Chapter 103: You wouldn't want the truth about your grandfather to come to light, would you?

Arriving in the capital from Qufu, Kong Ne had steeled himself for the hardship he knew awaited him. Yet, who could have foreseen that life would prove so cruel? Having been raised in the lap of luxury, never having suffered the slightest grievance, how could he be subjected to such torment?

Zhang Yi’s punches lacked real force—after all, he was only a child of seven or eight—but to Kong Ne, they felt like utter humiliation. He had prepared himself for being tempered by life, but why did it have to be by a young Taoist from Mount Longhu?

"I've never seen anyone as pathetic as you. You're useless at everything, but you’re number one at provoking people!"

After landing a few blows and successfully bestowing upon Kong Ne the mark of a "beast-feeder" (a black eye), Zhang Yi jumped aside, speechless. This guy wasn't even satisfying to beat up; he was just too weak.

Kong Ne cried for a while, then climbed to his feet, glaring fiercely at Zhang Yi. "I am not a traitor!"

"Sure, sure, whatever you say!" Zhang Yi replied impatiently. Seeing him treat the matter like he was coaxing a toddler only deepened Kong Ne’s sorrow.

"Just you wait, I will expose you!" His teeth-gritting glare left Zhang Yi feeling drained. Dealing with this kind of brat was more exhausting than dealing with Xu Cunren. This little fool had no idea what it meant to let a secret remain unspoken. Although he wasn't truly afraid of Kong Ne spreading rumors, having the future Duke of Yansheng speaking out would inevitably cause trouble.

To avoid the headache, he remarked, "Just like your grandfather’s feigned madness, which couldn't escape the eyes of those who truly cared to look—do you think you need to go around shouting it from the rooftops?"

Kong Ne was struck as if by lightning. He stared at Zhang Yi in horror, his body involuntarily recoiling. The fact that Kong Kejian was feigning madness was known only to him and Kong Xixue; even Uncle Fu, who had traveled with them, was unaware. His grandfather’s endurance was meant to preserve a sliver of hope for the Kong family's future—that was what his father had told him earnestly before they parted. As long as Wang Baobao’s Northern army remained undefeated, the struggle between the Ming court and the Northern Yuan remained a matter of life and death. The Kong family had not wanted to take sides so early, but Zhu Yuanzhang had forced Kong Kejian’s hand. His grandfather was a hero of the Kong family; that was the solemn instruction given by Kong Xixue when Kong Ne headed south.

Could it be… that all his efforts were seen by some as nothing more than a clown’s act? Looking at Zhang Yi again, Kong Ne felt as if he were staring at a devil.

"You... you are spouting nonsense..." After all, he was only a ten-year-old child; his cultivation was leagues behind Zhang Yi, an old fox living his second life.

Zhang Yi had only been guessing, but Kong Ne’s reaction served as indirect confirmation for everyone’s suspicions. "What a weakling, yet he’s so addicted to acting!" Zhang Yi thought, unable to resist a jab. What was the old man even trying to achieve? When Zhu Di feigned madness, it was to save his life and further a long-term plan. Was this guy doing it to welcome the Northern armies? If he heard the news of Wang Baobao’s army collapsing in a few months, would the old man be infuriated to death? Yes, that seemed quite likely.

"Spouting nonsense? Shall we go out and shout it to everyone then?" Zhang Yi turned to leave.

"No..." Kong Ne panicked, lunging at Zhang Yi and grabbing his hand.

"Nene, you don't want your grandfather’s secret exposed, do you?" By now, Zhang Yi was one hundred percent certain and amused himself by teasing the boy. Kong Ne’s face turned pale, then blue, yet he persisted, "My grandfather is not faking it, and I will not allow you to ruin his lifelong reputation!"

"And what if I do...?" Zhang Yi asked with interest, his expression practically begging the boy to plead with him.

Kong Ne was at a loss. In his upbringing, no one had ever taught him how to handle such a situation. If his grandfather’s feigned madness were confirmed, the damage to the reputation of the Qufu Kong family would be catastrophic. Not knowing what else to do, Kong Ne suddenly dropped to his knees before Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi was stunned. He had only meant to scare the brat, never expecting him to be so fragile. Without waiting for Kong Ne to speak, he said, "Mr. Xu said that your coming to Yingtian was meant to be a trial. He assumed you understood certain things, which is why he didn't avoid speaking of the forged classics in your presence, but who knew you were so dim-witted that you couldn't grasp even that? You still have much to learn..."

Acting like an elder, Zhang Yi gave Kong Ne a stern lecture, then waved his hand and walked out. He couldn't be bothered to argue with such a child.

Kong Ne was left stunned. Was this guy really just letting him go? He watched Zhang Yi walk away, the boy’s hands behind his back, his steps light and jaunty, perhaps even humming a tune. The more Kong Ne watched, the more he felt that the detestable little Taoist was truly mysterious. He stood up slowly, looking lost and dejected.

As he walked out of Xu Cunren’s courtyard, the eyes of his classmates in the study hall involuntarily converged upon him. Someone gasped, looking at him in horror. Only then did Kong Ne realize he had been beaten by that scoundrel and was a disheveled mess.

"Only Zhang Yi and he were in Mr. Xu’s courtyard, and Zhang Yi just left..."
"Did someone from the Kong family fight someone from the Zhang family, and the Kong boy lost?"
"That kid Zhang Yi doesn't look like he suffered at all, but Kong Ne looks miserable!"
"When it comes to fighting, how could the Duke of Yansheng beat the Celestial Master Zhang!"

The students whispered, and rumors spread on the wind. Kong Ne finally noticed his predicament. Cursing that scoundrel in his heart, he ran out of the academy as fast as he could, his face burning red.

Returning home, Kong Ne went straight to check on his grandfather. Kong Kejian was still babbling incoherently, feigning madness in the yard. Uncle Fu, who was attending to the old man, saw Kong Ne return and immediately spotted the bruise around his eye. "Young Master, who did you fight with? Let me see! A doctor, I must find a doctor for you!"

Seeing Kong Ne injured, a flicker of worry crossed Kong Kejian’s face, but he immediately resumed his vacant, foolish expression, though his concern remained evident. Kong Ne stood in silence and stopped Uncle Fu. "Uncle Fu, I want to spend some time with my grandfather."

Uncle Fu sighed and left the yard. In the spacious garden, only the grandfather and grandson remained.

"Grandson is unfilial. I can neither ease Grandfather’s worries nor protect your reputation. I am unfilial!" Kong Ne knelt, sobbing uncontrollably, and kowtowed desperately to Kong Kejian.

Kong Kejian’s eyes turned red, but he could not make a move.

"Grandfather, today someone called you a traitor, and I fought with him... but I am incompetent, and I don't want others to say you are a traitor!"

"Yanbo doesn't want to be a traitor either..." Kong Ne was, after all, just a child. He had endured too much grievance these past few days; only in front of his grandfather could he finally vent.

"Yanbo, smile!"

Kong Kejian, who had remained motionless, slowly stood up, crouched down, and embraced Kong Ne. The grandfather and grandson wept together in silence.

"You have been wronged!" This was the second time Kong Kejian had spoken a word of truth in the courtyard.

***

Inside the Imperial Palace, Xu Cunren arrived following an imperial decree and waited outside the Imperial Study. Eunuch Wang led him inside, where the Emperor was, as always, busy at work.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Teacher Xu, please rise!" Zhu Biao, seeing Xu Cunren enter, hurried to stand and greet him.

Xu Cunren said, "Your Highness, I cannot accept the title of teacher!"

"Why not? You have taught him, so you are his teacher!" Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted their formalities and said to the eunuch, "Bring a seat for Elder Xu!"

The eunuchs brought a chair. Xu Cunren thanked the Emperor for his grace and sat down.

"Elder Xu, now that the Nanjing Guozifu has been upgraded to the Imperial Academy, you shoulder the heavy responsibility of cultivating talent for the country. It has been hard work."

Old Zhu, after Xu Cunren sat down, began by praising his contributions. This wasn't merely flattery; since he had captured Jiqing Road—now Yingtian Prefecture—years ago, Xu Cunren had taken on the heavy responsibility of the local schools, rising from a scholar to the libationer. He had cultivated many talents for the Ming. Now, with the imperial examinations yet to be opened, many scholars still loyal to the former dynasty were unwilling to serve the Ming. Old Zhu had even resorted to holding knives to their necks, forcing these so-called remnants of the previous dynasty to serve as officials through the threat of blood. But he knew this was not a long-term solution. The Ming needed to cultivate its own base of support. In the absence of the imperial examinations, the recommendation system was the primary method for selecting talent. The Imperial Academy was the Ming’s talent reservoir, and Xu Cunren was the one helping Old Zhu filter that talent.

"Mr. Xu, what have you thought about the matter I discussed with you the other day?"

Xu Cunren’s expression shifted slightly, though he quickly regained his composure. "Your Majesty, I still need to think further..."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. That wasn't the reason he had called Xu Cunren today. "I sent two children to your Imperial Academy. How have they performed?"

Xu Cunren thought for a moment. "Kong Ne is a child of good character and steady temperament. If he inherits the title of Duke of Yansheng in the future, he will do well. It is just that he currently carries a burden far too heavy; I fear he may not withstand the silent isolation."

Zhu Yuanzhang scoffed, "He must withstand it. This is the trial of the Kong family, and they brought it upon themselves! However, I did not expect that even a small Kong family could see through the faces of certain people! Are they self-proclaimed pure scholars, or are they just protecting their own interests?" He smiled and asked Xu Cunren, "And how does the teacher intend to treat that young man from the Kong family?"

"Since Your Majesty sent him to the Imperial Academy, he is my student, and I shall treat him with impartiality. Moreover, I believe that Your Majesty did not send him to the Imperial Academy to be humiliated, but to temper him. I shall let him feel the goodness of our Ming, so that he may turn his heart toward us; that would be in line with Your Majesty’s expectations."

Xu Cunren’s respectful yet firm attitude earned Old Zhu’s approval. He had followed him for ten years, and with him in charge of the Imperial Academy, Old Zhu felt absolute peace of mind. He also understood himself well enough; Zhu Yuanzhang did not intend to crush the Kong family entirely. As long as he needed to utilize the scholar-gentry group, he had to respect Confucius. However, Kong Kejian’s actions were unacceptable, and he needed to use harsher methods to suppress the family and set an example for the world. But what after the suppression? One still had to win them over. Sending Kong Ne to Yingtian was not about taking a hostage; a hero like the Emperor would not be concerned with a mere child like Kong Ne. What the Emperor truly wanted was to win the heart of the future Duke of Yansheng! It was a pity that mediocre people could not understand this. Elder Xu truly understood his heart.

After asking about Kong Ne, Old Zhu gathered his thoughts and asked, as if casually, "And what of that boy from Mount Longhu? How is he?"

Hearing the Emperor mention Zhang Yi, Xu Cunren did not sense any excessive concern in the Emperor’s tone. But when he thought of Zhang Yi, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. This laughter left Old Zhu feeling bewildered. Although he used the Inspectorate to monitor officials, it was impossible to cover everyone. For the Imperial Academy, a place of little political gain, having the Inspectorate monitor it would be utterly ridiculous. He hadn't paid attention to Zhang Yi in days, so he knew nothing.

"You sent Kong Ne to me to be tempered, but that boy Zhang Yi was called here by Your Majesty to do the tempering, was he not?"

As soon as Xu Cunren said this, the Emperor and the Crown Prince felt an immediate sense of familiarity. Yes, that was exactly it. If that brat Zhang Yi were behaving honestly in the Imperial Academy, that would be a miracle.

"What has he done?"

The Emperor didn't even notice that when he mentioned Zhang Yi, his tone was actually quite joyful.