In a chaotic world, border soldiers begin their journey by enlisting in the army and getting married

Chen Shan's attitude was extremely firm, and he did not tolerate the slightest mistake.

This caused those present to frown, but the Southern King continued, "Only by making appropriate concessions can things be accomplished; otherwise, they will inevitably cause trouble. Only in this way can the imperial examinations proceed as scheduled."

The Southern King's persuasion had no effect on Chen Shan.

"Your Highness, this matter has nothing to do with me."

"I'm just giving you a suggestion about the imperial examinations; whether you can succeed is up to you."

"As for the academy, it is my wife's wish. She wants to educate people regardless of their background, but she does not want it to be used as a tool for corrupt officials and scholars to make a profit and seek fame."

"Your concerns are your business, they have nothing to do with me."

Chen Shan's words were so decisive that even the Southern King was momentarily at a loss for words.

After all, he understood Chen Shan's temperament; Chen Shan had never liked the past actions of the Xia Kingdom and the imperial court.

It is clearly unlikely that he would wholeheartedly serve the court.

Moreover, the matter of the academy, and even the suggestion of the imperial examination system, were all brought up by Chen Shan.

The imperial court indeed had no right to claim it for itself.

If it were anyone else, they wouldn't refuse the imperial court, but Chen Shan is different.

"As a citizen of the Xia Kingdom, a junior general in the army, and soon to become the Left Commander-in-Chief of the Five Armies Commandery, isn't serving the court your duty?"

Huangfu Zhaoxue asked, her eyes flashing with a sharp edge as she spoke.

There is no doubt that Chen Shan's attitude was not what she wanted.

As the emperor, she needed people who were of one mind with her, people who could bring stability to the court and make the Xia Kingdom stronger.

Rather than someone who is capable but arrogant and uncontrollable.

Such a person is of no benefit to her.

The change in Huangfu Zhaoxue's tone was noticed by everyone present.

King Nan Tu remained silent, not in a hurry to offer any advice.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. General Chen is young and inevitably a bit arrogant. I believe that General Chen still cares about the court. After all, his ability to come up with the academy and the imperial examination system is enough to prove it."

Minister of War Hu Tu quickly spoke up.

They were afraid that this perfectly good discussion might go wrong.

"Chen Shan, I ask you, is this matter truly beyond compromise?"

Huangfu Zhaoxue frowned and asked again.

Although she was dissatisfied, she could only endure it. The Xia Kingdom appeared stable on the surface, but she knew best the internal chaos beneath.

There was discord between the civil and military officials, with the civil officials wielding excessive power, to the point that the prime minister's power was subtly on par with that of the emperor!

However, in terms of external relations, it made concessions step by step, which made it difficult for the Xia Kingdom to develop!

These are all big problems.

She needs someone to break this deadlock.

However, Chen Shan was somewhat dissatisfied with Huangfu Zhaoxue's question.

"Your Majesty, your stance is not firm at all. I only said a few words of rebuttal, and you chose to give in. As the emperor, you did not even give a definite order. No wonder the civil officials have become so powerful."

"Without determination, no matter what decision you make, it will not have a good outcome, let alone achieve your desired result."

Huangfu Zhaoxue was stunned by Chen Shan's words. She had thought that Chen Shan would propose some conditions or make some additional demands.

The worst possible outcome would be the promotion of a powerful figure, much like a prime minister.

Unexpectedly, Chen Shan turned around and lectured him instead.

"There are many things that I am not in control of, and governing a country is not as easy as you think."

So, you're willing to compromise?

Huangfu Zhaoxue looked at Chen Shan, but she couldn't quite figure out what he was thinking.

"No."

"Who said we have to compromise on this? Is this Xia Kingdom the Emperor's Xia Kingdom, or the Xia Kingdom of his civil officials and Confucian scholars?"

"At worst, we can kill them or expel them. What? Does such a great dynasty not survive without them?"

Chen Shan's response was simple and powerful.

There is no reason why the world cannot function without someone, and the same applies to dynasties.

"But if we do that, the court will be paralyzed, and those Confucian scholars will inevitably rebel. I'm afraid the Xia Kingdom will be thrown into chaos, and we'll lose all our reputation."

The Minister of Revenue frowned, clearly not satisfied with Chen Shan's proposed method.

If this were to be done, the Xia Kingdom would be without a legitimate successor, and the other six kingdoms might not simply sit idly by and wait for their demise.

After the Minister of Revenue finished speaking, the others also looked at Chen Shan. Clearly, they also thought that Chen Shan's method was too risky and too radical, and not very appropriate.

"What's wrong with that?"

"How many Confucian scholars are there in the world? Even if you include the civil officials, there aren't that many."

"Do you think there are more of them, or more ordinary people?"

"Those who disobey will be killed; why worry? There are certainly people among the common people who can replace them."

"Your Majesty, if you want to preserve your reputation, then wait until the civil officials completely control the court. At that time, you may not even be able to keep the throne."

"Hesitation leads to trouble."

Chen Shan's meaning was very clear: to do it in the simplest and most straightforward way.

This left them with no way to resist.

"If we really do that, I'm afraid the court will be in chaos. Besides, even if we replace them with a new batch, I'm afraid they'll regroup again in no time."

Huangfu Zhaoxue frowned. Killing this batch would only lead to new ones emerging.

She had considered this point, but there were simply too many things to take into account.

Chen Shan simply smiled indifferently at this.

"Does His Majesty really believe they will leave?"

"These civil officials and Confucian scholars value fame and fortune extremely. Even if they leave the Xia Kingdom and go to another country, the Confucian scholars and civil officials there may not be able to tolerate them."

"So they don't have many choices: either rebel or back down."

What do you think they will choose?

Chen Shan's words were simple, yet his meaning was very clear.

The people present immediately realized what was happening.

"These guys are too proud to give up their jobs."

"You can give Chen Shan's method a try."

When the King of the South spoke, several ministers looked thoughtful.

Their presence here naturally signifies the emperor's trust in them.

Chen Shan's methods were extreme, but they had no other choice. After all, if they chose to back down, it would mean that they would no longer be in control of the whole matter.

Instead, it became the prime minister's side.

"Okay, let's do it that way."

"But what if they really panic and start killing?"

Huangfu Zhaoxue hesitated. Once the killing started, it would indeed have a significant impact.

"What are you afraid of? Are you afraid the prince can't control them? Or do you think your men aren't as capable as them?"

"Isn't it a good opportunity to clean things up?"

"Even a roughneck like me who joined the army knows this, surely you don't?"

Chen Shan's words sounded somewhat insulting, but they had no reason to refute them.

"That's what we'll do then!"

"Chen Shan, if this matter succeeds, I will reward you handsomely."

Huangfu Zhaoxue spoke frankly, but Chen Shan shrugged.

A hefty reward? How hefty? You wouldn't be willing to give yourself to me, would you?