The Great Song Dynasty: You were put in charge of teaching, and you produced a whole bunch of prime

"Imperial City Guard is on duty! Anyone who blocks the way shall die!"

A loud shout, like a thunderclap, sent the crowd scattering like water droplets thrown into hot oil, creating a wide avenue.

A group of imperial city inspectors, dressed in dark red flying fish robes and carrying embroidered spring knives at their waists, escorted a messenger with menacing aura and strode straight towards the supervisory tent.

The air inside the greenhouse seemed to have been sucked out instantly.

Cheng Yi's roar of "heretical doctrine" was still on his lips when the glaring bright yellow imperial edict slammed him back down into his stomach.

His hand holding the cane froze in mid-air, his old face turned purple, and a strange "clucking" sound came from his throat, making him look like an old rooster being strangled.

At the back of the crowd, Cai You's legs buckled, and he knelt down in the mud with a "plop".

His mind was buzzing.

Imperial City Guard? An urgent dispatch from 800 li away?!

Could it be that Father exerted his influence in the capital and persuaded the Emperor to issue an edict to behead that old bastard Su Shi?!

Upon realizing this, a burst of wild joy suddenly erupted in Cai You's lifeless eyes.

That's it! That must be it! Su Shi has caused such a commotion; it's practically local separatism! How could the emperor possibly tolerate him!

Su Shi took a deep breath, straightened his official hat, strode to the center of the greenhouse, and knelt down, lifting his robe.

"Your Majesty, I, Su Shi, the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou, respectfully welcome Your Majesty's decree!"

Hurala!

Every single person present—commoners, merchants, and renowned scholars of Neo-Confucianism—knelt down.

Only two people were exceptions.

Jiang Lin seemed not to hear, and walked to the armchair next to him, sat down, picked up the half-cooled Longjing tea, and blew away the foam.

Zhao Lingjun stood behind him, arms crossed, her smile of anticipation widening. She transmitted her voice secretly: "Little Jiang Lin, do you like this generous gift from your sister?"

The messenger glanced at Jiang Lin, his brows furrowing slightly, but remembering his instructions, he ultimately decided not to cause any trouble.

He unfurled the imperial edict, cleared his throat, and his voice carried throughout the hall.

"Your Excellency: Su Shi, the Vice Prefect of Hangzhou, dredged West Lake, using the project as a form of public works relief... without costing the national treasury a single penny, yet the entire city's residents lived in peace and prosperity, and merchants flocked to the city. This was truly a national policy that benefited the people and the nation!"

The moment the messenger began reading, the kneeling crowd erupted in uproar.

What the hell?

No punishment? The whole thing is praise?!

Cai You, sprawled on the ground, broke out in a cold sweat. A national policy? Without costing the national treasury a single penny? Was the Emperor praising his frugality?!

"...I have read his work, 'On the Dredging of West Lake and the Livelihood of the People,' repeatedly and I am deeply gratified. The Song Dynasty, having nurtured scholars for a century, needs such pragmatic ministers!"

Upon hearing this, Su Shi, a grown man, instantly had tears welling up in his eyes.

Throughout his life, he has suffered so much because of his writings! Today, the Emperor himself has vindicated his work!

He subconsciously turned around and looked at the composed young man.

Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow at him, his eyes seeming to say: See, you were right to listen to me, weren't you? Even officials have to consider KPIs. If you help them make money and achieve results, do you think they won't give you a thumbs up?

The messenger's voice suddenly rose eight octaves, like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

"A plaque inscribed 'Pillars of the Nation' is specially bestowed upon Jingshi Academy! A scroll of calligraphy by Su Shi, inscribed 'The First Embankment of West Lake,' is also granted!"

A thunderous roar of exclamations erupted from the crowd.

Official certification is the most lethal!

Cheng Yi's body swayed violently, and his staff clattered to the ground.

He felt dizzy and couldn't catch his breath, almost fainting on the spot.

What did he just swear at?

Heresy or heresy?

As a result, the government retaliated by bestowing upon him the title of "Pillar of the Nation"!

Who does Cheng Yi think he is? How dare he question the pillar of the nation personally appointed by the emperor? If these words get out, his reputation as a leading figure in Neo-Confucianism will be completely shattered today!

The group of renowned Neo-Confucian scholars behind him wished they could bury their heads in the ground.

They've kicked a hornet's nest! No, they've kicked the emperor's throne!

However, this is not the end.

The messenger paused for a moment, then dropped the real bombshell of the day.

"...Su Shi is a man of great talent and ability; he is hereby promoted to Prefect of Hangzhou! Furthermore, he is also appointed Prefect of the Jiangnan Circuit, in charge of the next provincial examination for Jiangnan Circuit! This is the imperial decree!"

Dead silence.

The entire shoreline of West Lake was deathly silent.

Promotion was not unexpected, but this "Prefect of the Imperial Examinations"...

The examiner?!

Su Shi himself was stunned, kneeling there blankly, thinking he was hallucinating.

"Snapped!"

Jiang Lin put down his teacup and burst out laughing.

Good heavens, Zhao Lingjun is quite the influencer! This isn't just a promotion; she's practically handed the reins of the Jiangnan imperial examination system to Su Shi!

From now on, scholars from Jiangnan who want to become officials will have to pay homage to Su Shi first!

"Lord Su, please accept the decree." The messenger smiled and closed the imperial edict.

"Your subject... accepts the imperial decree and expresses gratitude! Long live the Emperor!" Su Shi received the imperial decree with trembling hands and kowtowed heavily.

He stood up, turned around, and stared directly at Cheng Yi with eyes like lightning.

Cheng Yi's face turned ashen, and he aged ten years in an instant.

Jiang Lin stretched and strolled over to Cheng Yi, smiling as he spoke.

"Old sir, you were shouting so loudly just now, saying our academy was... what was it again? Heresy?"

Cheng Yi's lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.

"Oh dear, this is difficult," Jiang Lin said with a troubled expression. "The Emperor just certified us as 'pillars of the nation.' Sir, are you implying that the Emperor is blind, or are you trying to defy the imperial decree?"

"You...you're spouting nonsense!" Cheng Yi was so angry that he trembled all over.

"It's good that you didn't say anything." Jiang Lin's smile vanished, and he interrupted directly, "Then please make way, sir. Our newly appointed Prefect Su, who is also the chief examiner, is very busy with official duties and doesn't have time to play in the mud with you here."

"You brat... don't be so arrogant!" Cheng Yi felt a mouthful of blood rise to his throat. "The imperial examination is a vital instrument of the nation; how dare you vulgar merchants manipulate it!"

Whether or not it's arranged is not up to you.

Jiang Lin suddenly leaned close to his ear and whispered something like a devil's:

"Old man, times have changed. From now on, scholars in Jiangnan who want to serve in the government will have to learn my rules first. You disagree? If you disagree, then let your 'heavenly principles' rot in the ground."

Having said that, he didn't even bother to look at Cheng Yi again, and turned to shout at Su Shi:

"Lord Su, you're back at the residence! The new examination syllabus at the academy is still awaiting your approval!"

Holding the imperial edict, Su Shi felt he had never stood so straight in his life, and strode over to Jiang Lin's side.

"Headmaster, please!"

The two walked side by side.

As Jiang Lin passed by Cai You, he paused, looking down at the useless man sprawled in the mud, trembling like a leaf.

"Young Master Cai." He nudged the other man with his toe.

Cai You was startled and suddenly looked up, his face covered in mud and water, looking as disheveled as a dog.

"Go back and tell your father something."

Jiang Lin's smile vanished, his eyes turning as cold as ice.

"I'll take this plate from Jiangnan. If he dares to reach out again..."

"I'll chop it up and feed it to the turtles in West Lake."

Cai You, utterly terrified, kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Yes, yes, yes... I'll bring it... I'll definitely bring it..."

Jiang Lin snorted coldly and strode away.

The next second, the once-silent shores of West Lake erupted into a deafening celebration!

"Lord Su is mighty!"

"Jiangshan Chang is awesome!"

"Jingshi Academy! The best in the world!"

Amidst the deafening roar, Cheng Yi, supported by his disciples, disappeared into the crowd like a stray dog.

He knew that from this day forward, the sky had fallen for Neo-Confucianism in Jiangnan.