The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

"Your son greets his father!"

Inside the hall, Zhu Biao, dressed in casual clothes, sat upright at a table in the north. When his eldest son entered, he obediently bowed.

He put down his vermilion brush and said with a smile, "Get up! I heard from the eunuch that you met with the official in charge of building the university. Is the construction progressing smoothly?"

This Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty was well aware that his father had entrusted his beloved son with this matter with the intention of testing and training him.

Therefore, he has not interfered much in the past few months!

It was merely a signal to subordinates to coordinate everything...

After being informed by his servants, he greatly praised the eldest son's actions!

Zhu Xiong Ying was prepared for the question from Biao'er's father and moved closer to the table.

He poured a cup of tea for his father, then bowed and stood to the side, reporting in detail, "Father, with the Crown Prince's help, everything is going more smoothly than expected!"

"As of today, both the main building and the site leveling are complete!"

"Especially Jian Yi, who is meticulous and has strong execution skills, calculated the schedule and materials perfectly, and there were no major oversights!"

"Wang Pu, being upright and astute, uncovered problems such as embezzlement by minor officials..."

After listening, Zhu Biao silently nodded.

After his beloved son finished speaking, he looked at him with approval, stroked his beard, and said, "Ying'er did the right thing, and handled it very well!"

"The biggest progress is that you can pick them out and put them in the right places..."

Having finally found an opportunity, Zhu Biao began to wholeheartedly teach his eldest son the art of employing people.

He was made crown prince in the first year of the Hongwu reign.

It has been nearly eighteen years since then!

Furthermore, after the Hu Weiyong case, Zhu Yuanzhang entrusted all matters of state, large and small, to the Crown Prince...

After years of honing his skills, Zhu Biao's political maneuvering should not be underestimated!

Especially in political affairs, his planning was far-sighted, in no way inferior to that of Zhu Yuanzhang.

The experience imparted is sufficient for ordinary people to understand.

Zhu Xiong Ying listened attentively, almost to the point of taking careful notes.

Wait until Xiao Zhu has finished speaking.

He hadn't forgotten a few important matters. First, they discussed the school's enrollment and lecturer recruitment. He handed over a brochure and said, "Father, the project's progress is now set. Before next spring, besides overseeing the finishing touches, there are two other crucial matters that require your help!"

"First, there's student recruitment; second, there's lecturer recruitment! Hou Yong has drafted specific regulations for these two matters according to his son's request. Please review them!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao took the book and immediately began to browse through it.

Zhu Xiong Ying continued, "Let's talk about admissions first. You see! Our university emphasizes practical learning, which is completely different from the teaching methods of the Imperial Academy!"

"The Imperial Academy is a place for nurturing scholars and training officials for our Great Ming Dynasty. It mainly admits the sons of officials and teaches them the classics, the principles of governing the country and bringing peace to the world. Our university, on the other hand, teaches agriculture, engineering, medicine, water conservancy, and natural sciences—all skills that bring peace to the people and benefit the world!"

"After all, in the long run, what the Ming Dynasty lacks has never been scholars of rigid, formulaic writing, but rather pragmatic talents capable of pioneering innovation and unleashing productive forces!"

"Therefore, in selecting students, the scope should be broadened. Regardless of whether they are from official families, poor families, farming families, or the descendants of artisans, anyone with some talent can be admitted!"

"For those from ordinary families, the relevant fees should be waived, and those with excellent academic performance should be provided with scholarships and grants..."

He had discussed this matter in detail with Lao Zhu.

However, this was the first time that Biao's father had spoken to his father about the purpose of building the school.

Zhu Biao was clearly curious about new terms like "productivity," and he stopped flipping through the book, looked up, and asked a question.

"Ying'er, what's the explanation for this productivity? Is it something you invented yourself?"

In the past two years, my eldest son has been frequently spouting all sorts of strange words.

It sounded strange at first, but over time, one could appreciate its deeper meaning...

Upon seeing this, I inquired.

We can't exactly bring out "The Wealth of Nations"!

Fortunately, over the years, Zhu Xiong Ying had followed great Confucian scholars such as Liu Sanwu and had memorized many ancient books, especially the "Emperor's Model" and "Mozi," which he could recite fluently.

Considering the current situation in the Ming Dynasty, he used simple and easy-to-understand language to educate Biao'er's father.

He picked up an empty cup, poured himself a cup of tea, took a small sip, and said calmly, "Father, this wasn't created by your son. It originates from the ancient sage kings and is recorded in the Six Classics!"

The Book of Documents, Hong Fan chapter, says: "Agriculture has eight policies, the first being food, the second being goods." Shennong cut wood to make hoes and heated wood to make plows, and taught the world to cultivate and weave, thus opening the source of the power to revitalize the people.

"Emperor Yao commanded Xihe to respectfully instruct the people on the seasons, and Emperor Shun commanded Houji to manage agriculture and sericulture..."

"In my son's view, all of this is more important than making a living; it all falls under the category of 'productivity'!"

The Analects says, "Be frugal in spending and love the people, and employ them at the right time." Looking at the rule of wise rulers throughout history, the key lies in making the most of the people's strength and relieving their suffering. Only in this way can we achieve "exerting the people's strength and acting at the right time, then the country will surely become rich!" This is the core of liberating productive forces!

"But right now, Your Majesty is reducing taxes and levies, not interfering with farming seasons, and severely punishing corruption, allowing the people to focus on farming and weaving. This relieves the people's burden and falls into the same category!"

"Specializing tasks for specific people is the core principle of stimulating the people's strength and an important means of liberating productive forces. As the Zhou Li says, 'The state has six offices, and the hundred craftsmen occupy one of them.' The Di Fan also discusses that 'The wise take their strategies, the foolish take their strength, the brave take their power, and the timid take their caution'..."

"My son promotes practical learning, offering specialized instruction in agriculture, engineering, and medicine. The purpose of establishing schools is also to expand the people's resources, implement specific divisions of labor, improve the efficiency of people's livelihoods, and ultimately achieve the goals of ensuring the people's well-being, prosperity, and national stability..."

The following few words can be considered the core ideas of "The Wealth of Nations".

The Ming Dynasty's focus on agriculture aligns with the agrarian school of thought.

This means that only agricultural production is considered productive labor, and only land can create wealth.

In fact, Zhu Xiong Ying understood this as well.

At present, the Ming Dynasty has not yet developed to the next stage, so we do not seek to change mindsets, but rather to plant a seed!

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes lit up, as if he had grasped something. He couldn't help but admire his son's profound thinking and said with a smile, "Ying'er's words make a lot of sense!"

"Furthermore, the ability to apply ancient wisdom to modern life and to consider the needs of people's livelihoods and all sectors of society is truly remarkable..."

After acknowledging and praising him, he simply closed the book and, continuing with the matter of the university, frowned and said, "What you just said about not considering background in admissions is exactly what your imperial grandfather wanted—to bring peace and stability to the people! At the beginning, we don't need too many people; two hundred will suffice!"

"Furthermore, after reviewing the detailed explanation, I understand you intend to recruit for practical teaching positions by category!"

"For example, in the agricultural and sericulture department, we invited senior agricultural officials from Yingtian Prefecture, as well as some experienced farmers knowledgeable in breeding superior varieties. In the medical department, we invited imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy who had returned to their posts, and also respected doctors from the common people..."

"These are not major issues; as long as the central government issues a document, it can be implemented effectively!"

"However, to accomplish all of this, including subsidies for impoverished students, the expenses were enormous!"

"The Crown Prince can provide a portion of this money. However, neither the national treasury nor the Ministry of Revenue can readily provide so much spare cash for the remaining needs!"