From cute to empress

Chapter 296 Academic Theft

On the letter paper, the headmaster of Yuelu Academy's vigorous handwriting trembled slightly, revealing the anger and anxiety in his heart as he wrote: "...Recently, Bai Ludong Academy has repeatedly sent people to maliciously slander our Yuelu Academy, spreading rumors and defaming the ethics of our teachers. Worse still, they have fabricated evidence and falsely accused our students of misconduct! Such despicable behavior is truly ungentlemanly! I have written to the headmaster of Bai Ludong Academy, hoping that he will strictly restrain himself, uphold fairness and justice, and refrain from misleading our students and corrupting the academic atmosphere!..."

My heart sank, and I nearly crushed the letter. Education is the foundation of a nation, and academies are the cradles of talent. How could we tolerate such a vile act?

"Your Majesty, the White Deer Grotto Academy has gone too far! It is a crime that cannot be forgiven for corrupting the academic atmosphere!" Zhen Youcai was filled with righteous indignation. Although he was usually calm, he could not suppress his anger at this moment.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. "Don't jump to conclusions about this matter. Once I find out the truth, I will punish you severely!"

"Your Majesty, I believe that the most urgent task is to thoroughly investigate this matter and give Yuelu Academy justice!" Zhen Youcai suggested.

I nodded and immediately summoned the messenger, ordering him to rush to Yuelu Academy and convey my order: investigate this matter thoroughly, and if anyone violates the law or discipline, no matter who it is, they will be severely punished!

The messenger took his orders and left, but my heart remained restless. I had thought that education reform would be like a spring breeze, sweeping across China, but unexpectedly, it has unleashed this undercurrent, corroding the very foundations of education.

A few days later, a student with a hurried look on his face asked to see me. He claimed to be Student A, a candidate taking the imperial examination, and had a grievance to report in person. I quickly summoned him.

"Your Majesty, I feel wronged!" Student A fell to his knees upon entering the Imperial Study, weeping bitterly. "The content of this imperial examination is exactly the same as what's taught at the White Deer Grotto Academy, yet other academies have never touched on this topic. There must be something fishy going on!"

I was shocked. Could it be that the White Deer Grotto Academy had the audacity to tamper with the imperial examinations in order to increase their students' acceptance rate? If so, this was a serious matter!

"Do you have any evidence?" I asked, suppressing the anger in my heart.

"I dare not deceive Your Majesty. After the exam, the students of Bailudong Academy spread the word everywhere, saying that the exam questions were revealed privately by their dean. That's why I..." Student A's voice choked with sobs when he said this.

"Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance and must be thoroughly investigated!" Zhen Youcai also realized the seriousness of the problem.

I nodded solemnly and was about to order a thorough investigation into the imperial examination cheating when an old scholar hurried over, his steps unsteady and his expression panicked. Upon seeing me, he knelt down and said in a hurried tone, "Your Majesty, I am going to sue the White Deer Cave Academy..."

"You are..." I tried hard to identify the old man kneeling in front of me, but I had no impression of him.

"I am a teacher at the Imperial College, and have taught mathematics for many years." The old teacher raised his head tremblingly, his cloudy eyes filled with anger and grief. "I have devoted my entire life to researching a new set of mathematics textbooks, and originally wanted to present them to Your Majesty to cultivate more mathematical talents for our dynasty. Who knew..."

He coughed violently, as if trying to expel the depression and anger in his chest. I quickly ordered someone to bring him some ginseng tea and gestured for him to speak slowly.

"Who could have known that the teaching materials I painstakingly worked on were stolen by the White Deer Cave Academy? Not only did they claim them as their own, they also pompously claimed them as their own original creation! Your Majesty, please help me!"

The old master was overcome with grief and indignation, tears streaming down his face. I stared at him in shock, a surge of rage rising from the depths of my heart. White Deer Grotto Academy, your methods are so despicable, so brazen!

In just a few days, a series of reports exposed the various evil deeds of the White Deer Grotto Academy. To enhance their reputation, they resorted to all means, maliciously slandering other academies, stealing their achievements, and even daring to interfere with the imperial examinations, disrupting the fairness of the country's talent selection!

"How ridiculous!" I slammed the table and stood up, my rage no longer suppressed. "The White Deer Grotto Academy is so audacious and lawless! I will punish them severely!"

Zhen Youcai stood aside, his face livid. He knew I wasn't just angry, but also disappointed. Education should be the purest source of this country's wealth, but now it's been corrupted by these scoundrels!

"Pass on my decree to immediately seal off the White Deer Grotto Academy. All those involved in the case, regardless of their status, will be escorted to the capital to await their fate!" My voice echoed in the hall with unquestionable majesty.

"Your Majesty is wise!" The president of Yuelu Academy and the teachers of the Imperial College kowtowed in unison, with hope glittering in their eyes.

I know full well that this is just the beginning. What the White Deer Grotto Academy did is by no means an isolated incident. Behind this, perhaps there is a greater conspiracy and a deeper darkness hidden...

"Youcai," I looked at Zhen Youcai, my eyes full of determination, "For this matter, we still need to..." I paused, the misdeeds of Bailudong Academy echoing in my mind, "We can't just deal with the surface, we have to solve the problem from the root."

Zhen Youcai frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the most urgent thing at present is to establish a comprehensive education supervision system."

"Education supervision system?" I muttered to myself, savoring these words carefully.

"That's right," Zhen Youcai said firmly. "Academies are of varying quality, and competition is fierce. Without rules, there can be no order. Only by establishing strict systems can we standardize every aspect of academy admissions, teaching, and assessments, eliminate favoritism, fraud, and other practices, and restore a pure environment for education."

I took a deep breath. Zhen Youcai's words were like a revelation, a sudden enlightenment. I stood up abruptly, walked quickly to the imperial desk, picked up my pen and dipped it in ink. A preliminary plan had already been sketched out in my mind.

The next morning at court, I submitted the draft of the education supervision system plan. It was circulated among all officials and immediately sparked a lot of discussion in the court.

"Your Majesty, I think this is inappropriate," a white-haired old minister was the first to speak out in opposition. "Academies have enjoyed great autonomy since ancient times. If we impose strict regulations on them, wouldn't that hinder their development?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," another official echoed. "I believe that a little competition between academies is normal. Healthy competition is more conducive to the development of education. Overly strict systems will only stifle the vitality of academies."

I listened quietly to their objections, unwavering. I knew better than anyone that without rules, there would be no order. Excessive laxity would only breed more corruption and darkness, ultimately destroying the future of the entire country.

"I understand your concerns, my dear ministers," I said slowly, my tone remarkably firm. "But my decision is made. Education is the foundation of our nation and cannot be compromised! This regulatory system is imperative!"

I looked around at the ministers, my gaze piercing, my tone unwavering: "I believe that only by establishing a fair, just, and open educational system can we truly promote the development of education and cultivate more pillars of talent for our dynasty!"

The court suddenly fell silent, a pin drop audible. I could sense that, though the dissenting voices had died down, the questioning and disapproving gazes still lingered on me.

"Pass on my order..." I took a deep breath and was about to announce the next arrangements, but suddenly...