Chapter 94 Joint Letter
At Zhang's house, a fierce quarrel was heard from the study.
The servant was guarding the door, and he went from being very nervous at the beginning to being accustomed to the quarreling sounds coming from inside. In fact, it had only been two days.
Ever since the old man brought back the two deans, Chen Dinghuai and Jiang Jiuqing, two days ago, such quarrels have often been heard in the study of the Zhang Mansion.
Jiang Jiuqing paced back and forth in the study with his hands behind his back, muttering to himself, "No, a decision must be made today! It's been three days, and every day of delay for such a world-changing saying is a loss! And we've been delayed for three whole days!" He really couldn't wait to let the world know!
Zhang Yong and Chen Dinghuai sat in the guest and host seats respectively, with indifferent expressions.
Jiang Jiuqing looked at the two of them and said, "Why don't you guys talk?"
"You sit down first. You're making me dizzy from walking around." Chen Dinghuai said.
Zhang Yong said, "It's a good decision. You all withdraw!"
Jiang Jiuqing subconsciously retorted, "Why?"
Zhang Yong: "According to what the Lu family boy said, this is what Lu Desheng happened to read and wanted to give it to me so that I can inspire the people of our country to strive for progress."
"Bah, that's not what he said. Lu Mingzhi said that Lu Desheng wanted to share it with all the other presidents. Don't even think about keeping it for yourself!" Jiang Jiuqing went on, "If it weren't for me, with your personality, Zhang Yong, there's no doubt whether this piece of paper would still exist." He has made contributions, so why should he withdraw?
Jiang Jiuqing is not easy to deal with. Zhang Yong looked at Chen Dinghuai and asked, "How about you quit?"
Chen Dinghuai said calmly, "I am the headmaster of Lu Mingzhi's school. As the saying goes, the one who is near the water gets the moon first. If I had not been there that day, would Lu Mingzhi, his student, have passed on these enlightening golden sentences to us? He did so based on his understanding and trust in me." Therefore, he could not withdraw.
The three of them looked at each other, neither of them giving in. These contemporary scholars looked like they had never been close friends before.
In the past few days, the three principals of the academies, three old men with a combined age of over 150, almost came to blows over these enlightening quotes.
They fought tooth and nail for these inspiring words, each vying for the right to utter them. Each wanted to have them carved on a stone tablet, then erect it before the gates of their respective academies, promising to shock and inspire the students. Each wanted a unique copy, knowing that if these words were used, their academy would become renowned and known throughout the world.
Zhang Yong had a headache. This kind of quarrel had been going on for two or three days. If they continued to quarrel, there would still be a stalemate.
"Hold on, hold on. There's no point in arguing any further. So, I have a suggestion."
"What suggestions?"
"The three of us are writing a joint petition to the Emperor..."
Finally, they unanimously decided to ask the emperor to write an inscription, and all three academies would simultaneously erect a stele with this enlightening saying as a motto. The emperor's words would then be printed on a bluestone stele or stele pavilion as a warning to all students.
"Would you like to invite Lu Desheng to come with us?"
"No need." They had originally wanted to visit Lu Desheng after receiving this enlightening golden sentence, but he fell ill again, and they didn't want to disturb him during his illness. However, they were very anxious about this matter. After all, he deserved the credit, so they would not give him less.
Emperor Kang Cheng was a little surprised when he received the joint request from Zhang Yong and others for an audience. It had been a long time since his Grand Tutor had asked for an audience with him alone. But Emperor Kang Cheng knew that people like Zhang Yong were usually quiet, but when they made a move, it was no small matter.
Emperor Kangcheng was racking his brains over whether to meet him or not. He hadn't fully recovered yet. He needed to take care of himself and avoid overexertion. This was Lu Aiqing's special reminder in a note. The emperor and his minister had been exchanging experiences on recuperation for the past few days.
Recently, the Xianbei, Wuhuan, and Shanxu tribes have been raiding the counties along the Dali border, creating a critical military situation in the north. The crown prince has already traveled north to visit the troops, and he is currently worried about the crown prince's performance. Lü Desheng has also complained to him about his eldest son's unreliability.
Emperor Kangcheng suddenly discovered that the monarch and his minister had a lot of common topics recently.
Seeing this, Wei Zili hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Lord Zhang said that this is a good thing and it concerns Lord Lu."
Emperor Kang Cheng heard this and nodded, "Then let's meet him."
As the leader of the three, Zhang Yong stepped forward and explained his purpose.
Emperor Kangcheng finally understood after hearing this. So, he was asking for an inscription for the academy. Although the words required were a bit more, four sentences in total, much more than he had expected, it was still a small matter.
Emperor Kang Cheng was puzzled, but, "What does this have to do with Lu Aiqing?"
"Lord Lu, Your Majesty, you only care about Lu Desheng!" Zhang Yong and others complained inwardly.
"Your Majesty, these are the reading insights that Censor Lu came across by chance." Zhang Yong presented the paper with both hands, looking respectful.
So the calligraphy he wanted to write was a piece of reading experience that Lü Aiqing had come across by chance? Emperor Kang Cheng picked it up at random, and when his eyes fell on the four sentences above, his whole body was shocked.
Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world for all time!
What an ambitious ambition!
Emperor Kang Cheng was moved. Wasn't this the goal he had been striving for when he first ascended the throne, full of ambition? It was just that he hadn't expressed it in such clear language at the time.
The emperor, who was nearly fifty years old, had slightly moist eyes. His life had already reached the second half of the second half, but suddenly he turned back to face his original intention.
Zhang Yong and others could understand Emperor Kang Cheng's mood at this moment, which was exactly the same as theirs two days ago.
When they first heard these words, it was like the voice of heaven descending, a sound so great and silent that it made them feel as if they were struck by lightning, followed by a feeling of numbness and trembling from the depths of their souls.
Finally, Emperor Kang Cheng sighed deeply.
"Taifu, what Lord Lu said is truly wonderful."
"Your Majesty, these words were not realized by Censor Lu. The person who realized these amazing and enlightening sayings was Zhang Zai." Zhang Yong emphasized, Your Majesty, don't think about your beloved Lu. Does Lu Desheng seem to be a person with such a broad mind and enlightenment?
Zhang Zai must be a great sage to be able to say this.
Your Lu Aiqing was just a messenger. We do not deny his contribution, but we will never allow him to take the credit for himself.
"Who is Zhang Zai? Where is he now?" asked Emperor Kang Cheng.
He refused to believe that they hadn't sent anyone to look for Zhang Zai in the past two days. But, they couldn't find him, right? If they did, they would definitely introduce him to me. Such a great and capable person is far more important than that Fan Quan.
Zhang Yong and others remained silent.
So, the messenger is also very important. Without Lü Desheng, would you know Zhang Zai? Would you know the Four Elements?
Emperor Kangcheng immediately ordered writing materials to be brought to him, and after a moment's concentration, he began to write, finishing the four sentences in one breath. The inscription read: "Written by Zhang Zai," followed by "Reported by my friend Lü Desheng," "Respectfully presented by Zhang Yong, Chen Dinghuai, and Jiang Jiuqing, and written by Song Zhi."
Song Zhi is the taboo name of Emperor Kangcheng.
Very good, everyone has shared the credit.
Zhang Yong, Chen Dinghuai and Jiang Jiuqing were all very excited.
The rest was easy; it was simply a matter of finding craftsmen to carve the stone tablet and build the pavilion. They eventually found Wang Tong, a renowned sculptor from Dali, to oversee the carving. And so, fueled by money and power, in just one day and one night, a new monument stood to the left of the gate or at the entrance of each of Wansong, Bailu, and Songshan academies on a winter morning.
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