At yesterday's palace banquet, many people were in such a magnificent place for the first time, and for a moment they felt like they were dreaming.

What they could not have imagined was that His Royal Highness the King of the North actually showed up at the banquet. Many people were so excited that they drank too much.

As a result, when I woke up this morning and heard that they would be arranged to continue their studies in the academy in the future, I immediately thought I had not woken up.

The messenger was the same clerk from the previous day. Some of the students had become quite arrogant, feeling they had even attended banquets hosted by princes. Naturally, they didn't take the clerk seriously. Upon hearing this, they said bluntly, "Don't talk nonsense! We are the future pillars of the Northern Territory, role models for all scholars. How could His Majesty the King of the Northern Territory allow us to continue studying?"

The clerk looked at those arrogant people and said to them, "The real role models are the top three. Who are you?"

But this time the clerk was clever. He had already taken the document from the Prime Minister's Office before he arrived. He then said, "This is a personal order from His Highness, with the Prime Minister's seal. This is a document issued by the Prime Minister's Office. Please read it carefully, and don't accuse me of deceiving you."

He had the document unfolded for everyone to see. Fortunately, everyone was literate, and because it was aimed at these newbies entering the officialdom, the writing was relatively straightforward and there was no way anyone could not understand it.

After reading it, these people lowered their gazes and saw the seal belonging to the Prime Minister. For a moment, they could not accept such a disparity.

Suddenly someone said, "It says here that all tribute students will be admitted to the imperial palace, but what about the top three? Are they tribute students?"

The clerk smiled and said, "Of course not. The top three have their own places."

Do they have their own place to go? Does that mean they don't have to study like them?

When a group of tribute students looked at each other in surprise, they saw the room belonging to the top scholar Zhu Shanfu being pushed open. After Zhu Shanfu walked out of it, the tribute students were so surprised that they were speechless - the official robe belonging to the Zhongsan Doctor was already worn by Zhu Shanfu.

Not only him, but Xiao Cheng and Yan Xingsheng were also wearing official robes at this time. They seemed to be of lower rank than Zhu Shanfu, but they were still better than them!

Facing the envious, jealous and hateful gazes of the crowd, Zhu Shanfu bowed to them all.

Xiao Cheng was a lively person. He had just heard the noises outside and deliberately asked, "Brother Yan and I are going to the Prime Minister's Residence to report. I wonder where Brother Zhu is going? Is it on our way?"

Zhu Shanfu thought about the route for a moment, nodded, and said, "On the way, I'm on my way to the palace to pay my respects to His Highness."

Yan Xingsheng was also curious after hearing this and asked, "Where was Brother Zhu assigned?"

Although Zhu Shanfu was happy, he didn't show it so obviously. He just smiled reservedly and said, "Your Highness ordered me to stay by your side."

Everyone gasped instantly and looked at Zhu Shanfu with twisted envy and jealousy.

Xiao Cheng and Yan Xingsheng were of course envious, but since they were working for the Prime Minister, it wasn't much different. Xiao Cheng sighed and said, "Ah, I can't compare to you. Brother Zhu, if you become rich and powerful, don't forget me!"

Zhu Shanfu laughed and said, "It's getting late. Let's go. Don't keep the Prime Minister waiting."

After the three of them gestured to the tribute students around them, they strode out with their heads held high. The tribute students silently made way for them.

After they all left, the arrogant tribute students gritted their teeth and said, "Why? He hasn't read as many books as I have!"

Several people nearby responded, "That's right, the three of them are only averagely educated, especially Xiao Cheng and Yan Xingsheng. Their handwriting is simply appalling!"

The petty official thought, "What else can you rely on? Because they are more capable than you."

He didn't say much, just coughed lightly and said, "Please be careful with your words. These three were personally selected by His Majesty."

Everyone fell silent immediately. They did not dare to protest even if Liu Tan had chosen the person, let alone Liu Che himself.

Seeing that everyone had calmed down, a student who had been silent until then asked, "When will the academy open? And who will teach us?"

The clerk shook his head and said, "That's not something I can know. I'm here today to take you all to the academy to get settled. There are dormitories there. Once you're settled, just wait patiently."

When the group heard they were going to stay in a guesthouse, one of the tribute students timidly asked, "How much does it cost to stay in a guesthouse for a year?"

The clerk led them towards the academy and said with a smile, "You don't need to pay for the accommodation. This is a place built by His Highness to train talents. All the money is paid for by His Highness."

To cultivate talents, that is to say, all those who come out of the academy are talented.

Everyone felt a little more balanced, and some of those who were short of money also breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as they were heading to the hotel, Liu Tan asked someone to call Huo Guang to discuss things.

It happened that Xiao Cheng and Yan Xingsheng had just reported to him, so Huo Guang simply took them both to the palace.

This was the second time that Xiao Cheng and Yan Xingsheng had visited the palace. After they entered, they couldn't help but smile when they saw Zhu Shanfu standing next to Liu Tan. They didn't expect to meet him again so soon.

When Liu Tan saw Huo Guang, he said, "Prime Minister Huo is here. Please take a seat!"

Someone immediately brought a scale for Huo Guang to sit on. Liu Tan said, "Everyone, sit down. Don't just stand there like an idiot."

Although these three people were still three rookies, even in front of Liu Che, the ministers had seats. These three people were wearing official robes, so they should be treated accordingly.

Zhu Shanfu and the other two were obviously flattered. After sitting down, they stood straight and didn't dare to breathe.

Huo Guang was obviously much more casual and asked, "Your Highness, is there something important that you have summoned me for?"

Liu Tan said, "The academy should be back on track. Select a few people to give them lectures, covering all aspects of Unruly. You and Jiang Chong, when you have time, go over and give them a lesson, so that they can graduate sooner."

Huo Guang was slightly taken aback: "Didn't His Highness say that they should study for at least two years?"

Liu Tan said, "A year is almost enough. I can't wait that long. I've received news from the Embroidered Robe Envoy that the Taiyuan County Magistrate is protecting the family of an innocent citizen who was forced to death. Hurry up and train all the people. I get angry just looking at these bastards."

Zhu Shanfu and others' eyes lit up. This was the county magistrate. From what Liu Tan said, it seemed that this group of students were all reserve county magistrates?

Huo Guang was stunned: "The embroidered robe envoy?"

Isn’t that your Majesty’s secret envoy?

Liu Tan said confidently, "My father gave it to me!"

Huo Guang twitched his lips and said, "If we follow your standards, then there are probably not many people who can meet your requirements."

Liu Tan said, "We can send someone to other places, but we must send someone reliable to Taiyuan County."

Huo Guang was a little puzzled: "Is there anything special about Taiyuan County?"

Liu Tanxin said that it was very special. Who in later generations had not heard of the name of the Shanxi coal boss?