Chapter 385: Ruan Dacheng Latches Onto Cui Chengxiu

Ruan Dacheng had some idea of what Wei Dazhong intended to do.

Since the man wanted to build his reputation, he would naturally need to spread word of his deeds, to win more support and let more people know what he was doing.

If he worked in silence and no one outside knew what he was doing, wouldn't all his efforts be in vain?

Moreover, he needed to seek support from more people to make his subsequent actions more persuasive.

But in Ruan Dacheng's view, all of this was nothing but wasted effort.

On the one hand, those people might not exert themselves. Even if they agreed to Wei Dazhong, they would only be paying lip service — when it truly came to the critical moment, they could not be counted on at all.

On the other hand, Ruan Dacheng would not allow Wei Dazhong to do such a thing.

Strolling around for a while, Ruan Dacheng bought a few steamed buns on the street and ate them as he walked. For a scholar like Ruan Dacheng, such behavior was rather eye-catching, but he did not mind.

After finishing the buns, he found a tea stall and drank a bowl of tea, and only then did he feel considerably better. He looked up at the sky — it was time for officials to leave their offices.

Ruan Dacheng rose to his feet and walked toward the street corner. Turning down two streets, he arrived before a grand residence.

A gatekeeper stood at the entrance, but Ruan Dacheng did not approach.

Ruan Dacheng knew very well that with this sort of high-ranking official's residence, even if he went up and announced his name, they might not bother to report it for him. Even if he offered silver, who knew how long he would have to wait.

Ruan Dacheng had no time to wait, so he simply stood in place quietly, neither approaching nor moving away.

The gatekeeper of this grand household glanced toward Ruan Dacheng, his expression turning rather unpleasant, and he looked ready to come over and drive him off.

The reason was simple — every day, quite a few people came here to loiter about, seizing the moment when the master returned from his office to rush up and curry favor. To the gatekeeper, this was absolutely intolerable.

First, you never knew whether the master would even see you — if you went and bothered the master today, the gatekeeper might well catch the blame.

Second, you hadn't come through the front gate to pay your respects properly, and you hadn't given the gatekeeper any money — that was absolutely unbearable.

But at that moment, a carriage approached from not far away.

The gatekeeper's face immediately showed surprise. He shot Ruan Dacheng an angry glare, then hurriedly rushed forward to greet the carriage.

At the same time, the gatekeeper signaled to his companion with a glance, telling him to drive away the fellow trying to curry favor.

Seeing a gatekeeper approaching, Ruan Dacheng paid it no mind.

The carriage had already come to a stop. The curtain was lifted, and the mounting stool had been set in place.

A man in official robes stepped down from the carriage. Having arrived home, he seemed to be in good spirits, letting out a relieved sigh.

Upon seeing this man, Ruan Dacheng called out in a loud voice: "Ruan Dacheng of the Shoushan Academy, requesting an audience with Lord Cui!"

The gatekeeper who had been walking toward Ruan Dacheng's face changed dramatically. He hurriedly ran up several steps and reached out to shove Ruan Dacheng.

Seeing this, Ruan Dacheng did not move. He simply stood quietly in place, waiting.

His expression was calm — no anxiety, no anger, and he did not even show a look of being humiliated by the gatekeeper's behavior.

"Come back." Lord Cui, who had just stepped down from the carriage, called out with a stern face.

Hearing this, the gatekeeper's body froze as if rooted to the spot. Then, somewhat awkwardly, he retreated to the side.

His face was full of shame and indignation, clearly vexed at having failed to stop Ruan Dacheng.

Cui Chengxiu glanced at Ruan Dacheng standing not far away, and a brilliant smile spread across his face.

He walked over to Ruan Dacheng's side and said with a light laugh: "From the Shoushan Academy, are you?"

"Indeed, the Shoushan Academy." Ruan Dacheng hurriedly bowed and said: "Ruan Dacheng of the Shoushan Academy, greetings to Lord Cui."

"In that case, come inside and speak." Cui Chengxiu nodded and said with a smile: "The servants don't know proper manners. Do not take offense."

"Lord Cui is too kind. It is this Ruan who was lacking in propriety, visiting so presumptuously. It was only because the matter was urgent that I resorted to such a crude approach. Having disturbed Your Lordship, this Ruan offers his apologies here." Ruan Dacheng spoke with a respectful tone.

"You're too polite, too polite." Cui Chengxiu said with a smile: "Please, come in."

"Then this Ruan will gratefully accept." Ruan Dacheng quickly replied.

As the two walked inside, Ruan Dacheng pulled a large silver ingot from his bosom. Smiling, he walked over to the gatekeeper and personally handed the ingot to him, saying: "I was rather rude just now and caused you to be punished. Consider this silver an apology."

Ruan Dacheng's manner was very kind, and his smile was extremely gentle. He turned to Cui Chengxiu and said: "Lord Cui, this was entirely this Ruan's fault. I beg Lord Cui not to punish them."

"What are you saying? You're being too distant, too distant." Cui Chengxiu nodded. Seeing the gatekeeper looking at him, he said with a smile: "Since it's a gift from our guest, you may accept it."

"Thank you, Your Lordship." The gatekeeper quickly said, then turned to Ruan Dacheng and bowed: "Many thanks to the honored guest for the gift."

At this point, the shame and indignation on the gatekeeper's face had vanished, replaced by a brilliant smile.

The expressions of the several other gatekeepers nearby also softened.

Clearly, Ruan Dacheng's move had been quite effective.

Cui Chengxiu looked at Ruan Dacheng, a smile also appearing on his face. The fatigue from leaving his office had now been swept clean away.

As the saying goes — when you're drowsy, someone delivers a pillow. Whatever he had been worrying about had now come to him. It seemed his luck had arrived, and promotion was surely on the horizon.

The two walked inside smiling, and soon arrived together at the study.

After each had taken a seat, tea was brought up by the servants.

Once the servants had withdrawn, Cui Chengxiu said: "May I ask what business you have with me?"

Ruan Dacheng said with a smile: "This humble one is Ruan Dacheng, a native of the Southern Metropolitan Region, a jinshi of the forty-fourth year of Wanli. Before Lord Cui, I count myself a junior and a latecomer. The reason I have come today is that there are some matters I wish to discuss with Lord Cui."

"So it's Brother Ruan," Cui Chengxiu quickly said with a smile: "Whatever the matter, speak freely."

Seeing that Cui Chengxiu had changed his form of address, Ruan Dacheng felt gratified.

He had indeed not misjudged things.

So Ruan Dacheng said: "Before I speak of the matter, there is one thing this Ruan wishes to ask of Lord Cui."

"Speak freely." Cui Chengxiu nodded and said.

"Is the court planning to rebuild the Imperial Academy in the capital?" Ruan Dacheng asked directly.

"That is indeed the case." Cui Chengxiu did not conceal it — such a matter could not possibly be hidden anyway.

Taking a sip of tea, Cui Chengxiu said with a half-smile: "Brother Ruan has come today — does this have something to do with that matter?"

"It does indeed." Ruan Dacheng nodded and said: "This Ruan has achieved nothing in officialdom over the years, but I have had many dealings with scholars and literati. Having listened to their lectures in my daily life, I have come to understand this matter quite well."

"Over all this time, this Ruan has discovered that what these people teach is nothing but the doctrines of their own particular schools. They wave the banner of the sages, yet all they establish are partisan views. When studying, they already form factions; when entering court as officials, they band together as fellow townsmen and fellow partisans. This is the origin of the disaster of factional strife at court."

"Though Ruan is deeply grieved and indignant, I am of low rank and my words carry little weight. Though unwilling to accept this, my strength falls short. When I originally heard that the Imperial Academy had been established at court, my heart was filled with joy—I felt that the way of the sages finally had a chance to be restored to its pure source, a hope of returning to orthodoxy, able to cast aside heretical doctrines and keep all those with selfish motives out of teaching entirely. If things proceed thus, the hearts of scholars across the realm will be settled, and the great Ming may yet see a revival."

Cui Chengxiu watched this Ruan Dacheng, listening to his words with a very serious demeanor, occasionally nodding in agreement.

Of course, Cui Chengxiu knew these were not Ruan Dacheng's true thoughts, and that these words were merely spoken to be heard.

But Cui Chengxiu understood that this was nothing more than Ruan Dacheng pledging his loyalty to him. To him, that was more important than anything else.

Seeing Cui Chengxiu's expression, Ruan Dacheng knew he had not wagered wrongly, so he sighed helplessly and continued: "But who could have imagined that after the Imperial Academy was established, it would lose all vitality."

"I am utterly disappointed. Originally, Ruan had already prepared to return to Jiangnan—after all, there was no point in remaining in the capital any longer. But who could have imagined that just then the path would turn, that Lord Cui's words at court would be like a sudden awakening, piercing through the fog, and that you would gain His Majesty's trust to preside over the Academy's reform. Ruan's heart has been reignited with hope."

"That being so, Ruan naturally wishes to contribute his efforts for Your Lordship, and for the court! Coming here to visit today is indeed somewhat abrupt. But Ruan's heart is stirred, and I could not wait to see Lord Cui at once, to bare my heart before Lord Cui and offer my humble services."

This was seeking to attach himself to Cui Chengxiu.

Cui Chengxiu nodded with satisfaction.

"You are so understanding of the greater good, and possess such foresight—truly a rare talent in the court. For a talent like you to languish among the common streets is truly a loss to the court. If you can render meritorious service this time, I will certainly recommend you to the court."

"Then I thank Lord Cui for his patronage." Ruan Dacheng said hurriedly.

The two had essentially reached an agreement at this point.

Ruan Dacheng would help Cui Chengxiu handle matters well, handle them splendidly.

After the matter was accomplished, Cui Chengxiu would recommend Ruan Dacheng to the court.

But even so, each of the two had their own calculations.

Cui Chengxiu wanted to claim more of the credit; toward Ruan Dacheng he was nothing more than using him. Moreover, he did not yet trust Ruan Dacheng—he would observe his words and examine his deeds before determining whether he could be of use.

As for Ruan Dacheng, he treated this matter as a stepping stone to advancement. Originally he had attached himself to the Donglin Faction, and had even exerted great effort in the process of bringing down Fang Congzhe. He had thought his opportunity had come, that he would soon rise to prominence—but reality had differed from his imagination.

After the current Emperor ascended the throne, the Donglin Faction's power at court was swept clean. Those who could have helped Ruan Dacheng were essentially dead, wounded, or exiled.

As for the remaining Han Kuang, Sun Chengzong, and others, Ruan Dacheng could not get a word in with them either.

Now Han Kuang had turned to supporting Xunzi, and could already be considered to have formed his own faction.

Ruan Dacheng naturally had no connections left, which was why he had come running to the capital.

After feeling his way around the capital for a while, Ruan Dacheng found one person—and that person was Cui Chengxiu.

You see, in the recent court, aside from military officers, there were only a few civil officials who had advanced quickly.

One was Feng Congwu, who was Han Kuang's man.

The others were those few in the Office of Transmission.

But Ruan Dacheng could not get close to any of these people.

One person caught Ruan Dacheng's attention—and that person was Cui Chengxiu. Originally just an ordinary Censor, he had now risen to the position of Right Vice Censor-in-Chief. His speed of promotion was simply astonishing—definitely someone one could rely upon.

At the same time, there were many rumors outside that Cui Chengxiu had colluded with Wei Zhongxian of the Eastern Depot. Of course, that was how outsiders put it.

In Ruan Dacheng's view, this proved that Cui Chengxiu belonged to another faction independent of the court—belonging neither to Han Kuang and Sun Chengzong, nor to Xu Guangqi, but forming a faction of his own.

As for the person behind him, that should be Wei Zhongxian of the Eastern Depot.

Looking at the current layout of the court, Cui Chengxiu's power was very small—one could even say negligible. Compared to the other big figures, he could not even appear on the stage.

But Cui Chengxiu had risen so quickly—there must be a reason. Perhaps Wei Zhongxian had exerted effort, or perhaps His Majesty favored him.

Either way, this was a stepping stone one could climb onto. As long as he latched onto Cui Chengxiu, he would have a ladder for advancement.

Once he entered officialdom, Ruan Dacheng believed that with his own abilities, his future would be boundless.

Originally he had been pondering how to go about it.

When news of the Academy reform spread, Ruan Dacheng knew at once that this was an opportunity—an opportunity for Cui Chengxiu to accept him.

He had also found his ladder of advancement. If he could handle this matter splendidly and build up his reputation, he might even attract His Majesty's attention.

The only loss would be some reputation, which Ruan Dacheng did not care much about. Besides, reputation was the sort of thing that could be lost on one side and made up on the other—it would not be a great loss at all.

Once the Imperial Academy reform was complete, he would be the pioneer who advocated for it. Those disciples who should have been studying at the Academy would surely support him—that was decided from the moment they were born.

By that time, he would have earned back both face and substance. People like Wei Dazhong could serve perfectly as his pledge of allegiance.

The two exchanged a glance, each harboring their own sinister designs, and both smiled.

Ruan Dacheng took a sip of tea and said: "Ruan has been so eager, but in fact there is another matter I wish to tell Lord Cui."

"What matter?" Cui Chengxiu asked hurriedly.

"Ever since word of the court's Academy reform spread, some have already guessed it would begin with the Shoushan Academy. Now those with ulterior motives have already begun plotting their opposition."

"They intend to gather people to show their disagreement, to refuse to accept the court's reform, to refuse to surrender their land, and to oppose the court's reform of the Academy—they even want to blow the matter up and get all scholars to join in."

"If that happens, the court will inevitably hesitate out of fear of damaging the vessel, and cancel such a reform." Ruan Dacheng said with a grim face: "Upon receiving such news, Ruan could no longer sit still."

"These people, for their own selfish interests, disregard the greater situation of the court—truly a disgrace to the nation! They harm the country and the people!"