Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

The county magistrate's residence.

Dinner wasn't served at separate tables like in other official households, but the attendants were deliberately dismissed. A small round table was set up in the side hall, with a few delicate but not extravagant home-cooked dishes and a pot of warm rice wine. The soft light illuminated the three people's faces, each with a different expression.

When Huangfu Ling saw Liu Yanzhi, she bowed gracefully: "Ling'er greets Lord Liu." Her posture was dignified, showing the upbringing of a daughter of a noble family.

Liu Yanzhi smiled gently in response: "Ling'er, there's no need to be so polite. Your father has been busy with military affairs recently, and he didn't ask me to bring you any words this time. You have been well-behaved and sensible since childhood, so I'm sure you won't hold a grudge against him for this, right?" His words were filled with the concern of an elder, as well as a hint of subtle temptation.

Huangfu Ling's expression remained calm, and he nodded slightly. "Father has worked hard for the country, so Ling'er naturally understands it. How could she possibly bear a grudge? Sir Liu, you are too kind."

Liu Yanzhi smiled and said, "I have the audacity to bother you today. I'd like to trouble you and your wife to entertain me."

Huangfu Ling responded appropriately, "Sir, you are not right. You are my elder and my husband's mentor. It is already rude for me not to come and greet you, so how can I feel that I am bothering you? I only hope for a simple meal. Please don't neglect my lord."

Liu Yanzhi nodded approvingly and turned to Zhang Jingwei: "Jingwei, look at Ling'er. She is indeed a lady from a noble family. She is well-educated, well-mannered, and well-mannered. You need to learn more from her in this regard."

Zhang Jingwei smiled and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, the teacher is right. It's my duty, it's my duty..." But he was worried inside, not knowing why the teacher came to visit him so suddenly.

During the meal, Liu Yanzhi casually glanced around the somewhat empty dining room and suddenly asked, "Eh? Jingwei, I've heard your family is open-minded and respects no distinction between master and servant, often dining together. Why is it so quiet today? It makes me a little uncomfortable to see nothing around me."

Zhang Jingwei's heart skipped a beat, and he was speechless for a moment. Could it be that the teacher wanted a maid to keep him company? As soon as this thought came to his mind, he immediately slapped himself hard in the face - how could he assume such things about his teacher?!

Fortunately, Huangfu Ling answered in time, speaking naturally, "Your Excellency, this is not a special arrangement. It's just that my husband has been busy with official duties lately, and his meal times are irregular, so I have taken the servants to eat in advance. To avoid starving them and disturbing your conversation with my husband."

Liu Yanzhi suddenly understood and smiled, "I see. I thought you were breaking your family rules just for an old man like me."

Zhang Jingwei quickly said, "Teacher, what are you talking about? In my heart, you are just like my own elder. There is no need for all these empty formalities. If you feel that it is deserted, I will call some lively servants to join in the fun."

Liu Yanzhi waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. I was just asking casually. Let's eat. Jingwei looks like he must be starving."

Zhang Jingwei was indeed hungry, but what made him even more restless was his teacher's unfathomable gaze. He forced himself to eat something, but his premonition grew stronger.

Sure enough, after three rounds of wine and five dishes, Liu Yanzhi put down his chopsticks, wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, and his expression became serious: "Jingwei, do you know why I insisted on staying at your house today and sharing this home-cooked meal with you?"

Zhang Jingwei put down his bowl and chopsticks and sat upright. "I'm a dull student, but I guess... perhaps the teacher wants to take this opportunity to teach you some lessons about governing an official."

Liu Yanzhi slowly shook his head, gazing deeply at the flickering candlelight. "You can always get some pointers on your lessons. Today, I want to tell you a story."

Zhang Jingwei's heart trembled, and he said respectfully, "Student is all ears."

Liu Yanzhi's voice deepened, as if laden with the dust of time: "A story about... me and 'Xinxue'."

The word "Xinxue" was like thunder, instantly exploding in Zhang Jingwei's ears! His face turned pale as paper, and he could barely hold the chopsticks in his hand!

He suddenly turned to Huangfu Ling, his voice changing tone, with an unprecedented urgency: "Sister Ling! Take everyone down! Now! Everyone! Get out of the yard!" "Dayong!" He shouted sternly outside the door, "You guard the door! Without my order, not even a fly is allowed in! Anyone who dares to approach will be killed without mercy!"

Huangfu Ling had never seen her husband so out of control and nervous, so she didn't dare ask any more questions. She immediately stood up and quickly retreated with all the servants and maids. Outside the door came Wang Dayong's calm response and the sound of footsteps as he arranged the guards.

In an instant, only the master and his disciple were left in the side hall. The candlelight crackled, revealing the cold sweat on Zhang Jingwei's forehead. He nearly fell to his knees, his voice trembling with fear: "Teacher! You... you mustn't scare me! How could you... how could you be related to the School of Mind? That... that's..."

Liu Yanzhi's expression was unusually calm, as if he were recounting a past event that had nothing to do with him. "Don't panic. Sit down. What you know as 'Xinxue' is merely a superficial, even misused, offshoot. It was originally a significant branch of 'Xianxue'. My teacher, the Mr. Bing I mentioned to you today at the foot of the city—Bing Shouren—combined the benevolence of Confucianism, the rigor of Legalism, the naturalness of Taoism, and even the essence of Mohism, the Strategic Strategists, and other schools of thought, integrating and creating this new school of thought."

Zhang Jingwei reluctantly sat down, his mind a mess: "New? Heart? Student...students don't understand."

"Master Bing is originally from Donghai. He is the only true Jinshi from a humble family in our dynasty so far. With his extraordinary talent, he was appointed as the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, which is the former boss of today's Prime Minister Zhao. During his years in office, he served as the censor of Jiangnan Road, the minister of the Central Secretariat, and the minister of the Ministry of Rites. He held a high position and power, and was only one step away from becoming a prime minister." Liu Yanzhi's tone was full of admiration for his teacher.

"Then...why did he finally resign and retire?" Zhang Jingwei was puzzled.

Liu Yanzhi's eyes grew darker. "Because he did something... at the time, it was considered an act that defied the will of heaven!"

"Defying Heaven?" Zhang Jingwei's heart sank. "Is this...disobeying the Emperor's order?"

"It's a hundred times worse than disobeying an imperial order." Liu Yanzhi shook his head slowly.

"Could it be... a treason?" Zhang Jingwei's voice was almost inaudible.

Liu Yanzhi looked at him and said word by word, "Rebellion and disobedience are simply acts of defiance against the imperial court and the ruler. But what he did was a direct challenge to... the 'Heaven' that has loomed over the world for thousands of years!"

Zhang Jingwei felt a chill running up his spine. "So... what exactly is going on?"

Liu Yanzhi didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Let me ask you first: Do you respect your parents because you know they are your biological parents, and so you feel you should be filial to them according to the teachings of the sages and moral principles? Or do you do it from the bottom of your heart, because you feel your parents' kindness in raising you is so great, and so you naturally feel from the bottom of your conscience that you should be filial to them?"

Zhang Jingwei was stunned for a moment, then thought for a moment before answering, "Of course it's the latter. Gratitude comes from the heart."

"So, does your filial piety follow the Confucian rites and rituals, or does it follow your own heart?" Liu Yanzhi pressed. "In other words, do you think true filial piety must originate from the heart, or simply from knowledge?"

Zhang Jingwei fell into deeper thought, and after a long pause he hesitated before saying, "I think... 'knowledge' is the principle, and 'heart' is the motivation. The two complement each other and are indispensable. While understanding the principle, one must also be sincere in order to be truly filial."

"Excellent!" A hint of approval flashed in Liu Yanzhi's eyes. "This is one of the core principles of Master Bing's teachings—the unity of knowledge and action! It's not about arguing over whether the 'heart' or the 'knowledge' comes first. It's not about choosing one or the other, but about the integration and unity of the two! This integration lies in the 'heart'! This teaching is therefore called 'the study of the heart'!"

Zhang Jingwei felt as if a new door had been opened, but he was even more confused: "But...what does this profound knowledge have to do with Mr. Bing's resignation?"

Liu Yanzhi sighed, "Master Bing has countless students, many of whom are outstanding talents. You must have heard of several of them. Your father, Zhang Lian; Li Zaizhi, who once served as the Prince's Junior Tutor; and... me."

Zhang Jingwei was shocked again: "Teacher, you... and my father are from the same school?!"

"However, even a large tree has its dead branches." Liu Yanzhi said in a sad tone, "Some of our disciples have gone to extremes. One of them did something... and that was to found the 'Nine Lords Sect'!"

"Jiujun Sect!" Zhang Jingwei cried out in shock, "Teacher! That's a cult!"

Liu Yanzhi's face was bitter. "I know. But I have to tell you that the leader of the Nine Lords, Lord Greedy Wolf, was once my senior."

Zhang Jingwei was struck by lightning, falling into complete silence as his mind rapidly digested this shocking information. Father, mentor, and cult leader... all from the same school?!

Liu Yanzhi looked at him and said slowly, "Now, do you understand the immense influence of Master Bing's teachings, and why they attracted the court's fear and suppression? Learning itself isn't fatal, but the 'heart' and 'actions' nurtured by learning can be earth-shattering."

"My father... he's also a member of the 'famous school'..." Zhang Jingwei muttered, and suddenly a terrible question came to mind, "Did he... did he also establish some... school of thought?"

Liu Yanzhi looked at him with a complicated expression. "He... was deeply involved in the dispute over the succession to the throne. As you know, the previous emperor's nine sons died young... The rumors circulating among the people may not be groundless. He was too radical, so radical that Master Bing was forced to resign and retire to avoid his influence and the destruction of the entire school."

"Impossible!" Zhang Jingwei stood up suddenly, his face pale. "My father...my father is just a fourth-rank official! How could he have such great power? To influence the succession of the crown prince?!"

"You underestimate your father," Liu Yanzhi said gravely. "As an official, he was a capable and capable official; as a scholar, he was a great scholar with unique insights. The core of his philosophy was based on 'heredity' and 'selection of the best,' with the main focus on 'theory of nature.'"

"Theory of nature?" Zhang Jingwei was puzzled.

"In your opinion, perhaps it is 'Man is born good'?" Liu Yanzhi asked.

Zhang Jingwei nodded subconsciously.

"Wrong!" Liu Yanzhi flatly denied. "In your father's view, 'man is born evil!' The best are good, the worst are evil, and mediocrity is also bad! Therefore, we must select the best and nurture them, while we must discard the worst. This is his firm belief in 'theory of human nature'! He believes that only the most outstanding bloodlines and minds are worthy of leading the world!"

Zhang Jingwei stumbled a step and held onto the table to steady himself: "My father...he never mentioned this to me..."

"That's because your words and deeds, your thoughts and ideas, are more inclined towards Master Bing's 'Xinxue', and you have inadvertently followed the path of 'unity of knowledge and action' and 'conscience'. It is incompatible with your father's cold-blooded 'selection of the best and elimination of the worst' theory of nature. He may feel that even if he tells you, you won't understand, or even oppose it." Liu Yanzhi sighed.

"Teacher! Be careful with your words!" Zhang Jingwei felt a surge of fear. These remarks were too outrageous.

Liu Yanzhi, however, seemed to have given up. "Don't forget, Li Zaizhi and I have a close relationship! Many of your behavior patterns, your way of doing things, and even those seemingly unorthodox 'clever and lewd techniques', embody the spirit of 'investigating things to acquire knowledge' and 'seeking truth through practice'. They are very similar to Li Zaizhi's... and this is the essence of Master Bing's 'Xinxue'!"

"Teacher!" Zhang Jingwei's voice was pleading. He felt like he was being drawn into a bottomless vortex.

Liu Yanzhi looked at him with a burning gaze. "I've told you so much today because I feel you've grown up, become more mature, and are now capable of standing on your own. Sooner or later, you too will be thrust into the spotlight, whether it's because of your father's past, your own actions, or your inexplicable background in 'Xinxue'. When that time comes, you must have a clear position of your own. Either find and uphold your own 'manifest nature,' or... truly delve into your heart, discover your 'original heart,' and understand what you truly want to do!"

Zhang Jingwei was shocked and murmured, "Teacher... I..."

Liu Yanzhi's tone slowed, a hint of fatigue and anticipation in his voice. "Just like my teacher Bing Shouren, after returning to his hometown of Yuezhou, he stopped teaching and opening a school. He simply closed his door to visitors and spent his days in deep contemplation, pursuing only one goal: 'sudden enlightenment and sainthood.'"

Zhang Jingwei seized on this and asked the question that had been lingering on his mind: "So, what exactly was that 'unfathomable act' that Mr. Bing committed back then?"

Liu Yanzhi took a deep breath and gazed out the window at the dark night sky, as if he could pierce through time and space, returning to that astonishing moment: "He... tried to 'enlighten' the emperor of that time! He wanted the emperor to 'manifest his appearance' (recognize his own appearance), 'manifest his nature' (insight into his own true nature), 'manifest his heart' (clearly see his true heart)... his thoughts to be clear, his knowledge and action to be one, and he would become a 'sage king' unprecedented in history!"

Zhang Jingwei didn't fully react at first: "That's not... wait!" He paused abruptly. Combined with the previous conversation about the heir and his father's "theory of human nature," a terrifying thought struck him like lightning! "Hiss!" He gasped, his body icy cold. "Is this... enlightenment? Doesn't that mean Your Majesty recognizes that you might not be 'destined'? Even... examine the good and evil within yourself? This... this is shaking the foundation of the divine right of the emperor! This is death..."

Liu Yanzhi nodded gravely. "This is what he did, defying Heaven. He believes that only a 'holy king' with a clear mind and a conscience is worthy of ruling the world, not relying solely on bloodline and destiny."

Zhang Jingwei's voice trembled: "Then... then has Mr. Bing also..." He thought that Bing Shouren was executed for this.

"No," Liu Yanzhi shook his head. "He's still alive and can eat three bowls of rice a day. So he hasn't achieved sainthood yet, and is still a mortal seeking enlightenment."

Zhang Jingwei was stunned. He felt that everything he heard tonight was challenging his cognitive limits. He couldn't help but mutter, "Oh my god...each idea is more bizarre than the last...compared to this, I suddenly think you...are quite normal."

Liu Yanzhi couldn't help but smile upon hearing this, a genuine smile appearing on his face. "My philosophy is about 'education'. To educate and educate people, to influence them subtly. I'll spend my life cultivating people who can truly understand and practice the 'Great Way'. And you, Jingwei, are what I consider to be my most successful 'achievement' so far."

Zhang Jingwei was a little embarrassed: "Teacher's students are all over the world, and there are many talented people. How dare a student monopolize the credit of 'achievements'?"

Liu Yanzhi looked at him affirmatively: "But you are the only one who can make me see the hope of 'the unity of knowledge and action' and have the ability to put it into practice."

Zhang Jingwei suddenly thought of something and frowned, "But teacher, your 'selecting the best and educating the best,' when I think about it, seems... somewhat similar to my dead father's 'survival of the fittest'?"

Liu Yanzhi stroked his beard and said frankly, "After all, we are brothers from the same school. Although our philosophies eventually parted ways, our original roots and pursuit of 'excellence' are still somewhat similar. It's just that the means and goals are completely different."

The flickering candlelight cast the shadows of the master and disciple against the wall, stretching them far out. That night's conversation was like a huge rock dropped into Zhang Jingwei's heart, stirring up waves that would likely take a long time to subside. He seemed to see a vast, intricate web, enveloping himself, his father, his teacher, and even the man he had never met, Mr. Bing.