This son-in-law is wicked in a good way!

Yang Tai smiled coldly, not taking the Ministry of Justice's seal seriously at all.

"Putting aside the fact that Chen Zhishi's case has not yet been publicly tried, what qualifications does his mere Ministry of Justice have to shut down my academy?"

Zhao Kongcheng waved his hand indifferently: "If you want to shut down the academy, come with His Majesty's decree next time."

"The Ministry of Justice is not worthy!"

Zhang Xuanling sneered: "The academy is really quite arrogant, not even putting the Ministry of Justice in its eyes."

He paused slightly, his expression turning serious.

"The academy can remain open, but what if more students voice their support for the rebels?"

Yang Tai sneered: "Traitors? Who are the traitors? It is only natural for students of our academy to support their classmates and friends."

"As a Confucian scholar of orthodox tradition, one should dare to challenge injustice!"

"Even His Majesty is open to criticism and humbly accepts constructive feedback, yet you dare not let these students speak out. What are you so afraid of?"

Zhang Ping'an nodded secretly. Yang Tai's words were very sharp and hit Zhang Xuanling's side where it hurt.

However, Zhang Xuanling remained calm, as if he had already made up his mind.

"Yang Tai, I think you've already forgotten that you're the loser in this battle of wits."

Upon hearing this, Yang Tai and the other two's expressions immediately changed.

Zhang Xuanling pointed to the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage on the left side of the Hall of Learning and sneered smugly: "Loyal to the emperor, upholding the country and securing the nation, his heroic name will live on forever."

"To repay your kindness on the golden platform, I will wield the jade dragon and die for you."

"If the ruler commands the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die. If the father commands the son to die, the son has no choice but to die."

"These are the things that scholars should do, the etiquette they should observe, and the principles they should follow!"

"What kind of courage is this to challenge injustice... It's just focusing on trivial matters while neglecting the greater good!"

"As long as this stele commemorating the Second Sage stands in the academy, your academy is unworthy to be called a legitimate Confucian scholar!"

"Now, as the representative of the victor in this literary contest, I order the academy to close its gates for seven days."

"Dean Zhao, are you not going to disregard even the result of the verbal contest?"

Zhang Ping'an was unfamiliar with the rules of the literary contest, but he could clearly see that with each sentence Zhang Xuanling spoke, Dean Zhao and the two great scholars' expressions grew increasingly grim.

In particular, Zhang Xuanling's rebuttal of what scholars should do utterly humiliated the academy and thoroughly attacked Yang Tai.

"Focusing on minor details while neglecting the greater good..."

"As long as the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage stands in the academy, your academy is not worthy of being called orthodox Confucian scholars..."

Zhang Xuanling's words struck everyone in the academy like a thunderclap.

The inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage, which was only two meters high, was like a mountain pressing down on the academy, making everyone from students to great scholars unable to straighten their backs or raise their heads.

Especially the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage. Zhang Xuanling's words can be refuted, but no one can refute the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage.

In this era, those few words represented the Way and reason, firmly suppressing the academy's destiny.

It can be said that as long as the people of the Imperial College bring out the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage, the academy has basically already lost.

Zhao Kongcheng's face flushed red. He grabbed a gourd, tilted his head back, and gulped down a mouthful of wine. He coldly declared, "Everyone in the academy, listen to my order! Starting today, the academy is closed for seven days. No one is allowed to leave the mountain!"

"well……"

In an instant, everyone in the academy looked like a defeated rooster, bowing their proud heads in disgrace.

Zhang Xuanling said smugly, "Dean Zhao, you truly keep your word."

"However, the people of the academy should still study the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage carefully in the future, and understand what scholars should and should not do, so as not to disgrace the true scholars."

The implication is that their Imperial Academy is the true Confucian school, and the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage is the code of conduct for all scholars.

At this moment, more than ever, everyone in the academy wanted to refute the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage.

This is outrageous!

Too shameful!

"Alas, when will our academy finally produce a genius of extraordinary talent who can refute Cheng Yasheng's inscription!"

"Stop dreaming! That's Cheng Yasheng! The only person throughout history who can be compared to the Sage of Literature!"

"In that case, my academy will never have a chance to rise again."

Sighs emanated from the students of the academy.

People's hearts have fallen apart.

It seemed that the academy's remaining fortune had been lost along with the scattered hearts of its people.

Hao Shuwen said with red eyes, "I really hope someone can refute the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage."

"Hmph, if he truly possesses such great talent as to stand up and refute the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage, I'll immediately kneel down and acknowledge him as my godfather!"

Wu Yuan, who had rushed back from the foot of the mountain, witnessed the humiliation suffered by the academy.

His fists were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh.

Zhang Ping'an stroked his chin, gazing thoughtfully at the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage.

What is a scholar?

What should a scholar do?

What should a scholar do?

Does blind loyalty to the emperor and service to the country make one a qualified scholar?

If you encounter a wise ruler, that's fine, but what if you encounter a foolish one?

In this way, wouldn't scholars be aiding and abetting evil?

Just as Zhao Kongcheng and the two Confucian scholars were about to turn away in anger, Zhang Ping'an suddenly spoke up.

"Wait!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap in a stormy night.

Loud and clear, it immediately attracted everyone's attention.

Upon seeing Zhang Ping'an, Zhang Xuanling's expression immediately changed: "You unfilial son, what are you doing here?"

Zhang Ping'an grinned, "What? Does your family own the academy? Or did the lesson I gave you last time not teach you a lesson?"

Zhang Xuanling blushed instantly. Even when facing Zhao Kongcheng and the two great Confucian scholars, Zhang Xuanling remained calm and composed.

But as soon as he saw Zhang Ping'an, he was reminded of the fear he felt during those two days when he was dominated by the Empress.

"Hmph, you unfilial son, don't try to be so smug in front of me. Do you think I don't know you've lost the Emperor's favor?"

Zhang Xuanling looked completely confident and fearless.

Having lost the emperor's favor... Zhang Ping'an looked puzzled.

Is this old man insane? When have I ever seen the Empress?

Zhao Kongcheng looked at Zhang Ping'an, his eyes seemingly churning with magma, and asked, barely suppressing his excitement.

"Ping An, what do you need?"

Zhang Ping'an bowed respectfully: "Dean, please forgive my boldness! I have differing opinions on the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage!"

Zhao Kongcheng suddenly took a long, deep breath and slowly closed his eyes... Is it finally coming?

Kid, you've kept this old man waiting for ages!

When Zhao Kongcheng opened his eyes again, he seemed like a completely different person. It was as if a deflated balloon had suddenly filled with air.

His gaze towards Zhang Ping'an was full of encouragement: "Ping'an, as the Sage of Literature said, there is no order of precedence in learning; those who are accomplished are teachers."

"To do academic research, one must dare to discover problems and raise questions."

Even if the other party is a saint.

Zhang Xuanling suddenly sneered, "You unfilial son, you're a piece of trash who hasn't even read a book for more than a few days, yet you dare to question the inscription on the Quasi-Sage Stele? Who gave you the courage?"

Sun Guihua, who had been squinting, was also full of disdain. When he looked at Zhang Ping'an, it was as if he were looking at a pile of excrement, showing utter disgust.

Even the students at the academy frowned.

More than anyone else, they hoped someone would stand up, question the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage, and refute it.

But this person is at least a great Confucian scholar, not a young student like Zhang Ping'an.

His appearance at this time is probably just for the sake of attracting attention; he has no chance of refuting the inscription on the Stele of the Second Sage.

Zhang Ping'an glanced at Zhang Xuanling, who looked disdainful, but didn't refute him. He simply smiled and said, "Is that so?"

After saying that, he strode toward the blank stone tablet in front of the Hall of Learning.