Chapter 274: Chapter 203: The Truth of the Succession Struggle, Nationwide Shock, A Shift in Reputation, Meeting Wei the Ninth Again

At that moment, everyone was utterly astounded.

The Confucian Scholars across the Great Yan were especially shocked after learning of the new school of thought’s emergence and the detailed contents of Lu and Wang’s Heart Learning.

They had never imagined such a philosophy could exist in the world.

It was as the saying goes: a single conversation with a master is better than ten years of study.

"The mind is the principle" was like a sudden enlightenment. The Saint’s words hung over their heads like sharp swords, admonishing everyone as to the True Words of the great Dao.

The Unity of Knowledge and Action—this single concept sent all the scholars into deep contemplation. Had the Li Xue they so painstakingly pursued truly gone astray?

The names Lu Mingyuan and Chen Ke were now etched into the memories of many.

A large crowd had gathered by the city wall.

"What?! Prince Huai’an is going to be the Crown Prince?"

"Isn’t he the one responsible for letting the Demoness escape?"

"That’s where you’re out of the loop. The Court issued a new notice. He was framed."

"I heard he’s also connected to Lu and Wang’s Heart Learning? It’s even named after him?"

Many Confucian Scholars buzzed with discussion as they read the public notice.

An exquisite and noble sedan chair was parked at the street corner. A servant naturally brought over a rubbing of the public notice and passed it through the curtain.

The Ninth Prince, Lu Yunhuang, glanced at the two pieces of news and asked in his mind:

’Teacher, what do you think of this newly emerged Learning of the Mind? "The mind is the principle," "Unity of Knowledge and Action," and "Attaining the Knowledge of Goodness"—is there any merit to them?’

The ancient voice within him spoke up after studying the three phrases. "Any principle that can defeat Li Xue is a good principle. I detest philosophies like Li Xue the most; they should have died out long ago. This old man was hoping someone would finally deal with that fellow, the Li Sheng. At first, I thought this new school of thought was nothing special, but now it seems to possess some measure of greatness."

The praise in the latter half of his sentence seemed somewhat reluctant.

The speaker, it seemed, did not wish to compliment the Confucian Scholar who had invented the Learning of the Mind.

Lu Yunhuang had not expected that his proud and aloof teacher would praise something in such a way.

"The truly formidable aspect of this Learning of the Mind isn’t its own power, but the impact it can have. That can be described with a single word: greatness."

"Greatness?" Lu Yunhuang did not seem to understand.

"Yes, greatness. What is greatness? Someone who can shatter a mountain with a single punch, slay a million people with one sword strike, or save the people of an entire city—is such a person powerful? Are they great?"

"I suppose so..." Lu Yunhuang nodded.

"Bullshit!"

Lu Yunhuang jumped in fright.

The voice’s owner seemed to be pondering, lecturing. "True greatness is forging a path of peace for ten thousand generations, saving a dynasty from the brink of collapse, rescuing a nation from peril—people like Ren Sheng, who brought fortune to later generations. And this Learning of the Mind, speaking objectively, has opened a sacred path for future Confucian Scholars and expanded the boundaries of the Confucian Dao. It, too, deserves the epithet ’great.’"

"Is it because the Learning of the Mind doesn’t criticize the theory that human nature is inherently evil that you speak well of it, Teacher?" Lu Yunhuang asked tentatively.

"Nonsense!"

Xun Yu cursed and grumbled.

The owner of the voice snorted coldly. "The world says that I, Xun Yu, am wildly ambitious, a great villain who wants to spread the Dragon Slaying Skill throughout a continent, even the entire world. Would I stoop so low over such a small pittance? I was merely reminded of some old memories."

Lu Yunhuang nodded slightly and turned his attention to the second piece of news.

’Teacher, why do you think my Sixth Imperial Brother would refuse the position of Crown Prince?’

Xun Yu sneered. "You believe him? Who wouldn’t want that position? It’s nothing but a false display of etiquette."

"Once the current Holy Emperor makes his decision with golden words and jade pronouncements, the position of Crown Prince cannot be changed, not even by refusal."

"I am more interested in how the Sixth Prince will face Lu Yunqing. Just thinking about it is fascinating," Xun Yu said, his interest piqued.

"Won’t Father Emperor stop their infighting?"

"Stop it?"

Xun Yu laughed. "You’ll soon find out that your Father Emperor is no saint either."

Lu Yunhuang glanced out the window, puzzled. "Are you saying there’s something strange about how quickly the choice for Crown Prince was decided?"

Xun Yu replied meaningfully, "Just you wait. But even you will have to wait many years to understand the key to this scheme. Even Lu Mingyuan, the one at the center of it all, will not know for a very long time—perhaps his entire life—what his Father Emperor truly did back then."

"When the time comes, whether or not you can win the throne will depend on your own abilities."

...

「Imperial Garden.」

Red willows lined the pond and water flowed over the rockeries. The scenery was delightful.

"You’re saying... Yuan’Er refused?"

Emperor Yong’an smiled faintly, his hands clasped behind his back.

Eunuch Yan bowed respectfully. "That is correct. Prince Huai’an said his talents are not equal to the wise, that he is not fit for such a great responsibility, and that he cannot accept the position of Crown Prince."

Emperor Yong’an showed no sign of anger. Instead, he chuckled.

"That is his style. He has always been that kind of person."

"Back during the Demoness case, he chose to enter the Cold Palace voluntarily rather than spend six or seven years in the Border Region. I saw then that my Sixth Son had a mind to lie low. I just never expected events to unfold in such a surprising way. As a candidate, Lu Yunqing was just too disappointing. Yuan’Er is indeed the better choice."

"Since that’s the case, We shall grant him his wish for a virtuous reputation."

"Go once every three days."

"Until he agrees."

As Eunuch Yan bowed, he saw the figure of Yuan Xuangang, who was always by the Holy Emperor’s side discussing important matters.

A wave of emotion washed over him.

Of the two men sitting in the pavilion, one had dedicated himself to Fulong for hundreds of years, while the other had perfected the Emperor’s Heart Skill. He possessed grand strategy and martial prowess, and he had sworn to change the very face of the Celestial Dao.

Having followed His Majesty for so many years, he could truly feel the man’s absolute control over the Great Yan Dynasty.