Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 503: Zhuge Liang: I am a commoner, tilling the land in Nanyang
"Is this serious?"

"It's true."

Guo Jia replied respectfully, with a look of worry on his face, "Your Majesty, recently there has been a growing debate about the Imperial College, with scholars and common people arguing about it."

"Zheng Xuan is coming out of seclusion to Chang'an at this time. I'm afraid he is also coming for the Imperial College. We can't ignore him."

Since its establishment, Hongdu School has been controversial and has been criticized and boycotted by many orthodox scholar-officials. They believed that the students of Hongdu School obtained high positions and generous salaries by relying on their "minor skills", which was not in line with traditional Confucian values ​​and official selection standards.

Although the Imperial College was different from the Hongdu School, they were essentially contrary to traditional Confucianism and the standards for selecting officials.

Zheng Xuan came from a noble family and devoted his life to the study, annotation and inheritance of Confucian classics. He was opposed to the establishment of Hongdumen School, so it is conceivable that he could not have had any good feelings towards the Imperial College.

The debate over the Imperial College is so intense now. If Zheng Xuan, a highly prestigious Confucian scholar, openly opposes the establishment of the Imperial College, all the previous efforts of the court will be in vain.

Zheng Xuan's influence is really too great.

After hearing what Guo Jia said, Liu Xie couldn't help but frowned deeply and fell into deep thought.

Jia Xu, who was standing by, had a cold light in his eyes and whispered, "Your Majesty, do you want me to send someone..."

"Absolutely not!"

Before Jia Xu could finish, Guo Jia's face changed drastically and he interrupted him directly, "The news of Zheng Xuan's coming out of seclusion has already spread. If something happens to him at this critical moment, it will surely shock the scholars all over the world!"

How could Guo Jia not know Jia Xu's methods.

What Jia Xu meant was that since the problem could not be solved, then the person who caused the problem should be solved, and Zheng Xuan should be killed halfway.

Although Guo Jia did not reject this approach for the sake of reform, it was absolutely unacceptable under the current circumstances.

Now scholars all over the world are waiting for this great literary scholar to express his opinion. If he dies at this time, it is easy to associate it with the imperial court.

Instead of calming down, public opinion will become more and more intense.

People all over the world would think that the emperor was incompetent and that he established the Imperial Academy solely for the convenience of promoting and appointing officials according to his own preferences. For this purpose, he even killed a great scholar of the time and closed the channels of speech.

This infamy cannot be borne.

Liu Xie also knew the stakes, so he asked, "Feng Xiao, what do you think about this matter? Or do you have any solution?"

Guo Jia pondered for a moment before saying, "I think Zheng Xuan has great influence among the scholars, so we can make use of it."

"Use? How?"

Liu Xie raised his eyebrows and asked.

Guo Jia continued, "Since its establishment, the Imperial College has encountered many obstacles and has never been able to gain a firm foothold. The reason is that it lacks the recognition of a person with sufficient influence and prestige to convince the scholars of the world."

"Therefore, if we can find a way to convince Zheng Xuan to change his mind and support the establishment of the Imperial College, the opposition voices will naturally disappear."

“This is the best solution.”

Liu Xie felt disappointed when he heard this. He also knew that it would be best to persuade Zheng Xuan, but the question was how to persuade him?

He is a master who comes from a noble family and has studied Confucianism all his life. How can you ask him to change his mind about selecting scholars based on Confucianism?

Moreover, Zheng Xuan was an extraordinary person. He neither cared about fame and fortune nor liked being an official. He was simply impeccable.

Guo Jia also knew that what he said was nonsense.

I couldn't help but look embarrassed.

But at this moment, an idea suddenly flashed in his mind, and he said, "Your Majesty, since the debate about the Imperial College is so intense, why not simply imitate the Shiqu Pavilion meeting and hold a debate on this matter?"

"If we can win the debate against Zheng Xuan, then no matter how much he objects, he won't be able to stop the opening of the Imperial College!"

The Shiqu Pavilion Conference was an important academic discussion meeting held in the Shiqu Pavilion north of the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an in the third year of Emperor Xuan's Ganlu reign.

After Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty "abolished all schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone", New Text Confucianism became the ruling ideology, but many factions formed within it, arguing with each other and refusing to give in. Among them, the most intense debate was between the Gongyang and Guliang schools of the Spring and Autumn Annals.

So Emperor Xuan summoned about 23 famous Confucian scholars, including Xiao Wangzhi, Liu Xiang, Wei Xuancheng, Xue Guangde, Shi Xiu, and Liang Qiulin, to hold a meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Xiao Wangzhi, the Prince's Tutor, and Emperor Xuan of Han personally attended the meeting to make the final decision. The meeting discussed the similarities and differences of the Five Classics and commented on the gains and losses of the Gongyang and Guliang schools.

This conference finally established the official Confucian classics, namely, adding the Great and Small Xiahou Doctors of "Shangshu" and "Guliang", making all the schools of Modern Confucian classics official schools, and formed some common conclusions, basically establishing the fourteen Doctors of Confucian classics, laying a solid foundation for the establishment of a unified Confucian classics.

Later, Emperor Zhang's Baihuguan Conference was also modeled after the Shiquge Conference, which further eliminated the differences within Confucian classics.

Although the current situation is different from that during the reigns of Emperor Xuan and Emperor Zhang, it is essentially the same.

That is, whether to select scholars based on Confucianism or new learning.

"Your Majesty, if this debate is successful, it will pave the way for the imperial examination system to replace the recommendation system in the future!"

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

The more Guo Jia thought about it, the more excited he became. In his original imagination, this debate would not come until many years later.

Because the Imperial College was merely a prelude and trial to the reform of the imperial examination system.

But he did not expect that the opening of the Imperial College would trigger such a fierce backlash from the aristocratic group, and even forced Zheng Xuan to come out of retirement. In this case, the debate had to be brought forward.

"This is a good idea."

Liu Xie thought about it and felt that Guo Jia’s proposal was very feasible. If he could refute Zheng Xuan, who would still have objections to the Imperial College?
This was also of great help in the later abolition of the recommendation system and the implementation of the imperial examination system.

"But Zheng Xuan is the master of Confucianism. It is not easy to refute him. Who can take on this task?"

Jia Xu said that he was not good at debating.

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia said without hesitation: "I will have a seat in this debate! I will represent the Imperial College to debate with Zheng Xuan!"

"Can you do it?"

After hearing this, Jia Xu showed doubt on his face. Although Guo Jia was very talented, the other party was Zheng Xuan after all.

Can Guo Jia defeat Zheng Xuan in a debate?

Guo Jia said, "Everything depends on human effort. Since I am the chief priest of the Imperial Academy, how can I retreat at this critical moment?"

"Even if I can't win the debate against Zheng Xuan, I can't remain silent!"

"Besides, I am not alone. Although there are many people in the government and the public who oppose the Imperial College, there are also many people who support the establishment of the Imperial College."

"It is still unknown who will win."

If I lose the debate this time, the worst that can happen is that I can find another opportunity to debate again later. But if I back down, I will never have a chance to turn things around.

"It seems that Fengxiao has also given it his all."

Liu Xie couldn't help but laugh when he heard this, and patted his shoulder. "But you don't have to worry, I will find a suitable helper for you."

When it comes to debate, someone is naturally indispensable.

Liu Xie cast his gaze towards Zhuge Liang, who was watching the pandas with other officials in the imperial garden, and smiled slightly. …

Half an hour later, greenhouse.

Zhuge Liang walked in, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, what is your command?"

After seeing the Pi Xiu in the Imperial Garden, he returned to the Xuanshi Hall to continue handling government affairs. Then he was summoned by the Emperor and came over immediately.

But I don't know what the emperor wants to see him about.

Liu Xie said in a friendly manner: "Kong Ming, have you been working hard recently? Are you tired?"

Hearing the emperor's concern, Zhuge Liang felt warm in his heart and said, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. Although the government affairs are a bit heavy recently, I can still handle it."

"Besides, the cabinet also has the Grand Secretaries to share the burden with, so I can't say that I have a hard time."

Liu Xie nodded and said, "That's good. You still have to take care of your health. If there is anything, please let Zhongda do it."

Zhuge Liang was stunned when he heard this, feeling a little confused.

Let Sima Yi do it. What does the emperor mean by saying this?
Sima Yi worked very hard.

Is the emperor hinting at his laziness?
Thinking of this, Zhuge Liang immediately bowed to Liu Xie and said, "I will work harder and will never let your majesty down!"

"?"

A question mark slowly appeared above Liu Xie's head.

I was very confused.

He just asked Zhuge Liang to take good care of his health, so how come it became an encouragement when Zhuge Liang heard it?
"Kong Ming, you think too much. That's not what I meant... Never mind, let's talk business."

Liu Xie originally wanted to explain, but he felt that the more he explained, the worse it would be, so he ended the small talk and went straight to the purpose of coming to Zhuge Liang.

"Don't kneel, sit down first."

Liu Xie pointed to a seat not far away, and waited for Zhuge Liang to sit down before saying, "Does Kongming know about the recent discussions about the Imperial College in the court and the public?"

Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and said, "I have heard that scholars and common people have mixed opinions on the establishment of the Imperial College, and the debate is very heated now."

"Well...what do you think?"

Liu Xie looked at Zhuge Liang with his eyes sharp and asked, Zhuge Liang's attitude in this matter was very important, because he wanted to ask Zhuge Liang to attend the debate with Zheng Xuan. If Zhuge Liang also held an opposing attitude towards the Imperial College, it would be difficult to deal with.

Facing the question raised by the emperor, Zhuge Liang pondered for a moment before answering: "Your Majesty, I think it is a good thing to open the Imperial College."

"Although many people in the government and the public say that the four new subjects opened by the Imperial College are too pragmatic and violate the traditional Confucian concept of governing the country."

"But I think that Confucian classics are mostly about idle talk. We can learn from their spirit, but we can't just copy them blindly."

"The way to govern a country is to improve laws, select talented people, reduce taxes and levies, and develop military strength. These are the real things."

"The Imperial College has four departments: mathematics, criminal law, engineering, and politics. All of them are closely related to governing the country. I can also see your majesty's lofty ideals from them."

"Opening the Imperial College will bring a hundred benefits to the country and no harm."

Zhuge Liang frankly expressed his views on the Imperial College. As a person from a noble family, he actually supported the establishment of the Imperial College.

After hearing his words, Liu Xie felt relieved and couldn't help but sigh: "If everyone in the world could have the same views as Kong Ming, the establishment of the Imperial College would not be so difficult, and the Han Dynasty would flourish."

Seeing the emperor like this, Zhuge Liang guessed the reason why the emperor asked him to come here today, which was probably related to the Imperial College.

"Your Majesty, has the Imperial College encountered any difficulties?"

Zhuge Liang asked proactively.

Liu Xie did not deny it and said frankly: "The opening of the Imperial College has had a great impact on the gentry. Now there are more and more voices of opposition from both the government and the public."

"Just now Fengxiao told me that Zheng Xuan has come out of seclusion and is on his way to Chang'an."

"Zheng Xuan is a great scholar of the time. He opposed the Hongdu School established by the previous emperor. Now he has come to Chang'an to oppose the establishment of the Imperial Academy."

Zhuge Liang was slightly surprised when he heard this.

Zheng Xuan is coming to Chang'an?

After thinking for a while, he sat up straight and asked seriously, "Your Majesty, may I ask how I can help you relieve your worries?"

That's the benefit of chatting with smart people.

Seeing Zhuge Liang's initiative, Liu Xie no longer concealed it and said, "Feng Xiao suggested to me that I should follow the example of the Shiqu Pavilion Conference and the Baihuguan Conference and also hold a debate to discuss whether to select talents by Confucianism or new learning."

"This debate involves a great deal of importance. It is not just about whether the Imperial College can survive, but is directly related to the development plan of our Han Dynasty for the next hundred years."

"Kong Ming is resourceful and eloquent, so I want him to participate in this debate and debate with Zheng Xuan."

Liu Xie stated his purpose and added: "Zheng Xuan is the master of Confucianism. I know how difficult this matter is."

"So whether Kong Ming participates in this debate is entirely up to him. If Kong Ming is unwilling to participate, I will not blame you."

Being born into a noble family, Zhuge Liang represented the Imperial College to debate with Zheng Xuan. Regardless of whether he won or lost, he would inevitably be criticized.

Therefore, whether to participate in this debate is entirely up to Zhuge Liang himself, he will not force it.

But what Liu Xie did not expect was that after he finished speaking, Zhuge Liang said without hesitation: "I am willing to represent the Imperial College to attend."

"Ok?"

Liu Xie was stunned and couldn't help asking, "Are you sure you don't want to think about it carefully? This matter is very serious."

"I have thought it through."

Zhuge Liang nodded slightly and said, "Sir, the Imperial College is a good thing that benefits the country and the people. Since I am a Han official, I should consider the future of the Han Dynasty."

"Personally, I am a commoner, working as a farmer in Nanyang. Your Majesty did not regard me as humble, but sent an envoy from afar to visit me and entrusted me with important tasks."

"Your Majesty's kindness to me is as great as Mount Tai, and I have no way to repay you. Now that Your Majesty is in need of someone, how can I ignore it just to save my reputation?"

"This is not my way."

"Therefore, I am willing to participate in this debate with Zheng Xuan. No matter what the result is, I will not let your majesty down."

Liu Xie looked at Zhuge Liang in front of him, whose expression was firm, eyes were clear and full of enthusiasm, and was slightly dazed.

He opened his mouth but ultimately couldn't say anything. He just reached out and patted Zhuge Liang on the shoulder.

it is more than words.

Zhuge Liang bowed, then stood up and left.

(End of this chapter)