At the same time, spread the word. If you sing a higher note, you will naturally become a leader supporting reform.

Although Cui Chengxiu is the host, there are many things he is not convenient to do and cannot do. In this way, both parties can cooperate and it can be said that they benefit from it.

If I have made great contributions to his support, I think His Majesty will also use me. Only then can I turn the tables and take charge of the situation, rising to the top in one step.

But these people from Donglin are so short-sighted, they are really useless confidants.

Especially Wei Dazhong, he doesn't even look at the current situation and actually wants to rely on his popularity to get to the top?

Thinking too much!

What is the temper of His Majesty? Can it help you improve your reputation?

Even if you can build up your reputation, I'm afraid you're not far from death. What's the point of having reputation after you die?

As for Zhong Yuzheng, he didn't know how to be an official more than 30 years ago, and he still doesn't know how to be an official now. He can't see the situation clearly, and he was actually bewitched by a junior like Wei Dazhong. He is simply stupid to the extreme.

Ruan Dacheng knew in his heart that if he could convince them, then he would do it well; if he couldn't convince them, then he would withdraw quickly.

You must not get too deeply involved in this mess, otherwise it is easy to get yourself involved. In the end, you will not get any credit, but will get yourself into trouble.

That's why Ruan Dacheng said these words to Zhong Yuzheng. His tone seemed very gentle, as if he was stating a fact, but in fact he was threatening.

The imperial court has given you a choice: either cooperate with the imperial reforms or simply close down. There is no third way.

Shoushan Academy closed down, and Ruan Dacheng believed that Zhong Yu was reluctant to let it go.

Ruan Dacheng felt that he had some understanding of this old man.

"So what?" Wei Dazhong said hurriedly. "Even if the academy closes, we must make our ideas known to everyone in the world. Once other academies follow suit, the court will definitely reconsider."

"Other academies will follow?" Ruan Dacheng sneered and said nothing to Wei Dazhong.

He turned to Zhong Yuzheng and said sincerely, "Who are the people who run the Royal Academy?"

"They are all Feng Congwu and his ilk, promoting the teachings of Xunzi. Furthermore, they are fawning and have no moral principles. They are a disgrace to scholars."

"If we withdraw, then wouldn't they have the final say over all academies in the world? At that time, where will the remaining scholars go? Where will the upright people in the world go? Who will defend the way of the sages?"

"In my opinion, not only can we not retreat, but we must actively strive for it. If they want to reform the academy, then they will reform it, and we will cooperate. After the reform is completed, we will definitely occupy some position in it. Only then will it be time for us to take action."

"After overthrowing these people, why can't we spread our sage's way? Even without overthrowing them, we can still spread our sage's way. In this case, why can't all the royal academies in the world become the best academies? Can't they all become Donglin Academies? Does the name of the academy matter? It doesn't matter. Spreading the sage's way is what matters."

"Dissenting now would be a big deal, but it would also be like handing the entire academy over to those people. Since we are determined to uphold the teachings of the sages, what's the harm in suffering a little injustice?

Zhong Yu was stroking his beard and nodding gently, looking very interested.

Wei Dazhong was furious. He looked at Ruan Dacheng and said angrily, "You have no backbone. You are a disgrace to scholars! Scholars should have backbone!"

"Integrity?" Ruan Dacheng looked at Wei Dazhong and snorted coldly, "Is that what you mean by integrity? You're talking nonsense! You're ruining the way of the saints! You're ruining the future of all scholars in the world!"

"Alright, stop arguing." Seeing that the two were still arguing, Zhong Yuzheng said, "You two should go out. Let me think about it."

The two men looked at each other, then snorted coldly, bowed to Zhong Yuzheng, turned around and walked out.

After leaving the house, Wei Dazhong looked at Ruan Dacheng and said angrily, "Don't think I don't know what you want to do. As long as I'm here, I will never let you succeed."

After saying this, Wei Dazhong flicked his sleeves and left.

Looking at his back, Ruan Dacheng sneered. Then he said, "A fool will always be a fool."