Chapter 854: Chapter 678: Collapse of Rites and Music, Destruction Breeds Renewal
This remark was like a bomb being thrown onto a calm lake, exploding instantly.
"Prince Liang, what do you mean by this?" A scholar clad in a long robe stepped out from the crowd of observing commoners, raising his head coldly to gaze directly at Prince Liang.
"Isn’t my intention quite obvious? Mr. Ban Shan, Gu Changsheng’s foster father, is in our hands. Not to mention Dowager Empress Xiao, even if Gu Changsheng herself comes, she’ll have to weigh her options carefully, hand over her power willingly, and be content as a clan lady, otherwise, hmph!" Prince Liang responded immediately.
"Imperial Brother, stop!" A prince beside Prince Liang attempted to intervene but was too late.
In an instant, all faces turned dark.
"Well done! Well done, Prince Liang!" The scholar was even more furious, his face turning greenish, and with a sweep of his long sleeves, he spoke out angrily, "Mr. Ban Shan is a literary giant, an elder of our times, with talents unparalleled in history. Though I may be unworthy, I have learned a thing or two from his books. Are you trying to use him as a hostage to threaten the Southern Emperor? Is this Prince Liang’s sole intention, or a consensus among all the vassal kings?"
Being reprimanded by a scholar like this, Prince Liang’s face darkened, "How dare you! You worthless scholar dare to speak so boldly before me! Guards, take him away!"
"Who dares!" The scholar shouted fiercely, his righteous stance unwavering, "The Zhou Dynasty was founded by arms and governed by literature, and punishment shall not be applied to scholars. I dare anyone to harm me! Mr. Ban Shan is a literary giant, his works are read by every scholar and student. Though there is no formal relationship as teacher and student, his influence is real education. Even as vassal kings, you cannot use him as a hostage. The affairs of the imperial court are a civil official’s duty, but they have nothing to do with him. We, the scholars, will never allow anyone to desecrate Mr. Ban Shan or insult the scholars of the realm!"
"You!" Prince Liang was rendered speechless, his chest heaving with anger.
Several soldiers who had been approaching the scholar suddenly found themselves caught in a dilemma.
Not applying punishment to scholars is a mark of respect for them. Though not a law, it has become a doctrine, representing everyone’s belief.
Even the soldiers looked at the scholar with a touch of admiration in their eyes.
"Brother He Yi spoke well. Though we are not decorated with merits, as scholars, we have the right to discuss ancient matters. Prince Liang, do you truly intend to apply punishment to a scholar?" Another scholar stepped out from the crowd.
With his gesture, in an instant, dozens of scholars wearing wide-sleeved robes and high scholar hats emerged from the crowd and stood alongside He Yi.
The number continued to increase, with many scholars squeezing out from the crowd of onlookers as the commoners made way to show their respect for the scholars.
"It was forgivable not to know Mr. Ban Shan was in the Capital City. Since we know now, as students, we naturally ask Mr. Ban Shan to come forth and teach us. We ask for your understanding, my lords." A scholar fanned himself lightly and spoke.
"Easier said than done. Didn’t you hear them? They are clearly using him as a hostage, humiliating Mr. Ban Shan, which is tantamount to insulting us scholars. My lords, pardon my frankness, please respect the scholars and release Mr. Ban Shan!"
"Respect the scholars, release Mr. Ban Shan!"
"Respect the scholars, release Mr. Ban Shan!"
"..."
For a moment, countless scholars stood upright in front of the city gate, speaking out righteously.
Jiang One frowned, waved his hand, and the troops retreated slightly, leaving space for the scholars.
The confrontation between the vassal kings, Dowager Empress Xiao, and Zhou Mu’s army above the city gate quickly transformed into a standoff with the scholars. The change was too swift, catching everyone off guard. The citizens were initially slow to react and then quickly voiced their support, respecting the scholars even though they might not understand the greater moral complexities, feeling that the scholars must be right!
The plea of the scholars was public sentiment!
In the blink of an eye, the tide had turned.
The call to release Mr. Ban Shan rose and fell, becoming the common voice of millions of citizens in the Capital City.
Above the city gate, the expressions of the vassal kings changed.
"Fool!" Prince Jin said gravely, looking at Prince Liang’s back, muttering under his breath, before stepping forward, a gentle expression on his face as he looked down from the city tower, "There’s no need for this, everyone. Nephew Prince Liang was merely angered by Dowager Empress Xiao and spoke recklessly. Mr. Ban Shan is a revered guest of our Imperial Family, and we treat him with utmost courtesy, deserving of the nation’s respect, with no slight whatsoever."
Seizing the opportunity to win the hearts of the scholars, even Prince Jin, who usually remained hidden, could not resist.
Led by He Yi, the crowd of scholars’ expressions relaxed slightly upon hearing this, although they still looked at Prince Liang with some resentment, they visibly softened. Giving a ceremonial bow of respect to the scholars toward those on the city tower, they once again spoke confidently, "Since it is so, may Mr. Ban Shan please open lectures. We have long yearned for his reputation, hoping to meet him in person."
"Indeed, please have Mr. Ban Shan open lectures!"
"Yes, yes!"
"..."
The scholars spoke excitedly, contemplating the fortune of having Mr. Ban Shan lecture!
The few words of this elder of the literary circle could enlighten them for a lifetime. If Mr. Ban Shan were to praise them with even one word, their status in the literary world could climb more than a step.
"Imperial Uncle of Prince Jin, do not listen to them. If Zhou Banshan is allowed to go out and teach, he will definitely fall under the protection of these scholars. By then..." Prince Liang spoke with a face full of reluctance.
"Shut up! The will of the scholars is the will of the people. Matters concerning the nation’s rituals and music cannot be trifled with!" At this moment, Prince Jin, not caring to conceal his own capabilities, immediately rebuked coldly.
Among this group of Vassal Kings, he had the highest rank and was of the same generation as Emperor Zhoulin. Although he usually advanced and retreated with a few other vassals, he had never expressed his opinion so assertively before. At this moment, the Vassal Kings knew the seriousness of the matter and did not speak in opposition.
"That still won’t do. Without Zhou Banshan, who can restrain that vile Gu Changsheng?" Prince Liang insisted, unwilling to yield.
"In today’s world, no one can restrain her anymore..." Prince Jin sighed softly, quite helpless, "From an abandoned wife to a Divine Doctor who amassed wealth from all directions, it only took her more than a year, and now, in just two years, she already wields power over half the kingdom, surpassed only by us..."
"Uncle!" Prince Liang growled unwillingly.
"However, even so, we cannot hand Great Zhou over to Zhou Mu, otherwise, how would that differ from offering it to the Southern Country?" Prince Jin turned his eyes, revealing a trace of determination in his gaze!
The Vassal Kings nodded.
Prince Jin looked down again and spoke with a smile, "The request of the noble ones should naturally be considered, but Mr. Ban Shan is a literary giant known for his temper. Whether or not he wishes to open lectures depends on his own will. If he agrees, we will certainly not hinder him!"
"Uncle," Prince Liang questioned, unconvinced.
Prince Jin waved at him, stopping him from speaking.
Upon hearing this, the face of the scholar below the city gates immediately eased significantly.
Only He Yi’s expression remained uncertain, hesitating before speaking again, "In that case, student He Yi requests to meet Mr. to inquire about the lecture matters in person!"
His words were neither light nor heavy, but who among those who practiced writing did not come from a distinguished background? Even if there were some dullards, there were still many intelligent ones!
"Exactly, who knows if this is your delaying tactic, please let us students meet the master face-to-face!"
"The student also wants to see the master face-to-face!"
"..."
Seeing the reaction of the scholars below, even the expression of Prince Jin darkened. Scholars, worthy of being scholars, were not easily duped; they were bold enough to accuse him of using delaying tactics!
"Outrageous! Rebellion! Rebellion! Disrespect towards the Imperial Family and daring to smear the Imperial Kin, this is rebellion and a major disrespect, come! Arrest them all for me!" Hearing this, Prince Liang could not hold back any longer.
For a while, there was chaos in front of the city gate.
Despite the soldiers’ reluctance, they still had to obey Prince Liang’s order, so many soldiers began to encircle the scholars.
Seeing this, Jiang One’s expression changed drastically. Matters concerning the nation’s fate could not be left to these ambitious Vassal Kings, and he immediately stepped forward to intervene.
However, Empress Dowager Xiao, who had been observing from the carriage, spoke up to stop him.
"Empress Xiao, what does this mean? Could it be that you wish to see chaos in our Zhou Dynasty and gloat over it?" Seeing this, General Er’s expression immediately darkened.
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Xiao shook her head slightly and sighed, "Liaodong of the Northern Country has long been intertwined with your fortunes, so why evoke gloating? Since you are engaged to my two granddaughters, I cannot watch you act recklessly!"
"It’s not us who are acting recklessly, but they are!" Jiang San said with a dark face.
Empress Dowager Xiao looked at the chaos in front of the city gate again and shook her head, "Rituals and music are collapsing, the nation about to fall, they indeed are acting recklessly, desperately!"
"If that’s the case, why does Empress Xiao stop me?" Jiang One frowned, looking thoughtful. Even after raiding Liaodong, he couldn’t help but admire this elderly woman who had governed the Northern Country for nearly sixty years from the bottom of his heart.
"Mr. Ban Shan and Mr. Di are both literary giants, if he is in the city, then what Mr. Di can see through, he can surely understand as well. No destruction, no construction; a breakdown followed by a rebuild. Without disorder in the Zhou Dynasty’s Imperial Court, how can there be a transformation? Heroes emerge in troubled times; in such chaotic circumstances, we need someone capable of stabilizing everything!" Empress Dowager Xiao’s eyes were full of wisdom as she gestured Jiang One to come closer, "Listen to me, do not intervene in this matter!"
"But, His Highness Changsheng values relationships deeply, if the master falls into danger within the city..." Jiang One hesitated upon hearing this.
"Indeed, His Highness Changsheng has great respect and admiration for the master. If he is in danger, His Highness Changsheng would surely be furious!" General Er also spoke anxiously.
"We have tens of thousands of troops at the city gate, why not attack the city and rescue the master!" Jiang San spoke earnestly.
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Xiao glared in anger, "Prince Mu has already become the Crown Prince. If you attack the city, that would be rebellion, warranting execution throughout the land! Do you want to put him in an unrighteous position?"
"But if the master..." Jiang San’s face turned a shade of purple.
"If the master is unharmed, that will be fine. If the master is harmed, the Southern Emperor will be enraged, and the Zhou Dynasty will inevitably fall. Since they dare to use the master as leverage, they would not act rashly to seek doom themselves!"