Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 212: Fight violence with violence, survival of the fittest

Gu Xiancheng and Gao Panlong were very worried that the emperor would know them as well as he knew those two men.

When he heard the emperor's question, Gu Xiancheng was still kneeling, his legs and scalp felt a little numb.

"…Although the government is good for the people, it is difficult to implement, so many officials in the court are hesitant. Some are selfish, or they don't dare to take on the responsibility. I, the common people, use this as an example when I teach in the academy, and encourage students not to learn from them if they become officials in the future."

Sounds very loyal and righteous.

Zhu Changluo just said calmly: "In the court, in front of me, you don't need to talk about these things. How to be an official, I have opened a Tongzheng Academy. You academies, what should you talk about, you should have a scale in your heart. There have been many cases of banning academies in the past. Do you blame the academies for teaching and educating people?"

Gu Xiancheng glanced at Zhu Changluo, felt sweating profusely, and immediately lowered his head.

In just a glance, the emperor's eyes seemed to see through everything.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you clearly." Zhu Changluo looked at the civil and military officials, "Officials are officials, and the people are the people. The country was conquered, and the greatest means of the country is to fight violence with violence. If you don't understand this principle, cross the red line of the real people's sentiments, and try to influence the court with the opinions of the opposition, it is tantamount to treason. Those who hold official positions should understand the people's sentiments, but they should know that their primary identity is an official, and they don't have to be too afraid of the so-called people's sentiments."

Gu Xiancheng was shocked when he heard this, but the emperor continued to speak.

"Before and after entering the government, it is inevitable that we are from the same school, hometown, and class. Once we put on the official robes and hats, we are all defenders of the court and the country. How to gain fame and status, how to pass the examinations and get promoted, are mainly the ways given by the country, not the ways given by certain people." Zhu Changluo looked at everyone, "Because of political views, because of various reasons, there are parties and factions in the court, I know all of this."

"This is not surprising. Controversy is the key to correcting deficiencies." Zhu Changluo pointed at the two people, "But you must also remember that there are many people in the opposition watching. If you are attacked, you can't let people attack you out of selfishness or morality. Those who are in their positions have many concerns, which is normal. Those who are not in their positions naturally have fewer concerns and can talk big. It is easy for them to say a few words and write a few articles, but if your reputation is ruined, it will be more difficult to do things in the future."

Gao Panlong straightened his back and prepared to speak.

Zhu Changluo looked at them coldly and said, "You are all former officials, so you will understand whether what I said is right or wrong. I will say it again. When teaching, you should teach well, talk about knowledge, reason, and being a good person. As for how to be an official, the court has the Jinxian Academy and the Tongzheng Academy."

Gu Xiancheng pulled Gao Panlong's sleeve, kowtowed and said, "I will obey the imperial edict."

The emperor even said that the country's greatest means is to fight violence with violence. How could he not understand what he really wanted to say?
If you open a college, just be a teacher, don't be like a university scholar and give advice on state affairs and promote political views.

This is what the emperor requires, and the emperor is still giving opportunities.

Today, it was confirmed that the emperor was extraordinary. The court became what it is today, not because Wang Xijue was more favored by the emperor, but because the emperor wanted it this way.

"All the academies, Jinxian Academy and the Ministry of Rites in the country should pass on today's meaning." Zhu Changluo said coldly, "If the gentry have different opinions on the government, they can only change it by serving as officials in the court and making suggestions. If they really want to express their opinions, the court will not block their way. But as long as they are still in the opposition, they have no choice but to follow the court's orders. The country treats the gentry preferentially in order to encourage talented people to serve as officials and benefit the people, and in order for the gentry in the opposition to help local officials govern the land and keep the people safe. Those who cannot do so are the enemies of the court."

After hearing such crude and straightforward words, Gu Xiancheng and Gao Panlong left with heavy hearts.

Such crude and straightforward words really suited Li Zhi's taste.

Li Zhi was quite surprised that the emperor made such a big speech at the court meeting but the officials did not make a fuss or express their opinions.

He was the only one left among the five people. After looking at him, the emperor relaxed from his serious state and smiled.

"You all know Li Hongfu, and you all know me." Zhu Changluo said this first. "Are you all afraid that I will believe in so-called heresy and shake the foundation of culture and education?"

Shen Shixing said worriedly: "Your Majesty..."

"No hurry." Zhu Changluo pressed his palm. "When I set up the Hundred Schools Garden, I said that Confucianism is the essence and the Hundred Schools are the use. I don't want to talk about the big principles. I have offended many officials and gentry in the world. I set up the Privy Council and said that violence should be countered with violence. You all have understood my intentions."

Kong Shangxian's body trembled slightly. Many civil officials in the civil class looked at the civil officials in the military class with worried eyes, and then looked at the backs of the emperor, Shen Shixing and Li Zhi.

"Learning helps the emperor and the court govern the world. The unchanging truth is of course simple. It is easy to learn, easy to teach, and easy to practice." Zhu Changluo looked at Shen Shixing, "It is very difficult to change. If you succeed, you will be a new sage; if you fail, you will be a heretic. Students all over the world are at a loss, and they are all worried that there is a problem with the steps they have clearly taken to advance."

Li Zhi had witnessed the level of frankness in speeches at court meetings today.

The emperor also looked at him and said, "Zhao Song had Cheng Zhu, and Ming also had three people worshipped in the Confucius Temple. Knowledge should be constantly updated. Do people of insight really think that today is the same as Zhao Song, Han and Tang, and the Spring and Autumn Period and the pre-Qin period? Even houses need to be repaired, let alone the great cause of knowledge? I also think that many of Li Hongfu's statements are indeed a bit extreme."

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment, but the emperor looked at Kong Shangxian again: "However, the gains and losses of culture and education are obvious to all. Can we blame it all on the corrupt nature of some people? As the saying goes, a disciple need not be inferior to his teacher, and a disciple can surpass his teacher."

Finally, Shen Shixing said: "Rumo is the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy. I have re-established the Imperial College and entrusted the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel and other government offices to the Jinxian Academy. What is a virtuous person and what path of learning a virtuous person should take is an issue that should be proactively resolved by the court, rather than letting the great scholars of the court and the public express their own opinions."

After a pause, Zhu Changluo raised his voice a little: "I am the king of a country! I don't care what the kings of past dynasties think. But I speak frankly. I respect culture and education that are beneficial to the country. I am not a student trembling under dogma. Nowadays, culture and education are still more beneficial than harmful to the country, so I will still respect them. But I will not ignore its disadvantages. In the Taichang period, whether the great way of learning can be further improved is the responsibility of today's Taichang University Scholar and tomorrow's Wenxiang, as well as the responsibility of all of you!" Using his status as an emperor, Zhu Changluo directly put himself in the position of the ancient times that they most respected: at that time, kings and emperors used whatever was useful.

Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, Mohism... whose status is innate?
Now the emperor did not deny the status of Confucianism, but he made it clear again: you must be useful, and more useful.

As the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat and the future Minister of Culture explicitly recognized by the emperor, his responsibilities were also determined: to establish, publicize and innovate political ideas.

It is something that should be done proactively, rather than waiting for some great scholar or wise man to appear.

"Issue an imperial decree to recruit Li Zhi as a scholar of the Jinxian Academy, recruit great scholars from the court and the public to hold the title of scholars of the Taichang Academy, and change the Taichang Temple to focus on studying knowledge." Zhu Changluo put this catfish in. "The dispute over knowledge is just like the dispute between political views and factions in the court. It is a good thing for the country, and it fills the gaps! Fighting without breaking, and not against people, is all for the country and for the inheritance of the great way!"

Shen Shixing didn't even get to say a few more words before the emperor gave his opinion without question.

Can he, the Grand Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, win the debate against Li Zhi? Will the final result be recognized by the emperor?
The emperor allowed foreign aid.

He just sits on the mountain and watches the fight between two tigers, and will always choose a result that is ultimately beneficial to him.

In July of the second year of Taichang, the eldest son of the emperor was born. The emperor made the Privy Council public and also made his attitude towards academic and local new policies public, without caring about the opinions of officials and gentry across the world.

Fight violence with violence, and the fittest will survive.

The opportunity only lasts until the second year of Taichang, when there is a window of acquittal.

Since the third year of Taichang, the theme seems to have been fully established: getting rid of the old and welcoming the new.

Don't be the old that is eliminated, be the new that actively changes.

The final report card for the year was sent to the local governments: How was the implementation of the policy of strict preferential treatment? What were the results of the gentry assessment? What new talents emerged from the imperial examination? What educational, water conservancy, and road and bridge projects were planned for the next three years? How much should be submitted and how much should be retained starting next year?
Shen Yikuan didn't know about these things yet. He was walking south on the canal.

At the Shuilu Posthouse in Huai'an, he met Zhu Geng who was heading north.

"…It has been many years since we last met." Shen Yi Guan bowed.

"...my brother..." Zhu Geng also bowed.

"Let's catch up. I know you have a lot to ask me, and I'll tell you what I can."

Outsiders did not know what they talked about in the post station.

Li Sancai didn't see them. It seemed that both of them were avoiding them and keeping a low profile.

The person who left the center of the court and the new emperor, and the old minister who had been away from the court for a long time, both had a lot of old things to reminisce, but the focus was always on the future.

The next morning, after bidding farewell to Shen Yikuan, Zhu Geng boarded the boat and continued north with a serious look in his eyes.

Zhejiang...

Xie Tingzan left Huzhou and Jiaxing and went to Ningbo.

He drank and chatted happily with the Governor of Zhejiang and others, and listened to them recommending local scholars, because the Censor-in-Chief of Education had the quota of recommending people for imperial favor.

He accepted the benefits, but Liu Yuanlin and others did not dare to take it lightly.

Although there are risks, there is nothing to say: there is nothing wrong in recommending talents for the country.

While Shu Baiqing was still waiting for the imperial judgment, Meng Xikong received the information in advance and began to discuss with other officials of the Leping County Government how to write the congratulatory letter and the memorial to be submitted to the Administrative Council.

In Nanjing City, Xiao Daheng was reading the letter, thinking about how to deal with Li Hualong, the right governor of the former military governor's office who was going to Nanjing to serve as the Minister of War.

Beijing has changed a lot, Nanjing...can you adapt?
(End of this chapter)