Generals of the Great Song Dynasty.

Summary

Wang Ning An dismissed several hundred clerks and minor officials, retaining only lowly laborers, many of whom had suffered under oppression and poverty. He offered them a chance to improve their status by staying and working in the office, promising future opportunities for their descendants. Meanwhile, Wang Fang, a scholar, was excited about the new recruitment of clerks, seeing it as a chance for his students at Zhongyan Academy, which had a strong record in exams. He urged them to consider this opportunity seriously, especially since many faced despair from failing the imperial exams. However, dissent arose among the students, led by Cheng Zhi Xun, who opposed Wang Ning An's approach, fearing it would harm their community. Chen Zhan defended the idea of seizing this opportunity, leading to a split among the students. Some were eager to pursue government positions, while others hesitated, unsure of the risks involved. Ultimately, Chen Zhan decided to go to Yizhou, followed by his classmate Lv Tao, who shared a similar perspective on the importance of practical experience over traditional exams.

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