Why do I have so many masters?-Chapter 767 - 59: Private Conversation (2/2)
Chapter 767 -59: Private Conversation (2/2)
Great Qin, Heaven Capital City.
Imperial Academy.
Three hundred students watched as the Confucian Sword, enshrined in the Confucian Temple, broke free from the sword box like a flying swallow, pierced the sky, and shot out toward the direction of Jiangnan Road.
The students from noble clans were immediately distracted from the Sage’s Book in their hands, disregarding the Master who was still teaching, rushing out or leaning on the doorposts, or crowding around the window sills, eyes wide open as they watched the longsword that typically seemed like scrap iron tear through the sky.
The thick clouds in the sky were cleaved apart from the middle.
In this world, regardless of whether one’s cultivation had reached the Upper Third Rank, or temporarily climbed the third-floor pavilion by relying on formations and magic artifacts, true grandmasters were ultimately few and far between. Among the millions of martial artists, genuine grandmasters were but a handful, far truer than real gold and silver.
Such a magnificent sight was not something one could see just by wishing.
When the sword was about to pass out of the North City sector of Heaven Capital City, a cold snort sounded in the sky. A tall man, clad in Mingguang Armor and a member of the military family, stood in the void in front of the sword, reached out to grab it, but seemed like he got shocked, and threw the sword away.
When he wanted to grab it again, the sword had already turned into a streak of light, leaving only a faint afterimage. The face of the Imperial Army General wore a particularly steadfast expression, he swept his eyes around, then his figure vanished, disappearing from sight.
Seeing there was no more excitement, the students in Imperial Academy, urged on by the Master again, whispered quietly and discussed with their classmates about what had just occurred, then turned and walked back into the halls of the Imperial Academy, their expressions still largely indifferent.
The elderly man teaching sacred texts stood at the foremost place; he was scrupulously dressed and known in the region for his profound understanding of the classics. Normally respected wherever he went, seeing the students in such a state, he shuddered with anger yet was unable to berate them.
His withered hands hidden under his robe clutched tightly then relaxed, only to clench again repeatedly, before he finally let go completely, resembling a snake pinned down by a trident, struggling before lying flat on the ground.
The aged Master sighed, closed his eyes, raised his hand, and picked up the classic book on the table, then continued with the part of the lecture he had been cut off from in a tone so bland one couldn’t make out the slightest ripple of emotion.
“Shouyi, what do you think?”
An elderly man watching this scene from a distance sighed and shook his head. He turned to look at another man, middle-aged, dressed in a common cotton robe, without any peculiarities but cleanly washed, resembling a pot of clear tea, appearing to be in his thirties and quite gentlemanly. After hearing the question, he pondered for a moment before replying:
“Compared to my own student days, it seems… there are some changes.”
“To say there are ‘some changes’ is an understatement.”
The old man chuckled wryly, paced forward, and led Shouyi toward the back courtyard of the Imperial Academy. The estate of the Imperial Academy was the premier academy of official learning in Great Qin, located in what was once a royal mansion, annexing the surrounding palaces, covering a vast area with pavilions, terraces, and towers in abundance, a place of learning with picturesque views to enjoy.
The two walked together up a set of artificial hill steps. Although it was just an artificial hill, materials were sourced from seventy-two prefectures of Great Qin, selecting the best and transporting them back to Heaven Capital City, using only a tenth brought at extraordinary cost. On top of the hill was a small pavilion named Star Gazing, situated due to its location and architecture such that one could overlook the entire landscape of the Imperial Academy from it.
The elder placed his hands on the railing, looked far into the distance, sweeping his gaze over the various academy buildings, after a long time, he sighed deeply, slapped the railing, and said:
“The disease has reached the marrow, the disease has reached the marrow!”
Jiang Shouyi’s heart stirred, yet he remained silent.
The elder turned, pointing with his right hand at the academy, and sighed, “It’s not just this Imperial Academy that’s ailing, but our Great Qin’s imperial court as well, Shouyi.”
“The venerable Chen Qun, a sage from the former generation, established the Ninth Grade Meritocracy System to assess the world and elevate officials to the court. Great Qin continues to use it to this day, selecting countless competent and famous generals. Although there are some problems, they are merely minor flaws that do not overshadow the merits; there is no need to dwell on them.”
“That’s how I used to think.”
The old man’s voice deepened as he slammed his right hand heavily again on the lacquered vermilion railing. When he spoke again, his voice was tinged with frustration.
“But after the conquest of the realm twenty years ago, things changed!”
“In just a mere twenty years, although the world was unified, it had not yet stabilized. The resentments of the older generations toward their family foes and the nation have not been easy to eliminate. Those of the current generation are not yet dead and would eagerly await dawn, armed and ready, hoping every day that Great Qin would stumble. Yet those officials who once wholeheartedly served Great Qin and competed to serve the people have started to change.”
“They believe that since the world is now stable, it’s time for them to start making silver and reaping benefits. I never thought before how quickly humans could decay, far faster than rotting wood. In just twenty years, they have become unrecognizable.”
“The Imperial Academy was founded a hundred years ago, amassing learned men from all over the world with the goal of cultivating scholars from the common folk to become capable and serve as officials or generals for Great Qin. However, today, out of these three hundred scholars at the academy, more than two hundred seventy are all from Great Qin’s major noble clans.”
“These scholars from noble clans will go on to take the imperial exams and, depending on their achievements, will be assigned positions. Then, these officials from noble clans will be the ones recommending the common scholars for the academy and assessing talents all over the regions.”
“The noble clans pick the scholars, and the scholars serve the noble clans.”
“In such a cycle, within just a century, Great Qin will almost have become a state of the noble clans, and the world will turn into a world dominated by these noble families!”
Jiang Shouyi’s expression changed, and with a flick of his sleeve, an unusual ripple flowed through the air like water waves. He then spoke:
“Master, be cautious with your words.”
The old man breathed slightly hurriedly, understanding Jiang Shouyi’s intent.
This place is located in the core area of the Heavenly Capital City of Great Qin, with one side bordered by the Imperial Palace. Although the surrounding buildings are plain compared to the luxurious homes of wealthy merchants in the eastern and western markets, they are mostly residences of powerful and highly ranked officials.
Unless one has extraordinary cultivation themselves, or their families employ highly skilled individuals, their hearing could reach extremely far. Discussing state politics recklessly here, especially concerning the lifeline of the court, noble clans, and scholar-officials, could surely lead to clandestine targeting.
In Heavenly Capital City, who hasn’t died before?
The master sighed deeply, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening as he lost interest in continuing the talk. He then said:
“Let’s go. Since you’re willing to work at the Imperial Academy, I’ll show you around more. Although you studied here years ago, it’s been over a decade, and many things have changed.”
“You being here is good. I don’t have many years left to live. In the future, to clear the atmosphere in the academy and help His Majesty suppress the influence of the noble clans and their style, we will have to rely on you, the younger generation.”
He shook his head, turned around, and walked down from the pavilion, heading far into the distance.
Jiang Shouyi lifted his eyes to look at the foremost academy in the world, situated next to the Imperial Palace. His eyes were shadowed and unclear. He then turned and quickly caught up with the elderly master.
PS: Here is the second update for today………
