Chapter 39: The World is Shocked_1

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: The World is Shocked_1Qin Wudao gave a slight smile, knowing that the Emperor would definitely adopt his advice. Whether it was the imperial examinations or the establishment of schools, both were beneficial and harmless to the Qin Empire. The Crown Prince is quite extraordinary; his governance skills are no less than his cultivation talent! Many ministers secretly admired him. Even seasoned officials like Li Si could not help but show their respect; they admitted they could not have come up with such perfect systems. Imperial examinations! Establishment of schools! One could only imagine the benefits the people of the Qin Dynasty would reap. The multitude of its citizens would undoubtedly be grateful to Qin Wudao, the initiator of these two systems, and would swear to follow him. By then, with public sentiment solidly behind him, Qin Wudao’s position as Crown Prince would be as unshakable as Mount Tai. "Issue a decree! Half a month from now, the Qin Dynasty will hold its first imperial examination. I will personally set the questions. Any scholar from the Qin Dynasty can participate, and their travel expenses will be reimbursed by the court!" "Issue a decree! Localities are to establish schools, with funds allocated by the court. I must see results within a year..." "These two systems are fundamental national policies of the Qin Dynasty. Whoever dares to neglect them or be derelict in their duties... will be executed without mercy!" The Emperor of Qin made the final judgment, speaking with a murderous aura. "Your Majesty, you are wise!" Once the imperial decree was issued, the civil and military officials, whether they agreed or not, had to show their respect. However, in their hearts, it was a mix of joy and sorrow. After the court session ended, two imperial decrees were disseminated from the palace. By that afternoon, they had spread throughout the Imperial Capital, and within three short days, all citizens of the Qin Dynasty knew. Seeing the content of the imperial decree, the whole world was shocked. "No matter their birth, as long as one is a citizen of the Qin Dynasty, they can participate in the imperial examination, and those with excellent results can enter officialdom!" A downtrodden scholar stared intently at the imperial decree, his eyes flickering with tears, his body trembling with excitement. He was overjoyed! His twenty years of hard study had finally given him a chance to shine. "That’s great! With the imperial examination system in place, I didn’t read all these books for nothing!" "His Majesty is so kind, caring for us, the children from humble backgrounds. Even travel expenses can be reimbursed by the court!" "From today onwards, I will study hard, participate in the imperial examination, and strive to become the top scholar..." A large number of students from poor households gathered, excited and full of hope for their future. Even if they failed this time, they would have another chance next year. "Do you know who proposed the imperial examination system?" one of the sons of a wealthy merchant asked mysteriously after reading the imperial decree. "Please enlighten us!" The multitude of scholars exchanged glances, bowed respectfully, and hurriedly inquired. "It was the Crown Prince!" the son of the wealthy merchant said admiringly, "My father’s uncle’s great-grandfather serves in the court. When the Crown Prince attended the court session for the first time, he proposed two earth-shattering systems. These systems left all the officials in awe, and the Emperor of Qin readily agreed!" "From today onwards, my life belongs to the Crown Prince!" the scholars declared, full of gratitude for Qin Wudao. The old citizens of Qin valued gratitude and reciprocation, repaying even small favors with great generosity, let alone such a monumental one. To them, the imperial examination system was a gift of rebirth. "Half a month later, when the first imperial examination begins, I must make it onto the golden list!" Outside a small village in Shang Prefecture, a thin young man in patched clothes stood. Reading the imperial decree, a glint flashed in his bright eyes. Those who study exude an aura different from ordinary people. This young man was exactly like that. A ragged outfit could not hide the elegance of his soul. Under his ordinary appearance, there was an expansive spirit. His frail body encapsulated an indomitable determination. This young man was named Fan WenZheng! Apart from the joyous students, another group was even more thrilled: parents all over the world. It is said that every parent hopes their sons will become dragons and their daughters phoenixes. Ordinary families found it extremely difficult to cultivate their offspring into such figures of prominence in the harsh world of cultivation. They were mere commoners, with no cultivation base or resources—nothing. But today, they received an opportunity. "The court is establishing educational institutions, imparting the great paths of literature and martial arts! Children who have reached the age of six can enter the academy for free! His Majesty and the Crown Prince are truly wise..." Countless parents knelt before the imperial decree, bowing repeatedly, their gratitude beyond words. "Let’s go! We should buy some school supplies for our child!" A woman pulled her husband, hurrying towards the city. Normally frugal, she was, for the first time, enthusiastic about buying things. "What’s the rush? Don’t we still have a year?" the husband said helplessly. Yet, he did not stop, letting his wife pull him along as they disappeared at the village entrance. "We should also go and buy supplies! We can’t let our child suffer if everything is sold out later!" Seeing this, the other villagers lost interest in farming. Some went home to get money, others to change clothes. The bustling scene was comparable to the New Year festival. Such is the heart of parents everywhere! Within the Imperial Study, the Emperor of Qin was contemplating before a blank sheet of paper, a state he had been in for three days. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A man in black robes quietly entered. A blood-colored spider was etched on his garment. He knelt on one knee and reported in a hoarse voice, "Your Majesty, both the implementation of the imperial examination and the establishment of schools have gained the support of the citizens. Many households are even building living shrines for Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, worshipping day and night." 「Spy Web!」 This was the intelligence agency of the Qin Empire, answering only to the Emperor himself. Its branches spread throughout surrounding territories, and its members were strong, all with cultivation levels at the Cave Heaven Stage or above. "Living shrines?" The Emperor of Qin was startled, a bitter smile appearing. He had defeated six countries and six sects, unifying the East Ancient Domain, yet no one had built living shrines in his honor. He hadn’t expected that two decrees would inspire so many citizens to do so. However, he did not care much for such empty titles and waved his hand, preparing to dismiss the black-robed man. "Your Majesty, there is one more thing..." The black-robed man hesitated for a moment and did not leave. "What is it? Just say it!" the Emperor of Qin asked. "Your Majesty, we have discovered an intelligence agency under the Crown Prince’s command called the Hidden Guard. Their strength far surpasses the Spy Web!" The black-robed man kept his head lowered, deeply ashamed. They had discovered the Hidden Guard primarily while pursuing remnants of the six countries and six sects. They stumbled upon clues and followed them back to Qin Wudao. "What?" The Emperor of Qin was stunned. He was well aware of the Spy Web’s strength; it monitored everything and everyone. They had detailed knowledge of court ministers’ activities, down to how many times they visited the toilet and how many concubines they had. And now, a member of the Spy Web was telling him that the Crown Prince had an intelligence agency even more powerful than theirs! The black-robed man knelt on the ground, awaiting orders. "How did he do it?" The face of Jia Xu appeared in the Emperor of Qin’s mind. He pondered for a moment and said in a deep voice, "Pay it no mind. Pretend you didn’t discover it." If it were anyone else in control of such a powerful intelligence network, he would be restless. But this intelligence agency belonged to Qin Wudao, so there was nothing to worry about! "Understood!" The black-robed man vanished as wisps of black light appeared around him. Even an expert at the Peak of the Realm would not be able to sense his traces. "This kid has quite a few tricks up his sleeve, reminds me of myself in my younger days!" The Emperor of Qin praised himself, then looked at the blank sheet of paper, his distress returning. Setting questions for the examination is incredibly difficult. What should the examination questions be? Indeed, the heroic Emperor of Qin was now tormented by the pressure of setting examination questions!