The establishment of the Artisan Academy naturally sparked considerable debate. After all, such an institution had never existed before, and its sudden appearance felt rather abrupt, leading many to discuss it with fervor.
"What is this Artisan Academy for? Why must we establish it?"
"I don't understand either. And they even give those people money! Is this schooling, or is it labor?"
"It really feels like labor, and a very comfortable kind at that. I almost wish I were a few years younger so I could have had the chance to enter the academy!"
Many people were envious of the treatment within the academy. They yearned to receive such benefits themselves. Unfortunately, their advanced age denied them entry, making them miss out on a substantial income and fueling their discontent.
"No, we must enter the academy too!"
"Right! I want to enter the academy as well. I can learn those things, and we're certainly more capable than these young children!"
"Exactly, we are clearly more mature and can endure hardship better than those kids. We are the most suitable for this kind of work!"
These words were naturally spoken to justify their own desires. However, despite their well-crafted arguments, the reality was far from what they claimed. Their plan to acquire wealth through this means was a complete miscalculation.
While these people were still arguing, the army of Great Qin appeared. Their arrival instantly terrified the crowd.
"We, we...!"
"You know what you've done!"
"We, we just feel that we have more potential than those children and are more suited for this task!"
"Is that so? Then you can come and study at the academy. Oh, and remember to pay the tuition!"
"What? We still have to pay? Our lives are very difficult; where would we get the money to pay? Aren't we supposed to receive money?"
These individuals wanted to enter the academy purely for the financial gain. They expected to receive money, which was why they kept discussing the academy. However, now they were not only not receiving money but were also required to pay, which was hard for them to accept. They loudly protested the idea of paying, feeling it was extremely unfair and that they refused to do so.
However, this was not something they could simply refuse.
"While our academy does provide stipends to some students, it is because these students face financial hardship and are too young to be self-sufficient!"
"For someone like you, who has hands and feet, you must pay to enter the academy!"
"Furthermore, you must pass the academy's assessment. Only after passing the assessment will you be eligible to enter!"
"A, and there's an assessment? I don't want to be assessed. I can't even read; how can I be assessed? I think you're deliberately making things difficult for me and trying to embezzle my money!"
Upon hearing this, the soldiers of Qin could not help but roll their eyes. The funds were allocated by Great Qin specifically to cultivate more talent. Although the amount was not substantial for Great Qin, it still needed to be used judiciously and not squandered. Yet, someone had the audacity to claim it was their money, or that it rightfully belonged to them. Such a statement was utterly unacceptable and lacked any basis.
Looking at the self-righteous individual before them, the soldiers of Qin did not hesitate to apprehend him. Previously, the Qin soldiers had reasoned with them, explaining the situation. Their words were not just for the individual but for everyone to hear. Now that their explanation was complete and the public understood the circumstances, they could no longer tolerate the obstruction of these ruffians. Without any hesitation, the Qin soldiers apprehended them.
At this moment, the Qin soldiers demonstrated what true "courtesy before force" meant. The ruffians, however, had not yet realized the shift. They continued to shout:
"You can't arrest me, you can't arrest me!"
"Right! Why are you arresting me? What right do you have?"
"Let me go, quickly let me go! Don't touch me, are you not letting us reason?"
These ruffians still believed they were making a case for themselves, unaware that their words had become utterly unreasonable in the eyes of others. Many even found their pronouncements comical, bursting into laughter. The uproar reached the ruffians, leaving them bewildered. However, some intelligent individuals understood the reason for the laughter – it was the collective mockery of the crowd. Hearing this, many realized how foolish their actions appeared to others. Consequently, one by one, they lowered their heads in shame, acknowledging their mistake.
But their realization had come too late. By the time they wished to regret their actions, there was no opportunity. The soldiers of Great Qin had already taken them away. With their departure, the turmoil surrounding the academy naturally subsided. Everyone understood the true purpose of the academy. As a result, public support for the academy grew even stronger. Many affluent youths even proactively enrolled. They did not seek the meager funds offered by the academy. Instead, many astute individuals had perceived the immense future importance of these academies to Great Qin. Therefore, they wished to participate, become more powerful, and gain greater control. Only by continuously progressing could they avoid being overtaken and maintain their advantage. Otherwise, their family fortunes would soon be squandered. In such a scenario, they needed everyone to strive diligently. Their participation further propelled the academy toward prosperity.