The scholars of the East Sea Academy were studying, their voices rising in a chorus.
Upon hearing of the Marquis of Anguo's visit, most of them immediately dropped their books and rushed out to greet him.
Dean Chen Xiu of the East Sea Academy, leading the assembled scholars, bowed to Liang Xiao: "The Marquis of Anguo's visit brings brilliance to our humble abode!"
Liang Xiao smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the academy's occupants, finding them satisfactory.
They were at least much better than the students from those aristocratic clans. Most of them were dignified in their conduct, showing no excessive sycophancy.
Even when they saw Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan behind Liang Xiao, most showed no lack of decorum, merely refraining from direct eye contact.
However, the fact that they had dropped their books upon hearing of his arrival, a detail swiftly reported to Liang Xiao by the Imperial Guards, was, in his opinion, somewhat lacking.
Zhang Yang, following behind Liang Xiao, was also noticed by the scholars.
"Zhang Yang! No, it should be Lord Zhang now!" Dean Chen Xiu exclaimed.
Zhang Yang immediately bowed to the academy's teachers, expressing his gratitude for their past instruction.
The scholars looked at Zhang Yang with envy, wishing they too could fly to the capital and display their lifelong ambitions.
Now, both in the capital and in Donghai, everyone knew that Zhang Yang, the "pedantic scholar," had achieved sudden fame and rapid promotion because he met Liang Xiao, a fact Zhang Yang himself readily admitted.
"Lin Xiu! Can you few show some respect to the Marquis of Anguo? He's about to arrive, and you're still reading your books!" a stern rebuke was heard from within, drawing Liang Xiao's attention.
Liang Xiao signaled for quiet and led his entourage into the academy. Peering through a distant window, he saw a teacher berating several young men with great distress, his words full of classical allusions.
The young men, resigned, rose and followed the teacher out, coming face-to-face with Liang Xiao.
Seeing Liang Xiao's extraordinary bearing, the teacher stammered, "Could it be that Your Excellency is the Marquis of Anguo…?"
"Zhang Yang?" a young man in black also noticed Zhang Yang behind Liang Xiao.
"Lin Xiu, it has been a long time!" Zhang Yang sighed.
Seeing Zhang Yang still in official attire, Lin Xiu gave a wry smile and sighed, "Things change. You have risen in rank, while I can only remain in the academy as a scholar."
"Lord… Lord Zhang Yang? Then this esteemed gentleman before you is truly the Marquis of Anguo!" The teacher, startled, quickly gestured for the young men behind him to bow.
Liang Xiao simply nodded with a smile, observing Lin Xiu as he bowed.
This man, like Zhang Yang, was not remarkable in appearance, but he possessed a clear scholarly aura, though his expression was one of dejection.
"It is I…" Lin Xiu forced a smile onto his face.
Liang Xiao nodded slightly. "I intend to select talented individuals from Donghai for the imperial court. You may all participate in an examination later. If you pass, we can discuss further."
He had heard of Lin Xiu from Zhang Yang when they arrived. Back then, when they both went to the capital and could not bear the oppression of the aristocratic clans and the atmosphere of the Imperial Academy, Lin Xiu resolutely returned to Donghai, with only Zhang Yang remaining in the capital to seek medical treatment for his wife.
Everyone was surprised and delighted; even Lin Xiu's dejection vanished, and he bowed in thanks.
This was an opportunity!
Zhang Yang reminded him, "Lin Xiu, the Marquis of Anguo is not comparable to those aristocratic clans. As long as you are talented, you will surely stand out."
Lin Xiu smiled and nodded, finally showing a flicker of excitement on his face.
Liang Xiao observed this, inwardly pleased.
Zhang Yang had said that this man's scholarship was comparable to his own, and that he possessed more integrity and an unassuming demeanor, making him a promising candidate.
Seeing him now, Liang Xiao was even more convinced that Zhang Yang had spoken the truth.
An ordinary person would have been overwhelmed with flattery, perhaps even losing composure on the spot.
The nation desperately needed individuals who truly cared for the country and its people. Otherwise, with the aristocratic clans holding high positions and wealth across the land, they would become too powerful to control.
Without enough talent to replace them, even with Liang Xiao's immense capabilities, he could not do everything alone.
After all, the education system in the Great Qian Dynasty was also monopolized by the aristocratic clans. Even those from humble backgrounds were often from fallen families. Ordinary people were too busy with their livelihoods; even if they had the opportunity to study, they lacked the time!
To change this situation required a step-by-step approach, possibly taking years, even decades, and could not be achieved overnight.
However, if more talented individuals like Lin Xiu could be discovered from all over the country, there was still hope of dealing with the aristocratic clans sooner, by having these talents fill the vacancies left by the aristocratic clans. Simultaneously, by investing time in promoting education nationwide, more talented individuals would emerge from the common populace in the future!
Those who had experienced the hardships of life were more likely to be individuals who cared for the country and its people than those from the Dugu family and their ilk.
Liang Xiao then summoned Dean Chen Xiu and informed him about the donation of private schools.
To avoid stealing Zhang Yang's thunder, Liang Xiao and Zhang Yang each donated one thousand taels of silver, which Chen Ziliang was to arrange for the establishment of two private schools in the eastern and western parts of Donghai Commandery, with tuition fees waived.
The teachers for these private schools would naturally be selected from this academy, and their wages were negotiable.
Chen Xiu readily agreed, then glanced at the examination questions provided by Liang Xiao, and could not help but marvel.
"The Marquis of Anguo is indeed beyond the understanding of ordinary men!"
Two quarters of an hour later, the scholars of the East Sea Academy gathered in the main courtyard, beginning the examination.
"What kind of questions are these?" everyone frowned.
How to view the common people, how to view the aristocratic clans of the Great Qian Dynasty, how to view land annexation, why corrupt officials and greedy bureaucrats exist, compose a poem…
These diverse questions overturned their previous understanding of the imperial examinations.
Lin Xiu looked at these "examination questions," his eyes lit up, and he began to write furiously.
Meanwhile, Liang Xiao was in the separate courtyard, meditating with his companions.
Jian Qinwan listened to Liang Xiao and Luo Qingxue chatting, feeling a sense of loss.
At that moment, Chen Shaoling and others repeatedly signaled Jian Qinwan, urging her to speak with Liang Xiao.
Jian Qinwan glared fiercely at her senior brothers: Still up to no good…
Helpless, Chen Shaoling and the others moved their seats to face Liang Xiao, repeatedly signaling him.
Liang Xiao's eyelids twitched. Seeing Jian Qinwan remaining silent, he decided to engage her in conversation.
Jian Qinwan, both shy and annoyed, glared back at Chen Shaoling, "Senior Brother, do you really think I wouldn't draw my sword and attack you…"
She felt so wronged!
The senior brothers were on the verge of tears.
We just want to complete Madam's task. What have we done wrong!
This junior sister is simply unwilling to take the initiative in front of Liang Xiao. It's driving us crazy!
Zhang Yang returned with hundreds of answer sheets and handed them to Liang Xiao, finally breaking the awkward silence.
Liang Xiao reviewed them on the spot, scoring them out of one hundred, and selected dozens of qualified papers.
Lin Xiu did not disappoint Liang Xiao and Zhang Yang, receiving the highest score of eighty-seven. Zhang Yang would have probably scored around eighty-something himself.
These individuals, even if they couldn't reach the highest echelons of power, were suitable for minor official positions, which was far better than being squeezed out of opportunities by the aristocratic clans and remaining mediocre their entire lives.
Among them, six people, led by Lin Xiu, possessed a concern for the nation and its people, as well as considerable insight, and had the potential to be promoted to official positions of the fifth rank or higher in the future.
"Should we announce the rankings?" Zhang Yang asked.
Liang Xiao shook his head. "There's no need! This selection method is entirely my personal endeavor. Why should we dampen the confidence of those who didn't pass? Some may still have room for improvement, and we can select them later."
Zhang Yang was impressed.
"In a few days, the Shadow Guards will return, and we can go back to the capital to report to the Emperor. I imagine the Dugu family must be frantic, yet dare not come to Donghai, fearing I might execute them first and report later." Liang Xiao laughed heartily.
"No announcement of scores and rankings?"
The scholars of the academy were quite disappointed.
After wasting their time answering such tricky questions, to not announce the results felt like creating room for favoritism.
"The Marquis of Anguo has decreed: all participants will be rewarded with one tael of silver!"