The reason why Ma Cheng committed suicide by biting his tongue was because he knew that Zhangsun Wuji would definitely not spare him. However, he was still a Third Grade Crown Prince. No matter how much Zhangsun Wuji hated him, it wasn't possible for him to kill him directly. That would only give Zhangsun Wuji an advantage. The shrewd Zhangsun Wuji would definitely not do such a thing. In other words, Ma Cheng could have kept his life!
However, Zhangsun Wuji was the current Minister of Rites after all. Moreover, he was the elder brother of Empress Zhangsun. He had great influence in the imperial court. Since he had offended Zhangsun Wuji, even if he could keep his life, it would be difficult for him to do anything in the imperial court in the future! Since Zhangsun Wuji was able to push him to his current position, he could easily pull him down as well. At that time, he would once again become that powerless scholar. At that time, if Zhangsun Wuji wanted to crush him, wouldn't it be as easy as crushing an ant? By then, Zhangsun Wuji wouldn't even need to do anything personally. Those who wanted to curry favor with Zhangsun Wuji would take the initiative to help Zhangsun Wuji get rid of this trouble!
More importantly, after Zhangsun Wuji "killed" him, he might even vent his anger on his family. This was what Ma Cheng didn't want to see the most!
Therefore, instead of dying in such a sullen manner and implicating his family, Ma Cheng felt that it was better to commit suicide. This way, it would save Zhangsun Wuji a lot of trouble. In this way, Zhangsun Wuji probably wouldn't vent his anger on his family!
"Yes! Family Head! "
Most of the Zhangsun Residence's guards were soldiers who had retired from the battlefield. They were all experienced. Seeing this scene, a few of them were first shocked, but they quickly calmed down. They cupped their fists towards Zhangsun Wuji, then carried Ma Cheng, whose face was covered in blood, away and left.
Not long later, maids and servants came in to clean up the bloodstains on the ground. Zhangsun Wuji wasn't willing to continue staying here and was preparing to leave. However, at this moment, a voice came from outside, "Father, you're back?"
It was Zhangsun Chong's voice!
Yanhuang College was currently on summer vacation. Only the members of the trump card project team would continue their research activities in the College. The rest of the students had basically gone home. Although Zhangsun Chong's proficiency in the Four Books and Five Classics was not bad, he was still a layman in the College. Whether it was mathematics, physics, or chemistry, his grades were not considered top-notch in the College. He had always been in the middle and lower levels. Therefore, he was not able to enter the trump card project. During the summer vacation in the College, he naturally stayed at home!
Hearing Zhangsun Chong's voice from outside, Zhangsun Wuji, who was about to stand up and leave, sat back down. After a while, Zhangsun Chong rushed in. The moment this fellow entered, he saw a few servants scrubbing the ground in the middle of the main hall. He was startled at first, but his gaze inadvertently caught a glimpse of a pool of blood on the ground. Zhangsun Chong's expression instantly changed. He looked nervously at Zhangsun Wuji and asked,
"Father, what's wrong?"
Zhangsun Wuji raised his eyelids and lightly reprimanded, "What are you panicking for? It's just a person who died! "
Zhangsun Chong was born in a time of peace. At least, most of his memories were from the Tang Dynasty. He was not like Zhangsun Wuji, who had experienced the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty. Therefore, when he saw the bloodstains in the main hall of his house, Zhangsun Chong subconsciously panicked. Now that he heard Zhangsun Wuji say "someone died", Zhangsun Chong instantly panicked. He widened his eyes, looked at Zhangsun Wuji, and asked,
"Someone died? Who died? "
"All of you are dismissed!"
Seeing that the bloodstains on the ground were almost wiped clean, Zhangsun Wuji waved his hands at the few servants and said.
"Yes! Old Master! "
The few of them bowed and accepted the order. They took the cleaning tools and left the main hall, closing the door on their way out.
"A person who deserved to die, Ma Cheng!"
When only the father and son were left in the room, Zhangsun Wuji opened his mouth.
"Ma Cheng? The Ma Cheng who just became the Crown Prince, Zhan Shi? Father, why did you … "
As the eldest young master of the Zhangsun Residence, Zhangsun Chong knew some things. When he heard Zhangsun Wuji say that Ma Cheng was dead, Zhangsun Chong's heart instantly thumped. He thought to himself, Why did his father want to kill Zhangsun Chong? Could it be that his father wanted to rebel? And was discovered by Ma Cheng?
Thinking of this, Zhangsun Chong's small face instantly turned pale!
He, the son of a duke, hadn't had enough of a good life. How could his father rebel? Now that the Emperor had so many valiant generals under him, he had a strong army. How could he not think things through?
"Unfilial son! Ma Cheng bit his tongue to commit suicide. What nonsense are you thinking about? "
Seeing Zhangsun Chong's pale face and looking at him strangely, Zhangsun Wuji's face instantly darkened as he scolded angrily. It was obvious that Zhangsun Chong was thinking about some messy things in his heart.
"Ah? Ma Cheng bit his tongue to commit suicide? "
Hearing this, Zhangsun Chong's face was filled with surprise. He couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief. Following which, he asked curiously, "Then Father, why did Ma Cheng bite his tongue to commit suicide?"
Zhangsun Wuji's face was gloomy as he said, "This fellow colluded with the merchants of the An Kingdom and plotted against me. He wanted me to enter the palace to impeach the King of Shu. After the matter was exposed, he bit his tongue to commit suicide!"
Seeing that Zhangsun Chong was still filled with doubt, Zhangsun Wuji roughly explained what happened this morning to Zhangsun Chong. After hearing half of it, Zhangsun Chong exclaimed, "What? There are Turkic spies in Taiyuan City? And they even kidnapped Qing Que? What about the rest of the teachers and students in the academy? How are they now? "
After staying in Yanhuang College for a year, Zhangsun Chong more or less had some feelings for the college. Compared to his home and Chang 'an City, he actually preferred to stay in the college. The college gave him a very special feeling. If he really had to describe it, it would be the feeling of' freedom '. There wasn't a strict hierarchy here, nor was there complicated scheming and fighting for power. Everyone was equal. For knowledge and truth, students could even quarrel with teachers!
Under the pure learning atmosphere, the hearts of the teachers and students became purer. He really liked this kind of simple and free atmosphere.
Thus, when he heard from Zhangsun Wuji that Li Tai was kidnapped by a Turkic spy, Zhangsun Chong subconsciously became nervous.
"Taiyuan City was sealed off two days ago. His Majesty sent the Cavalry Commander Li Junxian to Taiyuan City to personally take charge of the rescue operation. His Majesty didn't receive any news about the other Yanhuang College teachers and students, so they should be fine!"
Zhangsun Wuji looked at his son with a complicated gaze and replied expressionlessly.
"Oh! Fortunately! Fortunately! "
Zhangsun Chong heaved a sigh of relief and muttered to himself.
Immediately after, he realized that something was wrong and said, "That's not right! Two days ago, I just went to the college. With such a huge matter happening, how could Teacher Ji and Teacher Kong Gui not know about it? Father, you aren't lying to me, right? "
Zhangsun Wuji's face turned black again. He forcefully resisted the urge to beat this unfilial son in front of him to death and said in a muffled voice, "This is what His Majesty said in the palace just now. Do you think His Majesty has the time to lie to you?"
"Er … That shouldn't be the case!"
Zhangsun Chong scratched his head and said awkwardly.
He knew that he was just a small figure in Li Er's eyes. Naturally, Li Er wouldn't lie to him.
Zhangsun Wuji looked at his prodigal son indifferently and said, "Taiyuan City is sealed off. Outsiders can't enter, and it's hard for news to spread out. His Majesty should be able to receive the news thanks to the telegraph machine that your college invented! However, since His Majesty didn't inform the officials of this news, it means that His Majesty doesn't want the news to spread. This matter should be classified as a secret. Don't spread it outside! "
Although Li Er didn't tell Zhangsun Wuji to keep it a secret, with Zhangsun Wuji's intelligence, it wasn't difficult for him to deduce this. He was just afraid that his bastard son wouldn't know the severity of this matter and would spread the news everywhere.
"Oh! I got it, Father! "
Zhangsun Chong nodded and replied.
As for whether he really knew or was faking it, only God would know!
Looking at Zhangsun Chong, who was obviously absent-minded, Zhangsun Wuji sighed helplessly in his heart. Back then, he sent Zhangsun Chong to Yanhuang College mainly because he thought highly of Li Zexuan's potential. He wanted Zhangsun Chong to get close to Li Zexuan and express the goodwill of the Zhangsun Family to rope in Li Zexuan!
However, a year had passed, and the status of Yanhuang College in Tang Dynasty was getting higher and higher. Li Zexuan's official position was also getting higher and higher. Now, he was even conferred a prefecture and became the provincial governor of a prefecture. Moreover, Li Zexuan's attitude towards the Zhangsun Family had always been ambiguous. He was far from being as close as he was to the Cheng, Qin, Yuchi, and Niu Families. Zhangsun Chong obviously didn't complete the task that he gave him!
Not only that, this bastard son of his seemed to have "sacrificed" himself!
Otherwise, why would Zhangsun Chong be so worried about the Yanhuang College teachers and students in Taiyuan?
This brat really thought that he was a part of Yanhuang College!
"… Chong 'er, how is your relationship with the King of Shu in the academy?"
Suddenly, Zhangsun Wuji's heart skipped a beat as he looked at Zhangsun Chong and asked.
"Little Ke … our relationship is still alright. Why? Father? "
Zhangsun Chong didn't know why his father would ask such a question. He thought for a moment before answering.
The corner of Zhangsun Wuji's mouth twitched as he said angrily, "What does' still alright 'mean? Are you very close or are you just passers-by? "
"Er …"
Zhangsun Chong scratched his head awkwardly and said, "This, Father, 'still alright' means that it's normal. Little Ke's position in the academy is very special. He rarely attends classes in the teaching hall and spends most of his time in the Yanhuang Bank. Also, Yamachō would often teach him some things in private … The way of economics, which is the way to manage the Yanhuang Bank! Therefore, other than Yamachō, Little Ke is the most knowledgeable person in economics in the academy. I usually attend classes in the teaching hall and don't have many chances to see him. Our relationship is just average. It can't be said to be especially good, but it can't be said to be bad either! "
Hearing this, Zhangsun Wuji pointed at Zhangsun Chong in disappointment as he felt extremely depressed.
Zhangsun Wuji had been wise all his life and was very intelligent. When he was young, he became friends with Li Er and became in-laws with him. After Li Yuan started the war in Jinyang, he went to serve him and followed Li Er to conquer the world. Step by step, he became a trusted strategist. Later on, he participated in the planning of the Xuanwu Gate's rebellion, which led to his current prominent position in the imperial court.
But how did he give birth to such a disappointing son? He led the officials in the imperial court while his son could only be an inconspicuous' passer-by 'in the academy. Why was Li Ke able to become Li Zexuan's direct disciple and take charge of the Yanhuang Bank while his son could only obediently stay in the teaching hall and listen to the teachers of the academy?
"… When the academy reopens next month, you don't have to go to school anymore!"
After a moment of silence, Zhangsun Wuji said with a 'tired heart'.
He felt that he couldn't afford to lose face like this!
"Ah? Father, why is that? "
Zhangsun Chong was dumbfounded and immediately said anxiously, "Just because I'm not familiar with Little Ke, you don't want me to continue studying in the academy? What kind of logic is this? No! I still want to go to the academy! "
"Unfilial son! What are you going to do in the academy? Are you going to lose face for me? As my son, your results in the academy can only be ranked in the middle. You can't even be compared to some of the Commoners, not to mention King Wei and King Shu! I've been wise all my life and can't afford to lose face like this! "
Hearing Zhangsun Chong's words, Zhangsun Wuji couldn't hold it in anymore and roared.
Hearing this, Zhangsun Chong instantly complained, "Father! You can't blame me for this! Qing Que and Little Ke were the first batch of students to learn engineering from the Yamachō. Their foundation is better than mine. Isn't it normal that I can't win against them? Father, don't worry. I'm already familiar with the subjects in the academy. Next semester, my results will definitely be in the top two hundred, no, top one hundred! "
This fellow was afraid that Zhangsun Wuji wouldn't let him return to the academy to continue studying, so he directly set a goal of being in the top one hundred. As for whether he could achieve it, to be honest, Zhangsun Chong wasn't sure himself!
Who cares? I have to stabilize my father first!
Zhangsun Chong thought in his heart.
Zhangsun Wuji frowned and didn't say anything.
Seeing this, Zhangsun Chong had no choice but to continue, "Father, the children of the various families in the imperial court are basically studying in Yanhuang College. Some of them who aren't here are also planning to enter the academy next year. I've finally entered the academy, but you actually want to kick me out. This is really embarrassing for you!"
…
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