The disgraced official I took care of was actually Zhu Houcong's childhood friend.

Chapter 270

They know that those in lower positions have something to ask for, but they enjoy this attitude of those in lower positions, because it makes them feel the meaning of being in power.

In the process of currying favor with superiors, subordinates often deliberately make themselves look ugly in order to win their favor.

Soon, Chen Wanyan arrived at the entrance of Zuixianlou in a sedan chair. The first thing he saw after lifting the curtain was Li Zhaofan's comical appearance, which greatly satisfied Chen Wanyan, who had always been looked down upon.

"Sir, please watch your step."

Upon seeing Chen Wanyan, Li Zhaofan eagerly trotted over, his posture becoming increasingly comical. Reaching the sedan chair, he reached out and took Chen Wanyan's hand, carefully helping him down from the chair.

"You're pretty good at getting things done."

Li Zhaofan's every move brought Chen Wanyan immense satisfaction, and only then did Chen Wanyan truly appreciate the wonder of power.

"It is only right for me to serve you, sir."

Li Zhaofan said solicitously.

"Ah."

Chen Wanyan nodded insincerely. Although he had been in the capital for nearly a year, he had no air of authority. Now, he was trying to act like a big shot, which was just like a monkey wearing a crown, making him look extremely ridiculous.

But because no one dared to remind him, Chen Wanyan was unaware of it and thought he had acted very confidently, so he walked towards Zuixianlou with satisfaction.

Inside the No. 1 private room, Zhou Chu and Yang Shen raised their glasses to drink together. There weren't many people that Yang Shen considered close friends, and Zhou Chu was one of them.

Yang Shen used to live a life of immense inner conflict and suffering. He despised his father, Yang Tinghe, yet he had no choice but to help his father, whether intentionally or unintentionally, for the sake of the family's interests. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him an accomplice to evil.

Since receiving guidance from Zhou Chu, the dark clouds over Yang Shen's head were instantly cleared, and he saw the path he wanted to take. From then on, he was no longer confused or in pain. In the past year or so, Yang Shen had never felt so happy.

Whenever Yang Shen vehemently denounced Yang Yiqing and others in the imperial court, he felt thoroughly refreshed and clear-headed, unlike before when his actions and thoughts were contradictory and conflicted.

Yang Shen also greatly admired Wang Yangming's philosophy of mind. Although there was no formal master-disciple relationship between Yang Shen and Wang Yangming, there was a real one. Yang Shen originally planned to become Wang Yangming's disciple when he met him again, but unexpectedly, Wang Yangming went back to his hometown to observe mourning for his parents.

"Since I learned this philosophy of mind, I have no more doubts. I just want to see Master Yangming again, but I don't know when that will be."

Yang Shen said with some regret.

“Mr. Sheng’an, there is no need to feel regretful. Although Mr. Yangming is in mourning, he will not be idle. I have asked you to set up an academy in his hometown. The academy is still under construction, and I think it will be able to officially enroll students soon.”

Zhou Chu smiled.

Yang Shen's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

"Does Hengqi have other plans in mind when he established this academy?"

Yang Shen knew Zhou Chu quite well. Despite his youth, Zhou Hengqi was a man who thought ten steps ahead before taking a single step, and he would never do something that seemed simple.

"That's natural. Speaking of which, my decision to establish this academy wasn't exactly friendly to you, Mr. Sheng'an. My academy teaches a wide variety of subjects, including numerology, astronomy, geography, water management, and the well-being of the people. It covers everything, including Confucianism."

Zhou Chu took a sip of wine and said.

Upon hearing this, Yang Shen was not angry at all; on the contrary, his interest grew even higher.

“The talents your academy produces are truly capable of saving the world and bringing peace to the people. However, if you were to actually do that, you might offend all the scholars in the world.”

Yang Shen spoke these words with a worried expression.

"I've already offended enough people, so I don't care about offending a few more."

Zhou Chu had no concept of the Dao.

Just as the two were having a pleasant conversation, Sun Qiang walked in with a look of anxiety on his face.

"what happened?"

Zhou Chu knew Sun Qiang well; his cousin was always well-mannered and rarely acted so rudely.

"My lords, Lord Chen Wanyan next door is making a scene. He insists on eating some kind of dragon meat that flies in the sky. I really don't know what to do."

Sun Qiang said helplessly.

Sun Qiang would have plenty of ways to deal with other people, but Chen Wanyan's identity is special, and he really doesn't know how to handle the situation. Moreover, Zhou Chu is at Zuixianlou right now, so it's the right thing to do to let Zhou Chu make the decision.

Zhou and Chu exchanged a glance upon hearing this.

"A monkey is still a monkey; it will never become a human. Its jumping around only makes it look ridiculous."

Zhou Chu smiled.