Weng Tonghe, who was standing next to him, was even more delighted.
This idiot is clearly courting death!
Song Zhenglian has already said such hurtful things, it would be really unreasonable for Qin Yu not to say anything.
If you're going to act, you have to go all the way.
Qin Yu stepped forward, feigning anger, and raised his foot to deliver a kick.
"You bastard! You're a damn jerk!"
He then gestured with both hands and looked around.
"Am I a foolish ruler? Do you all say I am a foolish ruler?"
The other officials and imperial guards were too frightened to even raise their heads, though they desperately wanted to nod in response—wasn't that a question?
However, they still responded repeatedly.
"Our Emperor is a wise ruler! An unparalleled wise ruler of our time!"
"Did you fucking hear me?" Qin Yu kicked Song Zhenglian again, knocking him over.
The latter lost his smile and his anger; his face was ashen.
"Your Majesty, please execute me! I have nothing to say."
"However, my loyalty to the Great Xia is as clear as day! The imperial examination system has now become a tool for private individuals and a source of corruption. If Your Majesty is truly a wise ruler, please reform it as soon as possible!"
After he finished speaking, he closed his eyes, as if waiting for the emperor to behead him.
Qin Yu's eyes darted around, and fueled by anger, she cursed directly.
"You self-righteous lackey! How dare you slander the imperial examination system established by Emperor Gaozu? Do you think you are more intelligent and wise than him?"
"Fine! Since you call me a foolish ruler, then let's see what you have to do to reform the imperial examination system!"
"But if this cannot be resolved, I will surely tear you to pieces and make you wish you were dead!"
Weng stood to the side with his head bowed deeply, not out of frustration, but to hide the smile on his lips.
This tyrant is notoriously cruel. Song Zhenglian has clearly angered him. This scoundrel is blind and keeps asking for trouble!
The idea of him reforming was just a convenient excuse; the incompetent emperor couldn't just execute him on the spot, since Song Zhenglian hadn't actually done anything wrong.
But could we ask him to reform the imperial examination system?
Hey, stop fucking talking nonsense! It's been used for thousands of years!
If it could be improved, wouldn't it have been improved already?
As everyone stared in disbelief, lamenting his incompetence and tyranny, the emperor simply dusted himself off and strode away.
The mess left behind was a mess, and Weng Tonghe was equally smug.
Seeing Song Zhenglian, who was utterly despondent and with tears streaming down his face, he immediately launched into a smug and sarcastic remark.
"Scholar Song, you are very capable! Your remonstrance is truly sincere and loyal. I am waiting for you to reform the imperial examination system!"
After saying that, he laughed loudly and left!
No one paid him any attention, not even a single person came to ask him what was wrong or help him up. And so, Song Zhenglian lay there in despair until night fell.
Only then did he open his eyes and let out a long sigh.
He himself did not understand that all the monarchs of the Great Xia Dynasty, if not all of them were wise, could be described as diligent and hardworking rulers.
How could he be so incompetent and foolish when the throne fell to the emperor?
He was not only incompetent, but also abused his power by employing treacherous officials, and was lustful and tyrannical.
If it weren't for the good governance of the previous rulers, which preserved some of the old wealth, the Great Xia would have perished long ago under his rule.
Like a walking corpse, he got up and walked back.
On the way, he encountered many colleagues who were working overtime, but without exception, they all avoided him as if he were bad luck.
After navigating several streets and alleys, we arrived at a remote place. The houses were dilapidated and old, exuding a musty smell. The windows were riddled with holes, making the place look quite shabby.
Pushing open the door, you enter a bare house, which is Song Zhenglian's residence.
Although the Great Xia Dynasty used the system of high salaries to encourage integrity, the annual expenses of officials at the level of Song Zhenglian were considerable, and their salaries simply could not cover them.
In addition, he was honest and upright, never accepted bribes or abused his power for personal gain, and made many friends. His reputation for being poor was well-known in the capital.
As soon as I got home, an old voice came from inside.
"Zhenglian, busy with court affairs again? Have you eaten? Let me heat up your food."
"By the way, we're out of rice again, and we've run out of savings."
Watching his mother, who had endured hunger and hardship alongside him, rush out, Song Zhenglian felt a surge of sorrow, his nose stinging, but he forced back his tears.
"I've eaten, Mother. Tomorrow I'll borrow some more silver from Guangfa."
After saying that, Song Zhenglian locked himself in his room.
Even a fool could see that the emperor was deliberately trying to frame him.
But he saw this as an opportunity.
If my death could actually lead to reforms in the imperial examination system, that would be a good thing!
It was both his ambition and his desire; he studied the yellowed scrolls in the room by lamplight, desperately searching for a solution.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Song Zhenglian was overjoyed and ran to open the door.
"Brother Song! We heard about your affairs at court, so we came to see you!"
Guangfa arrived with a group of friends.
"Guangfa, you're here! I have something important to discuss here!"
Song Zhenglian quickly called them into the house.
The house was dilapidated and small, so the group of people squeezed together.
Like him, most of these friends were also poor and shabby; their clothes were clean, but quite worn.
Only his closest friend, Guangfa, appeared to be slightly wealthier, as he wore a valuable jade pendant at his waist.
He was about to speak when Song Zhenglian interrupted him.
"Don't ask questions yet. Quickly help me think of ways and ideas to reform the imperial examinations! See if we can completely eliminate cheating. The Emperor himself has spoken!"
A group of people quickly got to help him, and everyone started working.
Instantly, the sound of turning pages filled the room.
However, after a full incense stick's time, the group remained silent, scratching their heads and cheeks, but gained nothing.
Just kidding. The imperial examination system has been used for thousands of years and has undergone various improvements. Its shortcomings and loopholes have long been optimized. How can it be so easy to reform it again?
Seeing Song Zhenglian busy without even looking up, Guang let out a long sigh and put down his books and historical anecdotes.
"Alas... Brother Song!"
"Reform is a major undertaking! It requires the entire court to mobilize and cooperate to find feasible solutions."
"Do you think we can reform anything just by sitting here?"
The other friends nodded in agreement.
Guangfa sighed again, with a hint of pity, and said, "Brother Song, that tyrannical emperor is deliberately making things difficult for you! If you anger him, how can you possibly survive!"
As he said this, he took a heavy silver ingot out of his pocket and put it down.
"Here's a small token of my appreciation. Take it and enjoy yourself for a few days! Your mother is being taken care of by us!"
After he finished speaking, a heavy atmosphere of sorrow filled the room, and his friends took out pieces of silver, large and small, from their pockets and placed them on the desk.
"Yes, Brother Song, you can go in peace!"
“Your mother will be taken care of by us, so you don’t need to worry.”
"well……"
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