As the fame of Jinxiu County spread far and wide like a spring breeze, the voices in the court opposing the construction of the academy gradually disappeared like lingering snowflakes, submerged by the tides of the times.

Today, Qin Shouzhen and Su Jinyun came for this very reason, to discuss with Ning Chenyi the specific plans for promoting the academy in various counties of Chengxiao.

We hope that the successful model of Jinxiu County Academy can be spread like a spark to every corner of Chengxiao Kingdom.

Although the imperial examination system could select talents for the court, much like panning for gold in the sand, its process was lengthy and cumbersome.

Just like a long and winding road, from the county examination to the palace examination, it takes the students several precious years of their lives.

Many children from impoverished families have no choice but to leave their homes and embark on a difficult path of learning in order to prepare for exams.

They scrimped and saved, endured the hardships of life, and wandered around like drifting duckweed.

Even so, countless children from impoverished families still cannot even afford the basic opportunity to study due to their poverty.

Many talented people were thus ruthlessly buried, like pearls lost in a dark corner, their brilliance dimmed.

Building colleges in various counties can not only systematically cultivate talent, but also open the door to knowledge and provide learning opportunities for more people with dreams.

It also allows the imperial court to act like a keen hunter, discovering capable talents more quickly, greatly improving the current state of talent selection, and injecting a continuous stream of vitality into the future development of Chengxiao Kingdom.

The three were having a heated discussion, as if they were planning the future of the entire Chengxiao Kingdom in this small study.

A young eunuch rushed into the study, breaking the lively and focused atmosphere.

He first bowed respectfully to the three of them, his forehead slightly damp with sweat, which glistened in the candlelight.

Then, with a slightly nervous voice, he reported, "Your Majesty, Prince Jinrui Zhao is outside requesting an audience."

Upon hearing this, Ning Chenyi paused for a moment, as if time had frozen.

The ink spread across the rice paper, forming a dark dot, much like the ripples in his heart at that moment.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, a surprise as fleeting as a flower blooming for a moment.

He looked up and subconsciously glanced at Qin Shouzheng, trying to find a clue in Qin's deep eyes, as if the key to solving the mystery was hidden in his gaze.

When the retired emperor was in power, whenever Qin Qianluo had a new idea or plan, she would give it directly to Qin Shouzhen and almost never came to the imperial study.

This initiative to seek an audience is truly unprecedented, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, shattering its tranquility.

After a moment's thought, Ning Chenyi immediately ordered, "Quickly invite Prince Zhao in."

He wondered to himself what important matter could have prompted Qin Qianluo to come in person.

Qin Shouzhen stroked his beard, a hint of curiosity flashing in his usually deep eyes, a curiosity as brief and dazzling as a shooting star streaking across the night sky.

His lips curled slightly upward, as if he was filled with anticipation for the upcoming meeting.

Su Jinyun gracefully adjusted her sleeves, which flowed like clouds, and gently placed the round fan in her hand on the table with a soft and gentle movement.

She sat up straight, her posture dignified, like a blooming peony, quietly awaiting Qin Qianluo's arrival, a gentle light shining in her eyes.

Inside the imperial study, the candlelight flickered slightly, as if sensing the subtle change in atmosphere. The light and shadow swayed on the walls, just like the fluctuating emotions of the people present.

Outside the door, Qin Qianluo took a deep breath, the air carrying the coolness of the night, calming her emotions.

He raised his hand and carefully straightened his clothes, every movement exuding composure and calmness.

She walked steadily into the study, her shadow stretched long and thin in the light of the palace lanterns…

The moment Qin Qianluo stepped into the Imperial Study, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her clear, autumn-water-like eyes revealed an undisguised sense of helplessness.

This trip was not of her own volition; every step she took seemed to be tinged with hesitation and uncertainty.

In the past few days, Qin Shouzhen has been completely overwhelmed by the overwhelming tide of political affairs.

Documents from various departments arrived in droves, piling up on his desk like a flurry of snowflakes.

Officials at all levels came to see him in droves, filling his schedule from morning till night.

He was like a tireless spinning top, busy from the first light of dawn to the deepest darkness of night, without even a moment to catch his breath.

Qin Qianluo waited for several days but her father didn't show up, so she had no choice but to come herself.

Meanwhile, inside the steam engine manufacturing workshop, the furnaces were burning fiercely, illuminating the entire workshop in a bright red glow, as if it were daytime.

The leaping flames illuminated the craftsmen's faces, which were covered in charcoal ash but full of determination. They were like tireless warriors, working in shifts day and night.

The clanging of hammers striking metal and the whirring of gears meshing together weave together a stirring symphony of labor, echoing throughout the workshop.

Every minute and every second embodies everyone's endless hard work and fervent hopes for the future, making it as precious as a rare treasure, and not allowing for the slightest delay.

Qin Qianluo knew very well that if the promotion of the newspaper continued to be delayed, they would have to wait until the steam car was officially launched before it could be started.

How could she just watch this hard-won opportunity slip away like sand through her fingers?

After weighing the pros and cons repeatedly and deliberating carefully, she finally made up her mind to go to the Imperial Study to meet the Emperor in person.

Led by Eunuch Li, Qin Qianluo walked gracefully into the Imperial Study with light, elegant steps.

Eunuch Li was lean and wiry, like a nimble raccoon. His triangular eyes darted around as if he were constantly observing everything around him.

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