The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 308 Scholars Block the Door

"Your Highness, you mustn't do that! Those people are furious. If we go out now, what if they try to harm you?"

Grandson Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said.

"Don't worry, with Yu Huatian protecting me, nothing will happen!"

"However, I suspect someone will definitely cause trouble during this process. You all need to be careful. If anyone dares to cause trouble at this time, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Everyone nodded after hearing this.

When the Crown Prince Zhu Xiong Ying came outside, he indeed saw a large number of scholars gathered in this place, and everyone's eyes were full of anger.

Zhu Xiong Ying could understand these people's thoughts, after all, they had studied hard for so many years.

Suddenly being told that all the books they had read before were useless, they found it hard to accept this reality.

After the Crown Prince Zhu Xiong Ying stepped forward, the group of scholars who had almost fainted from the heat and fallen asleep instantly perked up.

"Look, everyone! That's the Crown Prince!"

"The grandson of the emperor who reformed the imperial examination system!"

Upon seeing Zhu Xiong Ying, the scholars rushed towards him with eyes full of anger. The Imperial Guards and members of the Eastern Depot immediately surrounded Zhu Xiong Ying, fearing that the crowd might do something harmful to him in their anger.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled as she looked at the excited expressions on their faces.

"Gentlemen, I know you are all very angry, but reforming the imperial examination system is imperative!"

At this moment, Zhu Xiong Ying and the other scholars spoke.

"Perhaps you think that learning those things is useless, and that only by learning the classics of sages can you assist the world. Then let me ask you!"

This is what Zhu Xiong Ying said as he looked at one of the scholars.

Why do you study?

The scholar immediately replied without hesitation.

"Of course, it is to seek stability for all the people under heaven, to govern the people in one region, and to ensure that all the people under heaven can live in peace and security!"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said after hearing this.

"You're all doing this for the same reason!"

The scholars nodded in agreement, and then Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile.

"So if I said that the privileges of scholars would be abolished, that scholars would no longer be exempt from taxation on their farmland, and that they would no longer be exempt from bowing to officials, would you still be willing to become officials?"

Everyone was extremely surprised when they heard this, and many hesitated. Without these things, they wondered what the point of being officials would be.

At this moment, a scholar spoke.

"How can this be? If we don't have these things, won't we scholars be no different from ordinary people!"

Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile.

"Right, I know how you all feel, but you should also think clearly, being an official isn't so easy!"

"To be frank, most people study to revitalize their own families. As for serving the people and considering their needs, that's secondary. Let me ask you all!"

"If any member of your family commits a transgression, can you ensure that they are treated fairly and punished severely according to the law?"

Everyone was stunned for a moment upon hearing this.

In this era, many people believe in protecting one's relatives and friends, and at that time, many people will probably open the door to convenience. At this moment, a scholar said with great indignation.

"Your Highness, I believe this should not be done. We are all scholars, and without the gifts from our families, we would hardly have achieved such success!"

"Isn't it only right that we give back to our family on many occasions?"

Everyone nodded after hearing this. "Many people share the same thought!"

"As officials, we should be equal, so how can we be so cautious in everything we do!"

"If we judge things by the degree of closeness or distance, wouldn't the world be in chaos!"

The scholars looked rather grim upon hearing this. Zhu Xiong Ying then asked, "Do you know how to calculate all the grain in a county in the shortest possible time?" The scholar hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.

"We are all scholars who have read the classics!"

"It's enough that the sages know this; why should we need to know these lowly things? Wouldn't that be an insult to the status of us scholars?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying sighed, shook his head, and said...

"If you don't even understand these things, how can you possibly calculate these accounts clearly?"

"And how many craftsmen does the Ministry of Works need for each machine they manufacture, and where do these craftsmen come from?"

"How much material will be needed? Have you calculated it?"

"Furthermore, how many of you know how many troops are needed to go to the front lines? How much food needs to be transported?"

After listening, everyone lowered their heads and didn't say a word; these things were all outside their knowledge.

At this moment, one of them spoke.

"Many ancient sages did not know these things, yet they were still able to govern the country and bring peace to the world."

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered.

"Confucius was also proficient in the Six Arts, and he was extremely skilled in riding, archery and arithmetic. Otherwise, how could he have subdued Zilu, who was known for his martial prowess? Among you, who else has the skill of riding and archery?"

"Who still possesses the ability to perform arithmetic?"

The scholars' faces immediately turned extremely ugly upon hearing this.

It's been so many years, they've long since thrown these things away somewhere.

"Rest assured, everyone, the content of the imperial examinations will not change much in terms of scope over the years!"

"However, there will be other areas of focus. After all, our Great Ming needs more talent, and you already have an advantage over those who are illiterate!"

"Do you mean you have these advantages? You still can't beat those illiterate people in the exam?"

Hearing Zhu Xiong Ying's words, these scholars felt a surge of resentment. No matter what, they were all scholars from noble families. How could their promising students not even pass the exams of ordinary people? Thinking of this, they were all extremely indignant.

"Your Highness, just watch! It's nothing but some strange and ingenious tricks. With our abilities, we'll be able to learn them in no time!"

"We will continue to participate in the imperial examinations at that time."

They will definitely produce a top scholar!

Zhu Xiong Ying said with a smile.

"If you really manage to become the top scholar in the imperial examination in the future, I will personally drape the official robes of the top scholar over you!"

Upon hearing this, the man's eyes lit up.

"A king's word is his bond; Your Highness, is what you say true?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said.

"Of course, a king's word is his bond!"

Everyone was overjoyed upon hearing this, imagining that His Highness the Crown Prince would personally drape official robes over them in the future, bringing glory to their family.

Just as everyone was lost in their fantasies, someone in the crowd suddenly shot a crossbow at the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying.

(End of this chapter)