Chapter 398: A Chilly Welcome on the First Day (Part 2)

Today was the day for the newly appointed jinshi to take up their positions at the Hanlin Academy. Li Mo, Minister of Personnel and concurrently a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, had arrived early, awaiting the induction of the fresh scholars.

In truth, Li Mo seldom came to the Academy. After all, as Minister of Personnel, his responsibilities at the Ministry were far weightier and more pressing. In Li Mo’s mind, the Ministry’s affairs were more critical, and it was here that he held the first line of defense against the faction of Yan Song. Yan Song controlled the Grand Secretariat, his son Yan Shifan dominated the Ministry of Works, and along with allies like Zhao Wenhua and Yan Maoqing, the Yan faction almost ruled unchecked—selling offices for bribes, manipulating state affairs, expanding their circle of followers, turning the court into a cesspool of corruption. Li Mo despised it all, despised it to the bone. Fortunately, as Minister of Personnel, he had authority over appointments within the Ministry, preventing Yan Song’s faction from planting their minions freely.

What Li Mo despised most of all was the faction’s ability to place their pawns wherever they pleased, turning a once-proper court into a mess of smoke and filth.

When Li Mo caught sight of Zhu Ping’an, memories flashed unbidden of the scene in the Golden Hall—Yan Song and Zhu Ping’an laughing together, completely at ease.

The claws of the Yan faction had even reached the Hanlin Academy! How could this be tolerated? What could not be tolerated?

Though the top scholar’s assignment to the Academy technically had nothing to do with Yan Song, Li Mo had every reason to suspect that Zhu Ping’an’s jinshi success was orchestrated by him. He had spent so long guarding against Ouyang Zishi, only to have Zhu Ping’an suddenly appear out of nowhere! A feint here, a secret maneuver there—Yan Song, that old fox, truly was cunning beyond measure.

But as long as Li Mo stood, Zhu Ping’an had better not get too comfortable.

Li Mo’s thoughts were as turbulent as storm clouds, and naturally, he could not bear to treat Zhu Ping’an kindly. Yet Zhang Siwei, fortunately, was spared the harshest of judgments; Li Mo was not so unreasonable as to strike everyone down indiscriminately.

In Li Mo’s eyes, Zhu Ping’an belonged to the Yan faction, but Zhang Siwei did not. Zhang’s maternal uncle, Wang Chonggu, had previously sent Li Mo a letter, requesting he keep an eye on Zhang. Li Mo still held considerable respect for Wang Chonggu, the current Provincial Treasurer of Henan.

“Zi Hou, take good care of yourself,” he murmured in thought.

Zhang Siwei could only exchange a helpless, “Take care of yourself” glance with Zhu Ping’an before being led away to familiarize himself with the new offices.

“Student Zhu Ping’an greets the esteemed scholar,” Zhu Ping’an said, bowing fully in accordance with etiquette, his voice calm but respectful.

“Do you think that merely becoming the top scholar makes you extraordinary?” Li Mo’s face hardened into a mask of authority as he fixed Zhu Ping’an with a piercing gaze. “Do you think that being admitted to the Hanlin Academy means you can consider yourself destined to be a prime minister?”

“I have not, sir,” Zhu Ping’an replied, shaking his head, inwardly suppressing a sigh. Actually, he had always admired Li Mo among the ministers of the Ming dynasty.

Yet here he was, immediately receiving such a sharp rebuke upon entering—he could not help but feel a flush of frustration.

“Not so?” Li Mo’s lips curled into a cold, derisive smile. He lifted his scholarly authority like a sword. “Do you know that among all the newly appointed Hanlin scholars today, you arrived last? Young people achieve a little and think they can soar. Do you not know that learning is like rowing upstream—if you do not advance, you retreat? That the heart, like a horse on an open plain, is easy to let wander but hard to rein in?

Or perhaps you think that your little cleverness can earn you a shortcut?” Li Mo’s eyes gleamed with sarcasm, implying that Zhu Ping’an might be trying to rely on connections, seeking favor with Yan Song to climb the ranks.

“I have not, sir,” Zhu Ping’an replied again, standing tall, his face open and honest.

“Not so?” Li Mo’s face darkened almost to the point of turning blue, vexed at Zhu Ping’an’s obstinacy. “Young man, do not dream of shortcuts, do not rely on clever tricks. Understand this: seeking help from others is never as effective as relying on yourself. A man is born under heaven to grow into a towering tree, not a vine climbing someone else’s trunk. Otherwise, however high you climb, in the end, you will be unable to straighten your own back!”

Uh… you make a valid point, but I really haven’t taken any shortcuts, Zhu Ping’an thought, exasperated.

“Thank you for your guidance, esteemed scholar. I shall keep your words in mind,” he said, bowing respectfully.

Li Mo’s eyes stayed locked on him. The more respectful and compliant Zhu Ping’an appeared, the more irritated he grew. This little Yan-faction scholar could endure! Just like during the rule of Xia Yan and Xia Fu! Such people were the most dangerous—and the most infuriating.

“You have much more to keep in mind!” Li Mo snorted coldly, launching into a rigorous lecture. “I see that you are young and have already topped the exams. I know you are clever. But sometimes, cleverness can backfire. History is full of clever men. Was Zhao Gao clever? Liang Ji clever? Li Linfu clever? Qin Hui clever?”

Zhu Ping’an froze. Zhao Gao, Liang Ji, Li Linfu, Qin Hui… all infamous traitors and villains in history! Was Li Mo seriously comparing him to them? I have no trace of a villainous heart at all! Zhu Ping’an was completely dumbfounded, utterly unprepared for such a ‘high opinion’ of him.

“Zhao Gao became chancellor and called deer horses; Liang Ji dominated court affairs for twenty years; Li Linfu served as prime minister for nineteen years, corrupting laws and order, ultimately leading to the An Shi Rebellion; Qin Hui… well, his misdeeds are notorious. As you see, history has no shortage of clever men—but cleverness alone can bring ruin.”

As Li Mo spoke of men who brought disaster upon the nation, spittle flicked from his mouth, landing on Zhu Ping’an’s face.

Although Li Mo did not call him out by name, Zhu Ping’an clearly understood that he was being criticized. Who could have imagined that the esteemed historical figure Li Mo, after a single conversation between himself and Yan Song at the Golden Hall, would harbor such a deep grudge against him?

A misunderstanding? Then it must be clarified. Being misjudged by one’s direct superior is never a good thing, Zhu Ping’an thought, wiping his face.

“Esteemed scholar, actually, I and Lord Yan…” Zhu Ping’an began, only to be cut off.

“Lord Yan?!”

You little brat dare to use Yan Song to threaten me! I am not afraid of Yan Song!

“That is enough! I do not care who you are, how clever, or who backs you. If you serve in the Hanlin Academy, you must first learn to be a proper man! The smarter and more capable a man, the more he must understand propriety. Without this, he will only bring harm. Only by mastering the art of being a man can one serve in office. Keep in your heart the duty to act for the country and the people. Do not stoop to trivial schemes, do not entertain illicit thoughts, do not form factions for private gain, and never silence your conscience to commit wrongdoing!”

Zhu Ping’an had been better off keeping silent. But as soon as he spoke, the words ‘Lord Yan’ were caught by Li Mo’s sharp ears. Misinterpreting it as an attempt to intimidate him through Yan Song, Li Mo’s anger surged, veins standing out on his forehead as he practically shouted in Zhu Ping’an’s face.

“In my Hanlin Academy, remember this first and foremost: be a man before being an official! Otherwise, I will show no mercy, no matter who supports you. Now go!”

Having vented his fury, Li Mo waved him off, letting Zhu Ping’an proceed, his stern gaze finally releasing its hold.