Chapter Ninety-Nine: Shen Hongcai Suspended

"Master Shen has been suspended!"

This news spread through the Imperial Academy like a wildfire, causing a massive uproar among all the students. The academy had acted swiftly; no sooner had Master Shen finished his final lecture for all his classes than they immediately announced the decision.

"This is utterly unfair!" Zu Mingjun exclaimed indignantly. Master Shen was his benefactor, a man who had recognized his potential, and seeing him treated so unjustly made Zu the first to speak out in his defense.

Others nodded in agreement, sighing deeply. While they were shocked by the decision, they had long harbored a premonition; Master Shen’s recent unusual behavior had already foreshadowed this outcome.

"This is intolerable! Master Shen is a true scholar! He is selfless, and everything he has done has been for the sake of mathematics," Kong Huisuo said, his eyes rimmed with red. He could not comprehend the academy’s decision.

Master Shen had clearly done a good deed, yet instead of receiving any reward, he had been suspended—a move that effectively destroyed the position of Imperial Scholar he had spent his entire life striving to achieve.

Mo Dun also felt a heavy heart. He held the utmost respect for Shen, a scholar of pure integrity. The other students in Class C were also filled with sighs, the classroom falling into a tense, helpless silence as they struggled to find a way forward.

"Mo Dun, you have many ideas. Can’t you help Master Shen?" Zu Mingjun asked, eyes brimming with hope as he stared at Mo Dun.

The other students were also stirred, turning their gazes toward Mo Dun. After all, he had already created many miracles; perhaps he could do it again.

"Brother Zu, you have asked the wrong person. Brother Kong is a kinsman of the Chancellor. Why rely on me, a man the Imperial Academy barely tolerates, when you have such a close connection?" Mo Dun shook his head.

Kong Huisuo glared at him in shame and annoyance. "It is precisely because of that connection that I know the Chancellor so well. This matter is simply not up for debate." In Kong Huisuo’s mind, once Kong Yingda made a decision, it was almost never changed. He did not believe he had the ability to sway the Chancellor’s mind.

The others felt a wave of disappointment. If even Kong Huisuo said this, Master Shen’s future was indeed grim.

"Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, and blessing may hide misfortune. Perhaps this suspension is not such a bad thing? If the Imperial Academy doesn't want Master Shen, my Mo Family Village will welcome him with open arms. I guarantee his salary will be double that of an Imperial Scholar. If he focuses on his research there, his future achievements will surely be second to none among the masters of mathematics," Mo Dun suddenly pivoted.

Mo Dun was not lying. In his mind, he possessed numerous mathematical theories; he believed that by handing even one or two over to Master Shen, he could immediately elevate him to the status of a grandmaster.

Seeing that Mo Dun was not offering a solution but instead trying to poach the teacher, Zu Mingjun grew furious. "Mo Dun, Master Shen has ended up in this state because of your 'new mathematics.' You are the root cause! Tell me, are you going to help or not?"

"Exactly!" Kong Huisuo and the other students echoed.

"I am doing this for Master Shen’s own good, aren't I? He wasn't happy at the Imperial Academy anyway," Mo Dun said, feigning grievance. But seeing the angry glares of the crowd, he realized he was about to incite a riot. He quickly raised his hands in surrender. "There is one idea, but whether it works depends on how well you all cooperate."

The eyes of Zu Mingjun and the others lit up. Hearing Mo Dun speak this way, they suddenly felt a sense of calm. Without realizing it, Mo Dun had already established a firm authority within the academy.

At that moment, Qin Huaiyu and his two companions burst in. "Mo Dun, we’ve scouted it out. It’s those fellows in Class A who have been bad-mouthing Master Shen."

"That is outrageous!" Zu Mingjun and the others were incensed. They could not believe that after Master Shen had sacrificed so much for the students, there were still such blockheads who showed no gratitude.

Mo Dun sneered inwardly. In an era where Confucianism held absolute sway, it was no surprise to find a few rigid, dogmatic scholars. Even in the age of information explosion, such people were common, let alone now.

"Who are they?" Mo Dun asked.

"The ringleader is Wang Ling, along with over twenty other students," Qin Huaiyu replied.

"Wang Ling!" Mo Dun immediately remembered him—the son of a Censor. When Mo Dun first entered the academy, Wang was his opponent in the very first competition, only to end up as a pathetic footnote to Mo Dun’s success. He had assumed that after the last incident, Wang had learned his lesson, but it seemed he had jumped back into the fray.

Mo Dun’s eyes glinted. "The opportunity has arrived. I request your full cooperation."

"Whatever Brother Mo commands!" they replied in unison.

Mo Dun nodded and turned to Kong Huisuo. "Brother Kong, I know you can speak to the Chancellor. Master Shen has only just been suspended. You must find a way to stall the final implementation of his punishment for five days."

Kong Huisuo gritted his teeth and nodded firmly. "Rest assured, leave it to me!" Though changing the Chancellor’s mind was difficult, delaying the punishment for five days was not impossible. He would persist, even if he had to pester the man endlessly.

"Brother Zu!" Mo Dun looked at Zu Mingjun.

Zu Mingjun stood tall. "Please, give your orders."

"Go to Class A, find those rats who are slandering Master Shen behind his back, and confront them yourself. Challenge them to a debate five days from now at Zhicheng Road, using the methods of the School of Names to decide the victor," Mo Dun commanded.

"The methods of the School of Names!" Zu Mingjun pondered for a moment and understood Mo Dun’s intent. The School of Names was one of the Hundred Schools of Thought from the pre-Qin era, most famous for their prowess in logic and debate. Their most renowned figure, Gongsun Long, was famous for his "White Horse is not a Horse" theory. Mo Dun intended to use this logical framework to dismantle them.

"Good! You have my word. I will see it done." Though Zu Mingjun did not fully grasp Mo Dun’s strategy, he had an extraordinary amount of faith in him.

As Zu Mingjun left, Mo Dun turned to the remaining students. "Five days from now, we are the only ones who can truly help Master Shen. I am going to teach you a new mathematical concept. You must master it within these five days."

"You can count on us, Brother Mo!"

All the students, including the usually boisterous Qin Huaiyu, looked on with solemn determination. Mo Dun picked up a sheet of paper and began scribbling a series of numbers. The students crowded around, their eyes growing brighter the more they saw.

This was not just about helping Master Shen; it was an opportunity for a massive leap forward in their own mathematical understanding.