Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 707 - 647: Noble to Humble Families Conversion Formula

Chapter 707: Chapter 647: Noble to Humble Families Conversion Formula

After a round of insincere applause, Zhang San raised his hand, and everyone immediately stopped, allowing Zhang San to continue.

"Do you know why Kaihuang decided to implement the imperial examinations and allowed so many students to enter the Imperial College for study?"

"Kaihuang wanted to give students from humble backgrounds an opportunity, and even more so, an opportunity for all the humble families across the land."

"Perhaps, many of you here may not understand what this truly means, but don’t worry, I will explain it to you in detail, and you will understand."

"First of all, are there more noble families or humble families in the world? Obviously, there are more humble families—this fact is undeniable, right?"

People nodded timidly.

"Secondly, not only are humble families numerous, but they can also produce talents. Although I believe many of you here might not acknowledge this. However, to my knowledge, in this imperial examination, the top three ranks, including the top scholar and the third place, all came from humble backgrounds. Only the second place belongs to the Cui Family, an aristocratic family. Therefore, while noble families have strong familial heritage, they are not necessarily much stronger than those from humble families. At least it appears so currently, making it hard to determine the superior."

Although many people hung their heads with no expression, they recognized the truth in what Zhang San had just said.

After all, the fair and just results announced after the examination already served as the best proof.

"But the problem arises here. Humble families can also produce talents, and so can noble families. However, the talents from noble families can be reused, can inherit their family properties, and can serve the country and the people better. But what about those from humble families? If their talents have nowhere to go in the future and have no opportunities to serve the world and the public, that might lead to trouble."

"After all, the world is so vast; there will always be some who bewitch the public and those who do not wish for peace and cause calamity."

Zhang San spoke very politely.

However, those from aristocratic families present knew very well the true intention behind Kaihuang’s support of the humble families was to suppress the aristocratic families.

After all, even if the imperial power is strong, it still needs support from local powers.

Just like the enormous influence of the Five Surnames and Seven Families.

Empires rise, and empires fall, but entities like the Five Surnames and Seven Families are almost unaffected.

Because no matter who becomes the emperor, this land ultimately is dominated by them.

Even those from humble backgrounds have no choice but to rely on them and affiliate with them to survive.

But now, Kaihuang has given them a path so that people from humble backgrounds can rise up and compete on equal terms with the aristocratic families.

As for the so-called troublemakers Zhang San just mentioned, it goes without saying who everyone knows he was referring to.

In the end, even if the underclass is dissatisfied, it’s difficult for them to overthrow an empire.

But it is much easier for noble families to stir up trouble.

At this moment, many people truly realized that Kaihuang wasn’t generously wanting to employ talents from all over Great Sui but was using the humble families to suppress the power of the aristocratic families.

"Therefore, by nurturing these students from humble backgrounds, Kaihuang hopes they can be of service to the nation! After all, the talents from humble families are not inferior to those from aristocratic families."

"So, if any of you target these students from humble backgrounds, you are actually going against Kaihuang. What do you think Kaihuang will do to those who oppose him?"

At this moment, silence prevailed.

Zhang San smiled and scanned the faces of everyone present.

Seeing that everyone was looking down, Zhang San knew that they had truly taken his words to heart.

It seemed on a strategic level, these people also realized that they should not encourage opposition.

However, there remains a fear that at a smaller level, there might still be some minor actions, or even some people might intentionally cause trouble.

So, another fire must be added.

"Of course, I know that some of you do harbor prejudices against those from humble families, feeling they are inferior to you nobles. It’s quite normal to think this way."

"In fact, some might think that with so many noble families across the realm, the Five Surnames and Seven Families are just the seven most powerful, and there are other nobles—how could Kaihuang manage them all? So a little scheming is nothing."

"But gentlemen, do not forget, although Kaihuang is busy, he is not alone. Under him, there are commanders in various regions, and there is the Town Martial Office!"

"I am now not only the Preceptor of the Imperial College but also the Duzhi Military Envoy of the Divine Martial Army on Longyun Path, and also the Military Chief of the Town Martial Office and the head of the Northern base on Longyun Path."

"You might wonder why Kaihuang would promote someone like me, who only knows how to fight and kill, to be the Preceptor of the Imperial College, and even to act as the Grand Preceptor when he is ill."

At these words, many felt the hairs on their neck stand on end.

Not a single threatening word was said, but why did it sound more terrifying than a death threat!

"Alright, what I mean is just this. Everyone is dismissed for now."

Upon hearing Zhang San say they could leave, everyone immediately left the hall.

This place felt colder than Yizhuang, and being here gave many the sensation of stepping into the realm of death.

But just then, Zhang San suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

At this shout, at least four people lost their footing and fell straight to the ground.

"All students may leave. Teachers, stay."

Zhang San spoke, glanced at Preceptor Situ who had just finished cleaning the Horizontal Blade next to him, and reached out to take the blade.

The teachers, seeing Zhang San holding the Horizontal Blade, were so frightened they dared not even breathe.

"I know that among you teachers, many have allied with some Noble Families, and of course, some are from Noble Family origins."

"So, with your connections and your networks of information, it should not be hard for you to learn of my military achievements back on Longyun Path or how I managed the martial path forces on Chuan-Yu Road."

"By the way, you might have heard about how Capital Region Road has been dealing with the nearby martial path forces recently, right?"

Upon hearing this, many teachers also recalled the recent rumors they had heard about Zhang San.

This guy had been decimating martial path forces in Chuan-Yu by the handful.

Upon entering the capital, not half an hour had passed before he had killed several people from the Ministry of Punishment, only to be later revealed as the close disciple of the Pharaoh.

Later, when he went to Longyun Path, his exact achievements were not clear, but earning the title of Marquis Beyond the Law, could this man have killed less?

"You, indeed, are not from humble families, this I know. But you also must know something—that I can turn your families into humble families overnight, or even...exterminate them."

"Did you understand? If you understood, give a round of applause."

The applause started weakly, then grew enthusiastic as Zhang San’s gaze swept over the crowd.

Zhang San nodded with a smile.

Who says the atmosphere in the Imperial College is bad? I see a family loving each other very much.

I’ve said so much, and not a single one of you spoke up in objection!