The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

This statement came out.

Fang Xiaoru paused, turned around, and looked on in surprise.

He studied under the great Confucian scholar Song Lian and could recite Confucian classics such as "The Great Learning" from memory, and even had annotations on them.

Furthermore, from the perspective of academic methods, he most despised two types of people.

First, there are those who only nitpick over wording and engage in empty talk about principles, turning Confucianism into a dead subject and completely ignorant of practical application.

Secondly, they only know how to study practical matters, but they have lost sight of the fundamental principles of self-cultivation of sages and have become vulgar officials who curry favor with the powerful!

And what he devoted his life to, thought about and sought was precisely to achieve the integration of inner sagehood and outer kingship.

How can we apply the principles of self-cultivation, family management, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world to the well-being of the people and the world?

The phrase "inner sage and outer king" comes from the "Tianxia" chapter of the Zhuangzi, meaning to possess the virtues of a sage within oneself and to practice the way of a king without.

The Book of Rites further summarizes it into "three guiding principles and eight items"!

This is not a question that a scion of a noble family who has only read a few lines of the Four Books and Five Classics could raise!

But look at what is left unsaid.

Fang Xiaoru, intrigued, remained silent for a moment before asking earnestly, "Does your son have any insights on this matter?"

Sanbao was secretly amazed when he heard this.

The eldest grandson of the emperor was right!

He chuckled and, instead of speaking directly, respectfully replied, "To be honest, Mr. Fang!"

"My young master has pondered several arguments. At one point, he thinks that self-cultivation should come first, but at another point, he feels that without the stability and well-being of the people, self-cultivation is just empty talk!"

"After going back and forth like this, something still doesn't feel right! He also said that this issue needs to be discussed with the gentleman in person..."

Now that things have come to this point...

Fang Xiaoru was certainly aware of the purpose behind this.

I'm quite interested in meeting this young master!

His doubts dispelled, he pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "In that case, I'll trouble your young master to lead the way!"

Sanbao beamed with joy and quickly stepped aside to lead the way, saying, "Mr. Fang, please!"

……

However, they mentioned the location of the restaurant.

I made a reservation two days in advance.

Furthermore, for the safety of the eldest grandson of the emperor, the place was filled with plainclothes imperial guards.

When Sanbao led Fang Xiaoru in, the hall and its surroundings were quite empty and desolate!

Second-floor private rooms.

Upon learning that Lao Fang had arrived, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately got up and went outside.

The moment I saw Fang Xiaoru.

Seeing his handsome appearance, I couldn't help but admire him.

He then used an alias to greet Mr. Fang, saying, "Junior Zhu Xiong greets Mr. Fang!"

"Please forgive my intrusion, sir!"

Fang Xiaoru looked at the person in front of him, his face filled with undisguised astonishment.

The boy was only a little over ten years old. His black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, and a plain white jade pendant was tied around his waist. He was dressed in a moon-white blouse, which made him look handsome and tall!

In terms of appearance, he was truly blessed with heroic spirit, with the countenance of the sun and moon, and the bearing of a dragon and phoenix.

Although he was gentle and polite, he could not hide the noble and dignified air about him.

Judging from his status and demeanor, he is certainly not simple.

Otherwise, how could they have known in advance that he would be acquitted?

Looking back over the years, he had seen too many arrogant and domineering sons of the powerful and wealthy who relied on their family background, but he had never seen such an outstanding person!

Fang Xiaoru's expression turned serious, and he immediately cupped his hands in return, saying, "Young master, you are too kind. You flatter me!"

It's obvious that Lao Fang is a straight man.

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't waste any words and led them to a private room to sit down.

After serving the hot tea, Lai Shun gestured for the others to leave.

Then, using the prelude of having Sanbao inform them in advance, they began to discuss the way of the university.

Furthermore, during the conversation with Lao Fang, the conversation gradually veered towards practical learning.

"In my humble opinion, knowledge without action is not true knowledge."

The Great Learning begins by saying, "To manifest one's virtue lies in illuminating one's heart, and to love the people lies in loving them." Illuminating one's virtue is the essence, and loving the people is the application; the essence can only be manifested through its application!

"Sir, you just said, 'To love the people means to educate them and nurture them.' Nurturing the people comes first, followed by educating them. So, what does nurturing the people rely on?"

"We must rely on the study of agriculture and sericulture to ensure the people have food to eat. We must rely on the study of water conservancy to ensure the fields yield harvests. We must rely on the study of medicine to reduce the people's suffering from illness. Aren't all of these part of the investigation of things to acquire knowledge? Aren't they the principles of self-cultivation, family harmony, national order, and world peace?"

Seeing the old man stroking his beard in deep thought.

Zhu Xiong Ying further explained the concept of "unity of knowledge and action".

This doctrine was originally proposed by Wang Shouren, the great synthesizer of the School of Mind, during the Zhengde era, after he attained enlightenment in Longchang and lectured at the Wenming Academy.

He clearly understood Fang Xiaoru's character and disposition.

He integrated the ideas of virtuous men of later generations with Confucian classics without going against the grain. Instead, he made the "cultivation of oneself, regulation of one's family, governance of the state, and bringing peace to the world" in the Great Learning more thorough and practical!

Fang Xiaoru was not yet thirty years old at the time.

While I have my own unique insights into the teachings of sages and worthies, they are not profound or thorough enough.

The Neo-Confucian system of "understanding the essence and applying it to practical use" that it has constructed has not yet been fully formed, let alone reached its peak!

Zhu Xiong Ying's words often contain a lot of novel ideas.

Before I knew it, I was completely stunned!

Deep within my heart, I was also deeply moved and greatly inspired!

As the saying goes, virtue is not determined by age, and the right path is not determined by position.

After pondering for a long time, Fang Xiaoru slowly rose, cupped his hands, and said, "Young master, you are young, yet you have such profound insights into the ways of sages and saints, and you have explained the principles of inner sagehood and outer kingship so clearly... I have learned a great deal!"

Sure enough, Lao Fang is a man of strong emotions!

Zhu Xiong Ying hurriedly stepped forward, reached out to help him up, and replied, "Mr. Fang, you mustn't make such a grand gesture; I am unworthy of such a courtesy!"

"These are merely some superficial insights that I, a junior, have gleaned from my reading!"

After sitting down again.

Fang Xiaoru's tone became much more amiable, and he took the initiative to ask, "I still don't know which school you studied under, young master?"

Zhu Xiong Ying blinked.

From which school did he learn his skills?!

There were many people teaching him in the main hall.

There were Lao Liu, Lao Song, Lao Gui, Lao Li...

These are all great Confucian scholars of our time!

He then said, "In response to Mr. Fang, my grandfather attached great importance to my studies and hired many tutors to teach me..."

After the perfunctory response.

Zhu Xiong Ying paused slightly before revealing the purpose of his trip.

"Mr. Fang, are you aware that since last year, the imperial court has established a school in the suburbs, intending to specifically teach practical skills for the well-being of the people, such as agriculture, medicine, water conservancy, and mathematics..."

The details of establishing the university were briefly described.

Observing the change in Lao Fang's expression, he frowned and sighed, "This junior remembers what you said, sir: virtue is the foundation, skill is the application!"

"The concern is that if the royal family only teaches practical skills and not moral cultivation, the students will only become vulgar people, or even become wicked villains who harm the people..."

Fang Xiaoru listened and nodded repeatedly.

Judging from what this young master Zhu said, it certainly makes sense!

The newly established imperial academy, which combines Neo-Confucianism with practical matters concerning people's livelihood, aligns with his belief in applying knowledge to practical affairs and is a result of his personal commitment.

He stroked his beard and pondered, "Young Master Zhu is right!"

He offered a few words of praise and recognition.

Unexpectedly, the young man before him suddenly stood up, bowed deeply, and said, "Sir, your pursuit of the Way of the Wise King, which brings peace and enlightens all people, is something I greatly admire!"

"Today, I have a request! The university is about to open for enrollment, and I sincerely invite you to reside there, preside over the lectures on the classics, and teach the students to cultivate their character, clarify their minds, and understand the Way, so that they may become pillars of society who care for the people, are capable, and dare to take responsibility!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoru immediately sensed something was amiss.

He took another look at the "Young Master Zhu" in front of him.

There were some guesses, but it was difficult to be sure for the time being.

He then tentatively asked, "May I ask who you are, young master?"