The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 447 Join
Gu Xiancheng looked at Jia Huan doubtfully and asked, "Did you really join Diecui Academy?"

Jia Huan nodded. Zhang Zhilong was a little nervous at first, but he immediately smiled and said, "See, I didn't lie to you, Mr. Gu."

Gu Xiancheng said regretfully: "It seems that I am still a step behind, but it doesn't matter. If you want to switch to my Donglin Academy, I welcome you at any time."

Zhang Zhilong said displeasedly: "It's not a good idea for Mr. Gu to poach people so blatantly. This is not what a gentleman does!"

Gu Xiancheng stroked his beard and smiled, "A good bird chooses a tree to roost in, a wise minister chooses a master to serve, let alone choosing a school. Donglin Academy is superior to Diecui Academy in terms of financial resources, teachers, connections, and influence. It is a wise move for student Jia to switch to Donglin Academy. Why not?"

Zhang Zhilong rolled his eyes in dismay, but Liu Shouzheng said calmly, "Mr. Gu is right. Donglin Academy is indeed stronger than Diecui Academy in every aspect. Joining Donglin Academy will be of great benefit to the Spring Examination next year, so Ziming, you can really consider it."

"Brother, why are you leaning so far away?" Zhang Zhilong asked anxiously.

Liu Yi ignored him and looked at Jia Huan seriously. Jia Huan smiled and said, "After the college entrance examination, Jia Huan agreed to join Diecui Academy with Senior Brother and Senior Brother Zhang. A gentleman's words are as good as his words. How can he go back on his word and enrich himself now?"

Zhang Rugui burst into laughter upon hearing this, and put his arm around Jia Huan's shoulders and said excitedly: "Junior Brother Jia is really trustworthy. I, Zhang Rugui, was right about you. From now on, you are my good brother!"

Liu Yi also showed a knowing smile on his face, and turned to Gu Xiancheng and said: "Old Gu, it seems that Junior Brother Jia does not want to transfer to your Donglin Academy. Sorry!"

Gu Xiancheng frowned secretly and said calmly: "In this case, I will not force you. I can only wish classmate Jia success in the next spring examination." After saying that, he stood up and left angrily without even eating.

Zhang Rugui chuckled and said, "It seems that Old Man Gu is very angry this time, but it also shows how much he values ​​Junior Brother Jia, and he even came to invite you to join him personally."

Liu Yi apologized, "Ziming, I'm really sorry for you this time. The Donglin faction is so powerful now, but you rejected Gu Xiancheng's invitation. I'm afraid you will be targeted by them in the future. You must be mentally prepared."

Jia Huan said calmly: "It doesn't matter. No matter how powerful Donglin is, it can't be so powerful that it can control the Spring Examination, right?"

Liu Yi shook his head and said, "That's not the case. No one dares to mess up the Spring Examination. However, if Ziming becomes an official in the court in the future, he will inevitably be ostracized by the Donglin faction."

Lu Xiangsheng said doubtfully, "Isn't this a case of uniting the party to attack dissidents? Do the Donglin faction really dare to exclude dissidents so blatantly?"

Zhang Zhilong sneered and said, "Brother Jiandou, what you said is ridiculous. Now they are stirring up public opinion and targeting the Ministry of Revenue. Isn't this just a move of abusing public power for personal gain and ganging up on dissidents? This time they can target the Ministry of Revenue, next time they can target the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Rites."

Lu Xiangsheng fell silent when he heard this. The Donglin faction is now in control of public opinion. If they want to deal with someone, they just need to find a reason to fan the flames. It's chilling to think about it. It seems that Mr. Ye is still far-sighted. He prohibits students from Diecui Academy from joining Donglin Poetry Society, and also prohibits students from participating in political movements initiated by Donglin. This move undoubtedly maintains the independence of Diecui Academy. Moreover, as long as Diecui Academy continues to output talents and enter the court to serve, this will undoubtedly be a check on the Donglin faction.

Thinking of this, Lu Xiangsheng felt warm in his heart and said, "Since Ziming has joined Diecui Academy, I wonder if I can join in boldly?"

Jia Huan smiled when he heard this. He knew that Lu Xiangsheng would definitely apply to join. On the one hand, he was influenced by him, and on the other hand, it was his personality. Lu Xiangsheng was upright and kind-hearted. Now that he knew that the Donglin faction might become too powerful, he would naturally be more willing to join the Diecui Academy to check the dominance of the Donglin faction. Zhang Zhilong said happily, "Of course, no problem. Brother Jiandou is a juren. If he can join our academy, it would be a great honor. Hehe, Junior Brother Jia, Junior Brother Lu, we will be fellow students in the future. It's a pity that there is no wine here, otherwise it would be very clear!"

Liu Yi smiled and said, "That's easy. I have two jars of good wine in my house. I will cook a few dishes myself tonight. Everyone will get drunk before going home. Junior Brother Jia, Junior Brother Lu, what do you think?"

Jia Huan was also curious to know what had happened in the past few years, and how Liu Shouzheng became what he is now, so he smiled and said, "That's what I wish for, but I dare not ask you!"

Lu Xiangsheng said: "I will sacrifice my life to accompany you!"

In this way, their relationship became closer. After lunch and a half-hour break, everyone rushed back to Minglun Hall.

Gu Xiancheng, the president of Donglin Academy, continued to explain the "Book of Changes" which he had not finished in the morning, and he spoke for a full hour before finishing, which was immediately met with thunderous applause.

At this time, someone stepped out from the audience. It was Ye Gao, the headmaster of Diecui Academy, and Sun Chengzong. Sun Chengzong helped Ye Gao onto the podium. Before he started speaking, the audience stood up one after another and bowed respectfully to the stage.

Ye Gao is 75 years old this year, which is considered a long life in ancient times when medical conditions were backward. What's more, he once served as the Minister of Rites. Despite his old age, he is still virtuous and has great influence in both the literary and official circles. Therefore, not only the audience in the audience, but even Gu Xiancheng and Zhao Mingcheng had to salute him respectfully.

Ye Gao stood still on the stage, and when the applause from all around stopped, he smiled and said, "Today, our academy is honored to have the principal of Donglin Academy, Gu Xianzhi, and the Hanlin scholar, Mr. Zhao, come here to give lectures. It is really a great honor for our humble academy. I hope that all the students will learn something today.

I would also like to take this opportunity to announce something. From today on, I will resign as the principal of Diecui Academy. Sun Zhisheng will take over as the principal of Diecui Academy. Now let Zhisheng say a few words to everyone. "

Mr. Ye’s speech was brief and to the point. After he finished speaking, he stepped aside and gave the stage to Sun Chengzong.

…………

The sun was setting, and the lecture activities of Diecui Academy for the day came to an end. People walked out of the mountain gate one after another and left. The square in front of the gate, which was originally full of carriages and horses, gradually became sparsely populated.

At this time, Hanlin scholar Zhao Mingcheng and Donglin Academy President Gu Xiancheng also walked out of the mountain gate. The two did not get on the carriage, but walked side by side along the official road, and their entourage drove the carriage slowly behind them.

Zhao Mingcheng walked slowly forward and asked in surprise, "Jia Huan actually refused to join Donglin Academy?"

Gu Xianzhi nodded and said helplessly: "Old man Ye Gao got there first."

(End of this chapter)