Especially phrases like "a great number of talented people" and "the younger generation is formidable"—even the least perceptive person could sense the bias in their conversation.
Now everyone understood that these important figures had indeed come to No. 7 Middle School because of someone.
But the question is, who has the right to do so?
Apart from the composed Huang Tao and Zhao Hanhai, the teachers and students below were somewhat bewildered.
Liu Simin was especially bewildered. If she wasn't mistaken, the principal had just given her a warm smile, as if expressing some kind of appreciation...
At this moment, Chai Haotian picked up the microphone.
Many people noticed that the TV cameras were already on and the signal transmitters were set up, which meant that Chai Haotian's speech was likely being broadcast live and could be received throughout the city.
"Jingcheng has been rebuilt since the disaster, and it has been 212 years since then."
Everyone was somewhat surprised, not expecting Chai Haotian to start with the history of Jingcheng, but their expressions became even more focused, as everyone knew that Chai Haotian must have some deeper meaning in saying these things at this time.
"From a small town with an initial rating of F to a city with a rating of C today, Jingcheng has survived thirty-seven disasters and changes, large and small. It has not only stood firm but has also grown stronger. This is the result of the joint efforts of countless martial arts predecessors!"
"Among them are the Marquis of Jingcheng, the city lords of past dynasties, and many other figures who, like shooting stars, illuminated the city for a time but were then forgotten."
"I, Chai, am not very talented. I have served as the city lord of Jingcheng for nine years. In these nine years, I dare not say that I have achieved anything great, but I have been conscientious and diligent. Jingcheng's economy and public security have been steadily improving..."
Everyone instinctively clapped, but Chai Haotian quickly raised his hand to stop them.
"However, you may not yet realize the hidden dangers beneath the prosperity."
"In this world, the human race seems to be at peace, but outside the forbidden zones, countless dangers lurk. All the prosperity is supported by generations of martial artists."
"However, the number of young martial artists in Jingcheng, especially genius martial artists, is on the verge of extinction."
These words immediately caused quite a stir in the room.
At No. 1 Middle School, No. 2 Middle School, and even in the streets and alleys of Jingcheng, in front of countless projection screens, many people who were originally indifferent looked up in astonishment.
The director of the Martial Arts Bureau and the director of the Education Bureau standing next to Chai Haotian couldn't help but frown, as if they felt it was inappropriate to say such things in front of the entire city.
"Some people may think I'm exaggerating, so let's take a look at this chart."
With a wave of his hand, Chai Haotian displayed a statistical chart from the Education Bureau, which spread out in mid-air, becoming hundreds of meters long and wide, so that everyone could clearly see the data on it.
"Nineteen years ago was the peak of education in Jingcheng. At that time, the college entrance examination pass rates of the four major schools in Jingcheng consistently ranked among the top two in the province for eleven years. During those eleven years, Jingcheng produced a total of six top scholars in the civil service examination and eight top scholars in the military examination!"
"Unfortunately, since ten years ago... Jingcheng's achievements in education have been declining. Apart from a martial arts champion who made a brief appearance seven years ago, no other honors have been ours."
"Our education ranking has plummeted from second in the province to ninth now!"
"Jingcheng Martial Arts University should have been established ten years ago, but it was delayed until three years ago. If it weren't for the strong support of the Marquis of Jingcheng, it's uncertain whether Jingcheng would even have its own second-tier martial arts university."
Shen Qian listened blankly to these things he had never paid attention to before, and felt that there was something unsaid in Chai Haotian's words when he talked about ten years ago.
What exactly happened ten years ago?
It seems that everything changed starting ten years ago.
"I think I hear a lot of people asking why."
Chai Haotian's expression remained calm. "Yes, why?"
There are many reasons for this.
"But the most important thing is that the backbone of education in Jingcheng has been broken, and the people of Jingcheng have also fallen apart."
“In recent years, more and more people from Jingcheng have chosen to send their children to Mingcheng, Tongcheng or even other provinces.”
"Taking senior high school students as an example, the total number of senior high school students taking the exam in Jingcheng this year is 9,527. Ten years ago, this number was... and five years ago, this number was..."
"This is a vicious cycle."
"Does everyone still remember Lu Cheng?"
"That Lu City, which has been reduced to ruins in a restricted area."
"And do you all know that if this continues, Jingcheng... will become the next Lucheng?"
The entire city was in an uproar as everyone watching television was abuzz with excitement.
Many people were puzzled, but even more were confused. If the person who said this hadn't been the city lord, many would probably have been cursing him for spreading alarmist rumors.
The students on the playground below couldn't help but start discussing it.
Shen Qian noticed that Lu Yingfu, the director of the Martial Arts Bureau, frowned and whispered something in Chai Haotian's ear, which gradually calmed Chai Haotian's somewhat agitated expression.
"Wow, it's turned into a population crisis?" Zhou Xu said in surprise. "Is the city lord telling the truth?"
“Speaking of which, I have an uncle in Beicheng. It seems that his family moved to Mingcheng the year before last. My uncle even told us to move as soon as possible if we could afford it, saying that a harsh winter was coming…” Lin Xiaoqian said with a frown.
"Your uncle has been watching too many Western period dramas, hasn't he? He has this weird, prophetic vibe of a crooked wizard..." Zhang Liangwei complained.
"What do you mean, 'Winter is coming'?" Shen Qian asked, turning his head.
"I don't know either, but my uncle has always been a bit eccentric. After he made money, he didn't come to visit us much anymore. Who knows what nonsense he's spouting?" Lin Xiaoqian shook her head.
As Shen Qian stroked his chin, he felt that what Chai Haotian really wanted to say was not these things, but rather that there was something more hidden behind them.
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