Chapter 93: Founding a Sect

What came next was much simpler.

Zhu Youxiao named Zhang Yan as Empress.

Of the remaining two, one from the Tian family and one from the Yuan family, both were made Noble Consorts.

And with that, this matter was settled.

What remained was the Emperor's grand wedding—something Zhu Youxiao need not worry about.

Leaving Cining Palace, Zhu Youxiao returned to the Qianqing Palace.

Glancing at Chen Hong standing beside him, then checking the time, Zhu Youxiao asked, "Has Chen Kedao arrived?"

To Zhu Youxiao, the wedding business was not all that important.

Having lived two lives, he no longer placed much weight on romance between men and women.

Though his body still had its needs, his mind was already able to keep them in check.

What he needed to do now was to topple some people, then elevate others.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, he has arrived," Chen Hong said hurriedly.

As for this Chen Kedao, Chen Hong knew that he was highly favored.

These past days, Chen Kedao had come to the palace every day to lecture His Majesty, and His Majesty was willing to listen.

This was something Chen Hong was glad to see. This Chen Kedao had been found for His Majesty by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and since Chen Hong himself was now on close terms with the Guard, the more His Majesty valued this man, the greater the Guard's merit naturally became, the more secure their standing grew, and the better positioned they would be to contend with Wei Zhongxian.

As a eunuch serving at the Emperor's side, who among them did not harbor ambitions for power?

No one was willing to remain subordinate to another.

Seeing Wei Zhongxian rise with such force, how could Chen Hong not be envious? Not be jealous?

It was only that His Majesty had been keeping him in check. Now that such an opportunity had presented itself, Chen Hong naturally would not let it slip away.

These past days he had praised Chen Kedao before His Majesty several times, and His Majesty had accepted it all with a smile.

Chen Hong knew this was not really about praising Chen Kedao, but about whether His Majesty was willing to let him draw closer to the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

If His Majesty were unwilling, he would surely have rebuked him. Having accepted it so readily now naturally meant His Majesty supported him.

This was something that could not be spoken aloud.

So when he heard His Majesty ask about Chen Kedao, Chen Hong answered at once.

Zhu Youxiao nodded, then said, "Then have him come in."

Before long, Chen Kedao walked in from outside.

Unlike when he had first arrived, Chen Kedao now wore a scholar's robe, giving him a somewhat more refined air—though he was still ugly, he no longer had that look of a monkey wearing a cap.

"The Master has come." Zhu Youxiao said to Chen Kedao with a smile, "Master, no need for formalities!"

Once Chen Kedao had straightened up, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, "Chen Hong, offer the Master a seat."

This was not the first time.

Zhu Youxiao had always treated Chen Kedao with courtesy—this was also his way of outwardly displaying his favor toward Chen Kedao.

After Chen Kedao sat down, Zhu Youxiao finally spoke: "Master, let us begin!"

These past few days, Chen Kedao had been lecturing Zhu Youxiao continuously; this scene was nothing new to him.

He was naturally very familiar with it, and without further ceremony, he sat down and began his lecture for Zhu Youxiao.

Time flew by swiftly.

By the time Chen Kedao closed his book, a full two hours had passed.

Ordinarily, that would have been about it—such was the case every day—but today was different.

Today Zhu Youxiao kept Chen Kedao behind, and tea was served, clearly indicating there was something to discuss.

Realizing this, Chen Kedao did not speak but quietly sipped his tea.

Zhu Youxiao set down his teacup and said, "The Master's learning is profound, and Master Li Zhi's thought is truly the august way of the sages. Every day I think of it, and it is like being enlightened from above. I believe Master Li Zhi deserves to found his own school."

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Chen Kedao was stirred with excitement throughout.

Though he had been coming to the palace to lecture His Majesty all along, Chen Kedao still felt uncertain at heart.

Because he did not know what this Emperor intended to do—might he, in a few days, have him dragged out and beheaded?

Such things were anyone's guess.

Now, hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Chen Kedao's heart surged with excitement.

His Majesty's words surely were not spoken idly. Did this mean some concrete action was forthcoming?

Thinking of what he might be about to experience, Chen Kedao's breathing grew heavier.

If Li Zhi were to found his own school, then as his disciple, and favored by His Majesty as well, what standing would he himself enjoy?

Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Kedao and smiled faintly.

He knew this was something Chen Kedao could not refuse.

As the saying goes, the wild goose leaves its cry in passing, and a man leaves his name behind. Which of these scholars did not wish to be remembered for a thousand years?

Even setting aside fame, who did not wish to have disciples scattered across the land?

Who did not wish for their learning to spread throughout the world?

And besides, there was enormous benefit mixed in here as well.

Chen Kedao alone could not accomplish anything—his strength was far too meager. But with the entire School of Mind behind him, it was a different matter.

Though the School of Mind was now being suppressed severely by the School of Principle, its foundations and strength remained intact.

As long as he elevated Chen Kedao, people would naturally come forward.

Perhaps those people did not share Chen Kedao's views, but what did that matter?

Those who changed their tune and were willing to heed his words would naturally receive promotion and important posts.

"I have an idea." Zhu Youxiao turned to look at Chen Kedao and spoke slowly: "The Master's teachings ought to spread across the world—how could they be confined to one place? Why not have the Master establish an academy in the capital? The Master could expound his teachings there and promote his school. I wonder what the Master thinks of this?"

Chen Kedao was startled at these words.

Establish an academy?

How had his own teacher died?

Even now, he could not forget it.

Back then, it was not even a matter of establishing an academy—his teacher had merely traveled about lecturing, and in the end was still framed and thrown into prison.

Unable to bear the humiliation, his teacher cut his own throat in prison.

Now, if he himself were to establish an academy, how would those people deal with him?

Zhu Youxiao said no more after that sentence. He needed to wait for Chen Kedao's answer.

The reason he wanted to support Chen Kedao was, on one hand, to build up his own power, and on the other, to eliminate those who opposed him. At the same time, it was also to smuggle his own ideas into the intellectual world.

If Chen Kedao did not dare, then he would not choose this man.

What he wanted was someone who could step onto the field and bite and tear.

If Chen Kedao was timid and cowardly, with an inborn tendency toward compromise, then naturally he would not support him.

Nor would he tell him, "Go ahead and do it—if anything happens, I'll protect you." That sort of words could absolutely never be spoken.

Chen Kedao's expression shifted continuously.

Originally, he had thought His Majesty would grant him an official post, allowing him to accomplish something in his official career.

Now it seemed things were far from what he had imagined.

Once he opened an academy and lectured, what would he be facing?

Chen Kedao knew all too well.

As for all the funds needed to open the academy, this His Majesty had surely already prepared for him.

Clearly, from the moment he had been brought into the capital, he had already lost any path of retreat.