Chapter 53 Nationwide Shock

Chapter 53: Nationwide Shock

The man’s palm was warm, gently warming Chu Jiubian’s chilled hands.

Chu Jiubian looked up at him, not pulling his hands away. With a slight curve of his lips, he said, “You came looking for me in the middle of the night, surely not just to check on my injuries?”

Qin Xiao released his hand and replied, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Come, sit.” Chu Jiubian turned, walked to the couch by the window, sat down, lit an oil lamp, and poured himself a cup of water.

Qin Xiao sat across from him, watching his hands. “Let me bandage them for you.”

After drinking half his tea, Chu Jiubian retrieved iodine and bandages from his system space. “Let’s get to the main matter.”

Even with a back injury, Chu Jiubian could bandage himself without needing assistance.

He meticulously rinsed the wound with iodine.

Qin Xiao watched quietly and said, “Fan Ze and Yang Ankang are both dead.”

Chu Jiubian froze.

These two were the prefects of Guizhou and Guangxi—one from the Xiao family, the other from the Lu family.

Earlier, they had deliberately delayed reporting the disasters in their regions and diverted grain instead of distributing it to the people, all under the orders of these two families.

“Did they commit suicide out of guilt again?”

“Yes.”

“Is the Dali Temple so lax?” Chu Jiubian’s eyes darkened slightly.

Qin Xiao replied, “Perhaps. Sometimes it’s strict, sometimes not.”

The cases of these two prefects had already been reviewed once by the Ministry of Punishments. Besides their outrageous conduct during the drought, they were also found guilty of embezzling from the people, accepting bribes, and perverting the law.

Their final sentence was property confiscation and exile.

They had been transferred from the Ministry of Punishments to the Dali Temple just that evening and were to be exiled in a few days. Unexpectedly, they died in their cells tonight.

Chu Jiubian said, “It seems someone didn’t want them alive.”

“Remember Zhen Fu, the Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, is Su Sheng’s son-in-law?” Qin Xiao asked.

Chu Jiubian nodded. “Then there are only two possibilities.”

One possibility was that Su Sheng wanted Zhen Fu to extract more information from Fan Ze and Yang Ankang. As prefects with close ties to the Xiao and Lu families, they likely knew many more secrets.

Su Sheng might have wanted to get more out of them before they left the capital, to use against the Xiao and Lu families at a later time.

The two families, anticipating that the prisoners might be interrogated again after being transferred to Dali, had them killed preemptively to avoid any risks.

The second possibility was that the two died at the hands of the Dali Temple.

Su Sheng might have wanted to frame the Xiao and Lu families for their deaths, perhaps even forging confessions to prove how many evil deeds they had done for the two families.

Even Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao would suspect the possibility of the two being “silenced.”

So, which possibility was it?

Chu Jiubian lowered his eyelashes, concealing his gaze.

He wrapped the bandage around his fingertip, raised his hand to his lips, and used his teeth to tear the end of the bandage into two strips. Then, with practiced ease, he tied it using his other hand and teeth.

Qin Xiao watched his fluid movements calmly, his expression unreadable.

“The dead cannot speak,” Chu Jiubian said as he began bandaging the next finger. “Dali’s negligence should be punished.”

“Only two minor officials were on duty tonight. They were given a dozen strokes and that was it,” Qin Xiao said.

Chu Jiubian chuckled lightly. “If they can’t even manage their subordinates, the Zhen family shouldn’t cling to their positions.”

Zhen Fu, the Assistant Minister of the Dali Temple, was the second-in-command, while the chief, the Minister of the Dali Temple, was Zhen Fu’s father, Zhen Mingzhao.

The Zhen family had held control over the Dali Temple for generations, accepting countless bribes and mishandling numerous cases behind the scenes.

Such a position should be held by an impartial and upright official.

Seeing Chu Jiubian about to bandage his finger as before, Qin Xiao reached out, grabbed his wrist, and pulled it toward himself. “Is there a subject on law and prison management in the imperial examinations?”

“There can be,” Chu Jiubian said, not resisting and letting him bandage it.

Previously, he had only planned to establish six subjects: classics interpretation, arithmetic, agriculture, and crafts, open to both men and women, along with two exclusively for women—needlework and women's medicine.

The classics interpretation subject would select scholars with the talent for governance, the first group Chu Jiubian intended to promote into official positions.

Arithmetic and crafts would correspond to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, respectively. Whenever opportunities or positions arose, these candidates could be placed there.

As for agriculture, Chu Jiubian planned to create a new department, independent of the six ministries like the Directorate of Ceremonial, dedicated to managing agriculture across Great Ning.

Crops like sweet potatoes, cotton, and corn would require these experts to research and adapt cultivation methods locally, helping people grow more food.

For the above subjects, Chu Jiubian doubted many women would participate in the first round of examinations, but the precedent had to be set. Women must be included in the imperial examinations so that more would eventually enter officialdom.

Thus, Chu Jiubian had to create subjects exclusively for women, giving them a reason and a pathway to participate confidently.

The “women's medicine” subject was essential, addressing the current difficulty women faced in seeking medical care in Great Ning.

There were too few female doctors. Even the Imperial Medical Bureau employed only male physicians, with only some experienced female attendants knowledgeable about women’s health and midwifery.

Female doctors in the common populace were even rarer, mostly midwives who half-qualified as doctors but lacked formal training. Their knowledge and solutions were based on experience, often hit-or-miss.

Therefore, the profession of female doctors had to be developed. Among the people Qin Xiao found for Chu Jiubian were two female attendants who had served the late empress.

These two female attendants were whom Chu Jiubian intended to train as instructors for women's medicine.

Needlework was simpler. Noblewomen were skilled in embroidery, counting it among their talents.

Common girls and women also knew how to sew and mend, with many skilled embroiderers.

Chu Jiubian established this subject separately to give more women the opportunity to step out of their domestic confines.

As long as someone took the first step, as long as someone truly became a woman official, more talented women would gradually participate in other subjects, providing the imperial court with more capable individuals.

Moreover, he had already asked Situ Zhaoling to improve silk production. Once this silk reached the capital, a dedicated embroidery bureau could be established to collaborate with Situ Zhaoling, purchase her silk, and embroider designs on it.

Then, the embroiderers of the bureau could find ways to sell the silk—whether to noble families or by forming trade caravans to export it to the Western Regions. They could manage it as they chose, as long as they didn’t incur losses. If they profited, it would be an additional revenue for the imperial court.

This would also challenge the weaving offices in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, preventing them from becoming complacent and greedy.

However, he hadn't yet made these specific subjects public, nor had he told Qin Xiao.

It seems now that another subject, penal law, needs to be added.

To select some people who know the law, understand the law, and can enforce the law to enter the Ministry of Punishments and the Dali Temple, preventing wrongful cases like today's from continuing to happen.

Qin Xiao's bandaging was deft; he had already wrapped one hand for Chu Jiubian and moved on to the next.

"I've already ordered someone to draft the document. What are the specific subjects? I'll have them added," he said.

Chu Jiubian then stated his requirements.

Including penal law, there were seven subjects in total.

After listening, Qin Xiao remained silent for a long while. Only after bandaging all of Chu Jiubian's hands did he look up at him: "You want women and men to take the exams together."

"Yes."

Qin Xiao laughed and said, "Those Confucian scholars and eminent gentlemen will probably go mad."

"That's how it is in our celestial realm," Chu Jiubian met his gaze without flinching. "There's no difference between men and women. Exams or work, it only depends on ability."

That's what he said, but even the "celestial realm" hadn't fully realized this ideal. Still, it didn't stop Chu Jiubian from starting now.

If this continues, a thousand years later, the world might be a different place.

Moreover, there are plenty of talented women. He didn't want to give up these talents just to avoid being called "heretical" by those Confucian scholars.

He was desperately short-handed; he didn't care if they were men, women, old, or young—if they had ability, he wanted them.

Qin Xiao said, "What about inside the Imperial College? Should we establish separate academies or have mixed classes?"

"Separate, of course," Chu Jiubian said.

The idea of the separation of sexes was already deeply ingrained, so he didn't plan to achieve it all at once. It was better to make incremental changes.

The main point was that if they didn't separate, those women might not be able to enter the Imperial College for various reasons, which would defeat the purpose.

"What do you think?" Chu Jiubian asked Qin Xiao.

"I have no objections." Qin Xiao glanced at the table and, seeing only one teacup, said, "I'm parched. Give me a sip."

Chu Jiubian drank the remaining tea in the cup and handed the empty cup to him.

Qin Xiao poured more tea and took a small sip from Chu Jiubian's cup.

"Issue the edict tomorrow. I'll also find a way to make it known so all the common people know," Chu Jiubian said.

Qin Xiao didn't press for details; he simply agreed and said nothing more.

He settled back against the armrest of the couch, his gaze resting on the face of the person across from him, his fingertips lightly tracing the rim of the cup.

Chu Jiubian also leaned back. "Is there something else?"

"The tea isn't finished yet."

Chu Jiubian glanced at the teacup, then looked at Qin Xiao. Suddenly, he smiled and said, "I haven't seen you return to the Qin family lately. Don't you need to take care of things at home?"

"The elders handle clan matters. My household has a steward, and there aren't many people left anyway. I don't need to worry about it," Qin Xiao said.

The main lineage of the Qin family had dwindled—some dead, others gone. There really weren't many left.

"You don't have any other brothers or sisters?" Chu Jiubian asked offhandedly.

Qin Xiao said, "I have two younger sisters."

"Your full sisters?" Chu Jiubian was somewhat surprised.

Qin Xiao laughed but didn't answer directly. He only said, "They are both officially recognized as legitimate."

So they were originally illegitimate?

Chu Jiubian was even more surprised.

He had heard from Xiao Xiangzi that Qin Jingzhao and his wife, Wei Lingyun, were deeply devoted, so he assumed the Qin family had no concubines. Was that not the case?

He didn't hide his confusion, so Qin Xiao explained, "Wu Yiniang was my mother's handmaiden, as close as sisters. After my mother passed away, she soon followed her in death."

In the Da Ning Dynasty, a handmaiden who accompanied the bride was essentially meant to serve as the groom's companion, to help consolidate the mistress's standing.

In the Qin family, however, there was no such concern. Moreover, Wu Yiniang was six years younger than Wei Lingyun—a child Wei Lingyun had taken in when she was still unmarried. She raised her from the age of five, and they were as close as sisters. Even when Wei Lingyun married into the Qin family, she brought Wu Yiniang along.

Wu Yiniang had a good temperament, lively and spirited. When she was sixteen, she fell in love with a young captain under Qin Jingzhao's command.

But before they could marry, the captain was sent to the battlefield.

Wu Yiniang was reluctant to let him go, thinking that if he didn't return, she would never marry. The captain, certain he would return to marry the woman he loved, led the two teenagers—just seventeen or eighteen—to act on impulse and became intimate before marriage.

They told no one about this. However, the battle against the Tatars was particularly fierce. The captain took several arrows for Qin Jingzhao and lost his life.

It was only after that Wu Yiniang discovered she was pregnant.

She was resolved to keep the child, but how could a woman, unmarried, make her way in society afterward?

After much deliberation, Wei Lingyun brought her into the household under the title of "concubine."

Qin Jingzhao, already feeling guilty and grateful to the captain, was naturally willing to care for his widow and child. It was only a matter of giving her a position and providing her shelter and sustenance in the household.

Thus, the Qin family had its only concubine.

Wu Yiniang gave birth to twin daughters, and Wei Lingyun adopted them both under her name, making them the daughters of the main household of the Grand Marshal's residence.

Now, both girls are sixteen years old.

Qin Xiao didn't elaborate on these past events, only mentioning that these two younger sisters were Wu Yiniang and the captain's children, now legitimate young ladies and his recognized full sisters.

Chu Jiubian hadn't expected him to share such family matters, but upon reflection, it didn't seem like a big deal.

As for the Qin family's true secrets, he wondered if Qin Xiao would ever tell him.

"Then you don't have any other brothers?" Chu Jiubian asked. "Are you the only male in the main family?"

Qin Xiao paused before saying, "I have a younger brother by blood."

Chu Jiubian's heart leapt, but he kept his expression neutral. "Really? I've never heard of him."

Qin Xiao then laughed and changed the subject. "What about you?"

"What?"

Qin Xiao gazed at him: "What was your past like?"

The young man's face was lit by the warm yellow light of the oil lamp, without its usual aloofness and detachment. Even the sharp, mature edges seemed softened, revealing a hint of the innocence and youthfulness unique to his age.

But in an instant, that trace of bewilderment vanished from the young man's face, replaced by a mask of easy confidence.

"I also have a blood brother," Chu Jiubian said with a smile as he looked at him.

Qin Xiao stared fixedly at him.

Though the young man was smiling, there was no emotion in his eyes.

He suddenly recalled his first encounter with Chu Jiubian—the other had spoken of making a bet, doing everything possible to survive, yet there wasn't a hint of vitality in his eyes.

Strange and contradictory.

Just like now: he possessed the abilities and methods of a deity, yet his physical body was as fragile as a mortal's.

Chu Jiubian had always been a person—or a god—woven together with many contradictions.

The flame of the oil lamp flickered twice.

Qin Xiao withdrew his gaze, finished the rest of his tea, stood up, and said, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Chu Jiubian didn't walk him out, nor did he even glance at his back as he left.

There was indeed trust between him and Qin Xiao, but that trust wasn't enough to break down the walls around their hearts. So, they didn't conceal the fact that each had a "blood brother," yet they phrased it in a way that seemed both true and false, leaving the other unable to grasp the full truth.

Qin Xiao concealed the fact that his so-called "blood brother" had always been hidden by the Qin family.

Chu Jiubian likewise didn't mention that his "blood brother" had long since torn to pieces before his eyes.

They didn’t want to lie to each other, yet they couldn’t truly be open and honest.

A tiny shred of sincerity hidden within pretense—laughable and pitiable.

But for now, they had reached an unspoken understanding. The reckless kiss on the palace path that rainy night and the testing each other in the council hall were all treated as if they had never happened.

Neither of them was prepared to embrace more complicated emotions.

Chu Jiubian was grateful he was an actor, grateful he could distinguish between performance and reality.

==

Early the next morning, the court's announcement of establishing the "Imperial Academy" and selecting scholars through the "civil service exams" was dispatched via official documents to all cities across Great Ning.

Whether in vassal prince territories or under direct imperial control, everyone who met the selection criteria for the seven subjects could register at their local government office.

And Chu Jiubian, within the Divine Realm, summoned Wang Qichen and assigned him this task: to use his influence to encourage more people to participate in the court's civil service exams.

Wang Qichen had long known that the High Priest intended to enlighten the people. When the court's decree was announced, his first thought was that the High Priest would be interested.

He knew the Imperial Academy was only the beginning—the "civil service exams" were the court's ultimate goal.

Prince Ning and Senior Tutor Chu aimed to dismantle the original recommendation system and replace it with civil service exams for selecting officials. This would undoubtedly offer everyone a relatively fair opportunity, and the court would no longer be controlled solely by powerful families and nobility—even those from humble origins could achieve greatness.

Under such an inevitable trend, more common people would surely realize the importance of studying to gain wisdom and mastering practical skills. Thus, "enlightening the people" would no longer be a distant dream.

Moreover, the examination subjects even included "agriculture" and "needlework," meaning skilled farmers and women from women's quarters could have the opportunity to engage in court affairs—or even become officials.

When Wang Qichen heard this news, he was almost moved to participate himself, let alone those scholars and commoners who had no means to buy their way into office.

He knew this aligned perfectly with the High Priest's intentions and had considered reporting it, but with the High Priest's methods, why would he need this extra step?

Hadn’t the deity already assigned him the task?

And this task suited his tastes so well that he was full of motivation.

But could it really be such a coincidence?

The High Priest wanted to enlighten the people, and the Senior Tutor Chu in the palace proposed civil service exams and the Imperial Academy.

Moreover, both were highly influential gods in Great Ning now.

Wang Qichen had met that Senior Tutor Chu and knew his voice and appearance. The High Priest's voice and divine appearance didn’t resemble the other’s, so he ruled out the possibility that they were the same deity.

Yet he still wondered if there might be some connection between these two gods.

He didn’t like guessing and decided to ask. If the High Priest answered, great; if not, it didn’t matter.

So, he asked, "High Priest, I have a question. Might you be willing to answer it?"

"What is it?"

"Are you and that Senior Tutor Chu in the palace acquainted from the past?"

Chu Jiubian wasn’t surprised by the question. Jiang Shuoye had asked before. Both were clever men—connecting the "High Priest" and "Senior Tutor Chu" was too easy.

Even Situ Zhaoling, only because she was too far from the northern capital, didn’t take the "miracles of Senior Tutor Chu" too seriously.

If she came to the capital and met Senior Tutor Chu, she would surely have the same question.

Chu Jiubian didn’t want to answer repeatedly, so he said, "I have always been alongside the Holy Star Lord. He has descended to the mortal world to face trials, and I, concerned, came specifically to aid him. This matter may be disclosed to other believers, but must not be known to the deity himself. Remember this."

Wang Qichen instantly grasped all the key points.

These two gods not only knew each other but were also very close—so close that they needed to exist together.

Moreover, the High Priest's tone and style of action somewhat resembled someone guarding that Senior Tutor Chu.

A thought flashed in Wang Qichen's mind: Could these two gods be partners?!

He quickly suppressed such a notion—speculating about divine intentions wasn’t appropriate.

But the High Priest's meaning seemed to be that he should explain this to other believers who could enter the Divine Realm. So, when he later encountered Jiang Shuoye and other believers he hadn’t met, he would relay the High Priest's message.

This way, no one would offend Senior Tutor Chu.

After leaving the Divine Realm, Wang Qichen immediately sent word to the Confucian scholars under his command, instructing them to spread the news about the civil service exams and the Imperial Academy.

If they themselves wished to enter the court, they could also take the examinations and join the Imperial Academy.

Later, once Qin Xiao and Chu Jiubian abolished the recommendation system, these Imperial Academy students would have the opportunity to become officials.

Of course, Wang Qichen was well aware of the flaws of these Confucian scholars—they would certainly criticize women participating in the examinations.

So, in his letters to them, he earnestly advised:

"Many of you have daughters at home. Think carefully: aren’t daughters more sensible and obedient than sons? Aren’t they sometimes sharper and smarter than sons?"

"Haven’t there been times when you sighed, 'If only she had been born a boy'?"

"The opportunity is right before you, what are you waiting for? Why hesitate? Don't you want to bring glory to your family and hold great power?"

Fortunately, these Confucian scholars and prominent families all liked to have their younger family members educated from a young age, and the daughters from so-called scholarly families were certainly highly educated. Thus, many of them had long realized that their daughters were more promising than their sons.

However, their status as women shackled their futures, relegating them to mere tools for marriage alliances, with undeniably low practical value.

Now that women had the same opportunity as men to become officials and bring honor to their families, they were undoubtedly tempted.

But women would eventually marry out, becoming part of someone else’s household...

Wang Qichen wrote in his letter: "Consider a matrilocal marriage! Why should such an outstanding daughter be married off? She could even stay at home forever. If you’re worried about criticism for not marrying, then find a husband who will marry into your family—wouldn’t that be wonderful?"

He struck a chord with every word, and indeed, many began to entertain the idea.

In Baxian County (Eight Sages County), Shandong.

Confucian scholar Tan Ji, in his early forties, elegant and otherworldly, sat in a pavilion in the rear garden, gazing absently at the lush greenery.

Until a gentle, soft voice spoke: "Father, peace be upon you."

Tan Ji snapped out of his reverie and turned to see his slender, elegant young daughter, Tan Yuzhu. The girl was only fourteen but had already grown into an exceptionally gentle and beautiful young woman.

Their home had been receiving frequent visits from matchmakers since last year, but the child turned everyone down, insisting she wanted to stay with her parents forever and had no desire to marry.

The couple had three sons before finally having this youngest daughter, whom they had treasured like precious jade from the moment she was born.

Moreover, Tan Yuzhu was bright and articulate, dignified and gentle, inheriting her mother’s beauty and temperament as well as her father’s talent. Whenever it came to poetry or couplet matching, her three older brothers couldn't match her.

Even when discussing the state affairs of Great Ning, the young girl spoke eloquently and substantively, far surpassing her three brothers.

Not only Tan Ji but even her three brothers often remarked that if their younger sister were a man, she would surely bring glory to the family.

Unfortunately, she was a woman.

But now, the opportunity had arrived.

Tan Ji gestured: "Zhu'er, come sit."

Tan Yuzhu walked over and sat on the stone stool opposite her father. Noticing the chessboard on the table, she smiled and said, "Father must have just been playing chess with Uncle Yan. Why did you stop halfway?"

Tan Ji chuckled. "You notice everything."

He looked at his daughter’s blossom-like smiling face, hesitating to speak.

"Father, do you have something to tell me?"

"Do you know why your Uncle Yan left in such a hurry?"

Tan Yuzhu picked up a chess piece and continued the game, saying softly, "A letter arrived from the capital. I suppose it was an order from that Wang family heir. Uncle Yan must have gone back to prepare."

Tan Ji laughed heartily, and his doubts and hesitation vanished.

He produced a letter from his sleeve and handed it to his daughter.

He had done this before, so Tan Yuzhu skillfully reached out and took it, lowering her eyes to read.

Then, Tan Ji saw his usually composed youngest daughter frown increasingly deeply, her hands trembling slightly as she clutched the letter.

Tan Yuzhu read the letter from beginning to end three times before finally looking up at her father, her eyes red and even glistening with unshed tears.

"Father—" Her voice was strained. She took a deep breath and asked, "Is what the letter says true?"

Seeing her like this, Tan Ji felt a pang of emotion and said gently, "It's completely true."

Tan Yuzhu smiled, though tears uncontrollably fell from the corners of her eyes.

She stood up, walked to Tan Ji, knelt properly, and kowtowed in formal respect.

Tan Ji hurriedly tried to help her up, but heard his daughter say hoarsely, "Father, I want to take the civil service exams!"

"Good, good!" Tan Ji’s voice was also thick with emotion. He carefully helped his daughter up and said with a smile, "Good child, your father will take the exams with you. And your Uncle Yan—he’s also bringing your younger brother Yan Rui to take the exams. The four of us can keep each other company."

"Father, I want to write an essay." Tan Yuzhu’s eyes shone with a determined gleam.

Not all girls were loved and supported by their parents, not all fathers were as enlightened as Tan Ji. So Tan Yuzhu wanted to write an essay, to tell the world that women were no less capable than men.

She wanted to inspire more young women to join her in taking the civil service examinations and seize this opportunity to become officials!

==

With Wang Qichen’s mobilization and the official directives Qin Xiao issued to local officials at all levels, within half a month, the entire Great Ning was abuzz with the news.

For a time, everyone—from city streets to rural villages—was discussing the matter.

"Have you heard? The court is selecting people to study at that Imperial College in the capital. If you study well, you might even get to become an official!"

"Of course I’ve heard! They say even us commoners can go."

"How can commoners go? I don’t even know a single character. If I go, will I farm for the court?"

The crowd burst into laughter.

Someone said, "Don’t laugh—they really are selecting people who know how to farm to become officials."

"What? Knowing how to farm can make you an official?"

"Exactly! They say there’s a subject specifically testing farming skills. If you farm well, you might get to be an official!"

"Wow, this is our chance to become somebody! We can’t miss it! Who’s going to sign up for the exam with me?"

"I’m not going. What if I fail? I’m afraid the officials will beat or scold me."

"I don’t dare either. Even if they don’t beat or scold me, if I fail, doesn’t that mean I don’t know how to farm? How would I ever face my neighbors again?"

The crowd laughed again, and the person who had initially wanted to take the exam began to hesitate.

This scene played out all over Great Ning. Even in the capital, many people were tempted.

At the Zhen family residence.

Su Xier sat with her older sister, Su Nian’er, in the outer room, embroidering a lifelike floral handkerchief.

"Have you made up your mind?" Su Nian’er looked at her younger sister with concern. "How can we, girls from refined households, appear in public spaces? Even Father wouldn't permit it."

"I will persuade Father," Su Xier said, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "My embroidery skills are decent—there’s a good chance I’ll pass the exam. Then your younger sister will be an Imperial College student and can become an official in the future."

Su Nian’er laughed. "How can someone who embroiders become an official?"

"Senior Tutor Chu has already ordered the establishment of an Embroidery Bureau, an independent department just like the Directorate of Ceremonial. The embroidery artisans there will eventually become officials with court ranks." Su Xier had investigated thoroughly.

Su Nian’er knew her sister was serious and didn’t know whether to be happy or worried.

"But what about the Zhao family incident before..." she whispered, "Sister also wants you to leave the capital."

The capital’s a muddy puddle, yet Su Xier still wants to become an official—how’s she supposed to figure it out?

Even her father and husband have to watch their step at court, let alone someone as naïve and sheltered as Su Xier.

Su Xier thought of Zhao Xi, a flash of grief passing through her eyes, her tone growing somber: "Sister, I don’t want to be apart from you."

Even in death, she wished to be with her family.

Su Nian’er felt her eyes sting, and she stopped persuading, saying softly, "Alright, we’ll stay together, never apart."

Half a month passed, and local offices across the regions had received varying numbers of applicants. After the talented woman known as "Bamboo Rain Recluse" from Shandong’s Eight Virtues County published an article, more women also came to sign up.

Of course, men still made up the majority, and among them were many already somewhat famous scholars, even some Confucian scholars and clients of the powerful families.

But the court had issued an order: no members of influential families, no retainers of the nobility—only those with simple backgrounds and no upward connections.

This clearly thwarted the great families’ attempts to plant their own people, while earning praise and backing from commoners without connections. Many even began voluntarily exposing those with ties to the great families.

Naturally, some just spiteful folks tried to report their fellow villagers or rivals, but they were always uncovered by the local officials.

Most of the officials in these government offices were still from the Four Great Families, but they were accompanied by supervisors—military officers or soldiers sent by Qin Xiao to deliver the documents.

These men had been granted special privileges by Qin Xiao: they had the right to oversee the officials during registration. If any practices violated the document’s instructions, such as allowing their own people to register, these military men could take them into custody on the spot.

After four or five county magistrates and prefects were arrested, everyone became too scared to pull any stunts.

When Chu Jiubian heard about it, he couldn’t help but laugh.

The soldiers under Qin Xiao might not be skilled in politics, but in other matters, they acted decisively and obeyed commands to the letter.

Moreover, Qin Xiao kept his word: for those somewhat famous individuals who might be targeted by the great families, he sent undercover agents to protect them.

This way, not only could other factions not harm these exam takers, they couldn’t even approach them, much less coerce or bribe them.

The great families didn’t think much of it initially, but as the number of applicants grew and many familiar names appeared on the lists from various counties and prefectures, they started getting anxious.

One after another, they sent out messages saying they would also establish "public academies," and any scholars who wished to become their disciples could come and enroll.

For a time, the scholar class in Great Ning was buzzing with excitement again.

Many scholars who had previously been unable to access the great families or become their disciples were tempted.

Entering the National Academy only offered a chance to become an official, but tying yourself to a great family would earn them respect and prestige.

Soon, quite a few scholars went to the government offices to withdraw their applications and instead joined the family schools of the great families.

Seeing the talented men and women from their own domains signing up to serve the court, the seven vassal princes grew restless as well.

They directly announced that their regional courts would also recruit—anyone with talent was welcome to apply.

Many were reluctant to leave home, and after weighing the pros and cons, many chose the regional courts of the vassal princes.

Before long, the number of applicants in the government offices had dropped by more than half.

Chu Jiubian and Qin Xiao weren’t concerned; those filtered out were never suited for the National Academy in the first place. They even felt grateful to the great families and vassal princes for helping with the selection.

The establishment of the National Academy was in full swing, with Chu Jiubian taking full charge of everything.

He spent half his days busy building the National Academy and the other half training instructors, only sharing meals with Qin Xiao and Baili Hong at lunch and dinner.

Qin Xiao wasn’t idle either; he gathered a group of soldiers and taught them how to be "examiners."

The exam was scheduled for three months later: one round at the county level, then another at the prefecture level for those selected, and finally a last round in the capital.

Those who made it to the capital—aside from a few who snuck in—would all enter the National Academy. Some would be placed in advanced classes for focused training, while the rest would be taught at a slower pace.

To prevent cheating during the local exams, examiners would be sent from the capital to supervise.

Qin Xiao would also entrust the exam questions to undercover agents, who would secretly deliver them to the localities and hand them to the examiners just before the exam, ensuring maximum fairness.

As for the exam questions, Chu Jiubian wrote them all himself.

Three months passed both quickly and slowly, but before the imperial exams arrived, the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet came first.