Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 699 - 639: Moral Abduction, Right?

Chapter 699: Chapter 639: Moral Abduction, Right?

The Imperial College, though a place of teaching and cultivating talent,

is after all affiliated with the state’s education sector, so naturally, those who teach here are not of ordinary status.

Many people got the news early that morning that the new Grand Preceptor had arrived.

Thus, many of them immediately took the opportunity of their work duties to seek out the Grand Preceptor.

Of course, indeed a portion of these people truly had matters that required the Grand Preceptor’s attention.

After all, the previous Grand Preceptor had died, and there were some matters that needed his signature and could only be put on hold.

Therefore, early in the morning, quite a number of teachers went to visit this Grand Preceptor, Ren Buqun.

Especially since many knew that Ren Buqun was one of the faces of Confucianism, who once had the opportunity to be directly promoted to the position of deputy minister in the Three Departments.

It was just that later, with the ascent of the Kaihuang, he was alienated due to his close association with the Northern Zhou Imperial Family.

But this individual, frequently involved in court strife, could arguably play the political game better than few dared say they could.

Even many of the current Confucian bigwigs in the court were disciples from his school.

To call him a Great Scholar would be an insult to him.

One could say that within the current realm of Confucianism, his standing was absolutely one of the top few.

It was clear to everyone that the momentum suggested that Confucianism was set to lock horns with Zhang San to the end.

But after many had waited outside Ren Buqun’s residence for a long time, a Child Servant finally opened the large gate of the courtyard.

"Gentlemen, please return. Last night, the Grand Preceptor met Zhang San at the entrance of the Imperial College and was so angered by him that he fell ill and is now unable to receive visitors. Gentlemen, it would be best to wait until the Grand Preceptor has recovered before returning."

Those teachers who had wanted to take the opportunity to ingratiate themselves were naturally disappointed.

But there were also some who truly needed the Grand Preceptor to sign official documents to solve some bureaucratic issues, and they were left in a predicament.

"We have official business that requires the Grand Preceptor’s signature, just some issues about teaching supplies. Could you please take it in for the Grand Preceptor to glance over?"

"Yes, really, just a glance, and then a signature will suffice."

"It’s just a procedural matter, but right now the process is stuck due to this."

The Child Servant glanced at the dozen or so very anxious teachers at the door and then shook his head slightly, "Sorry, I’m only here to relay a message from the Grand Preceptor. Please wait until the Grand Preceptor has recovered."

With that, the Child Servant stepped back two paces and began to close the door.

At this moment, a teacher grabbed the door and asked, "When will the Grand Preceptor’s health improve?"

Although the question was somewhat brusque, the Martial Studies teacher couldn’t care less at that point.

What needed approval on his end was Healing Medicine. Students practicing Martial Style in class were bound to get injured. Yet until now, students were having to purchase their own Healing Medicine, and approval for the Healing Medicine for all four Martial Studies classes was still not granted!

"Whether the Grand Preceptor can recover is not up to him, but depends on you all."

Leaving behind such a cryptic remark, the Child Servant closed the door and secured it from the inside.

The teachers standing outside exchanged glances, not fully understanding the meaning of the Child Servant’s last words.

Suddenly, a teacher from the Techniques Studies had an epiphany and exclaimed.

"Have you gentlemen considered that Grand Preceptor Ren Buqun came this time to deal with someone? Yet he fell ill from anger upon meeting that person last night. Does that not imply..."

As the teacher spoke, he tapped the document in his hand.

Everyone immediately understood.

That morning, Zhang San had just gotten out of bed in his lodging at the Imperial College.

Although he didn’t need to stay at the Imperial College continuously, there was some distance from there to his own residence, and since he also had to bring the students home last night, he stayed over at the Imperial College.

But early in the morning, just after he got up and finished washing up, he heard a knocking sound from outside.

Zhang San stepped out of his room, opened the courtyard gate, and a large group of teachers flooded in.

If Zhang San hadn’t known that all these were teachers from the Imperial College, he would have thought someone was giving away eggs in his yard.

"Teachers, why have you all come over so early in the morning?"

A burly and tall teacher came over, forcing a smile that seemed kind.

"Teacher Zhang San, to be frank, in the martial studies, our students are bound to get injured from daily training. But nobody has approved the healing medicine. What should we do about this?"

Zhang San was taken aback and countered, "Are you saying that the person in charge of the medicine is suspected of embezzlement, and you want me to find someone to investigate? That’s no problem..."

"No, that’s not it!" The teacher realized Zhang San had misunderstood and immediately waved his hands.

"It’s that at the end of the approval process, it requires the signature of the Grand Preceptor. We finally got a new Grand Preceptor, but he claims that last night he encountered you and you made him sick right at the gates of the Imperial College. Now he’s seeing no one. We have no other choice but to come to you!"

Upon hearing this, and looking at the dozen or so teachers around him, Zhang San immediately understood.

The new Grand Preceptor was doing this on purpose.

He was feigning illness and then framing himself, morally blackmailing Zhang San in the end.

It seemed that the only way the Grand Preceptor’s illness would be cured was if Zhang San himself went to visit him and capitulate in front of them.

And it was only when his illness was cured that he could sign the documents for these teachers.

So, these teachers were coerced into coming to find Zhang San.

"I understand the situation now, you all wait here, let me think of a solution."

Upon hearing Zhang San say this, everyone thought he agreed and left very happily.

And Zhang San sneered to himself.

What nonsense, they think they can morally blackmail me?

Not to mention whether I, Zhang San, possess any moral compass, even if I did, do you really think you could manipulate me?

However, what Zhang San hadn’t expected was that, as these teachers left, it seemed that other teachers had also received the news.

Thus, while he was teaching, teachers with beaming smiles came to the doorway of his class from time to time.

At first, Zhang San thought other teachers were interested in his law and techniques class as well.

Zhang San even extended a warm invitation.

But instead, they stated they just wanted to inquire when Zhang San was going to apologize to the Grand Preceptor, saying they had matters requiring the Grand Preceptor’s signature and they thanked Zhang San in advance.

At first, Zhang San responded perfunctorily.

But less than a quarter of an hour later, another person came over.

Zhang San frowned slightly and glanced at the students in the classroom.

"Hold on a moment."

With that, Zhang San stepped to the classroom door and whistled a melodious tune.

The cat-eared ladies who had been vigilantly guarding their half-demon mothers’ spirit tablets in the shrine of the Baili family heard the prearranged signal.

The next moment, thirteen people turned and walked out of the shrine.

Those who were not pleased about having spirit tablets of half-demon mothers in the Baili family’s shrine were overjoyed to see these half-demons finally leaving, thinking to themselves, once they’re gone, we’ll...

As Baili Niezhen walked out of the shrine, she scanned the crowd with a murderous gaze and said coldly, "Make sure nothing changes here. If anything in this shrine is altered when we return, we’ll take your lives!"

Several young men who had intentions to cause trouble were startled by this scene.

One of the young men, who could barely muster the courage to speak, stammered, "By... By what right?"

"By the right that we are the handmaidens of the Marquis Beyond the Law. If we kill you, it’s very likely we won’t die. Do you want to take that bet?"

After speaking, Baili Niezhen led her twelve sisters away.

Meanwhile, the few young men from the Baili family at the entrance of the shrine began to stand guard, trembling with trepidation...