From cute to empress

Chapter 297 Cleansing the Corruption

"Pass on my order..." I took a deep breath and was about to announce the next arrangements, but suddenly I felt dizzy, my eyes went black, and my body shook involuntarily.

"Your Majesty!" "Your Majesty!"

I could hear the anxious cries of Zhen Youcai and the palace maids. I tried to steady myself and waved my hand, indicating I was fine. Perhaps I had been working too hard on this education reform for days, and I was feeling a little exhausted.

"It's nothing, just a little dizzy." I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the discomfort in my body. My eyes swept over the ministers below, who all had different expressions. "I have made my decision. From now on, a special education regulatory agency will be established to investigate and deal with all unfair competition between academies, and between officials and academies!"

My tone was undeniable, and my resounding words echoed in the hall for a long time. The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment, and the original voices of opposition disappeared at this moment.

I know that implementing the new policy will inevitably affect the interests of some people and will also lead to criticism and obstruction. But for the long-term stability of Tianqi, and to cultivate talents who can truly shoulder the heavy responsibility of the country, I must persevere, even if it means using drastic measures!

Zhen Youcai took the order and quickly assembled a crack team to investigate the academies that had been reported for suspected unfair competition. Soon, a series of shocking reports were placed on my desk.

Some academies, in a desperate bid for students, slandered each other, even hiring thugs to disrupt each other's recruitment efforts. Others, hoping to achieve good results in the imperial examinations, resorted to secretly bribing examiners and leaking test questions. Even worse, some even colluded with officials to manipulate exam results, excluding students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

It's not that I hadn't noticed these dark corners before, but I hadn't imagined they had become so corroded! My heart felt as if it were being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and it ached in waves.

"Your Majesty, the president of Yuelu Academy and the headmaster of Bailudong Academy request an audience."

I was slightly startled when I heard the palace maid's announcement. These two academies were the ones with the most serious problems found in this investigation... "Exclaim." I rubbed my aching forehead and tried to look calm.

Led by palace maids, two elderly men in their sixties walked unsteadily into the hall. Their former high spirits were gone, replaced by faces full of guilt and uneasiness.

"Your Majesty, this old minister pays homage to you. Long live the emperor!" The two men prostrated themselves on the ground, their voices trembling, but their cloudy eyes could not hide their deep fear.

"My two dear ministers, please stand up quickly." I said lightly, motioning them to stand up and talk.

"Your Majesty, I deserve death!" The headmaster of Yuelu Academy burst into tears and tremblingly pulled out a list from his sleeve. "This is a record of the bribes I have accepted over the years. Your Majesty, please punish me!"

The headmaster of the White Deer Grotto Academy followed closely behind, handing over an account book, his voice choked with sobs: "Your Majesty, this old minister has been bewildered and has done many wrong things for the benefit of the academy. I am willing to accept any punishment!"

I took the list and account book and carefully looked through them. Every payment recorded there was like a sharp knife, stabbing my heart. These scholars, who were supposed to be role models, educating people, had thrown the teachings of sages to the winds for their own selfish gain and trampled underfoot fairness and justice!

"Do you know your crime?!" I slammed the account book shut, suppressing the anger in my heart and asked coldly.

"I know my crime and I am willing to do everything I can to make amends!" The two answered in unison, their voices full of regret and self-blame.

I took a deep breath and turned my gaze towards them. "Admitting one's mistakes is the best way to improve. I hope you will do what you said and actively cooperate with the regulatory authorities to thoroughly investigate the problems within the academy and make thorough rectifications!"

"Your honor is mine!" The two men kowtowed in gratitude as if they had been pardoned.

After seeing off the two deans, I leaned back wearily on the dragon chair. I knew this was just the beginning; there was still a long way to go to completely eradicate malpractices in education.

At this time, Zhen Youcai walked in with a relieved smile on his face, "Your Majesty, Student A and Teacher B from Yuelu Academy want to see you. They said they have important matters to report to you."

"Oh? Let them in." I immediately became interested. Could it be that they had discovered some new clues?

Soon, Student A and Teacher B entered the hall. Although their statuses were very different, their faces were filled with the same determination and confidence...

After Student A and Teacher B respectfully bowed to me, they couldn't wait to start talking. Student A excitedly said, "Your Majesty, the education reform decree you issued is truly heartening! Now those who relied on connections to gain access to the academy have received the punishment they deserve. We, the students from humble backgrounds, can finally have a fair chance to compete based on our true talents!"

Master B also stroked his beard and nodded, saying with emotion, "Yes, ever since Your Majesty established the educational regulatory agency and cracked down on corruption, the atmosphere in the academy has been completely transformed. Those who take advantage of loopholes no longer dare to do evil, and we teachers can now focus more on imparting knowledge and resolving doubts."

Listening to their heartfelt words, a warmth welled up in my heart. For months, I've weathered immense pressure, overcome countless obstacles, and finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel for education reform. I know that none of this would have been possible without the support and encouragement of Zhen Youcai.

Thinking of this, I picked up a letter from my desk. It was from Zhen Youcai, sent from the frontier. In it, he described the battle situation in detail, his words revealing his longing and concern for me. When he read about my successful reform of the education system and the establishment of a fair and just educational system, his tone was filled with pride and satisfaction.

"Mengmeng, you did a great job! I've always known that you are a brave, determined, wise and courageous girl. You will definitely become a wise ruler and lead the people towards a better future."

Looking at the familiar handwriting in the letter, I could almost feel Zhen Youcai's warm smile and encouraging eyes. I pressed the letter tightly to my chest, my heart filled with strength and hope.

However, I am well aware that the road to educational reform is still long. Although unfair competition has been curbed, new challenges are before me.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report..." The Minister of Revenue stood up with a serious expression, "Regarding next year's education funding for each prefecture..."