"I don't know. I think even if His Majesty agrees, the Yuan family would probably stand up and oppose it! This kind of thing affects their privileged recommendation system, so getting them to back down won't be easy!"

An official not far away spoke up: "But didn't the Grand Minister of Agriculture say he would submit the memorial under the pretext of expanding enrollment in those colleges?"

An elderly official sighed, "That's true, but if it were possible, who would want their children to learn those things?"

"Hmph~ A bunch of ignorant and short-sighted people, no wonder you can't compare to the Yuan and Xun families!"

Hearing their conversation, the subordinate official of the Taicang magistrate snorted coldly and made a sarcastic remark to them.

"Li Mao, what do you mean by that?"

Upon hearing Li Mao's mockery, the rather elderly official's expression changed instantly, and he glared at the other man with a fierce expression.

"You don't like hearing me call you old-fashioned! Opportunity! This is the opportunity we need! If we don't have this opportunity, your family's children are probably not even as good as the agricultural officials around the Grand Minister of Agriculture, are they?"

Li Mao, an official under the Taicang magistrate, rolled his eyes at the other party, somewhat reminiscent of Cao Song.

"you...."

The old man was furious. He pointed at Li Mao with a trembling hand. Thinking about what Li Mao had just said, it did seem to make sense. He then snorted and ignored him.

For a moment, the living room of the Cao residence fell into a temporary silence.

The group waited in the living room for about half an hour, but Cao Song still hadn't appeared. A young official, feeling the cold, nudged his companion and asked:

"What on earth is the Grand Minister of Agriculture doing? Why...why isn't he coming out yet?"

"I...don't know...!"

The official was trembling, and his words were somewhat indistinct.

"If this continues... I can't take it anymore!"

The young official couldn't help but rub his arms, then turned to look at the wide-open living room doorway, where a gust of cold wind was blowing into the room.

As for why they don't close the door?

Some people asked the servants of Cao's residence, but the servants said, "The Grand Minister of Agriculture said that we are having an open and aboveboard discussion, and there is no need to talk behind closed doors!"

Everyone was speechless!

For a moment, everyone huddled together, sitting there shivering. Those who couldn't bear it and wanted to leave could only grit their teeth and endure the pain, unable to leave because they hadn't seen Cao Song's face.

As for leaving without saying goodbye?

That's clearly disrespecting the host! It's slapping the host in the face, and they really don't dare to offend Cao Song at this moment.