Chapter 86

PS: The plot has been adjusted, and starting today, there will be two updates per day!

Thank you to Huohai Yi Qian for the 200 Qidian coins reward, to Qitianzhi Shu for the 30 Qidian coins highlight, and to Naogu'er for the 10 Qidian coins highlight! Thank you to all the brothers and sisters who voted for Taibao, I bow in gratitude!

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Humiliation! Blatant humiliation!

Yan Shigu's face turned ashen with anger. This was the first time someone had dared to humiliate him in front of so many people, let alone a mere child.

"Child, is this how your master taught you?" Before Yan Shigu could speak, an old man from the ranks of the civil officials jumped out, pointing at Zhao Chen and shouting angrily, "Disrespecting your elders and speaking insolently!"

Well, here was another shameless old man. Zhao Chen looked at the familiar face of the old man who had jumped out and immediately sneered. The last time, when Pei Ji had tried to trap him, it was Cui Shilang and this old man who had come out to echo him.

Last time, they lost several hundred guan in the court, and later obstructed Zhao Yuankai's matter. In the end, he launched a public opinion storm, and Cui Shilang had to retire in disgrace. He guessed these old men were still harboring resentment!

"Disrespecting elders is only when the matter and the person are wrong!" Zhao Chen sneered, not mincing words. "But speaking of insolence, I have a question for you. Calling someone a child, is this the virtue of an elder?"

"Ha ha ha, well said!" Cheng Yaojin always liked to laugh loudly before speaking, as if not laughing would not attract attention. After laughing enough, he said coldly, "Speaking ill of others, the virtue of the elderly is lacking, yet they scold the young. Do they really think this child is made of clay, to be molded at will?"

"Enough!" Whenever Cheng Yaojin jumped in at the end, Li Er knew what would happen next, even if he thought about it with his toes. So, before things got out of hand, Li Er shouted angrily, "Everyone return to your positions!"

After scolding Cheng Yaojin and the old man who had jumped out, Li Er glared at Zhao Chen and asked, "You said no need for seedlings, so you can provide the seeds for these three crops?"

"Of course!" Zhao Chen gave Li Er a mysterious smile and said pointedly, "Your subject has already arranged it. As soon as spring comes, someone will bring a large amount of seeds to Chang'an. Your subject brought out these three crops today to promote them throughout the Tang Dynasty!"

The Hidden Sect! As soon as Li Er heard Zhao Chen's words, he immediately thought of the Hidden Sect. As Yan Shigu had said earlier, this child had only a backpack when he came out of the mountains, with nothing else.

Now, if he could provide a large amount of seeds, then looking around the world, only the mysterious Hidden Sect could do it!

Thinking of this, Li Er suddenly had a thought. Could this child really be from the Hidden Sect? Or perhaps his master is a member of the Hidden Sect?

"May I ask, is the person who can provide a large amount of seeds in the spring from the Hidden Sect?" Just as Zhao Chen started to speak, the old man who had been scolded by Li Er jumped out again, this time with a shocking statement.

As soon as the old man spoke, Zhao Chen's heart skipped a beat. He looked at the old man's smug face in shock.

This was too incredible. The matter of the Hidden Sect was still confidential, and only Li Er and Old Qin knew about it. How could this old man know?

Old Qin and the others wouldn't leak it easily. This matter was crucial to Zhao Chen's future, and he had made it clear to Old Qin and the others. This could be considered the result of Zhao Chen's efforts since coming to the Tang Dynasty. Old Qin and the others naturally understood the importance.

If not Old Qin, then it must be Li Er! Zhao Chen thought, looking at Li Er, puzzled as to why he had leaked such important information.

While Zhao Chen was looking at Li Er, Li Er's gaze was on Kong Yingda in the ranks of the civil officials. When he had agreed to let the Hidden Sect come out and establish the Chang'an Academy, he had only told Kong Yingda afterward.

Kong Yingda was a great Confucian scholar, and Confucianism was his family's orthodox tradition. He also studied both Northern and Southern Confucianism. Since he had agreed to let the Hidden Sect establish an academy in Chang'an, he naturally had to inform Kong Yingda.

However, why did he leak it afterward? Was he just pretending to agree?

Kong Yingda, who had been sitting there with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes and stood up. As soon as he stood up, over a dozen old men in the ranks of the civil officials also stood up, as if they had planned it beforehand.

Seeing this, Li Er sighed inwardly and looked at Zhao Chen with a bitter smile.

What does this mean?

Zhao Chen was surprised as he watched the old men stand up one after another. These were not ordinary people; they were all leaders of Northern and Southern Confucianism. Seeing Li Er's bitter smile, Zhao Chen was shocked.

Damn it, the academy hasn't even been established yet! These old men are already jumping out, trying to strangle it in its cradle!

"Your Majesty, this old minister has something to report!" Kong Yingda slowly stood up, bowed to Li Er, and spoke in a dignified manner.

The dozen or so great Confucian scholars who followed him stood silently behind Kong Yingda, their expressions serious, showing a determined resolve.

As soon as Kong Yingda and the others stood up, the hall was filled with murmurs. Even the slowest-witted people knew that something significant was about to happen.

Cheng Yaojin and Qin Shubao exchanged glances, both showing the same surprise as Zhao Chen. The moment they heard about the Hidden Sect, they had thought of the Chang'an Academy.

Now, seeing Kong Yingda and the other great Confucian scholars stand up together, there was no doubt that they had planned this in advance, using the grand assembly to challenge the emperor.

Li Er clenched his teeth, glared at Kong Yingda, and sat behind the imperial desk, his voice cold. "What is it?"

Kong Yingda bowed slightly to Li Er, holding his court tablet, and indeed spoke about the Chang'an Academy. "The other day, Your Majesty mentioned to this old minister the establishment of an academy in Chang'an. After discussing it with my fellow scholars, we believe that the establishment of the academy is a great benefit to the country and the people, and Your Majesty's decision is excellent!"

Li Er was stunned! Zhao Chen was stunned! Cheng Yaojin and Qin Shubao were stunned!

They had thought that Kong Yingda and the other great Confucian scholars had come to challenge Li Er and obstruct the establishment of the Chang'an Academy. Who would have thought that Kong Yingda would not only not oppose it but also speak in favor of it?

But, is it really that simple?

Zhao Chen frowned, looking at Kong Yingda and the others. His gaze met Yan Shigu's, and he saw a mocking smile on Yan Shigu's face.

Seeing the mocking smile on Yan Shigu's face, Zhao Chen's frown deepened. Just then, he heard Kong Yingda continue, "However, the establishment of the academy is a matter of national importance and cannot be taken lightly. Therefore, we have discussed and believe that once the academy is built, the positions of Chancellor, Doctor, and Assistant should be filled by people of both virtue and talent, with high moral standing. We hope Your Majesty will be cautious."

"Hope Your Majesty will be cautious!" As soon as Kong Yingda finished speaking, the dozen or so great Confucian scholars behind him bowed to Li Er in unison, saying in unison.

Understood! Understood!

Zhao Chen finally understood. These people were not trying to obstruct the establishment of the academy but were fully in favor of it. However, their support was aimed at taking control of the academy!

They wanted Zhao Chen to help establish the academy and then step aside once it was built. What a clever plan!

How could these people think of such things? They want all the good things for themselves and treat others as fools?

However, he couldn't throw a tantrum now. The academy was something he had always wanted to do. Now that it was finally taking shape, how could he let it go so easily?

"Master Kong!" Thinking of this, Zhao Chen took a deep breath, looking at Kong Yingda and trying to control his anger. "The Chang'an Academy is not just about Confucianism but also includes natural philosophy and mathematics. These will be important subjects in the academy. Therefore, the virtue and talent that Master Kong speaks of may not be suitable for the Chancellor of the academy."

"Natural philosophy and mathematics are ultimately minor subjects!" Kong Yingda, unlike Yan Shigu, was not aggressive. He smiled at Zhao Chen and said, "The foundation of the state should still be based on Confucianism. However, I have heard that you excel in natural philosophy and mathematics. When the academy is established, you could come and serve as an assistant in mathematics and natural philosophy."

Charity! Listening to Kong Yingda, Zhao Chen suddenly felt a sense of absurdity. The academy was his idea, yet now it felt like it belonged to others, and he was being offered a minor position as a favor for his expertise in mathematics and natural philosophy.

When someone loses their sense of shame, they become like this old man!

"You may have misunderstood something!" Zhao Chen, no longer bothering to be polite, said, "So far, I have been the one working on the establishment of this academy. It seems to have nothing to do with you!"

"You are the one who is mistaken!" Kong Yingda smiled gently and said slowly, "The people standing here are all great scholars of Northern and Southern Confucianism. Since the establishment of the academy is a matter of national importance, how can it not be related to us?"

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