Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 676 - 618: A New Job Arrives!

Chapter 676: Chapter 618: A New Job Arrives!

Zhang San came out and saw Cao Demeng, he couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

If it was Cao Demeng who had come, it could prove two things.

First, this matter shouldn’t be anything harmful to himself; otherwise, Cao Demeng certainly wouldn’t have come.

Second, this matter shouldn’t be something that many people should know about; otherwise, someone else would have come, not this confidant who was always by Kaihuang’s side.

Thus, Zhang San followed Cao Demeng out of Pharaoh’s residence.

"What does Kaihuang want with me?"

Zhang San asked curiously.

Zhang San always felt that if Kaihuang was looking for him at this time, it probably wasn’t good news.

"Do you know about the Imperial College?"

Zhang San frowned slightly, he had indeed heard of it, it seemed to be a place established by the state specifically for cultivating talents.

However, this place was basically filled with children from political clans and social elites, after all, not just anyone had the credentials and ability to get their children in there.

"I’ve heard of it, what about it?"

Cao Demeng continued to ask, "Then you must know about the recent merit-based examination, right?"

"I know. So what does Kaihuang want me to do?"

Cao Demeng knew that Zhang San had gone to Longyun Path a long time ago and might be aware of the recent events in the Capital, but he might not completely understand some of the details and purpose, so he patiently explained to Zhang San.

"The political clans and social elites are undoubtedly important and powerful. But this world belongs not just to them; it belongs to everyone. Kaihuang realized this and felt the need to find a way to discover more talents. That’s how he thought of the merit-based examination!"

"But directly promoting figures from humble families would inevitably lead to trouble. So through this examination, it offers a stable way upward for those from humble backgrounds, and everyone competes fairly. Even the political clans and social elites can’t really complain. It’s a solution that achieves multiple goals."

"However, Kaihuang also knows that what the political clans and social elites control is not just power, status, and wealth, but more importantly, they can easily hire renowned teachers to guide their children’s development. But for those from humble families, their educational opportunities are ultimately limited."

"Although the examination has now ended, and the results have not yet been announced, Kaihuang is actually very worried about this. He fears that these students from humble backgrounds might not compare to those from noble families, ultimately wasting his efforts. Therefore, he wants to ask you..."

Zhang San seemed to understand something, whispered, "Does Kaihuang want me to secretly kill off a group of noble families’ students to free up some spots?"

At these words, Cao Demeng grinned, furrowing his brow as he looked at Zhang San, whispered, "What kind of tactics does the Town Martial Office employ? How could Kaihuang possibly ask you to do something like that?"

Zhang San responded with an "Oh" and let Cao Demeng continue speaking.

Cao Demeng said irritably, "Kaihuang plans to admit some well-performing students from both humble backgrounds and noble families into the Imperial College after the examination results are announced."

"Of course, the number of students from humble backgrounds will definitely be larger. But this leads to a problem, as the teachers in the Imperial College, and even some Preceptors, are from noble backgrounds themselves. Can they really teach these students from humble backgrounds effectively?"

Zhang San suddenly realized, nodding, "So Kaihuang’s plan is to have me kill some of the current teachers at the Imperial College. This way..."

Before Zhang San could finish, he noticed the fury on Cao Demeng’s face.

"Oh, isn’t that what you meant? Then continue..."

Cao Demeng really wondered whether Zhang San had spent his time in Longyun Path just learning how to slay people.

"It seems you’ve become quite adept at handling the Tujue people!"

"How is it that all you think about is killing and more killing?"

I haven’t heard that fighting the Tujue would result in such aftereffects!

"Kaihuang needs some ’own people’ who can properly instruct the Students from Humble Backgrounds at the Imperial College and bring a new teaching ethos to the Imperial College."

Zhang San, eyes wide, looked at Cao Demeng in disbelief and asked, "Are you planning to make me a teacher?"

Cao Demeng nodded and then took out the document that Zhang San would use to report to the Imperial College.

"After all, you’re not born into any political clans and social elites, so it makes sense for you to do this."

At this moment, a puzzled Zhang San asked, "But isn’t Bai Dushu also from humble families? He really has read a lot of books, wouldn’t it be good to have him go?"

"Stop joking, Zhang San! Bai Dushu is the legitimate son of the Bai Family from the Northeast Five Immortal Clans! How is that a humble family? Speaking of which, you cannot even find many in Longwang Road whose family background is as prominent as his."

"Then... then... what about Wang Junwu! He also comes from a poor background!"

"Although Wang Junwu comes from a poor background, he is the adopted son of Yuchi An, the General Star of the Jin River Army!"

Zhang San suddenly realized something and said, "So that’s why so many people are complaining about me! The reason boils down to these students representing the literary aspect of humble families. And I, Zhang San, actually represent the martial aspect of humble families. No wonder there are so many memorials against me. I initially thought even the Crown Prince couldn’t muster such a large force, but now... I’m beginning to understand."

The imperial examinations naturally held a progressive significance.

But this progress, in the eyes of the political clans and social elites, meant taking something from their hands, which they naturally were reluctant to give.

And at this time, if a person who could originally represent the humble backgrounds fell into misfortune, it would showcase their means and capabilities, discouraging those Students from Humble Backgrounds from having undue aspirations.

Zhang San and Cao Demeng continued to talk as they walked, and they had already arrived at a bustling street by this time.

Various teahouses and wine shops lined the streets, all bustling with activity.

"Therefore, Kaihuang needs the rise of people from humble backgrounds. In terms of martial aspects, we have you, and although there might not have been particularly representative figures in the literary field in this examination, by next year’s examinations, it should be about the same."

"Moreover, scholars have their own scholarly integrity. Among these students, many really admire you as a general who has greatly contributed to the country!"

Cao Demeng, worried Zhang San wouldn’t agree, immediately took the opportunity to speak well of him.

Zhang San also knew that recently, it wasn’t convenient for him to come back and immediately start clashing with the Crown Prince.

But it wasn’t good to remain idle for too long either.

At the very least, he also needed to find some work to do until the Minister of Personnel, Jiang Huaiyuan and others found nothing incriminating, then Kaihuang could arrange a better position for him.

So, going to the Imperial College could be a choice before then.

Just then, as Zhang San and Cao Demeng passed a teahouse, they happened to overhear someone inside talking about Zhang San.

So, the two stopped and listened carefully to the conversation of several students who were ardently discussing Zhang San.

"That Zhang San, a traitorous cur who colluded with the Tujue, why didn’t he die on the battlefield?"

"He obviously couldn’t die on the battlefield."

"Why not?"

"Because he is destined to die by my hand!"