Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Pang Chao said calmly: "As for you, the court inside and outside have been eyeing you covetously. The emperor will first remove your job as a guard and then your position as the left governor.

Afterwards, if you let out the slightest hint, all the civil and military officials in the court will immediately attack you, and I guarantee that no one will dare to speak for you.

Dealing with the queen is easy. Just find an excuse to depose her or kill her suddenly. It only takes a word from the emperor."

Jia Cong sighed and said, "According to your opinion, Sun Qiu can't be killed?"

Pang Chao nodded and said, "Unless you want to start a rebellion right away. Political struggles are never as simple as you kill me and I kill you. If you kill Sun Qiu, you will only benefit the fishermen."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "Sir, do you have any good ideas?"

Pang Chao said: "Respond to ever-changing situations with the same attitude."

Jia Cong frowned and said, "Sir, are you asking me to do nothing? Even if I stay put, the Queen will definitely take action according to her will. With the background of the Yingchuan Chen family, there is a 70% to 80% chance that she will succeed."

"At least you don't have to become a sinner for all eternity. You can't stop the queen from doing anything." Pang Chao said.

"How about I send someone to quietly inform Prince Nannan first?" Jia Cong said.

"No!" Pang Chao said firmly: "If the Queen's plan fails, she will know that it was you who did it.

In this way, you will not only lose the Queen as a strong supporter, but also gain a powerful enemy, and the King of Nan'an will not thank you either. Isn't this a loss for both sides?"

"At least 200,000 lives were saved." Jia Cong shook his head.

Pang Chao said: "It depends on your choice, whether to be a hero or a tyrant."

Jia Cong was silent for a long time, then he sighed and said in a deep voice: "I have decided to pretend to obey but secretly disobey, and just stand by and watch, and let the queen do whatever she wants."

If you are a hero in the martial arts world, you can naturally choose to be a hero without restraint, but the court is full of twists and turns.

Since you are a player in the game, the first thing to consider is how to win the court struggle. Only by being invincible in the court can you protect the safety of the whole family.

In comparison, the 200,000 people far away in the sky could only cry out in vain. They could not blame themselves for not helping them, but could only blame the queen for being cruel.

Thinking of this, Jia Cong smiled bitterly and said, "Sir, why is it that in history books there are always some loyal officials who are willing to sacrifice their own heads and even their families for the benefit of the country?
Cong really doesn’t understand how there can be such people in this era.”

Pang Chao said calmly: "A man of noble character will not seek to live at the expense of his character, but will rather sacrifice his life to achieve his character."

"Cong will never be a patriot in this life." Jia Cong bowed and sighed.

"It's the same if you become a hero." Pang Chao said.

"Sir, please don't comfort me. How are heroes and patriots the same?" Jia Cong said.

Pang Chao shook his head and said, "At the end of the Han Dynasty, the country was in decline. Cao Mengde was brave enough to risk his life to stab someone. Does that make him a patriot?"

Jia Cong was familiar with the story of Meng De offering a knife to assassinate Dong Zhuo, so he said, "Of course it counts."

"After that, he used the emperor to command the princes, and successively defeated Lu Bu, Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao and others, and unified half of the northern part of the country. Can he be called a hero?" Pang Chao said.

"Of course he lives up to his reputation." Jia Cong said happily, "So being a tyrant isn't bad, right?"

Pang Chao laughed and said, "If Cao Mengde had succeeded in his assassination attempt, it would have been heroic, but it would have been just one Yao Li and one Nie Zheng. Killing one Dong Zhuo would have given him a second and a third. How great a contribution would that have made to the country and the people? How could it be compared to unifying the north, stopping the war and saving the people?"

"Sir, you are right. It would be a huge waste if Cao Cao became an assassin." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"Thus Confucius said, 'If you see small benefits, you will not be able to achieve great things.' You only see the merit of saving 200,000 people today, but you have never thought that you may be able to save 2 million or 20 million people in the future. Which is more important?"

"Sir, is this what politicians think?" Jia Cong said with a serious expression.

"Of course."
-
The various departments in the capital were busy for two days until the Prince of Nan'an and the eldest prince led a large army and countless food, supplies, donkeys and mules carts to set off. Only then did they calm down.

When the common people in the capital learned that the Western Regions had fallen, they were all filled with indignation. Many gentry and officials generously donated money and spontaneously bought pigs, mutton, rice and flour to reward the troops.

Officials, civilians and scholars in the capital were all immersed in the excitement of "I would like to draw the sword at my waist and kill Lou Lan". They were delighted by the court's determination to send troops on the expedition. They were even more excited than when the Tartars invaded Liaodong a few years ago.

This is because countless literati and poets in the Han and Tang Dynasties had already frozen the Western Regions into a dream in the hearts of every Han people. The Tianshan Mountains, ice and snow, yellow sand, and lonely smoke, this is a desolate dream, a romantic dream, a distant dream, and it is also an indispensable dream in the genes of the Celestial Civilization.

Jia Cong watched the Western Expedition army go away. Even though he was a murderer and had a heart of stone, he felt a little sad at this moment. If the queen's plan succeeded... the consequences would be unimaginable.

Then he realized that he couldn't find the best of both worlds by protecting himself and the army, so he had to give in and take care of himself.

With a long sigh, Jia Cong pulled the reins of his horse and headed back home. Because he was depressed by Empress Chen, he simply asked Wang Ziteng, Lei Tai and others to take care of the yamen work, and he went home to "recuperate".
-
Mingde Academy is located at the foot of Changning Peak, more than 20 miles northwest of the capital, covering an area of ​​more than 1,000 acres, with pavilions, towers, halls, courtyards, and houses, accommodating more than 2,000 students.

Since most of the students and professors of the academy have high incomes, over the years a prosperous town has grown around the academy, specializing in the business of teachers and students.

Even in the coldest time of the year, business in the town is not slow, and is even getting better. Many students are happy to go to the town after school to drink a pot of rice wine, eat shabu-shabu mutton, or have tea and discuss philosophy in a teahouse.

A few ordinary horse-drawn carriages creaked and crushed the ice and snow, slowly approaching from the official road.

Seeing the carriage coming, dozens of young men in ordinary clothes in the teahouses and hotels on both sides of the road put down their chopsticks and teacups at the same time, and looked around without taking their eyes away from the carriage.

Hundreds of eyes were intertwined, covering the carriage tightly and monitoring any suspicious people.

Du Dapeng, dressed as a street knight, stood up from a tavern, walked to a carriage in the middle and whispered, "Sir, I have been waiting for you for a long time."

"Oh, I see."

Jia Cong lazily agreed, jumped out of the carriage, walked to the next carriage, and said, "Sister-in-law, we've arrived."

Li Wan agreed crisply and got out of the carriage with Suyun.

Because Jia Cong's identity is special, he doesn't want to make it known to everyone, so he is traveling incognito today. He looks like an ordinary gentry visiting his nephews and brothers in the academy, so he is not conspicuous.

"Master, if we walk about a hundred feet along the road, we will reach the gate of the academy. We have just sent someone to the academy to say hello." Du Dapeng said.

Out of respect, family members who came to visit the academy would get off the car far away and walk over.

Jia Cong didn't want to break the rules, so he took Li Wan with him, followed by four or five servants carrying loads on their shoulders, which contained clothes, pens, ink, snacks and other daily necessities for Jia Lan and others.

From afar, one can see the academy's five-room grand gatehouse, on which hangs the inscription "Mingde Academy" written by Emperor Taizu, and below it is a couplet:
The four plum trees are thin and fragrant, and looking up and down is like visiting the East Wall Palace;
There are always talented people in the world, and they are rising up like the Kun in the North Sea.

Jia Cong praised: "What a great institution of learning! I have wanted to study here for a few years. Unfortunately, I have wasted my time and no longer have the opportunity."

Li Wan smiled and said, "Didn't my third brother tell the master that he would study again after returning from a hundred battles? Now is the right time for him to study."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "I lied to you, Master. Since I have been through many battles and have achieved success, why should I study? The purpose of studying is to pass the imperial examination and become an official. It's the same goal."

Li Wan shook her head and smiled, "Third brother, you are wrong. Studying is not just for the purpose of becoming an official. Many famous scholars throughout history studied hard all their lives and did not take up official positions, just to study hard, write books, and educate the world."

Jia Cong nodded and said, "How many famous scholars and great scholars are there in the world?"

Li Wan smiled and said, "Mr. Sui Han, the head of the mountain here, is just such a famous scholar who is well-known all over the world."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Is your reputation greater than my reputation as the most romantic and talented scholar in the world?" Li Wan rolled her eyes at him and said, "Your reputation is just that of a little girl who can read and write. You are far less respected and virtuous than Mr. Sui Han in the scholar circle.

After he passed the imperial examination, he resolutely returned to his hometown to farm and study. Students from far and near admired him and came to study with him.

The emperor repeatedly invited him to serve as an official, but he declined on the grounds of old age. Later, he wrote books and became a great scholar. He was invited to preside over Mingde Academy.

"Well, he does have some literary qualities." Jia Cong nodded.

Seeing Jia Cong and his party coming, several old men came out from the gatehouse of the academy. The one leading them was the principal Zhuo Yizi, also known as Mr. Sui Han, and the others were the academy's presidents, senior teachers, etc.

"The arrival of the young master brings glory to our humble abode."

Jia Cong returned the greeting and said with a smile, "I am very sorry to have troubled you gentlemen to come out to greet me. I have come to visit my nephews who are studying in your academy and I miss them so much."

Zhuo Yi was about sixty years old, thin, and smiled as he twirled his beard, "It is natural for a mother and her child to be together. This is human nature. Our hospital does not prohibit relatives from visiting. Please come."

"Thank you, sir." Li Wan bowed.

Everyone returned the greeting, "Sir, Madam, please."

Jia Cong glanced at Zhuo Yi and thought to himself that this man was aloof by nature and even ignored the order of the retired emperor, so why was he so polite to me?

Yin smiled tentatively and said, "I heard that the old gentleman always treats high-ranking officials and nobles with a cold attitude and keeps a distance from them. Before Cong came, he was afraid that the old gentleman would not let me in. How come he is so friendly when we meet today? Why is that?"

After hearing this, everyone felt a little uneasy.

The abbot was afraid that Zhuo Yizhi had offended Jia Cong, so he apologized with a smile: "Sir, haven't you heard what the sage said, 'It is a great pleasure to have friends coming from afar?' How can the headmaster reject people from a thousand miles away?"

Everyone laughed and agreed.

Jia Cong laughed and thought, it seems that the pen is not as powerful as the gun.

Zhuo Yizhi's expression remained unchanged, and he shook his head and said, "No. You and I are not friends."

Everyone was shocked and looked bitter, thinking to themselves, "Oh no, you can offend anyone, why offend this killer?"

Jia Cong did not take it as an offense and said with a smile: "Could it be that you, sir, also admire Cong's... literary talent?"

Everyone said hurriedly: "Of course, your poems would shine even in the heyday of the Tang Dynasty."

Zhuo Yizhi shook his head and sighed, "You are a gifted genius. If you can read more classics and history, your achievements will be limitless."

Jia Cong glanced at Li Wan awkwardly, and said, "How do you know, old gentleman, that I haven't read the classics? Cong has been studying the Spring and Autumn Annals for a long time."

Hearing this, Li Wan could not help but sneer and quickly covered her mouth. This bastard was so uneducated and yet he had the nerve to show off his knowledge of the Spring and Autumn Annals in front of the old gentleman.

Everyone didn't know his background, so they laughed and said, "I've heard that you are the most talented scholar in the world. I wonder what you think of the History of Kirins?"

They only hoped to change the subject, get Jia Cong to talk, divert his attention, and prevent the dean from offending anyone again.

Jia Cong answered honestly: "I have not read the History of the Unicorn. I am studying the Spring and Autumn Annals." How could he know the story of "ending his writing with the capture of the unicorn"?

"..."Everyone was stunned, looked at each other, and laughed dryly.

Li Wan was so embarrassed that she couldn't help but tug at Jia Cong's sleeve and whispered, "The History of Lin is the Spring and Autumn Annals."

"Ah?" Jia Cong was stunned and looked at everyone: "The History of Lin is the Spring and Autumn Annals?"

Everyone was speechless and nodded silently. How dare this stubborn guy talk about studying the Spring and Autumn Annals? How long has it been?
Li Wan's face turned red and she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. It was so embarrassing.

Jia Cong laughed and said nonchalantly: "Thank you for your advice. Don't blame Cong for being ignorant. It's really my teacher who didn't say anything. She's really an asshole. Cong will teach her a lesson when he gets back."

At the time, he was only focused on listening to Daiyu's stories and had no time to pay attention to these details. Even if he had heard them, he would have forgotten them.

Zhuo Yizhi frowned when he heard this and said, "The ancients said that the key to learning quickly lies in respecting teachers. The kindness of a wise teacher is much greater than that of parents. Why are you speaking such rebellious words?"

Jia Cong spread his hands and said, "Old sir, the husband is the leader of the wife. Is it wrong for the husband to teach his wife a lesson?"

Everyone was surprised and covered their mouths to hold back their laughter.

Zhuo Yizhi was also amused, shaking his head and laughing, "I didn't expect you to discuss the meaning of the classics in your boudoir. I really admire you."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "That's right. I have several wives who have accumulated thousands of books in their minds, which is incomparable to ordinary women."

Seeing that he looked relaxed and not pretending, everyone was relieved and said with a smile: "A lady from a noble family will naturally stand out."

Zhuo Yi said: "You have been studying the Spring and Autumn Annals for a long time. Have you gained anything?"

Jia Cong wanted to say that the stories in the Spring and Autumn Annals were too brief and not as exciting as the novels, but when the words came to his lips, he thought that if he said so, he might get into trouble, so he said, "Cong only learned four words."

"Oh? Which four words?"

"Serve the country and the people." Jia Cong cleverly omitted the great hero. These four words will never go wrong no matter where they are used.

Zhuo Yizhi's eyes flashed with brilliance, he glanced at Jia Cong and said, "Well, you have got the essence of it."

Jia Cong was flattered and hurriedly bowed and asked, "Sir, are you serious?"

"I never lie."

"Okay. Sister-in-law, you heard it. Mr. Sui Han said that I have grasped the essence of the Spring and Autumn Annals. You can go back and tell Pin'er and the others, so that they won't laugh at me for being ignorant." Jia Cong said proudly.

"..." The old gentlemen were silent. This guy was really rude.

Li Wan ignored him and just walked away with her head down. She was already feeling extremely ashamed for Jia Cong.

Then he laughed and said, "I have answered your question, but you haven't answered me yet."

Zhuo Yi's way: "Just to respect your contributions to the country and the people."

Jia Cong secretly thought that military merit was indeed the hard currency in the world, and said with a smile: "Cong eats the emperor's salary, and his loyalty to the emperor is not worth mentioning."

Zhuo Yizi nodded and said to the abbot, "Zi'an, you take the two of them away. I have some worldly business to attend to, so I'm sorry I can't keep you company." After that, he bowed to Jia Cong and left at a fork in the road.

Jia Cong thought to himself that he was indeed a great scholar whom even the emperor could not invite, and it was a great favor that he could come out to see him.

Yin smiled and said, "You are all busy, so you don't have to accompany me. I have heard of Mingde Academy for a long time, and today is a good time to visit it. Sister-in-law, please go to the reception room and wait. I will go and call Lang'er and the others."

"Yes, okay." Li Wan nodded.

Everyone had no choice but to point out the direction for Jia Cong and take Li Wan there first. (End of this chapter)