There's nothing wrong with Confucianism itself; the problem is that when it became associated with power, it lost its original essence and purpose. Most of today's so-called Confucian disciples study Confucianism for the sake of officialdom, fame, and wealth, rather than for the realization of Confucian ideals.

Having put aside their concerns, Cheng Yao and Chu Zhenglin conducted detailed discussions on the relocation of Julu Academy, including the timing of the relocation, the number of branches that Julu Academy needed to open in various cities in Wei State, and the fact that the great scholars and students of Julu Academy would be employed in schools run by the Wei court when needed. Of course, their salaries and benefits would be the same as those of the previous teachers in Wei State.

Overall, the relocation of Julu Academy to Wei State was a win-win situation for both parties. After Chu Zhenglin and Cheng Yao signed the agreement, the two sides started chatting again.

Chu Zhenglin said, "Mr. Cheng, I have a question, may I ask you?"

Now that the specific agreement had been signed, Cheng Yao didn't know what other questions Chu Zhenglin wanted to ask him. However, since they were allies now, Cheng Yao naturally wouldn't refuse Chu Zhenglin's request. So he said, "Your Highness, please speak. I will tell you everything I know."

Chu Zhenglin smiled and said, "It's not a big deal, actually. I just want to know how Cheng Daru persuaded the other great scholars in Julu Academy to agree to let you take full charge of the relocation of Julu Academy. In my impression, those great scholars all have their own ideas and opinions. They shouldn't easily agree with your decision, right?"

Cheng Yao said embarrassedly: "At the beginning, they did insist on not agreeing with my suggestion, thinking that as long as Julu Academy insisted on neutrality, no country would invade Julu Academy. As for the

Moving to Wei would instead cause Julu Academy to lose its independence and status, giving other countries an excuse to interfere in the academy's affairs."

Chu Zhenglin said, "Personally, I think what the other great scholars in the academy say makes sense. Julu Academy has been able to maintain neutrality in Shengwu Continent for so many years. Even if war breaks out in Shengwu Continent in the future, it is impossible for them to do anything to Julu Academy. After all, no matter which country unifies Shengwu Continent or whether multiple countries coexist, they will need the Confucian scholars in Julu Academy to govern the country.

Therefore, I also think that Cheng Daru is a little too worried. It is entirely possible for Julu Academy to remain neutral and there is no need to take the risk of moving to Wei.

Of course, Chu Zhenglin was just talking, as the agreement had already been signed. Although he hadn't sworn an oath to the Heart of Martial Arts, if Cheng Yao really changed his mind about relocating Julu Academy to Wei State just because of his words, Wei State wouldn't let him go.

Other great scholars in Julu Academy were unable to persuade Cheng Yao to give up his views, so how could he give up the decision to move Julu Academy to Wei State just because of Chu Zhenglin's two words of persuasion?

Cheng Yao said, "I don't agree with what Your Majesty said. If it were in the past, it would indeed be as Your Majesty said. As long as Julu Academy does not openly take sides with any country, it will not suffer a devastating blow in the future.

But things are different now. If Julu Academy continues to remain neutral, I'm afraid it will not only be difficult to protect itself in the future, but even its continued existence will be in doubt."

Chu Zhenglin said, "How is this possible? Julu Academy has been passed down for such a long time and has always lived like this. Even if war breaks out again, and countries are thirsty for talent even more, how could Julu Academy be in danger of survival?"

Cheng Yao seriously asked Chu Zhenglin, "Then, Your Majesty, if Wei unified Shengwu Continent in the upcoming war, would Wei tolerate the existence of a completely neutral Julu Academy that was not under its control?"

Chu Zhenglin was stunned. He hadn't expected Cheng Yao to see the current situation so clearly. His Majesty had carried out educational reforms in Wei, abandoning the absolute dominance of Confucianism. If Wei truly unified Shengwu Continent, then an organization like Julu Academy, which fully advocated Confucian culture, would be absolutely impossible for Wei to tolerate.

Confucianism now has a very high status in the Shengwu Continent, but if the Wei Kingdom is unified, it will definitely implement a new education system in the Shengwu Continent. At that time, even if Julu Academy chooses to compromise at the beginning due to the strength of the Wei Kingdom, the arrogance formed over thousands of years will definitely not allow them to watch Confucianism gradually decline.

Maybe they would abide by Wei's laws for some time after it unified Shengwu Continent, but as time went by and Wei relaxed its vigilance, those so-called great Confucian scholars would stand up and criticize the new education system, trying to restore the glory of Confucianism.

Therefore, if Julu Academy is not under the control of Wei State, then when Wei State unifies Shengwu Continent, regardless of whether it is a neutral organization or not, it will face the risk of being completely suppressed or even extinct.

Of course, this is the case when Julu Academy did not take the initiative to surrender to the Wei State. Now that Julu Academy has taken the initiative to surrender to the Wei State, it is equivalent to Julu Academy being under the control of the Wei State. Another point is that the Shengwu Continent is not in complete chaos yet, and Confucianism is still the mainstream thought on the Shengwu Continent. At this time, the great Confucian scholars and Confucian students who are willing to follow Cheng Yao to move to the Wei State to teach basically do not have the idea that Confucianism should be superior, nor will they do things that want to destroy the new education system.

It seems that what Cheng Yao is doing is indeed to find a way out for Julu Academy. The decision he has made now puzzles many people, but it is the most correct path.

Chu Zhenglin smiled and said, "How could our Wei Kingdom possibly unify the Shengwu Continent? Cheng Daru, are you overthinking it? You have to know that our Wei Kingdom suffered a heavy blow last year, and our national strength has been greatly damaged. Now the former empress of the Canglan Empire has officially declared war on our Wei Kingdom. It is unknown whether our Wei Kingdom can survive the upcoming turmoil. How can we possibly have the ability and energy to unify the entire Shengwu Continent?"

The two parties are not in a formal discussion now, so what they say is rather casual.

Cheng Yao said: "These things are just superficial phenomena. If it were other people, they might be deceived by these phenomena, but Cheng Mou has been leading Kaifeng City for several months. The high-yield new crops that Wei State is currently planting are precisely to solve the problem of food and fodder.

As for the unique martial arts on Chuitai Mountain, Cheng Mou didn't believe that the royal family and court forces of Wei State had not practiced them?

The most important point..."