From cute to empress

Chapter 293 The Stormy Eve of Imperial Court Reform

I clutched the thin, secret report as if I were carrying a heavy burden. Zhen Youcai had returned, quietly, yet with the aura of impending doom. What exactly was he planning? Had he sensed the resistance to my reforms and sought to intervene?

Just as I was lost in thought, I heard steady footsteps outside the hall. I looked up and met Zhen Youcai's deep eyes. He seemed thinner, but his dusty face wore a resolute smile.

"Mengmeng, you've worked hard." He walked over to me and gently held my hand. I could feel the warmth and strength of his palm.

I had no time to reminisce and immediately handed him the mountain of memorials and the secret report about the deans' opposition to reform.

"You see, this is the dilemma I'm facing now." I rubbed my eyebrows, a hint of fatigue in my tone.

Zhen Youcai read it carefully, his brows furrowed slightly. "These old fellows are really relying on their age and stubbornness!"

"They're not stubborn, they're just worried that reforms will affect their interests." I shook my head and analyzed, "The presidents of Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy are both academic giants, with students all over the world and considerable influence in the court. They fear that reforms will weaken their positions, so they're uniting to oppose them."

"Then how should we deal with this?" Zhen Youcai asked, "Should I..."

I understand what he meant, that he simply wanted to suppress us with force. But I know full well that reform is not a war, and problems cannot be solved by force.

"No, we can't force it." I pondered for a moment, a plan already in mind. "We can adopt a strategy of divide and conquer, starting with the dean of Yuelu Academy."

"The dean of Yuelu Academy is quite smooth-talking and values ​​fame and fortune more. We can cater to his interests." I continued, "Please arrange it. I want to meet with him alone."

The next day, I dismissed everyone around me and left only Zhen Youcai by my side.

The president of Yuelu Academy walked hurriedly into the imperial study with a hint of uneasiness and confusion on his face.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." He bowed respectfully.

"Dean, there's no need to be so polite. Please take a seat." I gestured for him to stand up in a gentle tone.

I stated my purpose directly and explained the content and purpose of the reform plan in detail. I emphasized that the reform was not intended to suppress traditional academies, but to make education more equitable and efficient, and to cultivate more outstanding talents.

"Dean, you are a leader in the academic community, with students all over the world. I hope you can understand my painstaking efforts," I said sincerely. "As long as you support the reform, I can guarantee that Yuelu Academy will be given special consideration during the reform process."

After hearing what I said, the dean of Yuelu Academy remained silent. I knew he was weighing the pros and cons and thinking about my promise.

After a long while, he slowly said, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. This old minister..."

I stared intently into his eyes, awaiting his final decision. I held my breath, awaiting the final decision of the Yuelu Academy's president. He stroked his graying beard, his brow furrowed, as if engaged in a fierce ideological struggle. After a long pause, he finally raised his head, a gleam of light in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I am not a stubborn person and I understand the need for reform." He paused, a hint of hesitation in his tone, "However, this reform will affect the entire system. I need to carefully consider it before making a decision."

I was delighted, knowing he was beginning to waver. I struck while the iron was hot and assured him, "Don't worry, Dean. I'll give you ample time to consider. I believe you're a man of broad perspective and will make a wise choice."

After seeing off the Yuelu Academy president, I immediately summoned the White Deer Grotto Academy president. Unlike the smooth and sophisticated Yuelu Academy president, the White Deer Grotto Academy president was known for his rigor and integrity. It would probably take some effort to convince him.

"Your Majesty, I believe that the way to study is to inherit and not to change easily." The headmaster of Bai Ludong Academy expressed his opposition directly as soon as he opened his mouth.

"You're wrong, Principal." I shook my head, my tone calm but firm. "Times are changing, and education needs to keep pace with them. Sticking to the old ways will only make us stagnant and eventually be eliminated by the times."

I patiently explained to him the necessity and urgency of reform, and hinted to him that if he insisted on opposing the reform, it might have an adverse impact on the future of Bailudong Academy.

"Shanzhang, I know you are dedicated to public service, and I believe you can distinguish right from wrong," I said sincerely. "I hope you can consider this carefully and not miss this opportunity because of your momentary stubbornness."

The headmaster of Bai Ludong Academy remained silent, a complex light flickering in his cloudy eyes. He gripped the teacup tightly, his knuckles white, as if he were making a difficult decision.

After a long while, he finally sighed and spoke slowly: "Your Majesty..."

"Your Majesty, I, your humble servant... I, your humble servant, am willing to support reform!" The headmaster of the White Deer Grotto Academy took a deep breath, as if finally making a profound decision. His words shook my heart. His cloudy eyes were now unusually bright, gleaming with a light of determination. "But I have one condition."

I suppressed my joy and smiled faintly: "President, please speak."

"I, your Majesty, hope that the reform will not shake the foundation of Confucianism, nor will it damage the essence of our cultural heritage!" The head of Bai Ludong looked at me closely, and spoke each word in a sonorous and powerful voice.

I nodded without hesitation. "Of course. The purpose of reform isn't to overturn everything, but to eliminate the dross and retain the essence, so that education can better serve the people and the country." I paused, then spoke sincerely. "I believe, Principal, you will be able to offer valuable suggestions for reform and cultivate more outstanding talents for the country."

A relieved smile finally appeared on the face of the headmaster of Bailudong Academy. He slowly stood up and bowed deeply to me: "I, your Majesty, will do my utmost to assist you!"

With the support of the presidents of Yuelu Academy and Bailudong Academy, other academies also expressed their willingness to cooperate with the reform. As the news spread, officials who had originally been on the sidelines began to change their minds and actively participated in the discussion and formulation of the reform.

Seeing that the reform plan that was once full of obstacles has now been successfully implemented, my heart is filled with a sense of accomplishment, but I know that this is just the beginning.

"Youcai, do you think this reform can really succeed?" Late at night, I was reviewing memorials sent from all over the country. I rubbed my brows tiredly and turned to look at Zhen Youcai beside me.

He was looking down at a map when he heard this. He looked up, his deep eyes gleaming with determination. "Your Majesty's reforms benefit the country and the people. How could they not succeed? It's just..." He paused, his brows furrowed slightly. "Some local officials seem to be pretending to obey, but secretly disobeying, and haven't truly implemented the reform measures..."

My heart trembled, and a feeling of unease spread. Yes, the clarion call for reform has been sounded, but the real test has just begun...