Chapter 1713: My enlightenment is different from yours

Tan Zhang is a restless soul; he has been jumping around quite a bit lately.

Emperor Yuanding wants to seize power and reorganize the government, while the Secretariat wants to hold onto its current territory. With the roles of attacker and defender swapped, looking at the big picture, the Emperor Yuanding's royalist faction is growing rapidly.

The house arrest of Prince Shuncheng was merely the first step in seizing power.

Replacing the Secretariat and securing at least one seat is Emperor Yuanding's ultimate goal.

Tan Zhang has his own ideas. He hasn't thought about entering the Secretariat right now; he lacks the age and the seniority. But he wants to profit from the situation and make plans for the future.

"Teacher, should we protect Minister Sun? Minister Sun was bold in his remonstrance last time and incurred the Emperor's displeasure. Now that the Emperor is pressing step by step, yielding not an inch, the cost of protecting Minister Sun might be too high."

Xie Changling sat in the back garden, holding a fishing rod, waiting for the fish to take the bait.

Tan Zhang stood to the side, attending to him.

The servants and attendants were all outside the courtyard gate. Without orders, no one was allowed to approach.

Seizing power is not something that yields results in a single day.

The standoff between the Secretariat and the royalist faction has remained deadlocked. The downfall of Prince Shuncheng was just a signal to charge, not the final result.

Just as Chen Guanlou analyzed with Sun Daoning, among the nine members of the Secretariat, Old Sun is the weakest. If the Emperor wants to seize a seat, getting rid of Old Sun is the most convenient move.

Because of the Prince Shuncheng case, Sun Daoning was bold in his direct speech, which offended Emperor Yuanding.

It could be called an excellent excuse.

Tan Zhang couldn't even think of a reason to protect Sun Daoning; it would be better to just give up.

Yet, after the two sides had been arguing for so long, Xie Changling still hadn't made a decision, and Tan Zhang was getting a bit anxious. Could it be that his judgment was wrong? If he could even misjudge his teacher's thoughts, who would trust him in the future?

How would he be able to stir up the winds and clouds?

Xie Changling chuckled, "Just because the Emperor is displeased, you think it's fine to let Minister Sun go?"

Tan Zhang:...

He was speechless for a moment.

Xie Changling said slowly, "Since when did the Secretariat become a tool to please the Emperor? Why don't we just have soft persimmons fill the Secretariat from now on? What do you think?"

"This student was wrong!"

Tan Zhang hurriedly lowered his head to admit his mistake.

He is so clever that he knew exactly where he went wrong the moment he heard it.

This is a confrontation—a confrontation with the Emperor. The more the Emperor dislikes someone, the less one can abandon them. The more the Emperor favors someone, the more one must suppress them!

He took a deep breath, steadying his mind, "Teacher, it's just... is it worth it? Minister Sun's ability seems limited."

This is the most critical point.

Likes and dislikes can be set aside for now.

If one's ability is insufficient and one drags others down, one deserves to die!

The corners of Xie Changling's mouth lifted slightly, "Minister Sun is honest, not dull. You seem to have a misunderstanding about him."

Limited ability does not equal dragging others down.

Being clever and quick-witted does not equal being useful!

How many people in this world are misled by their own cleverness?

A person who can sit firmly in the position of Minister of Justice for over a decade cannot be a fool! He is simply not good at scheming!

Xie Changling swept a glance at Tan Zhang without changing his expression. This student is clever, certainly—a top scholar's talent—but he has too many messy thoughts, and his way of eating is a bit unsightly.

"This student believes that Teacher needs a better helper, rather than settling for less." Tan Zhang's expression was sincere; he indeed had selfish motives, and ultimately, he wanted to win. And win beautifully. Not be stretched thin and forced into passive defense.

Emperor Yuanding has been far too arrogant lately.

Not satisfied with the downfall of Prince Shuncheng, he still wants to seize power—it's bullying people too far!

"How do you know I am settling for less?" Xie Changling asked in return, "You, oh you, a leaf before your eyes blocks your vision!"

Tan Zhang was unconvinced, but he could only lower his head and honestly listen to the teachings.

He didn't think a leaf was blocking his vision.

He believed he had long since seen through everything, conducted a comprehensive analysis, and had the situation under control.

Xie Changling looked at him and knew his student hadn't taken it to heart.

He couldn't be bothered to argue.

When talking to a clever person, there is no need for grand principles; one only needs events to teach them, and once is enough. Once Tan Zhang suffers a major loss, he will know what it means to have people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens, and not to underestimate the people of the world.

"Regarding Minister Sun, I have my own plans! You may withdraw."

"Teacher!"

"Withdraw!" Xie Changling's tone revealed a hint of impatience.

Tan Zhang could only withdraw, unwillingly.

Everyone is convinced that Sun Daoning has had a hard time lately. As court struggles intensify, he, being the weakest, is the first to bear the brunt.

In reality, this period has been the most peaceful time he has had in years.

It is truly incredible.

It is because he has thought things through.

From his initial panic and desire to struggle, to his current calmness, he has walked a difficult path of mental growth that was stirring and magnificent.

Whether he stays in the Secretariat or is expelled from it, he accepts it!

At worst, he will retire and go home to spend his old age.

He has even started summarizing his work, preparing to hand it over at any time. His mindset is explosively good.

His wife, Lady Niu, sensed something was wrong; she always felt he was holding something back and was very worried. After several failed attempts to communicate, she could only seek help from Chen Guanlou.

"Little Chen, please talk some sense into him. He must not do anything extreme. Court struggles are a matter of winners and losers; he shouldn't take it to heart. At his age, at worst, he can just stop working."

"My Lady, have you misunderstood? I think Minister Sun is doing quite well."

"It's not normal! I've been his wife for decades; I know him. He isn't usually like this. He must have encountered a difficult situation and is definitely holding something back in his heart. I'm not afraid of him hurting others—he doesn't have the guts for that. I'm just afraid he'll hurt himself."

Lady Niu was worried about Sun Daoning, so Chen Guanlou could only bite the bullet and find Old Sun to drink, attempting to talk him through it.

The two went outside the city and rented a small tavern to drink slowly. There was no need to worry about anyone disturbing them midway.

"Old Sun, I'm here on a mission. Tell me, what is the situation? Your wife is very worried about you!"

"She just thinks too much; long hair and short insight. I've already told her that nothing is wrong, that I've long since let go, but she refuses to believe me. She's convinced I'm stuck in a dead end. In her eyes, I'm just a fool. I've lived this long and don't understand what it means to have an 'enlightenment.' But this time, I truly have had an enlightenment. It's not an excuse, but a fact."

Sun Daoning was solemn; he was also worried that Chen Guanlou wouldn't trust him.

He is now in urgent need of trust, in need of support!

Chen Guanlou's trust and support are especially important.

"Can you tell me about this enlightenment, what you have realized?"

"You believe me?" Sun Daoning hadn't expected things to go so smoothly; without needing his guarantee or promise, the other party just believed him?

Chen Guanlou nodded solemnly, his expression also very serious, "Of course I believe you. On the martial path, one relies on effort, but even more on aptitude. Enlightenment is a very, very important joint. Those who haven't experienced enlightenment don't understand how blue the sky is or how well the brain works in that instant. It's no exaggeration to call it a rebirth. However, for you to have an enlightenment at your age, it is indeed a bit late."

Sun Daoning felt a bit awkward.

"The enlightenment I speak of might be a bit different from the one you are talking about."

"Let's hear it!" Chen Guanlou made a gesture of listening intently. ===== CHAPTER 1714 =====