Many civil and military officials had their expressions change drastically. What kind of place is the Imperial Academy?

Everyone knows that the Imperial Academy was the highest institution of learning in the Ming Dynasty, and many officials were graduates of the Academy. However, one thing is certain: the students of the Imperial Academy were first and foremost students, and they had no right to discuss state affairs, which would be tantamount to openly defying the edict of the Retired Emperor!

What's even more alarming is that this event appears to be quite large-scale, involving not only many scholars but also high-ranking officials who are engaging in eloquent discussions with them. This is blatant disrespect for the emperor; it's pure intellectual arrogance!

Zhu Yunying snorted coldly and said, "Huang Zicheng and Fang Xiaoru are to be dismissed from their posts immediately and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Justice are to immediately clear up this case. All students who disregard the law and presumptuously discuss national affairs are to be stripped of their academic titles and never be employed again!"

Ru Chang kowtowed, pleading, "I beg Your Majesty to have mercy! So many students have studied diligently for years; they cannot be let go because of a momentary lapse..."

Zhu Yunying flicked his sleeves, stared at Ru Chang, and asked fiercely, "Oh? Since that's the case, you disregard the laws of the country! You dare to disregard the laws of the country before you even hold an official position. If you were to obtain an official post, wouldn't you be disloyal and have no regard for the emperor or your father?!"

At this point, many civil officials could only plead desperately, hoping that His Majesty the Emperor would show mercy and leave some opportunity for those scholars.

If they were truly stripped of their academic titles and barred from future employment, those scholars would be truly ruined, losing all hope in an instant. This group comprises the elite of scholars and the descendants of various civil service families.

Despite the civil officials' repeated pleas, Zhu Yunying remained unmoved.

Looking at Xu Huizu, Zhu Yunying slowly said, "I've heard that the heir of Deqing Marquis and others often participate in such activities, so let's go to the Zhaoyu Prison to wake him up first."

Many civil officials were furious. It wasn't just officials appointed by the court who were giving these lectures; military officers were also involved in satirizing the government and commenting on officials.

This is unbearable!

What are those people thinking?!