Chapter 190: We are solitary and upright—then as you wish!

Among the bustling crowd of Confucian scholars.

The two scholars, one fat and one thin, appeared unusually composed, standing still without following the crowd.

Zou Lin also halted, leaving behind only a sigh of helplessness.

There are too many who parrot others!

Most do not even understand the situation, yet are dragged along by friends as if their actions were heroic deeds.

The Confucian scholars of Hongwen Hall now confidently blocked the path, straightening their robes as if certain of the impending confrontation.

Amid this tense atmosphere, Jiang He's face had turned icy.

"I can't fathom how they dare die!"

The soldiers on both sides also drew their swords, advancing step by step; the atmosphere instantly crackled with tension.

At that moment!

At this critical juncture, a formidable cavalry unit appeared at the other end of the street.

Behind them flew a large banner bearing the character "Lu."

On the left stood Marshal Feng Haiping and Military Strategist Dou Gu.

On the right were General Jia Fu, Cheng Hai, Gong Sun Ao, and other high-ranking officers—a display of strength that drew stunned glances.

On the left stood Marshal Feng Haiping and Military Strategist Dou Gu.

On the right were General Jia Fu, Cheng Hai, Gong Sun Ao, and others.

Jiang He's eyes burned with heat.

He looked toward the two figures at the center.

Beside them was a handsome middle-aged man, brimming with martial vigor and commanding presence.

Lu Yu, the young master of the Lu Army, the army's peerless warrior, who took enemy heads as easily as reaching into a pouch.

And then,

The man at the very center!

Jiang He's eyes flared with excitement; he swiftly dismounted.

The entire troop hurriedly bowed: "We pay homage to the Young Protector!"

All bowed in reverence.

Yet no one paid attention to the Confucian scholars standing in the middle of the road.

Zou Lin too was stunned by the scene; he gazed at the middle-aged man leading the army, a wave of respect rising in his heart, and then bowed deeply:

"We pay homage to the Young Protector!"

The fat and thin scholars turned pale with shock; they finally realized the middle-aged man riding ahead was none other than the "chess player" they had once met in the ruined temple.

They had just been telling him tales of "fish-belly letters" and "stones falling from heaven."

How absurd it now seemed!

Recalling that fleeting encounter in the ruined temple, both men were filled with profound emotion.

Back then, they had parted hastily without ever witnessing Lu Chen crossing the river.

Now, seeing him again, it was a scene of overwhelming impact.

So this man was Lu Chen.

They felt the world spin; their heads still reeled, and they hurriedly bowed like those around them, showing respect.

Yet!

Du Jing, the director of Hongwen Hall, showed utter disdain.

Watching his friend Zou Lin bow humbly, his face was filled with contempt.

A Grand Secretary need not kneel before the Son of Heaven!

In his view, as a scholar who read the sages' writings and aided the emperor in governing the realm,

They possessed their own pride and dignity; even before the emperor, they need not perform such a grand bow, let alone before a mere Young Protector?

It was a disgrace to scholars!

He took a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with resolve, and spoke slowly, asserting his position as director of Hongwen Hall:

"I, Du Jing, humbly serve as director of Hongwen Hall."

"Today, I dare to ask the Young Protector to halt."

His voice, though not loud, carried clearly through the air, causing the troops ahead to instinctively stop.

Seeing this!

Du Jing felt a flicker of satisfaction, readjusted his collar and his Grand Secretary's official cap.

Then, he shifted tone!

"Young Protector, you enter the capital, yet the Son of Heaven has committed no wrongdoing. Yet you bring troops to threaten the imperial palace—this act inevitably invites suspicion and may suggest disloyalty. This is my first concern."

Du Jing paused, swept his sleeve, and continued:

"Second, as a pillar of the state, you must prioritize the nation's greater good and the people's welfare. If you ignite war out of personal grievance or momentary rage, disregarding national stability and causing innocent civilians to suffer, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"When making your decision, did you ever deeply consider these consequences?"

"Therefore, I humbly beg the Young Protector to halt."

Du Jing's words rang with weight!

He calculated that if he could use his eloquence to persuade Lu Chen to change his plan and abandon entering the palace, he would surely be immortalized in history as a celebrated hero.

Even if he ultimately failed!

He could still win the world's respect and praise by adopting a posture of "righteous indignation."

For him, this outcome was perfect in every way.

A win-win!

Under Du Jing's influence, the surrounding Confucian scholars straightened their backs.

Unafraid of the pressure from thousands of soldiers, they no longer seemed like powerless scholars.

Great Qing never kills scholars—it shares rule with the literati!

This was the norm.

Even the current emperor, if insulted by them, merely saw it as scholars venting their righteous spirit!

Someone shouted aloud:

"Since ancient times, sages and worthies have been lonely—how much more so we, solitary and upright!"

"We fear not being shattered to pieces!"

Zou Lin, witnessing the scene, felt complex emotions; a deep sorrow surfaced on his face.

The Du Jing he remembered had once been a close friend with lofty ambitions and profound learning, but now he had become stubborn and blind.

Perhaps the splendor and power of the capital had clouded Du Jing's eyes, causing him to lose himself.

Or perhaps he was burdened by empty fame.

Zou Lin suddenly noticed Feng Long had also slipped into the crowd, looking anxious, about to step forward.

Then he heard Feng Long's loudest voice:

"Traitors and conspirators—all must be beheaded at Wumen!"

"Lu Chen, I urge you to turn back before it's too late—take your own life!"

Nearby civilians, drawn by the sudden commotion, poked their heads out from balconies and courtyards, curiously watching the spectacle.

What were these scholars doing blocking the path before such a formidable army?

Too far to hear what they were saying.

But from their postures and expressions, one could sense an air of "righteous indignation."

The common folk murmured among themselves; someone asked in confusion:

"What's gotten into these Hongwen Hall elders today?"

"Aren't they always regulars at Yichun Pavilion, fighting hardest for the courtesans? How dare they block the soldiers' way now?"

"You don't understand—the knowledge here runs deep."

On the Wumen gate of the imperial palace.

Wumen loomed grand and imposing, now occupied by the Imperial Guard.

Liu Wen and Wei Gao stood atop the tower, watching the scene below.

Wei Gao asked:

"Master Liu, what do you think Shen Zhou will do?"

Liu Wen smiled faintly, a hint of inscrutability in his gaze; he slowly turned and asked Wei Gao:

"Master Wei, if you were in this position, how would you decide?"

Wei Gao probed: "Execute them all to eliminate future threats?"

Liu Wen said: "After killing them, how will the scholars of the realm view the Young Protector?"

Wei Gao frowned, clearly weighing the pros and cons: "Then… execute a few as a warning?"

Liu Wen smiled:

"Master Wei, this is business."

Wei Gao sighed helplessly: "Then what? Can't kill them, but can't let them go either?"

Wei Gao's eyes suddenly sharpened.

He watched Lu Chen ride forward.

……

……

You flicked your reins and said coolly:

"Then as you wish!"

(End of Chapter)