Isolated town in northern border region

After an initial period of superficial appeasement and covert infiltration, the implementation of public schools has entered a deeper tug-of-war phase.

Those who were sent by aristocratic families to be teachers taught in the school that "those who are born with knowledge are the best, those who learn through study are next, and those who learn through hardship are the next best."

They repeatedly told the children from poor families—you're not cut out for it, there's no point in studying.

In some areas, schools have been built, but the admission requirements state that "two local gentry must jointly recommend the school." Some people can't even gather enough recommendations, so they can only stand at the school gate and listen for a while before walking away with their heads down.

These messages reached Xiao Lie's ears intermittently, but he did not act immediately, quietly waiting for a more suitable opportunity.

He instructed his people not to rush into dealing with these matters, but instead to record the situation of schools in various places and verify each item one by one.

Zhou Xun asked him once.

"Your Highness, if this continues, they will drain the school dry."

Xiao Lie was reading a report on the progress of shipbuilding at Ninghai Port at the time.

"They can hold out for a while, but not forever."

"The Imperial Academy is starting next month, isn't it?"

After he finished speaking, he put down the report and took out another document from the drawer, handing it to Zhou Xun.

"Take a look at this."

It was a proposal about starting a newspaper.

Zhou Xun took it and scanned a few lines before looking up from the paper.

"Your Highness, once this thing comes out, the noble families will be in deep trouble."

Xiao Lie leaned back in his chair.

"So we have to get it done first, then let them know. By the time they realize what's happening, the walls will already be covered with those things."

The newspaper's name was very simple: "Da Chu Min Bao" (Great Chu People's Daily).

The article in the inaugural issue was written by Xiao Lie himself, and it was titled "Only by enlightening the people can we usher in an era of peace."

The article is short and straightforward, without any classical allusions. It only mentions a few things: before the road was built in northern Xinjiang, people walked on muddy roads; before the railway was opened, it took half a month to transport grain; and before schools were opened, most people were illiterate.

The last paragraph of the article reads:

"Some people are afraid that the people will learn to read and write, and that they will be difficult to govern once they understand the principles of life."

"But I believe that the world will only become a better place when the people understand the principles."

"I am not afraid that the people understand reason; I am only afraid that the people will never understand reason."

Three thousand copies of the inaugural issue were printed and posted all over the city walls, teahouses, and post station entrances of the capital and various prefectures.

On the first day, many people gathered around the notice board to look at it. Those who could read read it aloud, while those who couldn't read stood by and listened.

After listening, someone said something.

"That makes sense, but I don't know if it's even feasible." (From the side)

The person next to him added a comment.

"What the King of the Northern Frontier said sounded better than what those noble lords said."

Within two weeks of the newspaper's publication, the attitudes of prominent families toward the school began to subtly change.

Although there was no explicit concession, several paragraphs of those "innate knowledge" texts were quietly removed from some schools.

Xiao Lie did not press the issue further, but the second issue of the newspaper published an article about "Imperial College Students Going to Rural Areas to Teach".

The article is short and mildly worded, but its core message is clear.

After graduating from the Imperial Academy, students who wish to teach at local schools for five years and pass an examination may be promoted to official positions at the discretion of the authorities.

Zhou Xun's draft rules are very detailed, specifying the teaching period, assessment standards, and promotion channels.

Xiao Lie read it through, revised a few wordings, and then had it posted.

The powerful families reacted swiftly.

Some people raised objections in the imperial court.

"The students of the Imperial Academy are the pillars of the nation; how can they be sent down to the countryside?"

Some people used more euphemistic language.

"Teaching in rural areas is certainly a good thing, but is a five-year period too long?"

Xiao Lie sat in the main seat and listened to all the speeches before saying something.

"Five years is not a long time. Five years is just the beginning for someone to learn how to deal with the people in a local area."

"Besides, can an average student really pass the imperial examination with flying colors after five years of study?"

"But now, if you teach for five years and do a good job, that's enough!"

He didn't explain further, and those people didn't ask any more questions.

The second and third issues of the newspaper were published one after another, and the content gradually stabilized. Some people began to cut out articles from the newspaper and paste them on their own walls, while others began to relay the words in the newspaper to illiterate people.

The news seeped into those previously closed corners like water.

Just then, some less pleasant news arrived from the northern frontier.

Tuge sent a letter asking Xiao Lie to return to the northern frontier. His tone was not harsh, but there was something amiss between the lines.

After reading the letter, Xiao Lie made no announcement. The next morning, he set off north with Luo Daniu and several guards.

It was already late when he arrived in northern Xinjiang, and Tug was waiting for him in a yurt next to the trade market.

Tug didn't exchange pleasantries and went straight to the point.

"The young man Qian Wanli promoted messed up the trade market."

He pointed in the direction of the trade market outside the yurt.

"He pocketed a lot of money himself, squeezing both sides."

"The herders don't get paid for selling a sheep, while the caravan pays double the tax for each cartload of goods it brings in."

"Many tribes are preparing to riot!"

"We're sworn brothers. I'm giving you this heads-up: if you can't handle this, I'll chop him up myself!"

Xiao Lie stood at the entrance of the yurt, gazing in the direction of the trade market. He remained silent for a long time before turning and walking towards the border prefecture. Luo Daniu followed behind him, his steps heavier than usual.

"Bring them back within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn!"

He saw the young man in the prison—in his early twenties, with a fair complexion, and dressed in clothes that were noticeably better than those of the ordinary guards. Although it was prison uniform, the material was even better than that of the jailers next to him.

He paused for a moment when he saw Xiao Lie, then lowered his head and remained silent.

Xiao Lie didn't ask him why he was greedy, nor did he ask where he hid the money. He just stood at the door and said something to him.

"Starting tomorrow, all affairs of the border trade will be taken over by Zhou Xun's men."

As for you, according to the law, behead if you deserve it, exile if you deserve it.

The news spread like wildfire.

Someone spoke up for the young man.

"He's still young, and he made a mistake in a moment."

Someone pleaded for him.

"Considering Qian Wanli's feelings, let's be lenient with him."

Xiao Lie's answer was simple.

"Every country has its laws!"

Those who embezzle and pervert the law shall be executed!

On the day the verdict was handed down, the wind was strong in northern Xinjiang, and the open space next to the trade market was full of people, including merchants from the State of Chu and herdsmen from the grasslands.

After the executioner finished, Xiao Lie stood on the high platform and addressed the crowd below.

"I failed to properly train him before employing him; this is my fault!"

"But starting today, the Northern Xinjiang border trade will have a new set of rules, and this kind of thing will no longer be allowed to happen."

When the news reached the south, it had already taken on a different tone. Some people exaggerated, saying that Xiao Lie's subordinates were corrupt and lawless; others said that the border trade in the Northern Frontier had long been rotten; still others said that even the Northern Frontier King's own people could not be trusted.

Xiao Lie sat in the carriage on the return journey, having finished reading the reports sent from various places, and rubbed his temples.

"These powerful families really don't let go of even the slightest opportunity!"

After returning to the capital, he locked himself in the imperial study and studied the maps for a long time.

On that map, in the northern frontier, Qingzhou, Yongzhou, Bingzhou, the former territory of Chen, Xuzhou, and Liangzhou—every piece of land had his decrees, his rules, and the people he employed.

But things are getting complicated; even those he personally promoted might be up to no good behind closed doors.

When Zhou Xun entered the imperial study, he saw Xiao Lie leaning back in his chair, eyes closed, deep in thought.

Zhou Xun did not speak, but simply placed a stack of documents on the table.

A moment later, Xiao Lie opened his eyes.

"Someone needs to supervise those who supervise others. Trust alone is not enough; rules are also necessary."

He sat up straight.

"Each state should have an inspector general, who is not under local jurisdiction but is accountable only to Congress."

It specifically investigates cases of official corruption, favoritism, and exploitation of the people.

Zhou Xun was taken aback.

"Your Highness, this commotion is quite loud."

Xiao Lie nodded.

"If we don't make a fuss, we won't be able to control those beasts!"

He picked up a pen and began to write on the paper. After finishing, he handed it to Zhou Xun.

"Let's try it for a year first, and then see how it goes."

Zhou Xun took the paper, glanced at it, said nothing, and turned to leave.

As the door closed behind him, Xiao Lie leaned back in his chair, his gaze falling on the darkening sky outside the window.

Xiao Lie suddenly remembered something Jiang Jun had said: "People always have selfish motives."