After Ye Yongjia heard this, he only smiled and said nothing, and then asked him: "In your opinion, how far does it take to back down?"
"Sorry, he is your teacher after all. I really shouldn't have embarrassed you by saying this." Xia Yuanlong leaned forward and replied.
"This has nothing to do with his identity, I'm just asking you." Ye Yongjia looked directly at him.
Xia Yuanlong immediately stopped smiling and looked serious: "Xia believes that anyone who dares not face difficulties and is hesitant is regarded as a coward, and these people are not worthy of discussion."
"They are not plants and trees, but living people. They have their own joys, sorrows and joys, which is normal. Mr. Wei is the first person in the world to call out the New Deal. Even if he has no credit, he still has hard work, right? Of course, He has certain flaws, but you should think clearly about who gave people hope in the first place."
Xia Yuanlong disagreed and sneered: "People can't always live in the past. Reform only talks about righteousness, not affection."
"Then this so-called 'great righteousness' is just to hold other people's fate hostage in order to leave a name in history? If so, I would rather it fail." Ye Yongjia's tone was as cold as the cold wind.
Xia Yuanlong didn't expect that he would retort so ruthlessly. He was stunned for a moment, and then laughed lightly: "I don't expect to leave a name in history. Maybe some people in the alliance think so, or even do it, but just Regarding my personal words and deeds, I have a clear conscience.”
When Ye Yongjia saw that his views were not in agreement with him, he turned back to look at Yang Zhong, stood up and saluted, saying: "What Mr. A righteous man in prison. It’s getting late, so I have to go find out the situation first and get this matter done as soon as possible.”
"Then I won't waste your time and take my leave." Xia Yuanlong returned the gift, waved his sleeves and left angrily.
After that, Ye Yongjiaguo went to the prison to visit the arrested people, as well as the two counselors Bai and Meng. When he learned that his charges were nothing more than "promoting heresy" and there was no conclusive reason, he wrote a letter to plead guilty and plead guilty. Heshun immediately released the arrested prisoners to calm the people.
Wan Heshun was really worried when he saw the letter. After all, he was just arresting people to scare the monkeys and show his authority to the people. The charges were imposed by force, but there was no evidence at all. Now Ye Yongjia was pleading hard, but he didn't have the confidence to refuse, so he felt troubled.
When Hu Qi heard the news at the Ministry of Personnel, he hurriedly took a sedan chair to Wanfu and offered his advice in person: "I consulted the clerk's office and others about this matter, and they all said, 'Since Ye Yongjia can't be offended, I will write this memorial to you. Talk to Wei Huai and ask him to send someone to the palace to discuss the release of the people. If they are forced to make peace, even Ye Yongjia will have nothing to do.' His words are quite understandable."
Wan Heshun clapped his hands together and grinned widely: "You officials are still good at playing tricks! However, I have a way to get rid of all this verbosity once and for all."
"May I ask...what's the plan?"
"Since we want to discuss it, let's have a good discussion with them," Wan Heshun snapped his fingers. "In this meeting, the future of the academy will be directly decided."
After Ye Yongjia received this order, he immediately broke into a cold sweat. He didn't expect that Wan Heshun could bypass his own obstacle and directly attack the academy's weak points. He knew that no matter what, Wei Huai had to go to decide on such important matters as whether the Literary League should be disbanded and whether the academy should be abandoned. He was obviously not at ease with himself as a teacher - Wei Huai looked disheartened and despaired of the current situation. At this point, he had nothing to say, so he had no choice but to take the envoy sent by Wanjun Wang to the academy to read out the official document and urge Wei Huai to enter the palace to discuss the matter.
At the same time, in the old palace in Nanjing, the officials were ready. They all crowded into the meeting hall, and Wan Heshun directed the order and quickly arranged their respective positions. All the officials, big and small, sat on the benches on both sides, leaving only a large open space in the middle, where a red nanmu table was placed with three chairs: the one on the left was for Wan Heshun, and the one on the right was for Hu Qi. Sit down, the one in the middle is reserved for Wei Huai. Everyone suppressed their voices and deliberately maintained a sacred silence. At this time, even a low cough could spread throughout the hall. The sergeant guarding the gate stood up straight, his eyes wide. Everything seemed to be announcing in a solemn ceremony that this would be the final battle.
"Guozijian offers wine to Wei Huai, and everyone in the academy he leads, listen to the order." The envoy took out the official document from his sleeve.
"I will obey the order." Wei Huai and Xia Yuanlong stood at the front, bowing their heads with everyone behind them.
"The king of the county thinks that the person arrested in prison is a scholar in your academy. Now he talks about the New Deal under the guise of heresy, causing the people of Nanjing to be deeply poisoned. Everyone in the Jianghuai River and Huaihe River is looking at the academy for rebellion. It can be said that people and gods are angry. Although I know that there are some reasons for offering wine. The desire to serve the country must not violate the emperor's constitution or pursue illegal methods. If you have any objections, you can go to the palace to discuss it. If you are not convinced, don't blame us for imitating Suzhou and Zhenjiang and destroying your academy. It will be as easy as the palm of your hand! "
Wei Huai was shocked. He did not expect that the government's ultimatum would be issued at this time. He hesitated for a long time before replying hesitantly: "Yes..."
"I am also a reasonable person. Mr. Ye, you are responsible for sending them there. I will go back to deliver the mission and say goodbye." The messenger said and left in a hurry.
"His tone is too loud!"
"This... you simply don't take my academy seriously!"
Everyone was talking and scolding, their faces were red and their ears were red, and they were noisy.
Xia Yuanlong glanced at Wei Huai coldly and remained silent.
"Everyone!" Wei Huai coughed twice and looked at everyone melancholy. The sharp light could no longer be seen in his eyes. "I think the academy has reached such a state because of Wei's lack of ability. Now we are facing a great crisis. , I can't back down...but I want to resign as the dean after I come back. I feel a little tired..."
"Wei Huai!" Xia Yuanlong suddenly raised his head and roared at Wei Huai, frightening Ye Yongjia.
"Are you worthy of being a human being? The people are looking forward to you, but you are trying every possible means to get out of this trap and live a comfortable life on your own! I don't want to say it again, you are a coward!"
"I have been working hard to do the New Deal, but there are always doubts in front of me and behind me. They say that I have forgotten my original intention and passed away after being beaten. You also say that I am a coward?" Wei Huai's teeth trembled. He said, "If I don't resign, you say I'm not worthy of being the dean! Anyway, push me out and make me a perfect person, asking me to do this and that without making any mistakes. Once I make a mistake, You all know that such a person does not exist!"
Xia Yuanlong looked at his rage and said lightly: "I won't be with a villain like you who talks a lot of excuses... From today on, the two of us will never have any friendship."
