Chapter 292: Long Wilbur Suppresses the Imperial Academy
After passing the imperial examination and being selected as a scholar-in-waiting, Zhang Juzheng's official career was smooth sailing. He even occasionally appeared beside Emperor Jiajing to draft imperial edicts.
Gao Gong is an editor of the Hanlin Academy and is now waiting for the opportunity to come forward.
Zhou Xia was surrounded in the middle.
He raised his hand. "Just listen to me!"
The noise gradually faded away, and Zhan Qin sneered, "Let's hear what he has to say."
Zhou Xia straightened her clothes that had been pulled a little messy. Someone asked sarcastically, "Do you still remember your clothes?"
Zhou Xia glanced at the man. In the past, he would have definitely argued with him, but at this moment he felt that it all didn't matter.
"This matter originated from the Ministry of Revenue's prohibition on the sale of the Four Books and Five Classics to the outside of the Great Wall, and said that the Four Books and Five Classics could bring peace and harmony to the world, but the teacher disagreed."
"That traitor!" Zhan Qin sneered.
"Let me ask first." Zhou Xia said, "The Four Books and the Five Classics... let's talk about Confucianism! Since the Han Dynasty, Confucianism has been the most prominent school of thought in the Central Plains for many years. So I want to ask, is the Central Plains politically stable and harmonious?"
Zhan Qin said: "The prosperity of the Han and Tang dynasties has continued until now. Isn't this the result of Confucianism?"
"What do you think about this, Uncle?" Gao Gong asked.
Zhang Juzheng said: "A wise ruler and famous ministers."
Zhou Xia said in the crowd: "What is a prosperous age? In my opinion, at least it is a prosperous age when the people can fill their stomachs! Then let's take a look at the prosperous ages from the Han and Tang Dynasties to the present. The reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of the Western Han Dynasty was a prosperous age. When did it happen? In the early Han Dynasty!"
"The heyday of the pre-Tang Dynasty occurred during the Zhenguan period, which was also the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, is that correct?"
"What about Qian Song?" asked Zhan Qin.
"Former Song Dynasty, haha!" Zhou Xia replied with a haha, "When was the former Song Dynasty prosperous?"
"The former Song Dynasty had a harmonious government and harmonious people..."
"So they built Yueyang Tower?" Zhou Xia responded sharply, "With powerful enemies outside, they don't know how to reorganize the army, and with three redundancies inside, they are powerless to save the situation. Is this a prosperous era?"
Zhan Qin was silent.
"The so-called prosperous times of the pre-Han and pre-Tang dynasties all occurred at the beginning of the dynasties. Why?" Zhou Xia said, "When times of turmoil are chaotic, nine out of ten households are killed and emptied. When a dynasty rises, there are many unowned lands in the world, so much so that people have to encourage childbirth. What is the basis of this prosperous time? Farmland! Everyone has land to farm!"
Zhang Juzheng exclaimed softly, and Gao Gong said indifferently: "It is quite innovative."
“Is this the achievement of Confucianism?”
"Why not?" Zhan Qin retorted, "If it weren't for us assisting the king and regulating yin and yang, how could the world be peaceful and harmonious?"
"What about now?" Zhou Xia asked with a piercing look in his eyes, "Aren't the Confucian scholars assisting the king now? But the Ming Dynasty now has Altan Khan lurking in the north, frightening the nine borders, and Japanese pirates in the southeast, making the southern officers and soldiers helpless. This is an external threat."
He looked at the crowd, and suddenly a heavy feeling welled up in his heart. "We have heard about the current internal affairs of the Ming Dynasty in the Hanlin Academy. The number of refugees is increasing day by day. Officials from all over the country have joined hands with wealthy families to annex land and collect people, but taxes cannot be reduced. So they imposed taxes on the remaining fields and people...
The people’s livelihood became increasingly difficult, to the point where they abandoned their land and became refugees, or gave up their land and joined the powerful families…”
Gao Gong stood up straight, his eyes sparkling as he said, "It's quite interesting!"
"Military power cannot resist strong enemies, and literary power cannot stabilize the world. Today, I, Zhou Xia, ask you a question on behalf of the people of the world: Have the books of sages and the Four Books and Five Classics you read been turned into dogs' stomachs?"
Zhou Xia's voice echoed in the Hanlin Academy.
"What's the point of reading the Four Books and Five Classics? To establish a mind for heaven and earth, to establish a destiny for the people... Where should we establish it? Who can answer Zhou?"
Zhou Xia looked around, and Zhan Qin sneered, "The current one is stubborn..."
"This guy is seeking death!" Zhang Juzheng said coldly.
The present refers to Emperor Jiajing, and stubbornness refers to the fact that Emperor Jiajing and the scholar-officials became enemies.
"Who is the one who annexed the land?" Zhou Xia asked, "Who is the one who took in the people? Mr. Zhan, do you have any way to solve this problem?"
Zhan Qin: “…”
"Who can solve this problem?" Zhou Xia asked, "Who can find a solution from the Four Books and Five Classics, from Confucianism? Who?"
Someone shouted, "Zhou Xia is blaspheming the teachings of the sages... Beat him!"
In an instant Zhou Xia was overwhelmed by the crowd.
"You bastard!" Zhang Juzheng couldn't help cursing, "You can't win the argument so you resort to violence, damn it!"
Gao Gong asked, "Do you dare to take action?"
Zhang Juzheng glanced at him.
Bang bang bang bang!
Later, three guys with bruised faces and noses smiled bitterly outside the Hanlin Academy.
……
There was chaos in the Hanlin Academy, and the president immediately threatened to expel Zhou Xia.
The news quickly spread throughout the scholars in the capital.
Zhou Dong is waiting for the matchmaker at home today.
The matchmaker arrived half an hour later than the agreed time and looked a little embarrassed.
"Mr. Zhou, I'm not saying anything, but your eldest son... Hey!" The matchmaker sighed, took a sip of tea, looked at the nervous Zhou Dong and said, "You don't know yet?"
"What do you know?" Zhou Dong was at home today, so how could he know what was happening in the outside world?
"Your eldest son had a conflict with someone in the Hanlin Academy today and was kicked out by the dean." The matchmaker didn't notice that Zhou Dong was stunned and complained, "The Chen family had said everything was fine, but after hearing about this, they changed their mind and said they would wait and see. What are they waiting to see? It's just an excuse. Duke Zhou, Duke Zhou..."
Zhou Dong came to his senses and thought about the damage this incident had done to his little daughter's reputation. He was extremely anxious. "Can this be salvaged? Giving more dowry would also help."
"Hey! No matter how much the dowry is, can it possibly compete with the Hanlin Academy? The Chen family has said that all the graduates of the Hanlin Academy are prime ministers. Your eldest son has offended a group of future prime ministers. Who would dare to marry your second wife?"
The matchmaker left.
Wang had just come back from something and asked, "Where's the matchmaker?"
"That thing...I'm afraid it won't work." Zhou Dong said dejectedly.
Wang asked about the whole thing and her face flushed, "We have already agreed on it. Isn't this bullying?"
"But we haven't exchanged invitations yet, so we can't be engaged." Zhou Dong smiled bitterly, "Go and talk to the Second Lady..."
"Da Lang..." Wang gritted her teeth and said, "How can you be so ignorant!"
"I'll talk to him."
Not long after, the sound of the second lady sobbing was heard from the backyard.
"Hey!"
Zhou Dong squatted in the yard and sighed.
Zhou Xia didn't return home until the sun set.
Zhou Dong smelled the alcohol on him and saw that he had a bruised face and nose. He immediately forgot to scold him and hurriedly asked Wang to find medicine.
"No, it's just a superficial wound."
Zhou Dong wanted to talk but stopped. Wang wanted to speak several times, but finally held back when she saw the injuries on her son's body.
At night, the couple lay in bed and whispered to each other.
"Da Lang's future is bleak, mother, why don't we give up on the marriage and find a matchmaker for your husband. The capital is so big, and my daughter is not only beautiful, but also suitable for a family. Are you afraid that she won't find a husband?" "But if others find out that the second lady has a brother who offended the Hanlin Academy, who would dare to marry into our family?"
"This matter... oh!"
"How about asking Dalang to lower his head?"
"Da Lang has always been very proud since he was young!"
"What about the second lady?"
"I might as well go to Chen's house tomorrow and bow my head."
"I'm just afraid his family won't agree."
At breakfast the next day, Zhou Xia saw that his sister's eyes were red and swollen and his parents looked tired, so he asked them the reason.
Finally, my sister couldn't help herself and talked about the marriage.
"You are an unfilial son!" Zhou Xia knelt down.
"Get up!" Zhou Dong couldn't help his son up, so he smiled bitterly and said, "The Chen family and our family have known each other for many years. If I go and talk to them today, we may be able to save the relationship."
But Zhou Xia knew that this matter was very troublesome.
He went to the Bo's house and told his teacher what happened.
As the saying goes, once you are a teacher, you are a father for life. The disciple eats what the teacher gives, uses what the teacher gives, and seeks help from the teacher when he has problems... It's natural.
Of course, if the teacher has something to do or has no one to take care of him in his old age, the disciple will be accused of being ungrateful if he does not help.
"I feel very guilty, and I also feel... as if I am being tied up by something."
"The Ming Dynasty is not the only place where officials can be found in the Hanlin Academy."
Jiang Qingzhi stood up and patted his shoulder. "I originally wanted to go to the Imperial Academy tomorrow, but since those people are unscrupulous, there's no need to wait. Let's go!"
……
When Jiang Qingzhi and Zhou Xia appeared outside the Hanlin Academy, the news spread quickly.
"Your Majesty, Long Wilbur has gone to the Imperial Academy, and the Imperial Academy is now bustling with people..."
Rui Jingxian stole a glance at Emperor Jiajing.
Emperor Jiajing looked much more energetic. "Yesterday, my disciple was beaten up, and today he went to my house to beat him up. This is his usual style."
Rui Jingxian said: "Those people said that the Hanlin Academy was determined to win this debate today."
"No one supports him?"
"Yes, I was beaten yesterday."
"The Hanlin Academy didn't even say anything, but took action." The Taoist said sarcastically, "If you can't win the argument, then take action. Qingzhi likes people like this the most... Report to me anytime."
"Yes."
……
Hanlin Academy.
Jiang Qingzhi stood in the yard, Zhou Xia stood on the side and behind him, Sun Chonglou and Dou Jialan stood on the left and right, both of them were equipped with long swords.
"I came here today to ask, is the Hanlin Academy a place for reasoning or fighting?" Jiang Qingzhi ignored the dozens of people in front of him and said, "If you want to fight, then I will accompany you. If you want to talk, who will do it?"
Zhan Qin stepped forward and saluted, "I am the editor of the Hanlin Academy, Zhan Qin. I did not do anything yesterday."
"So, are you going to argue with Uncle Ben today?" Jiang Qingzhi asked.
"Yes." After yesterday, Zhan Qin and several colleagues studied until midnight, just for the next debate. He said: "Before the Han Dynasty, the world was in disorder, so there were endless wars."
Jiang Qingzhi nodded, indicating his agreement.
Zhan Qin felt relieved. According to last night's analysis, as long as he could stand firm at the beginning, he would be confident that he could suppress the opponent afterwards.
"During the Former Han Dynasty, all schools of thought were abolished, and Confucianism was the only one respected. This is how the Former Han Dynasty established its foundation for hundreds of years..."
Most people in the Hanlin Academy looked proud and had a sense of pride.
"and many more."
Jiang Qingzhi stopped him.
"Does Chang Wei have anything to say? I'm all ears." Zhan Qin said with a smile. Last night they had discussed various ways to deal with the situation and prepared many traps, just waiting for Jiang Qingzhi to jump.
Jiang Qingzhi took out the medicinal incense and Sun Chonglou lit it for him. Jiang Qingzhi said, "The heyday of the Former Han Dynasty was the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, right?"
Zhan Qin nodded in approval.
"So, what kind of statecraft did the Former Han Dynasty use during the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing?"
The Hanlin Academy suddenly became silent.
Jiang Qingzhi's voice came slowly, "Huang Lao's technique!"
Zhan Qin smiled and said, "It is the art of Huang-Lao, but it was not my Confucianism that was replaced later. It is my Confucianism..."
"Wait!" Jiang Qingzhi interrupted him again, "So that means that Huang-Lao's teachings are no less effective than Confucianism in governing a country. Is there any doubt about this?"
Last night they only analyzed the pros and cons of Confucianism, and never thought that Jiang Qingzhi would make a breakthrough from other doctrines. Zhan Qin looked unhappy and countered: "But it is precisely because of the exclusive respect for Confucianism that the Han Dynasty lasted for hundreds of years."
The country's destiny is a mess!
What Jiang Qingzhi hated most was what this group of people said to him about the country's destiny.
Uncle Ding was still turning slowly in my mind.
"After the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing, did the Former Han Dynasty ever have another prosperous era?"
Jiang Qingzhi's words were like a sharp sword, piercing through Zhan Qin's armor.
He moved his lips, trying to fight back, but he couldn't find any arguments.
"The reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing accumulated national strength, and Emperor Wu of Han fought back against the Xiongnu, which gave rise to the might of the Han Dynasty. But after that, the Former Han Dynasty went downhill all the way... to the point where those words came out!"
Jiang Qingzhi looked at everyone.
He said word for word: "The Han Dynasty has its own system, which was originally a mixture of hegemony and kingship. How can we use moral education and Zhou politics alone..."
Who can refute it!
Jiang Qingzhi looked at everyone and said, "Emperor Wu of Han said that Confucianism was the only doctrine he respected, but was Confucianism used to govern the country? It was just a Confucianism in appearance and a legalism in substance!"
"The one who truly used Confucianism to govern the country during the Former Han Dynasty was Emperor Yuan of Han, Liu Shi. But who was the one who started the decline of the Former Han Dynasty?"
Jiang Qingzhi pointed his index finger at the ground heavily, "It's Liu Shi!"
……
"Your Majesty, Chang Wei Bo said: Emperor Xuan of Han once said, the one who caused chaos in my family was the crown prince! In human terms, it means that the decline of the Han Dynasty began with Liu Shi, who advocated Confucianism!"
Emperor Jiajing narrowed his eyes and asked, "How is the Hanlin Academy?"
"Complete silence!"
(End of this chapter)
