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

"How can we make room for you if we don't take away their jobs?"

The lingering echo of those words was more scorching than the candlelight.

The room was deathly silent. Su Shi, Zeng Gong, and Su Zhe stared wide-eyed at their mentor, who was sitting with his legs crossed, their heads spinning.

Arrogant, utterly arrogant! In Bianjing, perhaps only our master would dare to say that he would use the entire court as a stepping stone.

"Alright, tuck your jaw in a bit, don't dislocate it."

Jiang Lin looked at the three students who were dumbfounded, snapped his folding fan shut, and instantly withdrew his domineering air, which had been so arrogant just moments before, replaced by a shrewd and experienced look.

"That was the strategic approach; now I'm going to teach you tactical maneuvers. Sit down."

Jiang Lin pointed to the chair opposite him, "Tomorrow I'm going to the palace to 'argue,' and before that, I have a few heartfelt 'survival rules of the court' to share. Remember them, they're your lifesavers."

The three of them immediately came to their senses, sat up straight, and became like new recruits waiting for training.

Rule number one: Don't be in a hurry to show off.

Jiang Lin's gaze was like two small knives, precisely piercing Su Shi. "Zizhan, this one was specially made for you."

Su Shi shrank back, looking completely innocent.

"Your talent is too great, like an awl in a pocket, impossible to hide. But remember, the tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind; the most outstanding person among the crowd will surely be favored by others."

Jiang Lin pointed at Su Shi's mouth, "Your mouth is your greatest weapon, but also your greatest hidden danger."

"From now on, in court, if no one asks you anything, keep your mouth shut. There's no shame in being mute. If someone does ask you something, hold back seven-tenths of what you have to say."

Su Shi muttered somewhat aggrievedly, "Teacher, I was just telling the truth..."

"Speaking the truth is a virtue in Runzhou, but in Bianjing it's suicide." Jiang Lin rolled his eyes at him, annoyed. "If you want to complain, write to me, or go home and shout into the wall. Don't spout nonsense in court. Is that even a mouth? It's just a sieve that causes trouble!"

"Rule number two: Don't take sides easily."

Jiang Lin raised his second finger, his expression turning playful. "In the current court, Han Qi is one faction, Fu Bi is another, Ouyang Xiu is yet another, and those old ministers who cling to outdated ideas are yet another. You are now wearing the hat of 'Ouyang Xiu's disciples,' which is true, but don't tie yourselves down."

Zeng Gong frowned and asked, "Sir, how should we conduct ourselves? If we don't rely on either side, won't we become isolated officials? Without a backer in the court, it will be difficult to move an inch."

"Who said you don't have powerful backers?"

Jiang Lin suddenly grinned, a smile that exuded a reassuringly roguish air. He pointed to his own nose, then to the three people in front of him, his tone extremely arrogant:

"Remember this: the people of Jingshi Academy will henceforth be the biggest gangster gang in Bianjing City... no, the biggest power."

The three of them stared in disbelief, nearly sliding off their chairs. "Sir, isn't that a bit too... direct?"

Jiang Lin ignored their expressions and continued, "As long as you stick to this label, everyone will know at a glance that you're all the same kind of people, my students. In this circle, we are a powerful family ourselves; why do we need to suck up to others?"

"If anyone dares to bully you in the future, don't try to reason with them, just say my name. If saying my name doesn't work..."

Jiang Lin paused, a wicked smile flashing in his eyes, "Then let Su Shi go and write poems to curse them to death."

Su Shi: "..."

So, I'm just a humanoid walking weapon, right?

"Third rule: Leave room for maneuver in your actions."

Jiang Lin's joking expression vanished, and his voice deepened, "Don't say things that are too absolute, and don't do things that are too extreme. The officialdom is like a play, and it all depends on acting skills."

"The nobody you crush today might be the powerful official who stabs you in the back tomorrow. Leaving others a way out is leaving yourself a way out."

"Have you memorized everything?"

"We will remember this!" the three replied in unison, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at Jiang Lin.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door.

"Come in."

Qian Duoduo slipped in like a guilty detective, closed the door behind him, leaned against it, and said mysteriously, "Sir, I have news about what you asked me to inquire about."

Su Shi was taken aback, his curiosity piqued: "What is it? Is some restaurant having a discount?"

Qian Duoduo chuckled, his eyes full of mockery as he looked at Su Shi, his expression like that of someone looking at a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered: "Senior Brother, your luck with women is off the charts, and it's a torrential downpour of them."

"Huh?" Su Shi's face instantly turned a deep shade of purple. "What nonsense are you talking about! I already have a wife at home..."

"They don't care if you have a wife or not; they care about your status as the top scholar in the imperial examination."

Qian Duoduo pulled a crumpled little piece of paper from his pocket and said as if reporting military intelligence, "Sir, I've found out. Master Han Qi has three daughters, and the second young lady is of marriageable age. These past few days, the Han family has been spreading rumors that they greatly admire Scholar Su's talent and intend to... find a husband for him after the imperial examination results are announced."

"It's not just Han Qi." Qian Duoduo then pointed to Zeng Gong and Su Zhe, "Senior Brother Zeng and Second Senior Brother Su are also being targeted. The niece of Lord Fu Bi and the granddaughter of Lord Wang of the Censorate are both inquiring about your birth dates. In the matchmaking circles of Bianjing right now, the three of you are the most sought-after 'hard currency'."

Zeng Gong and Su Zhe were also embarrassed and stood there helplessly, like two young girls who had been teased.

"See that?"

Jiang Lin sneered, pointing at the three innocent, naive young men, "In the eyes of those powerful and wealthy people, you newly appointed scholars are just commodities on a shelf waiting to be sold. As long as they marry their daughters to you, they can both attract talent and invest in the future. This deal is extremely profitable and worthwhile."

Su Shi was somewhat indignant, the veins on his neck bulging: "Teacher, although I am not talented, I would never do anything to curry favor with the powerful..."

"I know you won't."

Jiang Lin waved his hand, interrupting his statement, "But you must understand that behind these marriages lies a naked exchange of interests. What they value is not you people, but the 'Jingshi Academy' behind you, and more importantly, they want to use you to climb the social ladder through my connection with Jiang Lin."

At this point, Jiang Lin stood up, walked to the three of them, and gently straightened Su Shi's slightly crooked collar, his movements as gentle as an old father's.

"Your marriage is your own decision. If you truly love each other and find each other agreeable, I won't interfere, and I might even help with the betrothal gifts; but if someone wants to use this to blackmail you, or to arrange a political marriage..."

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Lin's eyes, and his tone was chilling:

"Then let them come directly to me. I want to see who dares to use my students as bargaining chips."

The three felt a warmth in their hearts, and their eyes welled up with tears. In this profit-driven city of Bianjing, only with their teacher could they feel that pure, protective warmth.

"Alright, it's getting late."

Jiang Lin yawned and waved his hand. "Go back and rest early tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to the palace to 'battle' that official. You guys go do what you need to do and don't bother me."

After the three students left, the room fell silent again.

Qian Duoduo was about to slip away when Jiang Lin stopped her.

"Duoduo, you stay."

Qian Duoduo immediately stopped and moved closer: "Sir, is there anything else you need? Do you want me to go buy some late-night snacks?"

"Eat, eat, all you ever do is eat."

Jiang Lin tapped him on the forehead, his expression turning serious. "I'm giving you a serious task. Don't be idle these next few days; go and thoroughly investigate the commercial situation in the capital."

Qian Duoduo's eyes lit up; his businessman's instincts told him he smelled money: "Sir, are you interested in doing business?"

"Living off one's savings is not my style. How much money would it cost to support such a large academy, not to mention that glutton Su Shi?"

Jiang Lin tapped his fingers lightly on the table, making a rhythmic tapping sound:

"Go and find a good location for a shop; we want to open 'Jingshi Bookstore' in Bianjing!"

"Also, contact the paper mill at home immediately and have a batch of our specially made 'Top Scholar Paper' shipped over."

Jiang Lin pointed in the direction Su Shi had left outside the door, a mischievous smile playing on his lips:

"Now that Zizhan has become the top scholar in the imperial examination, he's a ready-made advertisement. We can simply print 'For Top Scholar Su' on our paper and sell it ten times the price to those candidates who want to share in his good fortune. That's not unreasonable, is it?"

Qian Duoduo was stunned, then suddenly slapped her thigh, her eyes shining with excitement:

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant, sir! This is called... what's that term again? Brand effect!"

"That's right." Jiang Lin nodded. "Making money out of fame is what it means to put things to practical use. Do you understand?"

"I understand! I understand perfectly!"

Qian Duoduo rubbed his hands together, his face beaming with excitement. "Don't worry, sir. Within three days, I will definitely take over the best shops in Bianjing City and fill the capital with our 'Top Scholar Paper'!"

"Go ahead, but keep a low profile."

After seeing off the money-grubber Qian Duoduo, the inn's rooms finally became completely quiet.

Jiang Lin rubbed his ears, which were numb from Su Shi's loud voice, and was about to collapse onto the bed when there was another gentle knock on the door.

"Who is it? If it's not urgent, we can talk about it tomorrow. Even if the sky falls, I, the headmaster, have to get some sleep first!" Jiang Lin shouted irritably, feeling so annoyed that he wanted to hit someone.

There was a moment of silence outside the door.

Immediately following, a deliberately lowered yet still refined voice, imbued with the authority of someone long accustomed to a position of power, rang out:

"Mr. Jiang, it is I."