binnovel Chapter 169 The Left Prime Minister's Methods
Chapter 169 The Left Prime Minister's Methods
Chapter 169 The Left Prime Minister's Methods
"Is Scholar Chen here?"
Ye Ru arrived at the Hall of Four Mirrors and Three Illuminations and spoke in a deep voice to a student.
"He is in the study discussing issues with the most accomplished scholars."
"Thank you."
Ye Ru thanked the student and then stepped into the study.
"Ye Anshou, today is the day your new book is released. Congratulations!"
Upon seeing Ye Ru approach, Chen Sijun offered her congratulations.
"Scholar Chen, there is something I do not understand. Who are these people from Lin'an?"
Ye Ru's expression turned somewhat grim before he asked.
"Lin'an? I don't know that place."
Chen Sijun was taken aback, not understanding what Ye Ru was talking about.
"call……"
The anger in his heart was like a suppressed volcano. Ye Ru threw the crumpled copy of "Investiture of the Gods" onto the table, then sighed.
"Gentlemen, please take a look for yourselves."
Seeing Ye Ru's unpleasant expression and then looking at the book, Chen Sijun and the others seemed to have thought of something, and then picked it up and started reading.
"Nonsense! This is a grave offense! It's a disgrace to us scholars!"
Chen Sijun's face grew increasingly grim as she read, until finally she slammed the book on the table, filled with rage.
He never expected that someone would change their name to Yi Zhi, and that besides Chen Daru's preface, the book also had a name, Lin'an.
Furthermore, Lin'an's name was listed before Ye Ru's, which implicitly acknowledged Lin'an as the primary author, while Ye Ru only played a supporting role.
"Could it be someone from the Legalist school...?"
After reading it, Pang Jun took a deep breath and then guessed.
“At least half of the people in the printing department of the National Holy Academy are Legalists. If they want to add a name that doesn’t exist, it’s absolutely easy. Moreover, the person who doesn’t exist can’t even get arbitration.”
Song Feng also replied.
"This is troublesome. Perhaps the Left Prime Minister acted first..."
Ye Ru remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a deep voice.
"So fast? The Left Prime Minister just arrived yesterday, could it be...?"
"Yes, I suspect the Left Prime Minister made his move before yesterday, because I hadn't yet handed over the printing technology to the Legalists, and they had already started printing ahead of schedule."
Before Chen Sijun could finish speaking, Ye Ru tapped his fingers on the table and said in a deep voice.
"Damn it, they actually resorted to such underhanded tactics!"
Pang Jun looked furious, then slammed his hand on the table.
"The methods of the strategists are indeed extraordinary, as are those of the Legalists. But I will not swallow this insult so easily."
A cold glint flashed in Ye Ru's eyes. He thought to himself, then bowed slightly to Chen Sijun and the others, and said again:
"I apologize for this unexpected visit, esteemed scholars. The lectures at Wenxing Private School are about to begin, so I must go there first. We can discuss this matter later."
"Okay, you go first, I'll ask Chen Ru what exactly happened."
Chen Sijun nodded, and Ye Ru left. Standing at the gate of the Four Mirrors and Three Brightnesses Hall, looking at the Yanhuang Bookstore that had been completely looted in the distance, he clenched his fists.
Taking a deep breath and adjusting his mindset, Ye Ru walked towards Wenxing Private School.
……
At this moment, Wenxing Private School suddenly had twice as many people as usual, and they were all wearing different clothes. Judging from their appearance, they seemed to be students from Peixin Private School and Liufeng Private School.
Contrary to their usual behavior, they did not argue at all, but instead stood solemnly in the square of Wenxing Private School, waiting for the students to arrive.
On the stage, Fang Zifeng and two other academy teachers were present, while the instructors below were also present, all looking at the stage.
"He's so young, yet he's made us wait this long. He's so arrogant. I bet his literary reputation will be completely wiped out soon!"
Below, a teacher curled his lip and said disdainfully.
"Master Qin is absolutely right. I really don't understand. A mere student has caused two extraordinary celestial phenomena, yet he is so highly praised by the teachers. We have sent out several classes of students and never received such special treatment. It's really unfair."
Another teacher's eyes flashed with disdain as he spoke.
"Ye Tongsheng is here."
Someone said something that made everyone look over. They saw Ye Ru walking towards them from a distance, his hands behind his back and dressed in a scholar's robe.
They remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic despite the large crowd; on the contrary, they seemed confident and assured of victory.
"Hmph, all that pretense. He'll be embarrassed once he's exposed."
When Master Qin saw Ye Ru's appearance, he snorted coldly.
"Sorry, something came up and I was held up."
Ye Ru walked up to the high platform, looked around, and then spoke to Fang Zifeng.
"It's alright. Now that you're here, this podium is yours."
Fang Zifeng patted Ye Ru on the shoulder and then smiled.
"I will certainly live up to your expectations."
Ye Ru did not refuse and nodded.
"Today, Ye, the head of the academy, is a graduate of our Wenxing Private School. In principle, he should be your senior. When you see someone virtuous, you should think of emulating them. Even if they are far behind, you can gradually catch up. I invited him here today for two reasons: first, to set an example for you, and second, to answer your questions."
Fang Zifeng said loudly, then glanced at Ye Ru and walked down.
Countless people were watching Ye Ru, who coughed lightly and said:
"I am deeply humbled by your invitation today, sir. With so many learned scholars here, I dare not presume to show off my knowledge. Today, I will only share my own views. Confucius said, 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.' If even Confucius could take two children as his teachers, today, if anyone has a different opinion and can convince me, I may take them as my teachers."
Ye Ru's humble yet assertive words earned nods of approval from most of the teachers. These words not only gave them face but also prevented Ye Ru from being condemned by everyone when he made a mistake.
"Not bad."
Fang Zifeng nodded as well, but the three men, including Master Qin, smiled contemptuously:
“If a teacher cannot teach students and is instead taught by them, what face do they have to teach students?”
"He's just a greenhorn, inexperienced young man. In terms of talent and learning, which of the teachers present doesn't far surpass him?"
"Today I will be the main speaker. If anything I say offends you, I hope you will forgive me."
Then Ye Ru cupped his hands in greeting to the many students below and began to speak:
"Today, we will discuss the *Analects*, a classic text compiled by Confucius's seventy-two disciples and their disciples, and completed during the Han Dynasty. It primarily records the words and deeds of Confucius and his seventy-two disciples, reflecting Confucius's thought in a relatively concentrated manner, and is one of the classic works of the Confucian school."
"This book is mainly in the form of aphorisms, supplemented by narrative, and it embodies Confucius's political views, ethical thoughts, moral concepts, and educational principles."
The opening summary earned nods of approval from some of the scholars; Ye Ru's summary of the Analects was quite standard and did not deviate in the slightest.
The entire room was quiet as everyone listened attentively to Ye Ru's lecture.