Chapter 62 Should I Make an Oath Too?

As the provincial examination approaches, many students who are going to take the exam have already gone to the capital.

Sun Qingzhao finally devised a perfect talent development plan.

This year, a new subject, mathematics, has been added. Many students have never studied it before. Those from wealthy families have hired mathematics tutors. Even if they can't master it in a short time, they will definitely have an advantage over most students in the exam.

For families that are poor, this can be a real problem.

When the imperial court selects talent, it naturally wants to choose people who can serve the court and the people.

They can write a few articles praising the court or a particular person; anyone who knows how to flatter can write a few.

Sun Qingzhao analyzed the current situation of students for Tang Xinuan one by one.

"Our Great Zhou Dynasty hasn't held the imperial examinations for over a decade. This year, all the students participating in the provincial examinations were recommended from various regions. You don't even need to think about how much shady stuff is involved."

The court suddenly added mathematics as a subject, catching everyone off guard. It is feared that most people will have to submit blank papers.

What we need to do, starting now, is to gather together those students who lack money but are genuinely eager to learn, and give them intensive tutoring for a period of time. Those with talent will naturally improve with guidance.

Tang Xinuan listened attentively to every word Sun Qingzhao said.

"What about those who can't be guided?"

Sun Qingzhao was also powerless. "Time is tight and the task is heavy. We can either wait for the next exam or give up. There's nothing we can do. The court is eager for talent. This imperial examination must select some capable and outstanding individuals, otherwise..."

Tang Xinuan was well aware of the consequences.

Erlang is so busy every day that he can't even get a good night's sleep.

Isn't it simply because of a lack of talent?

Once there are people and they each do their job, Erlang will be able to relax.

"What do we do now? Should we just open an academy?"

Sun Qingzhao pondered for a moment and said, "That's not urgent. I've already chosen the location for the academy, and I'll have people set it up tomorrow. The problem now is how to gather these students together to listen to your lectures."

Tang Xinuan disagreed: "Can't we just tell them directly?"

Sun Qingzhao shook his head: "I'm afraid it won't work. You're too young. These students have all been selected and recommended through layers of screening. They are either truly talented or have connections and backgrounds. They are all arrogant and proud. How could they possibly submit to you?"

"If no one comes to the academy once it opens, your reputation will be ruined. So we need to make them beg you from the start. Only when they beg you will they truly listen to your lectures."

Tang Xinuan hadn't expected things to be so complicated.

"Then what can we do? How can they possibly ask me to give lectures?"

Sun Qingzhao had already planned ahead. "Don't worry about that, I have a way."

Tang Xinuan's troubled face quickly broke into a smile. "What method?"

Sun Qingzhao said, slowly and deliberately, "To create momentum."

Tang Xinuan: "Creating momentum?"

Sun Qingzhao: "Yes, create momentum. I'll go find Li Pixiu in a bit and ask her to help you prepare a bounty competition. The challenge will be held at Caiyue Tower for three consecutive days. Whoever beats you will receive a reward of one thousand taels of silver. All the students who come to the capital will definitely rush over to join in the fun. As long as they participate in the competition and are defeated, they will beg you to become their disciple."

Tang Xinuan had to admit, "Brother Sun, you're really smart."

However, she still had a question: "A thousand taels of gold is ten thousand taels of silver, and I don't think I have that much silver."

Sun Qingzhao had nothing more to say, "Let the Prince pay."

Tang Xinuan calculated the expenses of the Prince's mansion, "What if he can't come up with the money either?"

Sun Qingzhao: "I guarantee you won't lose. If you lose, our academy will have to close down."

Tang Xinuan still had a question, "But I've never taught anyone to read. What if I don't know how to teach?"

That is a problem.

Tang Xinuan is a mathematical genius; she may not be able to express what she knows in words that ordinary people can understand.

Even if it's expressed, will those students be able to accept it?

"You'll have to figure this out yourself. Why don't you have a few people try it out at home first?"

Tang Xinuan couldn't think of a better solution. "Okay, I'll go back and try it."

Sun Qingzhao was extremely worried. "I'm thinking of that for you too."

Tang Xinuan is wholeheartedly dedicated to selecting talents for the imperial court, while Zhou Chuanxing is scheming to marry the young girl as soon as possible.

Both of them were working hard on what they considered urgent.

Tang Xinuan ate lunch at Sun Qingzhao's house, and in the afternoon she chatted with Li Pixiu about the competition rules before returning to the Prince's Mansion in the evening.

As for the murder that occurred in the Prince's Mansion, it has already been dealt with.

Tang Xinuan received no news at all.

She changed her clothes in the back courtyard and rushed to the Xiaoqinzheng Hall to find Zhou Chuanxing, relaying Sun Qingzhao's plan to him.

"Erlang, what do you think?"

Zhou Chuanxing knew that Sun Qingzhao was clever and had a cunning mind.

Using it in the right place can indeed achieve twice the result with half the effort.

"not bad."

Tang Xinuan wanted to find Eunuch Wei to gather all the literate maids and servants in the mansion together.

Zhou Chuanxing did not think this was a good idea.

"They can only read, that's all. Trying to teach them arithmetic is like talking to a brick wall."

Tang Xinuan asked worriedly, "Then what should we do?"

Zhou Chuanxing pondered for a moment, then said, "Let the third brother come, and also call Yao Lin, your cousin, and Sun Qingzhao, and have them help you."

These four people are suitable candidates; they can offer her advice in crucial moments.

"Erlang, I've discovered that you're only slightly less intelligent than Sun Qingzhao."

Zhou Chuanxing couldn't help but feel jealous, "Dumber than him?"

Tang Xinuan suppressed a mischievous smile and nodded, "Yes, just a little bit."

Zhou Chuanxing was truly angry this time. "Then why do you like me?"

Tang Xinuan hadn't thought about that question yet. "Maybe... you can pick me up and put me on your shoulder."

“So you like this,” Zhou Chuanxing suddenly stood up. “I’ll grant your wish.”

He lifted her up and placed her on his shoulders, just like he was holding a little girl for the first time. As a military man, he had a strong foundation and great strength.

Tang Xinuan sat steadily on his shoulders.

“Erlang,” Tang Xinuan swung her legs, “You’re amazing. You’re much smarter than him now.”

“You have such a sharp tongue,” Zhou Chuanxing looked up at her, his face showing he was completely helpless against her, “You certainly know how to talk.”

With the imperial examination just around the corner, there was no time to waste.

That evening, Zhou Chuanxing summoned Sun Qingzhao, Yao Lin, Chu Yanqing, and Prince Duan to the Regent's Palace.

At this moment, Tang Xinuan had changed back into men's clothing and transformed back into that elegant and noble young master.

When the meeting officially began, Wei Minzhao was also present.

Everyone else came at the invitation of the Regent, but Wei Minzhao insisted on coming.

The reason given was that he wanted the regent to arrange a job for him.

Zhou Chuanxing ordered his men to find all the mathematical problems that had been tested in the imperial examinations of the Great Zhou Dynasty and give them to Tang Xinuan.

She led everyone in the analysis.

The courses to be offered by the college's professors have been decided.

The Great Zhou Dynasty had been fighting wars for decades and had not held the imperial examinations for more than a decade, resulting in a severe decline in talent.

Since it's impossible to immediately restore the mathematical achievements of its heyday, we can only start with the simpler ones.

The process of establishing an imperial examination system was not something that could be accomplished overnight.

Zhou Chuanxing was mentally prepared.

I only hope that this imperial examination can select some useful talents; otherwise, even without foreign invasion, the Great Zhou Dynasty will decay and collapse from within.

Having finally stabilized his empire, he was determined to drag this rotten behemoth back on track.

Even if it costs him all his strength, or even his life.

Apart from him, Tang Xinuan, and Sun Qingzhao, no one else knew about this.

Once everyone had arrived, he instructed Sun Qingzhao to give an explanation.

Sun Qingzhao only had enough patience with Han Xi; he was somewhat negligent with others. In short, "I've gathered everyone here today to help Han Xi set up the academy and to determine the lecture content and teaching methods."

Chu Yanqing was aware of her cousin's abilities and knew that she had won the Caiyuelou Smart Person Competition.

He also knew that she and the Regent had secretly pledged their lives to each other.

But she never expected that her cousin would open an academy and teach all the students who would be taking the imperial examinations this autumn.

Is this really the cousin who lived in the Marquis's mansion, who didn't understand social etiquette and didn't even have the ability to take care of herself?

Prince Duan knew that his second brother intended to give Tang Xinu an important position, but he never expected that his second brother would entrust the important matter of the imperial examination to a young girl who was inexperienced in the ways of the world.

However, he never objected to decisions made by his second brother.

Yao Lin and Wei Minzhao knew nothing about it from beginning to end.

However, Yao Lin had participated in the competition with Han Xi and greatly admired her talent.

There were some surprises, but none were overly unexpected.

After listening to Sun Qingzhao's explanation, he stood up and bowed to Han Xi, saying, "I hope Young Master Han will continue to guide me in the future."

Wei Minzhao originally looked down on Tang Xinuan, but after seeing her swindle 500,000 taels of silver from Prince Rui, he dared not underestimate her.

He's clearly a hidden mastermind, just playing dumb to outsmart others.

He also stood up and bowed politely, saying, "Please enlighten me, Young Master Han."

This was the first time Tang Xinuan had faced such a solemn scene, and she was somewhat at a loss.

Zhou Chuanxing naturally had to stand up for his little girl. "Tonight, the seven of us will officially form a study group, with Han Xi as the group leader and Sun Qingzhao in charge of the specific matters."

After that, Sun Qingzhao and Yao Lin, you two should temporarily put aside your duties in the imperial court and shift your focus to the imperial examinations.

We can't count on those old guys in the government; this arduous task can only be shouldered by our younger generation.

If you do not fail me, I will not fail the people, and this vast land will naturally not fail any of us.

Furthermore, I reiterate that anyone who utters a single word about tonight's events, regardless of who they are, will be executed without mercy.

As soon as Zhou Chuanxing finished speaking, everyone immediately declared, "Your Highness, rest assured, we will absolutely not reveal a single word, we swear on our lives."

The ones who spoke were Sun Qingzhao, Yao Lin, Wei Minzhao, and Chu Yanqing.

Prince Duan is Zhou Chuanxing's own brother, and he wouldn't casually reveal this without Zhou Chuanxing's permission.

Tang Xinuan didn't speak because she couldn't keep up with everyone else's pace.

Once everyone had fallen silent, she looked at Zhou Chuanxing with a bewildered expression and asked, "Do I have to swear an oath too?"

Zhou Chuanxing suppressed his murderous intent, his gaze softening as he looked at the young girl. "If you reveal this, it will be the same as taking my life. You don't need to say anything; you can decide what to do."

Tang Xinuan couldn't bear to take Erlang's life. "Erlang, I'm very tight-lipped. I promise I won't say a single word."

Zhou Chuanxing, seemingly oblivious to everyone else, gently patted her head. "I believe you."

Prince Duan couldn't stand seeing his second brother lower himself so much. "Second brother, you're being hypocritical."

Zhou Chuanxing gave him a cool glance and said, "You're the one with double standards."

Zhou Chuanxing did not formally join the study tour work; he only served as an assistant.

Of course, he still needs to keep an eye on things from the very first day.

"Enough of the small talk. If anyone has any good ideas, feel free to share them."

Han Xi reviewed the past years' imperial examination questions and then passed them on to Sun Qingzhao.

Sun Qingzhao kept some for himself and gave a few to everyone, "so that everyone can take a look and have a general idea."

Prince Duan is the least learned among them.

He took the test paper and frowned after just one glance.

"This is so difficult, will this year's questions be this difficult?"

Sun Qingzhao first looked at Han Xi, then at Zhou Chuanxing, "Your Highness, what is your opinion?"

Because the Great Zhou Dynasty had not held any imperial examinations for more than ten years, all those present were young people, so none of them had ever participated in the provincial examinations.

Chu Yanqing spoke first, "Mathematics has been neglected for at least twenty years. I'm afraid very few people can solve such difficult problems. I think we should lower the difficulty level and start from the ability of most students."

Yao Lin and Wei Minzhao were still in a daze, seemingly just there to make up the numbers, and neither of them spoke for a moment.

Zhou Chuanxing countered with a question to Sun Qingzhao: "What do you think?"

Sun Qingzhao pondered for a moment and said, "The provincial examination is about to begin, and there is not much time to train people. The court is severely short of personnel. This year's imperial examination... my opinion is to focus on selection, keep the difficulty of the questions unchanged, and let whoever is talented pass the examination."

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Author's Note: The little girl is starting to show her strength!!!