Chapter 762 Hiring Mrs. Sui with a Large Sum of Money

Lu Yingxue spends every day with Cheng Wanwan, so naturally she knows what Xiao Qin University is.

If Cheng Wanwan had spearheaded the establishment, she might have been interested, but unfortunately, this academy was Qin Wang's idea, and she always felt it was unreliable.

She chuckled dryly, "On behalf of my son, I thank Your Highness for your kindness. However, my son only enjoys studying and can only fail to live up to Your Highness's good intentions."

The King of Qin shook his fan and sighed.

Last night, after the candidates came out of the examination hall, he sent people to visit those who seemed to have failed, inviting them to Xiao Qin University. He invited more than ten people, but not one of them agreed to enroll.

His school was more than three times larger than the girls' school. He spent a lot of money to build the school, including a reading pavilion, living quarters, and a dining hall, all of the highest standard. Students studying here not only pursued advanced studies but also enjoyed themselves... With such excellent conditions, why did no one come?

Is recruiting scholars the only option for him?

Seeing his worried expression, Cheng Wanwan knew that this prince had encountered a problem, and even a fool could guess what it was.

In literary circles, only the imperial examination was the proper path, the only way to prove one's abilities; all other paths were considered frivolous for scholars.

Those scholars who became successful candidates in the imperial examinations would probably rather serve as county magistrates in remote and impoverished areas than study at Xiao Qin University.

First, there was no future in it; second, the King of Qin was unreliable; and third, they couldn't afford to waste their time... No matter which angle they looked at it from, going to school was not the best option.

“Actually, Your Highness could cooperate with Lord Zhang,” Cheng Wanwan suggested. “Those who complete their first year of study could be admitted to the Court of State Ceremonial without prior appointment. This might tempt some scholars, but it’s hard to say…”

Whether to become a county magistrate in a remote, impoverished area or to serve in the Imperial Court of State Ceremonies in the capital, even a fool would know which to choose.

But since it was the first year, many people might not believe that the school would really give them the opportunity to enter the Court of State Ceremonies, and there would be a period of observation.

"Lord Zhang said their Court of State Ceremonies only accepts Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)." The King of Qin snorted. "The Court of State Ceremonies used to be ignored, but ever since Lady Sui opened up trade between the Great Yu Kingdom and Asab, they've become arrogant and don't even give me face. However—"

His eyes darted around. "If I said this was Madam Sui's idea, I think Old Zhang wouldn't refuse Madam Sui's request."

"Also, I can talk to Minister Jin of the Ministry of Works about whether students who have studied abroad and returned can be directly appointed to positions in the Ministry of Works..."

"In addition, some students who have learned new foreign crop cultivation techniques should also be able to find a job in the Ministry of Revenue."

"As long as Xiao Qin University can guarantee how many positions it will provide, I don't believe that no scholars will come to apply."

He talked on and on, and just like that, he happily made the decision.

After saying that, he looked at Cheng Wanwan with sparkling eyes and continued, "Madam Sui is fluent in the language of Assab. I would like to offer Madam Sui a generous sum of money to serve as the Assab language teacher at Xiao Qin University. I wonder if Madam Sui would do me the honor?"

With the title of Lady Sui, who would dare to underestimate his Xiao Qin Academy?

But Cheng Wanwan remained unmoved: "Has Your Highness forgotten that I am the headmistress of the girls' school and have no time to teach at other schools? Besides, I will return to Huzhou after my son finishes the imperial examination. I dare not delay Your Highness's important business."

"As the saying goes, the capable are often burdened with more work. Lady Sui is so outstanding, it's normal for her to have a heavier burden on her shoulders." King Qin said with a smirk, "Lady Sui has served as the headmistress of the girls' school for as long as she has served as a teacher at my Xiao Qin University. Consider it a favor, and I will certainly reward you handsomely."

Cheng Wanwan couldn't think of a reason to refuse, so she had no choice but to agree.

"Excellent!" King Qin grinned with joy. "I will have someone draft a notice immediately to officially begin recruiting students. Lady Sui, wait for my good news."

He came in a hurry and left in a flurry, disappearing from the courtyard in an instant.

Cheng Wanwan shook her head with a wry smile.

She had taught classes to everyone in the Court of State Ceremonial before, so lecturing was not unfamiliar to her. However, since it was a school, there had to be proper teaching materials.

The King of Qin entrusted this matter to her, so she couldn't just deal with it casually.

Over the next few days, she worked on compiling teaching materials. She knew that some of her ideas were out of touch with the times, so after the first draft was completed, she made a special trip to the Zhang residence to discuss revisions with Lord Zhang and several young men from the Court of State Ceremonial. Finally, the Asab language teaching materials were finalized.

Lord Zhang was initially grumbling about the King of Qin's arrogance, feeling that the talent recommended by the King of Qin was unreliable, and was thinking about how to politely refuse.

But seeing how seriously Cheng Wanwan was taking this matter, he knew that Xiao Qin Academy was probably not as hopeless as he had imagined. Perhaps, it could actually send some promising young talents to his Court of State Ceremonies.

At the same time, news of Xiao Qin Academy's enrollment was released.

A month ago there was a girls' school, and a month later, a Xiao Qin University appeared, which aroused great curiosity among the people.

"It is said to be a school founded by the King of Qin, which specializes in learning the languages ​​of small countries such as Laki and Asab, which is quite unique."

"Learning the languages ​​of those small countries is probably useless; it always feels like child's play."

"They say that once you've completed your studies, you can be recommended to work directly in the Court of State Ceremonial. Even though you'll only be a minor official of the eighth or ninth rank when you first enter, it's still much better than being a county magistrate in a poor, remote area."

"Then I'll quickly send my son there to give it a try."

“Your son is a little rascal. The Xiao Qin Academy won’t accept him. See? They only accept scholars and those who have passed the provincial examinations. The requirements are very high.”

“If we had a scholar in our family who passed the imperial examinations, we wouldn’t send him to learn some foreign language. Wouldn’t that be a waste of his time?”

"With Mrs. Sui as the foreign language teacher, and her personal instruction, there's still a lot of potential for her..."

"No, no, no, my son took the exam three times before he became a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations). He must become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the metropolitan-level imperial examinations). We can't mess around with it."

“Although my husband is just a poor scholar, he still earns one or two taels of silver a month. If he were to go on to study, our whole family would starve. Let’s just forget about it.”

"..."

Many people watched the spectacle, but few were actually interested in signing up.

In a full two weeks, only eighteen people signed up, and all of them were scholars; not a single person passed the provincial examination.

"Brother, you must help me," the Prince of Qin complained in the imperial study, feeling frustrated. "My sister-in-law and Lady Sui's girls' school had 136 students in its first batch, while I only have 18. The difference is too great..."

The emperor snorted coldly: "Given your reputation in the capital, I don't even know if you can keep these eighteen people."

The King of Qin stroked his chin with a troubled expression: "My reputation isn't great, so I had to rely on Lady Sui's connections. Who would have thought it would end up so dismal?"

Even the emperor was at a loss for words.

This is a classic case of someone who's bad at something but likes to challenge themselves with high-difficulty tasks, insisting on becoming a scholar or a provincial graduate; failure is perfectly normal for them.

"Since you are so determined to do this, I will help you." The emperor said calmly, "Most of the sons of officials of the third rank and above in this dynasty can directly participate in the imperial examination and are considered as successful candidates. I can issue an order to allow all the sons of officials who do not have the talent for the imperial examination to study at Xiao Qin University."

The King of Qin was completely dumbfounded.