Chapter 355 Let the bullets fly for a while
Chapter 355 Let the bullets fly for a while
"Oh? Sit down."
Behind the large desk, the world-famous scholar of the time smiled and pointed to an empty chair in the room.
Zhengyang was obviously more patient with this student whom he highly valued.
He smiled and said, "It seems that this is a difficult problem, as it has made you come here so late at night to ask. Tell me, what is the problem?"
Lu Cheng did not refuse, he sat down first, and then said respectfully to his mentor:
"May I ask, sir, how do you explain that the mind is the principle?"
“Is it possible to appeal to one’s conscience?”
“How should we view the unity of knowledge and action?”
He didn't waste any words and just threw out the question directly without any further explanation.
Because he understood that his mentor didn't need it.
If these three incomprehensible words were thrown out like this, ordinary people would be completely confused and unable to understand them.
If ordinary readers knew this, they could only understand the superficial meaning and would not be able to connect the three together, so they still would not understand it.
When someone like Mr. Song heard it, he could sense the mystery...
But for Zhengyang, there is no need for a long speech. Three or two words are enough to explain the problem.
As he asked the question, Zhengyang, who was originally smiling, slowly stopped smiling.
The great scholar of the time frowned, smacked his lips at first, then pondered, and then gradually became absorbed in thought.
No one spoke in the room, the only sound in the silence was the chirping of insects outside the window.
The master and the disciple sat in silence, sitting across the dim lampshade on the table.
Lu Cheng did not dare to make a sound to disturb his mentor. To him, these few words were like a sharp dagger, tearing apart the fortress he had built up through decades of reading and causing the theoretical framework in his mind to tremble slightly.
Although it was far from the point where his mind collapsed after just a few words, Lu Cheng had a hunch that 'the mind is the principle' was like a seed that had been planted in his heart.
Even if he deliberately ignores it or disagrees, he will never forget it from the moment he hears it.
Even the seeds will take root and sprout, gradually growing into towering trees and opening the solid city gates.
He even had a strong premonition that if this seed spread like a dandelion, it would be blown by the wind and spread all over the earth.
In the future, it may grow into a new behemoth that shakes and impacts the original "orthodox learning".
It was because he had foreseen that possibility that he felt genuinely uneasy and fearful.
Especially when the teacher was about to discuss learning with Dong Xuan, a thought suddenly emerged that could challenge the "orthodox learning" from the very foundation...
Coincidence?
Lu Cheng dared not ignore it, this was the biggest reason why he rushed here overnight!
Time passed slowly, and Lu Cheng gradually became restless. The fear in his heart spread like weeds.
Because my mentor hasn’t given an answer yet!
Could it be that even my mentor couldn’t solve or refute it for the time being?
a long time.
Mr. Zhengyang finally looked at him, frowned, and said slowly:
"I need to think about it. You go back first and come back tomorrow."
Lu Cheng just felt dizzy!
He sounded very familiar with these words. He opened his mouth, but finally stood up, bowed, walked out of the room with heavy steps, and closed the door.
After walking a dozen more steps in the cold night, he turned around and saw his mentor's motionless reflection in the window of the inn, like a stone sculpture.
Silent all night.
It was as if nothing had happened, and no one knew that the bullet that Zhao Duan had passed through the air had quietly hit Zhengyang between the eyebrows.
……
……
The next morning was the third to last day of the "Meiyuan Academic Discussion".
The tense atmosphere in the city became increasingly intense.
Zhao Duan took a car to Xiuwenguan early in the morning, wanting to see how Grand Tutor Dong was preparing.
But he came to nothing and was told that the Grand Tutor had gone to the Imperial College.
Zhao Duan was surprised, and he rushed to the highest institution of learning in the Dayu Dynasty for the first time.
The one who received him was the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, a fourth-rank official, an old man with a scholarly demeanor and elegant temperament.
"You are honored to be here, Lord Zhao. What a rare guest." The old chief priest greeted him with a smile.
Zhao Duan smiled and went straight to the point:
"I heard that the Grand Master was here, so I followed him to take a look."
The old chief priest led him along a corridor filled with books. On the pink and white walls were paintings of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. Even the red-lacquered wooden pillars were covered with verses of poetry.
As the two walked, they only saw a few teachers and students. The Imperial College seemed particularly empty today.
"The Grand Tutor is giving a lecture in the hall inside, and all the teachers and students in the prison have gone over to listen." The old chief priest explained.
Zhao Duan was surprised and asked, "Teaching? At this time?" The old priest explained seriously:
"Discussion on learning is not something that can be prepared behind closed doors. Although the Grand Master does not need to publicize and create momentum, he will also rehearse and practice."
According to him, most of the time there are no secret weapons in academic debates.
After all, both sides of the debate are world-famous scholars whose views and works have long been made public and are no longer secrets. Therefore, in order to win, in addition to the high level of knowledge itself, a certain amount of practice is also required.
It was with the help of the Imperial College that Grand Tutor Dong honed his academic viewpoints, sorted out his ideas through lectures, and accepted questions from students to fill in the gaps and enter a state of eloquence.
"I see." Zhao Duan suddenly realized that he really lacked experience in such professional matters.
"Shall we go straight over there?"
He had already heard faint sounds coming from the front.
The old priest smiled and said, "If you want to listen, follow me."
As he spoke, the old priest led him, took a small path, and climbed up a two-story building.
When Zhao Duan went upstairs, he was surprised:
"His Majesty?!"
I saw that standing by the railing on the second floor was the Empress of Dayu, Xu Zhenguan, dressed in casual clothes with flowing black hair!
"Your Majesty, why are you here too?"
Zhao Duan smiled instinctively and walked quickly forward to salute.
Xu Zhenguan turned around, his eyebrows relaxed on his beautiful face, and he smiled:
"Only you are allowed to come, but I am not allowed to come and see?"
"That's not what I meant!" Zhao Duan waved his hands and asked curiously, "Your Majesty is also looking at the Grand Tutor..."
"Yes." Xu Zhenguan turned his head and looked down.
Zhao Duan stood beside her and followed her gaze.
From this angle, across a rockery, you can see an extremely spacious open-air lecture hall where Grand Tutor Dong is sitting on a platform giving a lecture. Below him are the densely packed teachers and students of the Imperial College, surrounding the hall, creating a spectacular sight.
With the hearing ability of a practitioner, one can hear Dong Xuan's lectures and his debates with students.
"Your Majesty, I will go down first." The old chief priest was a shrewd man. He led the way and went downstairs.
Xu Zhenguan arrived quietly without any entourage. Now only the emperor and his minister were left in the pavilion.
"The Grand Master has lost weight in just a few days because of dealing with Zhengyang." Xu Zhenguan said softly with emotion in his eyes.
Zhao Duan stood up in awe: "I have also heard that the entire Xiuwen Hall is busy with this matter. The Grand Master is old, but he still has to shoulder this important task. He is worthy of being the pillar of the country."
Xu Zhenguan asked, "What is the public opinion outside the city?"
This is the tone of talking about work.
Zhao Duan is a man who knows how to judge the occasion. In this kind of atmosphere and occasion, he would not flirt with girls and make himself look boring, so he also said seriously:
"Generally speaking, there are naturally more voices supporting the Grand Tutor, but there are also some scholars who like to sing a different tune. I have sent people to keep an eye on them and compile a list of them. However, the academic discussion has not started yet, and there are too many people paying attention to it. It is difficult to handle. I plan to wait until the matter is over and then screen them to see how many of them are restless."
Xu Zhenguan did not comment on this, which was considered as his tacit agreement.
She suddenly said, "Xu Zudi came to the palace to plead for Yunyang, but I denied his request."
There is such a thing... Zhao Duan was slightly surprised, thinking that this prince still missed his aunt who was confined to the nunnery...
The empress's words seemed to be a statement... She said it to herself to teach herself to be at ease?
Zhao Duan agreed, "Your Highness will surely understand your Majesty's good intentions."
Xu Zhenguan laughed at herself, with a hint of sigh in her beautiful eyes. She didn't know whether it was because of these words or because of the uncles and aunts who were vying with each other to take action against her.
"That Zhengyang was invited out of seclusion by Prince Mu. You know this, right?" Xu Zhenguan said softly.
Zhao Duan nodded and asked curiously:
"Speaking of which, Zhengyang is also strange. If he was hostile to us, he waited three years to come down the mountain to sing a different tune. If he was bribed by Prince Mu, he refused the court's invitation to join the Xiuwen Academy.
Could it be that he is really devoted to Prince Mu and has accepted him as his master? But when he came to Beijing, he did not show any determination to fight to the death, and he even left some room for maneuver, which is very strange. "
Since Zhenbao took the initiative to mention Prince Mu, Zhao Duan didn't need to be shy about the topic. He stood decisively on the side of the empress and was filled with righteous indignation.
Xu Zhenguan said softly: "Because Zhengyang has received the favor of King Mu."
"Oh?"
"Zhengyang was born into a family of officials, Shi. He was an official in another place, with outstanding political achievements and talents. His father was an official in Yunfu Road, and later fell seriously ill. At that time, Prince Mu took action and used the power of the palace to find famous doctors and give rare and precious medicines. He spent a lot of effort and saved his father's life for two years.
After his father died, Zhengyang resigned from his post and returned home to observe mourning. Later, he immersed himself in learning, wrote books, and became more and more famous, but he was no longer willing to serve as an official. "Xu Zhenguan explained.
Zhao Duan was surprised:
"So, this person came to Beijing to repay his gratitude?"
This could explain why he did not come out to sing a different tune two years before the empress ascended the throne, but now he has come to Beijing.
"Maybe," Xu Zhenguan sighed:
"If I had known this, I would have kidnapped him and saved myself the trouble today."
After a pause, she turned her head and looked at her confidant: "Who do you think will win this time?"
(End of this chapter)