Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 790 Escort
He turned to the side, revealing several similarly dressed people behind him. "It just so happens that the autumn imperial examinations are being held. May I ask you for some advice?"

Xu Xuan narrowed his eyes. This man spoke eloquently, but his posture exuded arrogance—his right foot was slightly forward, positioned precisely at the front wheel of the carriage.

They came as soon as they were told.

I haven't encountered this kind of low-level underhanded tactic in a long time.

Unlike the spring imperial examinations, the autumn examinations do not require any process of "making a name for oneself." As long as the essay is well-written, the examiners will select the candidate.

This group of people blocked the road and provoked us, simply to disrupt the students of Chongqi Academy's mindset with some tricky and strange questions, causing them to underperform in the exam.

"Tsk, really..." Xu Xuan shook his head, feeling both annoyed and amused.

Students from the three major academies are already highly regarded, so it's not surprising that they've been targeted. What's unexpected is that after issuing a warning on the ship, these people have encountered such despicable tactics as soon as they disembark.

Looking at the bustling crowd of examinees below the gates of Shouchun, I was filled with mixed emotions.

The imperial examination system was originally a benevolent policy for the court to select talented individuals, but it unfortunately led many people astray.

It is truly pathetic that some people would abandon even the most basic moral principles and sense of shame as scholars in order to become officials.

They talk about principles, but their hearts are full of...

The problem is that this system has continued into the modern era and is in the same predicament.

Later generations' wisdom is also insufficient.

Upon hearing the provocation from those people, Ji Rui, who was in the carriage behind, couldn't sit still any longer. He flung open the curtain and was about to jump down: "Let me teach them what real knowledge is!"

Early-classmate reacted quickly and grabbed his belt: "Are you crazy? Master Xu just specifically called you out on the boat!"

Ning Caichen also pressed down on his shoulder and said in a low voice, "I can tell that you just want to show off your knowledge in front of everyone." He gestured forward with his lip, "This kind of thing can be left to Master Xu to handle. Those few blind fools will not have a good ending."

“Exactly,” the other students chimed in, “It’s pointless to lower yourself to argue with such a petty person.”

Xu Xuan, sitting in the carriage at the very front: "..."

He rubbed his temples—he had heard everything those brats said.

What kind of image does he have in the students' minds? Is he a devil who always threatens people with "bad endings"?
"Keep going," Xu Xuan calmly instructed the driver. "Anyone who dares to block the road, just run them over."

He's quite the devil.

However, this is also a kind of kindness, at least these people will not be punished by the Iron Fist of the Baoan Hall.

The carriage slowly started moving, and the scholars who had been blocking the way hurriedly retreated to the side of the road.

Xu Xuan didn't even bother to glance at them—Chongqi Academy had connections and prestige, and arguing with such clowns was a waste of time.

The students who had stopped the car were enraged when they saw that the people from Chongqi Academy were ignoring them.

Zhou Wenbin, the leader, gritted his teeth and stood at the city gate, shouting loudly:

"The students of Chongqi Academy are nothing special! Do they look down on us poor students, or do they simply lack real talent?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the candidates passing by the city gate all turned their heads to look.

Logically speaking, they shouldn't have been so irrational as to dare to publicly provoke the representatives of Jiangnan's cultural heritage.

But with the die already cast, they had no choice but to resort to provocation.

Xu Xuan frowned, about to make a move, but Professor Gu grabbed his arm.

“You still have to take the imperial examinations, so it’s not appropriate for you to attract attention here.” The old professor straightened his clothes and said calmly, “This time, let me handle it.”

Xu Xuan blinked and thought it was a good idea.

Professor Gu is a true scholar who excels at persuading people with reason. Perhaps he can give these arrogant youngsters a chance to correct their mistakes.

The old man walked slowly to the student who was leading the group, his hands behind his back.

Although he was over sixty years old, his imposing presence made Zhou Wenbin's legs go weak and cold sweat bead on his forehead.

“This student…” Professor Gu began slowly and deliberately.

Zhou Wenbin was about to offer an apologetic explanation when suddenly—

Snapped!
A resounding slap made him see stars. "I am Gu Wei, a professor of the Mingjing Department of Chongqi Academy." The old professor flicked his wrist, his tone as calm as if he were explaining the Analects. "I passed the imperial examination in the thirty-ninth year of Emperor Wen of the Great Jin Dynasty and served as a Hanlin Academician."

Zhou Wenbin covered his face, completely stunned.

Snapped!
Another slap.

"You disagree? Call your teacher to come find me."

Snapped!
A third slap followed immediately.

"Still not convinced?" Professor Gu straightened his sleeves. "Then go report it to the authorities."

After saying that, the old professor calmly turned around and went back to the carriage, leaving Zhou Wenbin slumped on the ground, his cheeks swollen like steamed buns, his eyes filled with stars.

It turns out that older people can be quite strong too.

The protection and support work was truly thorough.

Inside the carriage, Xu Xuan stared in disbelief at the scene.

The old professor's move was perfectly timed for this moment, but the technique seemed somewhat familiar.

"The problem is solved, and everyone's time wasn't wasted." Professor Gu, returning with a smug look, stroked his beard. "I think Instructor Xu's teaching methods are indeed commendable." A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "Striking out a student with a single blow is already a celebrated story in the academy. Today, I tried to emulate him, and I feel..."

The old professor shook hands with a wistful expression:

"That was really satisfying."

"Hopefully, these few misbehaving kids can learn a lesson from this and turn over a new leaf."

"Otherwise, there's no hope of ever making the list in this lifetime."

"After all, such methods will only give others something to talk about, and the court also has to consider moral reputation when selecting talents."

Oh no, Xu Xuan's wake-up call has spread from person to person.

However, this did solve the problem. When a renowned old scholar took action, the nature of the event changed.

All the controversy was directed at Professor Gu, but he didn't care.

When Zhou Wenbin's teachers came, they all had to bow to him. As for reporting to the authorities... Chongqi Academy was really not afraid of that. Even when officials came, they had to greet the old gentleman first.

"Looking back now, I realize that old man Yu was the one who truly understood things. I only figured it out at my age, which is a real waste of my youth."

The convoy moved on.

After settling into their rooms at the inn, the students returned to their rooms to review their lessons. Just as Xu Xuan opened the "Spring and Autumn Annals," the innkeeper brought over a gold-embossed invitation.

"The Lu family's villa awaits Brother Xu."

The signature reads "Lu Dan".

With a raised eyebrow, he thought, "This former Prefect of Yangzhou, Professor Sheng's prized student, and the good senior I recognized after the Suzhou Rebellion, didn't he go to the capital to develop his career?"

I never expected him to return to Shouchun at this time, and even specifically seek me out at this particular moment...

"Professor Gu, I need to go out for a bit." Xu Xuan put away the invitation and put on his outer robe. "It's Senior Brother Lu Dan who invited me."

Professor Gu was sipping his tea when he heard this and nodded: "The Lu family's young master is back? Go ahead, and while you're at it, find out what's going on in the capital."

Just as Xu Xuan was heading to the Lu residence, another simple invitation was delivered to Ning Caichen.

"Fu Tianchou?" Ji Rui snatched the invitation, his eyes wide. "That former Imperial Censor, the current Governor of Yangzhou, Lord Fu?"

Zao also came over: "Brother Ning, what's going on here...?"

Without waiting for his brothers to interrogate him, Ning Caichen took the initiative to confess.

“Miss Fu and I do correspond frequently,” Ning Caichen explained hastily, his ears turning slightly red, “but I have never met Lord Fu and have no relationship with him.”

Ji Rui smiled and shook the invitation: "So... are you going or not?"

"go."

(End of this chapter)