The Prodigal Son

The temple complex of the Confucian Temple is very large.

Its layout is somewhat similar to the stadium of my previous life, but there is a circular platform in the middle.

Bundles of cattails were placed on the steps surrounding the round platform.

Although a light drizzle was falling, it could not dampen the enthusiasm of the students at the Confucian Temple.

Looking around, it seemed like there were a huge crowd of people.

Zhao Yan, the heir apparent of the Prince of Chengyang, still enjoys some popularity.

When they arrived, Zhao Yan was surrounded by a group of people, chatting enthusiastically with them.

Many female students stared at Zhao Yan with infatuated expressions.

It felt like if they weren't in public, they would have pounced on Zhao Yan.

Beside Zhao Yan were two people Qin Yu knew.

Lu Yong and Lü Si!

Upon seeing Qin Yu, Zhao Yan, holding a folding fan, immediately squeezed through the crowd and stepped in front of him. Her gaze swept over Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi. "You're quite the ladies' man!"

"That's why I say I'm greedy and lustful!"

As Qin Yu spoke, he gave Zhao Yan a meaningful smile.

Zhao Yan understood Qin Yu's meaning perfectly well.

Qin Yu was clearly referring to the appearance fee he was paid!

Thinking about the 20,000 taels of silver appearance fee, Zhao Yan felt an urge to swear.

That's twenty thousand taels of silver!

Even if he is the heir of the Prince of Chengyang, 20,000 taels of silver is not a small amount!

However, he will soon let Qin Yu know that his money is not so easy to take!

Zhao Yan sneered inwardly, but his handsome face maintained a smile. "Good that you're here! I was afraid you wouldn't dare to come!"

"How is that possible?"

Qin Yu laughed heartily, "I, Qin Yu, am famous for keeping my word! Isn't that right, Lü Si?"

Meeting Qin Yu's gaze, Lü Si couldn't help but curl his lip and scoff, "A petty person who has achieved his goal!"

This time, Lu Yong stood with Lü Si and nodded in deep agreement.

"You're not going to nod your head!"

Qin Yu glared at Lu Yong, "Although Lü Si is useless, at least he still has a fifth-rank official position! You don't even have the chance to get ahead, yet you have the nerve to nod here? If I were you, I'd just find a block of tofu and smash my head against it to avoid making a fool of myself!"

"you……"

Lu Yong's face turned pale and then red, but he couldn't find the words to refute Qin Yu. He could only try to suppress his anger, but he felt very frustrated.

He used to look down on Qin Yu and Lü Si, those two good-for-nothings.

However, both of them are now high-ranking officials in the imperial court.

Even Lü Si, that good-for-nothing, holds a fifth-rank official position!

He, however, had the title of "successful candidate in the imperial examination" but held no official position.

"You don't need to worry about it!"

Zhao Yan patted Lu Yong on the shoulder, comforting him, "There are nearly a thousand students at the Confucian Temple and Academy, but who among them holds an official position?"

"There are countless officials who hold positions but do nothing and yet still occupy them!"

"Similarly, there are many who possess genuine talent and learning but lack official positions!"

"For many people, all they lack is an opportunity!"

Zhao Yan's words immediately won the favor of the students in the academy, and many of them nodded in agreement.

They never thought they lacked talent.

To be honest, none of those who were admitted to the Confucian Temple and Academy were incompetent.

The academic atmosphere of the Confucian Temple and the Imperial Academy meant that there was no fertile ground for good-for-nothings!

What they lack is simply an opportunity!

Looking at Zhao Yan and then at Qin Yu, they immediately felt that Qin Yu was indeed somewhat like a petty person who had achieved success.

No matter how talented Qin Yu is, if it weren't for the fact that his grandfather was Qin Fumeng, he would never have received such high regard from His Majesty!

"really!"

Qin Yu smiled in agreement, then suddenly changed the subject, "However, these opportunities are always for those who are prepared! Those who aren't prepared won't be able to seize them even if they're presented with one!"

"You have a sharp tongue!"

Zhao Yan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Who do you think will lose today?"

Qin Yu's lips curled into a smile. "Why can't it be either us both winning or losing?"

"No!"

Zhao Yan shook her head. "Today, whatever your viewpoint, I will stand against you! One of us is destined to be the loser!"

Wow, that's really direct!

"That definitely wasn't me!"

Qin Yu smiled confidently.

"But I also feel that I definitely won't be the loser!"

Zhao Yan's eyes were sharp and piercing, and he was equally confident.

He made two preparations today!

He absolutely cannot lose!

He wanted to show Qin Yu that his money wasn't so easy to take!

If you take it, be careful not to burn your hands!

Before the debate even began, Qin Yu and Zhao Yan had already started vying for dominance.

This excited everyone present.

The Confucian Temple and its affiliated academies are not afraid of competition, and it is common for them to compete with each other.

Every month, the debates inevitably escalate to the point where people get red in the face and their necks are visibly agitated.

Students at the Confucian Temple and Academy generally believe that the more you adjust the lamp, the brighter it becomes, and the more you debate a principle, the clearer it becomes.

Here, you're not afraid to challenge others; what you're afraid of is not having real skills and being rendered speechless by a few words.

It is precisely this open academic atmosphere that has made the Confucian Temple and Academy a sacred place in the hearts of scholars.

The two exchanged a brief greeting before each engaging in conversation with others.

Qin Yu was the reincarnation of the God of Literature, and Zhao Yan was the heir of the Prince of Chengyang. Both of them were quite talented when they were in the capital, and they were surrounded by many people.

However, there were significantly more people surrounding Zhao Yan.

Qin Yu saw this and couldn't help but shake his head inwardly.

That's why they couldn't seize the opportunity even when given it.

They can't even tell who the main character is!

As someone close to the female demon, shouldn't they be showing off their talents to get her attention?

Although Zhao Yan is the heir apparent, he does not hold any official position in the court. Why are they fawning over Zhao Yan?

Could it be that they intend to seek refuge with the Prince of Chengyang?

Isn't this just plain suicide?

Qin Yu inwardly complained, then asked Zhou Huan, "Do you have anyone here who's good at math and physics?"

Having failed to win over Su Zhen before, he decided to come to the Confucian Temple and Academy to find someone proficient in mathematics and physics.

Unfortunately, this matter was delayed because I went to Chenzhou.

Now that we're here, we should naturally inquire about it properly.

"Of course!"

Zhou Huan replied, "There aren't many people in the Confucian Temple who are good at mathematics and physics. If we're talking about the most outstanding one, it would be Mr. Wang Jun."

It's good that it exists!

Qin Yu was secretly delighted and immediately said, "Please introduce me to him later."

"this……"

When this matter was brought up, Zhou Huan immediately looked troubled. "Mr. Wang has a reclusive and eccentric personality, I'm afraid..."

"Thump..."

A long, drawn-out chime interrupted Zhou Huan's words.

As the bell rang, the students who had been gathered in small groups immediately went up the steps, regardless of whether the reeds on the ground were wet from the drizzle, and sat down, their upper bodies straight.

Seeing their posture, Qin Yu felt uncomfortable sitting casually and had to sit upright like them.

Nan Que'er and Luo Qingyi sat on either side of Qin Yu, their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.

As everyone took their seats, the once noisy dojo instantly fell silent.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the chief priest Su He slowly walked onto the central circular platform.

Su He cleared his throat slightly and raised his voice: "Today's debate topic: When employing people, should we prioritize talent or virtue?"