The black carriage passed by the intersection of Dongchuan. Fan Xian had just pulled back his gaze from his bookstore and medical shop. Turning his head, he saw the ancient, overflowing doors of the Imperial College.
The Imperial College was a rather sparsely built group of buildings. There were no buildings such as yamen or halls facing the street, and there were no tall courtyard walls. Even the main gate had never been closed. The green trees inside poked out, and the sounds of reading could be heard everywhere. It was full of the quiet and peaceful atmosphere of Confucianism.
Just as the Bureau of Military Affairs had once been called the Ministry of Military Affairs, the old Ministry of Military Affairs was still mixed in with the Ministry of War of the six ministries. The Qing Kingdom had played with a number of new policies over the past few decades, and they had changed the name of the Imperial College again and again. Tongwen Library, Institute of Education. Whatever was difficult to say, the Emperor had randomly changed it.
However, the scholars of the world were still used to calling this area the Imperial College. Later, the official documents of the court naturally acknowledged this. The scholars selected by each province, as well as the outstanding children pushed out by the manors of the nobility in Jingdou, were all gathered in this group of buildings to study classics, history, and the ways of governance.
This was the highest school in the Qing Kingdom, so the teachers they invited were also the best of the best. For example, Sir Pan Ling, who had already become a master calligrapher in the palace, and Ceng Wenxiang, the teacher of He Zongwei, a scholar of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. A few years ago, Shu the Scholar had also been a professor at the Imperial College. Now, the number one Chinese official in the court, Hu the Scholar, also often came to the Imperial College to teach these scholars.
With so many arrogant teachers, in addition to the special status of the Imperial College, the students inside already had a very good future. So, the students of the Imperial College could not help but be arrogant. Normal government offices did not want to interact with the Imperial College, and the Qing Kingdom's slightly more liberal style of learning made it even more difficult for normal officials to casually go in. They were very afraid of being interrogated by these students and then fleeing in a sorry state.
However, Fan Xian had never had such worries. His relationship with the students of the Imperial College had always been good. Particularly after the fourth year of the Qing calendar, he held a position in the Imperial College and served as the assistant of the nominal head of the Imperial College. Later, Fan Xian's talent shocked the world and he dragged a carriage full of Master Zhuang's books from Northern Qi back to the Imperial College. His position in the Imperial College became incomparably high, and he was deeply respected by the students.
The carriage quietly stopped at the gate of the Imperial College. An official had already come to receive them. Fan Xian got off the carriage and raised his head to look at the large door he hadn't seen in half a year. He smiled. This simple and unadorned door had actually been built later. It had forcefully rubbed in a bit of antiquity. Spending so much silver was actually because the Qing Kingdom always had a deep sense of inferiority when it came to learning, particularly in certain corners related to history.
The sky suddenly began to rain. Although it was not heavy, the scattered raindrops fell on the dark wooden door of the Imperial College, making it particularly eye-catching. The mottled spots gradually became a blur, and the stone slabs on the ground were about to accumulate water.
An official from the Qinian Unit silently took out a robe from the carriage and wanted to help him put it on. Fan Xian shook his head. Although he liked to wear black robes and bring his closest subordinates in a triangular formation and move out like a ghost in Jingdou's quiet autumn night, he didn't want to appear too special and startle the hot-blooded and pure students.
Mu Feng 'er held up an umbrella and sent him through the gates of the Imperial College.
It was already afternoon. The sun had already moved west. Now, it was covered by clouds and swept away by the dark rain. The light became even dimmer. The spacious courtyard was filled with a sense of seclusion. Walking forward under the green trees, he didn't see a single person. It was extremely empty and quiet.
Thousands of Imperial College students were still in class. As a professor, Fan Xian counted clearly. However, he furrowed his brows and thought, Why did the sound of reading stop so uniformly?
Like a swarm of bees suddenly moving together or like a mountain wind pouring into a narrow natural stone kettle, a buzzing sound suddenly rang out in the quiet courtyard of the Imperial College. The sound grew closer and louder. It was the sound of countless people talking and laughing mixed together.
Class ended. Hundreds of young scholars walked out of the various courtyards of the Imperial College at the same time and walked to the wide path in the center. They were densely packed and squeezed together. A wave of fresh energy immediately filled the entire space.
Some of the young people had forgotten to bring umbrellas. They cried out loudly and jumped on the wet stone pavement. Breaking through the layers of rain, they ran toward their own dorms. Most of the students were calm and unruffled in the midst of chaos. With calm smiles, they opened the umbrellas beside them. For a moment, the entire courtyard was filled with countless umbrellas of all different colors. However, there were no bright colors. Most of them were light green and gray.
Thus, Fan Xian, who originally didn't want to stand out, became a strange plant in the sea of pale umbrellas because of the large black umbrella above his head. He immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"Sir Fan junior!"
"Teacher!"
"Sir!"
The students surrounded him in pleasant surprise and bowed to Fan Xian. Most of the students had only seen his appearance from a distance. Some had been fortunate enough to have followed him to edit Master Zhuang's classics and history books, so they shouted with particular strength.
Fortunately, there was no congestion. These students probably knew that Fan Xian was busy with official business in court and had recently been busy with important matters in Dongyi. Thus, they all suppressed the joy in their hearts. After bowing and greeting him, they made way for the middle path.
Fan Xian smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. He then chatted a bit with familiar students and teachers before raising his head to look at the color of the sky. He didn't dare tarry any longer. Excusing himself, he walked toward the depths of Jingsi Courtyard.
Behind him and the Overwatch Council officials, the students of the Imperial College still found it difficult to suppress their excitement. They whispered curiously among themselves. They were all guessing why Sir Fan junior had come to the Imperial College today. Would the Emperor return Sir Fan junior to the Imperial College just because of the Dongyi matter? Would he be allowed to continue teaching?
…
…
Fan Xian closed the black umbrella and placed it by the door. A stream of cool rainwater flowed down the tip of the umbrella and wrote a large character, drenching the tall wooden doorframe. Fan Xian accepted the towel the teacher handed him and carelessly wiped his slightly wet hair. He then entered the inner room and bowed to the scholar behind the desk. With a smile, he said, "I've come to see you."
Hu the Scholar took off the glasses on his nose and looked at him suspiciously for a while before recognizing him. He smiled and said, "It's rare that I don't have to stay in the corner room today. I was just thinking about some peace and quiet. Can't you give me some time to relax?"
Presently, the Hall of Governmental Affairs was headed by Hu the Scholar. The Emperor was, after all, gradually getting older. His energy was not as great as when he was in his prime. Furthermore, the Emperor seemed to have thought things through and had thrown many political matters to the Hall of Governmental Affairs. He no longer had to attend to everything personally. In this way, the power of the Hall of Governmental Affairs was greater, but its affairs were incredibly busy. Using the private words of some sharp-eyed officials, the present Hall of Governmental Affairs was gradually becoming the Prime Minister's manor of the past. The power in the hands of the head scholar, Hu the Scholar, also seemed to be moving closer and closer to that of the past Lin Ruofu.
Fan Xian didn't believe this. Since the Emperor had, with great difficulty, pulled his father-in-law off the stage, he would not allow another Lin Ruofu to appear. However, he also knew that Hu the Scholar worked hard on political matters all day and was indeed very tired. Smiling, he went forward and bowed again. "If it wasn't serious business, I wouldn't have come to bother you."
Hu the Scholar had a good relationship with him. One reason was that in the debate between the old and the new, the two of them were on the same side. Both sides admired each other's temperament, so they had formed a good personal relationship. Another reason was that during the Jingdou rebellion, Hu the Scholar had helped Fan Xian greatly. In the end, Fan Xian had been the first to save his life.
"Speak." Hu the Scholar placed the glasses on the table with a light click. After a slight pause, he sighed and said, "For you to personally go, I don't think it will be a good thing."
Fan Xian smiled and looked at the glasses on the table. He didn't immediately speak of his purpose of coming. Instead, he said, "Are these crystal glasses still useful?"
Just like in the past, Hu the Scholar had a youthful appearance that did not match his age at all. However, Fan Xian knew that there was a small problem with the eyes of this head of civil officials. Two years ago, they had occasionally talked about it and Fan Xian had remembered it. He had the palace treasury ponder it for a long time. In the end, they had found a foreign crystal from Dongyi and made a pair of unique glasses for him.
Hu the Scholar had always been grateful for this matter. Day and night, he worked on government affairs and examined memorials. If his eyes were not good, it would be a big problem.
However, it was hand-ground and there was no optometry machine. Fan Xian only knew that Hu the Scholar had presbyopia. He didn't know how much help it would be.
"Very good, very good," Hu the Scholar said with a smile. Hu the Scholar smiled and said, "Fine, just based on this bespectacled boy's affection, I will do whatever you want. In any case, the little duke will not have me do anything stupid that goes against the law and goes against the edict."
After these words were said, Fan Xian was speechless and almost broke into laughter. He thought that this scholar appeared righteous, but he was actually so cautious and cunning. The two of them knew that, given Fan Xian's abilities, if there was a problem he could not handle himself, it had to be a problem within the court. Hu the Scholar's words were extremely cunning.
Fan Xian smiled and shook his head. Just as Hu the Scholar thought that it would be difficult for him to speak and was stroking his beard to comfort himself, he suddenly narrowed his eyes and said, "The Jingdou magistrate, Sun Jingxiu, is a pretty good official …"
Hu the Scholar's fingers tightened and almost pulled out his beard. He coughed repeatedly. He truly had not expected Fan Xian to speak so directly. Concerning the position of the Jingdou magistrate, as the leader of the civil officials, he knew the cause of the current situation. However, the Emperor was currently supporting He Zongwei to the position, so as a scholar, he could only maintain his silence.
He glanced at Fan Xian probingly and said, "Sir Sun … was it not the Duke who personally suppressed the rumors back then?"
Fan Xian couldn't be bothered to beat around the bush with him. He directly sat down beside him and moved close to his ear. "I have nothing to do with his daughter, but I do want to protect Sir Sun."
"This is the Emperor's intention." Hu the Scholar did not hold back on anything in front of him and directly brought up the Emperor.
Fan Xian smiled coldly and said, "It is just that He Zongwei is dancing there in a youthful and moving manner. What does that have to do with the Emperor?"
Hu the Scholar smiled. He knew that in front of anyone, this kid would not admit that the problem with the Jingdou government was the Emperor's intention. Otherwise, he would be openly challenging the Emperor.
Fan Xian continued, "I only ask one thing. How exactly was Sun Jingxiu's performance these three years?"
"This …" Hu the Scholar gently stroked his short beard. After a moment of silence, he said, "Above average for two years and average for one year. It was nothing more than average."
The Jingdou government was indeed an important position. Thus, Hu the Scholar firmly remembered the performance of the three years and blurted it out. Fan Xian laughed coldly and said, "Don't say these blind words. The scholar knows in his heart that the position of Jingdou magistrate is not for people. If you don't offend this manor, then you offend that department. Year after year, you fail every year."
"Back then, Mei Zhili was at most average." Fan Xian rubbed his wrist and said, "Sun Jingxiu had two years of being above average. He was already an extraordinary and capable official. Additionally, this person was not good at forming factions and cheating. For him to have such an evaluation is truly rare. "
Hu the Scholar was silent for a moment. In the end, he could not defeat his own conscience and principles. Gently, he nodded his head. He knew that the position of the Jingdou magistrate was difficult to handle. Sun Jingxiu was truly a rare subordinate. If he continued to be in charge of the Jingdou government, it would be much easier for him as a scholar to handle matters.
"If he is truly removed, who will replace him?" Fan Xian said seriously. "I have not come today for personal feelings or to fight. I just want to ask, does the scholar want to see the Jingdou government change through another five magistrates in the next three years and, in the end, cause such a ruckus that no one will dare to come and even play the trick of eating coal and getting sick?"
Hu the Scholar sighed and said awkwardly, "I also don't want Sir Sun to leave. However, I still don't understand why there would be rumors of this coming from the Palace."
He stared into Fan Xian's eyes and quietly asked, "Did you and that person quarrel again?"
In this world, the only person who dared to quarrel with the Emperor was Fan Xian. Fan Xian smiled self-mockingly and said, "It has nothing to do with quarreling. You should also see clearly that the Emperor is using this matter to establish He Zongwei's might. Not to mention that Sun Jingxiu is now my man, even if he was an idiot, I would still protect him."
"Earlier, you said it was not personal feelings. Now, he is your man again." Hu the Scholar smiled bitterly and shook his head. "What do you want me to do? If I appear, the Emperor will certainly guess that I was asked by you. Sir He is also a talented person. Why do you have to be angry at him? "
Fan Xian was silent for a long time. He then quietly said, "This anger must be dealt with. In this world, if the east wind does not overwhelm the west wind, then the west wind will overwhelm the east wind. I will not give He Zongwei a glimmer of hope, a glimmer of possibility, a sliver of luck, or a successful history."
"Why?" Hu the Scholar saw the seriousness in his words and felt slightly startled.
Fan Xian didn't answer this question because it involved him doing his best to hold on to the power in his hands under the Emperor's pressure and make an announcement. He slowly stood and said, "Tonight, I am going to the Palace to quarrel and force the Emperor not to issue an edict. Thus, the Jingdou government's problem is the pressure of the Hall of Governmental Affairs. I need you to help me resist it. "
Hu the Scholar didn't reply. It was as if he was waiting for his explanation.
Fan Xian smiled slightly and said, "Sun Jingxiu is a decent official. He shouldn't disappear in the senseless struggle for power. The reason is actually that simple."
Without waiting for Hu the Scholar to speak, he faintly said, "The Imperial College is a decent place. It is full of youthful energy. These students will all enter the court to become officials. As teachers, not only do we have to teach them something, we also have to use the true situation in court to help them build up some confidence."
"As long as an official is willing to do things, he will be safe and sound." Fan Xian stared into Hu the Scholar's eyes. "If Sun Jingxiu collapses like this, what will you teach these students? What use will the standards in the scholar's books have? "
Forced into a corner by Fan Xian, Hu the Scholar was silent for a long time. He knew that this little duke was someone who would do what he said. If he didn't agree, he might actually use his prestige in the Imperial College to incite the students to do something. He couldn't help but sigh and say, "Fine, as long as the Emperor does not issue an edict, I will protect Sir Sun."
Hearing these words, Fan Xian finally smiled happily and raised his hands in a salute. Without saying anything more, he bid farewell and left.
Hu the Scholar picked up the crystal spectacles on the table and said with a smile, "Even if it's to return the favor for these spectacles … don't you think I'm returning the favor a bit too much?"
Fan Xian was in a good mood. "At worst, I'll have the palace treasury make a few more pairs and give one to each of your young masters."
Hu the Scholar was secretly mocked by him and laughingly scolded, "What I mean is, the Governor said a few days ago that when you finish with the Dongyi matter, you have to hurry back to the Imperial College to teach the students."
Fan Xian smiled and replied, "Even if you didn't say this, I was prepared to do it." These were sincere words. Entering the Imperial College and seeing so many young students, Fan Xian was in a good mood. It was as if he thought of his previous life when he was in school. Furthermore, he knew that these students would certainly be the pillars of the Qing Kingdom in the future. If he could influence them a little ahead of time, at some point, perhaps this would be his life-saving talisman.
…
…
Fan Xian bid farewell and left. Hu the Scholar continued to do his own things alone under the dim company of the light. After an indeterminable amount of time, before the sky had completely darkened, an official quietly walked in and said something by his ear.
Hu the Scholar was silent for a long time. A bitter smile rose involuntarily to the corners of his lips. In a quiet voice, he said, "So, something like this happened at the Sun manor banquet. I really don't know what this little duke is thinking to make such a pompous fuss. It is completely unlike his usual reserved personality. "
The official was Hu the Scholar's trusted aide. There was also a puzzled expression on his face. He said with confusion, "Furthermore, this matter is very strange. He clearly knows that it is the Palace's intention, yet Sir Fan junior is still stubbornly resisting it and even begging teacher. For a mere Sun Jingxiu, is it worth it?"
"It's not just Sun Jingxiu." Hu the Scholar sighed again and waved his hand for the official to leave. He warned, "There's no need to bring this matter up again. As long as the Emperor does not issue an edict, I will protect someone for Sir Fan junior. It should be fine."
The official acknowledged in a low voice and left after saying his goodbyes.
Hu the Scholar's still young face changed expression under the dim light. He was thinking about Fan Xian's words earlier and guessing at Fan Xian's true intentions. East wind and west wind? He rubbed his slightly tightened brows and couldn't resist smiling bitterly. Sir He probably did not have the right to be the east wind. Sir Fan junior was fighting the Emperor.
But, why was he fighting? Was it because he had a grudge against the Emperor's action of reducing power and was venting it here? Hu the Scholar sank into deep thought. He kept feeling that this was not the case. It had already been three years. The Emperor's reduction of the Overwatch Council's power had continued to advance. Fan Xian always took a step back before the Palace took another step forward. He followed suit and retreated without a trace of unwillingness.
Why didn't Fan Xian retreat? Was he worried that if he retreated too much, he wouldn't have anything in his hands to contend with others? Other than the Emperor, who did he need to contend with?
Hu the Scholar's brows were furrowed tightly. He could not understand this matter no matter what. Suddenly, his fingers touched his wrinkles. Startled, he quickly and slowly used his fingers to spread them apart. Then, he quietly took out a small porcelain bottle from under the table. He picked out a small oily substance from the bottle and carefully smeared it on his face. After slowly patting it, the skin on his face became smoother. The few wrinkles were not eye-catching at all.
Hu the Scholar put the porcelain bottle into the table and hid it well. He smiled self-mockingly. There was no need for him to think so much about the matters between the Emperor and his son. It was not like they could truly turn hostile. Instead, it was his own face that made the self-mockery at the corners of Hu the Scholar's lips grow stronger. There was even a faint sorrow.
He was not young, so he paid particular attention to the care of his face. He knew that his historical mission was to become the center of the Emperor's court in a hundred years, so he had to not appear old. If His Majesty thought that he was already old, he would definitely have other ideas and leave a younger minister to assist his son.
Everyone had their own secrets, their own helplessness, and their own sorrow.
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Yesterday's chapter was liked by many people. I was pleasantly surprised. Today's chapter is one that I've liked recently. I don't have any sense of anxiety when writing it. I am very satisfied. At the beginning of the month, I summon the monthly votes to everyone. Last month, everyone has worked hard. I will continue to trouble you this month. Come, vote for me.
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