Chapter 1752 – Harvesting the Chives
Jiang Pengji’s secret letter sped its way to Wanzhou, and it would take at least a month to arrive.
By the time the letter reached its destination, it would likely be the Lunar New Year of the following year.
Feng Zhen worried about his troublesome son, but since the family rarely gathered for the New Year, he couldn’t keep his son locked away indefinitely.
After Wan Xiuer’s persuasion, Feng Zhen finally relented and released Feng Yi, who had been confined for two days. However, he was quite petty about it; no matter how he thought about it, he felt disgruntled. His troublemaking son had caused such a mess, and yet he couldn’t scold or hit him—it was utterly frustrating! In the end, as the head of the family, he approached the academy’s Teacher, hoping he would assign Feng Yi a mountain of New Year’s homework, enough to drown the kid in a sea of questions.
Feng Yi had only been confined for two days, claiming he had caught a chill; his character and conduct were too good for anyone to think otherwise.
But a few in the know, like Changsheng, were on edge for those two days.
They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Feng Yi was completely normal, still full of spirit.
Little did they know, a significant event concerning their future was unfolding at that very moment.
It should be noted that most students in the highest grade at the Golden Scales Academy were between seventeen and twenty years old, having studied there for quite some time. Some of them, like Feng Yi and his peers, had nearly twelve years of education, while others had been there for at least ten.
Undoubtedly, whether male or female, these students were the ones the academy’s Teachers had invested the most effort in.
They were using the freshest teaching materials.
Teachers would adjust the curriculum based on their learning pace and comprehension—essentially, they were the experimental lab rats.
However, as a valuable group of lab rats, the academy’s educational resources were prioritized for them.
Undeniably, a labor of love!
Having reached this level, many students lacked knowledge but were rich in experience, able to integrate their learning through firsthand encounters.
As for academics, many Teachers felt there was nothing more to teach.
If these students were to remain at the Golden Scales Academy, it wouldn’t be beneficial; rather, it would harm them. The years after reaching adulthood were crucial for striving; they couldn’t be wasted. It would be better to let the students graduate and explore the wider world.
Learning knows no bounds. If students still wished to delve into obscure texts, they could borrow books from the Golden Scales Pavilion for slow study at home.
Mr. Yuanjing, the big boss at the academy, felt they couldn’t afford to waste any more time on the students and discussed the issue repeatedly.
In the end, they wrote a memorial to Jiang Pengji.
Ultimately, as an official academy, the decision of whether or not students graduated didn’t solely lie with the authorities; it needed Jiang Pengji’s final approval.
Moreover, most of the first batch of graduates would seek employment under her.
They couldn’t hide this from the big boss, Jiang Pengji!
She agreed, but had her own ideas on how to select students for official positions.
“After years of planning, the time has finally come to establish a classification system for recruiting talents.”
Wouldn’t the aristocrats explode at the suggestion of selecting candidates through a system exam?
Now that the concept of class access for talent selection was on the table, these fellows couldn’t let their grumbling affect the outcome.
Firstly, Jiang Pengji had gained sufficient influence; the opposing aristocrats didn’t have the clout to confront her head-on. Who would dare voice dissent in her presence? She’d make them regret it! Secondly, when Jiang Pengji established the Golden Scales Pavilion’s library, she employed a similar selection process for recruitment. Initially, the aristocrats kicked up quite a fuss, but since the scope was limited and the number of recruits was small, their opposition was merely thunder without rain. Thirdly, thanks to years of accumulation, the grassroots and middle-class individuals recruited through the Golden Scales Pavilion formed a substantial force, no longer mere whispers, even if they couldn’t challenge the aristocrats directly.
If Jiang Pengji proposed a classification system for recruitment, those folks were least qualified to oppose it, and even if they didn’t support it, they wouldn’t dare add to her troubles.
In the end, Jiang Pengji had consistently cultivated a positive image for the Golden Scales Academy over the years.
The academy’s students had already become a unique sight, well-accepted by the common people.
In addition to the main academy, Jiang Pengji also established twenty-two branch campuses across various states and counties through public bidding. Due to proper management, she endeared herself to common folks while winning over some minor aristocratic families and ordinary clans. The impact of the Golden Scales Academy was undeniable. With the first batch of students about to graduate, where they ended up was bound to attract a lot of attention.
To outsiders, these students were the fruits of Jiang Pengji’s years of dedication and would surely not let external parties reap the benefits.
However, the truth was, Jiang Pengji rejected all proposals for recruitment.
“People’s talents vary; some are gifted but waste their natural talents, while some may be dull but are hardworking learners. If we recruit everyone indiscriminately, what’s the point of their hard work? If graduating from the Golden Scales Academy guarantees an official position, who would bother to study hard in the future?” Jiang Pengji firmly rebutted the person who proposed this terrible idea. There was no room for nostalgia. Even if this prominent scholar contributed significantly to the development of the Golden Scales Academy, some things needed to be challenged.
She wanted all students to understand that becoming an official wasn’t that simple; only the best could stand out.
So, she naturally introduced the concept of class-based recruitment.
Given her previous arrangements, this idea didn’t meet with significant opposition.
Even if someone disagreed, they dared not voice their anger.
Class-based recruitment was a major issue, and Jiang Pengji planned to oversee it personally—this would emphasize seriousness, instill fear in the petty miscreants, and allow for discussions on the specifics of class-based talent selection with the big shots at the Golden Scales Academy. The first imperial examination must not have any unexpected mishaps.
The affairs of the South Sheng were handed over to Fu Wang, Yang Si, Yang Tao, and Yan Lin to oversee.
Yang Tao and Yan Lin were left speechless at her decision.
Just a year ago, Yang Tao had been at odds with Jiang Pengji; now she was handing over the entire South Sheng situation to them…
That was a huge leap of faith.
Even if Fu Wang held command, and senior officials like Yang Si, Xie Ze, and Li Yun kept watch, it was undeniable that Yang Tao had substantial military power.
If Yang Tao decided to rebel, Jiang Pengji would be left wringing her hands in panic.
Yang Tao shared his thoughts with his friends, and it seemed Yan Lin rolled his eyes at him.
“Zheng Ze has forgotten…”
“Forgotten what?”
Forgotten that both their ladies and children had been sent to Wanzhou, of course.
With hostages in their hands, how could they possibly worry about Yang Tao rebelling? Yang Tao should be the one worried about whether Jiang Pengji would decide to execute them.
What a tiring situation.
Wei Ci also felt a bit drained.
He didn’t want to be treated like an accessory, carted around everywhere, and if this continued, it was clear to everyone that something was going on between the two of them.
Yet Jiang Pengji earnestly stated, “I’m not good at painting, so of course, I need to take Zixiao with me.”
With those sincere big eyes, it was clear that she was not bringing Wei Ci along for any sneaky business; if that were the case, why would she also bring Lü Zheng?
Yes, Lü Zheng and his adopted daughter, Kang Xintong, were once again being overly conspicuous like big light bulbs.
Wei Ci hesitated. Could it be that he had become so accustomed to their relationship that he misinterpreted his own lord’s intentions?
“Did the lord say that Ci is good at painting…? Is there something you need him to do?”
Jiang Pengji smiled and rubbed her hands together to warm them, “The first batch of chives from the Golden Scales Academy is ripe for the picking!”
Wei Ci: “???”
