An Encounter with Ji Wen at Hongyun Tower

"Brother Huo, Brother Huo, we brothers are discussing the sacred path of the sages! Yet you can ramble all the way to brothels. What gave rise to this miraculous instinct of yours?"

Amid their banter, countless women in the brothels on both sides watched with keen interest. It seemed this group of young scholars would soon become their guests behind the curtains.

But just then, they received a piece of news...

Chen Geng would hold a debate at the Hanlin Academy at noon today!

As soon as the news arrived, everyone turned to Lin Su. "Brother Lin, Jiang Ruyue from the Imperial Examination Hall just had his wings broken today, and Chen Geng of the Hanlin Academy immediately begins a debate. Are these matters connected?"

Indeed. Anyone with even a little sensitivity would make that connection.

Lin Su's smile was unfathomable. "Today, Jiang Ruyue gave everyone a rather poor impression of the literary Dao. Grand Scholar Chen intends to step forward and save the day, so that no one loses faith in Great Cang's literary Dao. He truly has Great Cang's literary Dao at heart, with the heart of a newborn child. Admirable, admirable!"

The crowd looked at one another, all wearing expressions as sour as aching teeth.

Jiang Ruyue had used thirteen consecutive Dao debates to build momentum, traveling all the way from Central Province to the capital. Then you stepped on him and ground him into the mud. Now Chen Geng came in for the relay and stomped him once more...

And you even bestowed upon Chen Geng the praise of "having the literary Dao at heart, with the heart of a newborn child." Do you father and son have no guilty conscience?

Still, Chen Geng's Dao debate at the Hanlin Academy was no ordinary affair. As Great