Volume One, Chapter 14: Xu, the Old Master—Eminent Confucian of the Southern School

Upon hearing of the pacification at Shanhaiguan, Emperor Qingli immediately thought of the Dark Dragon Guard, his expression darkening in an instant. However, the grim look faded just as quickly, and he smiled as he said to Lu Ningde, "Go personally to the South Gate and bring Prince Wuan inside."

"Your humble servant will go at once!"

After seeing Lu Ningde off, the Third Prince took his leave. "Your Majesty, I wish to visit Mother Consort. Please grant me permission."

The Emperor nodded. "Go ahead."

Almost immediately, the Ninth Prince also took his leave, bowing respectfully. "Father, I too shall take my leave for now."

Emperor Qingli glanced at Ye Chen with annoyance and snorted coldly, "Hmph, be gone!"

It seemed the Emperor was still unwilling to let Ye Chen off the hook. With that thought, Ye Chen departed from the Hall of Nurturing the Heart alone. Ge Hong and Du Lingfu remained behind to assist the Emperor in deliberations over the selection of the Crown Prince, leaving Ye Chen to leave by himself.

On his way back, as he passed the Hall of Honoring the Imperial Tablets of Great Yu’s past emperors, he saw groups of civil and military officials coming in clusters to pay their respects. The coffin of the Heavenly Sage Emperor was placed in the main hall of the Hall of Honoring the Imperial Tablets.

In the days to come, not only officials but also neighboring states surrounding Great Yu, upon hearing the news, would send envoys to mourn. Naturally, the leaders of the major sects across Great Yu would also come to pay their respects.

"Hmph, just a mere youth, what right does Du Lingfu have to help him reach the first rank!"

"He reached the second rank through sudden enlightenment alone; Master Du merely added the finishing touches."

"Nonsense! Without Du Lingfu, the Ninth Prince would at best be a second-rank Sage, not a first-rank Semi-Sage."

Following the voices, Ye Chen spotted an elderly man, plump and brimming with anger. Beside him stood Deng Qirui from the Imperial Secretariat.

In the Confucian cultivation hierarchy, ranks from ninth to sixth are known as Scholars; sixth to fourth as Literati; third rank is Confucian Saint Son; before the fifth level of second rank is Confucian Sage. Between the fifth level of second rank and the first rank lies the Confucian Sub-Saint; before the fifth level of first rank is Confucian Semi-Saint; beyond the fifth level is Sage. After mastering the ninth level of first rank, one becomes the Ultimate Sage and Eternal Teacher of the Confucian tradition.

"Hmph, I have yet to meet him, or I'd give him a good scolding!"

"Old Master is right; our Southern Confucian lineage is no less than the Northern."

It was then that Ye Chen realized the Confucian tradition in this world was divided into Northern and Southern schools.

He searched through his original host’s memories to identify the old man’s identity. This elderly gentleman was Xu Liunian, a revered Cultural Sage of the Southern Confucian school, cultivated to the fourth level of the first rank!

The difference between the Southern and Northern Confucian schools lay in their focus: the South emphasized literature and poetry, while the North stressed virtue, etiquette, and the moral education of the people.

Thus, the Southern school resembled ancient Chinese literati and poets, while the Northern school was more like traditional teachers.

"The Northern school merely lectures on grand principles, but we Southern scholars emphasize literary heritage and strategy. We can serve as frontline strategists. Can their Northern school do that?" Xu Liunian said as he emerged from the Hall of Honoring the Imperial Tablets, followed by several young scholars, likely his grandchildren.

"I do not boast, but my grandson Feng Chun, with the right Confucian maxims and enlightenment, will have no trouble breaking into the second rank."

"I shall seek Master Du Lingfu later; surely he possesses Confucian maxims yet to manifest."

"When that time comes, my grandson Feng Chun will be at least a second-rank Confucian!"

Xu Liunian spoke proudly, taking his grandson Xu Feng Chun’s hand with great affection.

"My grandson Feng Chun is a Southern Confucian prodigy—he recognized characters at three, memorized Confucian maxims at five, composed poetry at seven, and crafted exquisite parallel prose by ten. Now at sixteen, he is already a fourth-rank Southern Confucian."

Deng Qirui, originally from southern Great Yu and thus part of the Southern Confucian school, had since becoming part of the Imperial Secretariat been exposed to the Northern school as well. He was now a rare Confucian scholar proficient in both schools.

"Feng Chun is truly remarkable; as his uncle, I am humbled," Deng Qirui said with a self-deprecating smile. Given that Master Chen was the chief civil official and mentor to the officials in the southern Great Yu, Deng Qirui had to flatter him carefully to avoid offense.

"Qirui, this afternoon, deliver an invitation to the Prince of Yan’s residence. Tell him I invite the Ninth Prince to visit my residence here in the capital, and be sure to invite Grand Tutor Du as well."

Hearing Xu Liunian’s request, Deng Qirui hesitated briefly but agreed.

Ye Chen walked ahead of them, overhearing the entire conversation and feeling a headache coming on. He urgently needed to resolve his meridian problems; otherwise, the torment his cultivation inflicted on his body would drive him mad.

The reason he had not confronted the Chief Examiner earlier was that both his mentors, Du Lingfu and Hong Sixiang, were present. The matter of the token required a private conversation with the Chief Examiner.

Thus, he must visit the Astronomical Bureau again that afternoon to find a way to clear his meridians.

With these thoughts, Ye Chen boarded a carriage at the gate and departed. Deng Qirui accompanied Xu Liunian out, seeing them into the carriage before turning to watch Ye Chen leave.

He had recognized Ye Chen long ago but dared not greet him to avoid conflict with Master Xu.

Well then!

Once the afternoon’s affairs settled, he would deliver the invitation to the Prince of Yan’s residence.

Tonight, the Xu residence would surely be filled with great Confucian scholars and esteemed guests. But given the national mourning period, he hoped Master Xu would not make it too grand, lest the Emperor misunderstand.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen returned by carriage to the Prince of Yan’s mansion. Upon entering, the maid Mingyue came forward to greet him.

"Your Highness, you have returned!"

Ye Chen found himself uneasy. His original memories held no record of this maid Mingyue.

"When did you come to the mansion, Mingyue?"

"Your servant came the day before the incident at the mansion; Fu Bo did not have time to report to Your Highness," she replied smoothly.

Ye Chen understood. Though the Prince of Yan’s mansion was not large, it had over twenty servants. If Ye Chen were already married, the number of servants and housekeepers would naturally be greater.

"Very well, I understand. I don’t need your service right now, so you may leave."

"Yes, Your Highness. If you need anything, call for me. Mingyue takes her leave."

After watching Mingyue depart, Ye Chen returned to the backyard to rest, his cultivation causing unbearable pain and exhaustion to his body.

Suddenly, a sharp sound tore through the air as he barely dodged, breaking into a cold sweat. Had it not been for the swordsmanship power he had gained from his command of words and law, he would have been dead.

After evading, he focused and exclaimed in surprise, "Third Uncle, why is it you?"

"Don’t call me Third Uncle! I have no such nephew as you! Go die!"