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At this time, with Zhou Haitao’s notification in place, nearly all the literati of Lyuzhou had arrived.

Gathered together, they were all abuzz with discussions, each of them feeling a mixture of excitement and complexity.

Now that Lyuzhou was experiencing a rise in military spirit, it certainly gave them a sense of security, but at the same time, it also put considerable pressure on these scholars.

Although conflicts had not yet erupted, it was evident to all that the surviving children and the youth of Lyuzhou were much more inclined towards enlisting in the military than pursuing academics.

If this continued, Lyuzhou might no longer be known for its scholarly traditions!

With the opening of this new academy, it was said to be one just like the Yin Yang Academy in the Capital City. The younger generation of scholars did not understand what this represented, but the older Confucian masters were tremendously excited, discussing fervently amongst themselves.

"Master Wei, you’ve also come?"

As several of the most renowned Confucian masters of Lyuzhou made their appearance, the hearts of all the literati present eased slightly. With a person like Master Wei attending, it meant that the news released by the government must be true.

Master Wei nodded slightly, looking around with a touch of puzzlement in his eyes: "Has anyone seen Master Yang recently?"

Last time in Luling County, Master Yang had joined him in overcoming hardships and protecting many of the academy’s children.

After arriving in Lyuzhou, due to this connection, the two often met for tea and conversation.

However, starting from ten days ago, Master Yang had disappeared without a trace, which was quite worrisome.

"That..." The others shook their heads.

Soon a new topic overshadowed Master Yang, who was not very popular to begin with.

"Master Wei, is the news released by the government true or false? Are they really planning to let ordinary students learn the content of the Yin Yang Academy in advance?"

Upon hearing this, Master Wei stroked his beard and smiled: "Since it came from the Prefectural Governor himself, it should be true. Now... does anyone still doubt the Prefectural Governor’s capabilities?"

At his words, the other masters all nodded in agreement.

The current situation in Lyuzhou was all thanks to the heroic efforts of the Prefectural Governor.

With all kinds of deities appearing, including Gate Deities and Hell Rulers, stabilizing the public’s spirit and maintaining safety, no one would believe these events were unrelated to the Prefectural Governor.

All of these miraculous occurrences in Lyuzhou were unprecedented. Now thinking about it, the addition of a Yin Yang Academy... seemed... not to be an impossibility, right?

While they were talking, Chen Qing in blue robes personally took to the stage, accompanied by Chen Ying in white and a figure in black who was immediately recognized by everyone as the mysterious City God in a mask!

All present immediately showed their respect.

This enigmatic City God had only manifested once, but that one time had allowed many scholars to fulfill their wish to see their relatives, learning that their slain family members still possessed a spirit life and were living in Lyuzhou City in another form, close by them.

Many people, especially among the literati, held an even greater reverence for this divine being than they did for fighting gods. In their eyes, a deity who could govern life and death stood at the pinnacle of order!

"For the opening of the academy this time, we’ve invited the City God to personally attend the ceremony. I ask that all masters not be alarmed," Chen Qing explained with a smile from the stage.

Once the masters realized what was happening, they hastily paid their respects: "We pay our respects to the City God!"

Wei Gongcheng under the mask nodded slightly, seeing such genuine reverence from these highly esteemed masters, he felt more than ever that his decision to become the City God was worthwhile.

"Masters, there is no need for such formalities," Wei Gongcheng said with a deliberately deep voice.

"I have come to observe the academy out of personal interest as well.

My Underworld administration is currently short-staffed, particularly lacking in virtuous scholars.

The Prefectural Governor invited collaboration with this in mind, planning for future employment in the Underworld. "

"Staffing?" Everyone was taken aback, instinctively stepping back. Surely, they wouldn’t forcibly bring people into the Underworld, right?

Chen Qing began with a smile: "The Lyuzhou Underworld has been newly established. The City God, having achieved his divine status, has created the Underworld to provide a place of rest for the spirits of Lyuzhou and established order. This is a meritorious act benefiting the living."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, naturally considering it a deed of great merit.

"However, as the Underworld administered by the City God is newly founded, with many tasks requiring his direct involvement, it is quite inconvenient. The Day Traveling Gods and Night Traveling Gods everyone has seen before are divine beings authorized by the City God, mainly used to detain scattered spirits. At this time, many other positions in the Underworld are vacant. Roles like the Martial and Wen Pan Judges, who assess a person’s life before death, and the Yin-yang Officials who aid in the recording of Underworld history and the establishment of arrays, are essential, but such individuals are hard to recruit from the spirits. "

"What does your Excellency imply?" Master Wei was the first to catch on: "You wish to recruit from among the living?"

"Master Wei is perceptive," Chen Qing said with a smile.

"The civil officials of the Underworld have duties ranging from administration of punishment to assisting with the establishing of Underworld arrays, roles that require scholars and magicians. With so many ordinary people perishing in the recent calamities, there is a dearth of such talents in Lyuzhou. Thus, training magicians is intended not only to enhance Lyuzhou’s security but also to perfect the Underworld administered by the City God. "

"But..." Unable to hold back, one of the masters interjected: "What are the procedures for taking office in the Underworld? Does it require... does it require... giving up one’s life in the living world?"

"That is not necessary," Chen Qing said with a smile.

"One can live in the world of the living during the day and return to the Underworld to serve at night. The same applies to Yin-yang Officials. Any student who performs exceptionally in the academy can intern in the Underworld. This will not be without reward; by accumulating merit in the Underworld, one not only can extend one’s spirit life but also bring blessings to their family, granting them longevity.

Furthermore, if one serves in the Underworld, it is possible to meet their deceased relatives there. "

This comment, once made, left many scholars unable to sit still, and had their composure not been sufficient, they would have directly inquired how to apply for a position.

Who wouldn’t want such an opportunity?

Who in the world doesn’t wish for longevity? To gain extra life in the underworld is excellent. Moreover, you can meet ancestors and relatives from the netherworld and extend their lifespans. Who wouldn’t want such good fortune?

"Working in the underworld... Are there any requirements?" a scholar finally couldn’t help asking.

Wei Gongcheng looked over and immediately recognized that this was the scholar who had wanted to see his granddaughter last time at the Confucian Temple.

Thus, he said, "The position of Wen Pan requires a person of high virtue and prestige, well-versed in laws, and with a command of basic techniques.

The Yin-yang Academic Official, on the other hand, is different, as it requires good achievements in both formations and runes for those who wish to apply for an internship.

I have discussed this with the Prefectural Governor, and students from Tsinghua Academy who enter the Four Academies of Heaven and Earth will be eligible for an internship if they excel in daily assessments, and if they perform exceptionally well in the underworld, they can choose to serve for life based on their own will! "

He paused before adding, "My official staff in the underworld all hold true divine positions. Their netherworld longevity is tied to the longevity of the underworld itself. As long as the underworld exists, so too will their longevity!"

"Hiss!!"

This revelation not only made those scholars stand up but also many of the Chosen Men from scholarly families. If the underworld exists forever, then their longevity would be everlasting. Isn’t this...

Eternal life?

All the enlightened scholars trembled, privately calculating that they must vie for those positions in the underworld at all costs, even if it meant risking their lives!

"Good!" Chen Qing clapped his hands and said, "It seems everyone is agreeable, so let us discuss the charter for establishing this academy."

"As an academy, education is of utmost importance. Many of the older generation are aware that magicians are scholars because the esoteric texts of Daoist scriptures are difficult to understand. Without sufficient literary foundation, one cannot begin cultivation. However, the magical formations we’ll focus on are different," he continued.

"Merely traditional literature is not enough; the path of formations is more inclined towards arithmetic and object principles.

Therefore, the curriculum at Lyuzhou Academy will lean towards these subjects, establishing Arithmetic Academy, Object Principles Academy, Medical Academy, and so forth.

Of course, all your strengths in classics, literature, and poetry are also important.

After all, not everyone will stay at Lyuzhou Academy; many will still go to the Capital City to take the civil service exams. However, if one wishes to join the Yin Yang Academy in Lyuzhou, more effort must be put into arithmetic and object principles," he explained.

He paused and then looked at Master Wei, saying, "Master Wei is well known in Lyuzhou for his expertise in arithmetic. I would like to ask Master Wei to take the position of dean at the Arithmetic Academy."

Upon hearing this, Master Wei hurriedly stood up: "How am I worthy of such an honor, but I will follow the Prefectural Governor’s orders!"

Other scholars who were proficient in arithmetic and object principles were overjoyed.

The Imperial Court’s exams included arithmetic, but did not place much emphasis on it, focusing mainly on classics and literature.

Thus, in most academies, scholars proficient in literature were always more popular, while their diligent studies in arithmetic and object principles were usually just a pastime.

They had never imagined that their skills could be of such great importance one day!

They suddenly felt as if they had been hit by a pie falling from the sky.

On the other hand, scholars not proficient in these disciplines furrowed their brows, with some even openly questioning, "Prefectural Governor, by vigorously promoting arithmetic and object principles, are we not disadvantaging Lyuzhou’s literary traditions?"

Chen Qing replied with a smile, "Desperate times call for desperate measures. As I’ve already explained the situation in Lyuzhou, with our limited conditions, we must focus exclusively on the path of magical formations, hence the reliance on arithmetic and object principles, which are most beneficial to formation practice.

Yet, that does not mean we have abandoned literature and classics.

For example, with the recent establishment of the underworld administration, the construction of laws and the future development of the underworld still require scholars skilled in politics and strategy to offer their advice, right? "

Upon hearing they were not completely without competitive edge, the group of scholars who specialized in literature and politics were somewhat reassured.

"Since no one objects, then I shall make the announcement." Chen Qing stood up with a smile. "As of today, Lyuzhou’s Tsinghua Academy officially opens. Any student who can recite the ’Thousand Character Text’ and the ’Hundred Family Surnames’ from memory may apply for admission, study at the primary institution, and have all expenses covered by the government.

In three months, a preliminary examination will be held to select the first batch of apprentices for entry into the Four Academies of Heaven and Earth for technical studies. Does anyone have anything else to add?"

All were initially taken aback by the level of support for education, which was much greater than expected.

Any student who had memorized the ’Thousand Character Text’ could be admitted?

And the government was covering the cost?

Their hearts were immediately more at ease, and it looked as though the Prefectural Governor had not given up on Lyuzhou’s educational traditions but was rather offering substantial support.

Such decisive policies naturally met with no opposition, and they all rose to their feet: "To contribute to such a grand affair would be an honor for us all. We will follow the Governor’s orders!"

Chen Qing burst into laughter, about to impart some inspirational words, when he suddenly caught sight of an unexpected figure that made his eyelids twitch!

"Sorry, sorry, I’m late, I’m late. Please forgive me, forgive me!"

A kindly-faced old man arrived tardily. Wei Gong saw him from afar and quickly beckoned, "You old rascal, why so late? Come over here quick, the Governor just announced some great news!"

"Oh?" The newcomer immediately smiled and said, "Then I must not miss out. I pay my respects to the Prefectural Governor."

Chen Qing paused for a moment, then quickly responded, "Master Yang, no need for formalities!"

Even Chen Qing had not foreseen that Master Yang, the Mister Five Poison described by Ali, who had been missing for many days... would make such an appearance?