Top Scholar

Chapter 413 The grass boat borrows arrows
One of the great strengths of Sōgaku is its ability to be "adaptable and flexible, and to take advantage of circumstances," seizing every favorable condition and turning bad things into good things!
In Wang Yangming's view, since those people wanted to elevate Su Lu to the heavens, then before they gave up, they should make good use of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to promote Su Xue!
Anyway, those people were the ones who acted recklessly first. If we don't take advantage of them and make them suffer a huge loss in silence, they'll never know that Sogaku is not to be trifled with!
Moreover, there is no better place to promote the study of Taoism than Nanjing. It is the cultural and economic center of the country, and its academic atmosphere and environment are far freer than those of the capital. Once Taoism establishes a foothold in Nanjing and avoids being completely suppressed, it can quickly spread throughout the country!
"Shouren's point is that since others have set up a stage and invited amateur performers, wanting you to perform a play they've written, why don't we take advantage of the existing venue and sing our own tune first?" Wang Hua couldn't help but chuckle.

"Whether you like it or not, they can't kick you off the stage, otherwise who will perform their show?"

Su Lu couldn't help but praise, "As expected of my master, he actually came up with such a clever idea!"

"Yes, he's always been full of clever ideas since he was a child." Wang Hua's face showed a look of nostalgia, as if he were seeing his mischievous eldest son from twenty years ago.

"Jokes aside, now is indeed the golden time to give lectures... No scholar in the world can undermine you now. Even if they disagree with your views, they won't question you at this critical juncture."

Fearing that Su Lu might not understand how rare this opportunity was, he emphasized again:

"It is extremely difficult to establish a new school of thought! This is a golden opportunity that many great scholars would never dare to dream of - in literature there is no first place, but in martial arts there is no second. Any theory that is put forward will be criticized by countless people, and the vast majority will end up in obscurity amidst doubts."

"Your master is currently lecturing in the southwestern border region, where he can peacefully spread his teachings. If he were to return to Jiangnan, renowned scholars from all walks of life would flock to him, inevitably leading to heated debates and a fierce battle with the Sog school. Only by defeating them all can the Sog school gain a foothold."

"But now, it's like everyone is giving you the opportunity to preach and spread your teachings, and whatever you say goes without question. It all depends on whether you have the ability to make your point resonate with most people and get them to accept your teachings."

“If you can convince even 20%... or even just 10% of the audience, then Sogaku will have a firm foothold, and its growth and expansion will only be a matter of time,” Wang Hua said in a deep voice.

"Moreover, for you, the best long-term strategy is to transform temporary fame into lasting personal prestige, and to turn those temporary supporters into your long-term followers!"

Su Lu thought to himself, "Isn't this just turning online traffic into fans? My master really knows how to do things. If he were alive in the future, he'd be a multi-millionaire internet celebrity..."

"Furthermore, if you truly become a great Confucian scholar, all those favors will transform into faith, and you will owe them nothing." Wang Hua finished speaking earnestly, then looked intently at Su Lu and said:
"Are we determined to use straw boats to borrow arrows and promote the study of Taoism?"

"Yes!" Su Lu nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "This disciple will certainly live up to Master's and Grandmaster's high expectations!"

"Very well!" Wang Hua put down his teacup and said, "I have made all the arrangements for you. Two days from now, at the Confucius Temple Academy, Su Jieyuan's first lecture will be held!"

Su Lu bowed deeply with a solemn expression: "Your grand-disciple will respectfully obey your master's orders!"

~~
Nanjing is the cradle of Chinese culture, a city where the tradition of lecturing flourished. Great scholars from all walks of life took turns giving their lectures, and literati flocked to the city, finding endless joy in the experience.

Over time, the teaching and lecturing business has become an industry. As long as the money is right, you don't have to worry about anything.

The following morning, notices about the lecture at the Confucius Temple were posted on bulletin boards in various schools, government offices, and streets.

And it prominently displays – spearheaded by Scholar Wang, with Scholar Su giving a lecture!
Putting aside everything else, just in terms of commercial development, Nanjing was at least decades ahead of Luzhou...

The news quickly reached Yang Yiqing's residence.

He was chopping firewood in the courtyard when several idle Nanjing officials came over.

"Master Shizong, have you heard? That Scholar Su is going to give a lecture in Nanjing tomorrow!"

"It was Old Scholar Wang who arranged it for him!"

Why hasn't he left yet?

“Old Scholar Wang wants him to stay in Nanjing for a month.” Yang Yiqing placed a log steadily on the anvil, raised his hand and swung the axe. With a crisp ‘crack’, the log split in two, the cut clean.

"But I don't think I'll be able to stay that long."

"Why doesn't he just stay put, travel around, and spend time with his wife? What's the point of lecturing?" Zhang Bangqi, a self-criticism scholar from Nanjing, said sourly.
"How dare a mere scholar, who has only passed the imperial examinations, stand on the stage in Nanjing, the heart of the literary world, and lecture? Does he truly not know the immensity of heaven and earth? Isn't he afraid of being booed off the stage?"

“He’s never experienced anything truly powerful. Old Scholar Wang always knows what’s important. Why should we play along with his nonsense?” Others also disagreed. In their view, lecturing should be the prerogative of highly respected Confucian scholars.

"A kid who hasn't even grown his hair yet dares to imitate others and give lectures? It's ridiculous. He's definitely going to get into trouble tomorrow."

"That won't do!" Yang Yiqing pointed his axe at them and said, "Let's see who dares to undermine him!!"

"No, no. Please put down the axe, it's quite frightening." The officials quickly waved their hands and stepped back.

Yang Yiqing then placed the axe upright on the anvil and ordered in a deep voice, "Pass the word down that no one is allowed to undermine Su Jieyuan tomorrow. Whether he is lecturing on classics and history or discussing national affairs, just agree and praise him, and make sure the lecture ends successfully."

"What if he spouts some nonsensical nonsense that makes people laugh?" the officials asked. "What are you talking about? Your superiors spout nonsensical nonsense all day long, and you don't seem to mind," Yang Yiqing scoffed.

"Treat him as if he were your boss speaking, and you'll know how to handle it."

“I didn’t take what my boss said seriously…” someone muttered. This is a unique sense of ease among Nanjing officials.

"Then just treat it as your mentor speaking, is that alright?" Yang Yiqing said irritably.

"No problem." Everyone quickly shook their heads.

“In that case, I don’t want to go…” the Hanlin scholar Zhang Bangqi muttered in a low voice.

"No, you have to go!" Yang Yiqing interrupted him, leaving no room for negotiation. "Everyone must come, and I will go in person!"

"Do we still have to go through the motions?" Sun Sui, the Right Vice Minister of the Dali Temple in Nanjing, said with a wry smile.

“That’s right.” Yang Yiqing nodded. “His reputation is too important right now. We can’t let his momentum cool down, otherwise how can we win people’s hearts and unite scholars all over the world under his banner?”

“We understand what Shi Cong Gong is saying. But what if he spouts nonsense and talks rubbish? Wouldn’t that make him a laughingstock?” Everyone was worried. “He won’t even need anyone else to cut down the flag; he’ll fall on his own.”

“Perhaps we should advise him to keep his talents hidden…” Zhang Bangqi said.

Yang Yiqing calmly shook his head and said, "Don't worry. No one dares to go to Liangshan without some skill. Since Old Scholar Wang is handling this for him, he must have already tested his abilities. It won't be too outrageous. Even if there are some oversights in his words, or if it's just mediocre, we can help him exaggerate and cover it up. Who will hold a grudge?"

"Sigh, he's always sucking up to us and cleaning up our messes. What do we owe him?" Sun Sui and the others said dejectedly.

“Yes, it’s what we owe him.” Yang Yiqing emphasized, “Given the sacrifices he’s made for everyone, consider this an advance payment to him.”

As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel frustrated, saying, "This must have been Wang Shouren's idea. He clearly wanted to use us to promote his teachings... That kid, he always considers himself a loser if he doesn't gain anything."

“I think Master Yangming has made a mistake. If it were his father who was lecturing, there might have been some hope, but this time it's his eighteen-year-old disciple who is lecturing,” Sun Sui said.

"If Su Jieyuan could explain the teachings of the Song Dynasty to everyone, wouldn't he become a great Confucian scholar?"

"He wouldn't be so delusional as to think he could mold Su Jieyuan into a great Confucian scholar, would he?" Zhang Bangqi chuckled.

"Of course not, what are you thinking?" Everyone burst into laughter. "That kid is only eighteen years old. Eighteen years old and he wants to become a great scholar? That's laughable!"

"Hehe..." Yang Yiqing just smiled faintly and said softly, "If that's really the case, it's not bad."

He then took off his axe and continued chopping wood...

~~
The following day, the area in front of the Pan Pool at the Confucius Temple was packed with people.

Scholars from half of Nanjing flocked there, filling the vast square to capacity. Many who arrived late were simply turned away…

Everyone wanted to join in the fun and see what Su Jieyuan, who had recently become famous throughout Jiangnan and was enjoying unparalleled popularity, was really like.

A considerable number of high-ranking officials and dignitaries were also present. Among the Nine Ministers of Nanjing, five high-ranking officials personally attended and sat in the front row, attracting much attention. Even retired officials such as Yang Yiqing came to show their support, sitting comfortably in the west wing, their expressions full of anticipation.

But these gentlemen have ulterior motives. They actually see attending this lecture as a harmless way of supporting the "Down with Liu" movement... so almost everyone who could come did.

The old scholar Wang first gave a brief opening speech, telling everyone what Su Jieyuan would mainly talk about today.

When Su Lu appeared, the entire audience erupted in thunderous applause.

He stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his white robe spotless, his bright eyes clear and gentle between his brows. His strong scholarly spirit and refined scholarly air complemented each other, making him elegant and captivating!
The students cheered and applauded loudly; the high-ranking officials nodded in approval. At least the top scholar's appearance was definitely up to par!
Amidst deafening cheers, Su Lu slowly ascended the steps and stood on the high platform in front of the Pan Pond.

The commotion gradually subsided, and the academy fell silent. All eyes were fixed on Su Lu. People were filled with curiosity and anticipation. What insights could this young top scholar offer that would be worthy of such a grand occasion?
P.S. The next chapter will be available tomorrow morning. Thank you all for your support! We've finally overtaken them, but the gap is still very small. Please keep voting with your monthly tickets!!!

(End of this chapter)