Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

086 Widespread Lamentation 1

"Teacher, please, help me, I really know I was wrong."

"Are you stupid? Why did you get involved in this kind of thing? Have you forgotten all the lessons I've taught you?"

Inside Yunlu Academy, a student of about sixteen years old bowed down before an elderly man dressed in white and wearing a black square scarf on his head.

The old man's name was Yan Xuefan, and he was the dean and chief etiquette instructor of Yunlu Academy.

The student kneeling on the ground was named Ma Wei, and he was one of his students.

Ma Wei participated in this struggle between the imperial faction and the government, during which he not only looted and vandalized the streets, but also accidentally killed the chief clerk of the government office.

Afterwards, he was terrified, but instead of turning himself in to the authorities immediately, he went to gather in front of Weiyang Palace in an attempt to get the court to pardon him in order to avoid imprisonment.

Now that the Imperial Guards have entered the city and order has been restored, Ma Wei, fearing retribution, immediately ran back to Yunlu Academy for protection.

Yunlu Academy was established through fundraising by various prominent families in Jinling, focusing on cultivating the children of these families and students who would benefit them.

In fact, the schools controlled by powerful families mainly trained students and those from poor families who sought refuge there. After they completed their studies, the students were recommended to the court to serve as officials, thus continuing to benefit the powerful families.

Under normal circumstances, given the status of Yunlu Academy, even the royal family would not dare to act rashly. This led many uneducated students to flee back here for protection after causing trouble outside.

However, the current situation seems to be quite complicated.

Yan Xuefan had already received the news circulating in the city that the Empress would definitely not let this go easily.

In fact, from the very beginning of the gathering, he strictly forbade all Confucian scholars from participating.

Unfortunately, quite a few people were still lured to Weiyang Palace.

Among them, Ma Wei was the most sinful.

To storm a government office and kill people, resulting in the immediate death of the chief official, is truly a heinous crime.

In addition, the news that Shen Lang had been promoted to Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture was an extremely dangerous signal, making Yan Xuefan instinctively feel that things were far from over.

"Teacher, please save your student! I really know I was wrong!"

The whole city is being raided right now. When I arrived, I saw several houses had been smashed open by those blue-clad soldiers.

They practically dragged people towards the capital, sparing not even women and children. Teacher, I beg you, you must help me!

"If only you had known this would happen, you wouldn't have done it in the first place!" Yan Xuefan said with a look of utter disappointment. "What did I tell you? Don't get involved in politics, don't get involved in politics! But why wouldn't you listen to my advice?!"

"Teacher, I know I was terribly wrong, and I regret it now." Ma Wei, with snot and tears streaming down his face, threw himself at Yan Xuefan's feet. "Please help me this time, considering that I've always been respectful to you!"

How can I help you?

"Teacher, you have a lot of connections in Jinling. All the major families respect you. As long as you ask them to put in a good word for me, I will be fine."

"Alright, get up now." Yan Xuefan sighed softly. "You need to learn from this experience and never do anything foolish again, understand?"

Upon hearing this, Ma Wei was overjoyed: "Teacher, does this mean you agree?"

"What else can I do but agree? She's still my student, sigh, what a mess this has become..."

bang bang bang-

Suddenly, the gate of Yunlu Academy was knocked on violently.

The next second, a student rushed over, panting, and said, "Teacher, something bad has happened! There are a lot of soldiers in strange blue uniforms outside the gate. They said they're going to force their way in if we don't open the gate soon."

"Teacher~"

Ma Wei was so frightened that he immediately hid behind Yan Xuefan.

"Don't be afraid," Yan Xuefan comforted her. "Go back to your room and hide for a while. This is the academy; they won't dare to do anything here."

"Teacher, I'm begging you."

After bowing to Yan Xuefan, Ma Wei quickly entered the back room.

"Open the gate! I want to see if they dare to cause trouble in the Confucius Academy!"

Yan Xuefan straightened his clothes and then strode towards the door.

The moment the academy gates opened, Lü Meng led a squad of soldiers rushing in.

Yan Xuefan immediately stepped forward and spread his arms to block them: "Stop! This is Yunlu Academy. How can we allow you to act so presumptuously!"

Lu Meng raised his hand to stop the soldiers behind him, then stepped forward and cupped his hands, saying, "I suppose this is Yan Xuefan, the Dean of Yunlu Academy, Elder Yan, right?"

I am Lü Meng. In my youth, I had the opportunity to attend a private school for two years. I would like to first pay my respects to Master Yan as a sign of respect for my teacher.

Seeing that Lü Meng was so well-mannered, Yan Xuefan nodded: "It's rare to see someone as well-mannered as you in the military."

Since you know this is Yunlu Academy, you should also understand that you cannot bring soldiers inside, disturbing the students' concentration on their studies.

Lu Meng straightened his posture and replied, "Elder Yan, we have no other intentions in coming here. As long as Elder Yan hands over Ma Wei, a student of your esteemed academy, I can guarantee with my integrity that everything in the academy will be as good as before."

Yan Xuefan's face immediately turned ashen: "General Lü, I'll say it again, this is an academy, a place for students to study, not a place for you to lead troops and act recklessly..."

Lu Meng remained expressionless: "Students seek knowledge to govern the country, not to deviate from the established doctrines. Your esteemed academy's Ma Wei burned down the city government's archives..."

This resulted in the death of the chief clerk, a serious violation of the laws of our Great Chu. He must be brought back to the Jingzhao Prefecture and handed over to Lord Shen for interrogation and sentencing.

If Elder Yan intends to protect Ma Wei, then I can offer a heads-up: Given the temperament of our Instructor Shen, this is a matter for consideration.

"What you're taking away isn't just a show of force. I hope Elder Yan will think carefully before acting, lest a momentary lapse lead to an irreparable mistake."

Yan Xuefan was stunned. He asked in a trembling voice, "Prefect Shen? What...does he want?"

Lu Meng glanced around the academy, then changed the subject, saying, "I have heard since childhood that Yunlu Academy is a prestigious institution of higher learning in the Chu Kingdom. Today, even just glimpsing a corner of it has filled me with joy."

This academy must have taken Elder Yan countless hours of effort; naturally, he wouldn't want to see thirty years of painstaking work destroyed in a single day, right?

"You, you are threatening me..."

"I dare not. I urge Elder Yan to consider the greater good. I believe that the majority of your students are loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and will be the pillars of the Great Chu in the future."

If someone ruins their future because of a few scoundrels, Old Master Yan would be heartbroken.

Professor Yan, if all these students were recorded in the case files as having harbored a suspect,

After they complete their studies, which court official or scholar would be willing to recommend or vouch for someone with a criminal record?

Even becoming a minor official is a pipe dream, so please, Elder Yan, think carefully about whether what you're doing is truly worthwhile."

Such an almost explicit threat caused Yan Xuefan to tremble involuntarily, whether out of fear or anger.

"Old Yan, hand over the person, or tell me where he is and I'll go find him myself."

If I'm late, I won't be able to go back and explain to Instructor Shen, since time waits for no one.

If Professor Yan still refuses to cooperate, and the academy issues a ban, all students in your college will likely be implicated.

"Sir, do you really want to see this happen before your eyes?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Xuefan's psychological defenses crumbled instantly.

Lu Meng's tone was always flattering, but every word he uttered was a veiled attack on the heart, hitting the nail on the head.

After hesitating for a moment, he closed his eyes in anguish, turned his head to the side, and pointed to the courtyard in the opposite direction.

"Search!"

When Lü Meng uttered that word, Yan Xuefan collapsed to the ground, completely powerless. Fortunately, two students nearby helped him up in time.

A short while later, two soldiers escorted Ma Wei out of the courtyard.

"Teacher, help me, teacher!"

"Why did you betray your students, your teachers, your teachers?!"

Why did you betray your students! Answer me!

"Yan Xuefan, you'll die a horrible death! How dare you betray me? I'll make sure you don't get away with this when I get out!"

"Gentlemen, all of this was ordered by Yan Xuefan! Arrest him! Arrest him! He's the mastermind!"

In desperation, Ma Wei sought help from Yan Xuefan. When Yan Xuefan did not respond, Ma Wei became enraged and began to fabricate charges against Yan Xuefan.

But at this moment, under Lü Mengwei's pressure, Yan Xuefan didn't even have the courage to look at him.

No matter what he said, he couldn't change the fact that he was taken out of the academy.

"Mr. Yan, you made the right choice. I apologize for any inconvenience caused. I will visit you again when I have the opportunity. Farewell."

Lü Meng stood at attention and saluted Yan Xuefan.

Then he turned around and shouted, "Fall back!"

The hundred or so guardsmen immediately turned around and walked towards the gate of the academy.

“Oh my~”

Once Lü Meng left, Yan Xuefan could no longer bear the fear and burst into tears.

However, Yunlu Academy is just a microcosm.

Throughout the entire city of Jinling, the aftermath, cleanup, and arrests related to this incident are being carried out swiftly and decisively.

The turmoil did not end with the mob being dispersed.

The real reckoning has only just begun.

Inside the secret chamber of the Zeng residence, Zeng Qian, Mu Changge, Liang Youxin, and Zhao Yuanli were each holding a cup of tea, trembling uncontrollably.

The four looked at each other in silence, none of them uttering a word, only seeing fear on each other's faces.

"Bang bang bang-"

Suddenly, a knock on the door echoed.

Startled, Liang Youxin accidentally knocked over the teacup.

"What, what, who is it!"

Zeng Qian mustered his courage and asked.

A butler's voice came from outside the door, broken and hesitant: "Master, it's me. Something terrible has happened! The young master, young lady, and the old master were detained by the Imperial Guards when they left the city and have been sent to the Jingzhao Prefecture—"

"Ah~"

Zeng Qian lost his balance and fell to the ground.

"It's over, it's all over now—"