Chapter 20

Whose spirit should be understood? The Pope's. What kind of spirit? One must delve deeper into the Pope's seal and signature, touching the deepest part of one's soul, to perhaps slightly approach the vast, starry spiritual world of the Pope.

When Canon Xin left the Cardinal's room, he was still pale and uneasy, pondering the last words. He had many speculations but could not determine which was more accurate. Could it be that the Pope really intended to revitalize the National Teaching Academy? Why was there no word of it in the capital? Why choose such a young student for this task? The most critical issue was that the historical problems of the National Teaching Academy had not been resolved; who would dare to touch this matter?

When he approached Chen Changsheng, all his thoughts had to end. In the span of a dozen steps, he decided what to do, forcing a false smile and said, "Here is the roster and the key, but you might not know that even if there are names on the National Teaching Academy's roster, it's very difficult to find them."

Chen Changsheng took the roster and flipped through a few pages, noticing that the pages were already quite old, and most names had "canceled" written after them. He asked, "What should we do then?"

Canon Xin thought, "Is this also my responsibility?" He thought this but would never say it. He had already made up his mind that as long as he didn't have to personally cheer for the National Teaching Academy or get involved in the incomprehensible plans of the big shots, he would do everything within his power to provide money and people.

"Do you think... what else is needed for studying at the National Teaching Academy now?" He looked into Chen Changsheng's eyes, probing.

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said, "Anything will do."

"I can't transfer teachers from the Heavenly Dao Academy to the National Teaching Academy... that's probably not possible," Canon Xin said with a smile, knowing that his words were not amusing but rather seemed helpless.

Chen Changsheng said, "I want people."

Canon Xin's smile faded, and he became serious. "How many people?"

Chen Changsheng said earnestly, "A lot of people."

Canon Xin's expression remained unchanged, but his hands grew cold. He thought, "Is it really as Cardinal suspected, that behind the Pope's decision to revive the National Teaching Academy... there are many hidden, unspeakable purposes? Otherwise, why would this young student ask for people, and so many at that? If there really is something taboo, what should I do?"

"May I ask... why do you need so many people?"

He stared into Chen Changsheng's eyes, speaking word by word, his expression extremely serious, ready to refuse and turn to flee at any moment.

Chen Changsheng did not sense his tension, and even if he did, he could not understand it. He said, "The National Teaching Academy is quite large, and most of the buildings are in disrepair. Even if the renovation can be done gradually, we need to clean up to study there. If there aren't enough people, it will take a lot of time."

Canon Xin, hearing this, drew a cold breath, not out of fear but surprise. Worried that Chen Changsheng might change his mind, he said without hesitation, "The necessary subsidies will be issued immediately, and the required personnel will not be lacking. I will temporarily send some laborers over, no, I will personally lead the laborers to escort you back."

After saying this, he patted Chen Changsheng's shoulder affectionately, supporting his arm and walking him out of the hall. The usually stern Canon Xin being so friendly to a young student drew many curious glances and sparked some discussion.

...

...

"Chen Changsheng really entered the National Teaching Academy?"

"Yes..."

After these two simple sentences in the study of the Eastern Divine General's residence, silence quickly fell.

Xu Shiji, with a calm expression, looked at the somewhat uneasy Huapo and said, "Since it's their intention, let it be for now."

Xu's wife, worried, said, "Why such a sudden change?"

Xu Shiji said, "I asked her to resolve the Star Plucking Academy issue, not to sacrifice so much for that boy. The original plan was to inform her about the marriage proposal and have her report it to the Empress. Since that's the case, what she does is natural."

Xu's wife, with a worried look, said, "The problem is those two sentences from Ningsao. To keep that boy alive? Why would the palace care about such a small matter?"

Xu Shiji glanced at Huapo.

Huapo lowered her head and said softly, "Last night, Shuang'er went to the palace. It's said that the young lady sent a letter back."

Xu's wife, hearing this, was somewhat displeased and said, "This child, not writing to her parents, but writing to outsiders?"

Xu Shiji frowned slightly, not wanting to hear this and said, "Marriage is a major matter, and only parents can decide. Even the Empress would not interfere. Why worry about such things? Give Miss Moyan some face and let the boy live for now. If he still doesn't behave, we can discuss it later."

Xu's wife said, "I'm just worried that if the child really rises to prominence, he might hold a grudge against the residence."

Xu Shiji suddenly laughed, with a deep meaning, "Rise to prominence?"

Xu's wife, seeing her husband's smile, felt a bit afraid and dared not ask further. She waved for Huapo to leave and said softly, "Earlier, Prince Chenliu sent someone to invite you to a banquet. Should you go or not? Although he is favored by the Empress, his status is special, and it seems inappropriate."

After the last bloody suppression of the royal family's attempt to remove the Empress from the throne, all royal descendants within three generations were expelled from the capital and sent to various regions for monitored residence. Only the heir of the Prince of Xiang, Chenliu, was left in the capital due to his young age.

Because of his young age, the Empress allowed him to enter the palace to study with the Princess of Pingguo and Miss Moyan, who were of similar age. They lived, ate, and studied together, forming a deep bond. He grew up under the Empress's watchful eye, so she favored him greatly. Even after adulthood, she did not move him out of the capital and even made him a prince.

Of course, many believed that the Empress favored Prince Chenliu not only because of their long-standing relationship and his good reputation but also because when she looked at his face, she easily remembered her own deceased sons.

However, regardless of this, Prince Chenliu was still a member of the royal family, with royal blood. No one believed the Empress was not wary of him. As a trusted Eastern Divine General, Xu Shiji's attendance at a banquet was indeed inappropriate.

Hearing his wife's words, Xu Shiji was silent for a moment and said, "It's fine. The prince has repeatedly shown goodwill. If I continue to be aloof, it might displease him, and the palace might not have a good impression of me. A too aloof and proud minister is not a good minister. Besides, the Empress is as clear as a mirror. She knows that Prince Chenliu only wants to connect with the Qiu Shan family through me to take care of the Prince of Xiang, who is suffering in the south. This involves filial piety, and the Empress, with her vast heart, would not mind. Besides, the Prince of Xiang has been honest all his life, so it would be normal for the Empress to recall him to the capital."

Xu's wife did not speak, but her mood tightened. She knew Xu Shiji's character better than anyone. The usually reserved and taciturn man now explained so much, not to her, but to someone else. This only showed that he himself was unsure if these words had any meaning.

Even so, he still intended to attend Prince Chenliu's banquet. What did this mean?

After saying this, Xu Shiji frowned slightly, realizing he had acted out of character. He steadied his mind and smiled at his wife, "Don't worry too much... that boy has no future. Miss Moyan letting him enter the National Teaching Academy means just that."

The name of the National Teaching Academy sounded impressive. Being prefixed with "National" suggested it could not be worse than the Heavenly Dao Academy or the Star Plucking Academy. In fact, over the past few hundred years or even longer, the National Teaching Academy had always been the best and most difficult to enter in the capital.

But now, the National Teaching Academy had long since declined like autumn grass, forgotten by all, with no status within the National Church. If it had remained silent as in the past few years, it would have been fine, but any hint of revival would be met with endless humiliation. Otherwise, how could the teachers and students have dispersed so quickly?

The decline of the National Teaching Academy can be traced back to an incident several decades ago. The then Dean of the National Teaching Academy, who was also the Grand Bishop of the National Church and the Pope's senior fellow disciple, held a position second only to the Pope and was highly revered, even above the Southern Church's Holy Maiden, a unique figure in the history of the National Church.

Logically, at the position of Dean of the National Teaching Academy, one should be content. However, human hearts are like the countless stars in the night sky, impossible to count or fathom. The Dean of the National Teaching Academy, in his bid for the papacy, did not receive the Empress's support and even colluded with the remnants of the royal family to overthrow her rule. He was defeated in a single night, and the Dean was personally suppressed and turned to ashes by the Pope. The National Teaching Academy, his staunchest supporter, was also bloodily purged.

After that night, some tried to restore the glory of the academy, but under the watchful eyes of the Empress and the current Pope, the students of the National Teaching Academy had no future. Within two years, the National Teaching Academy could no longer recruit students, and the teachers had no choice but to leave.

Thus, the once glorious National Teaching Academy became a desolate ghost garden.

It was not until more than a decade later that the National Teaching Academy welcomed a new student.

The name of this new student was Chen Changsheng.

"Enrollment?"

"No, it's exile."

"New student?"

"No, it's an abyss from which one can never escape."

Xu Shiji concluded expressionlessly.