Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

So that's how scholars get their reputations!

This world is truly a makeshift operation.

Chen Shao felt a slight disdain in his heart, but... it really worked!

If you arrange for a bunch of shills, you're guaranteed to win the argument no matter what.

And leave others speechless.

I never expected that Shen Qingci, with her thick eyebrows and big eyes, would have such methods.

"Sir, you are truly a remarkable person."

"I'm impressed that they can even turn such an elegant literary gathering into a business."

Shen Qingci shook his head:

"Results are more important than process; extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"A true gentleman knows what to do and what not to do; a rigid mind that is bound by formalities is nothing more than a hypocrite."

Instead of admiring me, you should read a couple more books.

Upon hearing this, Chen Shao nodded emphatically:

"Mr. Shen, what should a gentleman base his principles on?"

"If one knows shame and seeks answers, even rotten wood can be carved."

Shen Qingci, with a smug look on his face, said with his hands behind his back:

"Then I'll explain it to you properly."

"A gentleman should take sincerity as his foundation."

"Sincerity is the way of Heaven; to strive for sincerity is the way of man."

"The first principle for a gentleman to establish himself is sincerity and a righteous heart."

"For example, Your Majesty defends a city, knowing it is impossible but doing it anyway; this is your sincerity towards the nation."

"For example, if I, Shen Qingci, say that I want to help you revive the Great Yan Dynasty, I will do so without hesitation and even sacrifice my life for righteousness. This is my sincerity towards myself."

Chen Shaozuo appears to be deep in thought.

"Indeed, as the sage said: A gentleman's word is as good as his bond."

"Mr. Shen is indeed a man of noble character and integrity. I have learned a great deal from him."

"Then I have another question I would like to ask you, sir."

"Please feel free to speak."

"That day, Mr. Shen said in person that if we could defend the capital, he would strip naked for me to see."

"Any posture."

"Sir, is it possible to grant that request?"

Shen Qingci's face flushed red at a visible speed.

She stared at Chen Shao's harmless face for a long time.

He managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth:

"So this is what you were waiting for, Chen Shao. Let me give you a piece of advice: lust is a knife hanging over one's head."

Chen Shao waved his hand dismissively, "One should always retain a bit of decency, lest one become incompatible with the world."

"It's just a stinking carcass, why are you so fixated on it?"

"I, Shen Qingci, have long since transcended such low-level interests."

After she finished speaking, she actually reached out and untied it.

His clothes slipped off.

"This is the lesson I'm teaching you today: a gentleman keeps his word; what he says, he does!"

"You once said you would overthrow the two great mountains, bring happiness to the people, and become an emperor for all ages. I hope you can keep your promise."

"..."

Mr. Shen is a true gentleman!

Her words made Chen Shao feel a little embarrassed.

This woman...

Chen Shao was deeply moved; she was willing to make such a great sacrifice just to remind him.

That lustful thought vanished without a trace in an instant.

Chen Shao shifted his gaze to the window.

murmured:

"A gentleman will always keep his promise."

Shen Qingci then put on her clothes, a fleeting hint of shyness in her eyes.

At the same time, I felt a little disappointed.

Am I really that unattractive?

He actually managed to look away, damn it!

Shouldn't it be soldered on top?

"Mr. Shen, there's one more thing I need to ask you."

"Now that the Northern Mang army has retreated and I have just ascended the throne, I am preparing to hold a special imperial examination to select talents for the country. I hope you can serve as the chief examiner for this examination."

"At the same time, we urge all students to study diligently."

When it came to serious matters, Shen Qingci immediately got into the zone.

It is common practice for an emperor to hold a special imperial examination upon ascending the throne.

In particular, Chen Shao wanted to implement sweeping reforms, so he would inevitably need his own team.

The imperial court also needs a major overhaul.

At the same time, this is also an opportunity for students.

Once every three years, it's just too long.

How many people have wasted their lives until their hair turned white?

She bowed to Chen Shao.

"On behalf of those students, I thank Your Majesty."

Then, looking ashamed, he said:

"It's just a pity that the world is in chaos now, and the court is corrupt and chaotic, so many people have lost the will to study."

The Great Yan Dynasty was thrown into chaos by Chen Yuan.

The purpose of reading shifted from governing the world and benefiting the people to protecting oneself and avoiding disaster.

Engaging in light conversation is acceptable, but spending a lifetime studying classical texts is not necessarily so.

In chaotic times, the ultimate rule is force.

Those with strong soldiers and powerful horses will be chosen!

Even the prestigious Luming Academy, known as the best academy in the world, was filled with anxiety and restlessness at this time.

Last time, she had Chen Shao's poem "There will be times when the wind and waves will be broken, and the sails will be hoisted to cross the vast sea" engraved into a stele and placed at the entrance of the academy.

It has some effect, but not much.

Thinking of this, Shen Qingci suddenly realized that she could take advantage of her proximity to the emperor and have him go to boost morale.

"If you have nothing else to do, you can go to Luming Academy to correct the current unhealthy trends."

"I myself am ignorant and incompetent, how can I teach others?"

Chen Shao waved his hand in refusal.

"You have a way, I believe in you."

Shen Qingci looked straight at her, her eyes devoid of any hint of a joke.

Chen Shaodu felt a little uneasy under her gaze.

"If you imitate a cat's meow, I might consider it."

Shen Qingci remained expressionless and spoke fluently and directly:

"Meow!"

His tone was a bit forceful, like an iron-willed cat.

...It seems that the morals of Luming Academy have deteriorated to a very serious degree. Chen Shao was stunned for a while, then silently stood up and walked out.

......

Luming Academy is located in the east of the city and covers a very large area.

The brick and gray tile buildings are nestled among ancient cypress and pine trees, and a mottled wooden plaque hangs above the door with the four large characters "Luming Academy" written on it.

Chen Shaoyuan saw a newly carved stone tablet standing at the entrance.

Above are his two lines, "There will be times when the wind will break the waves and I will set sail to cross the vast ocean," filled with vermilion, which stands out brightly in the sunlight.

The scene inside the academy, however, was quite different.

There was the sound of reading aloud, but it was rare.

Under several old locust trees, a group of young students in fine clothes were sitting together playing the game of "floating wine cups on a winding stream".

In the pavilion on the side, another group of people were having a lively discussion, talking about everything from the mysteries of heaven and earth to the fleeting nature of life, their spittle flying as they spoke.

In the secluded bamboo grove, there was not an enlightened being, but a man in loose robes with his clothes half-open and his face flushed.

Shen Qingci's face flushed slightly, and she sighed softly:

"When the world is in chaos, people's hearts are scattered."

"If even the emperor can be captured, who can believe that this empire can last?"

"Having learned both literary and martial arts, I don't know who to sell my skills to."

"It's better to enjoy life while you can, take it one day at a time, engage in idle talk or take medicine. When life is uncertain, no one wants to spend their life studying books."

Chen Shao neither confirmed nor denied this, but it was only one aspect.

According to his memory, the literary style was extremely popular in the Great Yan Dynasty.

However, Chen Yuan later became obsessed with pleasure and became incompetent, allowing treacherous officials to control the court and appointing people based on personal connections.

The imperial examination, the only path to advancement for those from humble backgrounds, has become a playground for the powerful.

It's better to flatter and fawn than to study hard.

Yunlu Academy is located in the capital, a place of great importance under the emperor's nose. It has many children of powerful and wealthy families. With them leading the way, it's no wonder that the atmosphere of the entire academy is not good.

Although Shen Qingci was nominally the dean, he did not rule the entire household.

Aside from her sharp tongue, she doesn't really have much of a deterrent effect on ordinary students.

It would be strange if the atmosphere in the academy were to improve.

He had already prepared his explanation before coming here.

They want to plagiarize a poem called "Exhortation to Learning".

The lamp burns at midnight, the rooster crows at dawn; this is the time for a man to study.

Or perhaps it's that extremely utilitarian saying, "In books there are houses of gold; in books there are beauties like jade."

To inspire students' desire to learn.

Looking at it now, it seems quite laughable in the face of these young people living a life of debauchery.

Talking to them about ideals and diligence is like casting pearls before swine.

There's only one way to deal with these people.