Qing Yao

Can Chapter 96 create a virtuous cycle?
Sometimes, solving a problem doesn't necessarily mean solving the problem itself; simply staying away from it or temporarily freezing it off is enough.

We'll provide a comprehensive solution when we have the capability.

The two senior leaders were simply worried that the three students would realize that Zhao An, the deputy examiner, was suspicious. So they decided to keep the three students away from Lord Zhao.

This distance allowed Lord Zhao to gain a considerable advantage.

Because Lord Zhao had arranged for them to become tribute students, according to regulations, the prefectural school could only select one person per year, the state school could select two people every three years, the large county could select one person every two years, and the small county could select one person every three years.

Only students with exceptionally high academic performance could be recommended as tribute students, a title with a prestige comparable to that of a successful candidate in the provincial examinations. Therefore, they were collectively referred to as "recommended tribute students".

After two or three years of study at the Imperial Academy, a tribute student could report to the Ministry of Personnel. Some didn't even need to study at the academy; they could simply register and complete the enrollment procedures and wait for the Ministry of Personnel to select officials.

The Ministry of Personnel selects officials in chronological order of their birth. The main destination for those who are selected as tribute students is the teaching system in various provinces, which means they develop within the education system like Zhao An. Those who are lucky and have connections may be directly appointed as county magistrates of the seventh rank.

What is the concept?
It's like if Zhao Daren had done this to three middle school students, they would be able to sit on equal footing with their principal in two or three years, and even become sworn brothers with the county magistrate.

Would an ordinary person dare to even think about that?
If one were to proceed step by step through the prefectural examinations, the provincial examinations, and then the metropolitan examinations...
It might get stuck somewhere.

After all, the success rate of the imperial examinations was too low, and the competition was too fierce; many child prodigies could not pass the preliminary examination.

Therefore, those three students from Ganquan County should thank Professor Zhao and his ancestors for eighteen generations.

According to the regulations, the prefecture can only select one candidate, and the county can only select one candidate. What should be done with the remaining one?
This is all thanks to the eighty-year-old grandfather, because on his birthday he not only held a special imperial examination, but also granted a lot of special tribute places to official schools all over the country.

Yangzhou Prefecture happened to have one quota for a tribute student.

It felt like the old master knew Zhao Youlu was in trouble and specially showed his divine favor by helping him.

Perhaps it is fate.

"The method of offering tribute is feasible!"

Song Jiaoyu was the expert in education among the three, and was the first to wholeheartedly support Professor Zhao's good idea of ​​generously using the court's resources to benefit others.

As the head of the county school, Lao Song also hopes that the students he mentors will have bright futures.

Essentially, an instructor is a teacher.

What teacher in the world doesn't want their students to do well?

Furthermore, the fact that all three tribute slots were filled by candidates from Ganquan County indicates what?
This shows that Ganquan County ranked first in the prefecture in terms of education quality this year, which is a real achievement!

It truly has both prestige and substance.

After thinking for a moment, County Magistrate Ding felt that there was no better solution than this, but he didn't know if the three students would agree to study at the Imperial Academy in the capital.

The benefits are obvious, but what if those three students are ambitious and want to make a name for themselves in the provincial and metropolitan examinations?

Compared to passing the imperial examination and becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), being a Jugong (a candidate in the provincial imperial examinations) is not worth mentioning.

One is a short-term gain, the other is a long-term gain; everyone has to weigh them carefully.

"It's alright. The three students come from ordinary families. If they really want to continue their studies, I will explain the benefits of taking the imperial examinations to their parents. What do commoners know?" Instructor Song did not think it was a problem. He said that if the three students really had the idea, he, the instructor, would personally visit their parents to persuade them.

Zhao An watched without saying a word, but he knew that Instructor Song wasn't just bragging.

If in his previous life, the county education bureau chief had come to a student's parents' door and said, "Because your child is exceptionally outstanding, the county has secured a great opportunity for your child to study without taking the entrance exam and be selected for a government position upon graduation." Even if the student had a chance to get into Tsinghua or Peking University, the parents would probably have agreed on the spot and excitedly set off firecrackers for three days.

Zhao An handled the paperwork, and the county school only needed to cooperate. Ding, the county head, would give the green light to whatever materials and stamps were needed.

With just a few words, the fates of three students were decided. Even though the three students had gotten a great deal out of it, Zhao An still felt a strange mix of emotions.

A terrifying feeling of being manipulated and controlled without even realizing it.

County Magistrate Ding's expression softened considerably. Looking at Zhao An, who had taken the initiative to pour tea for them, he gave a slightly annoyed snort: "Zhao An, do you know how much I've worried about you!"

"Yes, Lord Zhao, ever since you were transferred to the manor, I have tossed and turned many nights without sleep, and my eyelids keep twitching even in broad daylight."

Instructor Song was telling the truth. He hadn't slept well for many days because of Zhao An's matter. Sometimes, he would sit in his office and feel a sudden tightness in his heart for no reason.

Zhao An didn't respond, but focused on pouring tea. After finishing, he put the teapot back on the charcoal stove, turned around and looked at the two old leaders, saying, "Actually, you two don't need to worry about me at all, because there's really no need."

"What are you saying? Don't you know we're in this together now? If something happens to you, how will Lord Song and I get away with it!"

The county magistrate is angry again. No wonder he's not angry; what kind of talk was that Zhao An said!
A typical ungrateful wretch, only caring about himself and not the lives of others.

Instructor Song also shook his head slightly, feeling that Zhao An's way of speaking to them was too heartless, making it seem as if the emperor wasn't worried but the eunuch was.

It's boring.

"Gentlemen, that's not what I meant."

Seeing that the two had misunderstood him, Zhao An had no choice but to explain, "What I mean is, if you two really don't want to live in fear and sleepless at night because of me, why don't you give me all the money you embezzled to buy official positions? That way, you won't have to be afraid when I become a high-ranking official."

"."

The county magistrate and the education commissioner nearly spat out their tea: You wish!

Using our money to buy you an official position? How stupid must you be, Zhao An, to say something so shameless!

The county magistrate was practically spitting in Zhao An's face.

"Don't look at me like that, gentlemen. Am I not telling the truth? Right now, I'm just a seventh-rank professor with no power or influence, so I'm naturally worried about being investigated. But if I become a governor or provincial governor, who do you think would dare to investigate me? Tsk tsk, it would be a good thing if I didn't investigate them. Don't you two agree?"

Zhao An's earnest way of explaining things made the county magistrate and the instructor speechless, feeling that something was wrong but they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

County Magistrate Ding realized something was amiss. Damn it, so you were trying to fleece us to enrich yourself!
We're not officials here, we've become your employees!

Just as he was about to explode in anger, Zhao An quickly raised his hand to stop him: "I have always remembered the kindness you two have shown me, so as long as I, Zhao An, become a high-ranking official, I will promote you for free."
"Well, you get promoted, then embezzle even more money to buy me even higher positions, and I'll promote you again. Have you two ever heard of a virtuous cycle?"

(End of this chapter)