236. A gentleman takes revenge from morning till night (Part 2) (Page 1/2)
Kaifeng, at the city gate.
Dusk is approaching.
The soldiers guarding the city, leaning on their spears, wore expressions of exhaustion and impatience from a long day of duty: "Hurry! Hurry! The gates are about to close!"
Side doorway.
People entering and leaving the city formed long, crooked lines, their voices mingling with the cries of livestock, creating an exceptionally chaotic and noisy scene.
suddenly.
The steady, powerful sound of horses' hooves and wheels echoed from the end of the official road.
The common people were unaware of it.
The soldiers, who had initially looked impatient, instantly straightened up.
Because what came from the rosy clouds was an ancient, heavy four-horse carriage!
Just as one of the soldiers was about to step forward to greet them.
"What are you all standing there for! Open the middle door! Hurry up!"
A loud shout rang out, making the eardrums of several soldiers ache.
Under the astonished gazes of the soldiers.
Then, the usually arrogant commander, after reprimanding them, actually jogged over to greet the carriage.
The people looked back curiously.
The carriage came to a smooth stop outside the city.
The garrison commander quickly cupped his hands towards the carriage and said respectfully, "I was unaware of your arrival, Headmaster. I have failed to greet you properly and beg your forgiveness!"
who?
Headmaster?
Upon hearing the words of the garrison commander, the surrounding area fell silent.
Countless gazes turned in shock toward the carriage.
When they saw the two characters 'Yuelu' fluttering in front of the carriage, they all widened their eyes in surprise.
Today, news of the Heavenly Official entering the city and His Majesty supporting the "Headmaster of Yuelu Mountain" is spreading like wildfire throughout the city.
That very evening, the young headmaster, who was favored by the emperor, appeared outside the gates of Kaifeng.
Oh my god!
No wonder Lord Qianhu went up to greet him so casually!
The soldiers snapped out of their shock and ran toward the city gate.
The evening breeze lifted the curtain of the carriage.
You can vaguely see the handsome, youthful profile of the young headmaster inside the car: "General, you're too kind."
Almost the instant the young school principal finished speaking.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The two massive central gates of Kaifeng City burst open with a roar.
The wind, carrying the earthy smell of the Yellow River, howled in, causing countless people to squint.
The garrison commander glanced quickly into the carriage, not daring to look any longer.
Recalling the ridiculously exaggerated background of the young headmaster and the even more outrageous rumors circulating in the streets today, his posture became even more respectful: "Headmaster, please."
"Thank you for your trouble."
As the thousand households bowed humbly in farewell, amidst the twilight of the city and countless gazes filled with a mixture of awe, envy, and fear, the scene unfolded.
The carriage slowly started moving, passing through the central gate into Kaifeng City, completely isolating itself from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
After about half a cup of tea's time.
A shocking piece of news spread quickly throughout the Kaifeng officialdom: Cui Xian entered Kaifeng overnight!
hiss!
During the day, Zhang Sai was captured, and the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Zhou Xiang lost face. The Zheng family, who were behind the scenes, also suffered a humiliating defeat.
Before the day was even over...
Cui Xian then launched his attack!
But how can he get his revenge?
Whose house should we go to for revenge?
The Zheng family.
Zheng Qizhen, who was the first to receive the news, sneered: "Looking across Henan, no one has ever dared to cause trouble in my Zheng family."
Provincial Surveillance Commission.
Lord Zhou Xiang flung his official robes aside: "Settle accounts? Does he dare to cause trouble in my Provincial Surveillance Commission?"
That being said...
From the moment the carriage bearing the "Yuelu" banner entered Kaifeng, countless eyes were fixed on it.
They were monitoring the carriage's every move.
The four-horse carriage continued along the Imperial Street.
After passing through the Zhouqiao market, head northwest towards Daningfang.
Once the destination of the carriage was determined, countless servants and runners who had come to inquire about the situation gasped in shock.
Good heavens!
Choi Hyun actually plans to go to the Jung family!
Daningfang, Wangfu South Street.
As dusk fell, lanterns were hung early on both sides of the long street, illuminating the mansions of the noble families along the street in a dazzling and luxurious manner.
From the previous dynasty to the dynasty before that, countless noble families and powerful clans settled in Kaifeng.
These prominent families mostly settled down and built their homes on Wangfu South Street.
Apart from the Zhou Prince's Mansion, which was established and built here by the current dynasty but later surpassed it.
Without a doubt, the Zheng family was the most prestigious.
The most intuitive feeling is—
From a distance, the pavilions, towers, and gates stand tall.
You can't even tell which of the two most luxurious mansions is the Prince's Mansion and which is the Zheng family's.
Tonight, it seems I had already sensed the undercurrent of crisis.
The gates of all the houses on Wangfu South Street were tightly closed.
Da, da, da.
The old-fashioned four-horse carriage sped along the long street before stopping outside the Zheng family's gate.
There was no one guarding the Zheng family's gate.
They don't seem to have any intention of opening the door.
Inside the carriage.
The student who came out with the headmaster, who boasted that he was "willing to do anything," volunteered, "Headmaster, I have a loud voice, should I go and knock on the door?"
His name is Xu Yizhi, and he is fifteen years old.
He was a year older than his headmaster.
But at this moment, Xu Yizhi's gaze toward the headmaster was filled with excitement and admiration.
Upon hearing Xu Yizhi's words, Gao Qi and Zhuang Jin in the car burst into laughter.
Cui Xian leaned against the car window and said with a smile, "No need, just wait."
Xu Yizhi was somewhat bewildered, and also a little embarrassed by the laughter.
But he knew in his heart that he was playing a high-level game.
Although he didn't understand anything, at least he got involved!
When I get back to the academy, I can brag to my classmates for a whole year!
With that thought in mind, Xu Yizhi sat up obediently, his eyes fixed on the spot, determined not to miss a single detail!
Four horse-drawn carriages stood quietly outside the Zheng residence.
They waited patiently and calmly.
Inside the mansion.
Instructor Zheng's face twisted, it was hard to tell whether it was from anger or jealousy: "Does he really think he's the head of the entire academy!"
"He came to my Zheng family to cause trouble, and he didn't even send an invitation, forcing us to go out and greet him. What a big shot he is."
"Ridiculous! Brother, since he insists on waiting, let him wait outside all night!"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Qizhen wanted to slap his pedantic younger brother, whose mind was filled with nothing but the title of "Headmaster."
How could my esteemed Zheng family produce such a bookworm who's gone stupid?
Zheng Qizhen took a deep breath: "The imperial decree has been issued. He is now the headmaster of Yuelu Academy."
Instructor Zheng was so angry that his eyes turned red.
But Zheng Qizhen ignored his younger brother and said in a deep voice, "He is the headmaster, we should go out to greet him."
"Besides, the Heavenly Official has already arrived in Kaifeng. If we really leave him out all night, how will we explain it?"
"But the Zheng family is not to be trifled with either."
"Whether it was the Cui family's house that was smashed or the gate of Yuelu Mountain that was broken, there was no evidence pointing to my Zheng family."
"If you rashly show up to settle accounts, who knows who might be the one who loses face!"
"Stop looking so pathetic and come with me to meet him. If you're really angry, wouldn't it be more satisfying to take it out on him?"
Instructor Zheng suddenly realized what was happening.
yes!
Although Cui Xian had become the headmaster, he still had a fatal flaw—
New school!
Instructor Zheng asked himself honestly, he might not be as knowledgeable as Cui Xian, but he could easily shatter that rebellious new learning!
Seeing his younger brother's expression, Zheng Qizhen chuckled and said, "You do have some brains."
Instructor Zheng said excitedly, "Brother, you can rest assured that I'll handle things!"
A moment later.
The gate of Zheng's house was wide open.
Accompanied by a dozen or so menacing servants, the two Zheng brothers emerged.
The patriarch, Zheng Qizhen, cleared his throat and said, "Having heard of the Headmaster's visit, I—"
However.
Before the powerful current head of the Zheng family could finish speaking...
A dignified young voice came from inside the carriage: "Zheng Qixian, kneel down!"
The long street was quiet.
Zheng Qizhen, whose words were interrupted: ?
Instructor Zheng Qixian, who walked out with an imposing air: ?
(This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading) 236. A gentleman takes revenge from morning till night (Part 2) (Page 2/2)
The Zheng family servants, along with the powerful nobles surrounding them, and a large number of spies from the Kaifeng government: ?
what happened?
Did they immediately close the distance and unleash their ultimate attack?
There was absolutely no warning!
Zheng Qixian's face instantly contorted and flushed red upon being ordered to 'kneel down': "Cui Xian, you—"
The carriage curtain was lifted.
Xu Yizhi was the first to step forward, bending down, and loudly rebuked, "Instructor Zheng, you must not address the headmaster by his given name!"
Zheng Qixian instinctively fell silent.
But a moment later, he realized with embarrassment—he was no longer the instructor of Yuelu Academy!
Just snort, just snort!
"Cui Xian, even if you are the abbot of Yuelu Academy, what right do you have to make me kneel down!"
Zheng Qixian angrily said, "Previously on the debate platform, you said that 'all six classics are my footnotes.' May I ask, what is the meaning of 'I dare not wear clothes that are not in accordance with the laws of the former kings' in the Classic of Filial Piety? Does that mean that the rites and music of the Three Dynasties can be abandoned?"
"His attempts to criticize Mencius and Confucius are blasphemous and mislead the students; he is unworthy to head the academy!"
beside.
Zheng Qizhen watched coldly, and for the first time felt that his bookish younger brother was actually somewhat useful.
The next moment.
The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Cui Xian's young face.
He sat in the carriage, looked at the angry Zheng Qixian, and said calmly, "The robes may be changed, but filial piety remains."
"Mencius said in 'Li Lou': 'A great man does not necessarily keep his word or act decisively, but only acts according to righteousness.' The Duke of Zhou established rites to convey the Way; how can we allow later generations to buy the box and return the pearl?"
Zheng Qixian retorted sharply, "Absurd! If everyone takes their own mind as their teacher, which comes first, 'Revere the vast heaven' in the Book of Documents, Yao Dian, or 'Pray for a good harvest in the first month of spring' in the Book of Rites, Yue Ling?"
Cui Xian let out a sneer: "The way of Heaven has no order of precedence, but the human heart has its own darkness and light."
"The Book of Changes says, 'The spirit has no fixed form, and the Book of Changes has no fixed shape.' Your insistence on distinguishing between before and after is like trying to determine which is more important, the sun or the moon."
Zheng Qixian knew that Cui Xian was a learned man.
But now that he was actually facing off against Cui Xian, he realized just how terrifying this man was.
He was so young, his demeanor relaxed and carefree, as if he were in complete control.
In just two rounds, Zheng Qixian was left speechless!
This is probably why Huan Yinghui chose this person to be the headmaster.
Zheng Qixian stared at Cui Xian's young face, consumed by jealousy, panting heavily, unable to utter a single word.
Zheng Qizhen standing next to him: "..."
That was too hasty.
I shouldn't have had any expectations of you at all.
Just as Zheng Qizhen was about to speak.
Zheng Qixian suddenly burst into maniacal laughter: "I've got it! I've got it!"
"Cui Xian, stop your sophistry! The Book of Songs, in the chapter 'Xiang Shu,' says, 'If a person has no manners, what is the point of living?' If we follow your own philosophy, can we abandon etiquette because of 'conscience'?"
He seemed to think his argument was particularly brilliant.
After saying it, he even burst into laughter and grabbed his brother's arm, shaking it vigorously, extremely excited.
This made Zheng Qizhen excited as well.
The newly appointed headmaster of Yuelu Academy is less learned than the Zheng family...
However.
Then Cui Xian shook his head, his eyes filled with pity: "No wonder the old abbot wanted to expel you from Yuelu before he passed away. Your level of scholarship is truly worrying."
"But considering that you once taught at Yuelu Academy, this academy will not hesitate to answer for you and settle this last bit of our relationship."
"Etiquette is the trunk and branches, while conscience is the root."
The Analects, Yang Huo chapter, says, "The talk of rites, rites, jade and silk—are these all just empty words? Without sincerity and reverence, even the most elaborate acts of kneeling and kowtowing are nothing more than a monkey in a hat!"
"Have you heard the saying in the Book of Documents, 'If the medicine does not cause dizziness, the illness will not be cured'? Today's debate is the best medicine to cure your chronic illness—"
Do not let old papers become a prison; watch the new swallows peck at the spring mud!
boom!
Upon hearing this, Zheng Qixian, who was already furious, widened his eyes and collapsed to the ground.
He was pale-faced and stared at the young headmaster in front of him as if he had seen a ghost. He felt that all his decades of learning and research had been wasted.
The former instructor of Yuelu Academy wailed loudly behind his own door: "It's fake, it must be fake! I don't believe there is such a monster in the world!"
Zheng Qizhen: "..."
So what were you so excited about just now?
What were you so excited about just now?
Answer me!
Those from all sides who were gathering information outside the Zheng family mansion were utterly shocked.
In an instant, Zheng Qixian was driven to the brink of moral collapse by his arguments.
They stared in awe at the carriage, thinking—
The young headmaster's anger had only just begun, yet it burned so fiercely.
As for Xu Yizhi in the car, he was so excited that he was trembling, his eyes shining as he began to take notes: "Don't use old papers as a prison, but watch the new swallows peck at the spring mud!"
"Good heavens, how could such a brilliant line just come out so casually!"
"I must record this, otherwise I will become a sinner for all time!"
He was engrossed in taking notes.
Little did anyone know, Cui Xian slowly leaned out of the carriage, stood in front of it, and coldly looked at the head of the Zheng family.
Perhaps it was because he was wearing a dark blue robe, or perhaps it was because he had just won a strong argument against Zheng Qixian, but the young dean standing on the high place had a cold aura and an amazing presence.
Zheng Qizhen's face was extremely ugly, and he said coldly, "Headmaster Cui, what is the meaning of this?"
"Even if you are the headmaster of a college, my Zheng family is a family that has accumulated good deeds. Why should we suffer such humiliation from you?"
Logically speaking.
Now Cui Xian should say, "Your Zheng family destroyed my house, so I'm here to seek justice."
Zheng Qizhen retorted, "You dare to make baseless accusations without evidence? I'll sue you for defamation!"
Unfortunately, Cui Xian came for revenge.
This isn't about logic.
He slowly took out a ruler from his sleeve and looked down at the Zheng brothers: "I'm here to clean house."
Zheng Qizhen looked slightly dazed.
Then the young headmaster flicked his sleeves and looked at Zheng Qixian, who was sitting on the ground wailing: "When the old dean was dying, he once gave an oral order to expel you from the school, but the document was not completed and it did not take effect."
Therefore, you remain an instructor at Yuelu Academy.
"Zheng Qixian, this court has come to question you."
"Where were you, as the instructor, when the academy was in peril?"
"You are on duty, why are you deserting your post?"
"Now the whole city is in an uproar, everyone is saying that the Zheng family harmed my academy. You were born into the Zheng family, so how do you explain that?"
The crowd that heard this were speechless.
Even Xu Yizhi, who was writing down notes with great enthusiasm, was shocked and turned to look at his own headmaster.
no?
This works?
If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext!
Zheng Qixian, whose Dao heart had collapsed, was so angry that he stopped crying and his hand trembled as he pointed at Cui Xian.
Zheng Qizhen could no longer tolerate it, his eyes flashing with a fierce light: "Absurd!"
"Cui Xian, don't push your luck!"
This is outrageous!
Today, I can do even better!
Cui Xian looked at Zheng Qizhen and said righteously, "His Majesty appointed me as the headmaster, so behind me lies the future of countless students in the Great Liang."
"If all the educators in the world were to follow Zheng Qixian's example, deserting in the face of battle, colluding with the enemy, and betraying the country, wouldn't our Great Liang be in imminent danger?"
“Zheng Qixian, you have failed in your duties first, and now you have led the academy into injustice.”
"Today, in the name of the headmaster, I will follow the laws of the sages and rectify the conduct of my academy!"
Kneel down!
Zheng Qixian stood up abruptly: "What if I don't kneel?"
Cui Xian seemed to smile: "Since you are willing to kneel, then it is an internal matter of the academy. After the academy cleans up its own ranks, we will let it go."
"If you do not kneel... the imperial edict will arrive in seven days."
"This academy will take this matter to court and petition His Majesty for a wise judgment, to make you, this disloyal, unjust, and inhumane Confucian scholar, a negative example for all students of the academies!"
After saying that.
He slowly stepped down from the carriage and stood outside the Zheng residence. His arrogant words sent chills down everyone's spines.
"If you narrowly believe that this institution bullied you today... then so be it."
Inside the carriage, Gao Qi and Zhuang Jin, who were peering through the gaps in the carriage, were so excited that they pinched each other's thighs.
Xu Yizhi, who originally thought his headmaster was a bit unreasonable, was now starry-eyed: He truly deserves to be our headmaster!
He can be this handsome even when he's being unreasonable!
Zheng Qixian rolled his eyes in anger, about to unleash a torrent of curses.
The next moment.
Bang!
He was kicked to the ground, seeing stars.
Then, he heard his elder brother, Zheng Qizhen, panting heavily, gritting his teeth as he said:
"Kneel down and apologize to the headmaster."
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