The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 436 - 359, Lord Zhao is my teacher!

Among those who had come to enjoy the spectacle, the Old Director, sitting with a composed posture, also had his pupils constricted. Staring with a wooden expression at his subordinate by name, caught off guard by this sudden turn of events.

As for Mo Chou, the "female chancellor," her eyes widened, and even the makeup on her brow became twisted…

So you really were meddling covertly, and yet claimed you had not acted…

She stared blankly at Zhao Douan next to her, suddenly gritting her teeth and blurted out:

"Did you secretly threaten him? Get a hold of something against him?"

This was her first thought, her instinctive guess!

It matched her stereotypical image of Zhao Douan as a cunning and ruthless man!

Not just her, but after seeing the direction Mr. Zhengyang pointed, many in the audience harbored similar suspicions.

Clearly, Zhao Douan must have been up to something, using some means to coerce or tempt and forcing the Great Scholar to concede publicly!

Opposite the crowd, the expression in Bian Ji's eyes was not right; he seemed to enjoy the drama unfolding.

"Mr. Zhengyang, you can't just say things recklessly!"

Grandmaster Dong was the first to react, guessing this possibility after regaining his composure, his face slightly changed.

If Zhao Douan had indeed threatened, the news of Mr. Zhengyang's forced concession spreading today could stir unpredictable reactions in public opinions.

Dong Xuan said solemnly, "Today we discuss scholarship here in the capital of the Great Yu Dynasty, with many Confucians present. You should discuss scholarship with me without concerning yourself with any disturbances."

He was making a statement, trying to mitigate the negative impact.

However, Mr. Zhengyang remained unusually calm, raising his hand first to quell the surrounding noise, and shook his head earnestly:

"Grandmaster and everyone, you may have misunderstood. My admission of defeat today is not a jest, nor out of annoyance, and certainly not under anyone else's compulsion. Rather, I reflected today that even if I exerted all my abilities, I would still not be able to triumph."

It seemed he smiled, more in self-derision:

"I secluded myself for ten years in Yunfu, focusing on writing and interpreting the Saint's words to expound on the true teachings, gaining some empty fame. Yet, the deeper I delved into my studies, the more I sensed a fragmented landscape emerging, ideas arose in my mind, yet I could not fully form them, making me feel as if I was lost in a fog, unable to grasp the essence.

Coming down from the mountain, not only was I fulfilling someone's request, but I also wanted to come to the Capital myself, to meet the contemporary Confucians and discuss scholarship, hoping to dispel the confusion in my heart and resolve my doubts."

Listening to his explanation, the crowd quieted down, sensing that Mr. Zhengyang's demeanor and attitude indeed did not suggest coercion.

Mr. Zhengyang suddenly looked towards Zhao Douan, his eyes complex as he said:

"After entering the Capital, I conversed with some renowned Confucians, but found nothing of substance. The scholars in the Capital seemed to care not for scholarship itself. So, I chose to stay behind closed doors, waiting for today, when unexpectedly a disciple conveyed a message, leading me to meet Lord Zhao at Bailu.

The Heart Learning proposed by Lord Zhao, also known as 'New Study,' initially seemed contrary to the taught Orthodoxy I subscribe to. However, pondering over it after returning, it made more sense to me, aligning faintly with my thoughts in Yunfu.

Yet, I only reached the concept of 'esteeming the virtuous nature' where the 'heart is the principle' and barely touched the true meaning of cultivating genuine knowledge. As for the unity of knowing and doing, I had never before conceived…"

Mr. Zhengyang calmly narrated, his deep voice resonating in everyone's ears.

He didn't elaborate on the details of the debate with Zhao Douan but used this opportunity to publicly share the Heart Learning theories that Zhao Douan had explained to him.

It was as if he wasn't debating at all, but rather promoting Zhao Douan's theories.

Dong Xuan at first was baffled by terms like "Heart Learning" and "heart as principle," but as Mr. Zhengyang's clear and straightforward explanation unfolded, the renowned Confucian scholar couldn't help but frown profoundly, his expression changing.

As a staunch defender of "Rationalism," he even wanted to interject several times to rebut.

But recalling that these heretical views were those proposed by Zhao Douan, he restrained himself.

However, the surrounding scholars didn't share his reservations, their expressions growing more animated as they listened.

A few had their eyes brighten, drawn to this novel scholarship.

But that was ultimately a minority.

Most instinctively resisted but, faced with the almost preachy Zhengyang, couldn't quite muster any counterarguments.

The disciples of the Zhengyang School were utterly dumbfounded, like a group of abandoned children.

It felt absurdly like a scene where the general defected right before the battle.

Lu Cheng and Scholar Song looked at each other, speechless, seeing shock in each other's eyes.

Zhao Douan's expression was also somewhat strange, this turning out even better than what he had anticipated.

In his original plan, he aimed to challenge Mr. Zhengyang first. Today, with Grandmaster Dong on stage, he would be off-stage.

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If Mr. Zhengyang won against Dong Xuan, then he would step in.

But unexpectedly, after two days of debate, Mr. Zhengyang had conceded directly.

Not only did he cast his vote, but he changed his demeanor, publicly professing the theory of "Heart Learning" while casting aside the original "debate."

And...

He spoke exceptionally well, even more thoroughly than Zhao Douan.

Unsurprisingly.

Although Zhao Douan had moved toward the theory of Heart Learning, when it came to understanding, he could not compare with Mr. Zhengyang.

Now as Mr. Zhengyang demonstrated his mastery, the Heart Learning he articulated became more cohesive, pervasive, and straightforward.

"...hence, the fog in my heart has cleared. Last night, I sat alone the whole night in the inn, awaiting dawn. As day broke, I saw the faint morning light illuminating the dark room. My heart was enlightened, desiring nothing else."

Mr. Zhengyang's eyes brightened, his face flushed with a genuine joy of enlightenment.

He looked around at the gathered scholars and earnestly said,

"Hence, I know if we continue to argue fiercely today, even if Lord Zhao does not intercede, I would not escape defeat, for my heart has switched allegiances and found a new direction."

He pointed to his chest and then bowed slightly toward Dong Xuan:

"I have long resided in Yunfu, unaware of the vastness of the world. The Capital hides dragons and crouching tigers; just Lord Zhao alone has profoundly enlightened me. Considering Grandmaster Dong's deeper scholarship, I will no longer embarrass myself knowingly."

"Sir is too modest..." Dong Xuan's face turned awkward, hesitating to speak further.

Mr. Zhengyang ignored him, turned, and glanced at Zhao Douan; he bowed again and said,

"Lord's words have greatly enlightened me and deserve the title of 'teacher.' It has also shown me the pettiness under the fur robe. After today, I will return to Yunfu, retreat back into the mountains, dedicate myself to writing, and explain the tenets of Heart Learning. When the work is complete, it will be sent to the Capital, and I request that Lord oversees it."

Zhao Douan smiled and replied, "Well said, well said..."

His words architecturally positioned Zhao Douan as a mentor.

A Great Scholar calling a flatterer his teacher?

Mr. Zhengyang then turned and swept his gaze towards the almost petrified faces in the audience, philosophically sighing,

"It's easy to vanquish brigands in the mountains, difficult to vanquish the brigands in the heart..."

He didn't continue, turned, and gradually walked out of the pavilion.

Lu Cheng and other disciples blankly made way, watching their master walk away with chest out and head high. After a moment's stun, they hastened to follow.

...

The autumn wind swept through Mei Garden.

Everyone quietly watched as the people from the Zhengyang School departed.

The crowd was still in shock, either immersed in the discourse or struggling to accept the dramatic development of the event.

"Sir... uh... Grandmaster, what do you think..."

Sacrificial Official Mei stood rooted in spot, looking left and right, unsure how to conclude.

Was it over? Or not?

Grandmaster Dong remained still, his mind not yet engaged, having prepared exhaustively for days.

The result... A discourse that could have potentially undermined the legitimacy of the Empress's ascension just... vanished?

The white-robed monk Bian Ji, who initially wore a gleeful smile, now had a stiff expression. His neck slowly turned towards Zhao Douan, who also smiled slightly.

Zhao Douan moved his lips, but made no sound.

Bian Ji understood the silent question: "Mage, are you satisfied?"

Bian Ji, expressionless, closed his eyes, quickly thumbing his prayer beads to calm his emotions.

"Is that it?"

Grandmaster Dong stood bewildered, first seeing the complex expressions on the faces of Han Porridge and other scholars.

Then, the group finally looked towards the person who had been sitting in the chair all along, with a lazy, carefree posture as if the significant event had nothing to do with him, Mr. Zhao.

"That Heart Learning..." Sun Lianying hesitated to ask; the old eunuch also understood little about scholarship.

Mo Chou had an expressionless face, her gaze intently fixed on him: "I need an explanation."

She paused, and quickly added, "For Her Majesty."

Zhao Douan faced this collection of faces innocently, then realized many in the crowd were also turning their eyes towards him, ready to pounce and question him thoroughly.

Oh bother... It looked like he had kicked a hornet's nest... Zhao Douan patted his buttocks and scooted away:

"I still have some matters, you all continue."

With matters resolved, he didn't want to stay and be scrutinized by a crowd of scholars.

Heart Learning, after all, challenged the old doctrines; these Confucians might not dare to confront Mr. Zhengyang, but confronting Mr. Zhao, they had no reservations.

Trouble.

"Hey, wait a second..."

Listening to the shouts behind him, Zhao Douan did not look back, only heard the high walls of Mei Garden echoing with the voices of the crowd.

He twisted his mouth, his eyes carrying a resentful look:

Mr. Zhengyang, ah, Mr. Zhengyang, scholars can be quite the tricksters. This incident today would likely provoke quite a few advocates of the old philosophical doctrines.

Luckily, where there are many lice, one does not itch as much.

...

As Mr. Zhengyang and Zhao Douan left one after another, everything that had occurred in Mei Garden swept out like the autumn wind crossing the streets, reaching all those in and out of the Capital, who had been watching from afar and waiting for the results of the scholarly debate.