Betting on the Hundred Schools

Li Shun fell silent, without a trace of joy on his face. He had already begun to discern a deeper meaning.

Perhaps Dong Chunqiu's faction had sensed that Fang Xun was faltering and could not hold on, so they had changed course and turned to supporting Li Shun instead. After all, compared with Fang Xun, who came from an ordinary scholarly family, Li Shun's status as an "imperial kinsman" carried far more weight.

Kong Zhao seemed to see through Li Shun's thoughts. "Things may not be as dire as you think," he said gently. "Perhaps Uncle Fang can weather this trial by his own strength. Then the seas will be wide for fish to leap and the skies high for birds to soar. One of you will lead in the court, while the other governs the people in the provinces. Only then will you master and disciple truly have boundless prospects."

Li Shun did not lose himself in the grand future Kong Zhao painted. He merely nodded.

By tacit agreement, they left the matter there, and Li Shun turned to the details of his temporary appointment as acting magistrate of Shangyu County.

"Senior Brother Kong, how long will I serve as acting magistrate?"

Kong Zhao smiled and held up three fingers. "Neither too long nor too short. If it drags on, you'll lack a proper claim to the post. It would go against protocol, and rival factions would inevitably accuse us of favoritism. But if it's too brief, you'll leave before your seat is warm, and the appointment may fail to bridge the gap."

He paused, watching Li Shun's thoughtful expression, then continued, "So after discussing it, our elders settled on a compromise. You need only serve for three months."

"Shangyu County may not be a strategic district near the