Chapter 351 Secret Meeting with Madam Xiao
"Have you thought of anything?"
In Xiuwen Hall, Mo Chou came over at some point and sat next to Zhao Duan, staring at him and asking curiously.
Zhao Duan pulled his thoughts back from his distraction, subconsciously closed the information in his hand, and asked in surprise: "Why are you coming over here?"
Mo Chou said confidently, "I'm not good at this, I can't help."
Although she had attended classes at the palace school with the Third Princess, the teachings of the sages were of little use to her. She only had a rough understanding of them and had already returned them to her teacher.
"Oh, coincidentally, I'm not good at it either."
Zhao Duan smiled and pointed at the information with his finger, saying:
"What Mr. Zhengyang said seems to make a lot of sense, citing various classics."
Mo Chou exhaled, pressed her fingers on the "plum blossom makeup" between her eyebrows, and sighed:
"How else can you be revered as the next generation's literary saint? Do you have any thoughts on this?"
As a female prime minister who repeatedly looked down on Zhao Duan and was repeatedly slapped in the face, she had a somewhat metaphysical superstition about Zhao Duan's abilities.
Although her rationality told her that her "rival" in this field would not be able to achieve anything, but...
"No." Zhao Duan shook his head frankly, threw the information on the table, and said with a smile: "This is not what I am good at."
After hesitating, he chose not to put forward his idea on the spot.
Because although he saw some interesting and refutable points in Zhengyang's theory, Zhao Duan was not sure.
In the final analysis, no matter in his past life or this life, he was not good at academic research.
In his limited memories, which belonged to the original owner, the scholars of the Dayu Dynasty had a complete set of rules for "debating knowledge", just like citing legal provisions.
Moreover, although he has made some breakthroughs, it is still unknown how successful they will be.
Therefore, when it comes to academic matters, it would be safer to leave it to the expert Master Dong.
As for providing ideas to Grand Tutor Dong, Zhao Duan was very cautious about this, because Grand Tutor Dong and Zhengyang actually did not have any major differences in academics, and both were very similar to the Confucian school of Neo-Confucianism.
However, after the empress ascended the throne, Grand Tutor Dong went astray on the academic level in order to find legitimacy for the empress's regime.
What Zhengyang wanted to do was to straighten his crooked butt...
As for Zhao Duan, the theory that leaned towards psychology in his heart... well, he was worried that if he spoke out now, it would have an impact on Zhengyang. It was hard to say, but it might even directly destroy Master Dong's Dao heart...
If you kill yourself before killing the enemy, you are doomed.
Therefore, to be on the safe side, he planned to go back and collect more information to gain a more thorough understanding.
And try to find an opportunity to secretly trick Zhengyang before the "discussion" and snipe the opponent in advance.
In this way, even if the Confucian psychology he mastered could not defeat Zhengyang, he could still shake the opponent's Tao heart and increase Dong Xuan's chances of winning.
Well, it's like trying to change your opponent's mentality before a sporting event. It's very insidious.
But when facing the enemy, there is no harm in being insidious.
"Is that so?" Mo Chou was a little disappointed. She glanced at his armor and asked curiously:
"Are you from the Shenji Camp?"
Zhao Duan said "Oh" and briefly recounted how Prince Heng had caused trouble.
Mo Chou's expression changed constantly, and she frowned: "It seems that Prince Heng is also very restless."
"Yes," Zhao Duan sighed, and said meaningfully, "Once the Frost Descent passes, the cold winter is not far away."
Mo Chou thought for a moment and said:
"You said he treated the female head of the Donghu family like a slave? After Madam Xiao came to the city, she was trying to find out about the opening of the market and the appointment of the imperial merchant. As far as I know, she has already visited officials from the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Rites to get a feel for the situation."
Big Ice Tuozi seemed to have figured out some of Xu Zudi's intentions.
Zhao Duan said calmly:
"I've already sent people to investigate. I have a feeling this isn't over yet. Oh, I almost forgot. Xue Shence told me he heard Zhao Shixiong and Prince Mu of Yunfu Road are also very close. Does Your Majesty know about this?"
Mo Chou's face was solemn. She looked at him deeply and said:
"It is true."
Zhao Duan, who had already completed his task of passing the microphone, sighed:
"What a nice autumn with cool weather."
…
After sitting in the Xiuwen Hall for more than an hour, Zhao Duan gained a better understanding of his opponent's situation through conversations with the scholars.
Then he stood up and said goodbye, and returned to the imperial court to deal with the follow-up of the morning's events. After arriving, he learned that Hou Renmeng and others had already taken action in advance and drafted regulations to rectify discipline.
Zhao Duan took advantage of the situation and summoned many Jinyi in Lihua Hall to give a speech.
Although it is impossible to eliminate it all at once and make military discipline strict, at least it is a start. In the next period of time, these troublemakers will be restrained and disciplined.
At the same time, Zhao Duan also got the intelligence from his subordinates' investigation:
When Madam Xiao and her group were about to leave Qingzhou, they were stopped by the prince who was also rushing to the capital to relax and have fun.
"The investigation is so fast? Is it reliable?" Zhao Duan was puzzled.
Hou Renmeng said seriously, "It was the servant of the Xiao family's female headmistress. She mentioned it to the clerk in the Xiao family's shop in the city."
Zhao Duan found things becoming more and more interesting.
As dusk approached, Zhao Duan returned home and deliberately took a street where more scholars gathered.
As expected, along the way, I heard many people talking about the academic conference five days later.
The duel between the two great literary scholars from the north and the south was an event that was enough to shock and attract the whole city.
It was visible to the naked eye that the number of readers gathered on both sides of the street had increased a lot.
"Sir, I heard that many students from academies outside the city have abandoned their studies and come back to join in the fun. The Imperial College is in even greater chaos, as if it has split into two factions, arguing endlessly." The coachman Xiao Wang sighed.
Zhao Duan sighed, "It seems that there are still many book-stupid people in this city who oppose Your Majesty in their hearts."
Xiao Wang didn't dare to say anything.
Zhao Duan said quietly:
"Tell the people below tomorrow to secretly record which scholars have been making a fuss these past few days, waving the flag and shouting for the Zhengyang School. These are all unrest. Alas, are you or these scholars just memorizing things by rote, stupidly clinging to book dogma, or are you just too clever?"
Xiao Wang thought for a moment and said:
"Perhaps it's because he wasn't promoted by His Majesty, didn't get an official position, and didn't receive any benefits, so he's resentful."
Zhao Duan looked at the driver in surprise and sighed:
"Every dynasty has been like this, no one is immune. Who says it's not true?"
The carriage drove through the downtown area, crossed the streets, and arrived outside the Zhao Mansion.
The servants who heard the noise opened the door to greet them.
As Zhao Duan stepped into the courtyard, he saw You Jinhua coming up to him. While removing his armor, he said:
"Someone just delivered a letter."
"Whose invitation?" Zhao Duan stood in the hall, arms stretched out, eyes closed, enjoying watching his aunt take off her armor.
Eugene said hesitantly:
"It's not an invitation. It's so mysterious. I think it's something more serious. It's an invitation to meet you tomorrow. The name on it is a woman's name, Xiao Dong'er."
Zhao Duan suddenly opened his eyes.
Mrs. Xiao?
Invite yourself to meet?
…
That night, the hottest topic in the city was naturally the academic discussion between Mr. Zhengyang and Master Dong in the Plum Garden.
However, Zhao Duan knew that this was just the beginning. The next few days would be a time for Dong Xuan to prepare, as well as a time for the news to spread and for the topic to ferment.
The next morning.
As usual, Zhao Duan went to Lihua Hall to handle official business. Around noon, he changed into inconspicuous casual clothes and found a restaurant to have lunch.
Then, he estimated the time, changed his appearance with a disguise mask, and quietly merged into the crowd.
Finally, he appeared in a residential area. After walking along the alley for a while, he arrived outside a house with a plaque with the words "Cha Rong Xiao Zhai" hanging on the lintel.
I knocked on the metal door knocker and a servant opened the door.
Zhao Duan reported Mrs. Xiao's name, and the latter immediately welcomed him in.
The courtyard of the house is quite elegant, and is similar to the "Qinglian Cottage" where Zhao Duan had visited to deal with Zhang Changji.
But it is not a flesh trade, but a more serious one, a private residence specially for gatherings of three or five good friends.
Many people who don’t want to go to restaurants or teahouses will choose this kind of private home gathering.
The main feature of this "Cha Rong Xiao Zhai" is "brewing tea around the stove".
After Zhao Duan entered, he found that he was the only guest here today. The owner of the room seemed to have been warned in advance and did not say anything extra. He led Zhao Duan into a house with a bamboo sliding door.
Passing through the house, there is a clay stove covered with iron mesh in the exquisite courtyard. It can be used to make tea and roast various foods.
Zhao Duan waved his hand, declining the kindness of the people here to help him bake. After driving them away, he took off his disguise mask and restored his original appearance.
Then they would take matters into their own hands, picking up rice cakes, cut oranges, persimmon cakes and other foods with great interest and roasting them on the stove.
In the chill of late autumn, it is truly a leisurely and elegant enjoyment.
After about a cup of tea, he heard footsteps approaching.
A figure wrapped in a black cloak walked in alone, gracefully.
"Mrs. Xiao found a good place, but since it's an invitation, she asked the guests to wait. Could this be the way of hospitality in Donghu?"
Zhao Duan didn't even bother to raise his eyelids, his hands still holding the iron fork, roasting oranges with great interest.
The cloaked man walked closer to the empty chair.
Delicate and well-maintained hands emerged from the sleeves, took off the cloak, revealing the woman's smooth forehead and cheeks.
Xiao Dong'er was still wearing the same dark horse-faced skirt underneath, but with a new pattern, making it more formal.
The person who appeared at this moment was completely different from the noble vase and the woman playing the piano yesterday.
He bowed his head and apologized:
"I, the widow, have been so rude and have troubled you to come here. I cannot get away from it. I hope you will forgive me."
Zhao Duan retracted the iron fork and put the roasted orange slices, which were still hot, into his mouth. He chewed them slowly, closed his eyes and savored the taste of his lower lip and teeth, then said casually:
"Please sit down. I don't like to talk with my head tilted up."
Madam Xiao twisted her round hips and slowly sat down. Her eyes were bright and lively on her peaceful face.
Reaching out to pick up the boiling teapot, he poured him some tea and said apologetically:
"I, the widow, dare not hope that you will really keep the appointment. When we first met yesterday, I felt very sorry for the offense. I really..."
Zhao Duan threw the warm iron fork onto the stove, raised his eyelids, and finally looked at the female head of the Donghu family, with a half-smile:
"The word 'widow' sounds harsh to me. As the saying goes, 'A widow's door is the source of much trouble.' I don't want to get involved in any trouble. Please change the name."
(End of this chapter)
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