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

The air inside the Drunken Old Man's Pavilion seemed to freeze, and even the chirping of insects outside sounded particularly jarring.

Liu Chang arrived with great force, with twelve Imperial Academy Doctors standing on either side behind him, forming a dark wall of people that crushed the elegant atmosphere inside the pavilion.

Ouyang Xiu frowned and stood up, trying to smooth things over: "Brother Liu, today is a private banquet hosted by me, and I have not yet..."

"A private banquet?"

Liu Chang sneered, directly interrupting the literary leader. He glanced around, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, his voice sharp:

"Lord Ouyang invited all the prominent figures in Bianjing, but he forgot about my Imperial Academy. What? In Lord Ouyang's eyes, the Imperial Academy is no longer worthy of being compared with this 'unorthodox academy'?"

These words were barbed, directly accusing Ouyang Xiu of favoritism and breaking the rules.

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances. Fan Zhen was about to say something when Wang Gui pressed his hand down. A glint flashed in Wang Gui's eyes, and he whispered, "Let's wait and see."

Liu Chang didn't wait for a response at all; his gaze, like that of a venomous snake, shot straight at Jiang Lin:

"Mr. Jiang, your 'profound remarks' in the main hall that day truly left a deep impression on me."

Jiang Lin put down his teacup, his tone as calm as if he were chatting casually: "It's good that you didn't hurt yourself."

"I'm still in pretty good health," Liu Chang said with a forced smile. "Mr. Jiang, I'm a straightforward person, and I have a few things to say."

He turned around abruptly, pointed his finger directly at Jiang Lin, and raised his voice sharply:

"First, you have neither official rank nor any verifiable lineage. On what basis do you have the qualifications to establish a school of thought, accept disciples, and lecture in our Great Song Dynasty?"

"During the reign of Emperor Taizu, there was a clear decree that private schools must be reviewed by the prefectural government and registered with the Ministry of Rites. May I ask if Mr. Jiang's academy has these documents?"

This question is a matter of legal principle.

Immediately afterwards, Liu Chang gave Jiang Lin no chance to catch his breath, throwing out the most piercing question:

"Furthermore, educating and nurturing students is a matter of great national importance. While it is certainly gratifying that Mr. Jiang's students have achieved the highest honors in all three categories, does this prove that Mr. Jiang is qualified to be a teacher?"

He paused deliberately, his gaze sweeping across the room with a sinister look, and said meaningfully:

"What if we just got incredibly lucky? What if... we knew the questions beforehand?"

boom!

These words caused an uproar in the room.

This is a blatant attack on Jiang Lin's character! It's an open and covert accusation that Jiang Lin committed "cheating"!

Su Shi had sobered up considerably, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. Just as he was about to jump up and curse, Zeng Gong grabbed his sleeve tightly.

Ouyang Xiu's face turned ashen, and he slammed his fist on the table: "Liu Chang! You're spouting nonsense! The imperial examination is the nation's grand ceremony for selecting talent; how dare you make wild guesses!"

Liu Chang sneered, showing no fear: "I am merely stating the facts. If Mr. Jiang feels wronged, he is free to prove his innocence."

All eyes turned to Jiang Lin.

He remained seated steadily, even picking up the teapot and pouring himself another cup of tea, his movements fluid and graceful, without the slightest tremor.

"Has Chief Minister Liu finished speaking?" Jiang Lin blew on the tea foam and asked casually.

Liu Chang was taken aback, not expecting this young man to have such composure: "You..."

Jiang Lin slowly raised his eyes, his gaze as calm as an ancient well, yet unfathomable:

"First, I have no official rank because I don't need it. The imperial examinations are for seeking official positions, and I have no intention of becoming an official, so why should I take the exams?"

"Secondly, the reason I have no teacher is because my teacher..." He paused, a strange smile appearing on his lips, "is no longer in this era."

The crowd was confused and assumed he was referring to his deceased mentor.

"Thirdly, regarding the documents—His Majesty personally bestowed upon me the title of 'Master of Governance,' and the plaque bearing his calligraphy hangs at the entrance of the academy. If Chancellor Liu feels unworthy, he may go before His Majesty and impeach me."

Liu Chang's expression changed slightly; bringing up the emperor was a powerful move.

Jiang Lin slowly stood up, lightly tapping the table with his folding fan, producing a crisp sound:

"As for cheating..."

He laughed. There was no anger in that laugh, only a kind of pity as if looking at a fool.

"Liu, the Imperial Academy Chancellor, has countless students and is in charge of the highest institution of learning in the Song Dynasty. May I ask, how many top scholars have emerged from the Imperial Academy in recent years?"

Liu Chang was speechless. Although the Imperial Academy had many students, it had indeed not produced a top scholar in the past two years.

Jiang Lin took a step forward, staring intently at Liu Chang:

"And my academy, in just two years, produced three outstanding scholars who achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations."

"Was my apprentice lucky, or was your student just unlucky?"

The entire venue was deathly silent.

This counterattack was ruthless! It completely ripped away the fig leaf from the Imperial Academy!

Liu Chang's face flushed red, and veins bulged on his neck: "You! You're just spouting nonsense!"

"Since Chief Minister Liu is not convinced," Jiang Lin said, unfolding his folding fan with a "whoosh" and shaking it, "three days from now, at Fanlou! I will book the largest venue."

"Let's have a public competition in front of a million people in Bianjing!"

Liu Chang was taken aback and subconsciously asked, "What are we competing in?"

Jiang Lin gently waved his folding fan and casually uttered three words:

"Classic texts, poetry, and policy essays."

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

A collective gasp erupted immediately!

Liu Chang's eyes widened, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world:

"What did you say? You want to compare these things with the Imperial Academy?"

Everyone knows that Jingshi Academy excels in mathematics, physics, and practical affairs, while the Imperial Academy has been studying classical texts for decades! Is Jiang Lin trying to use his own weakness to attack the other's strength?

Jiang Lin smiled calmly, his eyes carrying three parts mockery and seven parts domineering:

"What? You're afraid?"

"I will use what you are most proud of to crush you squarely!"

Liu Chang was so angry he laughed, his facial muscles trembling:

"Fine! Fine! You're not taking the path to heaven!"

He stared intently at Jiang Lin and said sharply:

"If Mr. Jiang loses—immediately close the academy, smash its signboard, and never again lecture in Bianjing!"

Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow, his expression relaxed: "What if I win?"

"I, Liu Chang, publicly apologize to you and admit that the Imperial Academy is inferior to the Jingshi Academy!"

Jiang Lin cupped his hands and closed his folding fan: "It's a deal. See you at Fanlou in three days."

Liu Chang angrily turned and left with the twelve scholars without saying goodbye.

The literary gathering ended unhappily.

After everyone dispersed, only Jiang Lin and his apprentice, along with Ouyang Xiu and a few others, remained in the pavilion.

Su Shi finally couldn't hold back any longer and slammed his fist on a pillar: "Sir! That old...that Liu Chang is simply going too far!"

Jiang Lin tapped his head with his folding fan: "You managed to swallow the words 'old scoundrel'? You've improved quite a bit."

Su Shi chuckled awkwardly, "This disciple almost couldn't hold back..."

Zeng Gong looked worried, his brows furrowed: "Sir, the Imperial Academy is, after all, a century-old institution with a profound history. Three days is too short; if we lose..."

"lose?"

Jiang Lin chuckled and looked at the two disciples:

"You two, one a once-in-a-millennium poetry genius, one a bookworm well-versed in classical texts, and Ziyou, a meticulous and insightful strategist."

"Those 'doctors' at the Imperial Academy have spent their whole lives studying dead books, and they can't even pass the imperial examinations. They can only waste their time at the Imperial Academy. Do they really think they can challenge me?"

Jiang Lin snapped his fingers: "Three days from now, let them know what the gap between eras really means."

Ouyang Xiu, listening from the side, couldn't help but laugh: "Mr. Jiang, I admire your confidence. I will personally be the referee when the time comes."

That night, the news of "Jingshi Academy challenging the Imperial Academy" spread like wildfire throughout Bianjing.

Teahouses, restaurants, and even brothels were all talking about it.

Major gambling dens opened betting odds overnight: Jingshi Academy was 3 to 1, and Taixue was 1.5 to 1. Clearly, most people felt that Taixue had a better chance of winning.

Meanwhile, in a secluded side hall of the palace, candlelight flickered.

"You mean... that Jiang Lin, he issued a challenge to the Imperial Academy?"

From behind the screen came a girl's clear, slightly mischievous voice:

"Three days later at Fanlou, how could 'Young Master Zhao' possibly miss such a good show?"