Poet Immortal, Poet Sage, Duke of the State!

The Imperial Palace.

Inside the Imperial Study.

Apart from the Grand Tutor, ten cabinet ministers stood on either side.

Although His Majesty did not state the reason for summoning the cabinet ministers, everyone knew the answer: the contest between the old and new methods of education, though only a few days had passed, had already revealed the winner.

I heard that today, not a single student from the East Dormitory, which Dou Wenhuan is in charge of, was present.

Meanwhile, the parents of those students, including several high-ranking officials in the capital, have been submitting petitions in recent days, hoping that His Majesty could transfer their children to Chen Chang'an's school.

Dou Wenhuan's face was very ugly. He hadn't expected to lose so quickly and so completely.

Zhao Rui just told him in the duty room that he should admit defeat in advance. Although he was very unwilling, he couldn't persuade him otherwise.

The Emperor of Da Ning picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Zhao Rui."

Zhao Rui stood in the center of the hall, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your subject is here."

Emperor Da Ning put down his teacup and said, "You just said that you had something to say to me and the cabinet ministers. Now that all the cabinet ministers are here, you may speak."

Zhao Rui bowed respectfully, his expression frank, and said, "Your Majesty, esteemed officials, I previously adhered to the old system, believing that strict and arduous study, using rules and punishments to restrain and intimidate students, was the only way to cultivate talent. However, after these few days of instruction, I have realized that my teaching methods suppress natural instincts, are rigid and inflexible, and will only cause students to dislike and avoid learning, ultimately proving futile..."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Bing, the Minister of Revenue, frowned, glanced at his son, but said nothing.

Zhao Rui turned to the Emperor of Daming and continued, "Commissioner Chen teaches through enjoyment, tailors his instruction to individual students, and caters to the hearts of children. Without punishment or pressure, he can motivate even the most unruly students to study diligently and achieve remarkable results. I have realized that this new approach to education far surpasses the old methods. I am completely convinced by Commissioner Chen's methods and therefore concede defeat in advance..."

After Zhao Rui finished speaking these sincere and heartfelt words, the cabinet ministers had various expressions.

As a supporter of the new approach to scholarship, Zhou Zhengming naturally smiled broadly.

Dou Wenhuan lowered his head and remained silent.

Beneath his wide sleeves, his fists clenched silently, his heart filled with resentment.

He didn't really care about the new or old laws; he just didn't want to lose to Zhou Zhengming or Chen Chang'an, especially the latter, who had made him lose face several times in less than a month since arriving at the Hanlin Academy.

But the reality is that all ten students in the East Dormitory have skipped school, and the academic atmosphere has collapsed, while the ten students in the West Dormitory are actively seeking knowledge and are diligent and self-disciplined, making the contrast obvious.

Just ten days ago, these twenty people weren't so different.

The facts were undeniable; even Zhao Rui, who had personally taught the class, had conceded defeat. Despite his resentment, he had no reason to argue further…

He could only stand there silently, helpless.

Unexpectedly, he voluntarily admitted defeat after only a few days, which greatly disappointed Zhao Bing, but he couldn't say anything in front of so many people...

The other cabinet members remained silent.

Even though some people still believe in the old adage "spare the rod and spoil the child" and "a gem cannot be made without carving," His Majesty has already proven through a fair trial that the new law is significantly superior to the old one...

His Majesty persuades people with reason. Anyone who opposes at this time is just being unreasonable and will not be able to win people's hearts. His Majesty can remove their cabinet status with just one sentence and still gain the trust of the entire court...

Those present were all seasoned veterans of the officialdom, so naturally they understood this principle.

The Emperor of Da Ning took in everyone's expressions and said calmly, "Since Zhao Rui has already admitted defeat, there is no need to continue this competition."

He stood up and said in a deep voice, "From this day forward, the outdated and rigid teaching system of the Eastern Palace is hereby abolished. Chen Chang'an shall be in charge of the imperial heir's studies and oversee all academic affairs of the Eastern Palace Academy."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent, and no one objected.

Emperor Da Ning continued, "Furthermore, under the leadership of Minister of Personnel Zhou Zhengming, and with the assistance of Chen Chang'an, we will take full charge of the reform of education in Da Ning, breaking away from outdated and rigid methods of enlightenment, rewriting enlightenment textbooks, innovating teaching concepts, and promoting a new style of learning that combines education with entertainment and individualized instruction..."

His gaze swept over everyone present, and he said, "No one may obstruct the reform of education, nor may they hinder or obstruct the implementation of the new law. Anyone who obstructs reform, clings to outdated practices, or deliberately creates difficulties will be severely punished by me!"

Everyone clasped their hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Your Majesty, we obey!"

These words were addressed not only to them, but also to those stubborn old fogies in the court.

Without this competition, many people would probably oppose the new law. But the results of the competition are out, and the contrast between the new and old laws is obvious. Anyone who dares to stand up and oppose it is ignoring the facts and is outdated.

This time, His Majesty is clearly determined to completely overthrow the old system of education.

Last year, the Yan Kingdom provoked China several times through its literary and political channels. If it weren't for Chen Chang'an, Da Ning would have lost its city and people, becoming a laughing stock on the mainland.

This is probably why His Majesty has been so eager to promote educational reform.

The long-running debate between the old and new academic styles, which had lasted for half a month, finally came to a complete end. Zhou Zhengming, with a solemn expression, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I obey your decree. I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's trust and create a new era for the academic community of Daning!"

Soon, everyone left the Imperial Study.

"stop!"

On the square in front of the palace, Zhao Bing called out to Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui stopped, then slowly turned around and asked, "What are your orders, Father?"

Zhao Bing said in a deep voice, "My Zhao family has studied orthodox Confucian classics for generations, adhered to ancient systems, and revered sages. Generation after generation, we have established ourselves in the court with orthodox learning. But you, in public, bow your head and recognize those unorthodox and miscellaneous studies as the right path, disregarding the family learning of your ancestors and the century-old educational system. Do you know your crime?"

"Is a century-old education system necessarily the right approach?"

Zhao Rui looked at him, shook his head slightly, and said, "I used to think so too, but the facts speak for themselves. The old methods of learning, with their arduous study and harsh punishments, only resulted in students disliking school, a collapse of the academic atmosphere, and empty rules that had no real effect..."

Zhao Bing angrily retorted, "Have you forgotten that your position as the third-ranked scholar was obtained precisely under the strict requirements of the old system?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Rui lowered his head and fell silent.

Zhao Bing sneered, "What, you can't say anything in rebuttal now?"

Zhao Rui looked up at his father, who had been exceptionally strict with him since childhood. Involuntarily, he recalled how he had fainted under the scorching sun in the sweltering summer for misremembering a sage's saying, and how he had collapsed from kneeling in the snow in winter for being distracted in class...

He used to think it was nothing.

No pain No gain.

But at this moment, all he felt was deep envy. If he had been born ten years later, if he could have become Chen Xiuzhuan's student, he was confident that he could have won the top spot, let alone the third-place finisher...

He looked at Zhao Rui and said in a low voice, "In Father's eyes, there is only this third-place ranking. Do you ever care whether your son is happy?"

Zhao Bing's lips moved, but he was speechless for a moment.

Zhao Rui shook his head and spoke again, "Actually, I haven't been happy these past few years..."

After saying that, he didn't look at Zhao Bing again and walked straight towards the Hanlin Academy.

Zhao Bing stared at his departing figure, frozen in place for a long time, lost in thought...

At that moment, he finally realized that he had never truly understood his son...