The Prodigal Son

Qin Yu accepted the task of debating at the Confucian Temple, but did not make many preparations.

He doesn't even know the topic of the debate, so there's no point in preparing.

Over the next two days, they had many more private talks with Ma Laoguai and Hu Liuzi.

After everything was arranged, Zhao Luan directly selected twenty guards from the Imperial Guards to lead them and the Wang brothers to Ningzhou.

On the tenth day of the sixth lunar month, a light drizzle began to fall. Qin Yu quickly tidied himself up and headed to the Confucian Temple.

Upon learning that Qin Yu was going to engage in a debate, Luo Qingyi and Nan Que'er also went to join in the fun.

"They openly discuss state affairs like this, and the court doesn't care?"

On the way, Nan Que'er asked Qin Yu questions with great curiosity.

In her eyes, this was unimaginable.

"Not only do they ignore it, they encourage it!"

Qin Yu smiled, "The Confucian Temple and Academy were built when the late emperor was still the crown prince. It is said that the late emperor wanted to emulate the Hundred Schools of Thought of ancient times..."

In the past two days, he also made a point of learning about the debate at the Confucian Temple.

The Confucian Temple and Academy have two main principles.

First, they discuss world affairs without governing.

Because they have no official position, they have no responsibility to speak out.

This was also a rule established after the Confucian Temple and Academy were built.

In the words of the late emperor: It is better to guide than to block; people should be allowed to speak!

Its purpose was twofold: firstly, to broaden the channels for expression; and secondly, to promote a flourishing literary culture on the basis of establishing the nation through military strength.

In addition, it also serves the purpose of selecting talented individuals for the country.

This is somewhat similar to the Hundred Flowers Festival.

However, the Hundred Flowers Festival advocates selecting talents without being bound by conventions; even illiterate people may shine brightly at the Hundred Flowers Festival.

However, the Confucian Temple and the Academy were aimed at the scholar-official class, and their threshold was much higher than that of the Hundred Flowers Festival.

The imperial examination system, the Confucian temple and academy, and the Hundred Flowers Festival were considered the three driving forces for selecting talent in Daning.

And indeed, the late emperor selected many talented people for Da Ning through these three carriages.

Song Zhuo was a talented individual discovered by the late emperor at the Confucian Temple and Academy.

Another principle of the Confucian Temple and Academy is "Those who are accomplished should be teachers".

In Confucian temples and academies, it is quite normal for a forty-year-old to address a twenty-year-old as "teacher".

Here, there are no fixed teachers; anyone can lecture, as long as there are people listening.

Su He, as the chief priest, was only in charge of managing the Confucian temple and academy, and had no right to interfere with the academic atmosphere.

After hearing Qin Yu's words, Nan Que'er couldn't help but exclaim, "Emperor Xiaowen of Da Ning is truly enlightened!"

"really!"

Qin Yu nodded in deep agreement.

Even if Emperor Xiaowen were placed in ancient times in his previous life, such an emperor could be called a wise ruler throughout the ages.

Unfortunately, he ran into problems with his successor.

Otherwise, Daning would not be in this state today.

Luo Qingyi tilted her head back and asked, "I heard that the late emperor once personally visited the Confucian Temple and engaged in a heated debate with the students. Is that true?"

"real!"

Qin Yu nodded: "I specifically asked someone to verify this yesterday..."

It is said that the Confucian Temple and Academy were built back then.

At that time, Emperor Xiaowu had already launched three northern expeditions and was preparing for a fourth.

However, the continuous warfare also resulted in the people of Daning bearing heavy taxes.

Even with the late emperor's painstaking efforts to clean up Emperor Xiaowu's mess, many places still saw widespread suffering among the people.

The first debate after the completion of the Confucian Temple and Academy was about whether Emperor Xiaowu's actions constituted excessive military expansion.

To encourage this debate and to vindicate Emperor Xiaowu, the late emperor personally went to the Confucian Temple and Academy to engage in a heated debate with many students about Emperor Xiaowu's numerous northern expeditions. He convinced those who believed that Emperor Xiaowu was a warmonger to admit defeat and be convinced of his superiority.

This story has become a well-known tale.

Qin Yu chatted with the two about the Confucian Temple and Academy along the way, and finally arrived at the Confucian Temple and Academy.

The Confucian Temple and Academy are located in the southeast of the imperial city, covering an area of ​​several hundred acres.

Several hundred years ago, the literary sage Tao Gao once lectured and taught here.

Ten years after Tao Gao's death, the current rulers built a Confucian temple here.

However, with the constant changes of regimes, the original Confucian temple had long been destroyed in the war.

The current Confucian Temple and Confucian Academy were built on the site of the Confucian Temple.

Before seeing the Confucian temple and academy, I first saw a bamboo grove.

The Confucian Temple and Academy are nestled amidst a bamboo grove.

Even when you enter the Confucian Temple, you can see all kinds of bamboo.

"Why are there so many bamboo plants?"

Nan Que'er lifted the curtain of the carriage and peered out curiously.

Qin Yu smiled and said, "The literary sage Tao Gao loved bamboo and once said: 'Without the shadow of bamboo for a day, even three meals taste bland...'"

Since Tao Gao, the sage of literature, bamboo has been endowed with many special meanings.

Straightforward yet principled, humble and open-minded, etc.

People at the Confucian Temple and Academy also regarded Tao Gao as their spiritual leader.

Even literary sages loved bamboo, so how could there be no bamboo here?

Zhao Yan said he liked bamboo, wasn't it because he valued the special meanings that bamboo was given?

Otherwise, how could he really like bamboo?

"No wonder!"

Nan Que'er suddenly realized.

A moment later, the carriage stopped in front of the statue of Tao Gao, the sage of literature.

There is an unwritten rule in the Confucian Temple and Academy.

Upon seeing the statue of the Sage of Literature, civil officials alighted from their sedan chairs, and military officials dismounted from their horses.

This is also to highlight the respect for the Sage of Literature.

Further in, you can only walk.

The news that Qin Yu, this great talent, was going to participate in the debate at the Confucian Temple had already spread far and wide.

Upon learning of their arrival, many students came to catch a glimpse of Qin Yu, the "God of Literature descended to earth."

A large group of men and women watched Qin Yu from afar, whispering among themselves.

As soon as they passed through the inner gate, a young student quickly stepped forward and bowed, asking, "May I ask if you are Mr. Qin?"

Mr. Qin...?

Qin Yu's lips twitched slightly.

I didn't teach them anything either!

How can someone become a "Mr."?

Has the world changed?

Just like in the previous life, foot massage technicians have started calling each other "teacher"?

Or perhaps this is a buff from the "God of Literature descending to earth"?

Qin Yu was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, "I dare not accept the title of 'sir,' just call me Qin Yu or Qin Langzhong."

"Student Zhou Huan greets Mr. Qin!"

Zhou Huan bowed again, "This student has come on the orders of the High Priest to escort Mr. Qin to the temple."

Zhou Huan clearly didn't heed Qin Yu's words and still addressed him as "sir".

Thank you for your trouble.

Qin Yu had no choice but to let him have his way.

"Mr. Qin, you're too kind."

Zhou Huan smiled and gestured, "Sir, please!"

"please!"

Qin Yu smiled politely, but felt rather embarrassed inside.

How many people participated in the debate today?

On the way to the temple, Qin Yu asked Zhou Huan for more information.

Zhou Huan replied, "The debate at the Confucian Temple has always focused solely on viewpoints, regardless of the number of participants. Anyone with debating skills can participate."

"I see."

Qin Yu smiled and asked again, "Has the Prince of Chengyang arrived yet?"

We arrived a quarter of an hour ago.

Zhou Huan replied again, "The Crown Prince of Chengyang has already said that he looks forward to a splendid debate with Mr. Qin today."

Qin Yu was surprised.

Zhao Yan was quite enthusiastic.

I don't even know what the topic of today's debate is.

It would be quite embarrassing if I, the little prince of debate, lost to Zhao Yan.

We can't afford to lose, either for public or private reasons!

Led by Zhou Huan, they finally arrived at the academy's training ground.

This is also the battlefield for the debate on the Confucian Temple!