Late Yuan Dynasty: I am the true emperor

Chapter 520 Resurrecting the Yongkang School
Hearing Lu Jin say that the imperial examinations were definitely more difficult than this, Ye Chen wasn't too surprised, but he asked again.

"If Your Majesty means it this way, then this primary school will be like the old elementary school, but even the elementary school seems to be much simpler than before. In the past, elementary school students at least had to learn the 'Four Books'."

"Although this set of primary school textbooks is comprehensive, it still feels a bit disorganized, especially regarding Confucian classics, which are very few. I wonder if the Four Books and Five Classics and other Confucian classics will still be included in the subsequent junior high, senior high, and university education? Or does His Majesty intend to abandon Confucianism?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin immediately shook his head. "Of course we will not abandon Confucianism, but we will also not allow Confucianism to dominate. The Four Books and Five Classics will still be preserved. Let Mr. Jinglian introduce them to you in more detail."

Song Lian, whose name was suddenly called, was taken aback. However, as the chief editor of the liberal arts textbook, he did have an obligation to explain, so he immediately began to introduce Ye Chen.

According to Lu Jin's previous instructions and requirements, students will study the same material before high school. After high school, they will be divided into arts and sciences majors. In literature, Confucianism will still be the primary focus, while also covering other schools of thought. The content of the Four Books and Five Classics will not be fully included in the textbooks, but only excerpts of various articles. At the same time, some classic articles from Xunzi, Han Feizi, and Mencius will also be added to the textbooks.

If you want to specialize in the Four Books and Five Classics, you can apply for the Five Classics subject when you take the college entrance exam, where you will be taught by great Confucian scholars.

After Song Lian finished his introduction, Lu Jincai added, "Moreover, I do not like the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism. Even when I go to the Five Classics course at the university, I will not take the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism as the standard. It would be best if new theories could be developed on the basis of Confucian classics."

Ye Chen immediately frowned and asked, "Why? Is Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism wrong?"

Lu Jin replied, “I don’t care whether he is right or wrong. I only know that the Southern Song Dynasty actually perished because of Emperor Lizong and Zhu Xi. It was after Emperor Lizong made Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism the designated textbook for the imperial examinations that the literati of the Southern Song Dynasty could only talk about human nature and principles, avoiding the real issues and focusing on the abstract. From then on, they never talked about the Northern Expedition to reclaim their lost territories. They were content to live in a corner of Jiangnan and wait for their demise. What use is there in keeping such pedantic and cynical learning?”
"If the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism is really that good, then why did the Southern Song Dynasty, which carried forward and promoted it, disappear?"

Hearing this, Ye Chen frowned even more deeply.

Upon hearing this, Song Lian pondered for a moment and then said, “Your Majesty, although I have not followed Your Majesty for long, I have been with you for a year and a half. Observing Your Majesty’s strategies for governing the country, they are actually more similar to the Yongkang School of the former Song Dynasty, and even almost identical to the Yongkang School. If Your Majesty does not wish to promote Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, you may consider the Yongkang School.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen suddenly understood, while Lu Jin frowned and asked curiously, "What is the Yongkang School?"

Song Lian immediately explained again, “The founder of the Yongkang School was named Chen Liang, also known as Mr. Longchuan. He was a contemporary of Zhu Xi during the reign of Emperor Lizong of Song. He was a friend of Xin Qiji and a rival of Zhu Xi. The two had a good personal relationship, but due to academic disputes, they corresponded with each other for several years and debated countless times. In the end, Emperor Lizong made Neo-Confucianism the official school, and the academic debate between the two ended.”

"Chen Longchuan's Yongkang School's core proposition is 'to pursue both righteousness and profit, and to use both benevolent and hegemonic methods.' Therefore, it is also known as the pragmatic school, which emphasizes pragmatism, advocates being realistic and avoiding empty talk, values ​​profit, reforms, and the Northern Expedition. Because Chen Liang was from Yongkang, Wuzhou, this school is called the Yongkang School or the Longchuan School."

"I have heard that Your Majesty killed many Goryeo envoys and generals in Dadu during this northern expedition in order to intimidate Goryeo. This is tyranny. Your Majesty also ordered Wang Huanzhang to explore the South Seas and negotiate with Brunei to divide Sulu. This is pragmatism. Your Majesty also advocates to develop industry and commerce. This is profit-oriented. Now you want to reform education. All the ministries set up by the State Council are also focused on practical matters. This is being pragmatic and avoiding empty talk."

"As for military matters, he was similar to Chen Longchuan and Xin Qiji, advocating the recovery of lost territories and the expansion of the territory."

"Pursuing both righteousness and profit, employing both benevolent and hegemonic methods, focusing on practicality and avoiding superficiality, expanding territory, and implementing reforms, are almost identical to Your Majesty's governing strategies. That is why I say Your Majesty's actions are similar to those of the Yongkang School."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin opened his mouth in surprise and exclaimed, "The Southern Song Dynasty actually had such a figure? This Chen Liang debated with Zhu Xi for several years, so he must have been quite famous back then. Why wasn't he given an important position? Did Emperor Lizong of Song look down on him?"

"No, that's not it. In fact, Emperor Lizong once recruited Chen Liang to serve as an official, but this man was arrogant and conceited, so he resigned and ran away," Song Lian immediately explained.

"They ran away." Lu Jin was speechless for a moment upon hearing this. They ran away? That's good enough. But after thinking about it carefully, he sighed.

"Two schools of thought emerged at the same time. One advocated for a peaceful existence in a corner of the country and empty talk about human nature and principles, while the other advocated for pragmatism and avoiding empty talk, and recovering lost territories. In fact, it was a choice. The emperors and ministers of the Southern Song Dynasty chose to maintain a peaceful existence in a corner of the country and did not want to launch a northern expedition. Therefore, they chose Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucianism."

"Perhaps Chen Liang saw through the attitude of these incompetent emperors and treacherous officials who only wanted to maintain their own corner of the country. They could not tolerate him in Emperor Lizong's court, so he became disheartened and resigned. In that case, we can only say that the Southern Song Dynasty deserved to fall! It's just a pity for such a talented person."

"If I had been born in that era, I would have become friends with Chen Liang and Xin Qiji. However, I would not have debated with a cynic like Zhu Xi. I would most likely have gone north to surrender to the Jin dynasty, then raised an army to rebel against the Jin, first destroying the Jin dynasty, and then going south to destroy the Song dynasty."

"These cowards who only want to live in peace and security are not worthy of being called the true successors of China."

"..." Everyone present was speechless upon hearing this, but they really didn't dare to think that Lu Jin was bragging. After all, the man in front of them really dared to raise an army against the Yuan Dynasty, pacify the world in three years, and successfully launch a northern expedition. With such a heaven-defying feat, who dares to say that Lu Jin wouldn't have achieved great things if he had lived during the Song-Jin period?

Lu Jin calmed himself down and then asked again, "Does the Yongkang School still have any successors?"

Song Lian immediately shook his head. "No, after Emperor Lizong of Song designated Neo-Confucianism as the official school, Chen Liang resigned and returned to his hometown. He did run a school in his hometown and took in some disciples, but the situation was such that Neo-Confucianism had become the official school. Even if some disciples of the Yongkang School had some, it was difficult for them to enter the court and participate in politics, so it gradually weakened."

"After the fall of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Yongkang School declined even further. However, its academic thought was not completely cut off. Instead, it spread and flourished near Wuzhou Road, gradually merging with Neo-Confucianism. In fact, my grandmaster was one of the successors of the Yongkang School."

Lu Jin was taken aback. "Aren't you and Tuotuo from the same teacher? Could it be that Tuotuo is also a successor of the Yongkang School?"

"Of course not. The pure Yongkang School no longer exists; it has simply merged with Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism. Besides, I have studied under many teachers, and the claim that I was classmates with Tuotuo is just a popular joke. I have never considered Tuotuo to be my classmate."

"It's a real pity that not a single successor has been left behind," Lu Jin remarked with emotion.

He used to be a pure science student and had no idea that the Confucian school had ever produced a school called the Yongkang School. Moreover, this Chen Liang was actually a friend of Xin Qiji and argued with Zhu Xi. You could tell what kind of person he was just by listening to him. It's just that he was born in the wrong era. If there were someone like him now, Lu Jin would definitely give him an important position.

Seeing that Lu Jin seemed regretful, Song Lian immediately said again, "Actually, Your Majesty need not feel regret. The decline of the Yongkang School was certainly due to the times, but it was also due to Chen Longchuan's own reasons. Although Chen put forward his ideas at that time, his theories were not substantial and it was normal that they could not compare with Zhu Xi's Neo-Confucianism."

"As for talent and schools of thought, I believe that before long, new schools of thought suitable for the new dynasty will emerge, and they may even be more perfect than the Yongkang School."

Lu Jin smiled upon hearing this, and then asked Song Lian meaningfully, "Mr. Jinglian should also be inclined towards Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, right? Don't you feel any resentment towards my encouragement of this 'quick-fix' school of thought?"

Song Lian immediately said solemnly, “As the saying goes, ‘If the ruler has a certain preference, the people will surely follow suit.’ If Your Majesty insists on governing in this way, there will naturally be people below who will flatter Your Majesty’s wishes, revive the Yongkang School, and even develop and expand it. How can my dislike or dissatisfaction affect this?”

"Furthermore, I am, in fact, half a descendant of Yongkang. I do not oppose Your Majesty's pragmatic governance, but I still wish to offer a word of advice. Even if Lord Chen were still alive, his philosophy was to pursue both righteousness and profit, and to employ both benevolent and tyrannical methods. I do not oppose pursuing profit in business, nor do I oppose Your Majesty's domineering actions, but I hope that when Your Majesty does these things, you will not forget where righteousness lies, and that benevolence precedes tyranny." Upon hearing this, Lu Jin smiled again and immediately retorted, "So, are you saying that I lack righteousness and only value profit?"

Song Lian was about to explain again when Lu Jin waved his hand to interrupt him.

"Since you have advised me, I would like to remind you that the so-called combination of benevolence and hegemony should be benevolence within and hegemony without. I have been a bit domineering towards small vassal states like Goryeo, Brunei, and Sulu, but isn't there a saying that goes, 'Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts,' and 'Barbarians fear our power but do not cherish our virtue'?"

"No matter how kind you are to a jackal, it won't listen to reason with you, or even want to listen. Only by using force and beating the beast into submission, making it fear the force in your hand, will it become as obedient as a dog. As for using the 'rule of kings' and trying to influence the jackals with reason, that's all nonsense. Even if you really want to use the 'rule of kings', that's only after the tyranny has taken effect."

"There is also the principle of pursuing both righteousness and profit. What is righteousness? What is profit? The nine-tiered tax system restricts the gentry from annexing land, allowing ordinary people to have land to cultivate and houses to live in. This is the true principle, not the petty squabbles about loyalty that a few gentry and pedantic scholars talk about."

"As for profit, the imperial court should vigorously promote industry and commerce, so that those gentry who only know how to annex land and exploit the common people by lending money at high interest rates can turn to industry and commerce. This will not only increase tax revenue and enrich the country and strengthen the army, but also allow them to make private profits. It can also absorb displaced people to work and solve the problem of land annexation caused by population growth. This is the real benefit to the country and the people."

"This is the true combination of benevolent rule and ruthless power, and the pursuit of both righteousness and profit. Do you agree, sir?"

Following Lu Jin's explanation, Song Lian really couldn't refute it. After hesitating for a moment, he could only cup his hands and say, "Your Majesty's words have enlightened me. I have learned a lot."

Lu Jin nodded, then looked at Ye Chen and asked, "Mr. Ye, is there anything else you want to ask?"

Ye Chen had never met Lu Jin before and did not know the emperor's character and governance. It was only after hearing Lu Jin and Song Lian's dialogue today that he roughly understood Lu Jin's attitude towards governance and gained a clear impression of Lu Jin.

However, schools of thought were not of much concern to him. Since Lu Jin had asked him to ask questions, he continued to ask questions based on the textbook.

Then Ye Chen asked again, "Your Majesty, this teaching material seems to be intended to replace the previous rhyme books with this pinyin, and even the tones are to be fixed. Also, many characters are written in the vernacular form, and many characters that did not originally have vernacular forms have been deliberately made vernacular. I wonder what the purpose of this is?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Jin immediately asked, "Sir, do you know what Qin Shi Huang's intention was in standardizing the written language and the width of carts?"

"Of course I know that."

Lu Jin nodded immediately. “Whatever the First Emperor’s intention is, that’s what I intend. Promoting pinyin is not only about unifying the written language, but also about unifying the pronunciation. More importantly, pinyin is easier to learn than rhyming books. Actively simplifying some complex Chinese characters is also to reduce the difficulty of learning to write.”

"The purpose of these two things together is twofold: first, to lower the threshold for learning and education so that more people can receive education; and second, to make it easier to assimilate the barbarians and bridge the gap between the North and the South."

“The northern lands such as Yanyun and Liaodong have long been outside the rule of the emperor for hundreds of years. If we don’t do this, how can we make the southerners eliminate their contempt for the northerners, and how can we make the northerners know that they were once the descendants of the Han dynasty?”

"I see, I understand now." Ye Chen then clasped his hands in acknowledgment.

"Hmm." Lu Jin nodded and asked again, "Does anyone still have questions about the new textbooks?"

At this moment, Feng Guoyong, who had been silent until now, immediately said, "Your Majesty, I have no questions about the content of these textbooks, but with so many books to be distributed free of charge to students across the country, and considering Your Majesty's previous statement that each county should have at least one primary school, this expense is probably higher than the military expenditure. Can the court afford it?"

Everyone nodded in agreement. It was indeed a serious problem, but Lu Jin was very determined to promote compulsory education, so all they could do was help find a solution.

So Li Shanchang immediately said, “If books are well protected and don’t need to be replaced every year, the court would naturally be unable to afford the expense if each new student received a new set of books. But if five or ten students share a set of textbooks and each book can be used for several more years, the expense would naturally be reduced, and the court would not be unable to bear it.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Guoyong asked again, "What if the textbooks are damaged or lost?"

"Then let the students pay for it at the original price, just enough to cover the cost of the materials, or let them copy the book themselves to make up the difference," Li Shanchang said immediately.

Song Lian then asked, "Reviewing the old helps one learn the new, which makes one fit to be a teacher. But what if students want to review their textbooks? If the books are left for the next batch of freshmen, what should students who have already moved on to higher education do if they want to review them?"

Li Shanchang immediately added, "Then let them copy the books themselves or borrow them. As long as they want to learn, what's there to worry about?"

So everyone fell silent, and Lu Jin frowned upon hearing this.

It is obviously unrealistic to ask students to copy or borrow books. Wouldn't that just shift the cost of buying books onto the students? If students have to buy their own textbooks, it goes without saying that it's unfair to children from wealthy families, but it's unfair to children from poor families.

It's said that children from poor families mature early. Many parents already rely on these teenagers to help with household chores. The obstacles to their schooling are already greater. If you expect parents to pay for their books, isn't that just creating unnecessary educational barriers for them? What's the point of talking about compulsory education then?

But ultimately, this is a matter of productivity. With current productivity, it's really impossible to support compulsory education. Lu Jin doesn't have any good solutions right now. Even if he uses his superpowers to climb the technology tree, it will still take time.

Thinking of this, Lu Jin took a deep breath before saying, "Mr. Bai Shi is right. There are always more solutions than problems, and something is better than nothing. Even if this is unfair to children from poor families, at least it gives them a path to education. For now, this is the only way. Let's hope that as many people as we can produce, it's better than none at all."

"However, this method is only a temporary measure. If the court wants to popularize modern education, it cannot continue like this. Therefore, this method will be implemented on a trial basis for five years. After five years, we must find a way to ensure that every new student has their own books."

Everyone nodded in agreement, but how easy would it be to ensure that every freshman class has their own book five years from now?

Just then, Lu Jin suddenly turned his gaze to Ye Chen again and asked, "I heard that when Mr. Ye was serving as the county magistrate of Shexian County, he oversaw papermaking, producing five million sheets of paper a year. Is that true?"

Ye Chen immediately cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case."

(End of this chapter)