Chapter Thirty-Seven: Creating Momentum

  Zhu Ziming clasped his fists: "I am Zhu Ziming, I have only read books in the study for a few years, and I don't have a teacher."

  Kong Li's heart skipped a beat: "Zhu Ziming? So you're the son-in-law of the Shen family?"

  The son-in-law of the Shen family, it turned out to be him. Kong Xiaodie hummed a sound, hearing his identity, her heart was delighted for a while, but so what.

  Nowadays, a talented and elegant figure emerged in Lingyun City, helping Chen Juren write the book "Those Things in Yan State" with his strategic mind. On Xianyun Lake, a poem "Mortal's Song" shocked the world, even Lingyun City's number one talent Yun Wanjing was very flattering to him, such fame, how could Kong Li not have heard of it?

  It's just that Zhu Ziming is a world-renowned talent, but he's actually someone else's son-in-law. It's too strange. With such talents, one can enter the imperial court or become a famous scholar, why would they be willing to be a humble son-in-law?

  In the State of Yan, there was once a certain son-in-law who rose to prominence and changed his fate. The people of Lingyun City couldn't help but speculate that Zhu Ziming was infatuated with Miss Shen's beauty and didn't want to leave the Shen family.

  Kong Li sighed and said: "Since Zhu Gongzi has extraordinary talent, has he ever thought of entering the imperial court to become an official?"

  To be an official? Zhu Ziming was taken aback, he had never really thought about it. Having read many history books during his school days, he naturally understood that accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger. Many high-ranking officials seemed to have ended up badly, even good officials could be killed by the emperor's anger, in front of the emperor, human life was as insignificant as an ant, so it was better not to get involved with officialdom.

  Yan Yun's face showed joy, this is a rare good opportunity. Kong Li was the emperor's mentor, and if he recommended someone to the emperor, the emperor would certainly make good use of that person. Zhu brother, you can take a step to reach the sky!

  Wait a minute... Zhu Ziming suddenly woke up and realized that he was the one who came to pull Kong Lao into partnership, but how did it turn out that he was pulled by him to become an official instead? This is completely upside down!

  Zhu Ziming hastily shook his head and said: "I understand Mr. Kong's intention, but I've always liked to be unrestrained since childhood, this officialdom is not suitable for me."

  Kong Li looked at him with a stern expression, even if he said more, it wouldn't change his mind. He sighed and thought that the current imperial court lacked knowledgeable officials like him, who had intelligence and talent, and would surely achieve great things, what a pity...

  "Everyone has their own aspirations, since Zhu Gongzi is not willing to enter the imperial court as an official, I will not force him," a hint of pain and regret flashed in Kong's eyes, hoping that one day this Zhu Dachang would wake up suddenly, as a man how can he be unknown for a lifetime, he should have the heart of loyalty to the country and the king.

  Zhu Ziming has never acted according to common sense, if ordinary people heard Kong Li's recommendation for official position, they would have been excited and fainted, but he directly refused, Yan Yinyi smiled bitterly and was speechless, really didn't know what he was thinking in his heart, did he only recognize silver?

  "Thank you, Mr. Kong," Zhu Ziming said with a smile: "Mr. Kong, since I've already passed the three tests, what do you think..."

  It's up to you, Zhu Ziming really wanted to say this sentence, but still held back, can't be too proud and forget one's place, things haven't been settled yet, offending someone wouldn't be good.

  Kong Xiaodie and Yan Yilian's eyes turned to Kong Li simultaneously, wanting to know what he would say next.

  "Heh heh......" Kong Li stroked his long beard: "Since you've passed the three tests, naturally you can make a request to me. As long as it's not something that goes against your conscience, I'll agree."

  "Remember, it's a request!" Kong Lixue said with a serious expression, deeply afraid that Zhu Ziming would catch his verbal slip again.

  That's enough, Zhu Ziming hasn't been so black-hearted yet. With a sly smile, he said: "My request is naturally not something bad, but rather a great good thing that benefits the country and its people."

  What a wonderful thing? Kong Li was stunned by him, he naturally didn't believe it, and asked: "Please explain clearly, what do you mean by benefiting the country and the people?"

  Zhu brother, just say it clearly. If Mr. Kong knew that... Yan Yilie would be sweating profusely and might not even agree to it.

  "Cough...cough..." Zhu Ziming coughed lightly twice: "A certain academy of mine is about to open, so I hope Mr. Kong can take the position of principal of the academy."

  Dean? Kong Li's eyes were dull and he thought for a long time, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't understand why this young man would let him become the dean. He had once been the emperor's teacher, so afterwards, Kong Li stopped accepting students because those who became his disciples would inevitably become the emperor's junior masters due to their relationship with him. With this connection, Kong Li resolutely refused to accept any more disciples. Now, however, he was being asked to take on the role of dean, which made him feel utterly humiliated.

  Yan Yunli noticed the difficulty in Kong's eyes and naturally knew that this was due to some reason. Mr. Kong had never taught or educated anyone, so letting him be the principal would be too difficult for him.

  "Zhu Gongzi..." Kong Li said with a hint of embarrassment: "Can we change the subject? I'm afraid I won't be able to answer this question."

  Although it's not a bad thing, running an academy is indeed a good deed that benefits the country and its people, but Confucius' identity is special, making it difficult for him to take on this great responsibility.

  "Mr. Kong, you don't need to worry about this," said Zhu Ziming with a smile. "This position of principal only requires your name on it, and you can just come to the academy every day to take a stroll, have some tea, and that's all."

  Hanging a false name...... Kong Li wasn't an old fool, he immediately understood his intention, secretly thinking to himself, it turned out that he was using his own reputation for the college's publicity, what a clever plan!

  Having fulfilled the promise and not losing faith with others, and without violating Mr. Kong's intentions, how could Mr. Kong not agree? Yan Yinxin was overjoyed in her heart, this move of Zhu brother is absolutely brilliant.

  "In that case, I'll agree," Kong Lai said with a smile.

  Little granddaughter Kong Xiaodie showed a sweet and charming smile, staying in this broken courtyard is so boring, finally can go out to play, and also go to the academy to play.

  "Then thank you, Mr. Kong," Zhu Ziming said with a bow: "Three days later, I will hold a publicity ceremony for the academy, and at that time, I will send a carriage to pick up Mr. Kong to attend."

  Publicity stunt? Kong was stunned for a moment, then thought about it for a while and understood the meaning behind it. It's just creating momentum for the academy, this kid's words are really weird.

  Everyone has already passed the three tests, what can Kong Li say? Let him arrange it as he pleases. He nodded: "Everything will be arranged by you, little brother."

  "Well, I'll take my leave now," Zhu Ziming clasped his fists together and followed Yan Yulin out of the small courtyard.

  I thought this elegant young man was Zhu Ziming's follower, but when Kong Lirong looked at him seriously, he felt very familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before, but couldn't remember for a moment.

  "Brother Yan, I'm so hungry I'm about to die, let's go eat something quickly," Zhu Ziming said, hearing the rumbling of his stomach.

  Yan Yinli also looked unhappy: "I'm starving too, the market is not far from here, let's go to the market and have some breakfast."

  "Good!" said Zhu Ziming.

  The two of them first went to the market to eat breakfast before returning home to sleep. Sleeping like this at night, how could they sleep well? They hurried back home and fell asleep on the bed.