Chapter 278 - Taking the Entrance Exam for Endless Sea of Learning Academy? Li Shishi's Expectations, Li Shimin's Doubts, and the Fat Meat that is the Northern Song Dynasty

Martial Immortal World.

Song Dynasty.

Capital City.

The largest brothel.

"Brother Ye, have you heard?"

"The Great Scholar Chen from Yuelu Academy has given up on the upcoming imperial exam and has already headed to the Ming Dynasty to participate in the entrance exam for the Endless Sea of Learning Academy!"

"What? How could that be? Has he gone mad?"

"With his knowledge, family background, and connections in the Imperial Court, as long as he participates in the imperial exam, he would at least make it as a presented scholar!"

"If he pulls some strings, it's not impossible for him to be the top scorer either."

"Exactly."

"And it's not just Great Scholar Chen. Scholar Li from White Deer Academy has also given up on the exam to go to the Ming Dynasty for the Endless Sea of Learning Academy entrance assessment."

"That's insane. These are top talents from the best academies. They have bright futures ahead. Why would they choose to go to the Ming Dynasty?"

"To take an unknown and rugged path?"

"Just because a few Confucian Immortals emerged from the Endless Sea of Learning Academy?"

"What if they fail?"

"Wouldn't their whole lives be ruined?"

"You could say they have greater dreams."

"Their goal is no longer just to become officials."

"They're after something bigger. They want to one day make it onto the Confucian Immortal Ranking!"

"If they stay in the Song Dynasty, maybe in a few decades they'll become high-ranking ministers, but they'll never qualify for the Confucian Immortal Ranking."

"But by going to the Ming Dynasty and taking the Endless Sea of Learning Academy entrance exam, they have at least a sliver of hope."

"I also heard that those ranked on the Confucian Immortal Ranking possess a level of life far beyond that of ordinary mortals."

"Living a hundred or even several hundred years is nothing to them."

"Think about it. If these scholars eventually become Confucian Immortals, how could mere officials compare to them?"

"Oh my god, the benefits are that great?"

"I must go to the Ming Dynasty and take the Endless Sea of Learning Academy exam too!"

"I want to be on the Confucian Immortal Ranking one day!"

"You? Forget it. You still haven't figured out the Four Books and Five Classics, and you think you can get into the Endless Sea of Learning Academy?"

"Who says I can't? As long as I put in the effort, there's nothing I can't achieve."

"Come, let's go to the Ming Dynasty together. With our abilities, we will definitely get in."

In the brothel, there was no shortage of so-called scholars and literati.

Their sources of information were also the most well-connected.

A brief conversation between them revealed that their classmates, fellow townsmen, and many other scholars were all considering abandoning the imperial exam to go to the Ming Dynasty for the Endless Sea of Learning Academy entrance exam.

This deeply shocked many scholars.

Some even changed their minds and planned to head to the Ming Dynasty together.

Their goal was to walk the true path of the Confucian Sage.

==========

At the same time, in a private room on the top floor of the brothel.

Li Shishi had also noticed the recent events.

Especially the shift in mindset among the scholars of the Song Dynasty.

A thoughtful look appeared in her eyes.

It seemed that the rise of the Endless Sea of Learning Academy in the Ming Dynasty had truly shaken all scholars across the Nine Provinces.

Just thinking about how nearly half the names on the Confucian Immortal Ranking were from the Endless Sea of Learning Academy was terrifying enough.

Moreover, the strongest one among them had even reached the God Demon Realm.

Some dynasties didn't even have a single God Demon Realm figure.

Yet a mere academy could possess one.

How extraordinary was that?

"Miss, this is a secret message delivered by the brothers from the October Hall!"

At that moment, her maid carefully handed her a small bamboo tube.

Li Shishi opened it and read the message.

Immediately, a look of amusement appeared on her face.

"Miss, is it time for us to take action again?"

"Indeed. The final battle between the Northern Song Dynasty and the nomadic tribes of Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom is about to begin. Whether the Northern Song Dynasty survives this calamity depends on their own fortune."

"Hmph. I wonder what Zhao Ji is thinking?"

"Even in this time of crisis, he's still focused on internal strife."

"Does he really want to follow in the footsteps of Zhao Gou from the Southern Song Dynasty?"

"And that's not all. There's another ruthless force joining this battle!"

"Miss, you mean the Vast Sea Dynasty is going to interfere too?"

"Of course. The Vast Sea Dynasty's next target is the Northern Song Dynasty."

"Although they're still digesting the Southern Song Dynasty Territory, if they can weaken the Northern Song Dynasty further, why wouldn't they?"

"Letting the Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom and the Northern Song Dynasty wear each other down will sap the Northern Song Dynasty's national strength."

"At the same time, stir up the internal uprisings by the major rebel armies within the Northern Song Dynasty even more."

"Provoke Great Li Kingdom, Western Xia Kingdom, and Tibet Kingdom to launch fiercer attacks on the Northern Song Dynasty."

"If I were from the Vast Sea Dynasty, I would do exactly that!"

"Too bad, our Ming Dynasty is still too far from the Northern Song Dynasty. We can't reach them in time."

"Otherwise, would we let the Vast Sea Dynasty steal all the glory?"

"No. In such a grand feast, how can our Ming Dynasty not claim a share of the spoils?"

"Immediately contact Lord Dragon Head and ask if we should join this operation."

"Fish in troubled waters and seize some benefits?"

Li Shishi had long been stationed within the Northern Song Dynasty.

Naturally, she was very familiar with its current situation.

She originally thought that the Northern Song Dynasty would become an easy target for the Ming Dynasty.

She never expected the sudden emergence of the Vast Sea Dynasty to steal the meal.

How could she tolerate that?

If she could help the Ming Dynasty conquer the Song Dynasty or at least gain more benefits.

then once she returned, she might really be rewarded with everything she ever wanted.

"Miss, the brothers from the October Hall told me earlier that our superiors ordered us to halt all actions for now and avoid conflict with the spies of the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"For now, our Ming Dynasty must not become enemies with the Vast Sea Dynasty."

"Otherwise, if both sides end up wounded, others will benefit instead."

"Also, the October Hall said we shouldn't worry. The rewards due to us won't be small."

"The Northern Song Dynasty is such a big piece of meat. There's no way just one side can swallow it whole."

"Not only the Vast Sea Dynasty, but also the Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, even the Qin Dynasty and Han Dynasty have their eyes on a piece of it."

"The Northern Song Dynasty is now so weak it's become prey to every nation."

Li Shishi was stunned upon hearing this.

Although she had some vague guesses, now that it was confirmed, she still found it hard to believe.

Then a trace of sorrow flashed in her heart for the Song Dynasty.

This was the fate of being weak.

In such chaotic times, Emperor Zhao Ji still refused to strengthen the nation's power. Instead, he was constantly suspicious and fearful.

Utterly incompetent and foolish.

He was no better than Zhao Gou of the Southern Song Dynasty.

If he met a tragic end in the future, he would have no one to blame but himself.

==========

Tang Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

"Master Yuan, what is the meaning of these reports?"

"Why are so many scholars leaving the Tang Dynasty? Are they dissatisfied with something?"

Li Shimin looked puzzled.

He even wondered if he had done something that hurt the scholars' interests.

But that shouldn't be the case.

Every policy he issued favored scholars, even granting them more privileges.

Why would they leave?

These people are too greedy, aren't they?

But the Tang Dynasty was still in a phase of rebuilding and needed countless talents.

Only then could it attract even more capable people.

Yet now, so many scholars were leaving, which seriously threatened the development of the Tang Dynasty.

"Your Majesty, it's not due to the policies of our Tang Dynasty, but rather something from the Ming Dynasty."

Bad Marshal Yuan Tiangang responded directly.

"The Ming Dynasty? What does this have to do with the Ming Dynasty?"

Just hearing "Ming Dynasty" and thinking of Zhu Houzhao made Li Shimin's expression twist.

It was a mix of admiration and resentment.

"The Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

"Because four individuals on the Confucian Immortal Ranking came from the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

"It is now regarded as the Holy Land of Confucian learning in all of the Nine Provinces by scholars."

"Even within our Tang Dynasty, many who aspire to reach the Confucian Immortal Ranking want to apply to the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

"Some of them are truly gifted."

"How could this happen?"

Li Shimin was immediately flustered.

If this continued, wouldn't the Ming Dynasty monopolize all the talents of the Nine Provinces?

"Master Yuan, what should we do? Just sit back and watch without stopping it?"

"Your Majesty, for now we must observe the situation."

"The Endless Sea of Learning Academy can't possibly admit everyone."

"The chances of success might be one in a thousand, or even one in ten thousand."

"In the end, those who leave might return again."

"On the other hand, if we try to block them, we might provoke resentment among the scholars."

"That would be unwise for now."

"Once this matter has passed, we can think of another plan."

"Also, our Tang Dynasty needs to begin constructing a similar academy to the Endless Sea of Learning Academy."

"In the future, we cannot always be at the mercy of the Ming Dynasty."

"Very well. Let's put this aside for now and wait and see."

Li Shimin sighed helplessly.

There was a flash of frustration in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, there is something else of greater importance. It may allow our Tang Dynasty to gain enormous benefit."

"Master Yuan, speak."

Li Shimin showed interest.

Ever since Li Ji defeated the northern Turkic Kingdom, the Tang Dynasty was finally free of external threats.

The internal danger from the vassal kings of different surnames had also been neutralized.

At least Li Shimin no longer had to worry about the safety of the Tang Dynasty.

However, after a round of wars, the national strength and foundation of the Tang Dynasty had dropped to their lowest point.

He needed to find a way to restore strength and further develop the dynasty.

Only then could he seize future opportunities to unify the Nine Provinces.

Especially with powerful enemies like the Ming Dynasty, Vast Sea Dynasty, and Qin Dynasty looming, Li Shimin dared not be careless.

Any opportunity that arose, he had to seize and never let go.

"Your Majesty, it won't be long before the final war between the Northern Song Dynasty and Liao Kingdom and Jin Kingdom breaks out."

"I believe this is a great chance to destroy the Northern Song Dynasty and strengthen the Tang Dynasty."

"Moreover, the Northern Song Dynasty isn't far from our Tang Dynasty borders. There is still hope for us."

"I also discovered that spies from the Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Vast Sea Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty have all appeared within the Northern Song Dynasty."

"It seems they have no good intentions either."

"Our Tang Dynasty must not fall behind them."

"Then what are we waiting for? We must take the fattest bite of this Northern Song Dynasty meat!"

"Master Yuan, this time you will personally lead the Bad People into the Northern Song Dynasty to handle all matters."

"You have full authority. You don't need to report to me."

"I only want the results, not the process."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will not let you down."

"Also, take note, although I dislike the Ming Dynasty and Emperor Zhu Houzhao."

"There's no denying that the Ming Dynasty is extremely powerful right now."

"Our Tang Dynasty must not become its enemy for the time being."

"Set up obstacles in secret, but on the surface, show the proper respect."

"In the future, once our Tang Dynasty rises again, I won't have to endure such humiliation."

A flash of surprise appeared in Yuan Tiangang's eyes.

The corners of his mouth curved slightly.

Able to bend and stretch. He truly did not disappoint.

He was indeed an Emperor of great ambition.

Yuan Tiangang was very satisfied with Li Shimin's response.

His heart became even more certain.

He would never lose.

Li Chunfeng, the Tang Dynasty I chose will never be weaker than the Vast Sea Dynasty you chose.

In the future, Li Shimin will surely become the lord of all the Nine Provinces.