The expression of Lu Deming, who remained on the spot, had changed greatly, and he was caught in a dilemma.
On one hand, it was his self-esteem.
On the other hand, it was everything he owned.
If he wanted to save his self-esteem, Du Qi could easily erase everything he owned by using the Daily of the Tang dynasty to smear him and turn all his efforts into nothing.
If he wanted to maintain the current situation and not lose everything, he must apologize to Du Qi.
Li Chengqian heard Du Qi's arrogant words and watched Du Qi's carriage leave, but he was even angrier. He gritted his teeth and said, "Master Lu, you don't have to pay attention to Du Qi. I don't believe that Du Qi can do whatever he wants in Chang 'an City. If tomorrow's Daily of the Tang dynasty really slandered you, I will go to Du Qi personally and ask him to give you justice. "
Lu Deming looked at Li Chengqian and shook his head. He had made a decision.
Li Chengqian said, "Master Lu, are you going to the Du family to apologize? You will lose face if you do so. Master Lu, you have always taught me that life and death are not important, but integrity is the most important. How can I lose integrity at this time? "
Lu Deming's cheeks twitched.
Integrity?
Could integrity be used as food?
Lu Deming did not dare to refute Li Chengqian directly, because he taught Li Chengqian this. In particular, the Emperor ordered that he would never be employed, which meant that he could no longer be an official in the Zhenguan Dynasty. With a long-term investment, he could only pin his hope on Li Chengqian.
He had to calm Li Chengqian down.
Lu Deming rolled his eyes and said, "Your Highness, integrity is important, but there is a problem at present. I want my integrity, I want my reputation, but Du Qi wants to destroy all of that. "
"If going against Du Qi can fulfill my reputation and allow me to die with integrity, then there's nothing much to say about it. But the problem is that after Du Qi destroys my reputation, even if I die, I will be slandered and reviled by thousands of people. "
"I am not willing to accept this result."
"So, now is not the time to talk about integrity, it is the key to life and death. What he had to do now was to submit for the time being. Bear with it for a while and be calm. Get through the current predicament and look forward to the opportunity for revenge. "
Lu Deming said, "If I die and can't get my revenge, I won't accept it. So, for the time being, swallow your anger. "
When Lu Deming said this, even he himself felt that it was illogical.
But he had to say it.
He had to trick Li Chengqian.
Li Chengqian had always trusted Lu Deming. Now that he heard Lu Deming's words, he didn't have any doubts. Instead, he looked as if he understood Lu Deming. He said, "Mr. Lu is right. Life and death are small, but integrity is important. But at the very least, he couldn't die in vain. Otherwise, we won't even be able to get our revenge. What a loss! "
Lu Deming said, "That's what I meant."
When Lu Deming heard Li Chengqian's words, he let out a slight sigh of relief.
Lu Deming continued, "Crown Prince, there are many spies here, so it's not appropriate to say too much. If you and I are together, it will affect the Crown Prince. In particular, His Majesty does not wish for the Crown Prince to interact with this official. This official is not by the Crown Prince's side. The Crown Prince must take care of himself. "
Li Chengqian's eyes reddened. He said reluctantly, "Master Lu, you have to take care of yourself too."
Lu Deming bowed to Li Chengqian again and turned to leave. When Lu Deming returned to his residence, he was a little absent-minded. He was thinking about paying a visit to ask for forgiveness.
He could foresee that Du Qi would definitely make things difficult for him.
It was fine if it was difficult, but he was most afraid that Du Qi would humiliate him and he couldn't retaliate.
"Should I ask for help?"
In Lu Deming's heart, he was thinking that besides offering a humble apology, he should also invite others to go with him. If he mediated from the side, it might be easier. Thinking of this, Lu Deming made up his mind. He twisted his red and swollen butt and went to the residence of Li Chengqian's other master, Kong Yingda.
Kong Yingda's identity was much more prominent than Lu Deming's.
He was the thirty-first grandson of Confucius.
This wasn't a side branch, but a true direct descendant. Moreover, Kong Yingda was famous and knowledgeable during the Sui Dynasty. Now, Kong Yingda had a very high influence in the scholarly community.
Apart from being Li Chengqian's master, Kong Yingda was also an imperial scholar.
Kong Yingda also had influence in the imperial court.
Lu Deming and Kong Yingda taught Li Chengqian together. Both of them were scholars, so Lu Deming felt that he had some confidence in inviting Kong Yingda. He took a carriage to the Kong residence. After handing over the visiting card, the gatekeeper came back and led Lu Deming into the main hall.
Then, Kong Yingda also arrived.
Kong Yingda was now in his early fifties, but he was hale and hearty and was very healthy. He had a warm smile on his face and said, "Brother Lu, this is the first time you've come to my residence. What wind blew you here? "
Lu Deming bowed and said, "Brother Kong, save my life!"
Kong Yingda raised his eyebrows in surprise and gestured for Lu Deming to take a seat. He also lifted his robe and sat down, saying, "Brother Lu, as the master of the Crown Prince and a noble person, what kind of trouble can you encounter?"
Lu Deming didn't hide anything and quickly told him about his prejudice against Du Qi, and how Li Chengqian's words led to the intervention of the Retired Emperor and the Emperor, and how he lost the debate with Du Qi in the end. Lu Deming focused on the key points and explained Du Qi's threat to him, as well as the influence of the Tang dynasty daily.
Lu Deming explained the ins and outs of the matter clearly.
In case Kong Yingda didn't know.
After Lu Deming finished, he continued, "Brother Kong, Du Qi wants to ruin my reputation. If I ignore it, the Tang dynasty daily will publicize it and the people in the Tang dynasty will criticize me. Du Qi's thoughts were truly vicious. Brother Kong, I'm going to visit him tonight to ask for forgiveness. I'm afraid that Du Qi won't accept and will deliberately humiliate me. I implore Brother Kong to come with me and help me provide some support. "
Kong Yingda already understood everything.
It turned out that this matter was caused by Lu Deming himself. Lu Deming usually couldn't keep his mouth shut. He always nagged Li Chengqian that Du Qi was rich and heartless, which led to the current situation.
Kong Yingda was a Confucian scholar, but he was not a pedantic one.
He had his own opinions.
Kong Yingda had his own views on teaching, especially the knowledge of the Crown Prince. Kong Yingda believed that teaching knowledge should not be smuggled. He should not influence the Crown Prince because of his own likes and dislikes.
He should impart knowledge fairly and impartially.
Kong Yingda thought for a while and said, "Brother Lu, you asked me to go, so I should go with you. But once I go, Du Qi may think that your apology is insincere, and even have the intention to use me to threaten him. You may overreach yourself. You should think about it carefully. Of course, if Brother Lu insists on me going, I'll go. "
Lu Deming listened and frowned.
This was something that he hadn't considered when he was in the residence. He considered that with one more person around, things might not be too stiff, and the atmosphere wouldn't be too awkward.
Lu Deming also thought that Kong Yingda's words were very reasonable. After all, Du Qi was very unyielding in his handling of matters.
It would be even more terrifying to anger Du Qi.
"Sigh …"
Lu Deming thought for a while and sighed. "Forget it, I'll go see Du Qi alone. If I anger Du Qi and Du Qi doesn't let it go, it'll be even more troublesome. "
Kong Yingda's smile became more relaxed. "Brother Lu, Du Qi became famous at a young age, and he also has a temper. The rumor outside is that Du Qi doesn't offend people if they don't offend him. Once you provoke Du Qi, you won't have a good ending. When you go apologize tonight, pay attention to your tone and be careful. In short, apologize sincerely. I don't believe that Du Qi won't let it go. "
Lu Deming said, "I understand."
He didn't achieve his goal, so he didn't say anything else and left.
Kong Yingda looked at the departing Lu Deming and shook his head. Although Lu Deming was famous and talented, compared to Ping Xi Wang Du Qi, the gap between them was not small at all.
Why offend Du Qi?
You're just looking for trouble!
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