Chapter 130: Wagering on the Hundred Schools
Li Shun remained silent. There was not the slightest trace of joy on his face. Deep down, he had already pieced together the underlying meaning.
Most likely, Dong Chunqiu's faction had sensed that Fang Xun was beginning to lose his footing and could no longer be relied upon. That was why they had changed their strategy and chosen to support Li Shun instead. After all, compared to Fang Xun, who came from an ordinary scholarly family, Li Shun's status as an imperial clansman carried far greater weight.
As though seeing through Li Shun's thoughts, Kong Zhao smiled gently and reassured him.
"Things may not be as bleak as you imagine. Perhaps Martial Uncle Fang can overcome this ordeal through his own abilities. If that happens, then the sea will be wide enough for fish to roam and the sky vast enough for birds to soar. One of you master and disciple will command the court while the other governs the people in the provinces. That would be a future with limitless promise."
Li Shun did not lose himself in the grand vision being painted before him. He merely nodded calmly.
The two tacitly let the matter drop, and Li Shun turned to asking about the finer details regarding his temporary appointment as Acting Magistrate of Shangyu County.
"Senior Brother Kong, how long will I be serving as Acting Magistrate?"
Kong Zhao smiled faintly and raised three fingers.
"Neither too long nor too short. If your term is too long, your appointment would lack proper legitimacy and inevitably invite attacks from rival political factions, who would accuse us of appointing our own people through favouritism. But if it's too short, you'll barely have time to warm the seat before leaving, making it impossible to serve as a proper transition."