Master Dong's Predicament

"Master Dong is truly heartbroken; it's no small feat to have gone to such lengths!"

As Zhang Xuezhou walked, he would occasionally cover his face with his sleeve, and then let out a couple of empty howls as a show, but Dong Zhongshu wept and vomited blood, and finally fell into a coma.

He felt he couldn't emulate Dong Zhongshu's True Intention.

Even when he was merely putting on an act in official circles, this was an effect he could hardly pull off.

"I feel that Master Dong was more likely injured during a magical duel," Rong Tianding corrected.

"His injuries have barely been suppressed, how could he possibly fight someone?" Zhang Xuezhou asked in surprise.

After going through countless hardships and spending more than a year, Dong Zhongshu finally found Li Guang to temporarily resolve his physical ailments.

This experience was so difficult that Zhang Xuezhou felt that Dong Zhongshu would never engage in a battle of wits unless he was desperate.

"Then I don't know. You know, there are some things that Master Dong can't just say he won't do, and others will agree to let him not do them," Rong Tianding said.

"What you said makes a lot of sense!"

Dong Zhongshu collapsed unconscious and was placed on a carriage. A physician went to check on him, so Zhang Xuezhou didn't need to worry about Dong Zhongshu's safety.

He watched the spectacle for a long time, until the prison cart creaked away and many officials began to return to Chang'an City. Only then did Zhang Xuezhou find a relatively inexpensive inn near the West Market.

Zhang Xuezhou wasn't worried about Wei Shao'er not being able to find him if she had another massive hemorrhage, since he no longer had soldiers to treat her, and he usually ran a stall in the West Market.

"But I'll probably be sleeping for twelve days straight. Let's do as little as possible and avoid trouble during this time," Zhang Xuezhou instructed.

Don't worry, cousin, I'll take care of you every day and make sure no one touches you!

Zhang Xuezhou had a tough time lately, but he cleared away the bad luck under the cauldron and somehow felt light and free, no longer worried about the many things he encountered in reality.

With his perspective shifted, Zhang Xuezhou not only pursued life goals but also began to explore the meaning of life.

He longs to delve into something profound, rather than just running around the world.

Zhang Xuezhou did not want to live a mechanical life like the mediocre, only to realize at the end of his life that he had been mediocre and had never done anything truly meaningful.

Zhang Xuezhou did not delve into genetics; he simply enjoyed the technological conveniences that genes bring.

Zhang Xuezhou also did not pursue a formal career in psychology.

Zhang Xuezhou's attempt to explore the meaning of his life is not closely related to his studies; rather, it is linked to Ren Anran's pseudo-psychology.

This led him to seek the integration of 'technique' into this world, while simultaneously pursuing the development of realms and techniques in reality.

"Given the severity of the imperial court's crackdown on the various factions, those families that have been targeted in the past can forget about rising again in the Han Kingdom!"

Zhang Xuezhou considered the arrogance of various schools of thought and the court's eradication of certain schools, and felt that he could not openly use the methods of the Fuxi Physiognomy School.

However, Zhang Xuezhou felt that he could develop a new school of thought by incorporating some elements from reality.

Just like the alternative Confucian School pursued by Dong Zhongshu, he could also pursue an alternative school of physiognomy, an alternative Yin-Yang School of Yin and Yang, or an alternative school of the Corpse-like scholars.

He could even collaborate with Dong Zhongshu or learn from Dong Zhongshu.

Within the limits permitted by the imperial court, Zhang Xuezhou also wanted to make the most of all his knowledge.

If he cannot make good use of what he has learned, Zhang Xuezhou will only have fossilization techniques left to rely on, besides getting beaten up.

He gave instructions to Rong Tianding and borrowed the small meat-cooking pot from the guesthouse to slowly simmer the Peiyuan paste. While arranging many things for the next period of time, Zhang Xuezhou also kept sorting out his own ideas and summarizing what he had thought about in the past few days.

After summarizing, the next step is execution.

Just as Zhang Xuezhou needed to adapt to modern society, he also needed to adapt to the rules of the Han Dynasty.

As he continued to develop himself, he also hoped to ride the wave of the new emperor's ascension to the throne and enjoy the blessings as the new emperor's imperial fortune continued to grow.

"I wonder if there's a similar principle of fortune for officials in our real world, and whether it can be applied to my two versions of myself!"

Zhang Xuezhou pondered the peculiarities of this world, and then considered the situation in reality.

"Does it mean I have to join the sequence committee?"

In reality, civil servants are implementers and do not have autonomy over major matters; this system is clearly entirely different from that of the world in which they live.

The real power belongs to the large Lineage, especially the members of the sequence committee.

However, the standards for joining the Sequence Committee are extremely high.

"I need to transition from an advanced student to a teaching assistant, then a mentor, then an associate professor, then a professor, and finally my Lineage needs to gain a leading position in certain important industries!"

Besides continuously improving one's personal abilities, gaining a share of the pie in the Scarlet Alliance State also involves scientific research contributions and economic power.

Only those who excel in numerous areas can secure a place on the sequence committee.

Zhang Xuezhou thought about the long road ahead for development in the Scarlet Alliance State and couldn't help but realize that it wasn't just class that was difficult to overcome; for ordinary people, reaching the top was almost impossible.

Although Zuo Quan and Zuo Jin may not seem very ambitious, their current positions represent an ultimate goal that countless people struggle to reach in their entire lives.

"Unfortunately, there's no point in developing in the Thousand Islands Alliance!"

Through a combination of coincidence and religious fervor, Ren Yisheng and Ren Anran nearly ascended to the top of the Tuer ethnic group's power in just a few days.

However, according to the theory of 'luck', where one is born involves corresponding destiny and also requires development in the corresponding region.

For example, Zhang Xuezhou was Han Kingdom. He could receive the protection of the court's fortune if he developed his career in the Han Dynasty, but it would be of no use for him to become a minor leader in the Xiong State. Instead, he would be despised by the Han people as a lackey.

Based on his current knowledge and experience, Zhang Xuezhou continuously analyzed and judged the situation.

He ultimately decided to take it one step at a time; after all, there was nothing wrong with giving it a try, and if it brought any gains, he wouldn't feel like he had lost out.

Moreover, it is human nature to constantly strive for advancement, and this is a path that he is bound to take.

"My cousin is a skilled healer and alchemist, so why can't he heal himself?"

After another day of fruitless hawking in the West Market, Zhang Xuezhou closed his stall.

Looking at Zhang Xuezhou lying motionless on the bed, Rong Tianding couldn't help but sigh deeply.

It's impossible for a normal person to be like Zhang Xuezhou, and when I first met Zhang Xuezhou, Zhang Xuezhou condition wasn't like this either.

Seeing that Zhang Xuezhou's condition was getting worse and worse, Rong Tianding could only ask the "Grave Classic" for more help.

"Master?"

As night was falling, Rong Tianding heard a knock at the door.

When he pushed the sliding door open a crack, he saw Dong Zhongshu behind it.

This surprised him, and he quickly pulled the door open.

"He's daydreaming again? There seems to be something wrong with his timing; why is it a few days earlier than usual?"

Dong Zhongshu was pale and covered his mouth with a white cloth.

He coughed several times in succession.

After regaining consciousness, he sought help from Zhang Xuezhou but found no one there. He couldn't help but feel that he needed to get some medicine to brew and drink.

Do you have any money left to lend me to buy medicine?

Thinking of his empty sleeves, Dong Zhongshu couldn't help but ask Rong Tianding in a low voice.

This left Rong Tianding speechless, unsure of what to say.