Chapter 102: A Fierce Aura of Killing Intent

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The significance of the academy established by Shen Chen lay in the process of establishing a school of thought.

No matter how profound your scholarship is if you stay shut at home and never spread your knowledge, it amounts to nothing.

That is why Confucius accepted three thousand disciples and spread his Confucian teachings, allowing Confucianism to flourish in China for over two millennia.

Now, the Xianshan Academy in Jingzhou, along with the renowned scholar Ying Rong who has over a thousand disciples, is doing the same.

Song Zhong annotated the Five Classics, promoting his doctrines, which became the mainstream academic thought during the Wei and Jin periods.

Ying Rong composed the five-ten-thousand-character "Spring and Autumn Annals Zuo's Annotations," gradually consolidating the major schools of thought on the Zuo Tradition under his "Ying’s Zuo Commentary."

The great Confucian scholar Zheng Xuan lectured in Qingzhou with countless disciples, spreading his ideas. His annotations on ancient texts were one of the two dominant scholarly schools alongside Song Zhong’s during the Wei and Jin eras.

His influence extended through the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, even into the Sui and Tang, with Emperor Taizong placing him among the twenty-two “Predecessor Masters,” honored alongside Confucius in the Confucian Temple.

From this, it is clear that to establish a school of thought, one must rely on students to disseminate and develop the teachings.

Aside from this, Shen Chen had another purpose.

He sought to cultivate talent, find like-minded individuals, and strive together for future endeavors.

Thus, lecturing was an unavoidable process.

As for Shen Chen’s own doctrine, it was quite simple. Alongside Zhuge Liang, he had been annotating Confucian classics, discarding the dross and championing the essence.

For basic education, students need not delve too deeply; first learn to read, then basic arithmetic and fundamental principles of conduct.

Therefore, the current curriculum might not be very profound; as students progress, their comprehension and annotations of Confucian thought will deepen, supporting higher academic standards.

Soon, registrations were complete: thirty-three students in total, ranging from as young as four to as old as seventeen, making uniform instruction challenging.

However, this was typical in ancient times, where learning conditions were limited and comprehension depended heavily on individual talent, so such disparities were inevitable.

In a sense, all education at the time was elite-centric; mass education existed only in rudimentary forms, such as basic literacy, while deeper learning required one-on-one tutoring.

This was one of the fundamental reasons why prominent families controlled cultural interpretation rights.

After registration, Shen Chen gathered everyone into the front courtyard classroom. Outside, many parents, curious scholars, and troublemakers stood watching.

Shen Chen instructed everyone to take their seats at their desks. Sitting cross-legged on the platform, he looked down upon them and smiled:

“Many of you know me. These days, I have traveled through nearby villages, and you often followed behind me calling me ‘Teacher.’ Today, I officially become your teacher.”

“Teacher! Teacher!”

The children, unaware, thought it was still a playful time following Shen Chen around the villages and shouted eagerly, causing the scholars outside to frown.

“Silence!”

A middle-aged man holding a ruler struck the desk heavily, casting a stern gaze over the children.

He was Shen Chen’s hired instructor—not a famous scholar but an ordinary Confucian student from a poor family who had barely survived teaching in nearby villages.

Since Shen Chen’s free teaching threatened his livelihood, Shen Chen had hired him at a high wage to maintain order and discipline.

Once quiet returned, Shen Chen continued: “There are many young children here who do not understand the ‘Golden Mean’ or the value of study. Those of you a few years older, do you understand this?”

He pointed to several boys aged fifteen or sixteen.

One boy, shirtless and with patched trousers, hesitated: “My father said that if I could study, maybe our family would become a little better off, and my younger sister might not have starved to death a few years ago.”

He spoke plainly of a tragedy, but at the time, this was not considered the worst; during the great famine, hundreds of thousands starved.

Shen Chen nodded and pointed to the scholars outside: “Yes, not reading might bring opportunities to enrich your family; reading makes those opportunities greater. Look at those outside—do they wear silk and brocade because they read?”

“What does Shen Chen mean?”

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“What? We wear silk and brocade; what does it matter to him?”

“Is he trying to use us as a metaphor?”

The scholars outside were puzzled but, hearing this, thought he was holding up himself as proof that study leads to success, so they straightened their backs proudly.

Shen Chen smiled: “Some may have changed their fortunes through study, but most come from good families. They are not wealthy because they study, but study because they are wealthy. I hope my students can see this truth clearly.”

“What? Is he insulting us for our family background?”

“That fellow is from a notable family himself. Without his mother’s clan, the Deng family of Nanyang, he wouldn’t be able to afford studies.”

“Quiet, listen to what he says.”

The scholars, especially those from powerful local clans, were displeased, as this implied their ability to study was a matter of birth luck, a fact uncomfortable to admit.

Shen Chen continued: “Of course, I do not believe that sons of poor families must remain poor for life. People must rely on their own efforts to change their fate. Study is not the only path, but it is the best one. Their ancestors were not without poverty but rose by diligent study, entering officialdom and securing blessings for their descendants, bringing prosperity to their clans. So, as long as you work hard at learning, you can achieve something. I want you to study earnestly to escape poverty, not to leave after a few days bored of study. If you do, better you leave now, for if you do not strive, do not complain why others wear silks and feast while you live in poverty.”

After these words, the hall fell silent.

After a moment, Shen Chen asked: “Is there anyone here who does not want to study or change their life? If so, you may leave now.”

Some young children, confused, looked around and wanted to leave but saw their parents’ stern eyes and lowered their heads.

These words were not only for the children but also addressed to their parents.

A few-year-old child cannot grasp the idea of knowledge changing fate, but their parents understand; otherwise, they would have them work as half-laborers rather than send them to school.

Thus, Shen Chen’s message was to the parents, encouraging them to support their children’s education, hoping their offspring would succeed.

Although such words might now seem harsh, in the Han dynasty, having the chance to study was already a blessing, far from modern concerns about children’s psychological well-being.

Poor children took on responsibility early and were obedient to their parents, who hoped education would change their destiny.

After this speech, many parents nodded in secret, determined to support their children’s education no matter the cost.

After a pause, Shen Chen said: “It seems everyone wants to study seriously, which is good. Ambition is not wrong, nor is studying. So today you officially enroll. However, I will not hold the first lesson today.”

A seventeen-year-old youth, who had lacked opportunity before, quickly asked: “Teacher, why no lesson?”

Shen Chen smiled: “First, to let everyone acclimate to the classroom and get to know each other. Tomorrow, I will formally teach reading and writing. Second, to show you my capability, as many doubt if I can teach. Today, you will see why I am qualified.”

He rose, lifting his robe, standing on the platform and looking down at the scholars gathered at the door, he declared loudly:

“I know many scholars in Jingzhou fear me because I offend Cao Cao and defy the court. But I have never truly defied the court; only those with ill intent slander me. I call Cao Cao a treacherous minister and have led troops to kill his generals and soldiers—that is undeniable. If you choose to honor Cao Cao as a restorer and flatter the Cao family for your own gain, that is your business. But if you seek to bully me to curry favor with Cao, do not blame me for being unkind. Today, I wish to tell you what kind of man Cao Cao really is—I know better than you. If you think Cao Cao is good, so be it. I disagree, and no one can force me to agree. We can debate with words or fight with swords. You come one by one or all at once? Words are culture, swords are combat; life and death are determined by fate!”

Shen Chen stood upright, his right hand resting on the sword at his waist.

Unlike the cowardly protagonist in some versions of the Three Kingdoms who neglected martial arts and hid behind Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, Shen Chen was a hot-blooded man who trained daily, skilled in swordsmanship.

His martial arts teacher was Gan Ning, and his skills were honed in battle against Cao Cao’s troops. During fights with Cao Ren, he personally shot several enemy soldiers, bravely killing in combat.

Having witnessed tens of thousands of corpses in Xuzhou and fought on the battlefield, his eyes were sharp and emanated a killing intent.

Though only twelve, his stature was imposing as a mountain, his robe fluttered in the wind, and his fierce gaze caused the so-called sons of noble families to involuntarily step back, their aura diminished.

Only Xu Shu narrowed his eyes slightly.

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That boy has probably killed before!

“Brother Shen!”

“Hmm!”

Shen Changqing walked along the road, nodding greetings to acquaintances.

But no matter who it was, every face bore no extra expression, seeming indifferent to everything.

Shen Changqing had grown accustomed to this.

Because this was the Demon Suppression Division, an institution maintaining stability in the Great Qin, mainly tasked with slaying demons and monsters, though it had some other side duties.

In this division, every member’s hands were stained with much blood.

When one becomes accustomed to life and death, many things become trivial.

When Shen Changqing first arrived in this world, he was somewhat unaccustomed, but over time, he adapted.

The Demon Suppression Division was vast.

Those who remained were either powerful experts or possessed potential to become so.

Shen Changqing belonged to the latter.

The division was divided into two roles: Guardians and Demon Slayers.

Everyone entered as the lowest rank, a Demon Slayer apprentice, then gradually advanced, hoping eventually to become a Guardian.

Shen Changqing’s former self had been such an apprentice Demon Slayer, the lowest rank.

With memories of his past life, he was very familiar with the division’s environment.

After a short time, Shen Changqing stopped before a pavilion.

Unlike the rest of the grim and blood-soaked division, this pavilion stood out like a crane among chickens, presenting a rare tranquility.

The pavilion door was open, with occasional people entering and leaving.

After a brief hesitation, Shen Changqing stepped inside.

Upon entering, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

A waft of ink fragrance mixed faintly with blood scent hit his face, causing his brow to furrow briefly before relaxing.

The bloodstains on everyone in the division were nearly impossible to wash away.