Chapter 4996 A group of rebellious officials and traitors
When I first heard Fang Jun's suggestion, I was really refreshed and fascinated. If it could be implemented, the whole world would be Confucian. From then on, Confucian disciples would dominate the court.
But Confucius and Yan were not rotten scholars who were ignorant of worldly affairs. Not only did they have profound knowledge, but their ways of dealing with the world were also honed over time. They were born in troubled times and became famous all over the world. How could they be like this?
After a brief excitement, he calmed down.
Kong Yingda shook his head: "Your Majesty will definitely not agree."
Yan Shigu also said: "This plan is contrary to the national policy and is extremely difficult to implement."
The two of them have the same idea: Are you favoring us? !
Since ancient times, the lack of books has made it difficult to spread knowledge. The production and copying of a book not only consumes money and silk, but also requires the work of literate people. Therefore, books can only be owned by wealthy families and can be passed down by nobles and nobles.
To this day, the foundation of Confucianism lies in the aristocratic family, whether it is a poor family or a common people, people who can't even afford books, let alone interpreting the meaning of the scriptures?
The imperial examination policy can indeed cultivate outstanding children from poor families and outstanding people in the future, but this requires not only long-term management, but also some luck.
Therefore, the imperial examinations set up by Fang Jun not only include Ming Jing, but also Ming Shu, medicine, astronomy, physics and other subjects. As long as you pass the exam, you will be awarded an official position by the court... The children of the aristocratic family have never studied these messy things. , this is an opportunity for poor families and common people.
Once the current imperial examinations are completely based on Confucianism, the court will inevitably be filled with people from the hairpin family and the disciples of the family. Wouldn’t the results of Taizong’s hard work of suppressing the family members be in vain?
It is absolutely impossible for Li Chengqian to pass such advice.
Moreover, the current imperial examination system was modified by Fang Jun based on the old system of the Sui Dynasty. How could it destroy the Great Wall?
It's obviously a scam.
Fang Jun waved his hands disapprovingly, with sincere words and a sincere expression: "As I just said, this junior, there are no absolutes in the world! Even if His Majesty fully agrees, do you really think that Confucianism can monopolize the world's schools and everyone in the world is a disciple of Confucianism? ? The water overflows when it is full, and the moon waxes and wanes. This is the principle of heaven and earth. ”
Kong Yingda understood what Fang Jun meant, nodded and said: "With that said, I think what you said is feasible."
He looked at Yan Shigu: "What do you think, dear brother?"
The latter thought for a moment and said: "You can give it a try."
It's just asking for high prices and paying back on the spot. Although he is a world-famous scholar, he is not ignorant of political methods.
What is politics?
It’s just constant advances, concessions, and mutual compromises.
Arithmetic, physics, even chemistry and astronomy can all be retained. These can enrich the cultural heritage. However, Confucianism is the only one that can combine classics and meanings.
*****
On the second day of February, Xu Jingzong, the Minister of Rites, returned to Chang'an from Shandong. He traveled all over Henan, Hebei, Shandong and other places, measuring acres of land and checking taxes. It can be said that he shocked the world and had a great reputation. This time he returned to Beijing to report on his work, not only should he be commended by the imperial court. In order to gain merit, enhance prestige, and more importantly, prepare for the upcoming imperial examination.
Some of the imperial examinations in the Tang Dynasty were inherited from the former Sui Dynasty, and some were pioneered by Fang Jun. Not to mention those subdivided subjects, just in terms of rules, they were divided into rural examinations, rites examinations, and palace examinations.
The edict states: "The scholars in each state who have early knowledge of the classics, as well as scholars, handsome men, and Jinshi, who are knowledgeable in theory and body, and are known in the countryside, will be appointed to the county examination, and the governor will repeat it. Those who pass it will pay tribute with things in October every year." The so-called "rural examination" was preliminarily conducted by state and county officials. The selected candidates went to Beijing "every October" to participate in the "Etiquette Examination" held by the imperial court.
Once you pass the "Ministry of Rites Examination", you will be granted an official status by the imperial court. After review by the Ministry of Personnel, you will be assigned an official position and officially enter the official career.
The subsequent "Palace Examination" will rank the students who passed the "Etiquette Examination"...
One of the most groundbreaking rules is the "response to submission" pioneered by Fang Jun. All students participating in the "provincial examination" do not have to be recommended by the government like in the Sui Dynasty. "Self-improvement", "Self-improvement", "Self-improvement", as long as you have talent, you can "self-improvement" and "self-improvement".
Education has been monopolized by aristocratic families for thousands of years. Even if any student can "bootstrap", in fact the candidates are all children of aristocratic families. Children of poor families and ordinary people are overwhelmingly eliminated in the first round of the "provincial examination". The halberd sank into the sand.
However, the establishment of this path has left a ladder for the children of poor families and ordinary people to reach the sky. With the popularization of books and the cheapness of paper, the monopoly of education has been pried open...
……
At the beginning of Shenshi, Li Chengqian, who had gone through many rituals of worshiping heaven and ancestors, dragged his tired body back to Taiji Palace, had a few bites of food, took a shower and changed clothes, then went to the imperial study of Wude Hall to meet Xu Jingzong.
Listening to Xu Jingzong's reply, Li Chengqian's sluggish spirit cheered up and a smile appeared on his face.
I am very glad that I listened to Fang Jun's advice and overcame all the objections to appoint Xu Jingzong to be responsible for measuring the land and checking taxes. When he was in the central government, this minister of the Ministry of Rites was obedient and versatile. After he went to the local government, he was ruthless and vigorous, and he was able to rectify the situation. Aristocratic families from all over the country complained endlessly and wanted to cry without tears.
Naturally, there were people who rebelled and resisted in various ways, but there were almost no more sinister and cunning people in the court than Xu Jingzong... In front of Xu Jingzong, they were just doing tricks.
"Ai Qing's actions will serve the country and benefit the future. I hope you can keep your original intention in mind and make persistent efforts!"
Li Chengqian praised Xu Jingzong's political achievements.
He thought that he did not have Taizong's ability to recognize people, so he would continue to use a useful minister after he caught him. He would make the best use of the minister and would not give up until he died of exhaustion...
"I am the dog and horse of Emperor Taizong who lives in the palace. Fortunately, I am able to serve His Majesty with the help of Taizong. I should do my best to serve the king!"
Xu Jingzong's face was glowing and he was excited. He was naturally very tired from running around and scheming, but he understood that this achievement would most likely become a solid foundation for his official career, enough to ensure that he would one day enter the political hall or even become the chief executive. No matter how hard it is and how tiring it is to be a member of Zhengzhongshu and one of his disciples, he still enjoys it as sweet as a cake.
Li Chengqian smiled and invited Xu Jingzong to drink tea. Although he knew that this person had some problems with his character and was repeatedly suppressed by Fang Jun, he had to admit that getting along with him was like a breeze, and his talents were outstanding and useful.
"The empire has expanded its territory and has a vast territory. In the past two years, the state has become increasingly prosperous and changing with each passing day. The imperial court is in urgent need of more talents to fill various positions. Therefore, I have discussed with all the prime ministers to add an imperial examination this year for Selecting talents. The provincial examinations in various places have been gradually carried out. Aiqing should be in the capital and preside over the examinations of the Ministry of Rites to share my worries."
"The duty of this minister is to work hard and sleep day and night, and not to slack off!"
Xu Jingzong hurriedly expressed his position, then looked at Li Chengqian's face and said cautiously: "But I heard privately that many great scholars have communicated with each other, intending to advise your Majesty to ban Ming Shu, astronomy, medicine and other subjects, and only retain Ming Jing." One subject, with the title of Confucian classics... The minister returned from Shandong, and there was a lot of public opinion in the places he passed. The Confucian disciples raised their arms and shouted loudly, and the momentum was overwhelming, and the people were agitated, and they were sure to win."
Li Chengqian looked ugly and said displeasedly: "Two days ago, two great scholars, Kong and Yan, jointly signed a letter on this matter. I haven't made a decision yet, but the world is already boiling. It can be seen that there is a premeditated plan, and they want to collude with the upper and lower officials, the government and the public, so as to put pressure on Me!”
Xu Jingzong didn't say much anymore, he just looked attentive and waited for Li Chengqian's decision.
Li Chengqian's face was full of anger, but it disappeared instantly and he sighed dejectedly.
Although he is an emperor and rules over the world, he seems to be enveloped in an invisible net. He relies on this net to rule the world and issue orders, but in turn he is bound by this net, unable to move, and even strangled. Throat tight, breathless.
When he was very young, he was conferred the title of Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty. His father taught him how to be a king. The most important thing is the word "checks and balances". Yes, it is "checks and balances", not "balance", because his father told him There are no absolutes in his world, and there is no absolute "balance" at all. Any force at any time is in a state of imbalance, and it is the art of the emperor to constantly check and balance various forces to achieve balance.
But now?
The power of the empire is nothing more than military affairs. The military situation is difficult to manage and there is a danger that it will be out of control. Even civilian politics is not willing to lie dormant. It intends to build a ruling framework under him as the emperor and elevate him as the emperor. , in fact it is up to them to implement the rule...
In Li Chengqian's view, these civil servants who talk about benevolence, justice and morality are not as good as Fang Jun. At least Fang Jun has never concealed his political leanings. "The interests of the empire are above all else" is Fang Jun's philosophy. He may not be loyal to the emperor, but he is absolutely loyal to the emperor. country.
And what about those civil servants?
Just like the aristocratic families behind them, they only want to evade the emperor and rely on the common people to suck their blood and maintain their so-called noble inheritance...
Taking a deep breath, Li Chengqian waved his hands and said in a deep voice: "The Tang Dynasty is the world of all people, not the world of one family and one surname, let alone the world of one school and one school. Confucianism has a long history and is a prominent scholar in the world, but arithmetic, physics, and astronomy , Medicine, etc. are also the studies of managing the world. How can we distinguish between superior and inferior? You can't use the classics of saints to measure mountains and rivers, study things to gain knowledge, and treat patients, right?"
After a pause, he said: "Confucianism is the mainstay, and miscellaneous studies are supplementary. This is Emperor Taizong's original intention to govern. I am not moral enough and dare not change Emperor Taizong's national policy. The whole world should also follow it."
He knew that Xu Jingzong was photographed by the great Confucians to test his bottom line, so he told his bottom line bluntly: It is okay to give priority to Confucianism, but it is not okay for Confucianism to unify the world.
This is not only the bottom line for him as the emperor, but also for the military such as Fang Jun and Li Ji. The prosperity of encyclopedia and the prosperity of both civil and military forces in Zhenguan Academy are enough to show Fang Jun's will.
Of course, for Confucianism to suddenly be so high-profile and so dismissive and unscrupulous towards the military, it must be that both parties have reached some kind of contract in private.
Between advancement and retreat, it is just a matter of compromise through struggle. But in this case, who cares about his dignity as an emperor?
A group of rebellious officials and thieves.