Chapter 204: If You Can't Win, Run

Song Yingxing said this very loudly, his words ringing like metal striking stone, and his tone was filled with sarcasm, clearly showing his contempt for Wei Dazhong.

Pointing at Wei Dazhong, he asked with mocking eyes: "What makes a treacherous minister? What makes a crafty sycophant? What have the various ministers at court done to earn the title of treacherous minister? What have I done to be called a crafty sycophant?"

"I treat others with kindness, I have never bullied the good and honest, I have never committed any crime—why am I a crafty sycophant? I study the sage's books diligently every day—why am I a crafty sycophant? I am loyal to my sovereign and love my country—why am I a crafty sycophant?" After saying this, Song Yingxing's eyes were somewhat reddened.

But he continued anyway: "Is it simply because my views differ from yours, or my political opinions differ from yours, that I am a crafty sycophant? Then can I not also call you a crafty sycophant in return?"

"Lectures should be properly regulated, yet you oppose them. You are selfish and self-serving, you have no sovereign and no country in your hearts—you are the crafty sycophants! Your teachers are treacherous ministers too!"

"When loyal and upright ministers hold power at court, the Great Ming's revival is within reach! The day of doom for you crafty sycophants has come!"

Zhu Youxiao watched Song Yingxing speaking with such eloquence, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. These words were logically flawless.

But then he thought of something else—actually, this was rather interesting; the trip hadn't been wasted.

As for Wei Dazhong on the stage, his face flushed red—he was probably about to fly into a rage from humiliation!

Zhu Youxiao smiled faintly.

In fact, the reason the Donglin Faction was invincible at verbal sparring was largely because they didn't let others speak.

Their voices were loud—in reality, they controlled the right to speak, and others had things to say but couldn't get them out, forced to swallow their words. It was the same principle.

They could skillfully steer public opinion and set the rhythm, while others had no channel to make their voices heard. Under such circumstances, what could you do?

You could only let them come at you, with no way to fight back. It was just like in later generations—whoever controls the channels of public opinion holds the right to speak.

As for reason—who is reason? Whoever says so, is reason?

If you can't even get a word in, what reason do you have?

Take right now, for example: Wei Dazhong had been led step by step into a trap by Song Yingxing, and was finally left speechless.

Under such circumstances, there wasn't much Wei Dazhong could actually do, because he had already lost the argument on the merits.

Unless Wei Dazhong shouted at the top of his lungs: "The Emperor can go to hell—what I say goes."

But he didn't dare shout that, so he had nothing left to say, and not much room was left for him either. Unless he chose to turn on Song Yingxing outright.

Zhu Youxiao stood up, glanced at Chen Hong beside him, and nodded to him.

Chen Hong understood immediately and signaled to someone not far away with a look.

Soon that person turned and left, and before long he came back with the others.

These were the people secretly protecting Zhu Youxiao.

When out and about, one still had to be careful. So Zhu Youxiao had brought quite a few bodyguards, and he also planned to return and specially train a batch of bodyguards.

Not to mention anything else, he'd train them to the standard of Zhongnanhai bodyguards. In the future, when he went out, they could protect him and let him roam around freely. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare go anywhere—what if he drowned?

Zhu Youxiao's guess was right—Wei Dazhong, standing on the stage, was indeed furious.

He pointed his finger at Song Yingxing's nose and shouted angrily: "You crafty sycophants, skilled at confusing right and wrong! To slander my teacher like this—today I will be irreconcilable with you!"

With that, Wei Dazhong charged at Song Yingxing, shouting loudly as he ran: "Follow me and slay this crafty sycophant!"

Clearly, Wei Dazhong's prestige among this group of people was quite high. After his shout, some people behind him also charged at Song Yingxing.

Although most people were still stunned, the few who rushed forward were not something Song Yingxing could withstand.

If those men reached him, he would definitely be beaten badly. Setting everything else aside, being beaten to the point of disability was certainly unavoidable.

So Song Yingxing's face changed drastically, and he turned and ran, grabbing bowls and cups from the table and hurling them at Wei Dazhong and the others as he fled.

Zhu Youxiao watched Song Yingxing's nimble escape and burst out laughing.

This Song Yingxing seemed to be quite an interesting fellow—just as he himself had said, he was neither a pedantic man nor someone who had read himself into foolishness.

Glancing at Chen Hong standing beside him, Zhu Youxiao stood up and said with a smile: "Today wasn't a wasted trip—I encountered something interesting. Have them stop those men."

After saying this, Zhu Youxiao ran off in the direction Song Yingxing had fled.

Chen Hong signaled the bodyguards to intercept Wei Dazhong and the others, then chased after Zhu Youxiao himself.

"Hey? Out of the way! Don't block the road!"

"What are you doing? Move aside now, or I'll use force!"

Hearing Wei Dazhong and his men making a racket behind him, Zhu Youxiao ran a bit faster. If he went after Song Yingxing and arrived too late, the man might have vanished.

Soon Zhu Youxiao found Song Yingxing.

Clearly, he had overestimated Song Yingxing's stamina, because he spotted him at a corner intersection.

At this moment, Song Yingxing was leaning on his knees with both hands, gasping for breath in great gulps.

It seemed this gentleman's physical training wasn't up to much either!

Zhu Youxiao looked back at the distance—it was only two or three thousand meters. How had running a few thousand meters left him this exhausted?

Seeing Zhu Youxiao running over, Song Yingxing pulled a helpless smile at the corner of his mouth and continued gasping for air.

Zhu Youxiao helped Song Yingxing up and supported him as they continued walking slowly forward.

As they walked, Zhu Youxiao laughed: "Brother, you've got real skill—setting everything else aside, that was a fast run. But you know, after running hard you can't just stop and rest immediately; you need to keep walking slowly for a while."

As he spoke, Zhu Youxiao patted Song Yingxing's shoulder and said: "You were in real danger today. If I hadn't been here, things would have gone badly for you."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Song Yingxing had by now recovered from the intense exercise, and said with a bitter smile: "Then I, your elder brother, thank you, young brother. I actually hadn't meant to stir things up so much—I just wanted to see what they were really like. But once I started talking, I couldn't stop. I blame myself for that."

"But this is fine too—I'm now completely disillusioned with them. I originally thought the worst they could do was throw me out or chase me away; that was the worst thing I could foresee them doing. Who would have thought they'd actually try to hit me? Truly, all decency has been cast aside."

Song Yingxing said with some helplessness: "These people truly are lawless. But this is fine as well—I can go back to doing my own work now."

"Brother Song, just saying thanks with words won't do—you have to treat me to a meal and some drinks. My men are still holding them back right now; otherwise, they'd have chased us out already. You owe me thanks." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

"Alright, no problem." Song Yingxing laughed heartily: "I'm happy today, so we really should go for a drink. Follow me—I've found a great place."

Song Yingxing led Zhu Youxiao off into the distance, explaining as they walked: "Though a rich young gentleman like you might not be used to the food there. If you don't mind, then come along."

Zhu Youxiao smiled and said nothing, simply following along.

The two of them quickly walked past several streets.

At a corner, Zhu Youxiao spotted a small tavern. It was run by a middle-aged couple. The shop wasn't big—inside there were only two or three tables, and two more were set up under the eaves outside.

At this time, the tavern was rather quiet, with no customers around.

"I discovered this place by accident too. The owner's cooking is excellent—today I must have you, my good brother, taste it." Song Yingxing said with a smile: "I especially love the braised pork hock here; it's made to absolute perfection. You simply must try it today!"

Zhu Youxiao didn't hesitate and followed Song Yingxing straight inside.

Chen Hong had just caught up, and seeing this, he hurried forward anxiously and said: "Young Master, this isn't appropriate, is it? Before we left, the Lady repeatedly instructed that you must not dine outside. It's also getting late—perhaps we should head back."

Zhu Youxiao waved his hand and said with a smile: "It's fine. It's rare to meet a kindred spirit—how could I let the opportunity slip by? Stop your nagging and just stand by to attend to us."

With that, he pulled Song Yingxing and walked inside.

The two casually found a table and sat down.

There was a few degrees more warmth in Song Yingxing's gaze toward Zhu Youxiao as he deftly ordered several dishes.

Soon the owner brought over the tea, wine, and drinks, saying with a hearty laugh: "Please wait a moment, honored guests—we'll have the pork hock ready right away."

After the owner had left, Zhu Youxiao asked with curiosity: "Brother Song always says you have something to do—could you tell me about it? I can tell that this time you seem rather resolute. If there's anything you need help with, just say the word. In the capital, I do have some measure of influence."

Song Yingxing poured Zhu Youxiao a cup of clear tea, then raised his head and said to him: "Have you heard of the Imperial Academy, good brother?"

Zhu Youxiao nodded and said with a smile: "By now, there shouldn't be anyone in the whole capital who hasn't heard of the Imperial Academy, right? It was established by His Majesty's order, but it seems people aren't too willing to go—something about protesting against something?"

"It's people represented by the likes of Wei Dazhong who are making trouble." Song Yingxing shook his head and said: "They don't want such an academy. They don't want lectures to be subject to regulation. So they oppose it, they kick up a fuss."

"Actually, I do want to sit the Imperial Academy examination. That's what I went over there for today. I wanted to see their faces for myself. I originally held some hope for them, but now it seems there's none left."

Song Yingxing said with a bitter smile: "Still, this is fine too. With no way back, I might as well go to the Imperial Academy."

"With Brother Song's learning, passing the Imperial Academy examination should be no problem, and in time you'll surely see your name on the golden list. When you pluck the cassia branch from the moon palace, don't forget your little brother." So saying, Zhu Youxiao raised his teacup and said with a smile: "Your little brother offers tea in place of wine to toast Brother Song."

"Then I'll take your auspicious words, good brother." Song Yingxing also said with a smile, his earlier gloom swept clean away.

The two took a sip of tea and set down their cups.

Only then did Song Yingxing speak: "Truthfully, I don't have much confidence in myself. The people in the Imperial Academy may not be any different from these men."

Zhu Youxiao narrowed his eyes at Song Yingxing. "What does Brother Song mean by that? Aren't the people of the Imperial Academy supposed to be of a different school from them?"

"That's where you've got it wrong, good brother. These men are the Donglin Faction—they follow the School of Principle. The people of the School of Mind appear to be at odds with them, to be their opponents, but in truth they're all the same breed—colluding with one another, uniting with their own kind and attacking those who differ."

"The School of Mind men in power are no different from the original Donglin men in power. The newly arrived do what the old ones did, so whoever sits on top, it's all the same. It only looks more open and aboveboard, sounds nicer when spoken of, but when it comes to doing—it's still the same business."

"This time, the Imperial Academy is a hope, because I first heard a single sentence from His Majesty, the current emperor. His Majesty said: practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. I think His Majesty spoke well, so I want to give it a try."

"If I can pass into the Academy, then I'll work hard and do my duty, loyal to my sovereign and serving my country; if I fail, then I'll go home and write books, hoping they might be passed down to later generations."