"You mean not teaching anything else?" Zhuge Liang asked in confusion.
"Just learning these subjects will take at least three years, and once they've mastered them, it's enough. At the very least, they'll be able to achieve a modest level of wealth and stability," Chen Xi nodded, confirming Zhuge Liang's assumption.
"But we talked about universal education before. Why are we only teaching these subjects now?" Zhuge Liang sighed as he asked.
"We don't have enough money and resources!" Chen Xi spread his hands helplessly. "I'm just one person. Initially, universal education was meant to be rolled out step by step, but Xuande suddenly decided to expand wherever we conquer. I don't have a better solution."
Chen Xi's tone clearly carried some resentment. He had noticed that Liu Bei was beginning to treat him like a magic solution for all problems. Although Chen Xi had once confidently told Liu Bei that "no matter how big the problem is, it's a small matter, and all small matters are no big deal," he hadn't expected things to go this far.
"But this is completely different from what you said before," Zhuge Liang remarked with a bitter smile.
"I'm just a guide, opening a door for them. After that, it's up to them to choose whether to continue their studies or give up and start earning a living," Chen Xi replied calmly. "I can only give them the opportunity, not everything. The rest of the journey is theirs to walk."
"Konming, by the time they finish these studies, they'll be around your age or a little older. They'll still have the right to borrow books from the academy and continue self-studying if they wish," Fazheng added calmly. "Whether they can seize the opportunity depends on them."
Zhuge Liang remained silent for a long time. Although his family had fallen on hard times, he had never experienced real hardship in his youth. Balancing survival with excellence was incredibly difficult.
"If someone is truly talented, having that opportunity is enough to take flight," Chen Xi said calmly. "What I can offer might seem small, but it's already much better than the darkness they faced before. As for those who aren't exceptionally talented, the opportunity I'm giving them will at least allow them to live in comfort."
"But..." Zhuge Liang began to speak, only to be interrupted by Fazheng.
"Konming, you're looking at this from the wrong perspective," Fazheng said calmly. "Our task is to give them an opportunity. How far they go with it is their own business. As for connections, lineage, and family background—if they have nothing, that's not our concern."
"Konming, fairness isn't something you need to focus on too much. In this world, everything is relative. The blessings of one's ancestors benefit their descendants, whether you like it or not. If you lack those blessings, then you need to bring something else to prove your worth. If you can't, then don't blame the heavens," Chen Xi added calmly.
"Exactly. Our ancestors cleared the way, starting from nothing and building great families. If you're truly extraordinary, there's no need to say more. I, Fazheng, didn't rely on my family's influence. I came to Taishan on my own and reached this point without external help!" Fazheng said with a cold laugh.
Zhuge Liang remained silent, knowing that Fazheng had every right to say this. Fazheng had earned the respect of figures like Liu Bei, Chen Xi, and Guo Jia entirely through his own abilities. He had become a governor before turning eighteen and had commanded that position with competence and authority.
"I won't bring this up again, but I hope that if there are examinations, the requirements for ordinary students will be relaxed," Zhuge Liang said after thinking for a moment.
"I don't recommend that," Chen Xi replied calmly. "While it might give commoner students a slight advantage in the short term, it will ensure the aristocratic families remain unchallenged for millennia."
"Pride in one's talent is more important than temporary success or failure," Fazheng added. "If the government does that, commoner students will be finished—they'll never surpass the aristocrats."
Zhuge Liang looked at Chen Xi, unsure whether Fazheng's words were true.
"They are true. If you do that, the outcome won't be good. At first, commoners won't be able to compete with aristocrats, and if you separate the exams, they'll lose their drive over time," Chen Xi said, shaking his head. "Once that confidence is lost, even the most extraordinary talents will struggle to surpass their opponents."
Zhuge Liang bowed his head in thought, gaining some understanding. Just as he was about to speak, Chen Xi asked, "Why could the Xiongnu in the early Han dynasty fight ten-to-one against the Han, but later they couldn't even manage one-to-ten?"
"It was a matter of morale. In the early Han dynasty, the Xiongnu had over a century of accumulated dominance over the Han, so despite the Han's wealth, they lacked the resolve to win. They only fought when forced," Chen Xi explained calmly.
"But later, the Han dynasty went against the current and reached the peak of its momentum. After countless bloody battles, the Xiongnu were left with an indelible mark of defeat, reducing their strength to a fraction of what it once was. They never recovered," Chen Xi continued, his previously calm expression showing a hint of emotion. Going against the current is incredibly difficult.
"Do you know why, despite the internal strife within the Han dynasty, no foreign power dares to invade on a large scale? They still pay tribute on time. It's not because they lack strength—it's because of the long-standing deterrence! They don't have the courage to invade. Even the mighty Xianbei of Tan Shihuai's time didn't dare to enter Han territory. That's what it means to command the world with authority," Chen Xi said, a rare passion in his voice, filled with pride for the Han dynasty's strength.
"The White Horse Volunteers, the Xiliang Cavalry, and the Bingzhou Wolf Riders—how much stronger are they than the Xiongnu, Qiang, or Xianbei? All of them are horse-riding peoples, and those who can become cavalry are the best among them. Yet, why can't five foreign cavalrymen defeat one of ours? Is it their equipment? The Xiliang Cavalry often lack even proper armor, but they have no problem fighting Qiang cavalry five to one!" Chen Xi sneered.
Zhuge Liang and Fazheng pondered this in silence, ultimately sighing in agreement. The facts were undeniable. The Xiliang Cavalry's equipment was on par with the Qiang, and their diet was similar too, yet the Xiliang Cavalry had no trouble defeating the Qiang.
"This is morale. The Han people have an unshakable confidence against any foreign force. It's ingrained in them, making them fearless. So, when they face foreigners, they fight like tigers descending from the mountains, while the foreigners do the opposite. This is the national confidence forged over three hundred years!" Chen Xi emphasized.
Fazheng stroked his beard thoughtfully before finally speaking. "Let's set aside the matter of aristocrats versus commoners for now. Even if fewer commoners succeed initially, it doesn't matter. What interests me now is what you just said, Zichuan. Are you suggesting that the Xianbei are also accumulating the foundation to go against the current?"
A glint of coldness flashed in Zhuge Liang's eyes, though he said nothing. But the implication of Chen Xi's words was clear: following the current doesn't guarantee victory, and going against it doesn't guarantee defeat—it just makes things much harder.