Guangzong Yaoming

Chapter 223 Ming Dynasty Discipline Construction
The opening ceremony of the Imperial College on the 16th day of the first lunar month was held with great ceremony.

All the necessary sacrifices were available, and Zhu Changluo even offered sacrifices to Confucius in person for the first time after ascending the throne, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the first day of school at the Imperial College.

This was naturally a very important reassurance to the court and the public: the emperor still respected culture and education.

Only the important ministers knew that this was another tactic the emperor often used: first he would put you up there, and then he would not let you get down.

After offering sacrifices at the Confucius Temple, the imperial carriage first went to Baijia Garden.

This is the original Imperial College.

The meeting of Taichang Temple was arranged to be held here, which was naturally of great significance. Among the Taichang scholars who were recruited, Jiao Hong and the other two great scholars who had already arrived in Beijing felt uncomfortable, while Li Zhi closed his eyes to rest.

The meeting place was Biyong, a square hall surrounded by a circular pool.

After the Han Dynasty, it was not only a place for Confucianism and ceremonies, but also a school for the emperor. Many emperors would give lectures here after they ascended the throne.

Now, Zhu Changluo came to Baijiayuan to hold a meeting, which made Baijiayuan seem more important than the Imperial College Garden in Xiyuan.

Of course, it can also be said that there is no high-standard building like Biyong built there for the time being.

Meetings in the morning and lectures in the afternoon.

Although some students who performed well in last year's examinations will come to the University Garden and the Primary and Secondary School Garden, the emperor's lectures are held in the Biyong of the Hundred Schools Garden after all.

There is a small platform in the Mingtang of the Biyong Hall. Going up five steps, there is a throne, and on the top hangs a plaque with the words "雅涵于乐".

After Zhu Changluo sat down, everyone sat down again one by one.

The hall was silent for a while, and then Zhu Changluo spoke: "How many of the Taichang scholars we have recruited have not arrived yet?"

Shen Shixing replied: "Your Majesty, Xu Mengzhong from Deqing and Chen Zhongchun from Songjiang have not yet arrived."

Zhu Changluo nodded: "Then let's not wait. Speaking of which, this is my first time meeting Uncle Jian. I heard that Master Lu is also proficient in phonology. Uncle is here. Have you ever discussed with Master Lu?"

Zhu Zaiyu, who was originally an instructor at Baijiayuan, couldn't help but become curious and looked at Lu Kun.

This important official who left the court because of the "evil book" has now been recruited back.

Lu Kun bowed first, then said modestly: "Although I have dabbled in water conservancy, phonology, and medicine, my main focus is on Qi theory."

"I heard that you taught your disciples the study of the mind after you returned. I also read your "Moaning Language"."

The topic was brought to the main topic of today. Lu Kun avoided the emperor's curiosity about his miscellaneous attainments and went straight to the point of knowledge with a serious expression.

The others couldn't help but become serious.

Among them, there are those who place more emphasis on rationalism, while others advocate the study of the mind, and they are divided into different schools.

For example, although Lu Kun also taught the philosophy of mind, he and Li Zhi had differences in many aspects.

In fact, Li Zhi had differences with almost all of them.

When Zhu Changluo heard him talking about the theory of qi, his head started to hurt a little.

It’s not that philosophy is unimportant, but when great scholars have acquired profound knowledge, they often start to ponder the ultimate questions of the origin of the Tao, and instead become dismissive of specific disciplines.

Zhu Changluo had done his homework. For example, Lu Kun insisted that "the universe and all things are just the gathering and dispersion of one qi", and opposed the Neo-Confucian view that "reason comes before qi" and opposed separating Tao from instrument, reason from qi.

Zhu Changluo also had a solid foundation and knew that in the minds of these great scholars with profound knowledge, the great principles of learning were naturally philosophical issues.

Because philosophy studies the entire world, it seeks to gain an understanding of the origin and development laws of the world, and to provide methodological guidance for people to understand and transform the world.

There is always room for debate on materialism and idealism. What Zhu Changluo wants now is for them to at least realize one thing: the progress of specific disciplines can promote the development of philosophy.

After a brief pause, Zhu Changluo said, "I have seen a lot more, from ancient times to the present."

Everyone looked at him with a somewhat strange look in their eyes: You are so young, how much can you see? From ancient times to the present.

"I am young, so naturally I am not very knowledgeable." Zhu Changluo responded to their expectations immediately and said, "Then I will throw out some ideas to illustrate my views. Otherwise, I am afraid you will be confused about what the Taichang Temple should do in the future and think that it is just an argument about the principles of morality."

Those present included: Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy Shen Shixing, Duke of Yansheng Kong Shangxian, Minister of Rites Zhu Guozuo, Grand Secretary of the Imperial Academy Li Zhi, Jiao Hong, Lu Kun, Fang Xuejian who had been recruited to Beijing, Director of the Hundred Schools Academy Xu Guangqi, and Instructor Zhu Zaiyu.

Hearing the emperor's words establishing the direction of this meeting, everyone except Zhu Zaiyu felt a chill in their hearts.

If the Taichang Temple does not argue about the great principles of knowledge, then what should be done?
"I think, no..." Zhu Changluo frowned and said in a serious tone, "I should say that what I want is how the avenue of knowledge can help every knowledge seeker to gain knowledge and increase their talents. The Taichang Temple should first clarify what kind of knowledge should be learned. Even the avenue of knowledge has a first step, a second step, and a trunk and branches, right?"

Without asking them to answer, Zhu Changluo continued, "Just like in the pre-Qin period, when hundreds of schools of thought contended with each other, it cannot be said that all of them were useless. More than a thousand years later, the views of the Taoists, Legalists, Mohists, and Agriculturalists... have not all disappeared. Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism has been the only school of thought respected. Today, I am also paying homage to the ancient sages. You should put aside unnecessary worries. I have also made it clear that although some people can devote themselves to studying in order to achieve perfection, knowledge is of great use to the country. The Taichang Temple is a government office, and since you have the ambition to govern the country and bring peace to the world, you should naturally focus on thinking about the practical side of knowledge."

Shen Shixing remained silent.

Indeed, some people study the Tao just to answer their doubts and seek personal perfection. In that case, they don't need to think too much about the details, but concentrate on thinking about the fundamental issues.

But the purpose of setting up the government offices by the imperial court was, after all, to govern the country, and their purpose was practical.

Although everyone thought it made sense, Lu Kun and Fang Xuejian felt a little disappointed.

After all, I feel inferior.

What Zhu Changluo said next stunned them again.

"From my perspective, from ancient times to the present, regardless of the origin, scholars have been pondering about only three types of questions: What is this world, what are the people who live in this world, and what should people do when living in the world." Zhu Changluo casually gave some examples. Taoism has answers, Buddhism also has answers, and Confucianism naturally has more answers.

World view, outlook on life, and values.

"I also know that you are all looking for an answer that can answer all the questions. But is it possible to think about it in two parts first? One focuses on exploring and thinking about this world, and the other focuses on thinking about people's words, deeds and pursuits in this world. Throughout the ages, there have been saints and philosophers. You always say that saints are hard to come by, but even if we focus on one line first, if we gain something, we can still be called philosophers, right?"

Zhu Changluo observed that people didn't seem to react very much to the temptation of being called a philosopher after death.

But he didn't care, and continued: "Even if I am taking shortcuts, even if focusing on one branch is just a minor path, I adhere to the purpose of the Taichang Temple to be useful to the country, and I also want you to try this path. Confucianism is still the main trunk, but I think there should be at least two branches: natural philosophy and humanistic philosophy. In this way, for example, agronomy, water conservancy, astronomy, calendar, geography, phonology... can all be attributed to natural philosophy, and the interpretation of scriptures, history, poetry, calligraphy and painting... are all minor paths under humanistic philosophy..."

At this point, the real purpose is revealed. What Zhu Changluo hopes the Taichang Temple and the Ministry of Rites to do together is to first systematically sort out the Ming Dynasty's academic system from an official level.

Unlike before, it is not just a vague so-called knowledge.

With a clear academic system, we can at least acknowledge that people walking in every direction have value and are on the road to seeking knowledge, rather than being completely regarded as unorthodox and not worthy of being on the stage.

Shen Shixing and others now finally understood what Baijiayuan was going to do. They had to admit that the emperor had indeed put forward these ideas after deep consideration and was indeed adhering to the principle of practicality.

What about Confucianism? Actually, it is a repackaging.

"It encompasses all knowledge." Zhu Changluo concluded, "You are all great Confucian scholars, so you don't have to specialize in the minor ones. But if some outstanding people in various disciplines occasionally make some achievements, it cannot be said that they will not be inspiration for the major knowledge. I think that doing so will help Confucianism to flourish again. Duke Yansheng, Shen Taichang, Zhu Zongbo, what do you think?"

Kong Shangxian is just a half-baked person, what can he think?
Just a nodding machine.

The practice of preferential treatment and exemption began last year. Although the emperor did not keep a close eye on the Kong family and did not conduct an in-depth investigation after the Kong family paid more taxes, the emperor, who had the word "practical" written on his forehead, was showing his fangs and covetous tongue.

As long as the status of Confucianism remains unchanged, Kong Shangxian will go crazy and his heart will jump out.

Zhu Guozuo was the first to nod: "After listening to your majesty's explanation today, I suddenly understand. In this way, the Ministry of Rites is in charge of the monks and Taoists in the world, which is actually in line with the great principles of learning."

He was a man personally promoted by the emperor with a promising future, and he quickly found a good reason from his duties in the Ministry of Rites.

Even the Taoist and Buddhist doctrines, which are still very vibrant today, have been included in this system. What harm is there in this for Confucianism?
On the contrary, monks and Taoists all over the world will feel uneasy after hearing it.

Shen Shixing originally thought that after the emperor established the Taichang Temple and said that culture and education were respected because they were useful, what he wanted to emphasize in the Taichang Temple was to put knowledge into practice.

Now the emperor has come up with a more specific direction, which makes Shen Shixing still thinking about the changes.

Seeing the emperor looking over, Shen Shixing answered: "Although I am honored to be the Minister of Rites, I am far inferior to the scholars in terms of knowledge. Your Majesty, if this is done, will you follow the ancient method of selecting scholars by subject in the future?"

"Whether we can reach that point, of course, depends on whether there are outstanding officials in many disciplines. At least, the Hundred Family Garden is an attempt. Before the Hundred Family Garden is successful, why bother with the imperial examination?"

Zhu Changluo's answer made Shen Shixing feel relieved, as he was afraid that things would become too much all of a sudden.

But he still continued to ask cautiously the other four Taichang scholars present.

Among the four people, three of them were scholars of the School of Mind, and only Fang Xuejian was more focused on the School of Principle. Among the three scholars of the School of Mind, Li Zhi and Jiao Hong were both advocates of the Taizhou School, which advocated that "everyone can be Yao or Shun". They both emphasized "practical application". The emperor's ideas were to their liking. Baijiayuan was more focused on practical miscellaneous studies, which would certainly allow more talents who had not been able to make a name for themselves in the past to have a place.

Lü Kun was only slightly disappointed. The Taichang Temple was not a place where great scholars could gather and complement each other to study the great principles. In his opinion, the method the emperor wanted to adopt was a trick and lost its fundamental purpose.

But Fang Xuejian was a little different.

First of all, he was a disciple of Geng Dingxiang and was the elder brother of Geng Dingli who was interrogated two years ago.

In addition, he has the background of Wang Xizhi in the School of Mind, but now he tends to reconcile the School of Mind with the School of Principle.

In fact, judging from the academic views of the great Confucian scholars in the Piyong Hall, there are many differences in Confucianism today. Fang Xuejian himself is currently working to reconcile these differences, hoping to find his own "grand unified theory."

So he said, "I think the more detailed the division, the more differences there will be. Your Majesty is trying to be practical, but I am afraid that if the main trunk is missing and there are too many random comments, you will end up losing more than you gain."

"If so, the fault lies with me." Zhu Changluo didn't care. "Not all the great Confucian scholars in the world have responded to the call. Confucianism has been passed down for such a long time, and I have great confidence in the great cause of learning. I believe that being inclusive and actively serving the people is the foundation of Confucianism."

Fang Xuejian was silent for a while, then bowed and said, "I understand."

He didn't leave either.

Among the scholars of Taichang, the School of Mind already accounted for a large part, but the School of Principle could not be completely absent.

He only counts as half.

Since the emperor has decided to do this, it is more useful to mediate in the court than to sit in the opposition.

He alone is not enough.

Fang Xuejian made up his mind to write to some close friends to explain the situation and ask them to start keeping it secret.

The School of Mind is already very confusing. If it is divided into many disciplines, it will definitely be even more confusing.

Zhu Changluo just threw the trouble to them. To him, the chaos of academic schools seemed to make it more convenient for the local gentry groups to find excuses to open up new battlefields and try to create a situation that would "shake the foundation of the country."

Anyway, he just needs to put his private ideas in first and pave a way for some people by exploring the avenue of knowledge.

He believed that China, as vast as it is, would never be short of talent.

It’s just that in the past, scholars were selected based on their knowledge of Confucian classics, and many people with expertise in other miscellaneous subjects were buried.

For example... Zhu Changluo had unexpectedly seen a familiar name appearing on the list of students in the Imperial College: Song Yingxing.

(End of this chapter)