Li Chen's Fan Meet!

Cloud Deer Academy was a gathering place for great Confucian scholars.

Some were renowned scholars from across the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty, while others were foreign academics who had traveled from afar.

Everyone admitted into the Star Gazing Pavilion was a figure of some renown, a towering authority in the literary world of their region.

They had come solely to admire Master Yu's bearing, yet now they had all become Li Chen's fanatical admirers.

These literary giants truly knew how to trim their sails to the wind.

If they praised Master Yu at a time like this, wouldn't they be offending the emperor outright?

On the other hand, if they praised Li Chen and pleased him enough, he might reward them with an official post.

As for whether they would offend Master Yu, who cared!

With that thought, the scholars took up their brushes and poured out lavish poems extolling Li Chen.

Then these literary giants lined up to kneel before Li Chen, presenting him with their compositions one by one.

Anyone unaware of the circumstances might have thought this was Li Chen's fan meet.

Li Chen did nothing to stop their praise, looking as though he were saying, Keep it coming. I love hearing it.

Those few with tears brimming in their eyes, however, were overacting a little.

One glance made it clear that they lacked practical experience. The court officials kneeling in the Imperial Study were the true masters of acting.

Meanwhile, Master Yu had abandoned his usual wild, unrestrained manner. His clothes were properly fastened, his back straight when standing, and his posture impeccable when sitting.

He was even more inconspicuous than Eunuch Cui, the chief eunuch beside Li Chen.

Had the people around him not known he was Master Yu, they might have mistaken him for Li Chen's bodyguard.

The fan meet soon ended, and at last it was time to inspire the scholars of the realm.

Surrounded by the crowd, Li Chen stepped onto the terrace of the Star-Gazing Tower and looked down over the thousands of scholars below.

Every year, more than ten million scholars in the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty took the academy examination. Those who passed still had to take the provincial examination.

Those who advanced through the provincial examination could come to the Imperial Capital for the metropolitan examination.

Once their names appeared on the metropolitan examination's list of successful candidates, they had made it ashore and secured an official position.

The highest-ranking candidates, however, were eligible to take the palace examination, personally presided over by the emperor.

In other words, if they won Li Chen's appreciation, these lucky few had a chance to enter government directly and hold important offices.

Nearly all the thousands of scholars present were candidates for the metropolitan examination.

Every year before the examination, they came to Cloud Deer Academy to pay their respects to Master Yu, much as they might burn incense for good fortune before a test. It had become a tradition.

At such times, Master Yu usually delivered an impassioned speech, encouraging the scholars to achieve the results they hoped for.

Over time, his standing in the hearts of scholars throughout the realm had risen higher and higher.

Some had even begun taking Master Yu as their role model.

And what kind of man was Master Yu? Even when the emperor invited him to serve as an official, he refused.

Thus, a certain attitude had quietly taken root within Cloud Deer Academy, particularly among Master Yu's disciples.

Every last one spent their days snapping at the emperor above and mocking the officials below.

They did not take the Imperial Court seriously at all.

Even in front of Li Sining, a princess of the imperial family, disrespectful remarks about the emperor rolled straight off their tongues.

They knew that even if word got out, nothing would happen. As long as Master Yu remained here, they would be safe.

The sight of Master Yu kneeling today had truly shaken them to their core.

Some particularly gifted disciples were even considering whether they should simply earn an official qualification. Drifting aimlessly around the academy forever was no solution.

Just look at how imposing those officials behind Li Chen were.

Once the focus of their admiration shifted from Master Yu to Li Chen, their considerations began to change as well.

With Master Yu bowing his head, his disciples naturally found themselves a rung lower too.

This was precisely the result Li Chen wanted.

No one should think Li Chen had failed to guess why Master Yu had invited him to this academy ceremony: he wanted the emperor to serve as his backdrop.

As the head of Cloud Deer Academy and a sage in the eyes of the realm's scholars, he could even get the emperor to attend the academy ceremony in support of him.

That was enough to leave his name in the annals of literary history.

What other literary giant could boast such an achievement?

The Previous Emperor's deference had made Master Yu accustomed to it.

But Li Chen did not indulge him. He had delivered a show of force right from the start.

Many people wondered why Master Yu had knelt.

The tactful version: Master Yu understood that, vast as the realm was and numerous as its people were, all must take Jun as their foundation for the nation to enjoy peace and prosperity and its culture to flourish. As a subject of the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty, though his scholarly attainments were extraordinary, he ought to maintain a humble heart in matters of state and the proper relations between ruler and subject.

The blunt version: he figured he couldn't win the fight, so he didn't dare make a move.

This was a world where the strong reigned supreme. If reasoning worked, who would bother cultivating?

In Li Chen's view, the only way to resolve difficulties was force.

If force could not solve your problem, that merely meant you did not have enough of it.

Don't tell me how great Master Yu's literary achievements are. Without his martial strength, forget everything he's achieved today-he would have been beaten to death long ago while traveling among the nations.

Li Chen had simply used the same method to give Master Yu a warning.

As for what Master Yu would think afterward, Li Chen did not care. If he refused to accept it, he was welcome to make a move.

Standing on the Star-Gazing Terrace, Li Chen could already feel the scholars' expectant gazes. He raised his voice and declared, "We know well that you are sharpening your weapons and feeding your steeds, preparing for the coming spring examination. We encourage you to strive for excellent results. Once your names appear on the golden honor roll, you will be able to share Our burdens, seek blessings for the people, and together build the glory of Our Heavenly Strategy Dynasty!"

His voice rang out with majestic power, like that of a deity.

Every word struck the scholars' hearts, stirring a surge of excitement within them.

"Long live Your Majesty! We shall not fail Your Majesty's great expectations! We shall serve the nation and share Your Majesty's burdens!"

The scholars shouted in unison, their voices filled with longing and anticipation for a brilliant future.

Seeing their exhilarated expressions, Li Chen was very pleased. Now this is how you ought to be.

It was still early, and Li Chen was in no hurry to return. Like a leader on an inspection tour, he continued looking around Cloud Deer Academy.

Wherever he went, the nearby scholars grew tremendously excited. Some even waved their arms and stamped their feet, their faces flushed, needing only a little song of gratitude to complete the scene.

A small incident occurred along the way. As Li Chen approached Quiet Reflection Garden, he "happened" to spot Liu Hao.

With Liu Hao's physique, how could those scholars out-jostle him? He had finally found an opportunity to approach Li Chen.

But before he could deliver his declaration of loyalty, Li Chen patted his shoulder and said, "Do your best in this year's examination. I look forward to seeing your name on the list."

Liu Hao: "..."

He was utterly dumbfounded. He was not taking the spring examination; he had merely sneaked in.

Oh no, His Majesty thinks I'm a candidate!

If I tell him the truth, would that count as deceiving the emperor?

At the time, Li Chen had never imagined that his casual remark would actually send Liu Hao home to study!

Even Liu Hao's father began wondering whether his son had been possessed.

At the chancellor's residence, Zhao Wenyuan did not have to attend morning court that day either. However, he was accustomed to rising early and was reviewing intelligence delivered by his subordinates, his expression somewhat grave.

"The Second Prince has been making rather frequent moves. Has he lost patience so soon?"

"Then should we inform His Majesty of this?"

The subordinate beside him asked the question. This was an opportunity to curry favor with Li Chen.

Zhao Wenyuan frowned but did not answer.