Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 177 Prince Zhu Gang of Jin: I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table!
When he asked this question, Prince Zhu Gang of Jin also seemed to be a little drunk.

Slightly drunk.

It seems like a casual question.

But in reality, they were on high alert.

He was aware of the recent series of deaths among the students at the Imperial Academy.

Moreover, it's easy to guess that these are the people who did it.

However, there is no conclusive evidence.

Now that the operation is about to conclude, it's natural to try to get to the bottom of this matter as clearly as possible.

Find out the facts of these people's crimes.

Arresting and interrogating people is definitely not as easy as infiltrating their ranks and extracting information from them.

Only in this way can we better and faster kill these insects.

In the past, if Zhu Gang had asked him this question, Jin Wenzheng would have denied it no matter what.

But things are different now.

He nodded, then subconsciously lowered his voice and said, "Yes, it was all done by us."

Otherwise, do you think these students would commit suicide several times within a month?
"This is all thanks to our efforts."

As he spoke, he winked at Zhu Gang, a smug look on his face.

They seemed particularly proud and honored to have done such a thing.

Zhu Gang felt a surge of anger rising within him, but he remained outwardly calm.

"Letting more students die can indeed greatly increase the panic and anger among the students."

This will allow them to trigger a massive student strike.

But... how did they manage to do all that?
These students were perfectly fine, so why would they commit suicide?

Are they really that obedient?
This matter...is it difficult to handle?"

Zhu Gang's face was full of curiosity.

Looking at Wu Xing, who seemed to agree with what he had said and was also shaken by what he had said.

Jin Wenzheng felt increasingly smug.

I felt that it greatly satisfied my vanity.

When people accomplish something significant, especially something they think they've succeeded at, they often can't help but want to confide in others.

To display one's divine power in front of others.

Otherwise, how could there be the saying, "If you don't beat a thief, he'll confess after three years"?

However, many things are not easy to say to others, so they can only bury them deep in their hearts.

But at this moment, facing Zhu Gang and Wu Xing, who clearly admired him greatly and could be taken under his wing, Jin Wenzheng felt that he no longer needed to endure it.

Many things can be poured out at this time.

He wanted to show off in front of everyone.

Let Wu Xing see my methods and abilities.

"Easy, easy."

He nodded, his tone relaxed.

"At first glance, this seems like a very difficult task."

But in reality, it's not that difficult to actually do it.

It must be understood that many students are brainless.

Extremely foolish.

I've gone stupid from reading too much.

If we want to deal with him properly, we only need to use a few tricks.

Liu Yong, you know him, right?

"Is he the one who jumped into the well and committed suicide a few days ago?"

“Yes, that’s him.

Do you know why this person committed suicide?

Why did he commit suicide?

Could it be... that one of our people, taking advantage of his inattention, grabbed him and shoved him into the well?

Zhu Gang actively played the supporting role.

This will encourage Jin Wenzheng to have more opportunities to speak.

"No no."

Jin Wenzheng shook his head.

"When we do things here, we value authenticity. If someone says it was suicide, then it was suicide."

They wouldn't resort to such underhanded tactics.

Using such despicable methods, it's easy for experienced coroners to uncover some flaws when examining corpses.

He himself must jump down into the well for the safest and most foolproof method.

"That's...unlikely, isn't it?"

How could a perfectly healthy person jump into a well on their own?

Seeing Wu Xing's expression of surprise at what he had just said, as if he knew nothing about it.

Jin Wenzheng felt increasingly smug.

There was a sense of pleasure.

"Easy, easy."

As he spoke, he picked up his wine glass and took a delicious sip of the Zhuangyuanhong liquor, finding it even more flavorful.

"With just a little guidance, things can be accomplished."

Liu Yong's academic performance was poor; he was always at the bottom of his class.

We told him that someone like him wouldn't be able to graduate.

It's even less likely that he'll become an official.

From now on, I can only carry manure at school and feed pigs.

Moreover, it can never be changed in a lifetime.

"This... seems a bit off, doesn't it? There's never been such a rule at the school."

The imperial court only said that having people carry manure and feed pigs was just to help students understand how to cultivate crops.

How are livestock raised?

One cannot be lazy and ignorant of the five grains.

In this way, when the students go to local areas to serve as officials, they will be able to better understand the agricultural seasons and the hardships of people's lives.

We can do things better.

They can better serve as local officials.

We won't end up doing anything reckless, or making decisions in a moment of anger that would harm the people.

Furthermore, the pigs, sheep, chickens, and ducks that the students are responsible for feeding, as well as the vegetables they grow, will all be used at the Imperial Academy.

To improve the lives of the school's teachers and students.

Save on the expenses of the Imperial Academy.

Carrying manure is also part of farming and growing vegetables.

It's about teaching students how to fertilize.

It is a required course in agronomy.

How did it come to the point where people who don't do well in their studies and fail their exams are destined to spend their entire lives carrying manure and feeding pigs?

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin asked, seemingly puzzled.

"Hahaha……"

Upon hearing Zhu Gang's words, Jin Wenzheng couldn't help but laugh.

"That's why I say this guy is stupid and easy to fool, isn't it?"

Here, all we need to do is embellish the story, and they'll believe it.

Of course, this is also largely due to the strict academic rules of the Imperial Academy and the fact that the current emperor does not respect learned people.

It was already infamous.

Everyone knows that when the emperor takes action against someone, he shows no mercy.

Many renowned Confucian scholars were also killed without hesitation.

It's not surprising that students from the Imperial Academy would do such things.

Moreover, we are teaching assistants, we are teachers.

Do you think they wouldn't believe what we say here?

All you have to do is say it's inside information, and they'll believe you.

If they don't trust us teachers, who can they trust?

Before entering the Imperial Academy, these people were the pride of heaven, the most successful people in their families, villages, and even towns.

However, after arriving at the Imperial Academy, he discovered that there were always people more capable than him, and that there was always something beyond his understanding.

I can't keep up with many of these courses.

This kind of thing is a huge blow to many people.

Moreover, many families grit their teeth and do everything they can to support their children's education.

It was all so that he could have a bright future.

They were the hope of their entire family.

However, now, the Imperial Academy has opened an agricultural program.

Let them feed the pigs, raise the sheep, and carry manure.

We tell them here that if their grades are bad, they won't be able to become officials in the future, and they'll have to do this kind of thing for the rest of their lives.

Can you imagine the immense pain they must be experiencing?

How severe will the blow be?
With some appropriate guidance, it wouldn't be difficult to lead them down the path of suicide.

Jin Wenzheng spoke eloquently, and his blue teaching assistant uniform gave him a refined and scholarly air.

As he spoke, he tore off a piece of roasted mutton, put it in his mouth, and chewed it, clearly in a good mood.

He said this with a smug look on his face.

They also held these students in contempt for their perceived stupidity.

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin was filled with rage upon hearing this.

A chill ran through me.

Such a scoundrel is unfit to be a teacher!
It's truly damnable!
That's absolutely inhuman!
These teaching assistants are responsible for teaching and managing students, and are among the most respected and trusted people by many students at the school.

But in the end, Jin Wenzheng and his group did something like this!

They completely disregard the lives of their students.

He's a real beast.

The beast was right in front of them; there was no one else!
These bastards deserve to be torn to pieces!
"But... Brother Jin, if I remember correctly, Liu Yong isn't one of your classmates!"
How could Brother Jin possibly make him listen to and believe everything he says?

Suppress the surging emotions in my heart.

Zhu Gang asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

This matter seems to be full of puzzlement.

"Haha, Brother Wu, you're saying it's us, not me.

Song Ne, the chief priest, was unpopular.

They don't value the lives of the students, they don't treat us teaching assistants as human beings, they act perversely, they corrupt the Imperial Academy, and they harm the students.

We are not the only ones who are dissatisfied with him.

There were other loyal and righteous people as well.

We are not the only ones willing to contribute to this cause and eliminate traitors for the country.

My younger brother Feng Yongxian was also one of these virtuous and righteous people.

It turns out Feng Yong was in cahoots with him!

Zhu Gang secretly memorized it.

"We were the ones who hanged Zhao Qiang before."

"Yes, Zhao Qiang's grades aren't good either; he's at the bottom of the class as well."

There was only his elderly mother at home, who wove cloth for others and saved every penny to send him to school.

He had gone through many hardships to get into the Imperial Academy.

He thought that once he got into the Imperial Academy, everything would be fine. He thought he could become an official and bring a good life to his mother.

But when he arrived here, he found that he couldn't keep up with his studies.

The Imperial Academy also introduced new regulations: those who did not perform well in the assessments would be sent to local areas as clerks after two years of education, and would not be granted official positions.

He couldn't bear it any longer, so he hanged himself.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang spoke again with a puzzled expression.

"This doesn't seem quite right either."

I remember that the Imperial Academy had made a clear rule that those who failed the assessment could not be appointed to official positions, but should instead be made into clerks.

However, this does not mean that one cannot become an official in the future.

They were different from ordinary officials.

Students who graduate from the Imperial Academy and perform well in local assessments can be promoted to officials.

Normal promotions and appointments will continue in the future.

As long as you work hard in your local area, you can still get ahead.

"That's why I say you're a very honest person, Brother Wu."

Jin Wenzheng said with a smile.

That's what they say.

But if we want these people to end their own lives, we certainly can't tell them the truth.

We need to add embellishments in a reasonable and appropriate manner.

Remove the misinterpretation.

Only in this way can things be done.

Only then can these people reasonably and unbearably end their own lives.

Sun told Zhao Qiang privately that this was actually just the court saying things to fool people.

In reality, once someone is punished by being made a clerk, they can only remain a clerk and cannot become an official.

There is a natural boundary between officials and clerks.

An official is an official, and a clerk is a clerk.

Even the lowest-ranking official could never reach the level of a mere clerk in their lifetime.

Once you become a clerk, you'll never have a chance to become an official again.

He can only ever be a lowly official in this lifetime.

The imperial court said this simply to put the students who failed the assessment at ease for the time being.

It was used to appease them.

Let them stop causing trouble for now and accept this fate.

But in reality, they were all being deceived.

Once they become officials, they will never be able to get promoted again.

In this lifetime, I can only ever be a minor official.

Having read so many books, they were on the same level as those local people who barely knew any characters; they should be associated with them.

That's utterly disgraceful.

A scholar can be killed but not humiliated.

Rather than living in such darkness, it's better to fight to the death.

His family has put so much effort into his upbringing, and it seems he's about to become an official.

Neighbors, relatives, and friends all began to view things differently.

I think you've made something of yourself.

Who could have imagined that it would suddenly turn out like this?

Is it a shame?

Can't I still hold my head high and be a decent human being?

These things are so upsetting to think about, it's unbearable.

After going through all this, these people will naturally be unable to withstand it.

As Jin Wenzheng said this, he took another sip of wine.

I find the taste of this Zhuangyuanhong wine increasingly wonderful.

Today, I really got him talking!

Zhu Gang looked at Jin Wenzheng, his mind already filled with thoughts of how to kill him.

But on the surface, it seemed to become more and more natural.

"Brother Jin, brilliant! I could never have imagined these methods before!"
You can actually do that!
These methods can indeed make these people die in a reasonable and justifiable way.

Moreover, no one has noticed it yet.

That's perfect.

So, does that mean Xue Zigui, Zhang Genshuo, Yun Chu, and the others also died in the same way?

"Yes, you're right, that's exactly how it happened."

Jin Wenzheng agreed to all of them.

"Jiang Tao from our class is also nearing the end."

If I get to know him better, Jiang Tao should be able to end his own life within a couple of days.

However, killing only these people is far from enough.

Brother Wu, you need to step up your efforts too.

This is a great event for all of us.

The effort put in at this time was not only for Wei Siye's benefit, but also for those higher up to see.

Having connections in the imperial court makes it easier to get an official position; as long as we can get this done, that's all that matters.

From now on, all of us will be promoted very quickly.

When is the fastest time to get promoted?
That is, the time when the dragon was born.

Otherwise, how could so many dukes and marquises have risen to such high positions?
These people, if they hadn't followed Zhu Chongba in conquering the world and made contributions to the rise of the new emperor, would not have achieved such great success.

Nowadays, many people are from humble backgrounds.

Many of them had already died in the chaos of war.

The same applies to what we're doing now.

Although it was a bit dangerous, if you do it well, you'll get promoted very quickly.

Jin Wenzheng looked at Zhu Gang and spoke, his expression both profound and encouraging.

"This fire needs to burn very brightly."

We all need to contribute.

If Brother Wu wants to get promoted and make something of himself, he can't just stand by and watch.

We need to get involved in this matter.

I think you're a very good person, Brother Wu, that's why I'm giving you this advice.

You must seize this opportunity; you can't miss it.

If I miss this opportunity, I'm afraid I'll only be able to work as a teaching assistant at the Imperial Academy in the future.

In some cases, they might not even be able to work as teaching assistants anymore.

Zhu Gang nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, deeply grateful.

He thanked the other party for the promotion and said that he would seize the opportunity to do this and would not miss it.

Upon seeing this, Jin Wenzheng was extremely pleased with himself.

I knew Wu Xing was easy to manipulate; he's just a rich and foolish guy.

Now that I've told him all this, and given him a little pointers, he's got it.

“Brother Wu, if you want to do it, then you should hurry up and get on with it.”

The truth of this matter will be revealed in the next few days.

If we act too late, Brother Wu will miss his chance.

Zhu Gang nodded repeatedly, indicating that he would definitely do so.

"It would be better for Brother Wu to do this, since most of the people under his jurisdiction are those who study arithmetic."

This was highly praised by the emperor.

The death of such a person would be an even greater blow to the emperor.

After that, doing things will become much easier.

After Zhu Gang agreed, he looked at Jin Wenzheng and spoke hesitantly.

"Brother Jin, if this matter gets out of hand, can we handle it?"

The current emperor is not a good-tempered man.

I think... even if you have connections in the Ministry of Personnel, it won't be easy to handle."

Upon hearing Zhu Gang's words, Jin Wenzheng smiled.

"Brother Wu, you're being too cautious."

It's time to let Wu Xiandi know more.

It wasn't just people from the Ministry of Personnel.

Besides the Ministry of Personnel, His Highness the Crown Prince is also on our side.

"Your Highness, are you willing to do this?"

Zhu Gang looked surprised.

"The Crown Prince is inclined towards us scholars."

For us intellectuals, there's no question about it.

Moreover, it doesn't matter if His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't directly participate.

As he spoke, he lowered his voice and said with a smug look on his face, "Scholar Wu is paying close attention to this matter!"

If nothing goes wrong, all will be well. But if things really don't go smoothly, Scholar Wu will intervene!

I was right about this! And my older brother was right too!

Sure enough, someone close to him got involved!

Moreover, it's Wu Zhuangyuan himself!

Seeing the change in Wu Xing's expression after he mentioned Wu Zhuangyuan, Jin Wenzheng became even more smug.

He felt that he had broadened the horizons of the ignorant Wu Xing.

"You didn't expect that, did you? Scholar Wu is one of our people too."

Can you relax now?

"I'm truly relieved."

Zhu Gang nodded
Then I asked Jin Wenzheng a few more questions.

Seeing that there was no other way, they managed to extract more information from Jin Wenzheng.

Zhu Gang then looked at Jin Wenzheng and said, "I heard that a new Vice Director of the Imperial Academy has arrived. Brother Jin, are you aware of this?"

Jin Wenzheng nodded: "I know, but the academic director hasn't taken office yet."

Moreover, I heard that it was His Highness the Crown Prince who arranged for the promotion.

It's very likely that he's one of the Crown Prince's people.

That would be better, as it would make things much easier for us.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang looked at Jin Wenzheng and said, "Then... what if he's not on our side?"

Jin Wenzheng laughed and said, "That's alright. The fire at the Imperial Academy is already burning very brightly."

Even if the Heavenly King himself came, the burning would have to continue.

Let alone a mere eighth-rank official like him, the Assistant Director of the Imperial Academy.

This is not something he can solve.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gang's expression became somewhat amused.

He's going to change his identity and get along with that beast Jin Wenzheng!
"I heard that the new academic director arrived at the Imperial Academy this afternoon."

"This afternoon? You must have misheard!"
Even Wei Siye didn't receive the news.

"You heard me right."

Zhu Gang shook his head, looked at Jin Wenzheng, and pointed to himself.

"I am the new head of the academy."

(End of this chapter)