Chapter 536 Self-Salvation

"So, the emergence of the Hundred Schools of Thought is all about giving us the ability to save ourselves?"

"Yes."

After receiving Xiao Ji's answer, everyone fell silent again. They were still processing everything they had just learned.

Liu Che's gaze swept over the assembled figures from various schools of thought who stood silently around him. "And what about them?"

As Xiao Ji's wide sleeves swept through the air, countless tiny starlight suddenly burst forth from between his fingers.

The particles of light intertwined in the chaos, coalescing like living things into a dazzling galaxy. The surging river of starlight rushed forward, and countless familiar, shimmering figures flashed in the churning waves of light on its surface.

The Milky Way surged to its end, instantly transforming into countless tributaries that flowed around the group.

“The river of history has countless turning points,” Xiao Ji said slowly, gazing at the scattered tributaries of starlight. “The starlight shining on each tributary is different. You can think of it as the world gathering the brightest stars from each tributary together, just so that the river can flow without ceasing. Even if it turns into a trickle, it can still flow on.”

Liu Che understood that there was no need to dwell on whether the existence of the Hundred Schools of Thought was real or not; they were simply a convergence of shining stars on countless tributaries of history.

The past is no longer important; what matters is that the tributaries began to be rewritten from the moment they merged into the Han Dynasty.

"How much longer?" Liu Che was unwilling to give up. He looked at Xiao Ji, "How much longer until...the end? What will we encounter then? And what about the so-called Human Reason Continuation Plan? How can we increase its success rate?"

Overwhelmed by Liu Che's barrage of questions, Xiao Ji's figure drifted from one end to the other, circled around to regroup, and stopped in front of Liu Che, replying succinctly: "Ten years, another ten years."

"It's so short..."

Someone in the crowd couldn't help but mutter to themselves in a daze.

No one responded to him, but everyone's heart sank even lower.

"I haven't experienced what might happen," Xiao Ji shrugged, spreading his hands to indicate he didn't know. "As for how to increase the success rate of the plan..."

Xiao Ji waved his sleeve, and the light inside the tower shone brightly. The colors symbolizing each family behind the figures rushed to the top of the tower and converged into a rotating seven-colored star.

"I am the consciousness of the Great Han Dynasty, and also the Jixia Academy, so study hard. Just as I said at the beginning, the legacy of the Hundred Schools of Thought gives you the ability to save yourselves, and is also an important core for completing the plan to continue the human order."

...

Liu Che had once thought that the day the Jixia Academy was fully opened might bring great changes to the Han Dynasty. But he never expected that it would be such a drastic change.

After emerging from the tower, the importance of the Jixia Academy rose to the highest level.

Various academies began to tighten and strengthen their teaching plans, ensuring both the quality and quantity of students admitted. If previously there were any entry requirements for the academies, now they were open to everyone in the Han Dynasty.

Students from humble backgrounds, merchants, women, and a large number of freed slaves... as long as they were citizens of the Han Dynasty, they all had the opportunity to enter the academy.

Initially, there were objections, but Liu Ju, who was usually indifferent and the young crown prince who was seen as playful by others, argued for the first time in the court meeting, demanding that every bit of the Han's manpower should not be wasted!

No one can expect him to save them; they all need to save themselves!

"A letter of recommendation?"

Chen Ajiao ran her fingertips along the gilded patterns on the letter of recommendation. The ink on the jade-like paper was still wet; Liu Ju had just written it in front of her.

The neat small seal script reads "Recommended for her to study at the Yin-Yang Academy," and next to the inscription "Crown Prince Liu Ju of the Great Han Dynasty," a red gold dragon-patterned seal is prominently affixed.

She lowered her gaze to the bright red, then suddenly looked up at the young boy sitting casually opposite her, raising an eyebrow: "Not pretending anymore?"

Liu Ju tilted his head and blinked his peach blossom eyes, his moon-white scholar's robe rippling gently with the movement: "What are you pretending for?"

“Crown Prince’s Seal, Liu Ju…” Chen Ajiao’s fingernails tapped lightly on the characters “Liu Ju,” the last syllable lingering, “Little Pig Liu, you changed your name?”

"Little Pig is my nickname; my real name is Liu Ju." Liu Ju's attitude was natural and confident.

Chen Ajiao gave a light snort and asked again, "Crown Prince? Disciple of the Mohist School?"

"Why can't the Crown Prince be a disciple of the Mohist school?" Liu Ju argued confidently. "Don't underestimate me; I am a successor of all schools of thought!"

Chen Ajiao subconsciously raised the corners of her mouth, but kept her eyes down and didn't reply.

Years ago, a little dumpling perched atop the wall forcefully barged into her life. She was so lonely; the days confined in Changmen Palace felt like stagnant water. So even though she had recognized the dragon pendant on Liu Ju, she pretended not to notice anything.

He spent several years with Liu Ju, even though he was the child of Liu Che and Wei Zifu.

Liu Ju seemed completely oblivious to her change in attitude and asked bluntly, "So? Are you going or not?"

The water clock in Changmen Palace ticked away as Chen Ajiao gazed at the empty hall.

Even if someone cleans it, the place has lost its vitality. Cobwebs sway gently in the coffered ceiling, and the tables that were once filled with golden goblets and jade cups are now covered with a thin layer of dust, giving it an air of decay.

She suddenly laughed, the three words "Yin Yang School" on the recommendation letter glowing strangely in the twilight: "You're serious, Yin Yang School? You really think highly of me."

“I always keep my word.” Liu Ju’s pupils shone brightly, reflecting her pale face. “So, are you going?”

Chen Ajiao's fingers trembled slightly as she held the letter of recommendation, turning her head to look at the darkening sky outside the palace.

The walls of Changmen Palace seemed to be peeling away, revealing the proud and unrestrained girl from years ago who dared to climb the eaves of Weiyang Palace. She met the burning spark in the boy's eyes and suddenly scoffed, "This is Changmen Palace. Are you sure I can go there?"

"If you want to." Liu Ju raised his eyes arrogantly. "You're not afraid, are you?"

"Who's afraid?" Chen Ajiao gripped the letter of recommendation tightly in her hand, pressing the edge of the paper into her palm and leaving red marks. "Fine, I'll go. Let me see what this Yin-Yang School is all about."

Upon hearing this, Liu Ju jumped up excitedly, "Then it's a deal! Wait for my good news!"

Watching him skillfully prepare to climb over the wall, Chen Ajiao couldn't help but call out, "Little Pig Liu!"

"What's wrong?"

Meeting his sincere and passionate eyes, Chen Ajiao seemed to be burned and looked away slightly. "If, if Liu Che does not agree, there is no need to fight for me. Changmen Palace... is also quite good."

Seeing through her insincerity, Liu Ju stood easily atop the wall. "Don't worry, the young prince will stand up for you! The Han Dynasty doesn't tolerate idlers!"

"What is it..." Chen Ajiao couldn't help but laugh. Through the thick palace walls, she seemed to see the fluttering hem of the young boy's clothes. "The last sentence is the real purpose, isn't it?"

...

"You're back?"

Upon hearing the palace servants bowing to Liu Ju, Liu Che did not even raise his head, deliberately feigning indifference.

Liu Ju didn't care at all. He took a few steps to his side, picked up the water from the table next to him without ceremony, and put it in his mouth. It was sweet honey water, obviously prepared for him.

"Father, you're so good to me—"

Liu Che's lips curled up slightly, but he tried hard to keep it up. "All you know is how to coax me?"

As she spoke, she turned her head to look at her son, who was beaming with pride, and asked knowingly, "You went to see your mysterious best friend again?"

Liu Che emphasized the words "good friend," his expression a half-smile.

Liu Ju smiled brightly and grabbed his arm. "Oh, Father, let's not play games with our father-son relationship. How about we tell the truth?"

"Really honest?"

Liu Ju nodded quickly.

Seeing this, Liu Che put down the memorial in his hand, a complex expression flashing across his brows, and asked, "Are you a friend you met at Changmen Palace?"

"That's right, my mysterious best friend is Aunt Ajiao from Changmen Palace. I met her when I was a child chasing mechanical birds and climbing over the wall."

Liu Ju explained in great detail and clarity, and was very frank.

Liu Che raised an eyebrow: "You even climbed over the wall?"

"That's not the point," Liu Ju tried to steer clear of the subject.

“I remember you were just over a year old back then, climbing over the wall… Your mother must have been very interested in that.”

"Father!" Liu Ju was furious. They had agreed on a confession session, and he had confessed, so why were they attacking him?

Liu Ju then stopped talking, not wanting to tease his son too much.

"Father, don't change the subject. I'm so busy even at such a young age, how can Auntie have a leisurely life? How about I recommend her to the Yin-Yang School?"

Liu Che's expression was indescribable: "You think she's having a leisurely time in Changmen Palace?"

"Eat well, drink well, do nothing, isn't that relaxing?"

"You sound rather envious?"

"Father, you know me too well, how about..."

"No, I don't want it!"

Liu Che covered Liu Ju's mouth, forbidding him to continue. He would have found such a reason absurd if given by others. But since it was Liu Ju who said it, it seemed far too believable.

His precious son really can't stand anyone being lazy! Oh, except for himself.

Liu Ju pulled Liu Che's hand away from his mouth and pressed, "So, is it okay?"

Getting back to the main point, Liu Che's feelings were somewhat complicated when he thought of Chen Ajiao.

If I could have Ajiao as my wife, I would keep her in a golden house. He said this when he was young in order to gain the support of Princess Guantao, but it wasn't entirely without sincerity.

He and Chen Ajiao had been together for a while before.

However, as the Empress Dowager held onto power, the couple and cousins ​​naturally became two opposing camps.

He had become a mature emperor, while Ajiao still regarded him as the Liu Che of the past; they were destined to part ways.

The so-called "using women to seduce" was just a pretext; he understood it, and so did Chen Ajiao. It was merely an inevitable power transition, and in the end, Ajiao retired to Changmen Palace, where eight years have passed.

The Dou family is now a thing of the past, and the remaining old nobles are all sensible, so letting Gillian out is not impossible.

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Che was tugged at by Liu Ju, who asked, "Is it alright? Is it alright?"

Liu Che patted his head, "Aren't you worried?"

What are you worried about?

"Are you worried that Ajiao will come out and threaten your mother's position?" Liu Che deliberately threatened, "She used to be my empress."

Liu Ju glanced at him speechlessly, then turned around as if to complain: "Fine, I'm going to tell Mother that you're going to depose me!"

"!" Liu Che panicked and pulled the person back abruptly. "Don't talk nonsense. When did I say I was going to depose the empress?"

"Then what did you say? I already called her Auntie! Auntie!"

Liu Che sighed helplessly. This kid was really hard to fool. He reached out and pinched his cheek. "Yes, yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince is the most intelligent. I'm going to give her the title of Princess. What do you think?"

Princess, daughter of a vassal king, her status is slightly lower than that of a princess. Liu Ju thought about it and thought it wasn't bad, so he reluctantly nodded, "Alright."

"You actually picked one?"

Seeing his little expression, Liu Che was both amused and annoyed. Suddenly remembering something, he couldn't help but ask, "Why the Yin-Yang School?"

Liu Ju said in a serious tone, "Don't you think my aunt is very good at using veiled sarcasm?"

Immediately recalling countless times he had choked up, Liu Che nodded with his eyes closed, "Indeed, it's perfect."