Chapter 496 Ideal
Luo Qinghan has already asked someone to investigate Li Qingyan's background.
He knew that Li Qingyan had passed the provincial examination at the age of twelve. To be able to become a tribute student at this age, he was definitely a rare young talent.
Unfortunately, Li Qingyan's luck was really bad. He failed three consecutive imperial examinations for various reasons.
He is now twenty-one years old and this is his fourth time to take the college entrance examination.
He must have high expectations for this examination.
Asking him to give up the reference now would be like cutting flesh from him.
Even though he knew this, Luo Qinghan still asked.
He said calmly, "You don't need to feel too much pressure. Whether you are willing or not, I will not force you. You can think it over before making a decision."
Li Qingyan was silent for a long time before he spoke with difficulty.
"May I ask you a question, Your Highness?"
Luo Qinghan gestured for him to ask.
Li Qingyan licked his slightly dry lips and asked nervously but seriously.
"May I ask your Highness, why do you insist on investigating the leak of the exam questions?"
Luo Qinghan: "I am one of the examiners for this year's exam. Now that the exam questions have been leaked, I will naturally investigate it thoroughly."
Li Qingyan said, "Please forgive me for speaking so frankly. You are only one of the examiners. Even if you are responsible for the leak, it is not your responsibility alone. Moreover, similar situations have occurred in previous examinations. The interests involved in the examination are too great. As long as there are interests, there will always be people who want to take advantage of the situation. Even if you investigate the case of the leak within three days, cheating will not be completely eliminated. Similar situations will still occur in future examinations."
Luo Qinghan asked calmly: "So?"
Li Qingyan said, "So, you don't need to take this risk. Even if the emperor is angry with you for leaking the test questions, at most he will just scold you and give you a mild punishment. Your position as the crown prince will not be affected too much."
In fact, he has thought a lot in the past two days.
Naturally, he selfishly hopes that the case can be solved so that his own crisis can be resolved.
But he also knew that if the prince wanted to wait until the day of his ascension to the throne in peace, he would not meddle in other people's affairs. After all, the more you do, the more mistakes you make. It is better to do nothing in order to protect yourself.
Maybe this will give people the impression of being mediocre and incompetent, but so what?
Even if the prince is mediocre, it cannot shake his position.
So Li Qingyan was very confused. He didn't understand the prince's intentions, nor was he sure what the prince wanted to do?
Luo Qinghan said slowly.
"You're right. Even if I investigate the case of exam question leak thoroughly, I can't completely eliminate cheating.
But if I do nothing, those who leak questions and cheat will become more unscrupulous, and they will go further and further in the future.
In the end, the entire imperial examination system will become a plaything in their hands.
By then, poor students like you who come from poor families will never have a chance to succeed. "
Li Qingyan's eyes trembled slightly.
He himself came from a poor family, and he knew very well how hard life was for scholars from poor families. Many people had to give up their studies halfway because their families could not afford the expenses of studying, but there were also many people who still gritted their teeth and persevered.
The only motivation that keeps them going is to succeed through the imperial examination!
If this road is completely blocked, it would be tantamount to cutting off all hope for those poor students.
Li Qingyan involuntarily clenched his fingers into a fist and asked anxiously.
"So, Your Highness decided to take the risk and issue a military order for the future of many poor students?"
Luo Qinghan said, "That's not entirely true."
Li Qingyan looked at him puzzledly.
Luo Qinghan: "The reason why I took the risk of signing a military order is actually because I wanted to take a gamble."
Li Qingyan couldn't help but ask, "What are you betting on?"
Luo Qinghan: "Betting on the future."
"The imperial examination is not only related to the future of scholars, but also to the foundation of the great prosperity of the dynasty."
"Someone is now gradually eroding the rules of the imperial examination. They are testing the bottom line of the rules. If I let them do whatever they want, it will not only destroy the hopes of countless students, but also the future of the entire Great Sheng Dynasty."
"Although my current abilities are still very limited, I still want to try my best to gamble. Maybe I will lose everything in this gamble, but as long as there is a little hope of winning, I want to give it a try."
Li Qingyan's heart surged when he heard this.
If he were a few years older, or if he had entered the officialdom earlier, he would not have reacted much at this time.
The more experiences people have, the less likely they are to feel passionate. They always want to get by, fear failure, and fear loss.
But he is only twenty-one years old now, which is the youngest and most energetic age.
He is full of talent and knowledge, but has not yet experienced the darkness of officialdom. He still has the unique spirit and sharpness of a young man.
I have studied hard for decades for my future and my ideals!
The prince's words were like a fire, setting his blood ablaze.
He spoke quickly, almost without thinking.
"Your Highness is a crown prince, yet he is willing to gamble everything for the future of the Great Sheng Dynasty. I am just a scholar, how can I back down?"
"As long as Your Highness can use me, I will do it for you, even if it means going through fire and water!"
After saying this, he bowed deeply and respectfully.
Luo Qinghan stood up and walked forward, personally helping the man up, and his attitude became more friendly.
"I was right about you."
…
Time was precious, and after persuading Li Qingyan, the prince immediately left the palace and went to Jingzhao Prefecture.
Mei Guangtao, the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, went out to greet him personally.
Luo Qinghan didn't have time to exchange pleasantries with him, so he went straight to the point and stated his purpose.
"Pull out the files on Li Ji's death, and also re-examine Li Ji's body."
Mei Guangtao looked a little strange when he heard this.
Luo Qinghan noticed his abnormality, frowned and asked, "What happened?"
Mei Guangtao: "To be honest, Li Ji's body was taken away by his friends this morning."
Luo Qinghan's expression changed slightly: "What friend?"
"It is said that he was a good friend from the same hometown. The two knew each other before and had a good relationship. When he learned that Li Ji had died, he took the initiative to come to the government office to take the body away, saying that he would personally send Li Ji's body back to his hometown for burial."
Luo Qinghan asked someone to call Li Qingyan and ask Li Ji if he knew anyone else in Shengjing?
Li Qingyan shook his head: "No, Li Ji came to Shengjing alone to take the exam. He has neither relatives nor friends in Shengjing. The only people he knows here are students. That's why he rents a courtyard with students."
(End of this chapter)
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