Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

Chang'an City is in complete chaos.

The streets of Zhuque were densely packed with scholars dressed in long gowns.

Dozens, even hundreds of them, gathered together and completely blocked the gates of the Imperial Academy.

"Defend the Way of the Sages."

"The Crown Prince has insulted literature and abolished the classics; this is an outrage against Heaven."

The leading group of imperial students stood in front and shouted loudly.

The surrounding students raised their arms in cheering.

The locals on the roadside watched the spectacle unfold.

When the news reached Ganlu Palace, Li Shimin's headache started again.

He leaned back on the soft couch, rubbing his temples vigorously.

Wang De carefully approached, carrying a bowl of calming soup.

Li Shimin pushed the soup away immediately.

"What's the situation outside?"

"Your Majesty, over a thousand scholars have gathered outside the Imperial Academy, and several hundred are also sitting in silence at the Imperial College."

Some even threatened to go on a hunger strike if His Majesty did not rescind his order.

Wang De reported this in a low voice.

Li Shimin grabbed the paperweight from the table and smashed it on the ground.

"A bunch of idiots. They're being used as pawns and they're still acting all high and mighty."

Fang Xuanling, who was sitting below, sighed.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. His Highness the Crown Prince's words in court today did indeed strike a nerve with the aristocratic families."

They are using all the scholars in the world to force the emperor to abdicate.

Li Shimin looked at Fang Xuanling with a livid face.

Are mathematics and the study of things useful?

He certainly knew that these things were very useful to the Tang Dynasty.

What the Tang Dynasty needs most right now is people like this who can get things done.

However, the imperial examination system was the foundation of the nation.

Scholars all over the world are studying the Four Books and Five Classics, hoping to get ahead through them.

Suddenly saying they're not going to test it anymore, or reducing its weight to include accounting and blacksmithing, is like taking away everyone's livelihood.

The powerful clans were deeply entrenched in the local area and controlled books and educational resources.

If we really anger Shilin, students from all over the country will boycott the exams, and it may even cause unrest. How can this country remain stable?

"Xuanling, how do you think this matter should be resolved?"

Fang Xuanling said with a grave expression:

"Your Majesty, the reform of the imperial examination system is a complex undertaking with far-reaching consequences, and we must not rush into it."

His Highness the Crown Prince's intentions were good, but he took too big a step.

Your Majesty, I believe the most urgent task is to quell the anger of the scholars and stabilize the court.

"You mean you want me to reject the Crown Prince's proposal?"

"Stop implementing it for now. Wait three to five years, until the court has gradually cultivated a group of mathematical talents, and then proceed with it gradually. Right now, we must not push the aristocratic families into a corner."

After a moment of silence, Li Shimin instructed Wang De:

"Go and summon the Crown Prince."

Half an hour later, Li Chengqian arrived at Ganlu Palace.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

Li Shimin pointed to the brocade bench next to him.

"Sit down and talk."

Li Chengqian sat down and picked up the teacup on the table to drink.

Li Shimin was furious when he saw his nonchalant attitude.

"There's chaos outside, yet you have the leisure to drink tea."

"A bunch of bookworms being made a fool of, what's there for me to be so anxious about?"

Li Chengqian put down his teacup and said with a smile.

"You still dare to say that?"

Li Shimin slammed his hand on the table.

"Do you know that thousands of people have already gathered outside the Imperial Academy? Scholars from all over the country who are going to the capital for the imperial examinations are all making connections. With just one sentence, you have offended all the scholars in the country."

"So be it. The Tang Dynasty has no shortage of useless people who can only recite books; what it lacks are talents who can build cannons and construct water conservancy projects."

Li Shimin suppressed his anger and said:

"Brilliant, listen to my advice."

I know that mathematics and the study of things are useful. But now is not the time.

You should slow down. I can allocate 100,000 strings of cash from the Imperial Treasury to you as compensation for the deficit of your Royal Trading Company.

"We'll talk about the imperial examinations later."

Li Shimin felt that he had already made a great concession.

The mighty emperor of the Tang Dynasty used his own private savings to appease his son.

Li Chengqian stared at Li Shimin for a while, then suddenly laughed.

"Father, are you afraid?"

"presumptuous!"

Li Shimin suddenly stood up and roared.

"You're just scared."

Li Chengqian then stood up.

"You were afraid that those powerful families would incite the students to cause trouble, and that they would undermine your imperial power. So you chose to compromise and use money to shut me up."

Li Shimin was so angry with this rebellious son that he almost died.

"What do you know? Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. The powerful clans are deeply entrenched. If we really push them too far, the Tang Dynasty will fall into internal strife."

"Compromise will not bring peace."

Li Chengqian retorted,

"If you back down today, they will take two steps forward tomorrow."

They had always held the power to select officials in the Tang Dynasty tightly.

They decided exactly what was tested in the imperial examinations.

They decide who gets to be an official.

If this continues, will the world ultimately belong to the Li family, or to the other five clans and seven noble families?

Li Shimin, his face flushed red with anger, retorted:

"It's not your place to lecture me on what I do."

"I'm not lecturing you, I'm just reminding you."

Li Chengqian spread his hands.

"The imperial examination system must be reformed. If it is not reformed, the Tang Dynasty will forever be subject to others. Mathematics and physics must be included in the imperial examination system."

"impossible!"

Li Shimin refused decisively.

"I will never risk the Li Tang dynasty for this. There is no room for discussion. Wang De!"

Wang De quickly jogged in.

"Issue the imperial decree! The Crown Prince's proposal to add mathematics and physics as subjects is contrary to ancestral rules and is rejected! The Imperial Academy is ordered to appease the students, and no one is allowed to gather crowds to cause trouble again; violators will be severely punished!"

Wang De accepted the order and ran out.

Li Shimin pointed to the gate.

"Go back to your Eastern Palace. These next few days, stay behind closed doors and reflect on your mistakes. Without my decree, you are not allowed to cause trouble."

Li Chengqian looked at the furious Li Shimin without saying anything, then turned and left.

You can't just push your luck with a stubborn mule like that.

The imperial edict was delivered outside the Taiji Palace.

The students gathered on Zhuque Avenue erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"The Way of the Sage has been preserved!"

They hugged each other, some even weeping with joy.

In the Cui family mansion in Qinghe, Cui Mingan listened to his servant's report and laughed loudly:

"The Crown Prince is still too young. Does he think he can overthrow the centuries-old foundation of our aristocratic families with just a few words? That's just wishful thinking."

The head of the Wang family echoed:

"His Majesty still cares about us. As long as the imperial examination system remains in our hands, the court cannot be turned upside down."

"Come, everyone, drink this cup to the brim. Today we have taught the Crown Prince a good lesson."

The powerful officials celebrated their promotions.

The Eastern Palace.

Li Chengqian returned to his study and kicked over the chair in front of him.

Xiao Shunzi was so scared that he huddled in the corner and didn't dare to breathe.

Cheng Chumo, Fang Yi'ai, and the others stood aside, looking at each other in bewilderment.

"Your Highness, with His Majesty's decree, won't all our plans over the past few months be ruined?"

Cheng Chumo scratched his head, asking with a face full of resentment.

After sitting down, Li Chengqian poured himself a cup of cold tea and gulped it down.

There was no trace of dejection on his face; instead, it exuded a fierce determination.

"A hot spring bath? Dream on!"

Li Chengqian slammed the teacup heavily onto the table.

"If the court won't allow it, then I'll do it myself in the Eastern Palace."

Xiao Shunzi was stunned, and quickly stepped forward to ask:

"Your Highness, you mean...?"

"My father fears offending the powerful families, but I am not."

Li Chengqian sneered.

"Since the imperial examinations don't test mathematics and the investigation of things, I'll teach them myself. Go and fetch Changsun Chong for me."

Not long after, Changsun Chong arrived at the study.

"Your Highness, you wanted to see me?"

Li Chengqian took out a blueprint and slammed it on the table.

How much spare cash does the Royal Merchant Bank currently have in its accounts?

"Your Highness, the business has been making a fortune these past few months. After deducting the expenses for the Imperial Guard, there are still nearly two million strings of cash in the account."

Changsun Chong reported a startling number.

"it is good."

Li Chengqian pointed heavily at the drawing.

"Give me 500,000 strings of cash. Buy me a large plot of land outside Chang'an, on the banks of the Wei River. I want to build a school there."

Changsun Chong asked in shock:

"A school? Your Highness, you want to establish a school?"

"Yes. The name is Donggong Gewu Academy."

Li Chengqian stood up.

"Don't aristocratic families monopolize the Four Books and Five Classics? Then we won't teach the Four Books and Five Classics."

We teach mathematics, water conservancy, mechanics, how to make steel, and how to farm.

Cheng Chumo listened, completely stunned.

"Your Highness, will this work? Those scholars hate you to the core now; who would come here to learn these lowly professions?"

Changsun Chong also looked troubled and advised:

"Yes, Your Highness. Scholars believe in mastering both literary and martial arts so that they can serve the emperor."

They studied in order to pass the imperial examinations and become officials.

"The things our school teaches aren't tested in the imperial examinations, so even if we build it, we probably won't be able to attract any students."

Li Chengqian stopped and turned to look at them, asking in return:

"Who said I was going to recruit those pedantic scholars?"

The Tang Dynasty had no shortage of people. Those poor scholars, those refugees who couldn't even get enough to eat, and those wandering knights who had no connections and could only roam the streets.

They can't even read or write; did the aristocratic families ever give them a chance?

Changsun Chong shook his head.

"I'm giving them a chance."

Li Chengqian tapped the table.

"Issue a notice. The Donggong Gewu Academy is recruiting apprentices. No background is required, and no examination of Confucian classics will be held. Tuition is free, and room and board are provided."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shunzi hurriedly spoke up:

"Your Highness, this expense is far too great..."

"I have plenty of money."

Li Chengqian interrupted him.

"Moreover, I will pay them wages. As long as they have mastered their skills, they can directly enter the Liaodong workshops or become managers in the Royal Trading Company."

Those who perform exceptionally well will be directly appointed to official positions by me.

Upon hearing this, the study fell into a deathly silence.

Appointing officials himself?

This is tantamount to forging a new path outside the imperial court's official selection system.

"Go and get it done. I want to see the school's framework erected within ten days."