Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Chapter 275 Please stop showing off, Your Highness, we are convinced! [Seeking monthly tickets]

Establish your mind for the world!
Make a living for the people!
Continuing the unique learning for the Holy Spirit!

May peace be created for all eternity!

Neither the ministers in the court nor Li Shimin expected that Li Chengqian would make such thought-provoking and magnificent remarks.

Although this passage consists of only four short sentences, each sentence contains deep meaning, as if it can penetrate people's hearts and touch the depths of their souls.

What does it mean to establish a mind for heaven and earth?
Zhang Zai once said in Zheng Meng: "The heaven and earth are my body, and the heaven and earth are my nature." He elevated human moral consciousness to the level of cosmic spirit.

To put it bluntly, scholars should understand the principles of creation of all things and make the way of heaven manifest.

Although this sentence may not sound like much on the surface, considering Li Chengqian's determination to reform, it is not difficult to imagine that he has raised the level of reform to the level of heaven.

If you disagree with my reforms, you are going against the will of heaven.

So what does it mean to serve the people?
In fact, it is not difficult to understand. It is to provide the people with a stable life, from material food and clothing to spiritual ethics and orthodoxy.

It clearly reveals his deep concern for the welfare of the people.

If the above sentence is issuing orders from the highest moral point, then this sentence is undoubtedly setting goals in action.

Which emperor or official dares to say that he does not work for the welfare of the people?

If you dare to say that, then the people will be like "Are there any kings, princes, generals, or ministers of different species?"

Therefore, serving the people is definitely a major killer of reform!

As for carrying on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages and bringing peace to the world for all time, it is equally not easy.

What I mean is, I am continuing the immortal teachings of the sages of past generations that are about to be lost. What's wrong with reforming the imperial examination system?
I want to create a peaceful and prosperous era for my country that will last for thousands of years. Do you dare to stop me?
It is obvious that after Li Chengqian said the "Four Sentences of Hengqu", neither Li Shimin nor other ministers in the court had any reason to stop Li Chengqian from carrying out reforms.

But is Li Chengqian preparing to be canonized? Of course not!
He just wanted to use these four sentences to spur everyone on.

He took a deep breath, walked down the steps step by step, came to the center of the hall, looked around at the ministers and said:
"Since ancient times, there has been a cycle of order and chaos, dynasties have constantly changed, one generation rises and another falls, some emperors and generals have prospered, and some have failed."

"The common people only have one word: 'suffering'."

“Thus, people often say, it’s better to be a dog in peacetime than a man in troubled times.”

"My Tang Dynasty experienced the chaos at the end of the Sui Dynasty, fought its way out of the turmoil, and established this magnificent empire."

"Ten thousand dead bones are exchanged for a general's success; the lives and blood of tens of thousands of people are exchanged for the power of a family, or a certain ambition."

"On the surface, everyone is high-sounding, establishing their hearts for heaven and earth, their lives for the people, carrying on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bringing peace to the world for all eternity.

But how many people have actually done it? Who still remembers the people who sacrificed their lives? Ultimately, who wouldn't want to satisfy their own selfish desires after achieving success?

"Even my grandfather said that before conquering the world, people wanted wealth and glory. After conquering the world, don't they want it anymore?"

"it's out of the question!"

"But I would like to ask every minister present here: every time you stand before the Taiji Hall, have you ever thought about contributing your humble efforts to the country, and about seeking the welfare of the people?"

"If you are only seeking promotion and wealth, then just pretend I never asked, because you are no longer worthy of being an official in the Tang Dynasty."

"If you had thought about it, why are you trying so hard to stop me from doing what I'm about to do? What's this about chaos in the world, about splitting the country? Listen to what you're saying."

"I simply want to free the Tang Dynasty from this vicious cycle of order and chaos, to save the people of the Tang Dynasty from bloodshed and to allow them to enjoy more peace. Is that wrong?"

At this point, all the civil and military officials present were moved.

Wei Zheng, who had been silent the entire time, took a deep breath, looked at Li Chengqian with complicated eyes, and praised him: "Your Highness the Crown Prince's ambition is beyond the reach of even a sage."

Li Chengqian smiled bitterly and shook his head, then looked around at the ministers again and said, "In fact, with my ability, there is absolutely no need to argue with you here. Even if I force the reforms and encounter considerable obstacles, I have ways to make them disappear."

"But I finally chose to advocate for reform here. Why?"

"Because I want to give the ministers some respect!"

Having said this, he looked up at Li Shimin who was sitting on the throne and said, "My father has invisibly added a lot of constraints to himself because of the Xuanwu Gate incident, but my father has always had an enterprising spirit!"

"He wants to establish an unprecedented prosperous Tang Dynasty!"

"So, he humbly accepted advice, opened up the channels for expression, and gave his ministers sufficient respect. But on the other hand, his actions encouraged false loyalists like Zhang Xuansu and Quan Wanji!"

"Is it my father's fault?"

"I don't think so!"

"Because my father has done well enough, but people's hearts are not as they used to be!"

Hearing this, Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian with a dazed expression and dull eyes, as if he had lost the ability to think.

At this moment, his heart was in shock and reflection.

He murmured, "Is this still the rebellious son I knew?"

If we count the things he has done in the past few years since he ascended the throne, it seems that he has indeed added obstacles to the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

It’s not that he felt that he was wrong to launch the Xuanwu Gate Incident, but he felt that he shouldn’t force himself to accept the so-called loyal and upright ministers because of the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Because not every loyal and upright minister is thinking about him, they may also be motivated by their own selfish desires.

If the advice of such ministers had been adopted, the consequence might have been the unjust death of countless Zhang Yungu.

"call"

Li Shimin took a deep breath, then stood up from the throne and said calmly, "Establish a mind for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry on the lost knowledge of the ancient sages, and bring peace to the world for all eternity. Your Highness's four words deeply touched me and suddenly enlightened me. This is the true new learning of our Great Tang!"

"If one of my subjects only cares about the interests of his own family or himself, and disregards the country and the people of the world, then he is not worthy of standing in this Taiji Hall!"

When these words were spoken, the whole audience was shocked.

Although Li Shimin's tone was very calm, some ministers who were familiar with him could still hear a hint of murderous intent in his tone.

You know, since Li Shimin ascended the throne, he rarely expressed his murderous intentions in front of his ministers.

Because he had to consider his image as a wise ruler, and because he had to prove himself for the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Therefore, he must be tolerant and generous, accept advice with an open mind, and treat his subjects with more respect than his own father.

It is precisely because of this that Li Shimin's current change in mentality has made his ministers who are familiar with him silent.

"His Majesty!"

Just as all the ministers were stunned by Li Shimin's words, Chu Liang, a scholar from the Hongwen Academy who had been on the sidelines, suddenly stepped forward and asked, "Although I do not oppose the three reforms that Your Highness has implemented, I am still confused about their deeper meaning. Could Your Highness please clarify this for me?"

"Father."

Chu Suiliang, who had been responsible for recording the affairs of the court, felt his heart rise to his throat the moment he saw his father stand up.

He never thought that his father would stand up at this time.

Because this matter has little to do with his father.

But Li Shimin still said calmly: "Prince, what do you think?"

"Your Majesty, I was not thoughtful enough to fully convey the profound meaning of the reform."

Li Chengqian bowed to Li Shimin, then turned back to Chu Liang and said, "If there is anything you don't understand, please feel free to speak up!"

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your tolerance."

Chu Liang smiled and saluted, then suppressed his smile and said, "The reform of the imperial examination proposed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince adds engineering and medicine, abolishes the Confucian standard of selecting scholars based on Mingjing and Jinshi, and uses the new school as the standard for selecting scholars in the imperial examination."

"I would like to ask Your Highness the Crown Prince if you could explain this new learning in detail?"

"can."

Li Chengqian agreed directly: "Just now I said that the new learning is the new knowledge that meets the needs of the development of the Tang Dynasty. So what is the new knowledge that meets the needs of the development of the Tang Dynasty?" "It's actually very simple."

"Previously, the imperial examinations, such as the Jinshi examination, mainly tested poetry and policy essays."

"What is poetry? It means writing poems and fu!"

"What is a policy theory? It's about proposing countermeasures to current politics!"

"Of course, there are also scripture stickers, which are randomly drawn Confucian classics to recite!"

"The Mingjing exam is about further familiarizing students with Confucian classics, such as the Analects, by filling in blanks in randomly selected passages. Another example is the Mingfa exam, which uses the Tang Code Commentary to analyze legal cases. And the Mingsuan exam uses the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art to calculate astronomy and the calendar."

"But the imperial examination system mainly selects candidates for the Jinshi and Mingjing categories. Does Scholar Chu see any problem with this?"

"This"

Chu Liang was stunned for a moment and still shook his head in confusion.

But then Li Chengqian added, "Mr. Chu didn't see the problem because he's too confused. Actually, what I want to say is that whether it's writing poetry, copying scriptures, or studying the classics, Confucianism is taken too seriously!"

"The way to govern a country should be based on pragmatism. Can empty talk about Confucian classics and familiarity with Confucian classics really help govern the country well?"

"Your Highness, what does this mean?!"

Before Li Chengqian finished speaking, Kong Yingda, a descendant of the Kong family, stood up angrily and said;

"Why can't my Confucian classics govern the country well? Weren't you just advocating for a 'strong Han' and 'Emperor Wu of Han'? Wasn't it Emperor Wu of Han who 'abolished all schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone'? Didn't the Han Dynasty begin to prosper by 'abolishing all schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone'?"

"Your Highness, such remarks are truly ridiculous!"

boom!
As soon as this statement came out, the whole audience was shocked.

Everyone's eyes fell on Kong Yingda, even Li Shimin looked at him coldly.

But Li Chengqian just smiled dumbly and said calmly and calmly: "Master Kong's words really make me look at you with new eyes!"

"Of course, I admit that Emperor Wu of Han did adopt the policy of 'abolishing all schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone.' But I would like to ask Master Kong, was it really because of your Confucianism that the Han Dynasty rose to prominence?"

"Why not?"

Kong Yingda asked back with his neck stiff.

Li Chengqian sighed and shook his head, saying, "It seems that Master Kong, as a descendant of the Kong family, has somewhat brought shame upon his ancestors! He has even forgotten the essence of their teachings!"

"What essence?" Kong Yingda asked in confusion.

Li Chengqian laughed and said, "Master Kong, may I ask, when a man is about to die, his words are kind. How do you explain this?"

"Isn't this simple? When a person is about to die, the words he speaks will definitely be kind!"

"You see, this is why you don't understand the essence of Confucianism!"

"What do you mean?"

Kong Yingda was completely bewildered. He thought, "I've spent my entire life studying the true teachings of my ancestors, and I still misunderstood them? Is this a joke?"

Li Chengqian then smiled and said, "It's said that human nature is evil. When people are born, they are evil. So, when people die, they are at the critical point between life and death. So, when they die, they should be the same as when they were alive. So, how can a dying person speak kindly?"

"For example, if you were killed by your enemy, would you say, 'You were so kind to kill me?' or 'Thank you for killing me?'"

"Ah, this"

Kong Yingda looked confused.

A burst of laughter suddenly rang out in the court. "Hahaha! If it's me who's going to die, I'm definitely going to curse the damn heavens for not letting me live a few more years!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers knew without even looking that it must be that old villain Cheng Yaojin.

As Cheng Yaojin's laughter rang out, Kong Yingda, who was originally in a state of confusion, suddenly became angry and embarrassed: "Your Highness, this is nonsense! Mencius said that human nature is good at birth, how can human nature be evil!"

"Look at you, you haven't learned the essence again, have you? Confucius said, 'Restrict yourself and return to propriety,' meaning to restrain your desires and behave in accordance with propriety. If human nature is inherently good, then why should we restrain ourselves? Just be happy!"

"you you you"

Kong Yingda was once again confused by Li Chengqian's words.

But Li Chengqian didn't waste any more time talking to him. He looked at Chu Liang and said, "So, Master Chu, do you see the crux of the matter?"

"The Confucianism that is popular nowadays is actually all wrong. For example, the saying 'The Master does not speak of strange things, supernatural powers, or the like' means anything."

"It means that Confucius doesn't like nonsense and likes to conquer rebellion and ghosts and gods with force!"

"Why was the Han Dynasty so powerful? Actually, it was because they mastered the core essence of Confucianism!"

"People are ruthless and don't talk much, they just fight!"

Chu Liang: “???”

Li Shimin: "???"

All the civil and military officials present: "???"

What the hell is the prince talking about?

The previous saying "When a man is about to die, his words are good" does have some theoretical basis, but this explanation of "The Master does not speak, only strange and supernatural things" is complete nonsense.

How could Confucius, such a highly respected sage, be so vulgar?
But Li Chengqian ignored them and continued to talk to himself: "So, we should look beyond the surface to see the essence. For example, a gentleman loves money and gets it in a proper way. What does it mean? I like your money, so it makes sense for me to take it!"

"For example, 'Since you're here, let's bury you here' means, since you're here, let's bury you here!"

"That's enough, Your Highness! Stop destroying my Confucian classics!"

When Kong Yingda heard what Li Chengqian said, his defenses were immediately broken.

Li Chengqian smacked his lips and said with a lingering feeling, "Well, what I mean is actually very simple. There are too many Confucian subjects in the current imperial examinations, and many of them are useless. It is not appropriate to add more subjects. One subject is enough.

Other subjects like law and mathematics can be listed separately as two of them, while engineering mainly includes mathematics, chemistry, and physics, and medicine includes medicine, medical skills, and surgery.

"As for the military exam, it mainly involves horseback riding, archery, and military theory!"

Having said this, Li Chengqian looked at Chu Liang again and said, "Master Chu, is there anything else you don't understand?"

"No, no more"

Chu Liang shook his head with a complicated expression.

Li Chengqian smiled faintly: "Since there is nothing left, then let's adjourn the court. I am tired too!"

After saying this, Li Chengqian walked straight out of the hall, so resolutely.

Everyone present, including Li Shimin, was speechless.

Just as Li Chengqian was about to step out of the hall, Yang Shidao, the Minister of Rites, spoke again with a look of resignation on his face: "Your Highness the Crown Prince said that men and women are equal, but this old minister still disagrees. Since ancient times, men have been superior to women."

"Yang Shangshu!"

Before Yang Shidao could finish his words, Li Chengqian turned around and interrupted him: "The way of the university is to manifest the bright virtue, to be close to the people, and to strive for the highest good!"

"Mencius's point is that everyone can become Yao or Shun. Doesn't this mean that everyone is equal?"

"Since everyone is equal, why should we distinguish between men and women, don't you think?"

"this!"

When Yang Shidao heard this, his pupils suddenly shrank, as if there was a magnitude 9 earthquake.

Fang Xuanling, Gao Shilian, Zhangsun Wuji, Zhu Liang, Wei Zheng, including Kong Yingda, Yu Shinan, and Zhu Suiliang were all stunned and stood there with their scalps tingling.

No way, Your Highness the Crown Prince!
You're amazing, right? We're totally impressed!
(End of this chapter)