Joy of Life: I am Li Chengze, and I have mastered the Eight Wonders

Chapter 18 Dream Realization
I know that you are all young talents from poor backgrounds who are diligent and studious. You have come from all over Daqing to gather in Kyoto.

This hardship not only exhausts your financial resources and energy, but also may make you bear the burden of the family, and even spend all your money to realize the dream of imperial examination.

Fan Xian's deep concern deeply touched the hearts of every student present, and their eyes were sparkling with emotion.

He then pointed out that although many students want to earn their living by working, their self-improvement is admirable;
However, there were also people who tried to take advantage of this opportunity to gain fame, hoping to attract the attention of Minister Guo and thus increase their chances of being named on the list of successful candidates.

After these words were spoken, several students looked ashamed, and Hou Jichang was even more embarrassed.

However, Fan Xian changed the subject and emphasized that he was not blaming them, but hoped that the students would understand.
The book with their names on it became a symbol of opportunism in the eyes of Minister Guo.

As a result, not only were they not favored, but they were excluded from official careers, and their original glimmer of hope vanished in an instant.

These words were like a thunderclap, and the students' anger exploded instantly. They found it hard to accept that their years of hard study were completely negated because of a piece of paper.

Some people shouted indignantly: "We are just trying to make a living, why are we called speculators?"

Some people even pointed out that Minister Guo was biased and questioned the fairness of the imperial examination.

Just when the situation was getting out of control, Li Chengze stepped forward.

As the second prince, he made a promise to all the students, vowing to defend the fairness of the imperial examination.
To protect all students who have struggled to this point based on their talent rather than their background.

He burned the list with his own hands, symbolizing his complete rejection of injustice, which won warm applause and tears of gratitude from the students.

For the poor students, this moment is not only a rebirth on the road to imperial examinations, but also the highest affirmation of their years of hard work and persistence.

Li Chengze's heroic feat not only won the admiration of students, but also won the support and praise of the general public.

Minister Guo fell to the ground in despair amid a chorus of condemnation. His power and prestige seemed so fragile at this moment.

Li Chengze stood in front of hundreds of students and solemnly announced that this Spring Examination, which he and Fan Xian jointly presided over,
It will no longer be a farce or a joke, but a true imperial examination feast that embodies fairness and integrity.

The students were deeply moved by this promise and knelt down to express their gratitude. This heartfelt gratitude became the most moving scenery in Kyoto City.

Fan Wujiu and Xie Bian were filled with emotion when they saw this scene.

Xie Bian was proud of the Second Prince's prestige and influence, while Fan Wujiu was deeply shocked by the spectacular scene, his heart filled with reverence and yearning for justice.

At this moment, Fan Xian looked at Li Chengze with a look of admiration and respect in his eyes:
"Your Highness, this is a righteous act."

He stood behind Li Chengze and witnessed many students kneeling down. He felt an indescribable shock in his heart. He thought to himself that the Second Prince's efforts to build momentum might have a deeper meaning than simply winning the hearts of the people.

Outside the examination hall, the people of Kyoto learned the whole story from the people around them. They were grateful to the Second Prince for his courage to challenge the aristocratic families' monopoly on the Spring Examination and fight for justice for the grassroots students:
"Your Highness the Second Prince is truly wise!"

"He really loves people like his own children and has a broad mind!"

The childish voice rang out among the crowd. He pulled his mother's sleeve and asked curiously:
"Mom, what are they doing? Why are everyone praising that brother?"

The mother gently pointed to the center of the crowd and taught softly:

"That's the Second Prince. You must remember what he looks like. When you grow up, you must study hard and take the imperial examinations. If you can become someone like him, that will be the best role model for you."

"Everyone, please stand up. As an examiner of the Spring Examination, this is my duty."

Li Chengze's voice was gentle and firm, and the students stood up in response, their eyes gleaming with the light of new hope. At this moment, all the hardships and difficulties of the past seemed to be diluted by the power of hope.

They knew very well that with the support of His Royal Highness the Second Prince, the road to the imperial examination would be brighter.

They vowed to remember this kindness in their hearts and repay it with gratitude if they have the chance in the future.

However, Li Chengze's gaze did not stop there. He walked towards the "unconscious" Guo Zheng.

Crouching down, his tone carried a warning that could not be ignored:
"Minister Guo, you can't fool people by pretending to be faint."

Guo Zheng's fingers moved slightly on the ground, and this subtle reaction was keenly captured by Fan Xian. He cast an inquiring look at Li Chengze, as if asking whether further action was needed.

Li Chengze shook his head slightly and left an ultimatum:

"Minister Guo, tell the crown prince behind you that I am here for this spring exam, so ask him to restrain his methods. If he insists on provoking me, I don't mind making some unknown secrets public."

As soon as these words came out, Guo Zheng's cheek, which was pressed against the ground, trembled slightly, and a storm surged in his heart.

Li Chengze then turned around, leaving behind a deep back, as if foreshadowing that a more complicated power struggle was about to unfold.

"Let's go." Li Chengze called the attendants around him, and left the examination room with Fan Xian. When they took the carriage back to the inner city of Kyoto, hundreds of candidates spontaneously followed Li Chengze all the way to see him off, and hundreds of Kyoto citizens made way for them and lined the streets to welcome them.

Fan Wujiu followed on both sides of the carriage, surprise and pride showing on her pretty face.

I have never seen such a scene before. This is the power of the people's will.
On the carriage.

Fan Xian rubbed his face. Just now, in order to cooperate with His Highness and help him establish his authority, his stern face was a little twitchy. He looked at Li Chengze with a smile:

"Your Highness, your acting was good just now, wasn't it?"

Li Chengze still maintained his seriousness: "Acting?"

Fan Xian was embarrassed and explained: "It means that I acted very well."

I secretly complained: I really haven’t found out yet.
Li Chengze then relaxed his shoulders and touched his throat:

"Just now, I almost made my voice hoarse while shouting to encourage people. Next time, I have to be careful when using my true qi to speak loudly."

It would be nice if there was a Buddhist lion's roar.
Fan Xian lifted the curtain and saw the dense crowd of students following the carriage to see him off. He was a little surprised:

"Your Highness's heartfelt words must have touched the hearts of these students, and will soon reach the ears of today's scholars from humble backgrounds. Your Highness will surely become famous!"

"Stop testing me."

Li Chengze laughed:
"You should be able to guess that I am not doing this for fame, nor just to win the hearts of scholars all over the world.
Otherwise, why would you deliberately block my mouth shape and voice when I said those words to Guo Zheng?" Fan Xian smiled and clasped his fists to apologize:

"Then Your Highness wants to use the opportunity of punishing Minister Guo to achieve the purpose of making a warning to the princess and intimidating her, so as to protect the students participating in the Spring Examination from being affected?"

High emotional intelligence: protecting students.

Low EQ: Can’t make mistakes.

(End of this chapter)