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1.6% Way of Choices / Chapter 19: The Orthodox Academy's New Student (II)

章 19: The Orthodox Academy's New Student (II)

In the capital, the Orthodoxy, excluding its southern faction, had six Sacred Halls, and amongst them, the Hall of Illustrious Persons was responsible for teaching and nurturing youth. It administered the Heavenly Dao Academy, the General Institute of Cardinals, the School of Deacons, as well as the Orthodox Academy and several dozen other schools. In truth, this place shared the same location as the Great Zhou's education apparatus. Its official name was the Bureau for the Divine Education of Cardinals, but the Imperial Court and the common people called it the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education. The oppressive feeling of divinity and authority melded together, and this combined with respect for teachers meant that this building was always abnormally quiet.

Chen Changsheng stood in the spacious and empty hallway and just so happened to be completely concealed in the shadow of a massive stone pillar. He turned his head to the nearby room and thought of that clerk's reprimands from just now. He thought, as expected of the headquarters of one of the Orthodoxy's Sacred Halls. This building is constructed so well, its soundproofing so perfect, that the people outside didn't hear one bit of our conversation.

There were tens of thousands of students in the capital, all of them managed by the clerks and priests within this building, their matters vast and various. Countless shoes of all shapes and styles walked to and fro across the mirror-like surface of the marble floor, the crowd rushing forth and falling away like the tide. Yet other than the sound of footsteps, it was still very quiet.

Nobody cared about the youth standing in the shadow of the stone pillar, and nobody went up on their own volition to question him. Only after a very long time, when the sun had shifted, the stone pillar's shadow had moved further east from his body, and it was now afternoon, did people finally begin to notice his existence.

Perhaps because the Sacred Hall was about to close for the day, people began to feel somewhat more relaxed. The building became somewhat noisier, ceasing to be as solemn and grave as it was earlier in the day. A burst of whispers could be heard behind Chen Changsheng. Because those voices were all extremely soft, they sounded just like nibbling mice. They made his ears itch and he subconsciously lowered his head somewhat.

"What is that youth standing around there for? It seems that he's been standing there for almost the entire day."

"Oh, you're talking about that guy? At lunch, I heard that he was driven out by Priest Xin…I heard that he came to apply for this year's educational subsidy, and he also wanted to pick some things up?"

"Subsidy? Didn't we finish distributing those in the second month? Don't tell me there's a school that hasn't received one? That's impossible! Given that those school principals are all so arrogant that they have their noses up in the air, if we really did owe them money, how could they have endured it until today? In addition, even if we did owe them, how could they send a student to receive it?"

"Who said that wasn't the case? That's why Priest Xin ignored him and directly kicked him out, yet for some reason, this youth isn't willing to leave."

"Just which school is this guy from?"

"The Orthodox Academy, apparently."

"What?"

"Orthodox Academy."

There was a light clamor, followed by laughter.

"This joke is truly meaningless. No wonder Priest Xin got so angry."

"Who doesn't know that the Orthodox Academy has long since been abandoned? It doesn't have teachers, so where'd this student come from? I reckon that it's one of those initiation activities held by those schools every year. This pitiful guy was picked by one of his senior brothers to come to our place and do some things, take some things, or else he won't be considered as passed."

"Tsk, tsk, the initiation activities of these schools are getting more and more outrageous."

"Indeed, actually daring to play tricks on the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education."

"Hey, just which school do you think this youth is from? This activity is actually quite interesting."

"It should be Star Seizer. That youth has stood there for the entire day but his posture has never changed. Besides Star Seizer, which academy could produce such a student?"

"It doesn't seem that way to me. The military code of Star Seizer is strict. In the past, the most they've done as an initiation activity is sneaking into the City Guard Department and stealing a flying carriage. How could they come to the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education? I believe that it's most likely still the Heavenly Dao Academy. The children in that school are familiar with us and aren't afraid of anything. If they really do stir up trouble, those kids would just randomly ask one of their senior brothers to come over, and would the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education dare not give them face?"

...

...

In the eyes of these clerks and priests of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education, this youth standing in the hallway with his head lowered was probably some pitiable new student from some school, bullied and teased by his seniors. When they spoke, they naturally did not think about hiding from him. Although they spoke in very soft voices, their words still accurately fell in this youth's ears.

Chen Changsheng lowered his head and looked at the floor, watching as his shadow inexorably moved across it, soon to be touching the stone steps. Thinking about how he had wasted half a day, his mood became a little melancholy, but after hearing the conversations, he understood why that person had gotten so angry and refused to let him back into the room.

How could he make the clerk believe that he was the first new student of the Orthodox Academy in so many years? Even if the clerk did believe him, how could he, in the shortest amount of time, obtain from him the key to the library, the directory of the school's staff members, the seal of the school, and the money? He was definitely not willing to waste another day like this for these items.

A bell rang out far away in the direction of the Li Palace, soon after followed by music from the direction of the Mausoleum of Books. Chen Changsheng seemed to think of something, raised his head, and proceeded without hesitation towards the room he had been driven out of before. This sudden action instantly attracted the gazes of many.

He pushed open the door, entered and walked up to the table, saying to the man behind it, "Greetings, I want to pick up the Orthodox Academy's directory, keys, and money."

This person was the Priest Xin brought up in the conversation from before. Seeing Chen Changsheng return, he instantly grew furious. Slamming the table, he scolded, "I told you not to come bother me anymore! And you still dare to say these sorts of words! Perhaps you want me to call someone to give you twenty lashes with the rod and then have you expelled from school?"

Chen Changsheng seriously replied, "Then Sir must first have me become a formal student of a school."

Priest Xin took in a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the anger in his heart. In a cold and gloomy voice, he asked, "Just which school are you from?"

Chen Changsheng replied, "The Orthodox Academy."

As he spoke, his expression was very calm. It said, no matter which direction the wind comes from, I will continue to cling to this cliff. No matter what question you ask, I can keep my expression unchanging and calmly repeat my answer: I am a new student of the Orthodox Academy. Whether you believe it or not, I'm standing right here, and I am.

"Don't speak about the Orthodox Academy or the Heavenly Dao Academy."

Priest Xin felt himself about to go crazy. He icily declared, "Even if you are Prince Chen Liu's own little brother, today, I will have you understand the consequence of disregarding your teachers."

"This is my recommendation letter."

Chen Changsheng took from his bosom a thin sheet of paper and placed it on the table.

Priest Xin had originally planned to scrunch this paper into a ball and then stuff it down this abominable youth's mouth, but from the corner of his eyes, he spotted a rather familiar name. He froze and subconsciously took up the paper. He verified that he had not seen wrongly—this name and handwriting really were quite familiar.

Where had he seen this name and handwriting before?

He wrinkled his brow in deep thought, yet he could not find the answer. Uneasiness stirred in his heart.

In the next moment, he finally remembered.

He truly had not seen the handwriting on this paper before, nor had he seen this name. The reason he found it familiar was that the nameboard of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education and the handwriting on this paper were written in exactly the same way. As for the name, every believer of the Orthodoxy knew of it, but it could not be spoken and could not be written because this name…was already divine.

Afterwards, Priest Xin saw clearly the contents of the dark red seal on the paper.

He felt his legs go soft and faintly twitch. He had a fear of heights, but this was a symptom that would usually appear only when he visited the Moon Hall in the Education Palace.

Priest Xin took a sip of tea, but his hands were shuddering so fiercely that he dropped the tea on the floor.

He gazed at Chen Changsheng, his lips trembling uncontrollably, his voice even more so.

Now he finally believed that Chen Changsheng was a new student of the Orthodox Academy.

Because no person dared to forge that name and handwriting on the paper.

"In fact…Sir never took out this recommendation letter…truly a witty child."

He looked at Chen Changsheng and with great difficulty pushed out a smile. He wanted to pat him on the shoulder as well, but did not dare.

'Sir' and 'child' were two completely mismatched terms, and it was also very difficult to call a child witty.

Chen Changsheng understood why the clerk would so suddenly forget himself. He helplessly explained, "Previously, I was prepared to take it out, but Sir never gave me the chance."

"Sir, please sit. Tea will be served in just a moment. I will go and handle these matters for Sir."

Priest Xin took up the piece of paper, bid him a cordial farewell, then exited without hesitation through the door, after which he began to madly rush through the spacious and solemn hall.

Those gazes that had followed Chen Changsheng did not expect to see this sort of scene, and were all very shocked.

...

...

In the depths of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education, in its largest room, there were many plants. Amongst them, the greatest number were plum blossoms. There were winter plums, water-reflecting plums, twisting plums, golden wine plums…some were in the midst of flowering, others were just beginning to bud, and even more were quietly waiting. It was like all the plum blossoms of the world were in this place.

(TN: 梅 and 梅花 refer to plum blossoms and all the plants mentioned above contain the word 梅.)

Deep behind these plum trees was a massive mural depicting the Heavenly Tomes descending to the earth. In front of the mural was a massive writing desk.

Priest Xin stood in front of the desk, his expression somewhat concerned and his forehead stained with sweat, but it was very obvious that his state was no longer as dire as it was in front of Chen Changsheng. His voice rang out, "The Divine Empress reigns…this lowly servant swears to the heavens, I really did not know…that he could take out this sort of recommendation letter, or else…"

"Or else what? Or else you would not have let this little fellow stand in the hall for half a day?"

A priest walked out from behind the desk. It was difficult to tell his age, but his eyes were gentle and wise. From the look of his gown, he was most likely a cardinal. This signified that he was the most powerful person in all of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education. It was just that from his appearance and the laughter in his words, it was very difficult to realize this point.

"The seal and signature on this letter are all real. The shade of the ink and the style of the signature, and most importantly this paper…haha, His Holiness's words really do make other people directly feel the beauty of this world. I've seen it so many times, but seeing it once more is still a delight. I remember just ten years ago, His Holiness was invited by the Divine Empress to teach the Prince of Xiang's heir and Lady Mo Yu…"

Archbishop of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education, Mei Lisha, gazed at his trusted aide Priest Xin, and then his smile suddenly vanished. He indifferently said, "Very well, there's no need to keep discussing these old matters. This little friend called Chen Changsheng's origins are unimportant, and that he can become the first student of the Orthodox Academy in ten-odd years is also unimportant. What is important is this: what does this matter signify?

"His Holiness intends to reopen the Orthodox Academy?

"If this is true, how should we subordinates accommodate it?

"You must carefully understand all of this.

"Understand its spirit."


章 20: The Orthodox Academy's New Student (III)

Understand whose spirit? The Pope's. What sort of spirit? For that, one would have to think deeply about the Pope's seal and signature, have to touch upon the deepest depths of their soul, and only then would one probably be able to edge somewhat closer to the Pope's spiritual world, vast as the sea of stars.

As Priest Xin left the cardinal's room and thought about those final words, his face was still pale and his mind still uneasy. He had come to many conclusions, but he still found it impossible to decide which was more accurate. Could it be that the Pope really intended to reopen the Orthodox Academy? Why were there no rumors in the capital? Why was this young student chosen for the task? Crucially, as the problem in the Orthodox Academy's history had not been resolved, who dared to touch upon it?

As he walked up to Chen Changsheng, all these thoughts were forced to a conclusion. Thus, he used the time afforded by the dozen or so steps to resolve himself to a plan and push out a fake smile. He then said, "This is the register and key, but you might not be clear on this: although there are still people on the Orthodox Academy's register, it would be very difficult for even us to find them."

Chen Changsheng took the register and flipped through a few pages. He realized that these pages were very old and the vast majority of the names on it were followed by the word 'withdrawn'. He asked, "So what should I do?"

Priest Xin thought, isn't this matter for you to handle? He thought this way, but he would absolutely not say it aloud. He had already made his decision. As long as he did not have to personally cheer on the Orthodox Academy, as long as he was not drawn into the incomprehensible plans of those important figures, he would do everything he could in the scope of his authority: if money was needed, he would give it; if people were needed, he would provide them.

"What do you think…when studying in the Orthodox Academy, what do you need right now?" He looked into Chen Changsheng's eyes as he sounded him out.

Chen Changsheng thought it over, then asked, "Anything is okay?"

"If you want to transfer the teachers of the Heavenly Dao Academy to the Orthodox Academy…I'm afraid that's not okay."

Priest Xin chuckled, but he also knew that there was nothing witty about these words. On the contrary, they seemed rather helpless.

Chen Changsheng replied, "I want people."

Priest Xin's smile faded as he seriously inquired, "How many people?"

Chen Changsheng seriously replied, "Lots of people."

Priest Xin's expression did not change, but his two hands gradually chilled as he thought, could it be that it really was as His Eminence the cardinal speculated, that behind His Holiness the Pope's reopening of the Orthodox Academy…are many secret objectives? Or else why would this young student ask for people, and even a lot of people? If he really does intend on violating some sort of taboo, what should I do?

"Might I ask…what do you need all these people for?"

He stared into Chen Changsheng's eyes as he spoke each word, his expression exceptionally grave. At any moment, he was prepared to refuse and leave.

Chen Changsheng could not sense his tension, and even if he could, he wouldn't have understood it. "The Orthodox Academy is rather large and most of its buildings have been worn down by time and lack of repair. Even if the repairs can go slowly, if I want to study in them, they have to be cleaned. If the manpower is insufficient, it might cause a large delay."

Upon hearing this, Priest Xin exhaled a cold breath. He wasn't scared, it was just that he had not expected this response. Worried that Chen Changsheng would renege, he immediately said, "The intended subsidy will be distributed as soon as possible, and the allocated laborers will also not be lacking. For the time being, I'll send some part-time laborers over– no, I'll personally lead the part-time laborers and send Sir back."

After saying this, he gave Chen Changsheng a hearty pat on the shoulder, humbly took Chen Changsheng by the arm, and walked out with him towards the main hall of the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education. The normally incomparably solemn Priest Xin actually treated this young student with such affection. This sight attracted countless gazes and also naturally attracted quite some discussion.

...

...

"Chen Changsheng really entered the Orthodox Academy?"

"Yes, after Nanny Ning left, he left for the Bureau of Ecclesiastic Education a short time after."

In the study of the Divine General of the East's estate, this simple conversation quickly descended into silence.

With an indifferent expression, Xu Shiji gazed at the somewhat uneasy Nanny Hua and said, "Since it's that party's intention, we don't need to concern ourselves with it for the moment."

On the side, Madam Xu said concernedly, "Why did such a sudden change occur?"

Xu Shiji replied, "I requested her to resolve the problem of Star Seizer Academy, not because I wished to sacrifice such a large favor for that boy, but because I wanted to tell the matter of the engagement to her. This way, the matter could be reported to the Divine Empress. This being the case, whatever she does is only right and proper."

Worry on her face, Madam Xu replied, "The problem is those two lines of Nanny Ning's. She wants the boy to live? Why does the palace care about such a trifling matter?"

Xu Shiji glanced at Nanny Hua.

Nanny Hua lowered her head and softly reported, "Last night, Miss Shuang'er went to the palace. Apparently, the young lady sent a letter."

Madam Xu was rather unhappy at this news. "This child, she doesn't write letters to her parents, but what does she intend by sending letters to outsiders?"

Xu Shiji slightly creased his brow, not wanting to hear such words. "Marriage is a grand event that parents should decide, even the Divine Empress won't dispute that. What are you worried about those things for? Give Lady Mo Yu some face and let that boy live for a moment. If he still refuses to cooperate, it won't be too late to talk about it then."

Madam Xu said, "I'm just afraid that this child really might attain meteoric success in the future and hold some grudge against the estate."

Xu Shiji suddenly chuckled, then, with some deeper meaning, he commented, "Meteoric success?"

Madam Xu was rather frightened by the smile on her husband's face and didn't dare continue to ask. She waved her hand to indicate that Nanny Hua should leave, then whispered, "Prince Chen Liu sent someone over earlier inviting you to a banquet. Are you going or not? Although they say he's quite favored by the Divine Empress, his status is still rather special, so it feels quite inappropriate."

Many years ago, after the final attempt by the Imperial clan to have the Divine Empress step down from the Dragon Throne ended in bloody suppression, all three generations of the Imperial clan were utterly expelled from the capital and placed under house arrest in the various counties and provinces. Only the heir to the Prince of Xiang, Chen Liu, was allowed to remain in the capital due to his youth.

It was also precisely because of his very young age that the Divine Empress permitted him to enter the palace and learn together with the Princess of Ping and Lady Mo Yu, who were both of similar age. The two had lived, drunk, and eaten together, and they had developed deep emotional bonds. He had basically grown up under the Divine Empress's gaze, so the Divine Empress regarded him with extreme favor. Even after he matured, he was not relocated out of the capital, and was even made the prince of a county.

Of course, many people believed the reason the Divine Empress treated Prince Chen Liu so well, besides their many years of closeness and Prince Chen Liu's extremely good reputation in the Imperial Court and amongst the common people, was that whenever the Divine Empress looked at his face, she probably very easily remembered the son that she had killed with her own hands.

Regardless, Prince Chen Liu was still a member of the Imperial clan with royal blood flowing through his body. No one believed that the Divine Empress was completely at ease around him. For Xu Shiji, as the Divine General of the East highly regarded by the Divine Empress, attending such a feast was truly rather improper.

Xu Shiji fell silent at Madam Xu's words, then after a while, he said, "I might as well. The prince has relayed his good will over and over, and if I were to use my identity as an excuse again, the prince will be displeased. The palace might also not judge me too much over this, and a minister that's too modest and unfeeling is not necessarily a good minister. Moreover, the Divine Empress's mind is like a bright mirror. She knows that Prince Chen Liu only wants to use me to develop a connection with the Qiushan clan so as to better take care of the Prince of Xiang, who has lived out many years of suffering in the south. This matter is one of filial piety, and the Divine Empress's bosom is like the ocean, so how can she mind? In addition, the Prince of Xiang has been well-behaved for a very long time, so even the Divine Empress recalling him to the capital would be very normal."

Madam Xu said nothing, but she couldn't help but get a little nervous. She knew more than anyone else Xu Shiji's personality. He was normally a man of few words, but now he was giving so many words of explanation. It was naturally not for her to hear, so then who was it for? It could only be said that even he found it impossible to know whether this explanation of his had any meaning or not.

But even though this was the case, he was still attending Prince Chen Liu's banquet. What did this mean?

After he finished his explanation, Xu Shiji creased his brow. He also felt that there was something off with his performance. He calmed his mind somewhat and then smiled at Madam Xu, saying, "You also shouldn't worry yourself too much…it's impossible for that boy to have any sort of future prospects. When Lady Mo Yu allowed him to enter the Orthodox Academy, this had always been her intention."

The name of the Orthodox Academy seemed very extraordinary. To be able to use the Orthodoxy as a prefix, there was no way it could be lacking when compared to the Heavenly Dao Academy or Star Seizer Academy. In truth, over the past several centuries and even further back in history, the Orthodox Academy had truly always been the capital's best and most difficult-to-get-into school.

But now, the Orthodox Academy had long since withered away like the autumn grass. It was forgotten by all and had no status within the Orthodoxy whatsoever. It was fine if it just continued to noiselessly persist as it had in years past, but if the slightest peep came out of it, it would attract boundless humiliation, or else why would those teachers and students scatter in such a short span of time?

To learn how the Orthodox Academy had transformed into its present condition, one would have to speak of that matter from ten-odd years ago. At the time, the Principal of the Orthodox Academy was concurrently an archbishop of the Orthodox Academy and the Pope's own senior brother. Within the Orthodoxy, his status was only second to the Pope and he was revered by all. Even the Holy Maiden of the south was beneath him. It could be said that this was one of the greatest exceptions in all the history of the Orthodoxy.

According to reason, with the status that the Principal of the Orthodox Academy had, he should have been very content. However, the minds of men are like the many stars in the night sky, difficult to count clearly and thus impossible to understand. The Principal of the Orthodox Academy wished to obtain the seat of the Pope, but he did not receive the Divine Empress's support. He went so far as to collaborate with the remaining members of the Imperial clan to overthrow the Divine Empress. In the end, they suffered a crushing defeat in a single night, with the Principal of the Orthodox Academy personally crushed into ashes by the Pope. And the Orthodox Academy which had served as his firmest support was naturally washed in blood.

After that night, there were people that attempted to return the Orthodox Academy to its former glory, but under the attentive gazes of the Divine Empress and the present Pope, these two pinnacles of the human world, no student of the Orthodox Academy could have any sort of future prospects. Thus, in the span of two years, the Orthodox Academy found it impossible to enroll any more students and the teachers naturally departed.

Just like that, the Orthodox Academy of boundless glory became a gloomy graveyard.

Until finally, ten-odd years later, the Orthodox Academy once more welcomed a new student.

This new student was called Chen Changsheng.

"Entering a school?"

"No, this is an exile."

"A new student?"

(TN: The word for 'new student', 新生, also means 'rebirth' or 'new life'.)

"No, this is an abyss that he will never be able to climb out of."

Xu Shiji emotionlessly made his conclusion.


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