prosperous age

After the establishment of the post of educational inspector in the Ming Dynasty, due to the failure to balance responsibilities and powers, some educational inspectors tried to break the limitations of the order and build academies outside the official schools to get out of the institutional dilemma.

There are three main types of academies built by the Ming Dynasty's education officials: government offices, sacrificial academies, and academies that gather students for lectures. The most influential were the academies that gathered students for lectures. Among them, provincial academies achieved the highest level of elite education, which to a certain extent filled the gap at the provincial level in the official education system.

After the rise of Wangxue in the middle and late Ming Dynasty, Wang's followers took advantage of the opportunity to serve as educational officials to spread new ideas by building academies. They also introduced the lecture system into official academies. Through the dual penetration of ideas and systems, they disintegrated the teacher-student order in the official education system and formed groups based on the affiliation of comrades in lectures.

At this time, the educational officials who held the power to select scholars faced accusations of private transactions when selecting members of teaching groups, which in turn triggered Zhang Juzheng's educational reforms in the early Wanli period, in which he explicitly ordered the educational officials "not to establish other academies."

After that, the educational officials’ actions to “teach scholars” by building academies were hit, and they gradually shifted their functions to focus on “schooling scholars”.

During the Ming Dynasty, after Wang Yangming proposed the philosophy of mind with "attaining conscience" as its core, he believed that even ignorant men and women were equal. His student He Xinyin, who was also a scholar who opposed Zhang Juzheng, proposed in his book "Original Learning and Original Lectures" that learning knowledge requires teaching.

Lectures themselves require a place, and this place is the academy. Therefore, there were many academies in the Ming Dynasty and the teaching culture was prosperous. Scholars learned knowledge in the academies, inherited the style of the academies in the Song Dynasty, and boldly discussed politics. At the same time, using the academies as a node, they emphasized the friendship among the traditional "Five Relationships" and developed personal friendships.

The five relationships are those between ruler and subject, father and son, brothers, husband and wife, and friends.

At that time, many local prestigious scholars joined the academy to give lectures and formed deep friendships.

The imperial court could not ignore such a force, especially some grassroots officials who often participated in the activities of the academy. Some officials even brought problems encountered in daily government work to the academy for discussion, and the scholars decided how to deal with them.

Later on, scholars in the opposition gathered in Donglin Academy and exerted great power to influence the government. This was the result of the accumulation of subtle influences from academies across the country on the government.

Zhang Juzheng may have sensed some bad signs from the recent meetings of scholars, so he wrote the "Petition to Reapply the Old Rules to Regulate Education in Order to Revitalize Talents".

However, Wei Guangde had only heard of the Donglin Party and knew that the Donglin Academy was very powerful, but he did not fully understand how they gathered strength and then steadily developed and thrived in the court, becoming the biggest cancer of the late Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, after seeing Zhang Juzheng's memorial, the first reaction was that Zhang Juzheng wanted to retaliate against the literati.

"Brother, although the Emperor Taizu did ask scholars not to interfere in government affairs, there seems to be nothing wrong with establishing a separate academy and giving lectures. It can help spread wisdom."

"Shan Dai, you don't have personal experience, so you can't understand the harm of gathering together to give lectures like this."

Wei Guangde began to speak hesitantly, but was interrupted by Zhang Juzheng, who began to explain some news that he had heard from his disciples.

When the love affair was taken away, not only did the government and the public react fiercely, but scholars from the public also gathered together to criticize Zhang Juzheng for his greed for power and immorality.

Zhang Juzheng believed that Wei Guangde had heard all this, so he was not afraid of opening the wound.

I have already lost face, but I cannot be afraid to speak out because of that. Even if I find the harm, I would not want to mention it for the sake of face.

Therefore, Zhang Juzheng explained to Wei Guangde the disadvantages of scholars' participation in politics one by one. After all, Wei Guangde had never experienced it, so it was difficult for him to understand it.

After hearing Zhang Juzheng's explanation, Wei Guangde couldn't help but think a lot.

In later revolutions, the spark of revolution was also spread through campuses, attracting a large number of students to join in and continue to fight.

It was not until a great mentor realized that the scholar's rebellion had failed after three years that he turned to guide the spark to the vast rural areas of China, and finally turned the spark into a blaze.

What ignited this fire were the countless sparks on campus.

"If the local scholars are in a state of turmoil, will local parents also be threatened by them?"

When Zhang Juzheng was excited, he directly pointed out the aspects that affected the government.

Originally, in Wei Guangde's view, local scholars should be controlled by the government, but thinking of the Ming Dynasty's imperial caning, officials were willing to accept the caning for the sake of false reputation, and even enjoyed it. It is conceivable what choice the officials will make when the scholars are united.

Wei Guangde tapped rhythmically on the coffee table with his right hand, and was also thinking about the meaning behind Zhang Juzheng's words.

Gradually, he was persuaded.

"In the fifth year of Jiajing, the Minister of Rites Gui E proposed to strictly examine the candidates for the position of the Education Supervisor.

In the 16th year, following the impeachment of Zhan Ruoshui by the censor You Jujing for advocating pseudo-learning and privately establishing academies, Emperor Shizong ordered the banning and destruction of privately established academies and cracked down on the teaching activities of Wang Shouren, Zhan Ruoshui and others.

The second ban was carried out the following year, targeting the "officials of the Fu'an Office."

The education officials of the Thirteen Provinces were under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, so they were naturally included in the warning. In fact, it was to prevent the public opinion from kidnapping officials. "

Zhang Juzheng continued to talk about the countermeasures taken by the Jiajing Dynasty in previous years. However, several decades had passed and the literati seemed to have revived, and privately-established academies appeared again in large numbers, which was indeed a bad sign.

However, it was obvious that the policy of banning academies in the Ming Dynasty was unpopular. The two banning policies during the Jiajing period had limited effects, and the momentum of educational officials to establish academies did not diminish.

In fact, the Ming Dynasty did not prohibit the private establishment of academies. Almost all provinces had academies. These academies were either passed down from previous generations and recognized by the current dynasty, or they were privately established and then reported to the court by local officials, who then awarded plaques. In this case, such academies were not considered to be private establishments but were recognized by the court.

In order to cater to local gentry, local officials are often willing to do so to show that they have made contributions to promoting culture and educating the people.

"Academies should be mainly for teaching scholars to take the imperial examinations, and should not be used to spread ideas or even encourage fighting.

Just like the current Xinxue and Neo-Confucianism in Jiangnan, people gather together to give lectures and attack each other, which can easily lead to hostility. "

Zhang Juzheng used the current situation in Jiangnan as an example. The School of Mind and the School of Principle are now fighting fiercely in the Ming Dynasty, and it has even affected the imperial examinations.

Depending on which school the examiner belongs to, the candidates will often be admitted based on that school, which gives a sense of division.

"Brother Uncle, I still need to think about this matter carefully. I can't answer you now."

Wei Guangde thought about it for a long time and felt that this matter had too much impact, so he needed to sort out his thoughts.

Whether it is right or wrong to restrict the scholars from speaking out, given his current position, he should of course support Zhang Juzheng.

But instinctively, Wei Guangde felt that he shouldn't do this.

Wei Guangde, who had received nine years of compulsory education, knew the couplet "The sounds of wind, rain and reading are all heard; I care about the affairs of family, nation and the world." It is usually used to educate people to devote themselves to study and care about politics.

Why now do I feel like there is something wrong with what I said?

Scholars should read books, not talk about trivial things. They should care about world affairs. It is better to wait until they become officials before doing so.

Wei Guangde said goodbye and left the Prime Minister's duty room and went straight back to his own side, still thinking about this question in his mind.

Although he knew that if Zhang Juzheng was determined to do it, he would definitely be able to force it through.

In the cabinet, the two Zhangs can already influence the cabinet's deliberations, so even if he opposes it, it won't be of much use.

However, once he opposes, the voices of support from both the government and the opposition will not be small, and he will be regarded as the leader of the opposition.

However, with Feng Bao's help in the inner court, it might be possible to force their way through.

Wei Guangde was still not at ease, after all, he had not read any of the memorials received today.

This is performance. If you don't finish processing the transferred memorials today, you will still have to deal with them tomorrow. The accumulated work is not a small matter. Although to be honest, many of these memorials in the Ming Dynasty would not affect the operation of the government if they were not processed for half a year, because nearly half of them were meaningless reports of work, congratulations on this and that, and there was no practical work at all.

However, the quick processing of memorials also shows the efficiency of the court and the cabinet, so we cannot ignore the memorials just because they are empty.

You still have to look at it, and the draft is also necessary.

But before Wei Guangde could move to the desk and sit in front of his seat, Lu Bu came in from outside the door holding another memorial.

The things sent in like this are actually the practical matters that the six ministries are anxious to deal with and cannot be delayed.

"What is it and where is it from?"

Wei Guangde asked casually.

"Sir, I am a clerk from the Ministry of War."

Lu Bu bowed and presented the document with both hands.

Wei Guangde reached out to take it, quickly returned to his seat, and began to read it carefully.

It was not a big deal, but it was not small either. It was a report that the King of Burma and a group of Burmese tribal leaders had been escorted to Beijing from the southwest.

Although there are still a small number of remnants in Myanmar, it no longer affects the overall situation.

Major areas of Myanmar, such as southern Myanmar, have been firmly controlled by the Ming Dynasty. Only western and northern Myanmar have remnants fighting internally for the initiative.

The Ming Dynasty did not want to go through the trouble of launching a conquest, and planned to wait until the internal fighting between the rebels was over before sending troops to suppress them, thus minimizing the losses.

They can also take the opportunity to continue training the Burmese army and make them the main force to wipe out the remnants of the Toungoo Dynasty of Burma.

When this strategy was reported to the capital, Wei Guangde supported it.

Letting the Burmese rule Myanmar was also the strategy he proposed. The mutual hatred among the various tribes in Myanmar was more conducive to the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty.

However, what is being considered in this matter is not the matter that has already been decided, but how the court should deal with the Burmese king and his group of rebels.

Yes, Wei Guangde had long regarded the Ming Dynasty's expedition to Burma as the same as its suppression of rebellion at home, so as to avoid possible disputes in the future.

The Ming Dynasty must first settle the fact that Burma had been incorporated into the Ming territory two hundred years ago, but the Ming Dynasty gave them a high degree of autonomy.

However, the Burmese king brought his own destruction upon himself. Although the Ming Dynasty gave them many benefits, they were too greedy and even wanted to retaliate against the Ming Dynasty.

Of course, this cannot be considered as the Ming Dynasty punishing without teaching, but rather his wolfish ambition is obvious and anyone can punish him.

However, when it comes to Wei Guangde's position, there are more things to consider.

How should we deal with the Burmese king’s family and those tribal leaders? Should we keep them or not?

It is absolutely impossible to let them go back to Myanmar.

He is not Zhuge Liang, so he doesn't try to play the trick of capturing and releasing the enemy seven times. If he fails, he will be in big trouble.

The simplest way is actually to kill everyone and put an end to it all.

However, Wei Guangde had to consider the consequences of doing so and whether it would be detrimental to the Ming Dynasty's future rule over Myanmar.

As for the impact on other countries, Wei Guangde is not worried.

Perhaps, the countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia will feel sad about the death of the rabbit, but Wei Guangde feels that it is better to show them power than to show them kindness.

If you don't kill him, then you will be exiled, but where will you be exiled to?

Liaodong? Or Xiaoliuqiu?

Thinking about the year before last, when the Ming Dynasty held a ceremony to present prisoners and killed Wang Gao, should it happen again?

After thinking for a long time, Wei Guangde still didn't make a decision.

The purpose of killing Wang Gao was to intimidate the Jurchens in Liaodong. It was to suppress the rebelliousness among the Jurchens and to prevent them from contacting Mongolia.

In fact, the main reason for killing Wang Gao was his connection with Mongolia, which the Ming Dynasty could not tolerate.

Without figuring out what to do, Wei Guangde simply left the document behind, planning to speak about it at the Cabinet meeting later and listen to the opinions of Zhang Juzheng and Zhang Siwei.

We still need democracy and not a one-man show.

In the past, most of the decisions of the Ministry of War were made by Wei Guangde.

Not only did Wei Guangde suppress the memorial, but Zhang Juzheng was also upset after Wei Guangde left.

In fact, he was also aware that Wei Guangde might not be able to accept the memorial so easily.

Moreover, he never showed it to Zhang Siwei and others.

In Zhang Juzheng's eyes, if he showed it to them directly, even if they chose to support it, they would probably be dissatisfied.

Wei Guangde's test made him believe even more that there were probably many officials in the court who cared about this.

However, Zhang Juzheng was determined to push this matter through, so he planned to persuade Wei Guangde first.

As long as Wei Guangde supports or acquiesces, no one else can cause any trouble.

In fact, Zhang Juzheng had a further vision when it came to rectifying education.

At this moment, the imperial examination system in the Ming Dynasty was plagued by many drawbacks. What he wanted was not only to prohibit scholars from participating in politics, but also to rectify the style of study and stop the unhealthy trend of finding ways and seeking favors in the imperial examinations.

From the Ming Dynasty to the present, corruption has been prevalent from top to bottom, and one of the drawbacks it has brought is class stratification, especially fraud in the imperial examinations.

There was something Zhang Juzheng did not say when he talked to Wei Guangde before, because he knew that Wei Guangde's eldest son had already set out to return to Jiangxi to prepare to take part in the imperial examination in Jiangxi.

Wei Guangde also made arrangements for this six months in advance, which was to adjust the educational administration in Jiangxi.

Wei Guangde didn't say it, but Zhang Juzheng knew it in his heart. It could be said that it was to ensure that his son won the title of scholar.

As for the provincial examination, it is still early, and Wei Guangde may take other actions by then.

These were all things he couldn't refuse.

If Zhang Juzheng had said at that time that he wanted to rectify the academic style, Wei Guangde would have thought too much and might have firmly rejected this policy.

"Ugh"

Zhang Juzheng sighed deeply, feeling very tired. Why was it so difficult for him to do something? (End of this chapter)