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

In a dilapidated teahouse in the south of Hangzhou, several men dressed in black sat around a square table in the corner, on which lay several bowls of cold, coarse tea. The leader of the men in black was Wang Biao, a trusted spy under Cai Jing. At this moment, his brows were furrowed, and he stared intently at the piece of paper in his hand.

The paper contained the very same exam question that had been making headlines outside: "Calculation of Horse and Forage Losses in the Northwest Border Army."

"Brother, this is strange." A skinny, monkey-like subordinate said in a low voice, "The Grand Tutor gave us a question about salt tax. We haven't even had time to distribute it yet. How come this question about the Northwest Frontier Army has suddenly appeared on the market? And the rumors are so detailed. They say that the fat guy in charge of money at Jingshi Academy was scolded for embezzling and stole it out of spite."

Wang Biao snorted and slammed the paper on the table. "Is there even a question? It must be infighting among Su Shi's group! I've heard that fat guy named Qian Duoduo is a money-grubber. Jiang Lin has gotten himself into trouble this time, shooting himself in the foot."

Skinny Monkey's eyes darted around: "What about the salt tax issue we have? All those powerful families are eyeing this Northwest issue right now. Even if we give it away for free, nobody wants it."

"Idiot!" Wang Biao glared at him. "What's our mission? To create irrefutable evidence of cheating in the imperial examinations and bring down Su Shi and Jiang Lin! Since they've already leaked the real exam questions themselves, why bother? Let's just go with the flow and solidify this Northwest exam. When the Censorate searches the examination hall, they'll catch them red-handed, and Su Shi won't be able to explain himself even if he has a hundred mouths!"

Skinny Monkey suddenly realized: "Brother, you're brilliant! So, what do we do now?"

"Investigate!" Wang Biao stood up. "Keep a close eye on that Qian Duoduo and see which powerful families he sold the exam questions to. Once we have evidence of the transactions, our mission will be complete. The Grand Tutor will reward us handsomely!"

At this moment, in the academy, Qian Duoduo was slumped in a chair, holding a golden abacus in his hand, clicking away.

"We're rich! We're rich!" Qian Duoduo grinned from ear to ear as he calculated. "These wealthy families are really foolish and rich. They're scrambling to buy fake exam questions that cost 500 guan each. In just three days, we've already made 3,000 guan!"

Jiang Lin lay back in the wicker chair beside him, holding a cup of pre-Qingming Longjing tea, and slowly took a sip. "You're this happy over such a small amount of money? You're pathetic."

Qian Duoduo quickly stepped forward, her face beaming: "Headmaster, this isn't about the money, it's about the thrill of outsmarting someone! You didn't see the look on that old bastard Lin's face when he took out his money. He was practically convulsing with heartache, thinking he'd gotten a great deal."

Zhao Lingjun sat to the side, flipping through the account books, and said without looking up, "Don't be too happy yet. The people Cai Jing sent are definitely watching you. Be careful when you go out on business these next few days, don't actually get caught in their trap."

Qian Duoduo patted his chest and said, "Don't worry! I have more than a dozen guards with me. Besides, I'd love for them to come looking for me."

Jiang Lin put down his teacup and sat up straight. "Judging by the time, they should be making a move soon. Duoduo, go to the black market again tomorrow and pretend you have one last set of questions to sell. Remember, act convincingly, make a big fuss, so those spies from Bianjing think they've got something on you."

Qian Duoduo chuckled: "Got it! When it comes to acting, I've never been more impressed by anyone."

The next evening, in a dark alley in the Hangzhou black market.

Qian Duoduo, wrapped in a large black cloak, stood furtively in the corner. He was accompanied only by two guards, who looked extremely vigilant.

Not long after, Wang Biao and several of his men sneaked over. They had already found out that Qian Duoduo was going to sell the last "top secret internal reference scroll" here today.

Wang Biao, hiding in the shadows, watched as Qian Duoduo pulled a paper package from his pocket and handed it to a masked buyer. The buyer then handed over a thick stack of silver notes.

"Now!" Wang Biao waved his hand, and several men in black rushed out instantly, surrounding Qian Duoduo and the buyer.

Qian Duoduo screamed in fright, dropping the oil-paper package in her hand to the ground. "What are you doing! Robbing me in broad daylight?!"

Wang Biao sneered, stepped forward, picked up the oil paper package, opened it, and found that it contained the exam questions for the Northwest Border Army.

"Manager Qian, long time no see." Wang Biao stared at Qian Duoduo. "You've got some nerve, daring to sell even the unfinished exam papers for the provincial examination. If Su Shi finds out, do you think you'll keep your head?"

Qian Duoduo trembled all over, her voice shaking: "You...who are you? How do you know who I am?"

"Who I am is none of your concern." Wang Biao leaned closer to Qian Duoduo, his tone sinister. "I'll only ask you one question: Is this question a genuine question set by Su Shi?"

Qian Duoduo shook her head frantically: "No! I don't know! I just wrote something randomly to scam money!"

"Still not telling the truth?" Wang Biao grabbed Qian Duoduo by the collar. "I have plenty of ways to make you talk. Do you believe I'll report your selling of exam questions to the Hangzhou prefectural government right now?"

Qian Duoduo suddenly knelt on the ground, crying and shouting, "No! Please don't! I'll tell you, I'll tell you everything! This question really was set by Su Shi, and I secretly copied it down when he wasn't looking. Please don't tell him, he'll kill me!"

Wang Biao was overjoyed. It really was the real exam question! Now the evidence was conclusive.

"You're smart to know what's good for you." Wang Biao released his grip, stuffed the oil paper package into his pocket, and said, "Get lost. Keep your mouth shut from now on. If you dare to leak even a whisper, I'll kill you!"

Qian Duoduo scrambled away with his guards.

Watching Qian Duoduo's retreating figure, Skinny Monkey leaned closer and asked, "Big Brother, are we just going to let him go like that?"

Wang Biao laughed smugly: "He's just a greedy fool, there's no use keeping him alive. Now we have evidence of his own confession, plus those wealthy families who bought the exam questions, Su Shi is doomed this time. Let's go back and write to the Grand Tutor, saying that the mission is accomplished, and we're just waiting to close the net on the day of the exam!"

Qian Duoduo, who had run out of the dark alley, stopped abruptly after turning a street corner. He dusted himself off, and the fear on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a look of disdain.

"With this level of intelligence, they dare to work as undercover agents?" Qian Duoduo spat. "The headmaster is right, these people are just a bunch of self-righteous idiots."

He turned to the guards behind him and said, "Let's go back to the academy and report the good news to the headmaster."