Chapter 112: Loyal to His Principles, Kong Ne Refuses to Collaborate with Those of Different Paths

Faced with Kong Ne's persistent questioning, Zhang Yi could not provide much of a response.

August was the pivotal month when the Great Ming army would capture Dadu, marking the day the Mongols of the Northern Yuan were definitively driven back to the Mongolian steppe, and the official end of the Northern Yuan dynasty. The moment the Northern Yuan fell would be the day Kong Kejian’s inner conviction could no longer be sustained, and the day the Emperor would completely abandon him.

In the original course of history, the imperial decree Zhu Yuanzhang sent to Kong Kejian—which essentially meant, "Do you look down on me? If you don't come soon, I'll punish you"—never actually reached Shandong. Within those few months, Xu Da’s massive army had already seized Henan and Guanzhong, and Dadu was on the brink of collapse. At that time, the Duke Yansheng suddenly recovered from his illness and rushed toward Yingtian Prefecture in a panic. On the road, he received the Emperor’s decree branding the Kong family as traitors, which terrified him out of his wits. Once he arrived in Yingtian, he was put through the wringer by the Emperor and detained there, witnessing the collapse of the Northern armies and the execution of the Emperor’s various machinations. Filled with grief, indignation, and shame, Kong Kejian eventually could not escape the fate of dying from illness.

Calculating it, even according to the original history, he had less than two years left to live. In today’s deflected history, Zhang Yi estimated that Kong Kejian would likely die even sooner. From the moment he adopted the strategy of feigning madness and the Emperor decided to play along, the pressure on a scholar who lacked the mental fortitude to endure such scrutiny in Yingtian Prefecture was unimaginable. Not everyone was an ambitious powerhouse like Zhu Di, possessing extraordinary psychological resilience. As a novice in political maneuvering, the moment Kong Kejian decided to play the fool, he had gambled his future on the Northern Yuan’s ability to withstand the Ming cavalry. By choosing this path, he had shouldered pressure he was never meant to bear.

Zhang Yi was also curious about who had caused history to deviate. The Emperor knew Kong Kejian was faking it, so he had sent Kong Ne to the capital as a hostage—or perhaps, not a hostage, but to cultivate him into a staunch advocate of Han nationalism. It was only by guessing the Emperor’s intentions through Mr. Xu’s attitude that Zhang Yi felt compelled to warn Kong Ne. Although the boy was a bit dull, he still possessed a sense of shame. Besides, having utilized the boy’s status, one ought to offer something in return, right?

"Stop!" Kong Ne finally caught up to Zhang Yi and hurriedly asked, "What did you mean by 'August'? What should I do?"

Zhang Yi rolled his eyes and replied, "I've told you everything I can. If your comprehension is too poor, go back and think about it carefully! Do you know that heavenly secrets must not be leaked? Revealing these few words to you has cost me a century of cultivation..."

"You? A century of cultivation?" Kong Ne stared at him with disdain, looking completely unimpressed.

Zhang Yi ignored him and casually gestured in the air, manifesting a small, conjured figure.

"Ah!" Kong Ne gasped, dumbfounded, startled by Zhang Yi’s trick. "You know Daoist magic? You know immortal arts?"

"Of course. Don't look at where I come from... This is the authentic 'Five Ghosts Moving Art'!"

Stunned by Zhang Yi’s sleight of hand, Kong Ne fell into deep thought. What could the Kong family do? Or rather, what could he do to break the current deadlock facing his family?

...

Zhang Yi and Kong Kejian returned to the Imperial Academy, working together to climb over the wall and drop down from a tree.

"The teacher isn't here; hurry up and finish writing the Thousand Character Classic!" Zhang Yi sat in his chair immediately, preparing to write, but noticing Kong Ne wasn't moving, he felt something was wrong. He turned around abruptly and found Xu Cunren’s face, wearing a half-smile, watching the two of them.

*Thump!* While Kong Ne was still dazed, Zhang Yi had already knelt down. "Teacher, I was wrong. Please punish me!"

Kong Ne: ...
Xu Cunren: ...

"You are truly the one sent by His Majesty to temper me..." The old man rubbed his forehead, finding Zhang Yi quite a headache. "Where did you go?"

Xu Cunren wasn't angry, just asking in a calm, understated tone. Zhang Yi was about to speak, but was silenced by a glare from the old man.

"Kong Ne, you tell me!"

Zhang Yi realized things were bad; Kong Ne was the type of honest kid who wouldn't be able to hold up in a pinch. Xu Cunren had likely seen this and decided to target him.

"Reporting to the teacher, it was Zhang Yi who said the food outside was delicious and tempted me to go out and play. It’s all the fault of this stinking Daoist..."

Zhang Yi froze for a moment. This guy didn't betray him; he wasn't that stupid after all. Realizing this, he jumped up and pointed at Kong Ne, shouting, "You wretch, Kong Ne! Didn't you eat it too? You were broke, and I was the one who paid for your food!"

"If you hadn't threatened me with your words, how could I have gone out with you!"

The two went back and forth, looking as if they were about to brawl.

"Shut up, both of you!" Xu Cunren’s head throbbed. Was the Emperor sending the descendants of the Kong and Zhang families to him because he felt his life wasn't tiring enough? "You two were at each other's throats yesterday, and now you can play truant together? Kong Ne, you are significantly older than Zhang Yi; you should be setting an example for him!"

Kong Ne was furious. He, set an example for Zhang Yi? How was it that he was always the one suffering?

Behind Xu Cunren’s back, Zhang Yi gave Kong Ne a thumbs up. Since Kong Ne hadn't exposed his jade-selling escapade, he was a loyal friend! Kong Ne glared at him irritably but bowed helplessly: "Teacher, it is I who failed to lead Junior Brother Zhang properly."

"Fine. Take that copy of the *Taishang* and go back to transcribe it. Not a single copy less than one hundred times!"

It was nearly time for the end of the school day, and Xu Cunren sent Kong Ne away.

"Did I say you could leave?" Xu Cunren called out to Zhang Yi, who was preparing to follow Kong Ne. "I have already had your senior brother called back. You are not going anywhere today; you are coming with me!"

"Oh!" Zhang Yi followed Xu Cunren obediently as they walked out. The old man didn't tell him where they were going. After leaving the Imperial Academy, Xu Cunren led Zhang Yi through the streets and alleys until they arrived at a modest residence.

"Master, you've returned!" An old woman greeted Xu Cunren.

Zhang Yi observed the surroundings silently; this must be Xu Cunren’s home. Although the Libationer of the Imperial Academy held a third-rank official position—a high official in the Ming Dynasty—the salaries of the Ming era were famously low. It was no surprise that this official lived a frugal life.

"You brought someone back today and didn't even tell me so I could fetch some meat!" the woman complained to Xu Cunren upon seeing Zhang Yi.

Xu Cunren replied, "No need. Even if we prepared the best we had, it wouldn't suit this little fellow's palate. It’s better to let him eat some simple fare!"

"So he is a child from a noble family," Madam Xu mused.

"Greetings, Teacher's wife... My name is Zhang Yi, a Daoist from Mount Longhu. His Majesty thinks I am unlearned and sent me to the Imperial Academy to make up for my education... I have often heard the teacher mention your virtue at the Academy, and seeing you today, it is indeed true!" Zhang Yi had a sweet tongue and immediately showered Madam Xu with compliments.

Madam Xu beamed with joy; with her own children away, she hadn't seen such a charming child in a long time. "You must be hungry, shall I serve you some food?"

Xu Cunren: ... If only this brat treated him like that.

The three sat down to eat; the meal was simple—one vegetable dish and a block of tofu. Although Zhang Yi hadn't been favored by Zhang Zhengchang over the years, he had never been truly neglected. In an era of protein deficiency, the fact that he was raised plump and fair meant he had lived well. The meal at the Xu residence was hard to swallow, but Zhang Yi’s expression remained unchanged, and he continued to praise Madam Xu’s cooking while he ate.

Xu Cunren watched from the sidelines, nodding inwardly. *Although he is glib, he knows how to consider the feelings of others. Not bad.*

After the meal, Xu Cunren called Zhang Yi into the study and told him to sit.

"Your handwriting is likely due to the wrong way you hold the brush, leading to one mistake after another. You are alone in the capital, and you probably have no teacher to guide you... Watch closely!" He held Zhang Yi’s hand, guiding him stroke by stroke.

A teacher is one who imparts the Way, teaches skills, and resolves doubts. Zhang Yi silently noted Xu Cunren’s words and began to practice his calligraphy according to his method. His handwriting was ugly and lacked structure because he had been at odds with Zhang Zhengchang since childhood, and after driving away several teachers, no one had bothered to teach him seriously afterward. Every teacher invited to the mountain knew that the Zhang family had a rebellious son who was not favored by the Celestial Master. Over time, those teachers focused their energy on Zhang Yuchu.

Strictly speaking, Xu Cunren was the first person to make Zhang Yi feel the weight of the word "teacher." It was pure, devoid of utilitarian motives. Such a person could be called a true Confucian. Although Zhang Yi did not like the Confucian school of thought, he respected such men. He did not slack off but began to earnestly learn the calligraphy he had never practiced properly.

Time flowed slowly. Outside, the sky grew dark, and Yingtian Prefecture fell silent. He didn't know how long he had been writing, but he discovered his characters were finally showing signs of progress. This small sense of achievement made Zhang Yi quite happy.

"Not bad. I told His Majesty that you are a seed for scholarship; it seems I was not wrong!" Xu Cunren picked up Zhang Yi’s work, gave it a look, and praised him. "You may stop writing now."

"Teacher, I haven't finished writing the copybook one hundred times yet!"

"I punished you to make you practice. Since the purpose has been achieved, why continue? You are a child with your own ideas, and I may not be able to convince you of right and wrong, but as long as you do not lose your original heart and strive toward goodness, you are less of a worry than Kong Ne!"

A strange look flashed in Zhang Yi’s eyes. Historical records regarding Xu Cunren were mere fragments, but having personally interacted with him, Zhang Yi was drawn to the man’s charisma. Bowing his head, Zhang Yi asked, "Teacher, have you recommended me to the Emperor as well?"

"It’s not really a recommendation. Since it was His Majesty who sent you here, he is bound to ask about your situation. Why, are you so worried about the Emperor’s attention?"

If anyone else heard that he had praised them in front of the Emperor, even if they tried to appear calm, they would show a hint of joy. But Zhang Yi’s expression was too tranquil, even bordering on wary, which left Xu Cunren puzzled. Did the Zhang family really have no interest in the center of power?

"I don't want it!"

"Why are you such an obstinate child? True, you are still young and do not yet understand the importance of fame..."

Zhang Yi smiled upon hearing this: "Teacher, you spend all day urging others to become officials, but you yourself are about to retire. If you like being an official so much, why don't you stay?"

Xu Cunren bristled, "That is because I am old and wish to return to a few years of peace!"

"If you had said that before, I would have believed you, but now I don't!" Zhang Yi said triumphantly, pulling a scroll of paper from the side of Xu Cunren’s desk.

Xu Cunren recognized it at a glance; it was something he had not handed over to Old Zhu. Upon seeing this, the old man fell silent. Zhang Yi did not press him further; he had only glanced at the few words on the page and already understood why Xu Cunren wanted to leave.

In fact, it could be summarized simply:

The Way is different; there can be no common path.