bookcurios Chapter 153 The Working Class Has Arrived
Chapter 153 The Working Class Has Arrived
Ying Zheng's execution ability was beyond question, and Bai Changchuan and Zhang Liang were not incompetent either. From the moment they sensed that someone was watching them, they kept investigating who was behind it all.
As it turned out, Ying Ji arrived first.
The family of four sat in a circle.
Ying Ji took the initiative to speak: "It was my suggestion to send people to protect you. After all, you are now free to move around, and many people are watching your safety to threaten me. I believe you have some means to protect yourselves."
Ying Ji glanced at Ruoshui and sighed, "Ruoshui is a bit weak in martial arts and has no one to protect her. I originally suggested that Ruoshui be equipped with one, but A Zheng said that this was not a good idea and equipped all three of you with one."
Bai Changchuan crossed his arms and looked at Ruoshui: "If you're not up to the task, then practice properly. Why don't you come with me to the military camp for a few months?"
If the water head shakes quickly, refuse outright.
Zhang Liang could see it clearly. He could sense Ying Ji's favoritism in her words, but this favoritism was strange. Even though she had tried to treat everyone equally in the past few days, now it was blatant.
Pretending to frown, Zhang Liang slowly spoke: "Princess, I know you mean well, but being watched is indeed unbearable. How about we have someone protect you openly?"
Bai Changchuan's expression was not good: "No, as a captain, if I have someone openly protecting me by my side, wouldn't my colleagues laugh their heads off?"
Ruoshui also spoke up at the right time: "Your Highness, I don't really need protection. I've thought about it and decided not to leave the palace too often. It's very safe inside the palace. If you miss Brother Gao, just have him come over."
Zhang Liang agreed wholeheartedly: "Yes, I have also learned the Six Arts of a Gentleman. Although I am not very skilled, I can barely protect myself. Why don't we withdraw?"
Ying Ji pretended not to hear.
"This matter is not up to you. On the surface, each of you will have an extra person to take care of you, and in secret, I will send more thugs to protect you. Your ambitions have been shown to the city defenses in various places, and you should also carry the specially made waist tags with you at all times. If there are any assassins, just give a signal."
Seeing the three of them looking conflicted and wanting to refuse, Ying Ji added another sentence.
"No one is allowed to refuse. This matter is settled. Meeting adjourned. From now on, we will have a family dinner every 7 days to chat about our recent experiences. Don't always stay in your own little corner."
Seeing that the three were still trying to struggle, Ying Ji got up and left. She had resolved yesterday's memorials and even asked Fu Nian and Yan Lu to revise the remaining ones that could still be used, and take them back as homework.
Today we'll have the chance to test the two of them and see how they fared.
[This is great! Finally, someone can share some of the pressure. This Confucian Academy is really useful. It seems I should also use my spare time to scout out talent from the other academies.]
Taiyuan University
Ying Ji was somewhat taken aback when she arrived, as the disciples dressed in Confucian robes were actually engaged in a sword duel.
Approaching Master Xun, he bowed respectfully and asked, "Master Xun, are you testing your disciples?"
Xunzi stroked his beard and said, “A gentleman should stay away from the kitchen and distance himself from worldly affairs, but that doesn’t mean he is detached from them. Yesterday’s examination revealed that they had lost their true selves. It’s time to let them leave the Confucian academy and go out to experience things so that they can gain some insights.”
Ying Ji looked at the open space, and the most stunning sights were Fu Hu and Yan Lu from yesterday.
Fu Nian, wielding a broadsword, met his opponent. The sword was simple yet powerful, perfectly suited to his style. He was also surrounded by opponents, two archers, and the battle began.
Yan Lu held a slender sword, its light and shadow subtly revealed under the sunlight.
This person is also peculiar; after fighting for a long time, he neither defeated nor won against anyone, and his every move exuded an air of nonchalance and indifference.
Ying Ji watched with delight and couldn't help but joke, "Master Xun's disciples are indeed interesting. Would you be willing to let the two of them come to Qin to govern?"
Xunzi did not answer, but looked at the time and turned to leave.
A young boy beside her bowed and said, "Disciple Zimu greets Your Highness. Martial Aunt invites you to dine with her. Please come this way."
Ying Ji secretly noted down the names of several skilled fighters, nodded, and followed.
The Confucian Academy's dining hall can be considered the best in the entire academy.
Even today, the Mohists and the Agriculturalists are still vying for power.
It must be said, however, that Confucianism has indeed stood the test of time, its foundation is too profound, not to mention Li Si and Han Fei are exemplary figures.
Not to mention Zhang Liang was one of them, but now it seems a bit of a pity that he was placed in the backyard.
Confucianism emphasizes propriety, adhering to the principle of not speaking while eating or sleeping.
The food was served and the meal was eaten in a quiet and polite manner, which made Ying Ji unconsciously lower her voice.
Each person received three dishes and a soup, with a unique color scheme and a very light flavor.
However, they pay great attention to the deliciousness of the food itself, and a beef stew with potatoes is so delicious that it leaves a lingering fragrance in the mouth.
After the meal, someone will clear away the dishes and chopsticks.
We arrived at an elegant and unique bamboo garden.
Fu Nian and Yan Lu were already kneeling upright.
Ying Ji still couldn't accept kneeling; her legs couldn't take it. But out of respect for the virtuous and talented, she endured it.
Fu Nian possessed an elegant and extraordinary appearance, exuding an innate noble air in every gesture. His eyes were rather long and narrow, with a stern and resolute gaze. His eyebrows were long and low-set, and his nose was long but straight. His thoughtful expression revealed a mature demeanor, and a sword lay beside him.
Seeing Ying Ji staring at her sword, Fu Nian explained, "This sword is Tai'a, ranked third among the 'Ten Famous Swords' in Feng Hu Zi's Sword Manual. It was jointly forged by the two great swordsmiths, Ou Yezi and Gan Jiang."
It was a sword embodying the power and authority of a feudal lord. When it was forged, the three elements of heaven, earth, and man were perfectly aligned. Even before its completion, its sword aura already existed between heaven and earth. Therefore, Feng Hu Zi, the greatest swordsman in the land, ranked this sword third in his "Sword Manual."
Ying Ji nodded: "Confucianists, I believe that the sword of this palace is profound and powerful, and its wonders can only be appreciated by those who possess keen eyesight, insight, and broad-mindedness."
Seeing that you are skilled in both literature and martial arts, we are currently lacking someone to review and revise official documents. Would you be willing to take on this role, sir?
Fu Nian cupped his hands in greeting: "Fu Nian was raised in Confucianism. After leaving my master, there is no one to take over the Confucian Academy. Although I yearn for it, I have no chance to enter the court."
Ying Ji shook her head regretfully: "It is you who are narrow-minded, sir. If you do not want to enter Danyang Prefecture, you might as well do something meaningful in politics and law during your spare time at the Confucian Academy."
Master Xun understood this clearly: reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. The road is under your feet; you should be walking it. Why can you only see the road in front of you?
The woman's gaze was firm as she looked at Fu Nian with puzzlement, but her eyes then turned to Yan Lu.
Before he could even extend an invitation, Yan Lu had already declined: "Yan Lu is shameless. My mind is made up. I only want to stay at the Confucian Academy."
Before Ying Ji could say anything, Xunzi spoke up.
"Fu Nian's swordsmanship emphasizes inner sagehood and outer kingship, which is the ultimate in propriety. Knowledge is boundless, and only by putting it into practice can one live up to all one's learning."
"Yan Lu, you become stronger when facing strong opponents and weaker when facing weak opponents. You have lost your competitive spirit by practicing the 'sitting in oblivion' method. Change this mindset and train hard to hone your Dao heart."
Ying Ji also raised the bar: "Danyang Prefecture does not restrict you. You are free to move around as you please outside of your daily work hours. If there are any inconveniences, please feel free to speak up. I am not a narrow-minded person. If you two gentlemen are dissatisfied with the court after five years, you are free to return to the Confucian Academy."
Fu Nian was the first to agree: "In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse. Thank you, Your Highness."
Yan Lu didn't want to get involved in court affairs, but in chaotic times, who could live a peaceful life? It was better to go and see the sword fights outside: "Yan Lu is no exception."
Ying Ji's eyes lit up. This was perfect; she could finally rest for a while.
They also didn't let go of several other promising young talents. Unlike Fu Nian and Yan Lu, Zi Mu, Zi Chang, and Zi Le were very happy with the offer and basically agreed on the spot.
While chatting on the road, I saw Yan Lu's sword with two characters written on it—"Han Guang" (含光), which was quite fitting and worthy of its owner.
He seemed to be soaring through the valley, detached from worldly affairs, his swordsmanship displaying an unassuming and unambitious spirit. He also appeared to be someone who didn't seem to care about anything, but he did ask a couple of questions about Zhang Liang's recent situation.
When Ying Ji thought of Zhang Liang, the image that came to mind was still the moment she first woke up from smallpox. Even though she was dizzy, she clearly remembered the panic in the man's eyes, as if something was out of his control and he was so fragile that he could break at the slightest touch.
Zhang Liang that day was not as refined as when they first met. He was extremely dejected, and his eyes were dull and lifeless. Yet, she would always feel a tremor in her heart at that moment.
Just like now, he unconsciously curled the corners of his lips and chatted with Yan Lu about some interesting things that happened to Zhang Liang in the past.
It was just some silly thing from her childhood, which made Ying Ji very happy.