Master Zhong looked at Lu Yanqing with disgust.
"Lu, it's not that difficult to admit that others are better than you. Wen is first-rate in both talent and family background."
“You usually do well in your studies and always get first place. So what if you fail this time if you don’t understand the questions?”
"Why did you have to copy Wen's test paper?" Without asking any questions, Teacher Zhong directly pushed all the responsibility onto Lu Yanqing.
That's blatant lying!
For no other reason than that the college is dedicated to teaching and nurturing students.
But who in this world doesn't like money?
Lu Yanqing, from a poor family, was compared to Wen Zhongren, the son of the richest merchant in Jiangnan.
Who is right and who is wrong?
Moreover, Lu Yanqing only came to Fengya Academy to study because of the Wen family's influence.
Otherwise, who would know what kind of person Lu Yanqing is?
Master Zhong naturally favored Wen Zhongren.
Wen Zhongren was talented, but more importantly, he came from a good family.
The other students were also hesitant at first, but seeing Master Zhong's firm attitude, they said that Lu Yanqing had plagiarized.
The top-tier classes are inherently places where it's a cutthroat competition.
Lu Yanqing had been in first place for a long time, and some people were already unhappy about it.
If Lu Yanqing is confirmed to have plagiarized, then his moral character is flawed, and he should be ineligible to participate in the imperial examinations.
For them, this means one less formidable rival!
"Classmate Lu has really gone too far!"
"This is an insult to civility!"
"This can be considered plagiarism?"
One voice of doubt after another arose from the surrounding crowd.
Master Zhong led his students in mocking Lu Yanqing.
"Some people aren't destined for that, so why bother thinking about it?"
“You are what you are born to be… What good does it do you to put on airs, try to attract attention by plagiarizing, and get first place?” Master Zhong thought he was on the side of justice and spoke harshly to Lu Yanqing.
Master Zhong was not on the side of justice; he was currying favor with those who possessed capital.
Lu Yanqing raised his eyes, his gaze falling on the two identical test papers.
This question was very long, and he spent a long time writing about it.
It's about several thousand words.
How could they be exactly the same?
So...someone did it on purpose...
Lu Yanqing was also aware of Wen Nan's recent dealings with the Wen family.
Wen Nan also warned Lu Yanqing to be careful of the Wen family's methods at the academy.
"In that case, let's discuss this topic together, Wen." Lu Yanqing raised his eyes, his voice calm and composed, showing no sign of panic.
His eyes remained completely still.
Wen Zhongren glanced at Master Zhong above him.
Master Zhong immediately understood.
“What is there to argue about? In my opinion, you are just being immoral and trying to use this as an excuse…” Master Zhong’s righteous words were not finished.
A dignified voice suddenly came from outside.
“I’ve never heard of such a thing. Even criminals need evidence to confess. Master Zhong’s words make no sense. Do you have any evidence? Without evidence, how can you convict someone?” Master Li was wearing a blue robe and was nearly seventy years old.
Master Li was eccentric and always aloof, but he was a learned man.
Master Li's favorite student was Lu Yanqing.
If the other teachers in the academy preferred students who were both learned and from good families, then Teacher Li was unique in that regard.
Master Li always regarded students with profound knowledge as valuable.
She is impartial to everyone, but she is very fond of Lu Yanqing.
I often met with Lu Yanqing after class, and I heard that they always discussed morality.
As to the specifics... no one else knows.
Master Li is highly qualified but has a strange temper.
The teachers in the academy generally did not want to offend Master Li, for fear of losing face.
Master Zhong was the same.
“I can handle this matter, you…” Master Zhong said, trying to push Master Li away while practicing Tai Chi.
But how could Master Li leave so easily?
“I was the one who graded this exam paper, and I was the one who discovered this cheating. So I must find out which student cheated.” Teacher Li looked at Teacher Zhong and snorted coldly, completely disregarding Teacher Zhong’s feelings.
Master Zhong glanced at Wen Zhongren, but he didn't know the specifics of the matter either.
If Master Li hadn't come, Master Zhong could have easily pinned the blame on Lu Yanqing.
But Master Li is now determined to interfere... Master Zhong has no choice but to comply.
“What Lu said is right, since that’s the case…”
Master Li took both answer sheets from Master Zhong's hands...
"Now, begin your exposition on this topic," Master Li said, sitting down in his chair and placing two scrolls in front of him.
Master Zhong, standing beside him, immediately became a mere foil.
Master Li, with his graying temples and nearing seventy, spoke in a very measured and authoritative manner. He was usually quite stern…
Everyone below dared not utter a sound.
"In the business of an emperor, which is more difficult: to start a business or to maintain it?" Master Zhong read the question aloud in a serious and methodical manner.
Wen Zhongren's face below changed, and he clenched his back teeth.
"Please begin, Wen." Teacher Li closed his eyes, lay back in his chair, and put his legs up on the lectern.
Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Wen Zhongren.
Wen Zhongren comes from a good family and is one of the top students in his class.
However, the higher-ups always suppressed Lu Yanqing, who was ranked first.
It's really hard to say who copied whom...
However, everyone hoped that Lu Yanqing would be eliminated, so that they would have one less formidable opponent.
So, among this group of students, they didn't care at all who copied whom.
All they knew was that if Lu Yanqing was morally deficient, he would not be allowed to participate in the imperial examinations.
For them, that means one less competitor.
Similarly... if Wen Zhongren plagiarized, then... it's the same.
At this moment, almost everyone was just watching the spectacle with a sense of amusement.
If Lu Yanqing is in a weak position, then they will help Wen Zhongren.
Similarly... if Wen Zhongren is in a weak position, then Wen Zhongren should also be eliminated.
"Starting from scratch is easier than maintaining what's already established; of course, starting from scratch is difficult." Wen Zhongren cupped his hands in greeting, then glanced at Master Li's expression.
Master Li opened one eye, revealing a slit, and then looked at the answer sheet in front of him.
Then he nodded... letting Wen Zhongren begin his story.
Seeing Li Fuzi's appearance, Wen Zhongren was absolutely certain that Lu Yanqing had chosen the difficult initial stage.
"The students believe that in the early stages of a new undertaking, heroes from all over the world rise up, vie for supremacy, and blood is shed for thousands of miles. Only through trials and tribulations can a new city be built..."
The students believed that countless deaths and injuries, bloodshed for thousands of miles, and fierce competition among heroes were necessary to create a new court. Each of these events, taken individually, was a momentous and earth-shattering event.
According to the students, innovation is difficult.
As soon as Wen Zhongren finished speaking, the students around him nodded in agreement.
However, this is not always the case.
After Wen Zhongren finished speaking, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
Master Li raised an eyebrow. "Anything else?"
Wen Zhongren was completely stunned.
besides?
Could it be... that Lu Yanqing chose a different answer?
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