Chapter 106: The Wager and Confidence of Director Zhang Zhi

Zhu Gaoxu felt somewhat uncomfortable. The gentry who used to flatter and seek his favor hadn’t visited him for two or three days. When he sent Jin Zhong to inquire, he found out that they had all left the city.

When one person leaves the city, it might be for trading purposes.

But when a group of people leaves, it’s definitely something significant.

After spending two taels of silver, Jin Zhong finally got some information and hurriedly returned to King of Yan’s residence to inform Zhu Gaoxu.

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Gaoxu wore a skeptical expression and said, “Selling garrison lands? This is absolutely impossible! It must be a scheme by Zhang Bing and Ping’an. Garrison lands are the foundation of the military settlement system, and the military settlement system was established by our ancestor. No one can openly sell garrison lands!”

Jin Zhong was helpless.

Yes, the military settlement system was established by their ancestor, but what did that matter? The current emperor was Zhu Yunwen. When had he ever cared about tradition?

Land taxes, commercial taxes, national policies, and even the kings engaging in commerce—every single one of these went against tradition.

But what did it matter?

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn’t just crawl out of his mausoleum to hold them accountable.

“Your Highness, based on the current information, the garrisons around Beiping are about to be disbanded. It’s said that Ping’an is personally leading troops to Yanqing Garrison, and Shengyong is going to Huaicai Garrison. Now, the soldiers in Beiping are under the command of Commander-in-Chief Xie Gui,” Jin Zhong quickly explained.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu’s expression became even more serious, and he asked, “Do you know what will happen to the garrison soldiers after the disbandment?”

Jin Zhong nodded slightly and said, “Some of the garrison soldiers will be incorporated into the regional military commands, while the rest will have their household registrations changed and be sent back to their hometowns.”

“What a chaotic situation!” Zhu Gaoxu was quite displeased.

Once the garrison troops were withdrawn, the original garrison strongholds would cease to exist. If the Mongols attacked, wouldn’t there be vulnerabilities everywhere with no defenses?

Furthermore, many of the garrison officers were hereditary positions. If they were directly disbanded, what would happen to their hereditary privileges?

However, perhaps this was an opportunity for him!

Zhu Gaoxu’s eyes flickered with desire, and he said to Jin Zhong, “Take a sum of money and secretly leave Beiping to visit those disbanded garrison officers and soldiers. Try to recruit them to my side!”

“Your Highness, Ping’an, Shengyong, and Zhang Bing are all outside the city overseeing the sale of garrison lands. Isn’t it unwise for us to make a move now? What if the news leaks…” Jin Zhong expressed his concerns.

Zhu Gaoxu shook his head and said seriously, “Aren’t they organizing the gentry to buy and sell the garrison lands? You can disguise yourself as a wealthy outsider and find an opportunity to win over a group of people. Jin Zhong, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that we mustn’t miss!”

With no other choice, Jin Zhong agreed to follow Zhu Gaoxu’s plan. He took thirty thousand banknotes and five thousand taels of silver, along with twenty or so disguised servants, and headed to Baiyangkou.

Zhu Gaoxu had no better options.

Although commerce was thriving in Beiping, they didn’t have businesses for making seals and certificates or running small advertisements.

If Zhu Gaoxu wanted to attract talent, apart from secretly recruiting some wayward youth and ruffians, there didn’t seem to be anyone else willing to join him.

He certainly couldn’t post a notice saying, “Zhu Gaoxu is aiming for supremacy, and those with aspirations should sign up,” could he?

Now that Zhu Yunwen was planning to disband some of the military settlement in and around Beiping, it was estimated that tens of thousands of people would be laid off and relocated.

These people were rare military personnel, having served in the army, handled weapons, and even worked the fields. Even if their brains weren’t the smartest, they at least had physical strength. Recruiting one of them would be beneficial in its own right, even carrying a flag also need people.

Zhu Gaoxu was delighted. He had intended to meet with Zhu Gaochi for tea, but he learned that Zhu Gaochi had left the city the day before. So, he reluctantly went to see Zhu Gaosui and prepare to visit some courtesans to relax his weary body and mind.

Red sleeves fluttered lightly as they welcomed Zhu Gaoxu.

Red sleeves waved lightly as they bid farewell to Zhang Zhi.

After Zhang Zhi left the Qingyan Pavilion, he entered Jiangdong gate, His eyes were filled with spring-like expression.

Tomorrow, he would rise to fame and fortune, tomorrow!

The great debate at the Imperial Academy had already made a name for itself in Jinling. Public interest in whether the Imperial Academy would incorporate miscellaneous studies was intense, and discussions had been ongoing for several days. In fact, even in Ruyifang, there were openly established betting parlors on this matter.

Zhang Zhi patted his chest, felt the booklet hidden in his sleeve, and a thick smile played on his lips. He had indeed bet twenty taels of silver on the rejection of miscellaneous studies from the Imperial Academy’s gates.

In the end, he couldn’t resist, and he had become a gambler himself.

However, after the outcome becomes clear tomorrow, he will gain forty taels.

Betting on the inclusion of miscellaneous studies in the Imperial Academy?

Well, anyone with a bit of common sense wouldn’t waste their money on that. How can miscellaneous studies be compared to the orthodox national curriculum?

Back at the Imperial Academy, Zhang Zhi stepped into the gate of Imperial Academy, the debate would take place in the courtyard between the east and west six halls.

A high platform had been temporarily erected in the north, and officials, students, and spectators from the Imperial Academy would either sit in the central courtyard or stand in the two wings and inside the hall.

Cheng Shizhou, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, was inspecting the high platform. When he saw Zhang Zhi approaching, he asked, “Director Zhang, are you prepared for tomorrow’s debate?”

Zhang Zhi confidently patted his chest and assured, “Chancellor, you can rest assured. When has the Imperial Academy ever lost in a debate?”

Cheng Shizhou nodded in satisfaction but still cautioned, “Miscellaneous studies have their merits, but its not qualified to enter the Imperial Academy. You must not underestimate your opponents. Yao Guangxiao is enigmatic, Xia Yuanji has deep knowledge, and these two will be tough to deal with. Li Zhigang hails from the Imperial Academy, and Wu Yun is a student of the Shuaixing Hall; they won’t be easy either. As for Yang Shiqi, well, he’s an unknown, not worth our attention.”

Zhang Zhi didn’t mind and said, “Debates aren’t about scholarly prowess; they’re about who has the better argument. The Four Books and Five Classics are the orthodox teachings of our nation, revered by scholars everywhere. They should remain as the solid foundation, unshaken by the influence of miscellaneous studies.”

Cheng Shizhou nodded in approval and said, “Then rest well, and tomorrow, we shall showcase the brilliance of our Imperial Academy.”

Just as Zhang Zhi was about to express his determination, a voice nearby interrupted, “Chancellor, Director Zhang, whether it’s the Four Books and Five Classics or commercial, agricultural, craftmanship, and military studies, all are fields of knowledge. Why must there be a distinction?”

“The heavens are not clear without the sun, a country lacks order without a ruler, and knowledge lacks direction without a focus. Proctor Xu, I hope you’ll be here tomorrow to see the outcome!”

Zhang Zhi turned to look at Xu Miaojin with a cold demeanor, finished speaking, then arched his hand towards Cheng Shizhou, turned and left.

The reason for the great debate was Xu Miaojin’s memorial titled “The Ten Major Ill of the Imperial Academy.”

Zhang Zhi was very dissatisfied with Xu Miaojin, as the proctor of the Imperial Academy, criticized the Imperial Academy so harshly.

A mere woman, what did she know about the Four Books and Five Classics?

She was merely taking advantage of the Emperor’s favor to act recklessly!

Zhang Zhi was determined that after winning the debate tomorrow, he would find an excuse to expel Xu Miaojin.

Xu Miaojin watched Zhang Zhi’s back, sighed helplessly, and she was about to say a few words to Cheng Shizhou, Cheng Shizhou raised his hand and turned to leave as well.

Isolation.

Xu Miaojin sighed. This sense of isolation had been present since she entered the Imperial Academy, but recently, it had become even sharper.

They didn’t even exchange basic greetings anymore.

“Proctor Xu, do you think miscellaneous studies will be included in the Imperial Academy after tomorrow’s debate?”

A student approached Xu Miaojin respectfully.

Xu Miaojin’s lips curled into a smile. She had come to the Imperial Academy not for the officials but for the students. If the officials wanted to be cold, let them be. As long as the students recognized her, everything was worth it.

“Are you Chen Ding from the Shuaixing Hall?”

“Proctor actually remembers me?”

“Yes, your academic performance is outstanding, so I remember you. Since you’ve asked, may I ask you a question in return? Do you hope that miscellaneous studies will be included in the Imperial Academy?”

Xu Miaojin asked with a smile.

Chen Ding looked at Xu Miaojin and answered earnestly, “Of course, I hope so.”

“Oh? Why?”

Xu Miaojin was somewhat surprised.

Chen Ding immediately responded without hesitation, saying, “Ding Gong met with the Marquis of Qi at the Jia Valley, and Confucius managed the affairs of divination. He said, ‘I have heard that those engaged in the arts of literature must also possess knowledge of martial matters, and those involved in martial pursuits must also have a foundation in literature.'”

“From this, it is clear that Master Kong believed that both literary and martial aspects are indispensable. The Four Books and Five Classics represent the literary aspect, while the art of warfare, cavalry, archery, and craftsmanship represent the martial aspect. If we follow Master Kong’s teachings, then the inclusion of miscellaneous studies in the Imperial Academy is justified.”

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