Ultimately, everyone fell short and made Lion burst into tears: "William, you can't do this to me! You let me propose, and in the end, you reject it, are you intentionally targeting me?"
William also felt somewhat meaningless and tried to reassure him: "Okay then, in terms of student discipline, moral cultivation, and academic aspects, you will be under the supervision of Mr Lion! You are a third-rank new offical, and you should not waste your time on such matters! Alright, let's settle it this way! I still have some matters to discuss with Mr Ton, so I won't entertain you any longer. Please see him off!"
After that, Lion was kicked out.
Lion: "...".
After Lion left, Jonh asked in confusion, "Master William, even though Lion is favoured by the Empress and holds a high position, he cannot be offended! Why did you just...?"
"Master Ton, even I have no solution to this!" William sighed, "I heard that in the outside world, this new first-rank scholar Lion is extremely greedy and has embezzled funds twice! If he is allowed to handle financial matters, he will leave behind a trail of destruction. We will both be implicated and suffer! I am only trying to prevent trouble from arising."
Ton Jonh apologized, "Master William is far-sighted, and I am a low-ranking official with little foresight."
"Don't worry! Master Ton, in the future, you must not let Lion touch any financial matters, understand?" William instructed seriously.
Jonh nodded in agreement, "You can rest assured, I will avoid any trouble."
However, the conversation was spoken in a low voice, but Lion, skilled in martial arts, could hear it from outside.
"Is this how rare it is for someone to attack me? Ah, you are all too young!"
Lion adjusted his official hat and walked forward.
Today was his first day as a newly appointed first-rank scholar and his first time at the National Academy. Therefore, he planned to familiarize himself with the work environment first, and then develop specific tasks.
Together we walk, Lion looks like a light-hearted student after many years.
There are people running and laughing next to Lion.
There are groups playing chess.
There are those sitting by the pond, nibbling on buns, and reading books without eating or sleeping.
...
Filled with the vitality of youth.
In an instant, Lion felt like he had gone back to his university days!
However, the students here can be compared to the hard-working university students of the past, more like high schoolers, striving for their youth!
"Youth is really good!" Lion sighed.
However, most of the people here are young, but they have a lot of experience, and it is difficult to avoid ageing.
Looking at the young students, there was a hint of emotional resonance.
At this moment, everyone also paid attention to Lion, the young man in the official uniform, looking over curiously.
Many people did not recognize Lion, but they still recognized his official uniform.
Green robe, small tassels, a little literary, and a silver waistband...
This is a sixth or seventh-rank official's attire.
To clarify, the opponent is at least a seventh-rank official.
The students here couldn't help but admire.
They came to the Imperial Academy to study, just to become officials.
Perhaps the opponent is the same age as them, but they are still studying to pass the civil service exams, while the opponent has become a seventh-rank official. How can they not admire them?
At this moment, a student suddenly ran up to Lion and said excitedly: "Sir...Sir, are you also the newly appointed scholar this year, Lion, the great scholar of the Imperial Academy?"
Lion nodded solemnly: "That's right, I am one. Which region are you from? Is there anything important?"
The other person became even more excited and spoke a little incoherently: "Sir...Sir...It's really you, Lion great scholar! This is too great, I finally get to see you, sir! I have always admired you so much!"
The scene was immediately in chaos.
"He's the newly appointed scholar this year?"
"Five years in a row, he won the top three places. Is he a demon?"
"It seems that I am still young!"
...
Everyone gathered around, excited.
Although the scholar spoke lightly, the readers were extremely respectful towards him, especially those who read better than they did. People like Lion who had won the top three places in the imperial contest were truly admired by them.
They would only worship a god, and would not be jealous of them!
"Meet Lion, sir!" The students bowed deeply and spoke in unison.
"Fellow students, be polite!" Lion smiled and spoke, holding his hand: "Thanks to the grace of the Empress, from now on, I will be in charge of the National Academy, responsible for teaching morality, discipline, and academic affairs."
"Meet Lion sir!" The students bowed again.
"Fellow students, no need to be so formal!" Lion smiled and spoke: "From now on, we will study together! I hope that my fellow students can work with me to study hard, be determined to improve themselves, and not be distracted by worldly pleasures!"
"Lion sir is right, we will keep it in our hearts!" The students bowed again.
Lion suddenly had a liking for this place!
The students here showed a little movement and bowed again!
Especially their worshipful eyes, looking at him with joy!
A small sense of vanity brought him great satisfaction!
"Lion sir, can we ask you a question?" A student raised his head, with a little unsettled emotion and excitement.
Lion was in a good mood: "What's the question, feel free to ask!"
"Thank you, Lion sir, for giving us this opportunity! We heard that you had achieved great success despite the difficult circumstances of studying, and passed the imperial exams! Can you share with us how you did it?"
In fact, they were asking Lion about his study methods.
Everyone eagerly looks forward to and hopes that Lion, this learned person, can share his study methods. Lion smiles and says, 'Of course, please listen.' Then everyone becomes even more excited.
'Fantastic, Lion is willing to share his study methods!'
'I hope that after learning from him, I'll have a chance to pass the national exam!'
'Hurry up and listen, let's hear what Lion has to say!'
...
As time passed quietly, everyone carefully listened to Lion's teachings. They even took out pens and paper, moistening the ink with saliva, preparing to take notes, with eyes filled with great respect.
"Whatever you do, you need strong motivation! As long as you find the right motivation, have direction, and feel interested, you will achieve success without much effort, and you won't give up halfway!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"The teacher's words are wise!"
"Only with motivation can we study seriously!"
"Please continue, teacher!"
. . .
Lion smiled, "So I would like to ask all of you sitting here, what is your definition of motivation when it comes to reading books?"
Lion looked around the whole school and, like a student asking a question, pointed his finger and asked, "Classmate, what is your definition of motivation when it comes to reading books? Could you tell us?"
The person being addressed replied excitedly, "To stand out, to enter the officialdom, to create wealth and prosperity!"
Lion nodded slightly, "Your ideals are very suitable for reality, well done!"
He then pointed to another person, "What about you? What is your definition of motivation when it comes to reading books?"
The person being addressed became even more excited, "Because of the inspiration from the great warriors!"
Lion nodded slightly, "Your ideals are very noble, not bad!"
He then pointed to another person, "What about you? What is your definition of motivation?"
"When I was studying, I was a poor student! I read books just to live a better life and not let my family suffer from hunger!" This student did not lower their head as they spoke.
Lion nodded again, "Your ideals are very grounded and practical, very good!"
. . .
Lion asked several people again, with different reasons.
Some couldn't answer.
Finally, Lion laughed and said, "Motivation is extremely peculiar, no matter what the motivation is, it can be explained, and all motivations must be respected! In reality, in this era, reading books is the cheapest and biggest investment return!"
"If you can't practice martial arts, you can read books, enter officialdom, and create blessings!"
"If your mind is not good, you can read books, and reading books can enlighten you!"
"If you can't go out, you can read books, and reading books can enhance your vision and increase your knowledge!"
"If you lack money, you can read books, and there are ways to make money from books!"
Lion shook his head and sighed, "There are many good reasons to read books, which can satisfy the majority of people's needs! As long as you read attentively, you will harvest a lot! If you can't find a good reason and motivation to read, then there's no need to waste time on it!"
Everyone seemed to be thinking deeply.
They had thought about why they wanted to read books before, but their thoughts were vague.
For being an official, for getting rich, for creating blessings, or just for a little improvement. . .
But no one had ever explained it so clearly and straightforwardly as Lion did.
It made people realize the importance of reading!
Looking up, everyone looked at Lion with admiration.
No wonder he was the top scholar of the new academic year, his words were so nourishing!
At this moment, a student asked, "Lion sir, what is your motivation for reading books?"
Everyone turned to him, curious.
"Lion sir, what is your motivation for reading books?"
"Can you tell us?"
"We really want to know!"
Lion sighed deeply and said, "I'm not deceiving anyone when I say that my life is full of suffering. I grew up being pointed at by thousands of people. It's because I want to change their perception of me that I'm so eager to read books!"
Everyone's emotions were stirred up by his words.
"Has Lion Senior also been cursed since childhood?"
"Unbelievable! He's such a remarkable figure, yet he still gets cursed at?"
"Truly, some people are so narrow-minded!"
"Tell me who said that, I'll help you deal with them!"
Lion felt warm inside and smiled, "Thank you for your concern, fellow students! This is already a thing of the past, there's no need to bring it up again! Actually, thinking about it now, they were right to curse me! If it weren't for their words that spurred me on, I wouldn't have achieved what I have now!"
"Sir, what did they curse you with?"
"Can you tell us a little more?"
Everyone is ten parts curious.
Whatever scolding words they may have said, it could have such a great effect, allowing Lion to pass the entrance exams for three consecutive years and become a talented person!
Everyone once again has hopes and expectations.
Many people take out pens and paper, preparing to write down these words!
This is the moment to whip oneself!
Inside the crowd of students waiting, Lion feels a bit frustrated and says, "They scolded me... There's not a single good thing about me, no matter how long they keep talking!"
The students say, "Nonsense!"
"They scolded me again, what do you have besides a good-looking leather bag?"
The students say, "Nonsense!"
"They scolded me again, you may be good-looking but nobody would believe you're capable of anything!"
The students say, "Nonsense!"
Lion feels excited, clenches his fist and says, "That's why I want to study hard! It's because I want to prove to those who once looked down on me, those who underestimated me, that I'm not just a good-looking leather bag, but I also have plenty of talents!"
The students say, "Nonsense!"
Lion continues, "I don't just have plenty of talents, but I'm also striving and succeeding more than you!"
The students say, "Nonsense!"
"And you guys..." Lion bursts out angrily, "Other than being ugly, you have nothing!"
The students say, "Nonsense!"
"This is the motivation for studying! Can you guys... understand my inner struggles?" Lion asks with hope.
Everyone looks at each other, trying to understand.
Some even look at themselves in the mirror, and then lower their heads in embarrassment.
"We can't possibly understand!" they say in unison.