Speaking of Mochi Academy, who else could suppress Meng Zhengjun?
Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu thought that it could only be the old Sacrificial Officer.
On ordinary days, everyone found the Great Sacrificial Officer approachable and quite friendly.
The students would often jokingly say that the Great Sacrificial Officer was a grandmaster who concealed his skill well.
He hid not a small amount of opportunities.
this elder, who had been sent down from the higher echelons of the Academy to take up the post of Great Sacrificial Officer, certainly was not as simple as he appeared.
This was something Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu, including most of the students, knew very well.
So now, facing "oppression,"
Zhao Rong and his companion decided to go and "beat the drum to voice their grievances."
At this moment, outside a water pavilion by the lake of Mochi Academy, Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu were waiting quietly.
They had just informed a steward boy inside the pavilion, requesting to see the old Teacher Sacrificial Officer.
However, the boy said that the old Teacher Sacrificial Officer had gone to the center of the lake to fish.
So, he asked Zhao Rong and Gu Yiwu to wait a while as he sent someone to notify the old Teacher Sacrificial Officer.
Both of them, bathed in the autumn sun of the morning, began to wait outside the water pavilion.
"Yiwu, do you think the old Teacher Sacrificial Officer will deal with these matters?"
Zhao Rong suddenly felt a bit worried.
Gu Yiwu raised his hand to shade his eyes, gazing in the direction of Mochi, and nodded slightly.
Zhao Rong pondered for a while and then said,
"Meng Xuezhen changed the rules a while ago. The old Teacher Sacrificial Officer should know everything there is to know, yet he hasn’t shown any reaction."
He paused and chuckled, "The old Teacher probably doesn’t want to get involved, hmm, probably thinks fishing is more important."
Gu Yiwu withdrew his gaze and shook his head.
With a knowing smile, he said, "Ziyu, you are wrong to think so. But it’s no wonder you are worried. You joined the Academy a bit late and aren’t too familiar with our Sacrificial Officer."
Zhao Rong raised an eyebrow, all ears.
Gu Yiwu smiled slightly.
"Although the Teacher is quite idle, he has always cared for us, the students of Mochi. When the Academy first opened, in many matters, he was opposed to Meng Xuezhen. Many of the rights we now enjoy were fought for by the old Teacher, otherwise, the rules would have been much stricter."
"This time, the old Teacher Sacrificial Officer has been quiet, like Ziyu said, he shouldn’t be unaware. Regarding the fact that we, the pillars of the Academy, are being oppressed by Meng Xuezhen..."
Gu Yiwu slowly nodded, his eyes bright as he continued to look towards Mochi.
"Based on my understanding of the old Teacher Sacrificial Officer, if I am not mistaken, he is waiting; waiting for Meng Xuezhen’s new rules to provoke a strong backlash. He is waiting for us, the tormented students, to take the initiative to complain. Only then will the old Teacher put down his fishing rod and take action,"
"He will align with the will of Mochi’s students, using our complaint as a reason to deliver a fatal blow to Meng Xuezhen, revoke those new rules, and then hold her accountable—possibly even once and for all, ensuring that woman can stir up no more trouble in the future!"
Zhao Rong looked thoughtful and was about to ask more.
But Gu Yiwu had already made a sweeping motion with his hand and said firmly,
"I know what you are going to ask, Ziyu. The reason the old Teacher Sacrificial Officer did not initially stop Meng Xuezhen from changing the rules and managing Mochi Academy is that he had his difficulties."
"Think about it, Ziyu. Although the old Teacher holds a higher position than that woman, if he were too authoritative, she could seize the opportunity to complain to the Academy, claiming that the old Teacher cannot tolerate female Confucian scholars or the younger generation managing affairs. Then, all sorts of rumors would arise, which would be detrimental to the old Teacher."
Gu Yiwu clenched his fist, sighing sentimentally.
"So the old Teacher Sacrificial Officer, though appearing uninvolved and focusing on fishing, has actually been steadfastly overseeing the grand scheme of the Academy. And we... we should now actively step up and be his sword!"
Zhao Rong’s furrowed brow gradually relaxed, "Brother Yiwu, you make sense."
Gu Yiwu then gave an honest smile, squeezing his fists that rested in front of him, feeling a bit itchy.
He looked around, not finding any hard and long objects like tree branches or sticks on the ground.
He was missing a suitable weapon.
He felt a bit nostalgic for the handy broom he had recently returned.
Upon seeing this, the corner of Zhao Rong’s mouth twitched.
He realized why those strategists and notable scholars in his memories liked to carry fans in their hands.
Every time they strategized behind screens, they would fan themselves with a profound smile afterward.
Well, Yi Wu had a unique taste; he preferred wielding clubs.
It was just like the tactics behind a backward dive.
After analyzing the situation and the major trends of Mochi Academy, Gu Yiwu was content.
He was in high spirits and patted Zhao Rong on the shoulder.
He spoke earnestly, "Ziyu."
"What is it, Brother Yiwu?"
"This time, you caught Meng Xuezhen’s attention; although it’s helpless, as you naturally draw such outcomes, you still need to reflect on some lessons."
"Is there even a lesson to reflect on here?" Zhao Rong wondered, then thought for a moment, "Should we avoid serious women who like to keep a straight face, like Huaijin Yu?"
Gu Yiwu nodded and then shook his head, adopting the tone of someone experienced, "In the future, if you encounter someone like Meng Xuezhen, in her forties with the appearance of a middle-aged woman who looks unmarried and unwanted, definitely do not provoke her."
Zhao Rong slightly opened his mouth.
Gu Yiwu slapped him on the shoulder.
"Yes, I know, people from our mountain tend to have longer lifespans, so Meng Xuezhen is probably older than just her forties, heh, anyway, she’s an old maid. That’s the gist of it, you should understand, Ziyu."