Chapter 70: Parents Meet the Teacher

Outside the Zhuangyuan Tower.

“With the strength to move mountains and a spirit that dominates the world, yet fate is unkind and my steed refuses to run!” Qin Huaiyu sang triumphantly, waving his arms and stamping his feet as he recited the Song of Gaixia.

Mo Dun watched him helplessly. Qin Huaiyu was still caught up in his excitement. His voice, rough and quacking from adolescence, grated on the ears, yet he seemed completely unbothered, oblivious to the looks of disdain from Cheng Chumo and Yuchi Baolin.

Cheng Chumo curled his lip in contempt. “Was it really you who lifted it?”

“I don’t care how I did it, as long as I lifted it!” Qin Huaiyu replied shamelessly, utterly undeterred.

Cheng Chumo bristled with anger, rolling up his sleeves. “Come on, young reincarnation of the Conqueror. Let’s see which of us is stronger.”

Qin Huaiyu immediately lost his bravado. Though not weak himself, he was no match for Cheng Chumo’s beast-like strength. Still, he insisted stubbornly, “I’ve already spent all my strength. Let’s do it another day.”

The sight of his cocksure face nearly drove Cheng Chumo to pummel him then and there.

“In my opinion, our curved-shaft plow and seed drill are far more impressive. That’s true talent and real achievement, something that benefits the nation and the common folk—much better than someone’s trickery,” Cheng Chumo said, seeing that Qin Huaiyu wouldn’t rise to the bait.

“Of course! The curved-shaft plow and seed drill can put food on countless tables. This time, we’re sure to be remembered in history,” Yuchi Baolin nodded enthusiastically.

Everyone with eyes could see that, in terms of spectacle, Qin Huaiyu’s act as the Conqueror reborn was far more stirring. But in terms of real usefulness, the plow and seed drill were undeniably superior.

“All right, enough arguing! Uncle Yu must have prepared a feast for us—let’s eat!” Mo Dun, seeing the three still squabbling, hurriedly lured them away with the promise of good food.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go! I’ve used up all my strength today—I need a big meal!” Qin Huaiyu called as he rushed inside, still boasting.

“You fake! Used up your strength? Nonsense!” Cheng Chumo dashed after him.

“Don’t think you’ll get your hands on the best dishes!” Yuchi Baolin, knowing full well the shamelessness of his two friends, hurried in as well.

Mo Dun could only smile wryly as he followed them into the restaurant.

“Uncle Yu! Is there anything good to eat? I could eat an entire ox today!” Qin Huaiyu boasted loudly.

Suddenly, a chilly voice sounded from above. “Oh, our mighty Conqueror has returned! If you can shoulder a thousand-jin cauldron, surely you can eat a whole ox!”

Qin Huaiyu’s words froze in his throat. He looked up with a pale face—his father was upstairs in a private room, eyeing him with a stony expression.

“F-father…” Qin Huaiyu stammered.

“Brother Yu, bring him an ox. I want to see him eat it,” Qin Qiong said to Master Yu with a scowl.

“Ah!” Qin Huaiyu turned even paler. He’d only been boasting about lifting a thousand-jin cauldron—there was no way he could actually eat so much.

“Father, I was only joking! It’s spring plowing season—oxen are needed in the fields! Besides, slaughtering one would be breaking imperial law. How could I do such a thing?” Qin Huaiyu quickly backed down.

Cheng Chumo and Yuchi Baolin burst into gleeful laughter. Qin Huaiyu had been bragging endlessly all day; now he’d finally been caught out.

Their mirth didn’t last long. Two figures emerged from the private room behind Qin Qiong—Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Jingde.

At this, Qin Huaiyu felt a little better. He wasn’t the only one in trouble today.

But his relief was short-lived. With a creak, the door of the adjacent room opened, and Zu Mingjun came out crestfallen, followed by Kong Yingda and a host of scholars from the Imperial Academy.

The three friends’ expressions soured. Their fathers and their teachers had appeared together—was this a coordinated effort to discipline them?

“To think the three dukes are here as well. Your sons have achieved remarkable things—one has recreated movable type printing, another rivals the Conqueror himself, and the last two have invented tools that will benefit millions!” Kong Yingda said with a sardonic tone.

The three friends had been up to no end of mischief lately, and with their fathers present, Kong Yingda, who had never been fond of them, seized the chance to voice his sarcasm.

Only now did the scholars of the Imperial Academy realize that these three were the sons of the dukes. Remembering the trouble they’d caused at school, their demeanor grew even frostier, regardless of their fathers’ high rank.

“Oh! Whatever abilities they have, it’s all thanks to their teachers!” Cheng Yaojin flashed his large teeth in a retort.

Kong Yingda nearly choked. After all, the three were students of the Imperial Academy. If there is blame for unruly sons, there is also the saying “a lax teacher bears the fault.” He could hardly escape responsibility.

Watching their fathers and teachers trade barbs, the three sons broke out in a cold sweat. No matter who won, they would surely be the ones to suffer in the end. Together, they looked accusingly at Mo Dun, the real instigator.

Mo Dun edged back and shook his head. He had no intention of getting himself caught up in this.

At that moment, Yuchi Baolin played a dirty trick, giving Mo Dun a shove so that he stumbled out in front.

The two camps turned to glare at him, and Mo Dun felt the pressure mount.

“Greetings, gentlemen. Greetings, uncles,” Mo Dun said with a sigh, breaking the awkward silence as the three friends looked on like mice before cats.

The assembled dignitaries barely spared him a glance—they were too busy glaring at each other. But now that the Mohist boy had stepped forward, attention shifted to him.

“Oh, so you’re the current heir of the Mo family!” Kong Yingda sneered.

“You flatter me, sir. The Mo family has long since declined, and the title of heir has been lost for centuries. I’m just a student under your instruction,” Mo Dun replied humbly, choosing to yield in a moment of crisis. After all, he still had three years left in the Imperial Academy.

“Student? Can the Academy still contain a student like you? In just a month, you’ve caused more excitement than I have in ten years as headmaster!” Kong Yingda fumed.

Since Mo Dun’s arrival, the Academy’s reputation had suffered—first with five victories and one defeat outside the Academy, then with unauthorized changes to centuries-old writing standards. The recent invention of movable type printing had further blurred the lines between real and false, and if the culprits hadn’t exposed themselves, who knew how long the deception would have lasted.

Mo Dun could only smile bitterly. Those three scoundrels had dragged him into this mess. Now, while they had their fathers to support them, he stood alone before his teacher’s wrath.

“Oh, so this is a joint session for parents and teachers to discipline their children? It seems, Sir Kong, that you’re quite dissatisfied with my decision to send Mo Dun to the Academy. Today, I, as Mo Dun’s guardian, would like to hear what trouble he’s caused. Surely, he deserves a beating for it!” A sudden, commanding voice rang out, stunning everyone present.

Mo Dun looked up in shock to see Li Chengqian, accompanied by a dignified middle-aged man.

The Emperor!

It was none other than His Majesty, Li Shimin.