I stole divine power in Daxia

Chapter 454 Three Apprentices
Mei Juncang.

Hearing the answer from the other party, Sun Chenglong had a conflicted expression.

Mei Juncang is Zhou Tieyi's first disciple, there is no doubt about that. If it is a normal master-disciple inheritance, it would be appropriate for me to step forward and respectfully call him "senior brother".

However, the "master-disciple relationship" between Zhou Tieyi and Mei Juncang was not simple. Ever since Zhou Tieyi left Beijing to investigate the Moshi case and handed over many matters in Tianjing to Hao Ren, and became estranged from Mei Juncang due to his career, the matter of their apprenticeship has been scrutinized over and over again under the sun.

Especially after the Emperor of Great Xia issued an edict to reward Mei Juncang and temporarily replaced Zhou Tieyi as the director of the Inspection Institute, the rift between the two masters and apprentices was infinitely magnified with the instigation of countless people with ulterior motives.

The most important and widely recognized theory is that Zhou Tieyi's original intention of accepting Mei Juncang as his disciple was not simple. His purpose was to prevent Mei Qingchen from becoming a saint.

So when the emperor decided to pardon Mei Qingchen, a rift appeared in their master-disciple relationship.

This is mainly a view that comes from Confucianism.

Of course, there is another saying within Zhou Tieyi's faction, which is that Mei Juncang and Zhou Tieyi did have different views on the people of the world, and they were gentlemen who were harmonious but different.

But no matter which statement is true, the fact that Zhou Tieyi asked Hao Ren to lead Sun Chenglong and Deng Xuehu upstairs to preside over the entire ceremony, rather than Mei Juncang, the "senior brother", has already made his attitude clear.

That is, even if it was a fake show before, it is real now. Mei Juncang has actually left Zhou Tieyi's sphere of influence.

As for Mei Qingchen helping Zhou Tieyi now, not to mention that the relationship between Mei Qingchen and his son is now difficult for outsiders to distinguish, Mei Qingchen helps Zhou Tieyi more on behalf of Confucianism to supervise and disperse Zhou Tieyi's power, just like Feng Zikuan represents the emperor.

After Sun Chenglong thought about this, he was stunned for a long time, attracting the attention of people around him.

Mei Juncang, who was sitting in the carriage, didn't care at all. He continued to ask with a chuckle, "What? Have you thought it through?"

Sun Chenglong gritted his teeth and bowed to Mei Juncang, "Greetings, Senior Brother. What do you want to talk to me about?"

"Get in the car and talk."

Mei Juncang patted the cushion beside him.

The one helping Sun Chenglong drive the carriage is an old servant of the Sun family, who is also familiar with the political situation in Tianjing. His eldest young master has finally become his apprentice, but now Mei Juncang appears to block the way and wants the young master to get in the car. Will this annoy Zhou Tieyi?
The old servant was just about to laugh it off and send the young master back home first, waiting for the master to deal with it.

Sun Chenglong took the initiative to put his hand on the old servant's shoulder and said, "Ming Bo, I know my limits."

When Sun Chenglong got on Mei Juncang's carriage, the curtains were lowered and the interior of the carriage suddenly became dark and quiet. At the same time, the entire space inside the carriage was isolated from the outside world.

"Go to Sun's Mansion."

Mei Juncang gave an order to the driver, then slowly took out the wine jug that was warm in the lotus jar and poured a glass of wine for Sun Chenglong.

Just as Sun Chenglong was about to pick up the wine glass, Mei Juncang stretched out his hand to stop him, "Why do you dare to get in my car?"

Sun Chenglong understood that this was a test from Mei Juncang to himself. From the moment he became Zhou Tieyi's apprentice, such tests would follow. Being Zhou Tieyi's apprentice was an identity, but whether he could bear this identity would require him to be scrutinized by various forces.

After Mei Juncang became a disciple, he knelt in front of all the high-ranking Confucian families in Tianjing. His hair turned white overnight and his mind and spirit were damaged. He was then pulled back from the gates of hell, which was also a kind of test.

Sun Chenglong thought about it seriously and replied, "Once a teacher, always a father. Since you are my disciple, you are my elder brother. How can I refuse to get in the car when my elder brother invites me?"

Mei Juncang's smile widened, and he shook his head and laughed, "You will definitely be scolded by the teacher for this Confucian theory!"

Although he was shaking his head, he released his hand that was blocking the wine glass, which meant he agreed with Sun Chenglong's answer.

Mei Juncang continued, "Although the truth is a little stupid, it is a good truth as long as it is recognized by the world."

Although Sun Chenglong could explain the reasons in various ways for getting on the car today, there were only a few reasons that Zhou Tieyi had to agree with even if he disagreed.

For example, the ethical relationship basis of master, disciple, senior brother and junior brother. If Zhou Tieyi does not even agree with this theory, then there is no need for him to accept disciples.

Sun Chenglong picked up the wine glass and drank it all.

Mei Juncang picked up the wine pot and poured another glass of wine for Sun Chenglong. "The last glass of wine was to congratulate you on becoming my disciple. This time, I want to ask you something."

"what's up?"

"What did the teacher say to Deng Xuehu when he was worshipping his master today?"

Hearing Mei Juncang's question, the joy on Sun Chenglong's face faded and gradually became solemn.

He originally thought that Deng Xuehu was just overwhelmed by the choices today, and in fact it was true. There were very few masters who would spend a lot of effort to demonstrate their life's learning to their disciples on the first day of apprenticeship. Moreover, Zhou Tieyi has always been unconventional. At the beginning, he also agreed to let them ask questions casually. The so-called teacher is to teach, learn, and resolve doubts. But for some reason, when it came to the military methods, he suddenly lost his patience.

At that time, because he had received the teachings, his mind was affected by the power of thunder and lightning, and he had no time to think carefully. Now, when Mei Juncang asked him, especially when he looked at him with those deep eyes, he was immediately confused.

However, Sun Chenglong did not rush to answer, but put down the wine glass directly, "Since you are Master's disciple, you can ask Master about this matter. I won't say anything more."

The same set of words was both the reason for getting on the bus and the reason for rejecting Mei Juncang's answer.

Mei Juncang was not annoyed. He poured himself a glass of wine, picked it up and took a sip, "Not bad."

After that, Mei Juncang really didn't mention this matter along the way, but chatted with Sun Chenglong about the various changes in Beijing today.

The carriage was moving very fast and stopped in front of the Sun Mansion. Uncle Sun Jiaming, who was following behind the carriage, said hurriedly under the curtain, "Master, we are home. The master and the mistress are waiting for you."

Sun Chenglong looked up at Mei Juncang, and suddenly realized that there were two main reasons why Mei Juncang stopped him today. One was to conduct a preliminary test of his character. If he passed, he would take the opportunity to remind himself not to underestimate Deng Xuehu, so as to avoid estrangement between the brothers and disturbance by outsiders.

Just like what he said in reply to Mei Juncang, they were all disciples of the master, so Mei Juncang was his senior brother, and even if there were rumors outside, he had to show basic respect. Similarly, Deng Xuehu was his junior brother, and even if there was no inheritance for the time being, he could not casually look down on him.

All this is self-evident. This senior brother is really amazing, Sun Chenglong sighed in his heart, and bowed his hands in return, saying, "Thank you for your teaching today."

On another carriage heading back to Yujing Mountain, the Minister of Revenue Shi Changsheng and Ke Anran sat opposite each other. After the two of them deduced Zhou Tieyi's method of the Five Emperors' descent, Shi Changsheng exclaimed, "I didn't expect that he had already evolved a complete image of the Five Emperors."

Although the Five Emperors are the ancestors of humanity, and each school and sect has its own corresponding methods, it is too difficult to fully evolve the images of the Five Emperors, and it is also slightly taboo.

Thinking of this, Shi Changsheng smiled, but these two points were no longer important to Zhou Tieyi at this time. He and a handful of other people in the world were the only ones who had the ability and dared to evolve the statues of the Five Emperors at the same time.

Ke remained silent. No wonder the emperor wanted to remove the Five Emperors from this year's grand sacrifice. This would not only give room to the Sun and Moon Emperor, but would also affect the destiny of humanity.

Once the Five Emperors remove the great sacrifice, those who practice the Five Emperors' teachings will definitely be affected.

The Five Emperors' methods are somewhat taboo after all, so Shi Changsheng just said it casually, and then talked about another thing, "This Deng Xuehu is interesting."

"What an interesting idea?"

Ke asked calmly.

Shi Changsheng laughed and said, "Deng Xuehu didn't have a real name before. He was the second child in the family, so he was nicknamed Erdan. Xuehu was the real name he gave himself when he entered the newsboy school."

After Deng Xuehu became the disciple, every detail of his life, even his birth date which he could not remember, was analyzed in detail. A few days ago, a special fortune teller even went to look at the land of their family.

Ke nodded dejectedly. It was easier to raise a child from a poor family if he was given a cheap name, but this kid was not only able to stand out among hundreds of newspaper boys at the age of twelve, but also knew to give himself the name "Xue Hu". His ambition and ambition should not be underestimated.

But he smiled and shook his head, saying, "After today, I'm afraid people will say that I'm too clever for my own good, that I'm trying to monopolize the market, and that my character is not pure anymore."

This is also a common routine used to slander people. If you succeed, you will naturally be seen as mature at a young age, but if you fail, then you will end up losing more than you gain.

Shi Changsheng asked in return, "Is Zhou Tieyi a kind-hearted person?"

Ke understood Shi Changsheng's words sadly. Zhou Tieyi had deceived the people of the world for more than ten years, pretending to be a playboy. Of course, he was a man of deep thoughts and impure character.

Deng Xuehu was accepted as a disciple by Zhou Tieyi, but was suddenly "neglected", which was somewhat similar to Zhou Tieyi's dissolute and self-conscious appearance in the past, or it could be said that this might be the result of Zhou Tieyi's deliberate guidance.

"How do you think he plans to play Deng Xuehu?"

At the end of today's apprenticeship ceremony, Deng Xuehu did not receive the inheritance. Therefore, although many dignitaries who attended the ceremony did not say it on the surface, they looked down on him in their hearts.

But on the other hand, when it came to Shi Changsheng's point, he had to wonder whether Zhou Tieyi did it on purpose, wanting to turn Deng Xuehu into a hidden chess piece and launch an attack at the critical moment.

Ke Anran answered this question easily, "It's just a casual move."

"Why?"

"Even if Deng Xuehu is useful, he certainly can't be used within the next two years, so he's just a side move. If we focus too much on this side move now, it will be easy for him to be deceived and ignore more important things."

Shi Changsheng nodded slightly. He also noticed another important word Ke Anran said, "Two years?"

Ke nodded sadly and said, "Yes, two years. If the overall situation is determined, even if there are more idle moves, they will only last for a few more breaths."

The floor lamps were lit one by one. It gets dark early in winter. Deng Xuehu just returned to the archway and saw his parents, brothers and sisters waiting in the cold wind. However, their expressions did not have the joy they had when he left today. Instead, they looked worried.

Good things don't go out, bad things pass thousands of miles.

Deng Xuehu muttered to himself, his home was on the edge of Suzaku City, not many miles away from Huwei Workshop, but he had to come back this short distance by himself, and during the apprenticeship ceremony, his "scandalous deeds" were spread back home.

Of course, it is also possible that someone sent it back intentionally, just to test what he had learned through his family.

Thinking of this, Deng Xuehu trotted over and said, "Father, Mother, it's so cold, what are you doing waiting outside?"

Father Deng looked melancholy, and said angrily, "What did I teach you? You should be down-to-earth. Why did you offend Master today? Being able to worship Marquis Zhou as your master is a blessing you have cultivated for several lifetimes, but you don't know how to cherish it. Come on, follow me to Marquis Zhou's mansion and kneel down to admit your mistake!"

As he said that, Deng's father was about to take the whole family, including Deng Xuehu, to Zhou's house, and a borrowed ox cart was specially prepared nearby.

Although his father was scolding him, Deng Xuehu knew that his father was doing it for his own good, otherwise the whole family would not have been waiting for him here in the cold wind. He was afraid that after hearing what happened at today's apprenticeship ceremony, his father would be much more panicked than himself.

Deng Xuehu was pulled by his father and said, "Father, I was wrong to be confused today, but Master is angry now. If you take our family with you at this time, won't it add fuel to the fire?"

Deng's father stopped pinching Deng Xuehu's ear and sighed, "What should we do?"

Then he saw that his second son, who was usually obedient and smart, had made a mistake today, and he couldn't even think of a solution. He immediately complained to himself, "It's also because I'm incompetent. I usually thought you were smart, but I didn't have time to teach you, so you lost your sense of proportion in front of Lord Zhou."

Deng Xuehu first stopped the family from looking for Zhou Tieyi, and then comforted his parents, "Dad, you don't have to worry too much."

“How can I not worry about this?”

"Although I have angered Master today, Master is not rejecting me as his disciple. He just asked me to build the bridge and practice boxing first. This is what should be done. My senior brother has already entered the ninth level of martial arts today, so he has inherited the skills directly. When I have mastered the bridge building and boxing, Master will be calm. My senior brother said that he would help Master to intercede for me, and then Master will naturally teach me the skills."

After hearing Deng Xuehu's explanation, Deng's parents breathed a sigh of relief. After thinking about it, they felt that this was indeed the best solution. They couldn't find anyone in their family who could speak to Zhou Hou. The only relationship they could find was the senior brother that Deng Xuehu had just recognized today.

"Erdan, is your senior brother really willing to help you? After all, his family is a wealthy and powerful one, and you have angered Master again today."

Among the Deng family, only Deng Xuehu's elder brother is currently studying in a private school, so he naturally knows that the relationship between his fellow apprentices will not be as harmonious as imagined.

Deng Xuehu was not so sure about this. He said ambiguously, "My senior brother agreed today. I will ask him again when I practice boxing tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)