He fiercely criticized the Manchu scholar clique and the twelve emperors of the Qing Dynasty.

Upon hearing Yan Chongnian's definitive accusation, hundreds of eyes in the room focused on Zhao Shuyao. In the minds of most students, facing the stern rebuke of such a renowned academic giant who had appeared on major media programs, a graduate student who had not yet graduated should immediately back down, or even stutter on the spot due to the immense psychological pressure.

But Zhao Shuyao's reaction completely exceeded everyone's expectations.

He didn't raise his voice to argue further, nor did he show any embarrassment after being reprimanded by his elder. He simply stood there and listened to Yan Chongnian's criticism of "quality" and "upbringing."

He quickly analyzed the other party's line of reasoning in his mind.

When reasoning fails, some academics resort to using their age, seniority, and industry status to create moral pressure. This practice is common in academic circles.

If he were to show a temper at this moment, it would only confirm the other party's assertion that he was "uncultured".

Zhao Shuyao switched the microphone from his right hand to his left, becoming more relaxed. He looked at the ashen-faced old man on the podium and said with a smile.

"Professor Yan, we are all cultured people. Since we are sitting here giving lectures and discussing history, let's focus on academic topics and discuss the issues at hand. Please don't label me as 'uncultured' or 'attention-seeking' all the time."

His voice carried smoothly through the auditorium's speakers.

"The older generation's approach is to first label someone's background and then criticize them. This method is still effective even on today's online world." Zhao Shuyao's lips curled up, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery.

"However, this is 2016, in a university academic classroom. It's a bit inappropriate for you to say that. If I were to follow your lead and throw a few serious accusations at you, I doubt you would feel good about it."

"Besides, you're over eighty years old and are usually treated like royalty. If things really fall apart, you'll lose face. It's completely inappropriate, don't you think?"

These slightly sarcastic and relaxed words caused a few boys in the back row of the lecture hall to let out a muffled laugh, which they quickly covered their mouths.

The suffocating atmosphere of being overwhelmed by authority was instantly torn open by Zhao Shuyao's almost sarcastic approach. Many students began to reassess the nature of the conversation, and their natural awe of power was crumbling.

Yan Chongnian sat upright in the leather chair behind the podium, his chest heaving noticeably faster. He had attended countless high-level forums and lectures, and no one had ever dared to publicly undermine him with such a tone of praise disguised as criticism.

He opened his mouth, but his usual eloquence, full of quotations and allusions, suddenly paused for a moment.

He searched his mind for words to use in retaliation, but found that no matter what he said, as long as he was emotional, he would fall into the trap set by this young man.

Yan Chongnian could only reply reluctantly, "Young man, I advise you not to be so arrogant. Doing academic research requires solid evidence, not just empty talk. You're a graduate student at Northeastern University; don't you even understand this most basic academic ethics?"

At this point, Yan Chongnian narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying a substantial threat from someone in a superior position: "Who is your mentor? I'm going to your department for a meeting in a few days, and I'll find an opportunity to have a good talk with him about your daily teaching work."

Bringing in the advisor is the most common and deadly tactic used by academics to underperform students. Many graduate students who are auditing classes will involuntarily change their expressions when they hear this.

Zhao Shuyao could only sigh helplessly.

"Professor Yan, this is not very interesting." Zhao Shuyao looked at the podium with the same look he gave a neighbor's naughty child when he spoke into the microphone. "We were just discussing the quality of people in the Ming and Qing dynasties, and suddenly you start interrogating people. Aren't you just like a child? When you can't win an argument with someone, your first reaction is to go and complain to their parents."

He spread out his free right hand and continued, "I stopped doing this when I was seven years old and in first grade. You are a leading figure in the field of history. Are you less adept at handling academic differences than I was at seven? Fine, I won't argue with you about these external factors. Since you want to hear evidence, I will share my views."

Zhao Shuyao's words sparked another round of discussion among the surrounding students. His complete disregard for the threat gave some of the previously fearful students a strange sense of satisfaction. However, it was precisely this disregard for the rules that provoked the people maintaining order at the scene.

A boy sitting in the front aisle suddenly stood up. He was wearing a crisp black suit and a student council member name tag on his chest. He turned around, strode to the middle of the aisle, pointed at Zhao Shuyao, and loudly accused him.

"Zhao Shuyao, please correct your attitude. Professor Yan is over eighty years old and a renowned scholar of Manchu studies in our country. How can you speak to Professor Yan like that?"

The boy frowned, looking righteous and indignant. He believed that by standing up for the expert at this moment, he would definitely win the praise of the school leaders and this leading figure.

He continued, "On behalf of the student council, I demand that you immediately apologize to Professor Yan and seek his forgiveness. Otherwise, I will report this to the school immediately and have you severely punished for disrupting the lecture today!"

"You're about to graduate and face the challenges of finding a job and studying abroad. Don't ruin your bright future because of a moment of carelessness. It's extremely unwise to waste years of hard work just for a moment of satisfaction, understand?"

This barrage of accusations, carrying an extremely real and oppressive feel, was laid bare before Zhao Shuyao.

When Zhao Shuyao's roommate Yang Wei heard the words "report to the school" and "ruin his future," his body trembled involuntarily. As a student from an ordinary family, Yang Wei's entire understanding was that his graduation certificate and degree certificate were the lifeline of his life.

He immediately reached out and grabbed Zhao Shuyao's sleeve.

Yang Wei swallowed hard and pleaded in a low voice, "Old Zhao, Old Zhao, wake up! I think you should apologize quickly. This old guy not only has a position in academia, but also a lot of influence in society. If things really get out of hand, he can shut down your paper with just one sentence. Don't let a small thing cause a big loss."

Looking at Zhao Shuyao's still calm profile, Yang Wei's eyes reddened with anxiety. He whispered again, "If you really can't bring yourself to apologize, then don't say anything and just sit down."

"Let's discuss the rest back in the dorm, okay?" Yang Wei's concern stemmed entirely from survival instinct. He didn't understand the grand historical rights and wrongs; he only knew that his roommate was jumping off a cliff.

Several classmates around Zhao Shuyao were also gesturing to him with their eyes. Their eyes contained sympathy, confusion, and a sense of urging him to sit down quickly and calm things down.

The entire environment was sending Zhao Shuyao a message: bow your head, admit your mistakes, and return to the safe zone of reality.

Zhao Shuyao lowered his head and looked at Yang Wei. He wasn't angry because he knew Yang Wei's intention was simply to show concern. This was the most genuine self-protective reaction of an ordinary person when facing power.

He gently patted Yang Wei's hand to make him let go, then looked up at the student council member who was still standing in the aisle waiting for him to bow his head.

Zhao Shuyao laughed. He waved his hand and said, "Young man, you're wearing a badge around your neck, you're an officer in the undergraduate department, right? What right do you, an undergraduate, have to manage the daily affairs of my graduate students? I think you're a person with a small position but a lot of ambition."

The student council members were stunned, their mouths agape, unsure how to refute.

Zhao Shuyao showed him no mercy and continued, "This is the academic lecture hall of Northeastern University. Professor Yan and I are discussing controversial issues in historical scholarship."

"What's so strange about us having different perspectives and debates? If academic research doesn't even allow for this kind of debate, what kind of academic research is it? It might as well be renamed 'Complete Collection of Memorization'."

He pointed to Yan Chongnian on the stage and said to the boy, "Professor Yan is old and has been researching in the same direction for decades. His thinking is somewhat rigid and he is unwilling to accept new ideas. I can understand that."

"But what about you? You're only in your twenties. How can your thinking be so rigid at such a young age? When faced with academic debates, instead of listening to whether the content is right or wrong, your first reaction is to use your future and punishment to shut others up. Can't people freely express their thoughts in this lecture hall?"

After Zhao Shuyao finished speaking, he looked past the boy and refocused his gaze on Yan Chongnian on the podium.

"Professor Yan, you are the speaker for this lecture," Zhao Shuyao said in a steady and powerful voice. "Tell me, in this classroom, am I permitted to express my true thoughts about the Ming and Qing dynasties?"

Yan Chongnian's facial muscles were somewhat stiff. With hundreds of students watching below, if he followed the student council officers' advice and censored a student's speech, it would definitely be a blow to his reputation.

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.

Yan Chongnian snorted and said, "Northeastern University has always been open. If you are having a normal academic discussion and can provide solid evidence, I certainly welcome everyone to express their opinions."

"However, if you are deliberately spreading rumors and making false statements to attack the historical achievements of a dynasty, I will not sit idly by. I will definitely go to your mentor to discuss this serious issue."

Zhao Shuyao shook his head helplessly as he looked at Yan Chongnian's still arrogant attitude.

He spoke into the microphone in an almost sighing tone: "Professor Yan, the double standard in your words is too obvious. How come you spoke for a full hour and a half, labeling the Ming Dynasty with all sorts of bizarre terms, but not mentioning a word about the Qing Dynasty's faults?"

"You can freely make such false statements that defy common sense, and that's called an 'authoritative conclusion.' But how come when it comes to me, before I even begin to present my evidence, you've already labeled me as 'making false statements'?"

The atmosphere in the lecture hall instantly tightened to an extreme level after that one sentence.

Zhao Shuyao stared sharply at the old man on the stage and continued, "Since you keep saying that all the Qing emperors were diligent in their duties and all the Ming emperors were eccentric, and that you must look at specific historical materials, fine, let's put aside those formalities and start by looking at the four words you most admire: 'diligent in governance and loving the people'."