Ze Tian Ji (Way of Choices)

Chapter 697 – Small Principles

“Every person is born a small person.”

The Pope smiled and gestured with his two hands to show length. “But every person will grow bigger. There are some matters that you can learn as long as you are willing to learn them.”

Chen Changsheng was well-versed in the Daoist Canon and whether it was the path of the sword or any other skill, he had always been able to learn it. His talent and comprehension were both extremely excellent, so just what couldn’t he learn?

Upon hearing the Pope’s words, he very naturally recalled that conversation he had with the Pope in the library on the third day after the coup of the Mausoleum of Books…but the quantity of books in the world was as vast the sea, knowledge as uncountable as the stars. Carpentry, farming, herb growing, tailoring, building courtyards—there were many topics that needed to be learned, so what need was there to learn how to be a great personage?

“What if I don’t want to learn it?” he seriously asked the Pope. “Does this not mean that I am not a good candidate for Pope?”

The Pope smiled and replied, “This sort of inference naturally has its basis, but even if you don’t want to learn right now, you just need to remain quiet for a period of time.”

Without pondering this statement, Chen Changsheng directly displayed his refusal. “I can’t do it, because there won’t be this period of time. Master wants me to truly obey.”

The Pope calmly looked into his eyes and asked, “You are not willing, even if only on the surface?”

In the view of the common people, master and disciple shared the same relationship as father and son. A student obeying his master or teacher was a matter in accordance with the principles of the heavens and earth. Whatever one’s teacher asked the student to do, whether it was to be silent for a few days, tie one’s hands up and wait to be captured, or even suicide on the spot, the student should accept it without hesitation, and only this way would they fulfill their duty as a student.

Chen Changsheng did not think this way.

“Yes, I’m not willing.”

The Pope inquired, “Why?”

Chen Changsheng had never considered this question. It was just that on that night in the Mausoleum of Books, from the moment he saw his master and knew the truth of the matter, he began to have his own way of thinking.

“Perhaps…it’s because Master has done things that I don’t like.”

“In this case, you like the Empress’s way of doing things?”

Chen Changsheng shook his head.

The Pope asked, “Then why did you make that choice?”

The choice he spoke of referred to the dawn of that day when he carried the Tianhai Divine Empress’s body down from the Mausoleum of Books.

It also referred to the sealing of the Orthodox Academy’s gate for several days, its defiance and disrespect of the decree, and even today, the Imperial Court’s inability to control him.

The Pope’s question was also the question asked by countless people in the capital. Eunuch Lin had asked it, as had Su Moyu. Many people had asked him this question.

After coming from Xining Village to the capital, he had always been the successor of the Orthodoxy, at the same time someone who stood opposite to the Tianhai Divine Empress.

There was no affection between him and the Tianhai Divine Empress.

He was not Crown Prince Zhaoming, so he was naturally not her son.

So why?

Chen Changsheng answered, “The Empress was misled by Master into mistaking my identity, causing her to treat me as her son, resulting in all those events on the Mausoleum of Books during that night.”

If she had not changed his fate, perhaps the Divine Empress really might have obtained victory in that coup, or at least kept her life.

The Pope replied, “Since it was a misunderstanding, what she paid was towards your senior brother, and not to you. You do not need to bear this kindness.”

“I understand Martial Uncle’s meaning. But on the Mausoleum of Books, at least for a time, she truly regarded and loved me as a son.”

After a very long period of silence, Chen Changsheng said, “I don’t know who my parents were, but since she once truly regarded me as her son, I will regard her as my mother.”

The Pope sighed and said no more.

Since he treated Tianhai as his mother, he naturally had to send her off.

No one could overcome this principle.

Chen Changsheng continued, “As for Master…since he never regarded me as a disciple from the start, I won’t recognize him as my master.”

The Pope smiled at him. “That’s reasonable.”

After voicing these two statements that he most wanted to say, Chen Changsheng felt thoroughly refreshed and prepared to say goodbye.

The Pope glanced at the sky cut out by the eaves and said, “It’s about to snow, so remember to take an umbrella.”

Chen Changsheng wasn’t very clear as to whether there was any deeper meaning behind these words. He was just concerned that this elder who had deeply cared for him would feel downhearted by his departure.

He said to the Pope, “Martial Uncle, the Li Palace still needs a new master. Does Martial Uncle not think that Principal Mao is very suitable?”

The Pope replied, “If he were suitable, then the matter would be done, and there would be no reason for me to let you leave.”

Chen Changsheng replied, “I am not suitable.”

The Pope gave a faint smile and asked, “How are you not suitable?”

Not even Chen Changsheng’s opponents would be able to give a reason as to why Chen Changsheng was not suitable for inheriting the position of Pope.

He was a member of the legitimate line of the Orthodoxy, well-versed in the Daoist Canon, possessed of incredible talent and even more incredible status, and his temperament was pure, calm and benevolent. He was the best candidate for Pope.

In the past, people could use age to question the decision—he was far too young—but now the south already had a Holy Maiden that was even younger.

“I’m too immature, young and impulsive, liable to delay great undertakings.”

Chen Changsheng looked out at the gloomy sky, thinking about those young and impulsive matters he was about to carry out, and felt somewhat nervous and uneasy.

“These are precisely the reasons I chose you.”

The Pope sighed with emotion, “If you became calm and composed like a piece of wood while in the prime of your youth, at most, you would just become a second me in the future. To the Orthodoxy and the people, what meaning would that have?”

Chen Changsheng understood and earnestly replied, “Then whether or not I remain, I will always strive to cultivate according to Martial Uncle’s requests.”

The Pope knew that he understood his meaning and was very grateful. “If you are leaving the capital, remember to take my baby with you.”

Chen Changsheng followed the Pope’s gaze and realized that he was talking about the Green Leaf.

……

……

Chen Changsheng left the Li Palace.

In a very short amount of time, this news was spread to the entire capital.

The courtyard within the alley of the Northern Military Department was naturally the first place to know.

Zhou Tong sat on the palace armchair, his left hand holding the red clay teapot while his right hand lightly stroked it. Staring at the ground, he expressionlessly asked, “Where did he go?”

The several officials all looked each other in the eyes, and then one reported with uncertainty in his voice, “Three reports have all confirmed that he entered the Wei Estate.”

Zhou Tong raised his head at this report and narrowed his eyes at his subordinates. His voice was slightly sharp as he asked, “The Wei Estate?”

The officials hastily replied, “Your Excellency, there is no mistake.”

Zhou Tong knew his subordinates would not make a mistake.

It was just that for a moment, he had been unable to recall which estate was the Wei Estate.

Moreover, he did not understand—Chen Changsheng had left the Orthodox Academy and gone to the Li Palace, but why hadn’t he come yet to the alley of the Northern Military Department…to kill him?

Just what sort of place was the Wei Estate?

The Department for Purging Officials had no time to respond. All the powers in the capital, the Prince of Xiang, the Prince of Zhongshan, Xu Shiji, and even the Li Palace did not have any time to respond.

Chen Changsheng had already reached the depths of the Wei Estate.

Snow finally began to fall from the sky, slowly covering the lawn.

Just like the face of the patriarch of the Wei Estate, it was very white.

Chen Changsheng looked at this person and said, “Greetings, Lord Wei.”

This Lord Wei’s voice trembled as he said, “Greeting, Principal Chen. What honorable business does Your Eminence have at this official’s home?”

Chen Changsheng’s eyes were very bright, his posture upright, his voice very sincere.

“I’ve come to kill you.”