Zhao was enjoying his moment of glory, Gao Qiu was sweating profusely as he followed behind Zhao Ji, hesitating several times as if he wanted to speak but didn't know how to start.

Only after entering the palace did Zhao Ji stop, turn his head to look at Gao Qiu's terrified appearance, chuckle lightly, and say calmly, "What's wrong with you? You seem very scared!"

With a "thump," Gao Qiu knelt down straight, his voice trembling, "Your Majesty, those words were truly not taught to him by this old minister. I don't know where he learned them from! Your Majesty, please understand!"

Zhao Ji looked at him with a complicated expression, his gaze sweeping over him. He remained silent for a long time, so long that Gao Qiu could hear his own heartbeat, which was getting stronger and stronger, as if it was about to jump out of his chest.

Only after a short while did Zhao Ji say in a low voice, "You have always been loyal and righteous; even if you taught them, it doesn't matter!"

"Your subject... dares not..." Gao Qiu kowtowed again in fear.

His forehead was pressed tightly against the cold floor tiles, and his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

The concept of aligning righteousness and profit is not a simple one; it involves a long-forgotten story that no one dares to touch upon!

"Rest assured, I trust you!" Zhao Ji turned and walked away slowly, his tone calm. "You should know that I employ you only because of your loyalty, so it doesn't matter if you taught me!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness!" Gao Qiu bowed again as he looked at Zhao Ji's back. After a long while, he finally had the strength to walk out of the palace.

Just as he stepped out of the palace, he saw a carriage parked ahead. Gao Qiu paused, hesitated for a moment, then slowly stepped forward and respectfully bowed from behind the curtain, saying, "This humble servant, Gao Qiu, greets the Grand Tutor!"

"Get in the carriage and let's talk!" came Cai Jing's aged voice from inside the carriage.

Gao Qiu hesitated for a moment, then got into the carriage, lifted the curtain and entered. He saw Cai Jing sitting at the head of the table and bowed again.

"Gao Qiu, we've known each other for twenty years, haven't we?" Cai Jing said calmly, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"I've got it!" Gao Qiu bowed and replied, "At that time, I was just a minor official, while the Grand Tutor held the high position of Minister of Revenue. I dared not curry favor with him!"

Upon hearing this, Cai Jing smiled slightly, opened his eyes slightly, and looked at Gao Qiu, saying, "Don't underestimate yourself. Back then, quite a few people wanted to get in through your connections..."

"Grand Tutor, be careful what you say!" Gao Qiu hurriedly interrupted, his words filled with fear, but his face remained calm.

"You have quite the heart!" Cai Jing scoffed, abandoning the topic and changing the subject, "When that incident at Biyong happened a few days ago, I assumed you were turning against me with someone else. But hearing this argument about righteousness and profit today, I realize I misunderstood you!"

"Gao Qiu, I underestimated you. I truly didn't expect you to have such audacity... Heh... If that's the case, then you certainly wouldn't be my enemy?"

"This humble official is of lowly status and carries little influence. It is only through the Emperor's trust that I enjoy my current prosperity, and naturally I would not dare to provoke others without cause!"

Gao Qiu knew that Cai Jingsheng had misunderstood, thinking that what Gao Zhao said today was taught by him. However, he could not and did not need to explain these things to Cai Jingsheng. What difference was there between what happened to Gao Zhao and what happened to him?

Cai Jing understood the meaning behind his words—to protect himself—and knew that trying to win him over would cross the emperor's bottom line. After confirming that he had not sided with Zheng Juzhong, he felt relieved.

"Go on your way! Go back and tell your son not to show off his knowledge everywhere. This matter is not ordinary; the time is not yet right, and you cannot test the waters!"

"Yes, Your humble servant will follow the Grand Tutor's instructions!" Gao Qiu got off the carriage and stood respectfully by the roadside until Cai Jing's carriage slowly drove away before he slowly left.

The current situation is likely to change again!

……

In the rear hall of Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Huizong flipped through a memorial, then looked at Liang Shicheng beside him and asked, "What is your opinion on today's events?"

"Does His Majesty believe that Gao Zhao's words were given by Gao Qiu, and that he wants to use this to test His Majesty's intentions?" Liang Shicheng said, while observing Zhao Ji's expression.

"Hmm!" Zhao Ji frowned slightly, but still nodded.

Upon seeing this, Liang Shicheng understood that the emperor still tended to trust Gao Qiu; otherwise, there would be no need to worry.

"I also believe so. It must have been given by Gao Qiu!" Liang Shicheng exclaimed in amazement. "Gao Qiu remembers all the small favors he received in the past and is willing to risk his life to repay them!"

The Emperor's kindness to Gao Qiu was as heavy as a mountain, promoting him from humble beginnings and treating him like a second life. Gao Qiu would likely have to give his life to repay even a fraction of this favor!

"What use is it for me to give him my life!" Zhao Ji thought this made sense and was in a good mood. He threw the memorial in his hand onto the imperial desk and a smile appeared in the corner of his eye.

He tapped his finger on the table a few more times, laughing and scolding, "I think that kid of his is a real handful. It hasn't been long, and he's already caused trouble again and again; he never seems to have a moment's peace!"

Liang Shicheng tentatively suggested, "Why doesn't His Majesty bring him under his wing and personally mentor him? Perhaps the Song Dynasty will gain another pillar of talent!"

Emperor Huizong paused, seemingly remembering something, and was intrigued, but then hesitated and said, "He's not old enough to be appointed to a hereditary official position yet!"

Liang Shicheng smiled broadly and said, "Your Majesty, it can be done!"