The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chai Zhen listened attentively, nodding his head from time to time to show his approval.

"Well done, Dean Cen, you've done a great job," Chai Zhen said admiringly. "I believe that under your leadership, Zhaoyin Academy will continue to improve and cultivate more talents for the Great Zhou."

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty." Cen Jiexiao said quickly.

Chai Zhen looked around and saw that the layout of this academy was particularly unique. At least Chai Zhen had never seen such a place in the Great Zhou Dynasty. It was very elegant and exuded a scholarly atmosphere. He nodded and exclaimed, "I have heard that the Zhaoyin Academy founded by Miss Cen is unique. Seeing it today, I can see that it really lives up to its reputation."

Cen Jiexiao thought that was natural. The overall layout of Zhaoyin Academy drew inspiration from the exquisiteness of Wuzhong gardens, with changing scenery and winding paths leading to secluded places. However, Cen Jiexiao also incorporated modern garden concepts into it, making it even more unique.

Upon entering the academy, the first thing that catches your eye is not the traditional screen wall, but a vast, lush lawn, inviting and refreshing. A cobblestone path winds its way through the center of the lawn, leading deeper into the academy. Along the path, exotic flowers and plants, collected from various locations, shimmer in vibrant colors, complementing the roses, tulips, and hydrangeas that Cen Jiexiao recalls.

Crossing the lawn, one arrives at a landscaped area comprised of bamboo forests and rockery. The bamboo stands tall and slender, the rockery forms a variety of shapes, and the mountain path winds and secludes. A gurgling stream flows through the rocks, converging into a crystal-clear pond. In the center, several water lilies float gracefully, adding a touch of life to this tranquil corner. Along the pond's edge, several uniquely shaped stone benches, scattered in the shade of the trees, provide a haven for students to relax and socialize.

Unlike traditional academies, Zhaoyin Academy also features numerous small courtyards dedicated to the practical application of various disciplines. For example, the medical department has a "Hundred Herbs Garden." Various herbs are cultivated here, and medical teachers not only use them for teaching but also try to involve more students in the improvement and cultivation of herbs, hoping to develop more effective medicinal materials for treating diseases and saving lives.

The landscape of the entire academy has the elegance of classical gardens and combines the openness and nature of modern gardens. It is a harmonious combination of movement and stillness, which brings out the best in each other. Strolling through it is one of the most fascinating things you will ever see.

Seeing that Chai Zhen really didn't seem to care about her stuttering, Cen Jiexiao felt relieved, took a deep breath, and decided to seize this opportunity to explain her educational philosophy and teaching achievements to the young emperor.

"Your Majesty," Cen Jiexiao bowed slightly and spoke in a tone neither humble nor arrogant. "Our Zhaoyin Academy is different from those traditional academies that stick to the rules. We accept students from all walks of life. Whether they come from poor families or from wealthy families, as long as they sincerely want to learn knowledge and improve themselves, we treat them all equally and welcome them with open doors."

Chai Zhen nodded slightly, signaling Cen Jiexiao to continue.

Cen Jiexiao smiled faintly and continued, "Your Majesty, our academy doesn't consider background when recruiting students, only talent and character. As long as you pass our basic entrance exam, regardless of your family background, you can become a member of Zhaoyin Academy."

"Also, to help students from poor families, our academy has established a scholarship system. Students with outstanding academic performance can not only have their tuition waived, but also receive additional rewards!"

"Not only that," Cen Jiexiao, seeing Chai Zhen's genuine interest in her words, felt more reassured and spoke with increasing confidence. "Our academy has also opened many new courses. These courses not only provide students with a means of livelihood after graduation, but also play a vital role in the development of the industry. Your Majesty, this scaled-down improved waterwheel model you see has already been promoted and used in Linkang Prefecture and its surrounding areas, and has received unanimous praise from farmers."

"Your Majesty, these skills may be seen as unorthodox and unprofessional by those old masters, but I believe that only by keeping pace with the times can we avoid being eliminated by the times."

Cen Jiexiao paused, observing Chai Zhen's expression. Seeing that he didn't show any displeasure, she continued, "For example, in mathematics, we not only teach traditional abacus calculations, but also introduce Arabic numerals and arithmetic methods from the Western Regions, striving to cultivate students' logical thinking and practical application abilities."

"For example, in journalism and media studies, we encourage students to pay attention to current events, collect and organize information, and write news reports in concise and clear language. By establishing a college newspaper, we encourage students to promote positive, positive, and proactive information. Meanwhile, we expose negative aspects of society, including the dark side, to the public, subjecting them to scrutiny by the court and the people. This, in turn, contributes to the stability of the political system and the harmony of the people in the Great Zhou. This also helps improve students' communication skills and cultivates their sense of social responsibility and critical thinking."

"And agriculture," Cen Jiexiao said with pride. "We not only teach traditional farming techniques, but also encourage students to actively try new planting methods and crop improvement. We believe that only through continuous exploration and innovation can we improve agricultural production efficiency and ensure that the people have enough food and clothing."

"In addition to this, we also offer courses in mechanical manufacturing, medicine, military operations, and so on. These disciplines may not be considered respectable in the eyes of those old scholars, but I believe that only by combining knowledge with practice can the power of knowledge be truly unleashed and true talents be cultivated."

Cen Jiexiao's voice grew louder and louder, her tone growing more and more excited. "We hope that through these new courses, students will be able to put their knowledge into practice and make greater contributions to the Great Zhou and Your Majesty in the future!"

"After all..." Cen Jiexiao's voice deepened, a hint of heaviness in her tone. "The motherland has not yet been unified, and the students still need to work hard!"

As Cen Jiexiao was speaking, she secretly observed Chai Zhen's reaction. Seeing that he was listening very attentively, with a thoughtful glint in his deep eyes, and asking some questions from time to time, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the young emperor was quite interested in her educational philosophy?

"Dean Cen's idea is very innovative and meaningful." After listening to Cen Jiexiao's introduction, Chai Zhen pondered for a moment and spoke.

"However," Shai Zhen's tone was filled with worry, "I'm afraid these new courses will be opposed by some conservative old gentlemen, right?"

When Cen Jiexiao heard this, her heart skipped a beat. She knew that these new tricks she had come up with would definitely be regarded as a disaster by those conservative and pedantic conservatives.

"Your Majesty is right. There is nothing wrong with some old gentlemen sticking to tradition. But if they do not reform and innovate and change with the progress of civilization, and their heads are full of nonsense, in the long run, it will do more harm than good to the Great Zhou and Your Majesty." Cen Jiexiao said respectfully and confidently.

"However, I believe that as long as we persist, one day we will make them see the benefits of this new education!"

"Well, it's great that Dean Cen has this intention."