Chapter 4998 Giant of the School
In the process of checks and balances, compromise is often mutual, so that each can advance and retreat, gain and lose, and operate all rules under a tacit understanding.
The rules written on paper are often not rules, what’s under the water is...
As representatives of Confucianism in the world, Kong and Yan had unparalleled prestige. They sat in the royal study room and argued with Li Chengqian and Fang Jun. It seemed that their purpose was not achieved, and it might lead to a situation of "Southern Confucianism and Northern Confucianism". The decline in the power of Confucianism actually placed Confucianism in the position of "one of two".
Since Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty "deposed hundreds of schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone," Confucianism has flourished extremely in the Han Dynasty, sweeping everything and looking down upon the world, laying the foundation for Confucianism to become the core of Chinese culture. However, in the following hundreds of years, the land of China experienced several declines and wars. Incessantly, while being suppressed and destroyed by the Hu tribe, he also had to withstand the impact of the Buddhist and Taoist families, and his status fell to a low point.
Although the Sui Dynasty promoted Confucianism and established imperial examinations, the state was too short-lived and failed to end the split of Confucianism between the north and the south since the Jin and Southern Dynasties, with the north being weak and the south flourishing.
The founding of the Tang Dynasty and the compilation of the "Five Classics of Justice" marked the beginning of the integration and unification of Confucianism in the north and the south. However, how can the damage caused by hundreds of years of war be healed and healed overnight?
The Sui Dynasty worshiped Buddhism and the Tang Dynasty worshiped Taoism. Even though Confucianism had already become the core of Chinese culture, it could not obtain a corresponding status.
What Confucius and Yan wanted now was to give Confucianism a corresponding status.
It is impossible to "exclusively respect Confucianism". "One of the two" is already the most ideal state. As long as Buddhism and Taoism are suppressed, Confucianism will dominate the government and the public sooner or later.
When even Buddhism and Taoism cannot compete with it, how can "science" represented by "Zhenguan Academy" be moral?
……
After leaving the palace, Kong and Yan went to the Kong family's residence in Chang'an together, entered the study, waited for the servants to serve tea, and then dismissed them.
Yan Shigu wiped his face with a handkerchief and felt a little better. He had just spent a lot of energy in the game between His Majesty and Fang Jun in the Tai Chi Palace, and he couldn't stand it any longer...
Exhaling a breath of filthy breath, he looked at Kong Yingda, who was also depressed, and sighed: "Age is not forgiving. In the past, I could survive three days and three nights without sleeping, but now I have exhausted all my energy and energy." , it’s really useless.”
Kong Yingda held the tea cup, and seemed not to have much understanding of this. He pondered and said slowly: "I always feel a little worried in my heart. Could I be plotted by the second house guy?"
Yan Shigu was stunned: "Confucianism has manifested itself and returned to the dominant position, suppressing Buddhism and Taoism. Our initial expectations have been achieved, so what is the plot?"
Kong Yingda glanced at him and said in a deep voice: "Dear brother, please don't forget that the current schools of thought are not only Buddhism and Taoism, the newly emerged 'science' may also become a strong opponent, and Fang Er is the beginning of 'science' Brother Yu also works in the academy and not only appreciates the prosperity of its school. , the abundance of talents, and the ability to realize the power of various "sciences". Compared with Confucianism, subjects such as mathematics, chemistry, medicine, etc. pay more attention to practicality. At every moment, they reach the highest level to explore the mystery of the universe, which is completely different from Confucianism. Different, but not to be underestimated.”
In his view, the essence of Confucianism is to tell the world what to do, while the essence of science is to tell the world how to do it.
One is metaphysical, the other is metaphysical.
There is a difference in nature between the two. Confucianism establishes authority, while science questions authority. The foundation of Confucianism lies in the teachings of Confucius. This is the truth, unquestionable and irrefutable. All development must follow this foundation, otherwise it will be deviant and heretical. Science is just the opposite. The authority is established and regarded as the norm, but it must continue to challenge the authority until new authority is established.
The former is stable, the latter is changing, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
But it is undeniable that with the application of science, great progress has been made in aspects such as firearms, shipbuilding, architecture, etc., making the influence of science stronger and stronger.
Yan Shigu was stunned for a moment, and then he remembered that Fang Jun was not only a military leader and a giant, but also the author of "Mathematics", "Physics", "Chemistry" and other books, and the creation of many disciplines. Faintly, he had already made some progress. The foundation of the sect.
Nowadays, Fang Jun has not advocated his status as the "beginning of science", but what can he do later?
*****
In the third year of Renhe's reign, the sudden imperial examination shocked the court and swept through the state capital, and the entire empire was in commotion.
After Emperor Taizong reformed the imperial examination system and determined that the imperial examination was the only way to obtain scholars in the empire, the status of the imperial examination was infinitely elevated. However, in recent years, the political situation was turbulent and the court was unstable. Several imperial examinations were actually chaotic. It was a complete success, so everyone in the court paid great attention to this imperial examination. Even Xu Jingzong, the Minister of Rites, who traveled all over the world to measure acres of land, returned to Chang'an more than half a year in advance, waiting to preside over the examination.
……
In Zhenguan Academy, students from all over the country are preparing to return to their places of origin to take exams. The dormitory is busy, packing luggage, saying goodbye to each other, reluctant to leave, and it is noisy.
It had just snowed heavily, and the academy was filled with auspicious snow. The pavilions and pavilions were decorated with pink and jade. Students were coming and going in a hurry. Fang Jun and Xu Jingzong walked with their hands behind their backs. All the students they met stood in awe from a distance. On both sides of the road, bow and salute.
The two of them smiled and nodded in response.
Xu Jingzong was originally short and fat. During this year, he traveled around the prefectures and counties and measured acres of land. Instead of losing weight, he became more round and round. This shows that his daily life is by no means as hard, simple and strict as he said in his letter to His Majesty.
There may be self-discipline, but Xu Jingzong's self-discipline is "unwavering love for money and silk"...
Fang Jun glanced at the round belly that could not be covered by the man's cloak, and said with a smile: "I'm going to travel around the world and tighten my grip on the throats of aristocratic families. I guess I'll gain a lot of money, right?"
Xu Jingzong trembled all over and said hurriedly: "Have you heard some slanderous remarks, Taiwei? This is absolutely not the case! Measuring acres is a national policy decreed by His Majesty. It is related to the cornerstone of the empire. Even if the official has two heads, it will not matter. Dare to use your brain on this matter! On the contrary, this time when I travel around the world, I am strict with myself, abide by the law, and do official business at all times. Although the nobles from the aristocratic families continue to seduce me with money and beauty, my loyalty to the emperor is as strong as a rock and will not waver!"
He never thought there was anything wrong with being greedy for money, but no matter how greedy he was, he still knew that the matter of measuring the land was attracting the attention of the world. His every move was in the eyes of everyone, so how could he dare to reach out randomly?
Furthermore, he is now the Minister of Rites and the first among the six ministers, one step away from the prime minister. He has worked tirelessly to travel around the world and what he has done is just a step forward. How can he lose a big thing because of a small thing?
Fang Jun walked with his hands behind his back, waving to Cen Changqian who was coming from a distance, looked at Xu Jingzong and said disapprovingly: "Some things do not require conclusive evidence, as long as His Majesty believes that you made a mistake, that is enough. ”
In the cold weather, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Xu Jingzong's back, and he said with a wry smile: "It is not advisable to be aloof, and it is not advisable to live in harmony with the world. It is really difficult."
"Haha, do you still feel wronged?"
Fang Jun couldn't help but laugh and looked at Xu Jingzong, who looked hopeless: "That's all, let's do what we want."
It is said that a country is easy to change but its nature is hard to change. How could Xu Jingzong, a man who loved money as much as his life, travel among states and counties, hold the world of aristocratic families tightly in his hands, be clean and clean?
However, the reason why Fang Jun reminded and warned him was to let him not make a big mistake out of a small thing. There is really no one else in the court who is more suitable to do this job than him. He is cunning, cunning and easy to do with ease. Although this person has poor moral character. Duan, but still a well-known official through the ages.
Of course, being greedy for money is not a bad thing. At least Fang Jun has many handles in his hands, and he can also control him. If he can use it, he can use it. If one day he cannot use it, he can be beaten to death with a stick, and there will be no future troubles...
Cen Changqian walked up quickly and bowed and saluted: "I have met Taiwei, I have met Xu Shangshu."
Fang Jun nodded: "No need to be polite."
Xu Jingzong suppressed the panic on his face, took two steps forward, patted Cen Changqian on the shoulder, and praised: "Leading my classmates to hide in the East Palace, defeating rebellion at critical moments, and ensuring that the crown prince is not lost, good, good, good, my nephew has a bright future!"< br>
Although he no longer holds any position in the academy, after all, he has made great contributions to the academy since its inception. He has also watched these young talents gradually grow up. As long as he has good connections, these are all his connections.
Isn't it because of this connection that I surrendered to the academy and was bullied to a great extent by Fang Jun but still persisted?
It can be said that Fang Jun benefited the most from the establishment of Zhenguan Academy, followed by Xu Jingzong.
Cen Changqian hurriedly said humbly: "Shang Shu's false praise, I am ashamed to deserve it! We have been taught by the academy to be loyal to the emperor and patriotic, and always put the interests of the empire above all else. In the face of rebellion by rebels, we will naturally go all out, without sacrificing our own lives."
Fang Jun stopped, smiled and greeted the students, and asked: "Have your luggage been prepared? When will you set off to return home?"
Cen Changqian said respectfully: "We have already prepared. However, most of the students in the academy are originally from other places. It is a bit hasty to return home this time. Documents, directions, etc. have to be issued at short notice, so the students stayed to coordinate and help. Anyway, the students are not far from home." , just return before the provincial examination.”
Fang Jun nodded.
The Cen family was originally from Jiyang, Dengzhou. They set out from Chang'an and crossed the Shangyugu Road to Nanyang. The one-way trip took up to half a month, so there was plenty of time.
Cen Changqian was originally good at both morals and academics, and came from a well-known family. She also had an uncle who was a former servant. She had great influence among the academy students. Now she led the academy students to form the "Shenji Battalion" to protect the East Palace and the prince. She became more and more... His reputation has grown rapidly and he has become a leader among the students in the academy. "Although you already have an official position, you have never been admitted to the imperial examination, and your foundation is shallow. After returning to your hometown, you will take the exam well. At least you will pass the Ministry of Rites exam. Your future is limitless."