Xie Kejia said in a deep voice, "In that case, I would like to ask all of you to come with me to the yamen to discuss this further!"
Xie Kejia decided to suppress the matter immediately and take these people back first.
In short, we cannot allow the situation to continue escalating like this.
"Prefect Xie, these people have harassed the Imperial Academy. According to the laws of the Song Dynasty, they should all be imprisoned and sentenced."
A voice came from inside; it was Yang Han, a renowned scholar from Yingtian Academy.
Yang Han was over fifty years old, and his face exuded an imposing presence even without anger.
The students of Yingtian Academy made way for him. According to official rank, Yang Han was a sixth-rank official.
But he was no match for Xie Kejia, a fourth-rank official, though Zheng Hongyi behind him was indeed a formidable figure.
The Imperial Academy was a special place, directly under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. Not to mention the prefect, even the military commissioner of the Jingdong Road had no authority to manage the Yingtian Academy.
However, the current conflict lies precisely between Yingtian Academy and Yingtian University.
As a university newly established in Nanjing by Hanlin scholars, Yingtian University received special attention from that Minister Shi.
Shi Xun was a favorite of the emperor, and at a young age, he was among the high-ranking officials in the court. Even Liu Yanzong and Qin Hui had to help him. The emperor had high hopes for him. If anyone in Yingtian Prefecture were to offend Shi Xun, no one would have a good outcome.
Shi Xun was known for his vengeful nature and extremely ruthless methods.
On the other hand, Zheng Hongyi, a disciple of the late Confucian scholar Cheng Yi, has countless students and is the headmaster of Yingtian Academy.
Although he was Shi Xun's subordinate, Shi Xun couldn't do anything about him for the time being because of his high prestige and his low-key behavior.
However, now that Zheng Dan has done his job, Shi Xun is probably about to lose his temper.
Xie Kejia said, "So it is Dr. Yang. This matter still needs to be investigated. You should all come with me back to the yamen to investigate it thoroughly."
Yang Han shook his head and said, "Thank you, sir. This is Yingtian Academy. How can you just take people away as you please? You should know that this is the highest institution of learning in the Song Dynasty, directly under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. Fan Zhongyan and Ouyang Xiu both studied here in the past."
Xie Kejia was furious, but Yang Han's words were not without reason.
The Imperial Academy was above the Imperial University. The students here would become officials in the Song Dynasty court, and some might even become prime ministers to assist the emperor.
Xie Kejia was also a stubborn man. "I am the prefect of Yingtian Prefecture, and I was stopped by you, a mere sixth-rank official who was only there to prolong my life?"
Xie Kejia's face darkened: "Guards! Take all these people back to my residence! I will thoroughly investigate this case today!"
Yang Han shouted angrily, "Sir Xie, you have no right to arrest people at Yingtian Academy!"
"I am the Prefect of Yingtian Prefecture!"
At this moment, another voice came, this one dignified and solemn: "Thank you, sir. What brings you here on this snowy night? I'm sorry to trouble you to make this trip in person."
A figure emerged from inside; it was an elderly man who looked to be about seventy years old.
His hair was gray, but he was energetic and had bright eyes.
Upon seeing the visitor, Xie Kejia immediately bowed and said, "This student greets the Headmaster."
The visitor was none other than the renowned Zheng Hongyi. He had a kind and refined appearance, yet he also exuded the authority of a superior.
Xie Kejia's use of the term "student" is not unjustified; being a student of Yingtian Academy is an eternal honor for the family.
What was the status of Yingtian Academy in the Song Dynasty?
Compared to Tsinghua and Peking Universities in later generations, their status in those times was much, much higher.
It is the highest institution of learning in the Song Dynasty, the foremost of the four great academies of the Song Dynasty, and the birthplace of the famous Fan Zhongyan in the history of the Song Dynasty. It is a place where scholars from all over the world gather.
If the Confucius Mansion is the birthplace of the sage, then Yingtian Academy is the true lineage of sage learning.
“As the sage said, do not listen to unfounded words, and do not engage in plans without consulting him,” Zheng Hongyi said. “Today’s matter, Lord Xie should first investigate it. If the students of Yingtian Academy have indeed committed wrongdoing, the court will handle it accordingly.”
Xie Kejia cursed inwardly, "You old scoundrel! You call yourself a great Confucian scholar, yet you're rushing to defend your own."
"The headmaster is right." Xie Kejia's mind raced. There was no other way. Many of Zheng Hongyi's students were officials in Tokyo. If he really offended him, even if he wasn't dismissed from his post, he would probably be severely punished.
The safest course of action now is to report this matter to the imperial court and let them make a decision.
Xie Kejia's immediate plan was to persuade the students of Yingtian University to return home, and then he would immediately submit a memorial to the court to handle the matter.
"A sage? Which sage? This Great Song is the Great Song of the Son of Heaven, not the Great Song of a sage. If someone violates the laws of the Great Song today, even if a sage came, I would still arrest him and throw him in jail!"
Just as the situation was becoming somewhat tense, a rough voice rang out, which was particularly jarring to the ears of everyone at Yingtian Academy.
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of people dressed in black robes and brocade riding horses toward them.
Qiu Xueming, the commander of the Imperial City Guard, dismounted, followed by his men.
The Imperial Guards exuded a chilling aura of killing intent, and everyone quickly made way for them.
Qiu Xueming glanced at Zhou Bin, then turned his gaze to the group from Yingtian Academy: "Who did this?"
The guard who had just assaulted someone said, "This is Yingtian Academy, you must not act rashly..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qiu Xueming slapped him across the face. Qiu Xueming's strength was so great that the slap made blood seep from the corner of his mouth.
"I'm asking you who hit you!"
When the guard was struck, the others immediately drew their swords.
Qiu Xueming was slightly taken aback, then laughed: "You have guts to draw your swords against the Emperor's personal guards!"
Not far away, hundreds of torches were approaching this area.
The number of Imperial Guards increased, illuminating the entrance to Yingtian Academy.
Yang Han said, "Sir, these people attacked the Imperial Academy just now. According to the new laws of the Great Song Dynasty, we were acting in self-defense."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
