Dafeng Night Watchman

Yunlu Academy, the dean is Zhao Shou, a third-rank great Confucian.

The foremost figure of the Confucian school in the current era.

Zhao Shou represents not only himself but also the entire Yunlu Academy and all the scholars who follow the Confucian system.

Therefore, he came with a carving knife.

It was precisely because Emperor Yuanjing saw this carving knife that his face suddenly turned pale. Since ascending the throne, for the first time, this supreme ruler of the empire has suffered a threat of death within the imperial palace, in the Hall of Golden Chimes.

"How did you enter the capital? How did you get into the imperial palace...."

Emperor Yuanjing slumped on the dragon throne, pointing at him, and said emotionally: "Director of the Observatory, Director of the Observatory, come quickly to protect me!!"

A large number of imperial guards rushed outside the Hall of Golden Chimes but were blocked by a clear light barrier.

"The Confucian school will not commit regicide but only slay the wicked!"

Zhao Shou had a fearless expression of sacrificing himself for the Way on his face: "On behalf of the Confucian school, I ask you for two promises. The first promise is to issue a self-criticism imperial edict immediately. The second promise is that Xu Qi'an is pleading for the people and seeking justice for Minister Zheng, and he has no guilt. You must issue a decree to praise him, admit his innocence, and not implicate his clan."

Emperor Yuanjing's face was livid. He slowly swept his gaze over the officials in the hall. None of these scholars who came from the Imperial College of Education came forward to refute. Unknowingly, the Imperial College of Education and Yunlu Academy have also joined forces?

"Let me issue a self-criticism imperial edict, that's fine. But why do you want to protect that Xu Qi'an?"

Zhao Shou smiled slightly and announced frankly: "I have not told you that Xu Ningyan is my disciple."

What?!

All the officials in the court were dumbfounded. Xu Qi'an, the night watchman, that commoner, is actually the disciple of Zhao Shou, the dean of Yunlu Academy?

He, he is actually a scholar of our Confucian school?

Truly worthy of being the champion of poetry...

Sure enough, how could someone who can write so many masterpieces that have been passed down through the ages not be a Confucian scholar....

He is one of our own....

All kinds of thoughts flashed through the minds of the officials.

Wei Yuan frowned and glanced at Zhao Shou, with a look of doubt in his eyes.

"You want me to forgive that traitor who beheaded a duke? You want me to continue to tolerate him serving as an official in the court? Ha, haha, hahaha...."

This request from Zhao Shou seemed to have completely enraged Emperor Yuanjing, driving him into a semi-crazy state, laughing maniacally.

"Zhao Shou, I am the monarch of a country, the august Son of Heaven. Do you really dare to kill me? I will bet my life against the fortune of the Confucian school."

The enraged Emperor Yuanjing kicked over the large table and walked a few steps on the throne platform, pointing at Zhao Shou and scolding angrily: "This is going too far, too far. I still have the Director of the Observatory. I don't believe the Director of the Observatory will sit by and watch you act."

He didn't believe that Zhao Shou would fight with his life for this matter. He knew that Zhao Shou's lifelong wish was to glorify Yunlu Academy.

He also didn't believe that the Director of the Observatory would sit idly by and watch the emperor be killed. Unless the Observatory of Heavenly Mysteries wanted to sever its ties with the national fortune of Dafeng, unless the Director of the Observatory didn't want to be this first-rank warlock.

After experiencing the coercion of the hundred officials and the threat of Zhao Shou in front of the hall, Emperor Yuanjing was on the verge of erupting.

At this time, a bright light rushed into the hall and transformed into the image of an old man in white with a white beard in the air.

"Yuanjing, issue a self-criticism imperial edict!"

Emperor Yuanjing's mind was shaken. He staggered back and slumped dejectedly on the dragon throne.

His gaze was dull and his face was defeated, like an old man who had been abandoned, like a loser who had been deserted by all.

He finally knew why Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang could unite the hundred officials and force him to issue a self-criticism imperial edict. He knew why Zhao Shou dared to enter the capital and force him to issue a self-criticism imperial edict.

All of this was under the instruction of the Director of the Observatory.

After saying this, the old man in white slowly dissipated.

The hall was plunged into dead silence.

Until Zhao Shou opened his mouth and broke the silence: "He no longer deigns to serve as an official."

Who is he?

Naturally, it refers to that commoner who shouted that he didn't want to be an official.

Emperor Yuanjing was still in a daze, sitting blankly, like an old man in his declining years.

......

At the Star Observation Tower, on the Eight Trigrams Platform.

Xu Qi'an, dressed in plain clothes, stood proudly and raised the wine pot in the direction of the imperial palace, laughing: "The rise and fall of ancient and modern times are all poured into a pot of wine."

"Look at how smug you are. If it weren't for the teacher to clean up your mess, see if you could get away with it."

By the side of the table, a girl in a yellow skirt was sitting cross-legged. She had an oval face, big eyes, was sweet and cute, and her cheeks were bulging with food, like a cute hamster.

"How are Miao Zhen, Chu Yuanzhen, and Master Hengyuan?"

Xu Qi'an smiled and didn't care about Chu Caiwei's sarcasm.

"They will recover from their injuries in a few more days." Chu Caiwei frowned and complained: "It exhausted me. They didn't want Senior Brother Song to help with their injuries."

They are afraid of becoming experimental subjects... Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

He didn't speak anymore and was reminiscing about the events of yesterday.

That day, he came to the Observatory of Heavenly Mysteries and asked Caiwei to convey a message to the Director of the Observatory: Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang wanted to unite the hundred officials and force Emperor Yuanjing to issue a self-criticism imperial edict. He hoped the Director of the Observatory would help.

If it weren't for the approval of this patron saint of Dafeng, Emperor Yuanjing, who had been balancing the court for many years and had various political factions, Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen would have found it very difficult to reach a deal of interests and get more than two-thirds of the capital officials to agree within a day.

The Director of the Observatory agreed.

After that, there was the scene where Xu Qi'an blocked the officials at the Meridian Gate, abducted Duke Cao and Protector Duke Que Yongxiu.

Beheading these two traitors was just the beginning. Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang wanted Emperor Yuanjing to admit his guilt. This was the end.

Of course, if Duke Wei and Prime Minister Wang had chosen to stand by, then Xu Qi'an would have beheaded the two traitors to console the spirits of Zheng Xinghuai and the 380,000 wronged souls in Chu Prefecture City.

Then he would have taken his family and left the capital and roamed the jianghu.

Yesterday, he went to Yunlu Academy and told Zhao Shou about the plan. Zhao Shou didn't agree with the decision to roam the jianghu because Xu Xinian was the only student of Yunlu Academy who had entered the Hanlin Academy and become a potential prime minister.

So there was the scene where Dean Zhao entered the palace and threatened Emperor Yuanjing.

"I'm not going to be an official anymore... Although the accumulated connections are still there, it will be difficult to use the power of the court, and the official career is cut off. It's impossible to climb higher. When confronting that mysterious mastermind in the future, I will have to rely on other forces."

Xu Qi'an thought about it and formulated a new development plan: curry favor with big shots + improve his own strength.

"The members of the Heaven and Earth Society are one of myreliances. Li Miao Zhen and Chu Yuanzhen are fourth-rank combatants. Master Hengyuan is an eighth-rank martial monk. But according to Chu Yuanzhen, the master has excellent explosive power and endurance. Even if his combat power is not as good as that of a fourth-rank, it is still better than a fifth-rank martial artist.

"Lina's combat power cannot be accurately evaluated. She is slightly inferior to Hengyuan. But Taoist Jinlian said that she is the only genius in the group who can be compared with me.

"Number One's identity is currently unknown. Let's leave it aside for now. Number Nine, Taoist Jinlian, is one of the big shots I can curry favor with. There are many Taoist priests of the Earth Sect who have not fallen into demonic ways behind him.

"So next, I have to help Taoist Jinlian protect the Nine-colored Lotus."

As for Number Seven and Number Eight, it is said that the former is the Holy Son of the Heaven Sect and Li Miao Zhen's senior brother. At present, his whereabouts are unknown. When talking about this person, Li Miao Zhen was hesitant and didn't want to talk much. Later, when she was asked impatiently, she said: That guy is a scoundrel like you. It's just that he has received his comeuppance, and you haven't yet. But you will follow in his footsteps one day.

Number Eight is in secluded cultivation and his life or death is unknown.

"Besides Taoist Jinlian, Wei Yuan is a big shot I can trust. The Director of the Observatory doesn't count. The Director of the Observatory is too difficult to fathom. All the kindness he has shown now may not be real kindness. Before his true purpose is revealed, nothing can be believed.

"Master Shenshu is a bit more trustworthy than the Director of the Observatory. But he is currently in a deep sleep and won't wake up for a while. Then, Master Du'e of the Buddhist sect can be regarded as a half-reliance. If I am really forced into a desperate situation, I will enter the Buddhist sect. No, Shenshu is in my body. Entering the Buddhist sect is a dead end.

"Luoyuheng, the leader of the Human Sect, has some friendship with Jinlian and a superficial friendship with me. Most likely, I can't count on him."

After summarizing, Xu Qi'an made a task list in his heart:

Big shots that can be relied on and trusted: Taoist Jinlian (Heaven and Earth Society), Wei Yuan.

Big shots that are 疑似可靠: Shenshu, Director of the Observatory.

Big shots that can be 争取: Luoyuheng, Arhat Du'e.

Enemies: Mysterious warlock group, Emperor Yuanjing.

"After the Chu Prefecture massacre case is over, I will keep a low profile and try to be promoted to the fifth rank. This won't be too difficult. I have already touched the threshold of the fifth rank. But the fifth rank is not enough. Only when I reach the fourth rank can I truly have the power to protect myself.

"By the way, through the situations of Erlang and Second Uncle, I will figure out Emperor Yuanjing's attitude. If there is a tendency of revenge, I will leave the capital immediately. The best outcome is that I leave the capital after being promoted to the fourth rank. If I leave the capital now, I can only rely on Taoist Jinlian. I can't count on other big shots at all."

While lost in thought, the Director of the Observatory, who had been sitting motionless by the table, slowly opened his eyes and said: "His Majesty has agreed to issue a self-criticism imperial edict."

Xu Qi'an heaved a sigh of relief.

"It's a pity that we couldn't force Emperor Yuanjing to abdicate. The old emperor has been in power for many years and his foundation is still there. Although the officials are forcing him to issue a self-criticism imperial edict now, if we really want to force him to abdicate, the vast majority of people will not support it. The interests involved, the changes in the court situation, etc., are too extensive.

Well, one shouldn't be greedy. This is already the result I wanted." He thought to himself.

The Director of the Observatory looked down at the table. The side dishes that the disciple had offered as a tribute had entered the disciple's stomach again, and he felt a bit melancholy.

"Caiwei, I just went to the palace to watch a play..." The Director of the Observatory sighed.

"Well, it's your own fault for watching the play." Chu Caiwei said in a tender voice, with a self-righteous tone:

"When I was eating with Lingyin and Lina, it was first come, first served. Even a six-year-old child understands this principle."

The Director of the Observatory didn't want to talk anymore.

Xu Qi'an asked curiously: "Why haven't I seen Senior Brother Yang?"

Chu Caiwei replied: "He has been suppressed underground by the teacher and is keeping company with Senior Sister Zhongli."

What did that show-off do to anger the Director of the Observatory? Xu Qi'an wondered.

Caiwei then said: "Teacher, Senior Brother Song asked me to ask you something."

Hearing this, the Director of the Observatory was silent for a moment, "Does he want death row prisoners for his alchemy experiments again?"

Chu Caiwei shook her head.

The Director of the Observatory just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard the little disciple say crisply: "He said he wants to go to the Human Sect to apprentice himself. But you are his teacher. He doesn't dare to make his own decision. So he wants to ask for your consent."

.... The Director of the Observatory said slowly: "What is his reason?"

"Senior Brother Song has reached the last step of human body refinement. His primordial spirit cannot fuse with his physical body. He is very distressed and can't sleep or eat well. The Taoist sect is an expert in the field of primordial spirit. He wants to learn Taoist magic."

Chu Caiwei said while eating: "However, Senior Brother Song said that his heart is still with you, teacher. He hopes you won't be jealous."

The Director of the Observatory didn't speak. He glanced at Chu Caiwei with a shiny mouth, and then thought of Zhongli and Yang Qianhuan who were suppressed underground. He turned his head in silence, looked at the prosperous capital city, and sighed with a sense of loneliness.

The mortal world is not worth it.

Xu Qi'an quickly covered his mouth and almost burst out laughing.

......

In the imperial bedchamber, it was in a mess.

The curtains had been torn down, the incense burner had been knocked over, the calligraphy and paintings had been torn into pieces, the table had been overturned, and the gold and silver utensils were scattered all over the floor.

Emperor Yuanjing stood in the "ruins", with wide sleeves and a long robe and disheveled hair.

Thirty-seven years after ascending the throne, today his dignity has been trampled on by the officials. For a proud monarch who prides himself on being at the pinnacle of power and intrigue, the blow is really too great.

An ordinary person would go crazy if his face was so badly shamed, let alone an emperor.

"Your Majesty...."

The old eunuch entered from outside the door and called out timidly.

Emperor Yuanjing looked at him coldly.

"The officials have not left and are still gathered in the Hall of Golden Chimes." The old eunuch whispered.

"What are they doing? What else do they want? Didn't I promise them?!"

Emperor Yuanjing waved his hands emotionally and roared at the top of his lungs.

The old eunuch's knees gave way and he knelt on the ground, mournfully said: "Wang Zhenwen and Wei Yuan said that they won't disperse the court until they see the self-criticism imperial edict."

Emperor Yuanjing swayed and staggered back a few steps. Suddenly, he felt a pain in his chest and a fishy sweetness welled up in his throat.

.......

On this day, just after lunch, the imperial court posted a notice for the first time.

At the twelve city gates of the imperial city, the inner city, and the outer city, and on the twelve bulletin boards, Emperor Yuanjing's self-criticism imperial edict was posted.

Emperor Yuanjing, who had been on the throne for thirty-seven years, issued a self-criticism imperial edict for the first time.

On this day, all classes in the capital were in an uproar.